The Word of God, when we think about it, we think about the Bible.
But the Word of God is so much more. Let's take a look at the Bible and at Jesus.
The Bible is active and alive, it's our daily bread, it gives life,
it's the Truth, it shows us the way, it is there for correction,
encouragement and teaching, it's as sharp as a double sided sword, it's
perfect in itself, it enlightens our ways by enlightening the path of
our feet and much more.
Jesus is the living Word of God. He was
in the beginning and He was with God and He was God Himself. He became
flesh and dwelt among us.
Jesus says of Himself that He is the
Truth, the Way and the Life. He says that He is the Bread of Life. He
speaks what God speaks without error. When He speaks, He speaks with
divine authority, with grace, with wisdom, with power, with knowledge,
with truth and love. He proclaims the righteousness of God. And He uses
Scripture to rebuke and correct and to guide.
Now, both of them
are the Word of God but we can not live with one while neglecting the
other one. They belong together and are one. You can not love Jesus but
have no desire to read the Word also if you think that Jesus spoke to
you but you can't find it in the Word it is not of Jesus, since He
doesn't speak anything against or not according to His Word.
The
Word of God is what God, Himself, speaks. It is what He thinks and it is
coming out of His very heart. When we know and understand His Word, we
get to know and understand His heart.
It is very interesting to
see that He blessed us with His whole Word. Now, this doesn't mean that
God doesn't have more to say, NO! God's wisdom is endless. It just means
that He told us everything WE need to know in order to survive in this
world and to be prepared for the world to come. He told us everything we
need to know from beginning to end. There is nothing which should
surprise us since He made sure to tell us everything we need to know
concerning history, present and future events.
His Word also
says that it is forbidden to take anything away from it or to add
anything to it. Otherwise the Word would be twisted and not perfect and
complete and holy in itself. It wouldn't be 100% the truth. With
that being said there are two parts of the Word. The reading part and
the living part. The Scriptures help us to understand God's heart and
will for our lives and Jesus helps us living according to it through His
Holy Spirit.
If you don't read the Word, you won't understand
God and you would be spiritually dead and defenseless against the tricks
of the enemy. If you don't live it, you can't please God, since your
faith wouldn't be complete and faith without works is dead and it's
impossible to please God without faith.
We have to abide in Him and His Word to understand and live it.
Through His Word, by beholding Jesus, we are being transformed more and more into His image.
Just as Jesus is with us everywhere and everyday of our lives, it's
important that the written Word is with us everyday and everywhere too.
What has happened to Christmas?
It's been consumed by consumers, bought
by commercialists, sold and traded for a counterfeit that is nothing
like the real thing.
The real meaning of Christmas is easily forgotten in the midst of the glitz and glamour.
The true message of Christmas is an eternal message of hope brought to
the world through a Saviour born in a manger.
It's a message of love, a
message of peace, a message of joy. Whether you believe or not,
Christmas is all about Jesus Christ.
While Christmas may be a joyful
time for many, it represents a time of pain for some. Whoever you are
reading this, find comfort and peace in the true meaning Christmas.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!
We are so frail
And yet in all our frailty
He loves us "As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he
flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its
place acknowledges it no longer." -Psalm103:15-16
Our bodies though magnificent are temporary
The strength of our youth soon fades
Then we are hooked to support systems
Our bodies are opened up to replace parts that are dysfunctional
Yet in all our weakness
We dare think that we do not need the Eternal One
"For dust you are and to dust you will return." -Genesis 3:19 But He loves us still And died so that one day This tent of ours will Be replaced by a house far more beautiful
"For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a
building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." -2Cor.5:1
Obeying the voice of
God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit is an important aspect in our daily
walk with Christ. We need this continuous and unwavering communication to
navigate every aspect in our lives, especially when making decisions that
affect us, such as whether or not to do that degree, whether or not to take
that job offer and so on. Many a time we find ourselves in situations that
would not have occurred had we chosen to obey. We pay that price by making a
sacrifice of another element in our life such as our joy, time and perhaps happiness.
There are instances also where the voice of God in our hearts is as clear as
day and yet we choose to do what we want regardless of the unconcealed guidance
and direction of God. This brings me to Saul and his disobedience which he paid
a dear price for. In 1 Samuel 15- God clearly instructed Saul to attack
Amalek and utterly destroy it. Saul chose to use his discretion, blatantly
ignoring the voice of God, by sparing the best of the sheep, the oxen, the
fatlings and the lambs and all that was good even though God had set out a
clear directive which was to destroy everything.
God then said“I greatly regret that
I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has
not performed My commandments.”1 Samuel
15:11.
Does God speak the same of you?
1 Samuel 15:22
“So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and
sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than
sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.”
In response to Samuel, Saul said 1 Samuel 15:24“I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment
of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their
voice.”
We need to learn to hear more of God and less of people around us and
to do things out of the fear of God as opposed to doing things because we are
scared of people and their opinions no matter how important these people may be
to us. It is also important to be able to discern when God is speaking to you
through another person. That is why we need to pray for God to teach us to obey
and help us to know when it is Him talking, to be able to recognize His voice.
2 Timothy 1:7 “For He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power,
love and of a sound mind”
This should be one of the guiding principles when discerning the voice
of God.
Hebrews 5:8 “though He was a Son, yet he learned obedience by the
things he suffered.”
This is a clear
illustration of one of the ways on which obedience is learned. Sometimes
choosing the path of disobedience seems like a more appealing and less
rocky-route in the terrains of life. However even though it seems easier and
takes less of our time and effort at first glance it costs more in the long
run. The path of obedience on the other hand is not an easy one, because it is
not that we follow in our own strength therefore we need to ask God to teach us
to obey Him and enable us to obey Him. This path is worthwhile because God is
our Father and He loves us and has our best interests at heart.
Matthew 7:11 ‘If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to
your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things
to those who ask Him!”
“But when we position ourselves under the headship
of Christ and learn to do what He requires of us, there is a flow of the Holy
Spirit that will carry us wherever we need to go.” (Stormie Omartian- The Power of a Praying Woman).
A few Sundays ago, I watched Inside Out with a special someone. Overall, it is a great movie because I love animations and also because it has some good life lessons. One of the things I learned was that even though we think that sadness is irrelevant, it actually plays an important role in our lives. If I were to ask a couple people to choose between sadness and joy, many would opt for joy. I probably would too, after all joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and I am definitely thankful for it. But sadness and all it encompasses has a purpose beyond what we think or often hear of.
Trials,injustices and suffering can result in sadness, grief and sorrow. But these are not the only results, apart from the gloomy and negative stuff, we have the some positive stuff too. The Bible encourages us to take on a different aspect, to see beyond the obvious and common results. How does the Bible do this? I have thought of short list with many verses :)
1. We are not the only ones
The Bible is filled with real people that have faced real heart-breaking situations just like us. Take Joseph for example, he was a teenager when he was sold into slavery by his own brothers, then thrown into prison for a crime he did not commit and then forgotten in prison. Then Job, the classic example of suffering. Joel lost everything! His children, his possessions, his social status, his health. Basically everything we regard dear in today's society. And Jesus, our Lord, the ultimate example of suffering. He was crucified for our sin. He did no wrong, but He willingly lay down His life so that we may be reconciled to God. Apart from the Bible, the news or in our neighborhoods and cities we see others suffering too,we are not alone.
2. They are opportunities to grow, to be identified with Christ and to depend upon Him “We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh
patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope
maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts
by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:3–5,KJV).
"Dear friends, don’t be surprised or shocked that you are going through testing that is like walking through fire. Be
glad for the chance to suffer as Christ suffered. It will prepare you
for even greater happiness when he makes his glorious return.Count it a blessing when you suffer for being a Christian. This shows that God’s glorious Spirit is with you.But you deserve to suffer if you are a murderer, a thief, a crook, or a busybody. Don’t be ashamed to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God that you belong to him." (1 Peter 4:12-16, CEV)
For we do not want you
to be unaware, brothers,of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we
were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life
itself.Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. (2Cor1:8-11) 3. God is with us
For
he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me
under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now
my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will
offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make
melody to the LORD.
(Psalms 27:5,6)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,who
comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort
those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we
ourselves are comforted by God.For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. (2Cor1:3-5)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.(Psalm 46:1-3)
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil,for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)
When you go through deep waters,I will be with you...Do not be afraid, for I am with you. (Isa43:1,5)
4. One day it will all be over
For I
consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth
comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation
waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the
creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him
who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from
its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the
children of God. (Romans 8:18-21)
So
we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner
self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is
preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as
we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are
unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that
are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
And
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling
place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his
people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe
away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither
shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former
things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3,4)
When
grief and setbacks come, it is not the end of the world. God is in
control and He is able to bring something beautiful out of it. He is
able to use it to refine us thus making us more Christ-like. I encourage
you to see not only the negative stuff but the positive stuff too, it's
worth it!
“The taste of restoration is sweet. There is nothing so great. Do not allow the bitter taste of past failures and defeat leave you with unresolved issues both in your mind and in your life that will weigh you down as time passes if you allow it. Give them over to God. Take those old wounds – the worries and heartaches about your wasted years, and let God restore to you the very years that were taken away. Then press on confidently in joy, He is your hope and your future.” Darell Creswell
You said that all things are working for my good.
Those days when my boss gets on my case.
Those times when I'm laughed at.
Those days when I'm not the best friend that I could be.
It's all happening to make me more like you.
To slay the flesh,
To learn from my mistakes,
To humble me.
I am being renewed,
As long as I trust in you.
The present sufferings can't compare to the joy that's coming.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if
by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be
revealed in us.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord - 2Cor. 10:17
Thus saith the Lord,
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man
glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. -Jeremiah 9:23-24
Three years ago, I began a journey that seemed endless. I embarked on an adventure of university education in a second language, Dutch. I don't remember my first class vividly but what I can recall was that it was not great. I sat at the very back of the auditorium, alone and uncertain, hardly understanding what my Chemistry professor was explaining. I went home dejected. The following classes from different courses followed a similar pattern. However, as time went on, I made friends who helped me understand the courses better. With time I became more and more independent, I was learning and understanding. I was diligent with my studies. During examination periods and projects, I almost cracked from immense stress. I cried numerous times but I have been encouraged numerous times too. I started at the lower ranks but God uplifted me to the higher ranks. This journey is now over, I now have my bachelor degree and I want to take this opportunity to say thank you.
I would love to thank:
God, first and far most, because without His abundant grace, there is no way that I would have even began such a journey. Without His love and strength, I would have never made it. He provided me with a great sister and a team of lovely people who have played their important roles.
My family, my parents who supported my education thus enabling me to concentrate completely on my studies and not on bills etc! :) My awesome totally amazing big sister, Chibwe! Man, I love this girl. She always has my back (unless we are arguing) but I am truly thankful that she has always believed in me and encouraged me and helped and done a lot!
My (ex)friends; those who taught me how to study so as to understand and not to cram, Naomi who taught me not to fear exams but trust that God is able to see me through every time, Severien who has been such a great friend, classmate and project partner, and everyone else who helped through prayers, notes from previous years etc. You all have a special place in my heart!
My church, especially pastor Seth and Mama, who encouraged us to study and also prayed fervently for us all.
May God bless you all abundantly for all you have done for me!
'Life and death are in the power of the tongue, he who loves it will eat
the fruit thereof'. The venom coming out of a spider's mouth is so
powerful that it can destroy anything it comes in contact with. What
comes out of your mouth when you speak? Words are powerful, words have
life. Positive words bring life, healing and restoration..negative words
are venomous and destructive. The words you speak over your life are
important, they can either build up or tear down your life..speak life
not death to your life to the lives of others.
A single letter is a character on it's own, a visual symbol that merges
with other symbols to generate syllables. Syllables intimately connected
emerge as words. A single word blended with patterns other words become
more than just words.
Words have a creative power, whether spoken or unspoken, they give
expression to thoughts and create a certain reality. The words you say
about yourself matters. What you say over your life today could be your
reality tomorrow. Words are seeds spoken in to the future. Sow the right
kind of seeds into your life so you can bear the right fruits. Wishing you a blessed, fulfilled and productive week ahead.
I love shoes and I don't know exactly why but there is just something about shoes that I can't wrap my mind around. Through my love for shoes, God recently taught me a lesson which I will now share with you.
Last week Saturday, I went to Antwerp to buy some things for my family back in Zambia and also to collect some items for my mother from an aunt. So I went to the shopping street but unfortunately, I didn't find anything for the family (I eventually got some things from Leuven) but I found these lovely shoes in Zara. I didn't plan on buying anything for myself and since I didn't want to buy them spontaneously, I took a picture sent it to some friends to get their opinion on them. Sadly since no one was online, I decided to leave them and I got my mum's items and headed back to Leuven.
Hours later, my sister and a good friend replied to my picture, they said the shoes were gorgeous! But I was now in Leuven, so I decided to check for the shoes online...however they didn't have my size online but the shops in Brussels did. Guess what I did? I went to Brussels despite the fact that I had organized a dinner in two hours, the trip to and from Brussels would take the same amount of time. That meant that I would be late. So I postponed my dinner to 8pm and off I went to Brussels. I eventually got the shoes with the help of a friend I met in the shopping street.
Now what is the lesson I learnt? When I was on the train to Brussels, I realized how big a leap of faith I was taking. The website said the shoes were available in Brussels but it was sales and the chances of finding them were slim and on top of that I had changed my schedule for a pair of shoes.
I realized that that's what God wants from us too. Those leaps of faith. The Bible makes a lot of promises but the difference between the website and the Bible is that the promises in the Word of God are true. What He says, we will find sales or no sales. Remember that "it is impossible to please God without faith" (Hebrews 11:6b). Faith "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1) is one of the major necessities of Christian living. It is by grace through faith that we have been saved (Ephesians 2:8) and we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). Faith, faith and more faith.
God wants us to make time for Him, and to go to great lengths for Him. I made time to get those shoes, I changed my schedule and I even had to get on a train for 30mins ONE WAY plus the walk to the shop. Faith needs time, it needs to be worked out, it's an investment. For faith without works is dead (James 2:17). This is not a work OR faith issue but a faith AND works.
Yes I am crazy for shoes but I should be even more crazy for God. My prayer for you and I is that we will take those leaps of faith according to His promises and make time for Him and go to greatest length to find Him. I promise, we will not leap to disaster but to a greater reality!
"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." -Luke 3:16
Teach me to love like You,
Not as the Gentiles do.
For they only love each other
When they are loved back
" He was despised and rejected by mankind,a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem." -Isaiah 53:3
But You love the sinner
The one that hates You
The one that turns their back on You
The one that puts everything else in Your place
And puts You in the back of their minds
You sacrificed Yourself for the ones
That would trample over Your name
And hide their faces from You
"We love because he first loved us." -1 John 4:19
Even so, You still love them
You readily forgive
And will teach them to love like You.
"When Mary arrived where
Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had
been here, my brother would not have died.....Jesus said, 'Take the stone away.' Martha, the dead man’s sister, told Jesus, “Lord, there must already be a stench. He’s been dead for four days.” - John 11:32,39 (GW)
I learned something from Martha and Mary again! If you haven't read the previous post, click here Eliminating the Unnecessary.
Sometimes in life we give up and lose hope easily. This loss of hope can also affect the way we view God. Let me illustrate this with Mary and Martha.
Lazarus, their brother, had been sick and had just died. When he was sick, they had sent a message to Jesus; they knew that if He came, He would heal him. They knew Jesus was a healer, He had healed many people before. He had healed the royal officer's son, the paralyzed man at the pool and many others. But the issue was that, when Jesus finally came, Lazarus was dead. Mary and Martha had given up. It was too late. Their brother was gone. We can see that that's what they thought because:
1. Although Mary had deep reverence for Jesus ( "she knelt at his feet"); she said to Him, "Lord, IF YOU HAD BEEN HERE..." 2. When Jesus asked for the stone be rolled away, Martha said " There is a STENCH. HE'S BEEN DEAD FOUR DAYS". (Emphasis added). They had lost hope even in the Lord. But you know what Jesus told Martha? He said “Did I not tell you that IF YOU BELIEVE, you will see the glory of God?” (v.40). Jesus had already told Martha that her brother will rise again but she did not believe and so she limited God (v.23-24). But that didn't stop Jesus; He went on ahead and shouted “Lazarus, come out!” and guess what? Lazarus came out! He came back to life, still wrapped up in his burial clothes (v.43-44).
When I read this, I had been reading Ephesians and the Spirit revealed something to me. I remembered this verse: "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins....But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions" (Eph.2:1,4-5). We all have many loved ones, friends and family, who do not know the Lord. We all have things that we might be giving up on. Lost causes so to say. Things that HAVE BEEN DEAD MANY DAYS, MONTHS OR EVEN YEARS. But you know what? We were all dead once.I was dead for many years, I stunk way more than Lazarus, people might have given up on me but that didn't stop the Lord from calling out to me. And He shouted "Twi, come out!" and I came out of that dark and rotten place and stepped into life and into light.
I want to say to you, don't give up. Don't lose hope. Don't let your view of God be changed by your current situations. Maybe your health, finances, relationships, spiritual life or whatever it is, is dead. Despite all this, you must chose to remember that He has victory over death and nothing is impossible for Him (1 Cor.15:55; Luke 1:37).
"Now,
we didn’t receive the spirit that belongs to the world. Instead, we
received the Spirit who comes from God so that we could know the things
which God has freely given us. We
don’t speak about these things using teachings that are based on
intellectual arguments like people do. Instead, we use the Spirit’s
teachings. We explain spiritual things to those who have the Spirit."
- 1 Cor. 2:12-13 (GW Translation)
I asked Jesus why people don't understand that He died for them on the cross and that there is no other way to the Father except through Him. And at the perfect time as always He gave me the answer by pointing out that verse to me. I love Jesus because His timing is always so perfect. However, to understand the secrets of another person you have to get a look at the depths of their heart and thoughts. You have to understand their way of thinking and if the person doesn't share their thoughts with you you will never be able to understand what they are thinking about. And that's the exact same thing with the sacrifice Christ made on the cross; He gave Himself so that people could have the possibility to enter the kingdom of God. But many of them don't understand this.
They don't understand how it can be possible for God to come down on earth as a human or how it can't be possible to impress God with our own works. That's why it's not about us but about Jesus. Or why we won't be able to get access to God's full love with self righteousness and without God's mercy. The answer to this question is simply because they don't have a intimate relationship with God and secondly, because they have not received His Holy Spirit. Without His Holy Spirit we won't be able to understand why God gave His own life for us and what impact it has on our life.
I have to be honest here. Before I decided to give Jesus my life I also thought that there are many ways to heaven. I didn't understood why He had to offer Himself as a sacrifice. And I didn't really know what it really meant that Jesus died for our sins. But glory be to God that He opened my eyes and ears. After inviting Christ into my life everything changed. I started seeing things I have never seen before and He gave me the right to come face to face before God.
He then lived in my body and through Jesus I am able to come directly to the Father. I understood that He alone is the only way to salvation as He stated in John 14:6 " I am the way, I am the truth and I am the life, no one comes to the father except through Me". I am able to get to know Jesus, He blesses me with His love and I fall in love with Him day by day more and more. I am much happier than I have ever been in my life. And I finally understood that it's all about being justified be faith. Just by believing in Jesus we are set free and saved. And I know that many of you still won't understand what He did on the cross for you and I can understand that but God loves you and He wants to have a relationship with you. He wants to tell you all of His secrets. He wants to be your friend and love you like no one did before. In John 15:15, we are called His friends. Friends tell each other what's going on in their minds. But the master doesn't tell his servant what he is going to do. But we are not his servants we are His friends and because of this we are allowed to know God's plans. Jesus is reaching out for you to be your friend.
No one loves more than someone who lays down His own life for His friends (John 15:13) it's up to you to put away your pride and to get to know the one real God. I can tell you for sure my redeemer lives and He has a heart which is also beating for you (Job 19:25). He wants you so much and He wants to give you his love abundantly.
May the peace of the Lord be with you. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Quite a few things in life don't happen at just the right time. Timing is not always perfect. However, there are those moments that occur at the best time. But even better than perfect moments, are words that are fitly spoken.
Recently, I experienced a season of stillness. I wasn't as close to God as I used to be, you know the 'just-going-through-the-motions' feeling? I felt alone and I was distracted by many things including my university bachelor project. I hadn't been spending much time with God and I felt dry and empty. I had not been feeding myself spiritually for most of the duration of the project which lasted FIVE TEDIOUS WEEKS! Subconsciously, I knew something was wrong ( I honestly have problems with having things in the BACK OF MY MIND!) and therefore I didn't tackle the issue face to face, instead I opted for the feelings of failure, disappoint and self-pity. I felt as if most of my Christian journey was literally a joke.
However, I thank God that He speaks through people. I thank Him for believing friends because during that dark moment, someone wrote to me a message at just the right time. My friend told me that she thanked God for my life and that she sees me maturing. She also prayed that I may continue to grow in Him, encouraged me to keep on running the race and reminded me that He is with me. Those few powerful words were the push that I needed and believe me they propelled me forward.
Words have power. The words we speak will not always be timely but they should be "a life-giving fountain"Proverbs 10:11 or a "tree of life" and not "crush the spirit" Proverbs 15:4. Use your words to edify and build not to destroy. To encourage and not discourage. Use your words wisely. Let them be as precious as gold and silver.
What gives you comfort? You know that great feeling of peace, joy and happiness? That sense of belonging?
Is it the people that you are surrounded by? Your family, friends or that special companion; your other half?
Or maybe it's the things you own..your degree..car..house..job..or money?
Do they satisfy you? Always? No matter the situation?
Do not be fooled...the comfort they offer is temporary. Fleeting, here today but gone tomorrow.
But I know a secret and I want to share it.
True comfort comes from God alone. His comfort is not temporary for He is comfort itself. Stop looking around and look to Him. Pour out your heart to Him. He is waiting.
"And I will pray to the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever " -John 14:16 KJV
Last month, I was reading my devotional from Our Daily Bread and I could identify with the story. The Scripture was from Luke10:38-42; Jesus was at two sisters' home: Martha and Mary. Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening to Him but Martha was extremely busy and distracted with the preparations. I saw a lot of myself in Martha.
Most people who know me even for a short while soon realize that I am a busy bee. "Tawikala panshi?" is a phrase in Bemba that has been spoken to me on numerous occasions. It literally translates as "Don't you sit down?" i.e. "Do you ever rest?". I am constantly planning things that need to be done and as a result I find myself incapable of relaxing when things are left incomplete. Usually when I return home from the library I begin to organize things instead sitting down and socializing with my lovely sister and cousin. I always want to be done with the "unfinished business" before I relax. I want to do a lot with the time I have, which is not a bad idea at all, until I over-plan and run behind schedule. I once invited a friend for dinner at 7pm, and being the European he is, he was right on time! The dinner that I had thought would start at 7pm ended up starting at 9pm; I was two hours behind, unbelievable but very true.
However, thanks to the devotional and the very observant eyes of my sister and cousin, I have been awakened to the harsh reality of my life. Since the problem was noted, I started working on solutions. A few management lessons might do the trick but theory not put in practice is worthless. So, I have worked on my decision making. As much as I like to do everything, somethings are only distractions that are well-intended but do not need to be done that day and others are crucial and require my immediate attention. I am filtering the necessary from the unnecessary. This is not something that one learns to do over night, it requires a lot of discipline and so I have started with the small steps that can later add up to great changes. For example, in the past I studied in the library until 9pm every day except for the days that I have fellowship with the people at church. Instead, now I can study until 7pm and spend some quality time with the those I love, laughing and living a little. Secondly, I honestly do not have to make different appointments with 5 friends in one day instead I can easily spread them over the week or month,or even have one huge gathering, leaving plenty of time for some real girl talk! Last but not least, I can have a good quiet time with the One that matters the most, God, instead of rushing off to "unfinished business".
I am making small steps, the process will be long but I pray that God will
continue to help me overcome other distractions and serve Him and others with
the deepest devotion. I also hope and pray that God will open your eyes to the
clutter in your own life and enable you to overcome them. Remember, His grace is
sufficient.
Stay Blessed.
Thanks to Our Daily Bread for inspiring me to write this post.
