WHO IS YOUR ENEMY?

Do you know that Iya Ajoke, Mr Simeon, Mrs Belinda, your in-laws, your supervisor at work, your neighbour, your spouse, your parents and anybody else you consider to be your enemy is not your enemy at all.

No matter how wicked, inconsiderate, immature, devilish the person might behave to you, you have just ONE enemy.
  It is that ONE enemy that is simply working through them to get at you.

The enemy is using them because they allowed it, the only issue where human beings come in and receive judgement is when they are aware that the enemy is using them and they don't repent.

"So, Who is the enemy? Are you sure, it's not those witches in the village or that our great-great-grandfather that laid a generational curse?"
  Come, let me show you the enemy, your enemy:
"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies(i.e, human beings, your fellow men and women), BUT against:
-Evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world(You can't see them),
-Mighty powers in this dark world,
-Evil spirits in the heavenly places(They are beyond your reach)".Eph. 6:12,NLT

Yes, these are our enemies all working under one being, Satan(a.k.a The Accusers of brethens, The Old Serpent, The devil, etc.) *So, this is WAR!!!

However, we are not left defenceless or clueless on what to do(Hallelujah!).
Look here:
  "Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil."(Eph. 6:11, NLT)
You will be needing these:
-The Bullet proof vest of Righteousness
-The Belt of Truth
-The Boots of Peace(that comes from the Good News)
-The Shield of Faith
-The Helmet of Salvation
-The AK-47 Rifle of the Spirit(that is, The Word of God).
Then, you can't afford to forget basic necessities like PRAYER, especially, Prayer done in the Spirit (that is, Speaking in tongues, as the Holy Spirit gives you utterances).Eph. 6:13-18,NLT(paraphrased)

You need to be alert at all times, because:
"...Our great enemy, the devil. He prowls around LIKE a roaring lion(He's not the lion, there is only one lion, i.e, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah), looking for someone to devour".(1 Peter 5:8, NLT)

So, the next time, you are tempted to call another human being(like yourself) an enemy.
Simply bind the enemy(the Devil) working through the person, and cancel his works in the name of Jesus.

NOTE: Jesus did not say "Get thee behind me, Peter"...He said, "Get thee behind me Satan".
Rebuke the enemy(Satan) not the person!
Shalom!

STARS IN YOUR CROWN???

(*smiling*) I have some exciting news for you....

I am sure you must have heard this:
"And at judgement day, while some people shall have stars in their crowns depending on how many souls they won for Christ, others that didn't lead any soul to heaven shall have none(i.e, no stars in their crowns)".
Guess what? It's unbiblical, that is, there's nothing like that in the Bible...

The Only time "stars in the crown" is mentioned is in Revelations 12 vs 1-2(NLT):
"Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance. I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head.
  She was pregnant, and she cried out because of her labor pains and the agony of giving birth."
   And it has nothing to do with Soul-winning...

The verse mostly confused as "stars in the crown" is Daniel 12:3(NLT), which says:
"Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever."
   As you can see, there's no mention of "stars in the crown".

I know that you might find this rather unsettling because you have heard "stars in the crown" all your life(Don't worry, I also felt the same way).
  The only crowns promised to us at the judgment are(in no particular order):
1. The Crown of Life (Rev. 2:10, NLT)
2. The Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8, NLT)
3. The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4, NLT)
4. The Imperishable/Incorruptible Crown (which is also known as The Victor's Crown, 2 Tim. 2:5, NIV & 1 Cor. 9:25, NKJV)
5. The Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thess. 2:19, KJV)
   Checking through all of these, there's no mention of "stars in the crown"...

"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32,NLT)
#Scriptural truths...Shalom!

CAN YOU SEE MY PAIN?

So, I guess you must have noticed the picture below and I am guessing you either laughed in wonder, amazement or disbelief.
  "How na?", "It's not possible", "In this 21st Century", "When it's not World's Garbage day", "It's too exaggerated", "Is that even someone's house?", "These people and Social media".... You have so many comments.

Well, I am sorry to burst your bubble but that's definitely someone's house, someone's kitchen and if you note what was written on the picture, it says, 'After a meeting'(we are not told what kind of meeting), so, it's really not World's Garbage Day.

We don't see God but that does not mean He doesn't exist, so the same, just because you have never seen that picture in reality does not mean it doesn't exist.
  It may not the man's girlfriend that might be called to clear the place, What of House helps? Don't they go through things worse than these, Are they not humans?

I was in a bus one time and this drug seller stood up and said "Oga, U get pikin wey e yash(i.e bom bom) don enter inside like slippers, E head dey like football and E belle big like pot, U carry am go school, E dey vomit worms, buy this de-worming medicine. Worms no be your pikin.....and he continued.

Note: I have never seen a child vomiting worms but that does not mean it doesn't exist. The man must have seen, and that is why he was so bold in marketing his products.
  Just because you have never seen or experienced a certain situation does not mean someone else, out there is not experiencing it.

The pains and struggle, some people go through are both unimaginable and unspeakable. Some people wake up to agony, walk through distress and sleep in confusion.
  These days, some turn to the social media to express their pains through pictures, some through, group forums but then, we are quick to judge and conclude that all is fake. This makes the victims hurt the more.

Today, I implore you to please, "Ask the Lord to send help and comfort to people hurting", you might even be passing through yours, God is not sleeping, My Dear.... He can see and He truly understands what you are going through.

Simply take a minute to thank the Lord for his goodness(can't think of anything, think about the fact that you are alive) and then ask for help and comfort for those hurting, for when you stand in the gap i.e Pray for someone else(a.k.a intercede), God takes care of your own issues...1 Tim. 2 vs 1,NLT (paraphrased)

Have Great Faith and Courage, Hold on to God, Help is on the way. Shalom!

WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!

"You are great, you are great, everything written about is great...
  Demons tremble at your presence, What a mighty God we serve, Awesome God and Everything written about you is great..."

Not that I am trying to advertise this song, but I must say that "Indeed, God is Great", I don't know how to express or explain HIS Greatness.

All, I can is that He is Great....

Maybe, you should sing the song or listen to it on your phone, if you don't have it, Download it.
 Or just listen to any song that would tell God how Great and Mighty He is, It will lift your spirit up...

"You are great, You are Great and Everything written about you is Great!" Shalom...

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR HEAD?

(See his head, no wonder they call him Edward)
"Edward, My Guy, How you dey?

(*hisses* that's how she will be forming, I don't even know if she has crossed the borders of her village)
"Awww, Esther dear, What's wrong?

(Today ko, Today ni, The only thing He knows is to come and beg for money, as if I am CBN)
"Ah Henry, My Padi, You see, today ehn, I am low on cash, maybe, tomorrow, God will provide or you can check Bros. Shola, He might have some cash on him."

(If you don't smile now, they will call someone bad belle)
*smiles widely*....Durotimi, I am so happy for you.

(If not for condition, Who will make this one My Boss, that's how I will be saying "Sir" to all these youngsters, it's as if I should just slap their faces, Look at this one)
"Good day Sir, You are welcome. Yes sir, I will bring the documents straight to your office."

Imagine if everything we said in our minds was put on loudspeaker: Would you be proud of yourself or Would you cover your face in shame.

Most times, the things said in our minds or the thoughts we ponder on, it's either we are shy to say them or it's unnecessary or it's shameful if you are caught saying it....

You know, when this prayer is raised:
"Let us ask the Lord to forgive us our sins"
We are quick to think of the obvious sins like:
- Lies: I didn't lie today
- Fornication: I don't fornicate
- Stealing: God forbid!
- Trouble-making: I don't even like trouble, I stay on my own, by myself.

You think of every external sin you feel you have committed, then, you ask God for forgiveness but you forget the internal sins, those that happened in your thoughts and in your heart.

Sometimes, we don't even realise that we have sinned, we just say, "I was just thinking, I did not offend anybody, It's only me that knows what I was thinking."

Let's look at what Jesus has to say about this matter.
"But I say, if you are even ANGRY with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an IDIOT, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you CURSE someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell."(Matt. 5:22,NLT)

This is not so convincing, right?
Then, Check this:
"But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in HIS HEART."(Matt. 5:28,NIV)

So, the next time, you catch yourself saying something you might not be proud of, in your heart,
Simply ask God for forgiveness because though, it is a thought, it will be treated and judged by God as an action.

So, Watch your thoughts, lest, they become your golden ticket to HELL!
Shalom...

WHO WILL FIGHT FOR ME?

I know this is coming late, however, it's better late than never:
  HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!!
to all:
- The Great grand pa's
- The Grand pa's
- The Daddy's
- The Husbands
- The Soon-to-be husbands(i.e, The Engaged)
- The Single Men
- The Boys....

So, that was how I was on my way out in this keke napep(a.k.a Maruwa)....
 When we got to a stop point to pick more passengers, KASALA burst(*i.e, Wahala).

There was this keke in our front, our driver told the driver to move out a little and repark, so, we could find where to park.
  As the gentle looking driver was trying to repark, like swarm of bees, from nowhere, LASTMA just came and surrounded us.
  They collected the keys of the other driver, as our driver was trying to explain that the man was just reparking not carrying passengers, I just heard "Abi, Ori yi ti daru ni" (*Translation: Or, has your head scattered).

The fully decked clergyman that was sitting beside me came down, I thought he was running away...I was about to duck out when I saw the clergyman going to explain the situation to the LASTMA on behalf of our driver.
  They let us go, but filled up the other driver's keke, straight to their station, I guess...

I felt so sad for the man because he was on his own, safe, until we came and only for him to enter trouble, because there was no one to defend him, only God knows how much fine, he would pay that sunny afternoon.
   This word came straight to my heart:
"Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life."(Isaiah 43:4, NIV)

and then, I remembered this verse that says:
"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."(1 John 2:1, NIV)

Then, I also remembered this verse that says:
  "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.
  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth..."(John 14:16,17a.NLT)

*advocate: One who pleads the case of another; defender

Just because we had the clergyman in the keke, he stood as the advocate for our driver, while, the other man had none.
   God has made Jesus, Our advocate, while Jesus has made the Holy Spirit, Our advocate, so we are not helpless and defenceless.

So, the next time you find yourself in a "helpless" or "hopeless" situation like the other driver or like Hamaan & Mordecai.
   Just call out to our everlasting advocate because we have the promise that He'll never leave us till Christ comes back and He will be there to defend you, fight for you and help you.

I pray that as you start this new week,
"God will give people in exchange for you...
You will not enter trouble while trying to help and if you do, The Holy Spirit will arise on your behalf and defend you, fight for you, in Jesus MIGHTY name, Amen!
Shalom....

CHARACTER

Mr. B: Hmmm, what is that scent? It seems it's a mixture of Flower bomb, Burberry Brit, Whaaaat, even, Chanel Chance....on just one human being.
   Wait, wait, it seems like there's a little touch of Bulgari BVLGARI rose essentielle, all these are extremely expensive perfumes; no one cost less than a Hundred dollars....
  You know I am into Perfume business, you have to know your scents.

Obinna: Ewo! You no mean am, so you wan tell me say, on top that woman na half a million on just scent wey breeze go soon blow comot...Na wa o...Money miss road.

Mr. B: Yes o, My brother.

Obinna: Ah! And you know the thing wey pain me pass be say, as she fine reach with all those scents wey you dey count, her heart be like stone. She wicked ehn, so tey, the Devil carry second position.

Mr. B: What do you mean?

Obinna: Eh hen, as you see the woman, me sef I know say she get money but as you see her so, her middle name na "Alaroro" a.k.a "Aka gum" a.k.a "Stingy koko", She stingy ehn....

E no stop there o, you see that Jeep wey she go dey park for anoda persin domot, and no be say, she no get parking space...No be her own.
  I hear say, Na for the husband first wife wey she pursue comot.

Then, you see how she go dey smile, Na lie o.
If she smile for you, bros, bone your face, because the day you smile for am, Na so you go smile away your money.
   Infact, the next time she pass your side, close your nose, no dey smell her scent... You no know wetin she don put inside the scent, maybe Na even touch and follow scent...

Mr. B: Oh My God, She must really be a wicked woman.

Obinna: Bros, in short, as you see her so, with that her innocent face and perfume, Na she gan gan be the devil's pikin....

"A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume or a fat bank account"(Ecc. 7:1, NLT.MSG)

Shalom....

The Right Heart...

You know when I think about it, I get so scared....
Just because God answers your prayers does not mean He knows you or is pleased with you....

Answered prayers doesnt mean you are in right standing with God...
God is a God of principles, that is why when you follow his principles, you get results....

It's just like when you go to the market, you ask the shopkeeper where you can find what you want to buy,
you find what you want to buy, you pay for it,
Your goods are packaged, you get your receipt....

Just because the shopkeeper helped you to locate your goods and packaged the goods for you does not mean he/she loves you, that's just basic principles of trade,
the same with God, just because everything is going on fine with you or your prayers get answered in a second does not mean God is pleased with you....

What God seeks is a relationship, if there's no relationship even after salvation, there might be no heaven for such a person...

We were created to seek communion with God and vice-versa, when this is not happening in your life, everything else is just a half-baked wall waiting to crumble at any minute especially on the judgment day...

So, if I preach and all the souls on earth make heaven and I don't have a relationship with God, I might barely make heaven
OR
If I sing and people get instant healing and my heart is not right with God, No heaven for me....
  Think of every religious activity you are involved in, if your heart is not right with God, No Heaven for you...

Please, Check your heart right now(don't deceive yourself), Is it right with God? Shalom!

I JUST DON'T GET IT!

"Why is this happening to me?"
"When will all these evil days be over?"
"Ah! From one wahala to the other"
"Am I under a curse?"
"When will I come out from all this gbese?"
"*sighs deeply* How will I pay all these debts that just seem to be piling up day by day, the interest on top, nko? Another gbese"
"How long will I wait for this my so called bone of my bone or second half to find me out, I am not getting any younger, my biological clock is ticking away?"
"Eh! This my in-laws, that are thorns in my flesh, when shall I be delivered from them?"

"Wait o, how many carry overs in just one semester, but I read and I don't cheat, what is happening?"
"But, how many heartbreaks will I have to pass through before I meet my prince charming?"
"After all my 2.1, no job, I have even lost count of how many job applications I have sent or how many interviews I have gone for, but it all ends at: We will get back to you shortly."
"Why do I read the word (Bible) so many times, yet, no Rhema?"
"How come I try so hard, yet, I still fall for the same temptation, but I am saved, abi, I have given my life to Christ?"
"How come I don't get promoted like others, yet, I work harder than them and they, even know it?"
"Why is my life like this? I just don't get it!

All these and many more(as the list is countless) are questions that disturb the hearts of many including yours.
  I might not have touched your area but you definitely have questions and you just don't get why? Why you? For how long?

I can't specifically tell you it's going to end now but I can tell you a little secret.
Take a look at this:
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." (2 Cor. 1:3-4, NLT)

From here, we can see that you are going through those pains, struggles, confusion, doubts, discouragements, disappointments for a reason.

The reason is this:
God wants you to be a source of comfort to someone else.

How?
By experiencing certain situations/circumstances.

Why?
You tend to understand deeply and relate better with someone else passing through a similar case.

God did not design man to be an island, so as you would definitely need help to survive, someone else would also need your help to survive. We all need each other.

So, I encourage you with the help of the Holy Spirit, as those questions pop up in your mind,
Ask the Lord what he wants you learn from the situation and,
  Then, thank him for the release of Grace to carry you through the ordeal.

No matter how bad your situation may be like, IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL WITH YOUR SOUL; You will make it , Yes, You will make it out with a Glorious Testimony in Jesus name(Amen). Shalom....

IS GOD EVEN LISTENING?

(From Left - Right: Ezekiel Azonwu, Jackie Hill Perry, ME!, Janette...Ikz and Preston Perry at "THE EXCISION" on Saturday, 11th June, 2016)

So, a lot of people have been asking me, 'Who are the people in the picture?". To answer your questions, They are Contemporary Christian Poets (You can Google P4CM for more details).

Today's message is centred on the shirt, I was wearing.
You know, there are days when it seems like praying, Fasting and crying to God does not bring any form of response or Probably, at this moment, you are going through dark times and the constant question in your heart is "God, are you up there at all? Can you see what I am passing through? Won't you come and help out? Are you even listening at all?"

Check this out:
"And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.
   And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for." (1 John 5:14-15,NLT)

A man came up to the stage and gave this announcement: "If you want to take a selfie with the poets, you have to buy a shirt or anything relating to them outside at the sales stand."

When the program was over, I headed outside to purchase a shirt. When I got there, the first question I was asked was: "How much do you have?", I asked why the question, the reply was: "All the 1,700 naira shirts are finished, only 3,700 &5,500 naira shirts were available", that was a terrible blow to me because in my hands was just 2,000 naira, where in this place was I supposed to find any additional money.

I went back inside the hall, feeling dejected, but I really wanted a shirt, not even because of the selfie but to show them souvenir at home. "How will I come for a great event like this and go home empty-handed?(NEVER)

I took the nearest seat, looked up to the ceiling and said:
"Lord, I know you are here and I know you are listening. I really want the 3,700 shirt, but I only have 2,000 naira. I don't want to leave this place without a shirt.
Lord, please, I need 1,700 naira extra. I don't know how you are going to do it, You can send someone to give me the money or maybe, someone can just buy it for me.....
Lord, you know I can not go home empty-handed. Please, if you give the money, I will wear the shirt to church tomorrow."

I really believed, I told myself that even if I am already going and almost at the exit gate, God would still get me the shirt, I don't know how.

So, while, I was still hoping, praying and believing, My Neighbour at home saw me from afar and then, walked up to me.
We talked for a while and then, somehow, the conversations drifted to him telling me how he wanted to buy a shirt before but the 1700 naira shirts were finished.

1,700, This must definitely be God's answer to my prayer. I didn't waste time, Kai, kai, I asked him to borrow me the 1,700 and and quickly, I went to buy the shirt...GOD ANSWERED MY PRAYER.
(Trust me, I wore it to church the next day...fulfilling your vows, that's a topic for another day)

God is still in the business of answering prayers. Yes, God is listening to you. Yes, God can see what you are going through and Yes, God cares for you.

  If right now, you have run short of faith and patience in waiting for God concerning an issue, then, I want you to have this word of encouragement from GOD.

He Says:
"This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed." (Habakkuk 2:3, NLT)

What will I eat tomorrow?

I was trying to adjust the curtains over the windows, when, I decided to look out....and what I saw, I did not expect.

Staring back at me from afar, were two chickens bom bom, sitting on our water pipe, comfortably, looking so carefree, like nothing could just sneak up on them.
   All I could do, was shake my head in total wonder and amusement...

This is how we, as Christians, are to live our lives, carefree, not worrying about the next thing that could sneak up on us and steal our joy or shake us from our comfort.

Trust me, this is definitely not easy, neither does it make sense and this is why the Bible says:
  "Live Carefree before God, for he cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7(MSG,NLT)

Now, it doesn't just stop there; I want to ask you:
"Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" Matthew 6:27, NLT

If you agree with me and your answer is NO, then, I am pleased to tell you this:
  "....So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’...
  Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs." Matthew 6:31,32(NLT)

Instead, you are advised to:
   "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you EVERYTHING you need."(like, seriously, EVERYTHING!!!) Matthew 6:33,NLT

Since, you already have this promise and we know that God does not lie(Check Numbers 23:19, if you think I am lying).
Then, take this little piece of advice from Master JESUS, himself.
 He says:
  "So, don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.
  Today’s trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:34,NLT (as per, you can say that again)

So, Chill out! Relax in the arms of your Heavenly Father.
  I hope you know that I am talking to You, Yes, YOU...*smiles* #Shalom!

The TRUTH!

"To differentiate between the truth and lies coated as the truth, Focus more on the Author of the Truth, JESUS.

Focus intently on him; learn His ways, His patterns, His outlook, so that when the imposter of the truth comes to trick you, you can see the perfect imperfections written all over CLEARLY, because you know exactly how The Truth is....."

Meditate deeply on this....I ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten your understanding. #Shalom!!!

THE PASS...

"I was standing in front of this majestic tower, so beautiful, classy and complex (It's an office building).
  I was waiting for someone, who was in the building. I could go in, Right? Wrong, and this is because to go in, to gain access to any floor in the building, You need a pass.

  This pass is quite electronic in nature, it encodes every information about you while at work; your bio data, the records of the time you resumed at the office, your location at certain times, it's like a mini-tracking device.

  Back to the point, I couldn't go into the building because I didn't have a pass, I could only wait outside, admiring the beauty of the exterior view of the building, nothing else."

This can be likened to that day: THE JUDGEMENT DAY, this is the day after you take your final breath,
"Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (Heb. 9:27, NIV)

On that day, when a man passes on and gets to the BOOKS, the life and works of the man represents his "pass". In this world called ETERNITY, You determine your pass.

If the man's pass is "kudo-ed" and recognised, He gets to go into the place of Glory with saints up there waiting to welcome him with large smiles and wide open arms, patting him on the shoulder, saying,"Well done, you made it, All Glory to God in the highest".

  However, if the pass gets denied and rejected, he gets to view and admire the gates of heaven but does not get to peek at whatever is going on inside and Yes, the Devil and his co-hosts(rather, his crew members) would also be waiting eagerly for the next companion to show up, to welcome him with wide open arms of calamity, hatred, pain, anguish, every evil you can think of, HELL, the never dying worms and the bottomless pit, the list goes on and on.

Right now, if you were to examine yourself, your life(Please, be sincere to yourself), Where do you stand, I mean, if you were to drop dead now, In whose arms would you end up in?

  Death doesn't call you over the phone to inform you that He'll be dropping by....So, Don't postpone your Salvation or Repentance, You never know what's going to happen the next second.

It's better to be prepared than "Sorry", Do you have a working pass?

GRATEFUL!!!

It was raining heavily, the breeze was sparing no one either...
  Out in the cold, one could see a red branded umbrella sticking out like a Tomato in the middle of the lagoon; however, under that umbrella was ME!

  Remember those umbrellas, where half of the irons have bent into very awkward positions, so, it's hard for you to close them without having to struggle, and when you open them, it's only one side that looks normal, the other half looks quite epileptic, so, if that bad side is at your back side, your whole back would be soaked....This was my predicament.
  Then, to worsen the case, I am trying to close the main gate, with the wind pulling the gates and the umbrella, all at the same time... trust me, it was not a funny one.

I finally close the gate, and I am walking into the house when I hear "Pim, pim" outside the gate, I can pretend not to hear, but it seems the driver doesn't want to let go of the horn, so, I hear it in a more consistent pattern, "Pim pim", "Pim pim pim"....
  Well, do I have a choice? I walk back to the gates(NOTE: with my jallopy umbrella), back to the struggle: Wind vs ME(Round Two), I win *yaay*...The gates open, the vehicle comes in, I close the gates.

She needs an umbrella, well, the house is not far, I can run in the rain, so I hand over my jallopy umbrella(it's not like it was even useful), and this is when I know it was indeed useful.
  It was as if, someone was beating me, especially, my head...Suddenly, it looked like the house was far, by the time I got into the house, I was wet(it was like all the cold in the world decided to enter my body).
   I did not wait for anyone to tell me; the next minute, I was wearing gloves, a thick pink sweater, a long thick muffler...You would think I was going for war......

  Then, this thought struck me like lightning, I had to pen it down immediately... and here it is:
"THANK GOD FOR THE LITTLE YOU HAVE", it's better than nothing.
  For, I did not value my jallopy umbrella,(even though, it was covering my head and some parts of my body) until, I was left with nothing...

When you are not appreciative of the little you have, it would be taken from you.
  It could be that #15,000 naira job(at least, there's something coming in at the end of the month) or it could be your annoying spouse(some have lost theirs while some died without getting to meet theirs, you still have yours) or your poor grades(I know of some first class persons that are dead, some died during NYSC, others died few days to graduation)...

I don't know the little you have, that you are still complaining about, EVERY DAY....GOD is saying "STOP IT"!
   Start to give him thanks for "it", it's definitely better than nothing(at least, from experience), somehow, it's still covering you from some form of shame.

So, the next time, you are about to start complaining or asking God "Why, It's so small", turn your complaints to Thanksgiving, it would do you so much good than harm....#Shalom!!!!

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus..(1 Thess. 5 vs 18,NLT)

CONSECRATION!!!

In the world, we hear, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
In the kingdom, you are asked: "Where do you want to serve?"
   To maximise our God-given potentials to the fullest capacity in our lives, our homes, in the kingdom, in our churches, in service to God, then, we ought to live a consecrated life...

A consecrated life is a step higher than the general level of salvation.

God excepts everyone of us to live a consecrated life, however, most of we christians, prefer to live below that expectation because of several limiting factors(some of which are myths,i.e, not true) that we have built up....the popular ones: I don't want to be called "Spiri Coco", I don't want people to say "Your own is too much, when you are not the pastor of your church/parish", "I would be missing out on life(imagine, if God says, I should stop going to certain places, abeg, this life is once and short, Mo fe jaiye"), then, there are other unpopular ones like "What if God now calls me into Full time ministry, ah, someone's knowing at the door: Poverty, Poverty is at the door", "What will my family members say?", "When God did not call me, why should I call myself", "Those little tips I get at work nko", the list goes on and on....

Allow me to extinguish your fears and debunk certain myths(i.e false beliefs) that have been circulated about "Consecration"

Let's take a look at this:
   "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you.
   Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

   Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
  Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Rom. 12 vs 1-2

Q: What is Consecration?
This is consciously & deliberately giving God your body: Physical & Spiritual
"Physical includes the following:
Your Outward appearance
Your Habits
Your Lifestyle
Your Manners, the way you talk
Your Health
Your Finances
Your Job
Your Relationships
Your Material possessions....etc.

Spiritual:
Your Quiet time
Your Prayer life
Your Giving(Tithes, Offerings, giving to the needy)....etc."

because of all He has done for you (Salvation, the gift of life, the gift of time, the gift of Sleep, the gift of protection, the gift of provision, etc...), daily(not only on Sundays or Mid-week services in Church), from the moment you wake up till you close your eyes for the day, in such a way that He(God) would find your life pleasing, recommendable and acceptable...

   Then, when you do all these, God, in turn would cause a transformation of your mind which would take effect on everything else (for the mind is the power horse of your soul).

Then, you would learn to know & walk in God's will per time and guess what?
God's will for you is always good, pleasing and PERFECT, so, you would basically be on top of the world.

Isn't that awesome?

I would love to show you people who made this decision:
- Daniel (Dan. 1:8)
- Paul (Gal. 2:20)
- Jesus (John 14:10, John 8:28b)
- Joseph (Gen 39:9)
The list is countless, even down to ourration.

Consecration is not a burden as some see it to be, but daily putting aside your "self" and making God first and the Center of your existence.

You can do that, Can't you?

ARE YOU FOR REAL? In this 21st Century

We were gisting, chit-chatting, walking towards the bus stop, by the time we got to the junction of the bus stop, probably, she was carried away, so I pulled at her , getting her attention, I pointed towards a black calabash supposedly filled with sacrifice(èbo, as yorubas would call it), I can still picture it vividly.

She cancelled whatever mission it was supposed to carry out in the name of Jesus and we crossed to the other side of the road to board a vehicle (bus).

From then till now, I am still shocked, yes, I know things like this exist bit I thought it was only in movies or in the forest, not outside on tarred roads, in the midst of civilisation.

In some minutes of reflection, I started to pity the individuals involved in that unbecoming act because obviously, the devil's hold on them is so strong and his deception, so deep.

Deception, this is the greatest instrument of the Devil, it is his checkmate move and the oldest tricks in his books, as it dates back to the time of creation in the Garden of Eden to the time in the wilderness with Jesus and up to the future that's yet to come....

Q: What is Deception?
A: It is intentionally managing verbal and /or nonverbal messages so that the message receiver will believe in a way that the message sender knows is false.(Wikipedia, 2016)

The Issue now is "How do we overcome this old, yet dangerous and effective tool of our adverse enemy, the Old Serpent, Satan"?

1. You need to have a relationship with your maker through Jesus.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."(John 14 vs 6, NLT)

2. Deepen your relationship by reading the word, for there is nothing greater than the word, even, God is bound by his words(i.e The Bible)

"No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back a single word I said." (Psalms 89 vs 34, NLT)

"In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1, NLT).

3. Strengthen and keep your Spiritual man fit by taking part in spiritual exercises, like praying, Fasting(as the Spirit gives you grace), memorising Bible verses, speaking in tongues(if you have not experienced the Baptism of The Holy Spirit, simply ask him; it's a wonderful experience)

4. Spend time meditating on the word of God, and learn to be still and sensitive to the voice/leading of the Holy Spirit.

5. Attend a Bible-believing church, attend the services as regularly as possible.
"Iron sharpens Iron, so a man sharpens another and let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, bit encourage one another... (Psalms 27:17, NIV & Heb. 10:25,NLT)

6. Finally, put on the whole armour of God:
The Helmet of SALVATION
The Body Armour of RIGHTEOUSNESS
The Belt of TRUTH
The Shoes of PEACE
The Shield of FAITH
The Sword of THE SPIRIT(i.e, THE WORD OF GOD) Eph. 6:13-17, NLT

The Lord will help YOU & Me, for by our own strenght, we are like chickens in the hands of the devil about to be slaughtered but with GOD in us, the devil is like a grasshopper to a Giant because the Bible says:
"Greater is He that is in me, than he, that is in the world"... 1 John 4:4, KJV

The Lord is Our Strenght!!!

Would YOU be My Bride?

It was her day, the church was filled to the brim, she was loved by all, despised by some, nonetheless, it was her day..

The Church organ started playing, the whole church was filled with the rhythmic tunes of "Here comes the bride", the whole congregation stood up in unison( it was like it was rehearsed)....

Then, the magnificent wooden doors of the church opened to the sight of the bride...there were sounds of shuffles, everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the " wife to be"....and then, there was a hush....

The bride walked in, with her hands interlocked with her dad's....

"Is this a joke?", "What is this?", "hehehehe"(cynical laughter could be heard across the church hall), comments like this were heard in hushed voices, more like whispers...What happened?

The bride was dressed in a white but brown looking wedding gown(more like she fell into a huge mud puddle), there were huge stains of oil(like she just left the bakery), her hair, it was tangled and looking rather unkept, then, somewhere at the back of her gown, a black linen could be seen(was that supposed to be her underwear, I think so?)

The whispers were increasing in volume, people started talking in louder tones while some, were looking in shock, others in utter disgust....This would be the talk of the town for a very long time...

  "Just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.
   He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish.
  Instead, she will be holy and without fault".(Eph. 5 vs 25-27,NLT)

At some point in our lives, we are like the bride in the story, dirty, messy, wrinkled, name it, unfortunately, the world we are in right now, does not make it obvious...

At that point, it's like we are falling down a bottomless pit, when we think the worst has happened, something else crops up.
  However, unlike the bride, we have our knight in shining armour...
He's here to wash us clean, remove the spots, the dirt, the wrinkles and present us pure, holy and acceptable...

Sadly enough, some people don't even want to have anything to do with him, which is quite surprising, they have set up different barriers, he can break them down if He wants to but He's the perfect Gentleman, so, he won't...

Sometime ago, I met him and I must confess, since then till now, I don't regret it, because the encounter did not end on the first meeting, I meet him regularly, actually, daily...
  Well, you might have met him and you might have not...still, let me introduce you to My King, My Olowo ori mi, My Strengthner, My Friend, My All in all...He's name is JESUS, THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH!!!

Have you met him, if no, then, I must tell you that you are missing a lot...infact, you are missing on life...because for me, He's My Past, My Present and Definitely My Future...He's My EVERYTHING!

You need to meet him....

Say CHEESE!!!! (Focus)

Say Cheese!!!!
  This is probably one of the oldest and surest tricks for getting the people to focus on the camera....

So, today I went to the market to get some stuffs....I had to be quick as possible.
  Now, we all know that, you can meet anyone at the market(that is, it is an unofficial reunion meeting place)so, I have become self-conscious, looking out for anyone I can meet while on a shopping spree....

Today, I met a very good friend but for the first time, I didn't spend less than 2 mins, I had my eyes on the time, I couldn't afford to spend much time than allocated for the shopping...Chit-chating would ve reduced that time...
  Then, this thought occurred to me and made so much sense...

# When you have focus, nothing else matters
# When you have focus, you can sieve the needful from the un-neccessary
# When you have focus, it defines your path: you know what the obstructions are, even if they come in glittery wrappers in form of friends, a lover, a habit.
# When you have focus, everything involved is aligned
# When you have focus, you can feel it when things are not right
# When you have focus, you are motivated, even when things don't seem to rhyme...

However, What is your focus on?
For the Bible says "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.(Phil. 4:8, NLT)

For, as wonderful and powerful as Focus is, It has the ability to destroy a man, all he has worked for and all he'll ever be...

When a man is focused on a thing, there's nothing except for the intervention of God, that can change his mind,
  For, The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.
   Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”(Gen. 11:6-7, NLT)

So, once again, I ask, Where is your focus at?

Is it pure(without greedy motives), Is it true(or is it painted with lies), Is it honourable(or it had better be kept with the remaining buried secrets of your heart), Is it right(or you can't do without taking the backdoor), Is it lovely(or at the expense of people's happiness and peace), Is it admirable(Would Jesus be proud to call you his child in front of the Devil without an iota of doubt?)

What is your focus on?
For your focus determines your past, present and future...You are a model and practical example of your focus.....

Focus is a strong virtue....Use it wisely!!!

HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE CHURCH!!!!

(Note: "Church" mentioned in this post is referred to "The Body of Christ" and not Denomination(s))

I believe this topic is a really touchy one, however, I will relate it to you in a very simple yet technical way(Ironic, right).

"We were all lined up in the church, It was a really long and large church. Each person was assigned to individual bed spaces. However, it was noticed that certain spaces were occupied by two persons....

  A stage light shone upon these sets of twos and what was seen was one of the most despicable acts been carried out right there in the Church, Homosexual Acts(which include Intercourse, fondling of another's genitals and other unimaginable acts), the disgusting act of masturbation(if only it stopped there.....#sighs)

  At some open spaces, still in this large church, some people could be seen urinating and defecating in the "supposed" House of God (What happened to the toilets?)"

   This is blasphemy (someone might say) but I will say, HOLD IT THERE before you jump into conclusions.
  Through the help of the Holy Spirit, intensive research and listening to the words of the wise and aged ones, I discovered this and would love to share it with you. (Yes,....YOU!)

Q: WHAT IS HOMOSEXUALITY?
A: This is a romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behaviour between members of the same sex or gender. (Wikipedia, 2016)

Q: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT "HOMOSEXUALITY"?
A: (IN SUMMARY) In the beginning,
"So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."(Gen. 1:27, NLT),
However,
"They shouted to Lot, “Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!”(Gen. 19:5), still,

Wicked men of the city:(Pounding on the door), “Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him.

Old man: “No, my brothers, don’t do such an evil thing." (Judg. 19:22b,NIV-23,NLT)

ARE YOU STILL NOT COVINCED?

Check this out,
“If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense."(Lev. 20:13)

"That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other.
  Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done.
   They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too." (Rom. 1:26,27...32)

Q: HOW HAS THE CHURCH CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROPAGATION & GRADUAL ACCEPTANCE OF HOMOSEXUALITY INTO ITS BODY?
A :

1. She has begun to lower her standards( in following the Bible standards) in wanting to fit in with the crowd and be socially/morally acceptable with the world, by gradually taking a little shift from its Foundation of Truth.

2. The Church keeps undermining the power of the spirit of Sodomy(as in, Sodom and Gomorrah). Check Gen. 19:5-9,NLT

3. The Church is sleeping in the ignorance of this topic, thereby, it's not preached or taught to show and warn brethens of the consequences of this grave act, including the doom behind this doctrine from hell, as the Bible suggests in Rev. 2:20,NLT.

4. The Church is keeping silent about the issue on a global scale, neither frowning at or speaking out to let the world know its stand on the issue....

ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING, CHECK THIS OUT!!!

The Buzzing of the Mosquitoes, (it was like I could trace their every flying directions), the stillness of the air in the room could be felt, as the windows were locked to prevent the remaining mosquitoes family ganging up outside after the scent of the sprayed insecticide was long gone.
  I could count the ceiling slabs, however, there was no light (Well-done PHCN, rather called NEPA)....

I checked through my phone for incoming chats, obviously none, as this was 2am, who would be awake?

I put on my earpieces, listening to inspiring Gospel slow rhythms from my phone, hoping to fall asleep, to no avail.

I sat up on my bed, I laid down, I tried different sleeping positions, still to no avail, it was like sleep decided to abandon me.

I decided to write, read, anything to make me fall asleep.

- 3am had come to meet me, I tried all I could,
- 4am, you must be kidding...

  At 4:16 am, the local chickens in the neighbourhood started their wake-up morning cry routine, I increased the volume of the music entering into my ears( Story.....No Sleep)

5am, 6am, 7am....No sleep, when it's not a vigil.

So, I am supposed to be out of the house by 9am, My Mom walks into my room.

Mom: Good Morning, How are you?
Me: I've not slept since yesterday (P.S: I don't take coffee)
Mom: Did you pray?
LONG SILENCE...
She lays her hands on my head and prays a simple prayer of sleep.
Mom: And we were supposed to leave early
Me: I don't feel sleepy
Mom: Don't say that, Sleep.

Trust me, I slept soundly for the next 2hrs. Not being able to sleep is a Nightmare(from experience) but the Bible tells us in Psalm 127 vs 2(NIV):"In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves"...

From this, we can see that "Sleep" or "being able to sleep" is a gift from God; So,

1. The Next time you are about to sleep, Thank God for the gift of Sleep

2. When you see that you can't sleep, simply remind the giver of the gift of sleep his promise through this simple prayer: " Lord Jesus, your word tells me you grant sleep to those you love, I know you definitely love me for you word tells me so.
I really need to sleep now, Thank you for the gift of sleep, I receive it now with everything in me, In Jesus name I pray...Amen"

P.S: If Symptoms persists after 3 days, say the prayer all over again...Shalom!

WE ARE BACK AGAIN!!!

So, it's been a while since any article of value has been posted...
To be sincere, I can say I was going through that blank phase every writer goes through at some point and says "I don't have inspiration, I don't have what to write about(even though there are more than a billion things to write about)".

  However, God was faithful, through the help of certain friends and the constant but gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit (P.S: because the Holy Spirit is gentle, that is why it is so easy to procrastinate and ignore His requests), I can say I am back on my feet....

  Now, don't think I've gotten a whole load of inspiration, sincerely, I still feel (blank) but there was something a friend told me:
" If you feel you need that Wooow moment to feel inspired...you might really wait a loooooooong time! ",and that struck a cord...

I don't know how tomorrow is going to be like or what it is going to bring, however, I am making this pledge today(June 1, 2016):

" Not by power nor by might, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

- I pledge to write daily, send out spoken words as much as I can; positively impacting on the lives around me, including yours,

- Shedding the light on certain areas that seem like shades of darkness,

- Bringing peace to the comfort of your home, your heart (despite the challenges that may arise)

and so help me God, Amen!

So whether or not, my posts makes sense to you, Share it out with someone else, on your Phone contact, your WhatsApp chats, your Facebook friends, your Twitter Peeps and every social media angle you are inclined to, even your conventional text messaging would go a long way!

BY THE GRACE OF GOD, Inspire Me IS BACK IN FULL FORCE!
Shalom!