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!