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The Bible, it is a life,
living and breathing book filed with wisdom. It is sharper than a double-edged
sword dividing the soul from the spirit and the bone from the marrow. It is a
driving force. It is God.
You may ask, “What is
she driving at?” Well I will tell you. Most times when believer read, study and
meditate on this word, they interpret its provisions, giving it their own
meaning. Worse still, they read it like a literary text thinking wrongly that
its text does not apply to this present dispensation. This is just not right.
For God’s sake, it should be read under the Gaurdianship of the Holy Spirit. It
is meant to be read placing yourself into that story, into those characters,
bringing these same stories into this dispensation. What do I mean? Here is
what I am talking about:
Mary the adultress. Yes
yes, I know her life was not right. But let me say this. She was introduced to
this life at a tender age and having learnt no other skills to survive on, she
continued. Yes, she knew the reparations but her instincts for
self-preservation over-ruled every moral tendency she had so she continued. She
came to realise that this was the fastest way to survive and also and also the
fastest way to self-destruction. She continued. Yes! She did not like her job.
Every man who came her took from her leaving her empty. She had neither joy nor
peace. No one to hold her hand. No one to regard her enough to say “Mary dear,
I love you a little” – let alone “I love you much”. She was so empty that she
began to wish a different life for herself. I can imagine her lying numb with
her arms wrapped around her staring at her sleeping lover with so much hurt and
bitterness in her heart.
Now the world in which
she live in was a man’s world. She had no skill to survive on hence she was at
the mercy of those men who ruled this world. The women, on the other hand, did
not help matters. They kept their distance from her for she was a persona non grata. They back stabbed,
scorned and mocked her and all but still wondered why she walked with he head
held up high. None knew how much she wanted to cry out at the injustice of it
all, hence she died slowly every day . In her subconscious lay the knowledge of
her death for she dared not hope that she would grow old like every other woman
with her children round her. And so she continued . In order not to feel sorry
for herself, she decided to seek pleasures in material things. At the
South-west corner lay an earthen bound chest
wherein lies all the treasures she had. In that chest lay gold, silver
and stones. But what she held so dear to her was a small alabaster box. She
knew the price she paid just to get this box and the value of the sweet
smelling oil, so she guarded it diligently. In spite of this she continued.
It got to a head one
day. She was caught in the very act of adultery and dragged out of her tent.
She looked at the faces of these men who had come to take her to her death and
saw so many she had given herself to including the very man whom she had just
slept with. She was neither allowed to get dressed nor defend herself. She was
dragged out like criminal and upon looking at the faces of her accusers, she
saw contempt and a sick pleasure at her decided fate. She shuddered looking at their hands, she died seven times
before natural death from what she saw. Silently she walked on with a look of
defiance. With her eyes she dared the women passed her by with bowed heads to
look at her in accusation. While walking, she remembered her treasures and the
one thing that she held dear to her, the alabaster box. A fresh wave of pain
hit her again and she started crying. She did not know where they were taking
her to but she knew that they were going to see a man named Jesus. Still on
they went...
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...They met Him at the
temple and set her before Him. She could not raise her face to see who her
Judge was and so she bowed her head in shame. The judge asked what her offence
was and was told. Then silence. For every level of silence attained, she reached
a new level of fear. So great was her fear that she felt pain- for the pain of
silence was greater than the pain of death. But something strange was going on
around her. She did not understand the silence. Peeping through her lashes, she
saw the Judge kneeling and writing on the floor. “Now this is strange”, she
thought, beginning to entertain a little hope that she would live . Again they
demanded His Answer. This time her heart was still until He said: “He that is
without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
Her body revolted for
an express order has been made: “...cast a stone at her.” She stilled, waiting
for the impact of the first stone. While waiting she dared not hope for mercy.
Her life flashed before her in quick succession but still she waited. In her
fear laden brain, she did not understand this order until she dared to look at
her accusers. What she saw amazed her and actually gave her the miracle to turn
around and look at her accusers. Lo and behold, they were gone and turning back
to look at the judge, He was stooped down writing. She kept quiet for she felt
that she would be foolish to demand mercy from this Man.
Jesus stood and turned
to look at this maiden before Him and what He saw reminded Him of His mission
on earth. He knew that the very act she was accused of was not originally hers
but her main accuser who is the devil, so He released her but with an
admonition that she should, “Go and sin no more.”
As for the maiden while she was waiting for
her Judge, she was curious and weary as to what He wanted from her. She prayed
within her that His Price would not be too high for her to pay, she saw no
reason why should be allowed to live. But He did her set her free and while
going she turned to look at Him for she could not believe what had just
happened. He stood there and watched her leave feeling the pain of the PRICE HE
HAD TO PAY to get this one soul to HIS SIDE...
So she left. The very
man who accused her before this Judge were nowhere to be found. The women who
felt she deserved her fate were amazed to see her walking down the streets. As
for her, her shame grew for every step she took
not for the fact that she was half-naked but for the fact that she had
seen how wicked her ways were through the eyes of her Judge. There and then she
decided that not only will she seek this Man, he will dedicate her life to Him.
Church for every
situation/ challenge(s) you are passing through someone somewhere has gone
through it or even worse. So church while reading this Holy Book let His Spirit
reveal His Words to you for they are , “...Sharper than a double-edged sword,
dividing to the asunder.”
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“Eheh!
Do you know Jadhiel- that girl in Main Hostel?”, asked Girl A. Which girl?
Questioned Girl B. “That girl now that passed with that pink top that I showed
you the other day.” answered Girl A. ‘Ok, ok! Now I remember-‘ , she said
nodding her head rigorously. “What happened to her?” she asked. “She’s married!!”,
says Girl A with smiles on her face. “Married!!, but how?” asked girl B. I do
not know so but I heard she got married last month” says Girl A. ‘Hhmmm! She’s
lucky’...
Take a pause, that was
a conversation I overheard going on between these two girls. Now lets hear
dialogue II:
‘Joy! Joy!! Joy!!!’,
Ada called. ‘Eh!’ Joy stopped, then turned to seek her caller. Ada runs to meet
Joy. They start to gist until Joy surprises Ada with a flash of her wedding
ring.
Ada: You didn’t tell me.
Joy: I wanted surprise you.
Ada: (Unbelief on her face)
When did this happen?
Joy: Last month
Ada: Is it that same guy?
Joy: No (she sighs) It is a long story. Do not
worry. When you come I will gist you and show you pictures.
Ada
was so excited that she started holding Joy down. After much pleas from Joy,
Ada goes
Promising
to see her later.
(This
second dialogue is between two certain ladies.)
From these dialogues,
we should kindly explain some facts to me; Why is it that most single ladies,
most believers seek to do one of these three things:
a.
Get married early or;
b.
Enjoy life or;
c.
Make money.
Then why is it that
most single ladies who are believers, seek to do one of these two things:
a.
Either get married early or;
b.
Make money
And finally, what about
our guys? They do not want one thing in common and which is to make money.
But before you start,
do not get me wrong here- I am not against anymore getting married early
neither am I against anymore making money or living a good life. But my point
is this, I am against this misconception that as a female what I am called to
do in this life is to get married or make money. No! What I have read in the
Bible is that I am to serve God in the days of my being single for If I seek
Him early I will find Him. Serving Him now means that my walk with Him should
be deep for when I get married my very first ministry would be to my family.
So tell me, If I do not
seek Him now, is it when I occupy my time with my husband, kids and job that I
can get to know Him? The answer is NO.
Again, we have been
given the Great Commission to preach the gospel and win souls. Tell me if I don’t
do it now, when do I get to do it? Is it when I have a suckling child that I
will have such time to think about evangelism? No again.
My point here is this,
if and when I am called to move, I should have no burden no weight if a
husband, wife, job or even a child. I should have more because I am healthy,
strong and vibrant and not because I am married, old or busy making money. For
in seeking His Kingdom (this early) and His righteousness all these things
would be added unto me.
Yes I am happy for all
those who are married plus those who seek to get married early. But for us yet
unmarried, let us get to worship God, serving Him in our prime for when we are
old, weak or tired. He will still be with us till the end of time. Also, we
know that we have need of these very things...
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I scheduled to fast today and noticed that I was struggling. Fine, I had
my morning devotion and everything but you know what, I just could not fast. I
will tell why...
On some days I do not get to eat till its so late in the day. Not
because of lack of money(yeah that’s the case in some occasions) but because I
am too busy to notice food or I am on a deliberate diet. I thought today being
a special a special day would be one of those days I will bear not to eat even
for a few hours just to pray. It seemed not to be so, for the devil had some
plans for me.
First and foremost it started like this: my roommates talked about going
to buy okpa or moi-moi, whichever one that is within reach. I felt I was safe
why? I detest okpa and moi-moi is not really my thing. They bought it, came in
and started to eat. I noticed I was seriously salivating after after their food
(especially the okpa. Imagine!) My nostrils and my taste buds sprang to life
and my stomach reacts violently when I perceived the aroma from their food. I
swallowed. It took me the whole of my self control and will power to reject the
invitation extended to me.
Feeling uncomfortable, I stood up suddenly and began searching for
something. From under my bed, I grabbed my empty bucket, marched straight to
the tap, piled my bucket and decided to wait in line for my turn. It was just
remaining three buckets before me when I started noticing some things.
“Sister. Sister please I want to clint.”
That was the plea from girl A, she was allowed to fetch. Girl B came and left
with a bucket of water, C came and was given half bucket. Girl Dnot only fetched
half a bucket of water but also added a keg to it. Finally it was remaining a
bucket before me when a girl came, spoke to the owner of the bucket, had her
consent to pile, then piled two more buckets with her.
Christ!! It was as if someone gave me a hot slap. I mean in my very
presence these girls were misbehaving. I wanted to say something but a thought
came, “What if someone is watching.” That alone weakened me. I kept quiet and
began to meditate when I remembered. “If possible as much as lie in you live
peaceably with all men.”
But you know what, people around me began to look at me like a fool and
the girl after me began to grumble, still I said and did nothing. When it
finally came to fetch, I fetched then left.
Nothing much happened in my room except that I was still struggling with
food. No longer able to bear the hunger pangs anymore I stood up and left the
room in search of food. On my way to the cafeteria , I saw with my very eyes,
days I had gone on without food. I stopped in my tracks: In front of one was
the cafeteria behind me was the hostel. The push to move forward was great
while the push to go back was less. Unconsciously, I sat down and began to cry
. I started talking with my creator within me, “ God you know I have the crave
for food right now and far from the fact that I have not eaten, I am
shaking...to even pray I can not. God help me.” No one could have known that I
was arguing because I just could not eat.
A sort of peace and joy overwhelmed me and gave me a boost of energy. I
stood up, ran back to my hostel and began to hear thoughts going through me.
“The joy of the Lord is my strength. They that wait on the Lord shall renew
their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles. THEY SHALL RUN AND
NOT BE WEARY, AND SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT.”
Anyway, to cut the long story short, I realised something. Not only
should we fast and pray without ceasing, we should be on the guard for the
devil, our adversary, is prowling like a lion seeking whom to devour. Do not be
caught up at your weakest moment . Always be on guard.
` #
When I tell people that
I love the very act of worship above prayer, most do not understand. Either
they see me as a prayerless Christian or they think I am just talking about worship
as in “Sunday Worship.” What I am talking about is not that I do not pray or
that prayer to me is useless...no no, it is not. In fact I love it. But I feel
that when I pray, I go through many channels as opposed to worship where I just
feel His presence. Well I still doubt you will ever understand worship in its
beauty and glory until you experience it.
I started like this:
I entered His gates
with thanksgiving in my heart and His courts with praise using scriptural songs
as I have been taught and I was led up in the spirit. While there, He released
so many things to me of which I am not worthy and allowed to repeat. You know,
you might think you know everything about yourself until you encounter God. It
was not funny being told things that I did not know were in my subconscious and
unconscious levels of my mind. Or is it the things that shocked me as He spoke.
Anyway, He spoke to me like a father would to his child and in some cases, a
tutor to his students.
During our discussion
when I felt we have run out of topics to discuss, a new song burst forth from
within and out of me. While singing, His Word which is the two-edged sword, We
spoke for so long that when we were through, I left His presence with a light
head, a lifted heart and a formidable spirit. I had joy within me that I had
just entertained and I wrote down in my journal all He said to me. To be frank
with you, I left my former level to a higher level in His Presence.
Seriously, I do not
think I will be able to properly explain this beautiful art to you till you
experience it. To achieve this you must open yourself to Him, worshipping Him
in truth and in spirit for the Father seeks such to worship Him. Having been
through this, the rest of the day was perfect.
