"I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved ...You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16 v 8 & 11 (NKJV)
This to me is an acknowledgement of how the believer in Christ can live in the abundance, peace and prosperity of the Almighty God, who has revealed Himself as Jehovah Shammah, "the Ever present One". God is always with us whether we feel Him there or not and as His chosen we can have continual fellowship with Him through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us.
Are you ever faced with challenges, questions, concerns, problems and even good news? then I belief that God is the first one to run to. Everything we need for successful Christian living can be found in Jehovah Shammah - joy, wisdom, wholeness, protection and the burdenremoving-yoke destroying power of God. It is in His presence that there is fullness of JOY, where forgiveness, restoration, deliverance, healing, comfort and again WISDOM can be found.
It is in Him that we have our being and by whom we have the very things that can improve our situations and circumstances in life. His GRACE makes us realise that we can be accepted with no possibility of being rejected. As His righteousness we need to therefore accept it, live and walk in that grace which brings to us purpose, peace and joy. We really need to get to a point where we are expectant and excited with all of God's blessings; because if God is for us, who then can be against us - the world cannot curse you because the Almighty lives in you and is by your side always.
As we look to Jesus, it is through Him that our situations are turned around to bring amazing blessing into our lives. Eph 2 v 8 tells us 'For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God.' Note therefore that fear, guilt, intimidation and condemnation has no place to stop us from getting up and going after God with all of our heart, and getting to a place God has for us and becoming what He wants us to be. We need to realise that we have not arrived but are moving onwards towards our destination in Him.
It is in Christ that we live and by Him we move and God has promised that 'He will not leave nor forsake us' - 'The Lord is our shepherd and we shall never be in lack'. Let us therefore come boldly before the throne of grace, look outside of ourselves -receive and belief in Jesus who is the Lord. The scripture in Phil 2 v 13 says 'for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure' We do not have to be striving, comparing, competing or try being something to out-do others but to relax in God who has forgiven us, empowered and qualified us in Christ.
It is my prayer that you may experience this presence of God in your life as He continue to reveal to you His being as Jehovah Shammah, the Ever-present One, who desires to be with Us. Pay attention to Him and practise His presence that we too can learn to walk with God in like manner as was said of Enock (Gen 5:24 & Heb 11:5). I pray the words of Collosians 1 v 9 - 23 (AMP) over your life always.
Be BLESSED and remember that God Loves you unique as you are, for His own purpose, therefore '....get Wisdom (skillful and godly Wisdom)! [For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.] And with all you have gotten, get understanding (discernment, comprehesion, and interpretation) Proverbs 4 v 7 (AMP)
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
We love because HE first loved us
This is a testimony of Praise - JESUS I BELONG TO YOU!!
I come from a family that belonged to the fellowship of the Lutheran Church - a church where I grew up in and where my ever first "bible study" began. What I remember the most about my experiences in this church was my years as a young girl in Sunday School and the confirmation classes I attended. My biggest love for Sunday School was not only in the receiving of the beautiful stars one would get on the attendance register but mostly in completing the lessons with excellence.
The most important lesson ever in my life began at the time when I got chosen to represent our congregation in the Church's Bible quiz competitions for Sunday schools across the different regions of our country. I must have been between 9 and 10 years old at the time, however that memory is still alive and fresh even of today. I made it to the finals, and to prepare for that we were required to memorise the book of Romans chapter 12. Little did I know what a turning point this was to be for my life and just how beautiful the memories and how blessed I belief I am today because of such an opportunity and an experience. Just realising & knowing that Almighty God in His wisdom and infinite love has presented Himself always before me from around that time in my life.
I fell in love more with the book of Romans 12 that I could quote it even in my sleep. I remember how in the years of my youth whenever I was faced with challenging situations those scriptures came alive in my heart, and brought me down to my knees, humbled me and filled me with such conviction that led to repentance.
At our church back home, I recall this one specific incident, it happenned in my year of confirmation class, when this one specific family stood up to announce to the church that they were born-again. By then what I knew & ever saw/perceived about being born-again was the "freaky, crazy extremists" who always saw everybody else as a sinner except themselves and were so judgemental of others it was unbearable. A lot of people in the congregation did not take kindly to this announcement, especially because this family confronted and challenged the authority and leadership in the church publicily. This sort of behaviour became to me like an itching scar towards my belief, and in my earlier years as a teenager I got weary and sceptic about those who proclaimed to be born-again.
I still fellowshipped in our church at home until I had to go to boarding school for my high school education. Even though I believed and trusted in God, I experienced a void inside of me. This started to intensify especially when having been in church but could still find that the word that was being preached seemed to bear no impact in the behaviour and attitudes of some people even minutes after church ended. I started to feel that the way I did church was not enough for me. Something inside of me kept pushing, seeking for a difference and I began to hear the words of Romans 12 speak loudly into my life.
In my first year in boarding school, when in STD 8, I joined what was then called the SCM (Student Christian Movement). This movement was for all the learners without any specific restriction except of cause the interest to fellowship in worship and bible lessons, so this made it easier for anybody to join in without having to fear prejudice.
It was in my 2ND year at this school that I met with this one specific girl, guess what, she was born-again, yet very soft spoken and loving, always respectful in her ways and carried this stature of dignity around her. She was what my pastor often calls, bible believing, spirit filled, tongue talking & devil chasing believer in Christ. What I noticed about her was during break-times she would sneak out to a nearby building outside the school and one day I followed her, inquisitively wanting to know what was going on. This building I found out was a church/temple which belonged to the School of Theology situated right next to our school, and was opened during the day for the students to use as a quiet place of prayer and worship. This was the beginning of my most precious and best valued time period at the school - just to recall those emotions and serenity of the place during a time spent in worship and prayer was so fulfilling. Giving of ourselves unto the presence of God even for as little time as 15 minutes was so precious there are not many words to describe it.
This experience changed everything I ever perceived about being born-again. These special meetings were so intimate, a feeling so intense and a love so beautiful that the thought of it even today brings tears to my eyes. Realising it now and the remembrance of how precious God in His goodness, have shown Himself present in Love every step of the way is like what the apostle Paul decribe by saying, it is knowledge so wonderful, too high I cannot attain it.
One other beautiful witness I recall about the power of God during my high school years, was when I saw just how He changed the life of this one specific boy, known in school as the biggest Casanova, when he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. Not only did this young man get born-again but he became so actively involved that the party events that he used to arrange were now turned over into christian camps for the "Christ for All Nations" outreaches and a number of learners in the school came to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour through his evangelistic mission.
Although in my young life I used to face challenges with my own family due to my way of belief even long before I got born-again, the biggest challenge of them all was when I wrote a letter home, full of excitement and joy, tell about my decision as a born-again believer. Little did I know what a confrontation this would be when I got home for the school holidays, just how spiteful families can be that even your own siblings and parents turns against you. Whenever I did something or missed a mark somewhere, I would be scorned about my choices that I proclaimed to believe in. I can still recall those mocking words being said with such an expression on the face - 'and this is what they call themselves followers of Jesus Christ'.
Life at home became so difficult growing up as a teenage girl, such pain I never could wish on anyone. All that I really longed for was to love and be loved by my family, that together we could be able to just hang around, do things together, understand one another, but yeah, that was just not very easy coming. It is like the song that sings 'Nobody told me the road won't be easy - I won't believe He'll bring me this far to leave me'. What was so beautiful though even during these difficult moments of pain, the words in Romans 12, learned years before, became for me an anchor in my life, and it shaped & defined my attitudes and behaviour towards life and the person I wanted to become.
I remember very clearly the prayer I so often prayed to God was for my family to be reconciled, a forgiving heart and thanking God for clothing my heart with His love that has spared me away from the spirit of hatred and shame. My adult life in itself had many of its own challenges but I always used to recall the teachings by Creflo Dollar I heared once where he shared on the scripture James 1 v 2 - 5 & 12. That too became my testimony to hold on.
I was in my mid-twenties I recall when at one time my mom and my aunts were at each others throats over a misunderstanding that truly stemmed from pride. This prompted me to make a visit to the then "missionary house" challenging the then minister of the congregation back home about his belief in prayer that changes situations, talk about boldness, what could I have been thinking? I guess this is what Prov 28 v 1 talks about. I asked if he would pray and agree with me in prayer, and so we prayed. While he was still dumbstruck, I guess by this boldness of a young woman, challenging his faith in prayer, I said my good-byes and hurried back home. That, believe me, was a move which still scares me myself even today, what on earth got into me, how could I ever confront a leader of a congregation with such a question? Well, I guess I will find my answer one day, God willing. NB! But please, whoever is reading this right now, I beg of you, please do not condemn me for that action.
Allow me to share this with you, something I even laughed with my younger sister about it yesterday while having a chat that my home has in the last six years turned out to be like a "rehabilitation centre" for the family, where those who hurt have been known to just pop-in for a little bit of love, Glory be to God, Hallelujah. Some of my siblings have even turned me into a made-up "little granny" for their kids just so they can find time to spent at my place, and How marvellous God has become in all of that. Though there is work that still needs to done in some ways, but my God has been faithful and all is not lost. His loves endures forever, and I believe He is still busy at work.
Why did I have to learn the words written in the book of Romans 12 so young in my life? What was it that it became the one thing that would ever remain, becoming so alive and forceful even when at times all I wanted so much was to take revenge and be angry with those who hurt me? Lord how come you had to make me listen to many of the stories of those women you brought along my path, their pain and sorrows? Just who am I that you made me to even learn to cry with someone that I barely knew? What is it that you were and could still be preparing me for even before I know it?
I will take refuge in your word Almighty God and seek you while you may still be found, for You have said this to your servant " For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"
'Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor? Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgements and his paths beyond tracing out!
Preserve me Lord in your righteousness.
I thank you Lord for the musicians you so anointed in singing worship, words that heal, that restores and encourages a heart to seek repentance. It is in the solace of this anointing that Lord you became alive to me, your favour you bestowed on me and peace you gave and restored me back to joy. Thank you for your grace that does not make man arrogant, for who and where would I have been had it not been by this GRACE.
Lord, you hold my world in the palm of Your hand and I am yours forever. I will walk with You Lord where ever I go. Through tears and joy I will trust in You. I will live in all of your ways & in your promises forever and ever. Jesus I believe in You, Jesus I belong to You. You are the reason that I live, and the reason that I sing with all that I am.
"May your unfailing love come to me O Lord, your salvation according to your promise, then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word. Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. I will always obey your commands for ever and ever, I will walk about in freedom for I have sought out your precepts...; I lift up my hands to your commands which I love and I meditate on your decrees." Ps 119: 41 - 45 & 48
I come from a family that belonged to the fellowship of the Lutheran Church - a church where I grew up in and where my ever first "bible study" began. What I remember the most about my experiences in this church was my years as a young girl in Sunday School and the confirmation classes I attended. My biggest love for Sunday School was not only in the receiving of the beautiful stars one would get on the attendance register but mostly in completing the lessons with excellence.
The most important lesson ever in my life began at the time when I got chosen to represent our congregation in the Church's Bible quiz competitions for Sunday schools across the different regions of our country. I must have been between 9 and 10 years old at the time, however that memory is still alive and fresh even of today. I made it to the finals, and to prepare for that we were required to memorise the book of Romans chapter 12. Little did I know what a turning point this was to be for my life and just how beautiful the memories and how blessed I belief I am today because of such an opportunity and an experience. Just realising & knowing that Almighty God in His wisdom and infinite love has presented Himself always before me from around that time in my life.
I fell in love more with the book of Romans 12 that I could quote it even in my sleep. I remember how in the years of my youth whenever I was faced with challenging situations those scriptures came alive in my heart, and brought me down to my knees, humbled me and filled me with such conviction that led to repentance.
At our church back home, I recall this one specific incident, it happenned in my year of confirmation class, when this one specific family stood up to announce to the church that they were born-again. By then what I knew & ever saw/perceived about being born-again was the "freaky, crazy extremists" who always saw everybody else as a sinner except themselves and were so judgemental of others it was unbearable. A lot of people in the congregation did not take kindly to this announcement, especially because this family confronted and challenged the authority and leadership in the church publicily. This sort of behaviour became to me like an itching scar towards my belief, and in my earlier years as a teenager I got weary and sceptic about those who proclaimed to be born-again.
I still fellowshipped in our church at home until I had to go to boarding school for my high school education. Even though I believed and trusted in God, I experienced a void inside of me. This started to intensify especially when having been in church but could still find that the word that was being preached seemed to bear no impact in the behaviour and attitudes of some people even minutes after church ended. I started to feel that the way I did church was not enough for me. Something inside of me kept pushing, seeking for a difference and I began to hear the words of Romans 12 speak loudly into my life.
In my first year in boarding school, when in STD 8, I joined what was then called the SCM (Student Christian Movement). This movement was for all the learners without any specific restriction except of cause the interest to fellowship in worship and bible lessons, so this made it easier for anybody to join in without having to fear prejudice.
It was in my 2ND year at this school that I met with this one specific girl, guess what, she was born-again, yet very soft spoken and loving, always respectful in her ways and carried this stature of dignity around her. She was what my pastor often calls, bible believing, spirit filled, tongue talking & devil chasing believer in Christ. What I noticed about her was during break-times she would sneak out to a nearby building outside the school and one day I followed her, inquisitively wanting to know what was going on. This building I found out was a church/temple which belonged to the School of Theology situated right next to our school, and was opened during the day for the students to use as a quiet place of prayer and worship. This was the beginning of my most precious and best valued time period at the school - just to recall those emotions and serenity of the place during a time spent in worship and prayer was so fulfilling. Giving of ourselves unto the presence of God even for as little time as 15 minutes was so precious there are not many words to describe it.
This experience changed everything I ever perceived about being born-again. These special meetings were so intimate, a feeling so intense and a love so beautiful that the thought of it even today brings tears to my eyes. Realising it now and the remembrance of how precious God in His goodness, have shown Himself present in Love every step of the way is like what the apostle Paul decribe by saying, it is knowledge so wonderful, too high I cannot attain it.
One other beautiful witness I recall about the power of God during my high school years, was when I saw just how He changed the life of this one specific boy, known in school as the biggest Casanova, when he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. Not only did this young man get born-again but he became so actively involved that the party events that he used to arrange were now turned over into christian camps for the "Christ for All Nations" outreaches and a number of learners in the school came to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour through his evangelistic mission.
Although in my young life I used to face challenges with my own family due to my way of belief even long before I got born-again, the biggest challenge of them all was when I wrote a letter home, full of excitement and joy, tell about my decision as a born-again believer. Little did I know what a confrontation this would be when I got home for the school holidays, just how spiteful families can be that even your own siblings and parents turns against you. Whenever I did something or missed a mark somewhere, I would be scorned about my choices that I proclaimed to believe in. I can still recall those mocking words being said with such an expression on the face - 'and this is what they call themselves followers of Jesus Christ'.
Life at home became so difficult growing up as a teenage girl, such pain I never could wish on anyone. All that I really longed for was to love and be loved by my family, that together we could be able to just hang around, do things together, understand one another, but yeah, that was just not very easy coming. It is like the song that sings 'Nobody told me the road won't be easy - I won't believe He'll bring me this far to leave me'. What was so beautiful though even during these difficult moments of pain, the words in Romans 12, learned years before, became for me an anchor in my life, and it shaped & defined my attitudes and behaviour towards life and the person I wanted to become.
I remember very clearly the prayer I so often prayed to God was for my family to be reconciled, a forgiving heart and thanking God for clothing my heart with His love that has spared me away from the spirit of hatred and shame. My adult life in itself had many of its own challenges but I always used to recall the teachings by Creflo Dollar I heared once where he shared on the scripture James 1 v 2 - 5 & 12. That too became my testimony to hold on.
I was in my mid-twenties I recall when at one time my mom and my aunts were at each others throats over a misunderstanding that truly stemmed from pride. This prompted me to make a visit to the then "missionary house" challenging the then minister of the congregation back home about his belief in prayer that changes situations, talk about boldness, what could I have been thinking? I guess this is what Prov 28 v 1 talks about. I asked if he would pray and agree with me in prayer, and so we prayed. While he was still dumbstruck, I guess by this boldness of a young woman, challenging his faith in prayer, I said my good-byes and hurried back home. That, believe me, was a move which still scares me myself even today, what on earth got into me, how could I ever confront a leader of a congregation with such a question? Well, I guess I will find my answer one day, God willing. NB! But please, whoever is reading this right now, I beg of you, please do not condemn me for that action.
Allow me to share this with you, something I even laughed with my younger sister about it yesterday while having a chat that my home has in the last six years turned out to be like a "rehabilitation centre" for the family, where those who hurt have been known to just pop-in for a little bit of love, Glory be to God, Hallelujah. Some of my siblings have even turned me into a made-up "little granny" for their kids just so they can find time to spent at my place, and How marvellous God has become in all of that. Though there is work that still needs to done in some ways, but my God has been faithful and all is not lost. His loves endures forever, and I believe He is still busy at work.
Why did I have to learn the words written in the book of Romans 12 so young in my life? What was it that it became the one thing that would ever remain, becoming so alive and forceful even when at times all I wanted so much was to take revenge and be angry with those who hurt me? Lord how come you had to make me listen to many of the stories of those women you brought along my path, their pain and sorrows? Just who am I that you made me to even learn to cry with someone that I barely knew? What is it that you were and could still be preparing me for even before I know it?
I will take refuge in your word Almighty God and seek you while you may still be found, for You have said this to your servant " For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,"
'Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor? Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgements and his paths beyond tracing out!
Preserve me Lord in your righteousness.
I thank you Lord for the musicians you so anointed in singing worship, words that heal, that restores and encourages a heart to seek repentance. It is in the solace of this anointing that Lord you became alive to me, your favour you bestowed on me and peace you gave and restored me back to joy. Thank you for your grace that does not make man arrogant, for who and where would I have been had it not been by this GRACE.
Lord, you hold my world in the palm of Your hand and I am yours forever. I will walk with You Lord where ever I go. Through tears and joy I will trust in You. I will live in all of your ways & in your promises forever and ever. Jesus I believe in You, Jesus I belong to You. You are the reason that I live, and the reason that I sing with all that I am.
"May your unfailing love come to me O Lord, your salvation according to your promise, then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word. Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. I will always obey your commands for ever and ever, I will walk about in freedom for I have sought out your precepts...; I lift up my hands to your commands which I love and I meditate on your decrees." Ps 119: 41 - 45 & 48
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Blessed are the pure at Heart
Blessed are the pure at heart for they shall see the Lord. Even though the world may applaude you, the Lord looks at what is from the inside.
"Lord, who shall abide in Your the terbanacle and who shall dwell in Your hills - He who walks and lives uprightly and blamelesssly, who works rightness and justice and speaks and thinks the truth in his heart."
Father, when You test my heart, may You be pleased with my honesty in everything I do, guide me by Your Spirit that I may show integrity, soundness of speech that cannot be condemned. Judge me O Lord according to my righteousness, according to my integrity. Search me thoroughly and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts and see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
You O Lord, do not look at my achievements or my abilities, all you really want is a life of worship unto You. Thank you Lord for working in me that I may do Your will and act according to Your good purpose. With all that is within me I dedicate and consecrate my being to You.
Expressing my Love to You, I embrace Your Word, hold it in high esteem and choose to disagree with any thoughts, conditions or circumstances contrary to Your Word. Strenghten me, spirit, soul and body - fill me with Your love and grace. Clear my mind of the cobwebs of the day as I place my future and situations into Your hand, commiting to do my very best with the gifts and talents You have given me.
Thank You Lord that Your joy overflows in my heart - As I enter the doorways let me bring with me joy and peace, a character and personality of one who is in love with You and my fellow bretheren. Help me to be sensitive to the needs of others and to express my value of their contribution into my life in wisdom and insight, never to under any circumstances be condescending or to insinuate that I think less of others' capabilities/potential/responsibilities than I do my own or consider them in any way subordinate to mine.
I thank You that I am in Christ Jesus, the annointed one and His annointing, who has become for me wisdom from You - that is my righteousness, santification and redemption. I incline my ear to Your wisdom that I may walk in ways of piety and virtue, revering Your Holy Name.
Blessed be your glorious name for ever and let the whole world be filled with Your glory. In Jesus name I pray, Amen and amen!!!
"Lord, who shall abide in Your the terbanacle and who shall dwell in Your hills - He who walks and lives uprightly and blamelesssly, who works rightness and justice and speaks and thinks the truth in his heart."
Father, when You test my heart, may You be pleased with my honesty in everything I do, guide me by Your Spirit that I may show integrity, soundness of speech that cannot be condemned. Judge me O Lord according to my righteousness, according to my integrity. Search me thoroughly and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts and see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
You O Lord, do not look at my achievements or my abilities, all you really want is a life of worship unto You. Thank you Lord for working in me that I may do Your will and act according to Your good purpose. With all that is within me I dedicate and consecrate my being to You.
Expressing my Love to You, I embrace Your Word, hold it in high esteem and choose to disagree with any thoughts, conditions or circumstances contrary to Your Word. Strenghten me, spirit, soul and body - fill me with Your love and grace. Clear my mind of the cobwebs of the day as I place my future and situations into Your hand, commiting to do my very best with the gifts and talents You have given me.
Thank You Lord that Your joy overflows in my heart - As I enter the doorways let me bring with me joy and peace, a character and personality of one who is in love with You and my fellow bretheren. Help me to be sensitive to the needs of others and to express my value of their contribution into my life in wisdom and insight, never to under any circumstances be condescending or to insinuate that I think less of others' capabilities/potential/responsibilities than I do my own or consider them in any way subordinate to mine.
I thank You that I am in Christ Jesus, the annointed one and His annointing, who has become for me wisdom from You - that is my righteousness, santification and redemption. I incline my ear to Your wisdom that I may walk in ways of piety and virtue, revering Your Holy Name.
Blessed be your glorious name for ever and let the whole world be filled with Your glory. In Jesus name I pray, Amen and amen!!!
Friday, August 3, 2007
The Love that consumes
"O hear these my words you who are my beloved", says the King of kings!
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed yet my unfailing LOVE for you will no be shaken nor my covenant of PEACE be removed" Isaiah 54 v 10
My prayer this day is that HIS love consume you, that you may celebrate forever in the presence of your LORD & KING. May you have a blessed day.
With love to you!
Sheila
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed yet my unfailing LOVE for you will no be shaken nor my covenant of PEACE be removed" Isaiah 54 v 10
My prayer this day is that HIS love consume you, that you may celebrate forever in the presence of your LORD & KING. May you have a blessed day.
With love to you!
Sheila
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