Friday, November 28, 2008

Behold He comes

Today in the mountains of northern Italy – in Trentino in the Alto Adige area, an area and people neither classed as Italians or Germans, but a mixture of both culture and heritage – it has been snowing. And heavily I might add. It’s not like it to snow at this time of the year, because in this region there tends to be a time and season for most things. September - October, they harvest their apples and grapes, in readiness for the November rains, and January - February it snows. This region is an autonomous community and thus they grow and produce most of the things they eat or use. So even though the people here have welcomed this beautiful change, which has happened throughout this week, they are still somewhat perplexed.

Is there anyone out there that still remembers that there’s no God like Jehovah. He alone is greater than anything or anyone that you can ever imagine. Greater than your problems. Greater than that situation.

When my friend and colleague spoke to me this morning and said to me, Life of a stranger, this week is unlike what we know or have experience and I’ve lived here my whole life; I couldn’t help but to wonder, in the spiritual sense what does this mean? Throughout this year, most churches have spoken about this year being a year of new beginnings, a year for the fulfillment of God’s words and purposes in our lives. Many have experienced this change, and nations can attest to this, but individually is there some still wondering if it true? Still waiting for that change in their lives.

Some previous happy Friday everyone post I remember writing out what I felt the Lord was saying to me then - In these days he has shown his favour and taken away “your” disgrace among the people - Luke 1:25. He is watching to see that “His” word is fulfilled (Jer. 1:12), and "You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you." - Numbers 11:23. He continued on to say Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jer. 1:5). And even though at the time it came, I scoffed at it, and made light of it like Sarah did (when the visitors spoke to her husband about her conceiving this time next year – Gen. 18: 9-18); I did wonder what it all meant. You see, it came to me three months before the year was ending, and even though I knew my God is able, I figured, maybe He didn’t really mean it exactly as He said it. Maybe there may be other interpretations.

There may be less than 5weeks remaining till the end of the year, but it still doesn’t mean that God is still not able, to bring His words to pass in your individual lives. I did ask Him once, this year, You said and I heard and you told me that this is the year. At the time in pain and anguish, rose before dawn and took my petitions to Him (Psalm 119:147). He answered, and expressly did it too. He surprised me and surpassed all my expectations. He confirmed His words in my life. And In His season (and not the season designated by other), the heavens opened and showers of blessings started to pour down.

So you may ask, what does this mean, it means expect the unexpected. Hold on. Just because the year is almost over, does not mean He is not able to bring about what He has promised to you. For His words are eternal and stands firm forever (Psalm 119:89). And are indeed a lamp for our feet, and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105).

Monday, November 24, 2008

Poetic Mondays - Commitment

Commitment

Screams compelled by stomach that twist
From flying sofas that spin and spiral and bounce and whirl
With candyfloss frothing dizzy expressions
To the strident music ascending excitement
Jewelled
lights tattooing the air
Blurring
all focus
Increasing involvement
Oasis of fantasy
Eventually to STOP

Let me shArE this with you
I had a love of long ago
He was a soldier as you can see
he died that we could be free
I was too young to understand
What a man will do for his land
But older now I try to see
Just what this soldier did for me
He gave his life that we could go
Forward with no enemies so
Now I beg all stop and think
Before you kick up all that stink
About some silly chit or chat
That in the end matters not a drat

Now think about your self
Can you die for your friend?

Or any body in your family?
But Jesus died for you and I
In return what have you done for him?
He is neither greedy nor selfish
Just a little praise and thanks ..........
He ask from you and I
It cost nothing
Not expensive and easy to say
Yet we are too busy to do so
He who can take his own life
Can also take yours, even that job that makes you too busy
My dear
Just close your eyes for a second
And say
Lord Jesus thank you for dying for me
That I may live
May I never be too busy to find time and worship you
Teach me to live for you and you alone

......................................................................... ETN 17/11/08 - LIFE

Friday, November 21, 2008

Me, God and the other man

For those of us that know me, they know how much I love God and how important He is in my life. However, it appears every time He allows a “wonder” to come into my life, I always seem to forget about Him or never seem to go before Him to ask if the wonder is a blessing or a curse. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I always seem to get carried away with it all, until the day it all comes crashing down like a pack of cards. Problem is, that’s when I go back to God, only for Him to gently inform me of where I had gone wrong, and how important it is for me to “stay in His Will” and none other”.

I’d like to tell you a story, one of a man and a woman. The Lord had commanded for a certain woman to be blessed (He said “I have commanded” her to be blessed – 1 Kings 17:9- "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food "). Problem there in lie that she didn’t know that her time to break up unploughed ground had come (Hosea 10:12). She had no idea that her time for breakthrough had come. She had no idea that a new day had dawned in her life of pain and misery (1 Kings 17:10-12 -So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks….He called to her and asked "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die."). When she received the visitor, even though she neither recognized where he was coming from, her single act of warmness unlocked the door of breakthrough. And even though by having him in her life, she neither lacked for food, she never fully realized the blessings of the Lord upon her life and her family, and it took a single life changing moment, when her only son died and was brought back to life did she really believe that the miracles was from God and that indeed the visitor was from God and spoke the TRUTH (1 Kings 17:24 -Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth." ).

How many times have we taken for granted the love of Christ, His daily mercies of giving us life, good health, the countless ways He’s been protecting us and the provisions He has made available for us. Such that can be mirrored to the “jar of flour and the jug of oil”, that are new every day never to out. But then again because the Lord does this on a daily basis, they are no longer praise worthy miracle. Must we have to wait for that “MAIN prayer request” before we know that God is God. In the case of this woman it took for her only son to die before she recognized that God is God.

Going back to me, maybe If I had gone back to God to ask Him about the visitors that came bearing gifts (if they were real or false), then Just maybe, I didn’t have to experience the pain of knowing the TRUTH, the truth that they are not.

So I challenge you all, have you fallen into the trap that the Widow of Zarephath fell into, where the provision of food, shelter, a good place to worship, loved ones have just become a mundane and not real breakthroughs. Because I can tell you, that you did not do them yourself, God did them all for you. The Fact that you are alive this morning is a miracle itself, because there are countless others who are not here to glorify God. Let us give God that glory He deserves, because truly He has been so good to us. I don’t want to have to wait for some major ailment for me to know He is God; I Know He already is, because He has allowed me to live even for this second.

As for me, I am so excited of the wonderful promises that God has commanded to come to pass in my life, you see this is why He says ears have not heard or eyes seen (1 Corinthians 2:9), if the Lord had not sent Elijah to the Widow, would she have known that a commandment of blessing has been placed upon her life? Now check this, when Elijah met her, she was already throwing a pity party, of how she’s just gathering sticks to cook the handful of flour so that she and her son would eat and die, how many of us can relate to this? We have waited and waited, and have decided to give up, even though a word has already been spoken into our lives. Even though the Lord has already given a commandment for us to be blessed. Just because it has not manifested in the physical realm does not mean He has not given the command. And this was during the time when Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit had not been sent into the world, how much more now. If the Lord came through for all this wonderful ladies and gents of the Old Testament, how much more us who have the finished work of Christ pleading on our behalf.

Let’s continue to give God all the praise and glory that He deserves for He alone is indeed worthy of all our Praise and worship. There’s no God like Jehovah. Think about all the wonderful Countless Commandments and pronouncements God has made concerning your life. Wow, I for one am Truly truly excited.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Poetic Mondays - A friendship

A friendship

Where did it begin?
This stream so luminously clear?
Its waters so warm
That even I cannot escape
From its vapours
Which now envelops my every being
I wish I knew
And yet I know it’s good

How deep does it run?
This stream of contentment
I try to gaze through
The ripples of laughter
But yet my eyes are blind
They do not wish to see
For fear of seeing the truth
I wish I knew
And yet I know it’s good

Where does it lead to?
This stream so warm, so deep,
So luminously clear
Will it be shared again?
By hearts that once thrived
Upon its healthy
vapours
I wish I knew
And yet I know it’s good

..................................................................... ETN (14/11/08) - LIFE

Friday, November 14, 2008

Speechless

Today for the first time I have no words to say, no wisdom to share, no messages to relay. This week I have had to listen, be told, be taught, and be informed to be transformed.

Today I have finally learnt that I am the weakest link in this partnership, that every time I say “I’m too tired, I can’t do this? I was not taught it at school, I am in the wrong place” I am reminded to look at my sister, who rose above her weakness and challenged herself to succeed. Who refused to be intimidated by her weakness, and boldly picked up the manual for her life and transformed her life.

She is no better than you are, but she held on believing that God who has given her this opportunity called life, has provided the wherewithal to succeed. So that when she sees Him, she would tell Him I might have been given one, but see what I’ve done with it (Matt. 25:14). No excuses, no self pity, no reliance on others, only the belief that because the Lord our God is with us (2 Chronicles 32:7b - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged…; 2 Chronicles 20:20b - Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld), He is more than able to bring us to an expected end.

What will you tell God when you see HIM? Today for the first time I have no words to say, no wisdom to share, no messages to tell. Today I am listening.


News just in..

Life of a stranger will be featuring also weekly monday posts called poetic mondays (did I say every mondays - these will be posts written by none other than by my very good friend and confidant..lol.., watch out for the first installment on monday.. Loves it..)

Friday, November 07, 2008

Do Boats go to Warri?

It was the end of the “convention” and the time we all went home, not too far now as the clocks ticked away. I was given a few options by the event organizers (one before the nightfall and another first thing day break), and as I contemplated the best, I was convinced that the former was the better and soon I will be home. But, as the time drew nearer, I realized I was unprepared. Convinced as I was, “sade’s man” (I called him so, as I never once thought to ask for a name) would help in such matters with the times and hours. Quickly, I darted out from my block (block D, room 1) in search of he, he who would be my greatest help. As I left, on my way there I met a few all set, and making their way to the set place in good time. I called out to them asking if they knew where I could find such a man, without hesitation they informed me I was on the wrong floor (on the 2nd floor standing in front of 202) in the wrong place and I ought to make my way to the third floor to 332. As I hastily made my way to 332, I met an already hurried man, indeed he confirmed what I already knew, that the boat was due to leave in 7minutes. However, he did mention that the final stop was “Warri”. “Warri” I said to him, are you sure this boat is going to Warri? (albeit this part had been conveniently concealed previously – but for what purpose?).

In spite of this new revelation, I was still determined to get on board; and even though I had no business in Warri, and it was never the intended stop, I would board all the same and thereafter make plans on how to get to my final destination.

As I tried to make a dash back from the block that housed 202 and 332, back to 1D I wondered if I was ever going to be able to make it back to the boat on time, this very boat that everyone appears to be boarding. And even though I had no business in Warri and knew that home was still a long way from the boat’s final stop, I did however question why it was so important for me to board this boat before nightfall, instead of sitting out the night till the day breaks for the non-stop morning ride home. And although a part of me tried to reason with me, the other was more persuasive and quick to point out just how I could be the only one left behind, and how important it was to join in and be part of it all. And though this journey was not suitable and would undoubtedly create difficulties later, I couldn’t help but wonder why I was driven to make the nightfall journey. After weighing my options, I threw caution to wind, proceeded back to 1D, hurriedly picked up my things, and speedily made my way to the port.

As I got closer, the boat had started to pull away, instantly I started to call out to the men on the harbor, please don’t leave me behind, please wait for me. My baggage a little heavier than I had expected, breathless, fatigued, unfit as I was, I continued, wait for me, don’t go, I have my tickets, but it appeared that my drowned out shout was falling on deaf ears. Still reluctant to give up, I gave a last push willing myself to get just that bit closer, maybe then they will see me and stop. But alas, they couldn’t hear or see me. And slowly they began to disappear from sight. As I sat on the pier, wondering how silly it was of me to have pressed on, I couldn’t help but to think, maybe just maybe being left on the waterfront might have been a blessing after all.

After resting a little while on the bay, I picked up the pieces of my broken self, and slowly started to head back to block 1D where I had the only option of waiting patiently for the morning boat, the non-stop express that would take me home. And even though the nightfall journey from a distance might have appeared closer to home, in reality it would have left me stranded, as I tried to console myself.

Lord I thank You for your WORD (Isaiah 40:8) and how You take the promises (Jeremiah 33:14) You made to us seriously. When You said the steps of the righteous are ordered of the Lord (Psalm 37:23), You meant it in its entirety and because of that promise I know it is well with me (Isaiah 3:10).

No matter how hard I tried to board the wrong journey, to set foot on the wrong path, even though it appeared that I was missing out, since everyone was “missing in”; praise God that His very own perfect undeniable, unstoppable “WILL” was what He intended for me, and even though it came in the morning after a long eventful night, it did come, and I made it to my final destination. For what He had purposed for me He used His hands to bring to pass (Isaiah 14:24; 27). For what He planned Long ago in my day break he brought to pass (Isaiah 37:26). Thank you Lord for helping me to wait (Hab. 2:3), and though I tried to create my own visions, thank you Lord for taking away the punishment my disobedient incurred (Zephaniah 3:15) and reinstated your Vision by bringing me to my resting place(Zephaniah 3:20).

I try not to imagine what could have happened if I had made it onto the wrong path. But for God, I am here to thank Him for His love, His dedication, His goodness and faithfulness. For He dared me to Hope, even after all my hopes had died. He dared me to believe even when all was lost. He pushed me to hold on, even though the lines were blurry. He urged me to take a bold step, even when fear had crippled me. He chose me even after all had rejected me (Isaiah 41:9), He loved me even after one had hated me. He honoured me even after one had dishonoured me (Zephaniah 3:20; Isaiah 43:4); He crowned me with glory in place of the shame and disgrace lying in wait for me (Isaiah 50:7). He turned my mourning into gladness and joy in place of sorrow (Jeremiah 31:13; Isaiah 61:3). And though I stumbled on countless times, I did not fall, for He steadied me and made my ways firm (Psalm 37:23-24). And though thick darkness surrounded me, He guided me still through unfamiliar paths and turned the deep darkness into light (Isaiah 42:16). And because of the finished work of Christ on the cross, I can rejoice and have His peace upon me (Isaiah 53:3-5).

So today dear Lord I ask you to help me to be patient at all times, to be driven by YOU and not by the world. To correct me Lord with your unending Love and Justice (Jeremiah 10:23-24); because now I know that only You Lord directs the steps of a man. To know when to move and when to stop, and to humbly follow your lead and not be strong willed and be disobedient. Today Lord I thank you because you have shown to me that your promises supersede all and even though they tarry they will never prove false, for indeed each of them have and will indeed come to pass. Thank you Lord for exposing my ignorance, for indeed all boats that go to Warri, do not go to Nkwerre, Oron or Ekpoma (you can add your own place here).