Stepping on my own Toes

Driving home from dropping off my siblings at School i pondered... What kind of a Christian am i? the Christian that "knows" or the kind that "Understands" Kingdom principles, the kind of Christian that "Hears' or the kind that "do" the word, the kind of Christian that compromises on the excuse of grace or the kind that understands that Grace gives us the power to say "No" to Sin, the kind of Christian who sees the Bible as a Sunday story book or the kind that sees it as a daily bread , the kind of Christian who easily complies with public opinion and argue the Bible or the kind that sees Bible as the Ultimate Authority., the kind of  Car and door  Sticker-Christian or the  result Oriented and  Fruit-bearing kind, the kind of who sees  Celebrities as their Role Model  or the kind that sees Jesus amidst all, the kind that compromises on godly living or the uncompromisingly righteous Christian.  The “everybody is doing it” or “I am the light…” kind of Christian. These are not standards for Christian Living but among other things. We are admonished to be Exemplary believers among others.  1Timothy 4:11-12 MSG.  “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.’’

Is it wrong to ask for God's Presence

I got the same feeling as you might be having right now as I was asked this question. But as believers we are limited by our level of understanding of scriptures. So much so that Paul prayed for the Ephesians for this reason "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened..." Ephesians 1:17-18. Here was my reply to the question.
 
Psalms 24:1 reveals the Earth as the Lord's and everything in it. And it is seen in Joel 2:28 speaking about the outpouring of His spirit on all Flesh. God's Presence is therefore manifest in all the Earth, in the works of His Creation all around and within us. We know this further because we understand that He is "Omnipresent".  You do not give an invitation to someone whose house you already are. If the Host is not home waiting for you then you could say he is a terrible Host. "...I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found..." Isaiah 45:19(NLT) God does not play “hide and seek” games and most definitely, God is not an Absentee Host.  For in him we live and move and exist... ‘We are his offspring.’ Acts 17:28. How possibly could He miss us, He who’s Presence we already stood? It was C.S Lewis who said ''we may ignore, but we can nowhere evade the presence of God, the world is crowded with him. He walks everywhere incognito"

               Remember we serve a good God. Ever reliable, forever dependable and eternally faithful. In Exodus 33:14. God offered His Presence to Moses. Now take note of the circumstances that led to that meeting. They sort of consecrated themselves to meet the Lord including Moses, and God was in that Tenth waiting for him. The Moment Moses entered they both started a Friendly conversation. Notice, also Moses didn't have to summon or ask for God's Presence, God already marked Present. Moses had Favor in His sight. But that's the very Position God has put us today. Hebrews 4:16 "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most". We boldly come… not to ask for His Presence, because that’s where we've always been. We have a Promise never to be Left alone Hebrews 13:5b.   
               Though we are before God and His Spirit is poured in us and the proof of His existence manifested in Creation. For us to access a deeper Fellowship with Him Psalms 100 lays it down emphatically the "Protocol" to His Presence. God He is present and always present. We come to Him. How could I be standing right before my dad, and then start praying for him to be there, its sounds ridiculous. As God's own people we necessarily do not pray for His Presence, we Celebrate and acknowledge His Presence in our meetings and in our Lives. In verse 2 of Psalms 100 "...come before His presence with singing"
The very first criterion to enjoy a conscious and consistent Fellowship with God is that of Service with Gladness of our Heart. Secondly you must know who God is and who you are to Him, that's your source of Worship. Thirdly, approaching him even closer, you must pass His Gates with a Heart of Thanksgiving, and finally burst forth His Courts where you meet Him in Person, with Praises on your Lips. Once you are there Bless His name. His name because you Know Him well enough. It takes a level of intimacy to enjoy such a place of fellowship with God.
               So is it now wrong to ask for God's presence? I am sure you have an answer in your Heart. Celebrating and Thanking Him for His ever abiding Presence is what we should always do. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there." Mathew 18:20. When the purpose of your gathering is of Him, His Presence is not a Bluff.

You haven't seen anything like this... Ever!

It was such a mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, box-breaking, Heart-warming and Life-changing moment as I witnessed the most Phenomenal Moment in History, just few hours ago. The Congregation was thrown into celebration for this one-of-a-kind, Never-seen-before act of Love and unspeakable Kindness on Display.
This was the 12th and last day of "12 Days of Glory". An annual conference heavenly inspired and organised by the Commonwealth Of Zion Assembly- COZA. Starting from the 2nd through 13th of January. Attended were World-class Ministers of the Gospel; Bishop Thomas A. Bishop Felix Adejumo, Bishop Noel Jones, Michelle M. Hammond, Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo, Dr. Mike Murdock and others who preached with well Seasoned Words of Grace. It was a Life transforming moment.
Dr. Mike Murdock crowning up the meeting did the Exceptional of what happens to be a Most Memorable day for COZA and will hit the Air-ways soon. He was in fact eager to do it as he couldn't wait, till after the message. I am filled with amazement and gratitude. This 68 year old Billionaire, prominent and Adept Preacher released a Million-dollar Gift to the Senior Pastor of COZA. According to him, had initially asked if he wants it and he couldn't accept, but came on publicly to offer it to the Pastor's wife, which she gladly accepted. The Gift of a Rolls-Royce was just the news that threw the Church into Shouts of Celebration and moved the Pastor and his wife to tears. Now when a Guest speaker decides to honor the Host in such a manner, it is worth the Wonder and amazement. As the reverse should have been the case. As we speak the Car is on its way to Nigeria and Grace the Pastor's Car Park. Wow! Now here is the most emotional moment for me. Dr. Mike made a Life-long commitment to the Pastor's Kids. Four of them in number. I just couldn't hold my tears anymore as he knelt down on this hard floor for what took about 20 minutes to verbally commit; including them in his Will and to be a second Father to them for as Long as he Lives. Wow! It was Church unusual. Afterwards he led the Church to Bless the Pastor. This surely is a "net-breaking and boat-sinking" testimony. Driving home I was marvelled, I still shout at intervals. This must be an act of God's Favor.

"The Joy of Christmas" Not a Cliche!

As I sat in Church this Christmas eve, and the speaker mentioned Joy as one of the things The Born King  brought with Him. I was surprised, I never imagined how Powerful and Important this was. I went home that night and I started my research into Scriptures. Here is the insight I got.
  Joy is an experience of Heaven and a Force with Man. That moment when we are Joyful we are in perfect harmony with Heaven. And that causes Heaven to intervene; extending its sovereignty and exceeding power in our Lives. "Your will be done on earth as it is Heaven" Joy of Heart speeds up the Process, as it totally commits God. Psalm 105:43.
  Joy is a "State" of our hearts where we have it all. "Happy are the people who are in such a state..."Psalm 144:15. Even though the circumstance speaks contrary. This "State" is prominent with a people not of this world, who understands that their Citizenship is of Heaven and have God for their Lord and God. Who sees beyond the present moment and are Happy knowing it is temporal and are in transition to the Better Place, where the Belief of Having it all transcends to Real Experience of enjoying it all.  "...as having nothing, and yet possessing all things" 2 Corinthians. 6:10.
   The question of its essence and relevance comes to heart, especially in a world filled with terror and Pain, sickness and poverty, rejection and disappointment, shame and reproach, war and fear, suffering from the abuse of oppression and cruelty of the enemy. And we are choked and paralyzed that we become weary loosing the Hope for a Better Life. The Gospel is Good News to a corrupt and a dying world. Good enough to Lift our heavy hearts and downcast souls giving us the Hope of Victory and Provisions to this Life. Just as "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones". Proverbs 16:24; in Like manner Joy Heals our Souls. This was so important the Disciples made a job out of it, as they considered themselves "workers" for our Joy; Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy..." 2 Corinthians 1:24.
   The Gift of the Son- for us, for our long starved soul, its not just in what we have Received but in the Release of the Joy with the Gift given to us. Not that this is more important than the Son, perhaps, it is as important as the Son. For it is the Eulogy that sounded His coming. JOY to the World The Savior is Born. Mathew 2:10 "seeing the Star they rejoiced with exceedingly great Joy" that of the good news that was spoken before time, they have now seen its manifestation. And with Great and Exceeding Joy they drew near to the Manger. When I was a child, hearing the hoot of my Dad's car from far distance beams joy in my heart and made me run out to meet him. I Believe strongly they increased their Pace, in eagerness to go meet the Born King. The Angel Announcing this to the shepherds said "...I bring you good tidings of Great Joy which will be to all people" Luke 2:10. Before announcing the arrival of the Son the angel first proclaimed the good tidings of immense Joy to lift their souls in receiving the Gift of the Son.
  Could this be less emphasized in our churches today or treated as a mere Cliche. This is so important that without it our Life is incomplete and our Potentials not maximized to the Fullest.
   Joy is not the work of Human effort or skill, it is a Spiritual mystery and a Key, and those who understands it have commanded it with results following. It is the "Fruit of the Spirit", we know this in Galatians 5:22. Given only from the throne of Heaven. "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit". Rom 15:13. John 15:11; It is in the Heart of God that this Joy remain in us, and in full measure. With which we can determine our circumstance. And sometimes the Praise of our Lips releases it. The Israelites Praised from a Joyful heart  when they were up against Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, they only looked up to see dead bodies with no survival. 2 Chronicles 20:22-24. Joy, so powerful that it can destroy the enemy and all his hosts put together.
  Joy is the Protocol of God's Presence; as Psalms 100. clearly tells us; "Make a joyful shout to the Lord..., Enter into His gates with thanksgiving...". God doesn't get nervous at Shouts like this one. It gets you in perfect harmony with God, such that it transcends your human spirit and quicken your understanding unto the Hope we have in God. Not to be treated as an event but as a Lifestyle. "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you". 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4. Being Joyful is spiritual. Verse 19 of 1 Thessalonians 5 tells us not to "quench the Spirit" Joyfulness of our hearts keeps the supernatural at work in our Favor, circumstance not withstanding. Rejoicing Always doesn't seem like what a sane person will do, in our society when you are not seen worrying in an unpleasant condition they feel then you've got a real problem, but then we'll be acting a script the enemy has written for us, as Believers we act counter-culture to unpleasant circumstance and Rejoice, giving thanks in all things, for doing just that is spiritual, it is the Will of God and a Heavenly wisdom for re-routing our way out of that circumstance and into our abundant Life. We walk by Faith, not by sight. We don't let Circumstance dictate what we Believe. That is why we are called "Believers". For the Righteous, the longer they live the brighter they shine. Proverbs 4:18.
 This is our strength and Confidence Colossians 1:11. Little wonder the enemy attacks our Joy. "for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold" Nehemiah 8:10 (AMP). I Love how the NLT rendered it "Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”
 Have Joy in Sickness, Joy in addiction, Joy in disappointments, Joy in Pain, Joy even when in sorrow. Because it will strengthen you. Jesus was a perfect example of this seemingly difficult task and a model for us; "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb12:2. There is a Greater Joy ahead of us, when we overcome the circumstance befalling us. The Apostles are also seen having no offense in anything because they applied this Heavenly Principle. 2 Corinthians 6:3-10.
  Why should we be Joyful;  Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope! Rom 15:13 (MSG) read also NLT Bible. We joy in the Hope we have in God. This fuels our Joy with Confidence. This Hope NEVER turns grey, always Green and spreading that virtue greeness to us through Joy.
What is the Content of this Hope:
Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master. Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust. 2 Peter 1:2-4 (MSG) Read also Amplified Version and NLT Bible. The Content of this Hope we have in God is that through the Knowledge of Him through Christ and the Promises ,we have everything. Ephesians 1:3 Affirms it. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
What to do? Acknowledge, Proclaim and Practice it Philemon 1:6 (AMP).
  God's kingdom is not about temporal happiness or longevity of Life, it is about the quality of Life lived in Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17.

Choose  Joy everyday!

JOY TO THE WORLD  THE SAVIOR IS BORN

The God-Factor

I was in my Final year in school, stuck between the Rock and a Hard Place; having to write my Final year student Project, coordinating our Student Campus Fellowship and Preparing for our 10th Year Anniversary Program,it was a lot of Hard work and time spent, and yet I had to attend Lectures, wrote Tests and Assignments as well took care of domestic responsibilities right in the middle of it. I took comfort in the scripture below and found Grace and Strength. it turned out to be my Best Year at School. This is one of my Favorite scriptures translated in one of my Favorite versions Phil 4:13 (AMP) I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency] I Love this scripture so much I personalize it and decree it to myself... " I have strength for all things...I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Christ" Christianity is not designed for us to use our Strength and Might, because we're told in John 1:12 that we have been given the "Power to become..." I am not trying to sermonize here. We're Christians and our difference is in what we Believe, and therefore we Speak. May Your Strength not Fail as God will Renew the needed Strength for each day. You'll do well and Graciously as God brings you to a Level of Great Grace!


Psalms 44:3 NLT- They did not conquer the land with their SWORDS; it was not their own STRONG ARM that gave them VICTORY. It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped them, for you loved them. This guys were the Best Skilled Swords-men in the Land, there were the best Samurai in Town, they even had Big Biceps as described as strong arm in the text. But yet the scriptures says they didn't Possess the Land with all that. It wasn't in their strength. The Victory was because God Favored

them. On the other hand its OK for us to sharpen ourselves give ourselves a cutting edge as an individual, look good, educate ourselves and be 21st century compliant, have several (Academic) Degrees like the thermometer. But give a little space for the God-Factor. Don't put your Faith in all you've acquired and in yourself more than you recognize the Help of God at work in your Life. Do not be too intelligent more than your obedience to God. I Believed God put me there at that time to do all that  was done, I know Him well enough not to abandon me. Because He promised Never to Leave us or Forsake us Hebrews 13:5. He came through for me. Proverbs 3:5-8 Honoring God brings Healing to your Body and Strength to your Bones. Its a Biblical Principle! All through. That Period in my final year I was basking in an unusual strength, wisdom and exceeding Favor. Little wonder the Bible said "It is not by Power nor by Might..." But it is by the God-factor. Do all you need to do best, but take Comfort in the Help of God. For He will Help you. That is the God-Factor! You'll Excel in Jesus name. The Lord is your strength. I Celebrate you.