FIRST LOVE!!!

It was a worship session, the whole place was jam-packed, from the first floor to the last floor. The entrance to this great, massive hall was blocked by a large number of people, some even took to the stairs, while some sat, others stood.

The stage was filled with colourful stage lights moving in different directions causing dramatic effects on whosoever was on stage.
  Gigantic screens could be seen, some, even plastered into the walls.
The sound systems were on point, you would feel like you could sing with the heavenly host, as every sound emanating from them was clear and strong.

As it seemed, we were all caught up in worship, when she walked past. The scent tracing her every step made anyone she passed, look to her direction.
  She was dressed in a fully embroidered clear turquoise blue gown(I think it must be silk), with her hair flowing down, She looked like an angel.

Still gaping at her beauty(wondering how God decided to make some people so beautiful, almost perfect), I looked around and noticed I was not the only one entranced.
  Yet, with all the attention, it seemed like she was oblivion to it. She raised her hands and joined in the worship session (Omg!!!! Her voice was sleek, like a bird, so beautiful).

"Well, I didn't come here because of her", I chided myself and got back to worshipping. I can't say how long the worship took but at some point, the atmosphere was getting charged, you could tell that the Holy Spirit was around.
  Some people started wailing, sobbing some shouting, some crying profusely and that was when I heard a loud thud not far from my position.

Ehn! I was a little disturbed by the sound, so, I opened my eyes to find the cause...

Our fine lady was shaking(*in my mind, Holy ghost, come upon me too) but then, the shaking didn't stop, instead, it became more violent(*Na wa o, the Spirit's hold must be strong on her).
   Then, her body started making cracking sounds like she was in excruciating pain (This can not be the Holy Spirit), then, white foam started pouring from her mouth.

Omo mhen, you need to see the speed at which men and women of every stature you can think of, started jumping seats; in less than 5secs, the whole row was empty.

People were shouting for help, some were taking her pictures(can you imagine?), some were calling her demon possessed, it was TERRIBLE.
  The medics rushed in and took her out on a stretcher, it was an embarrassing and shameful occurrence(I can't imagine her pain).....

"Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus.
   I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance.
   But I have this complaint against you:
You walked away from your first love—Why?..." Rev. 2:1-4 NLT, MSG

Come with me and let me explain some things to you..
  Our fine lady is the Church(that is, The body of Christ, i.e, You & Me) while the onlookers is the World.

These days, the Church has been caught(continuously) in the mold of raising hands in worship, wearing the latest fashions, caring little for our soul which has been filled with worms and dirt, slowly eating away our inside making us into an institution of rules & words that carry no power or life.

From the outside, when people see us, they see us "skalaboshing" (i.e, Speaking in tongues) yet, with no positive or re-generated effect on our attitudes or character.
  The most holy of men are the most cankerous of men.

Jesus is calling out to his betrothed wife: The Church, to come back to her first love;
Let our hearts be filled once again with the Joy of Salvation that has grown cold overtime;
Let our lips be filled with songs coming out from a heart of worship and gratitude to the Lord Most High.
Let our lives be filled with light that we may show men the direction to the Ultimate Light: JESUS.

Jesus is calling out to YOU and to ME and He says:
"My Love, return back to your first love, let's have a relationship, deeper than religion, richer than the teachings of men; full of light, love, understanding, trust, sincere hearts....."

He Says: Let's go back to the beginning, My Love....Shalom!

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....