And the Philistines took the ark of God , and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod.
When the Philistines took the ark of God , they brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. 1 Samuel 5: 1-2
There was a grim situation here ; one of astonishment , defeat and great reproach to the people of God and to God's holy Name! 1 Samuel 4: 1 - end.
Defeat and annihilation stared God's people in the face because Isreal had sinned ; the High Priest, Eli and his household were not worthy custodians of the ark of the Most High God . So Isreal was routed and in disarray and utter confusion before their enemies !
To compound their tragedies , the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts which dwelt between the cherubims was in the hands of the enemies of God !
This was seriously shameful!
"The glory is departed from Isreal!"
The consequences of such utter defeat are far-reaching because, usually , the enemy with the confidence of victory , would not stop at humiliating God's people ; they would always extend their "victory dance " to try to humiliate God himself.
Whenever I read this narration of the events after the unexpected defeat of the armies of Isreal by the uncircumcised Philistines at Eben-ezer; I marvel at the naivety and blindness of the heathen!How dare they compare their idol to the God of Heaven and Earth? Imagine putting my God , side by side with their own god; in the SAME room ?
What audacity !
The pill of utter defeat is very bitter to swallow. Especially when the bitterness is coupled with the noises of mockery and celebration from the enemy!
" They said they had an invincible God ! Where is their God now?"
"Have we not routed them , put them to flight and carried their God away ?!"
" See their God in a box! We have him under lock and key in our shrine!"
The celeberation in the camp of the enemy on that fateful day must have lasted all night long!
But! With the dawn of day ,even as the enemy's celebrations continued; the situation CHANGED!
"I Am That I Am " had arisen ; with GREAT victory and deliverance in his wings!
Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence : a fire shall devour before him , and it shall be very tempestous round about him. Psalm 50:3.
God, immediately, began to declare His Power and Authority ; declaring His Names , even in the midst of the gathering of the enemy.
May our God arise , immediately, in our situations and fight for us! Amen.
The Man of War started confounding the enemy by first of all manifesting His disgust at the presence of the abomination called "Dagon"!
I can imagine God looking at Dagon from head to toe and laughing with the hosts of heaven , at the ridiculous graven image beside Him!
The angels of war struck Dagon down and broke him to pieces! The rest is history.
This beautiful story gives me immense joy , any time I read it !
We see God declaring to the enemy ,clearly, the difference between Him and other gods.
God would not tolerate a situation where the heathen would defile His Name and equate Him with counterfeit gods!
Even when He has allowed loss and defeat to happen in the lives of His disobedient children.
In His judgement,the covenant-keeping God would always remember His mercy and He would always arise to take the glory in every situation of reproach to His Name.
God will ALWAYS make the heathen to testify of His awesomeness and His Supremacy above all other gods; whether they want to testify or not!
The enemies of God would have no choice but to bow before Him.
Like He did against Egypt before He delivered His people from slavery , God also declared his supremacy to the Philistines , on this occasion.
God will remember His covenant and His mercy and save us from every affliction, in the name of Jesus Christ . Amen.
"Look unto me and be ye saved , all the ends of the earth: for I am God , and there is none else .
I have sworn by myself , the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear".
Isaiah 45:21-23
Once again , as God has sworn, when the enemies of Jehovah saw the manifestation of His power , they were forced to offer appeasement, to bow in worship to God and to confess with their mouth that Jehovah is God indeed! 1 Samuel 6: 1-8.
Not only that , the Philistines asked for a sign ; for a confirmation that this was the one and only Jehovah ,the Holy One of Israel, dealing with them.1 Samuel 6:9.
They got the signs and wonders they asked for!
Halleluyah!
The cart carrying the ark of God on its return journey back to Isreal was pulled by two milk cows; while the Philistines watched its journey from a respectable distance .
To the astonishment of the lords of the Philistines who followed the cart to the border with Isreal; the cows , unaided by any human being knew the way and followed the correct route back home!
"And the kine took the straight way to the way of Beth-shemeth , and went along the highway , lowing as they went,and turned not aside to the right hand and to the left;
and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Beth-shemeth."
1 Samuel 6:12
What is that situation of shame and defeat in your life?
That dire situation which seems hopeless and insurmountable ?
I declare that the Lord God Jehovah , the Man of War ,I AM THAT I AM , Mighty in Battle; has arisen , right now, to your help with great victories , signs and wonders! Even in the presence of your enemies; in the name of Jesus Christ ! Amen!
I decree that the Egyptians and Philistines you saw , you will see them no more!
The Lord God of Hosts has performed it and you are blessed in Him . Amen.
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Sports Relief Mile Run - 2010
The Sports Relief Mile Run 2010 took place at various venues around the U.K. to round up the Sport Relief weekend 19th to 21st March ; to raise funds for charities in and outside the country. Over 165,000 runners participated.
As at last night , a total amount of £31,633,091 had been raised.
There were slots of 1, 3, and 6 miles runs at the various venues.
I was at the Victoria Embankment venue , in London.
Some of the famous faces at the Run:
Christine Ohuruogu (800 metres World Champion and Olympic Gold Medallist)
and , below left: the "King", Daley Thompson ( Decathlon - Serial World Champion and Olympic Gold Medallist )
Guess Who! The Conservative Party Leader.
Becks and Smithy!
As at last night , a total amount of £31,633,091 had been raised.
There were slots of 1, 3, and 6 miles runs at the various venues.
I was at the Victoria Embankment venue , in London.
Some of the famous faces at the Run:
Christine Ohuruogu (800 metres World Champion and Olympic Gold Medallist)
and , below left: the "King", Daley Thompson ( Decathlon - Serial World Champion and Olympic Gold Medallist )
Guess Who! The Conservative Party Leader.
Becks and Smithy!
Forgiveness : The Paths of Wisdom .
"Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves". Matthew 10:16.
In all human interactions offences would occur at least once,in a while.
No one can deny not having experienced feelings of anger and hurt when offended ; for anger is the natural reaction of any victim to an offence.
This post is the concluding part of my previous post:
"Offences : Stepping on Sore Toes".
Some people, easily, forget and forgive wrongs done to them but some people are like the proverbial elephant who never forgets!
They harbour malice and thoughts of revenge in their hearts , until they exact their "pound of flesh" for every offence committed against them.
It is easier for the victim of an offence to forgive minor wrongs or unintentional wrongs than to forgive offences which were done intentionally to cause maximum hurt , pain ,anger , loss and humiliation.
Also an offender who apologises to his victim (s),who shows genuine remorse and makes amends for his offence is more likely to be forgiven long before the offender who is adamantly unrepentant.
But what does the word of God say about forgiveness?
Do we forgive when it is convenient for us to so ; or when we "feel" like forgiving others ?
Should forgiveness be dispensed in measured doses: for "small" or "too great, too bad offences" against us?
Or is it right to forgive only when the culprit has apologised and compensated the victim for the offence?
What does our God say about anger ,bitterness and forgiveness?
"Be ye angry ,and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give room to the devil". Ephesian 4:26
He even goes further by telling us how frequent and to what measure our forgiveness should be :Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times : but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:22.
Forgiveness ,is the attribute of our Father, the loving , merciful Three -in-One God and it MUST be also inherent in us Christians, his children.
A child would always resemble his or her parents. Just as a dog begets a dog and a goat begets a goat!
God calls us his children ; and that is what sets the Christian apart from all the other peoples on earth who serve gods who are merciless and vengeful.
For those whose values and mind frames are based on the principles of "An eye for an eye!"; based on a culture of revenge, murder and mayhem, forgiveness is a HARD thing for them to do.
Forgiveness is a supernatural act. It is based on a determination to die to self; made possible by power of the Holy Spirit.
In the life of a spirit-filled Christian , the milk of human kindness should flow .
Whatever the offences against us, God demands that we forgive those who have wronged us ; as we have been forgiven by Him. Mark 11: 24-26.
Furthermore , Vengeance is God's responsibility. He knows how best to avenge for us, every wrong we have suffered.
I can testify that God does execute perfect vengeance on behalf of his children.
You could think you are strong or powerful enough to fight for yourself. Then you could decide to be hasty and exact revenge on your known enemies.
What of your secret enemies who know you but you don't even know them ?
Enemies who monitor your life ; watching your every action and speech ,plotting evil deeds against you ; yet you are not even aware of their existence ?
And when you are fast asleep, snoring, with your mouth open; who fights for you then ?
God neither slumbers no sleeps; he is omnipotent and omniscient and he alone has the power to fight and overcome all known and unknown enemies !
Someone had asked me if forgiveness was that easy , then why has God not forgiven Satan and restored him to his former position as second in command in Heaven?
People understand God better by asking questions . The answer to this question would give an insight into how God wants us to live a life of forgiveness.
We thank God for the liberty of being able to ask such questions in the Church, without fear of being beheaded or going into hiding for daring to ask!
God Almighty is the Sovereign God. Whatsoever he pleases , he does in heaven and on earth. He could choose to be or not to be merciful , gracious or accessible to certain persons . His ways are past finding . Who can question him?
As it is written , Jacob have I loved , but Esau have I hated . Romans 9:13
What was Esau's offence and why was Jacob , his younger brother preferred by God even BEFORE the twins were born ? Genesis 25:23.
The Bible says , " And there was war in heaven...." Revelation 12:7-9.
If Satan could look God Almighty in the face and wage war against God inside heaven ; why would anyone be surprised that he and his demon-possessed children are waging wars all over the world ; against everybody and even against themselves!
Satan was cast out of heaven for his rebellion against God . Isaiah 14:12-15.
God could have ordered his angels of war to destroy Satan , immediately after his sin of rebellion and treason ; but God allowed Satan to leave heaven and make his abode on Planet Earth.
Although Satan received mercy from God , Satan has not forgiven God and has continually waged war against God ; for two main reasons.
The first reason being Satan's anger and bitterness because of his failure to usurp control from God which led to his humiliating exit from his exalted position in Heaven. Satan was thrown out, accompanied by millions of fallen angels whom he had succeeded in deceiving to join him in his rebellion.
These evil beings made the Earth their place of abode and operational headquarters.
Today , Satan and his millions of evil spirits are worshipped as "gods" by billions of peoples on earth.
These demonic spirits enter into and possess human beings and use them to commit horrendous offences against mankind , all over the earth.
From the beginning of Satan's presence on the Earth, billions of people have been deceived and are being deceived even till today, by Satan.
Satan , the perpetual liar and impostor appears to them , demanding their worship and he makes them believe that they are worshipping the one "true God"; when they are actually, worshipping Satan and his evil spirits! John 10:10 .
" There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" Proverbs 14:12.
Secondly, Satan hates God and cannot forgive God for coming to the earth; in human form as Jesus the Christ , the Son of the Living God.
Jesus Christ came to expose Satan's lies and to show Mankind the Way back to God!
" He that committeth sin of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested , that he might destroy the works of the devil".1 John 3:8b.
When you hate someone , you hate his children and everything and every symbol which reminds you of that person.
The same implacable and passionate hatred which Satan has for God ; he and his children manifest the same hatred against the Gospel of Christianity, the symbol of Salvation which is the Cross, against the Church and born again Christians!
Nothing drives Satan and his children mad and incensed with rage than the mention of THAT name JESUS and the sight of a Christian preaching the message of the Gospel!
Of course , Satan doesn't mind the existence of dormant Christians!
Satan uses his nation on earth; comprising of millions of demon-possessed persons as his weapons of hatred to attack, weaken and kill as many people as possible , especially Christians.
Their feet are swift in shedding blood ; NEVER in doing anything good!
In fact , nothing sets them off into wild cheering and jubilation, than the news or sight of war, of beheadings and bloodshed ; especially the blood of Christians !
"You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him.
When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it". John 8:44.
As Satan and his gang of murderers were defeated in the beginning ; so they remain our defeated foes even till today. They are under our feet.
We are required to forgive our foes as our God forgives us .
But , Wisdom is "crying in the streets", on our behalf, that we MUST RECOGNISE and DISCERN the difference between Forgiveness and Foolishness.
We endeavour to follow peace with all men , as is required from us as Christians ,in a hostile world. But God does not demand for foolishness leading to ultimate destruction as a proof of our obedience of His commandment of Forgiveness .
The lives and properties of many Christians have been lost and destroyed because of ignorance and lack of knowledge of the Word of God about forgiveness !
The Wisdom of God cautions us against those people we have forgiven, who continue to harbour implacable hatred and thoughts of murder in their hearts against us !
The following Bible verses are, all , apt descriptions and symbols of the Enemy, Satan; as they manifest in demon-possessed men and women.
"...wolves.." Matthew 10:16, Luke 10:3.
"....serpents and scorpions.." Luke 10:19.
" .. thieves , robbers , liars and murderers." John Chapter 10.
"... a roaring lion ,walking about, seeking whom to devour". 1 Peter 5:8;
"..they have become unprofitable,..the poison of asps is under their lips. Romans 3:13
" They do not know the way of peace, destructions and misery are in their ways. Their feet are swift to shed blood. No fear of God in the eyes ". Romans 3:14 - 18.
"... beasts at Ephesus...." 1 Corinthians 15:32.
These characters sound scary but they are real and are very active all over the place!
The Good News is that we have been given power to tread on them and to over overcome them with love and forgiveness.
But we should not give them easy access into our lives and allow them to wreck havoc !
God has not sent us on a mission of self-destruction by foolish living!.
People keep wild animals and poisonous snakes as pets. They tame these pets , feed them and treat them with love and affection.
Yet they keep these wild and dangerous creatures where they belong ; in cages!
No sane persons would give free access to dangerous characters to enter their lives and give them their privileged secrets .
You could forgive lions and serpents who have vowed to kill you ; but do not " forgive and forget" past offences and then put your head inside the "tame" lion's mouth or insert your finger into the snake's mouth!
You could decide to forgive the devil by dining with him ; but always dine with the devil with a very long spoon and with both your eyes open !
Hezekiah ,the God -fearing King of Israel ,had a forgiving and forgetting heart .
He had visions of "World Peace " and good intentions of forgiving and forgetting his former sworn enemies. ( Isaiah 39: 1-8 )
King Hezekiah was very magnanimous and eager to take the hand of friendship extended to him by Me-rodach-baladan , son of the King of Babylon .
He gladly welcomed emissaries from Babylon and gave them a grand tour of his palace and of all his dominion. He showed them all his treasures!
Hezekiah displayed the spirit of true forgiveness towards his old enemy, whom he thought was genuinely repentant and was offering the "olive branch" of reconciliation.
However,immediately after Hezekiah's gesture, the reprimand from God concerning his actions came through Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 39:3-8.
This prophecy about the repercussion of Hezekiah's foolishness, surely, came to pass; according to God's warning.
(2 Kings 24:10-16 )
The lesson here is that if you have forgiven someone , you would be naive to assume that that person has forgiven and forgotten the enmity between you ,even as you have forgiven them.
Forgiveness is holy and desirable ; foolishness and madness are not.
" Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine,lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you". Matthew 7:6.
There is therefore a difference between Forgiveness and Restoration .
Reconciliation is that bridge linking FORGIVENESS to RESTORATION of friendship.
Both you, the victim and the offender have to BUILD bridges to enable you reach the desired goal of restored peace, love and harmony in that relationship.
If you are building bridges through forgiveness and forgetting offences and the other persons are pulling down the bridges , the reconciliation process would collapse .
Until you get to that point of restoration and MUTUAL willingness to live in peace with your enemy ; the counsel from the Word of God is:
"The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep walking and suffer for it". Proverbs 27:12.
Continue to love and forgive your enemies. Follow peace with all men ; but get His Wisdom; be wise , be vigilant always.
Thou through thy commandments have made me wiser than my enemies : for they are ever with me. Psalm 119: 98
In all human interactions offences would occur at least once,in a while.
No one can deny not having experienced feelings of anger and hurt when offended ; for anger is the natural reaction of any victim to an offence.
This post is the concluding part of my previous post:
"Offences : Stepping on Sore Toes".
Some people, easily, forget and forgive wrongs done to them but some people are like the proverbial elephant who never forgets!
They harbour malice and thoughts of revenge in their hearts , until they exact their "pound of flesh" for every offence committed against them.
It is easier for the victim of an offence to forgive minor wrongs or unintentional wrongs than to forgive offences which were done intentionally to cause maximum hurt , pain ,anger , loss and humiliation.
Also an offender who apologises to his victim (s),who shows genuine remorse and makes amends for his offence is more likely to be forgiven long before the offender who is adamantly unrepentant.
But what does the word of God say about forgiveness?
Do we forgive when it is convenient for us to so ; or when we "feel" like forgiving others ?
Should forgiveness be dispensed in measured doses: for "small" or "too great, too bad offences" against us?
Or is it right to forgive only when the culprit has apologised and compensated the victim for the offence?
What does our God say about anger ,bitterness and forgiveness?
"Be ye angry ,and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give room to the devil". Ephesian 4:26
He even goes further by telling us how frequent and to what measure our forgiveness should be :Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times : but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:22.
Forgiveness ,is the attribute of our Father, the loving , merciful Three -in-One God and it MUST be also inherent in us Christians, his children.
A child would always resemble his or her parents. Just as a dog begets a dog and a goat begets a goat!
God calls us his children ; and that is what sets the Christian apart from all the other peoples on earth who serve gods who are merciless and vengeful.
For those whose values and mind frames are based on the principles of "An eye for an eye!"; based on a culture of revenge, murder and mayhem, forgiveness is a HARD thing for them to do.
Forgiveness is a supernatural act. It is based on a determination to die to self; made possible by power of the Holy Spirit.
In the life of a spirit-filled Christian , the milk of human kindness should flow .
Whatever the offences against us, God demands that we forgive those who have wronged us ; as we have been forgiven by Him. Mark 11: 24-26.
Furthermore , Vengeance is God's responsibility. He knows how best to avenge for us, every wrong we have suffered.
I can testify that God does execute perfect vengeance on behalf of his children.
You could think you are strong or powerful enough to fight for yourself. Then you could decide to be hasty and exact revenge on your known enemies.
What of your secret enemies who know you but you don't even know them ?
Enemies who monitor your life ; watching your every action and speech ,plotting evil deeds against you ; yet you are not even aware of their existence ?
And when you are fast asleep, snoring, with your mouth open; who fights for you then ?
God neither slumbers no sleeps; he is omnipotent and omniscient and he alone has the power to fight and overcome all known and unknown enemies !
Someone had asked me if forgiveness was that easy , then why has God not forgiven Satan and restored him to his former position as second in command in Heaven?
People understand God better by asking questions . The answer to this question would give an insight into how God wants us to live a life of forgiveness.
We thank God for the liberty of being able to ask such questions in the Church, without fear of being beheaded or going into hiding for daring to ask!
God Almighty is the Sovereign God. Whatsoever he pleases , he does in heaven and on earth. He could choose to be or not to be merciful , gracious or accessible to certain persons . His ways are past finding . Who can question him?
As it is written , Jacob have I loved , but Esau have I hated . Romans 9:13
What was Esau's offence and why was Jacob , his younger brother preferred by God even BEFORE the twins were born ? Genesis 25:23.
The Bible says , " And there was war in heaven...." Revelation 12:7-9.
If Satan could look God Almighty in the face and wage war against God inside heaven ; why would anyone be surprised that he and his demon-possessed children are waging wars all over the world ; against everybody and even against themselves!
Satan was cast out of heaven for his rebellion against God . Isaiah 14:12-15.
God could have ordered his angels of war to destroy Satan , immediately after his sin of rebellion and treason ; but God allowed Satan to leave heaven and make his abode on Planet Earth.
Although Satan received mercy from God , Satan has not forgiven God and has continually waged war against God ; for two main reasons.
The first reason being Satan's anger and bitterness because of his failure to usurp control from God which led to his humiliating exit from his exalted position in Heaven. Satan was thrown out, accompanied by millions of fallen angels whom he had succeeded in deceiving to join him in his rebellion.
These evil beings made the Earth their place of abode and operational headquarters.
Today , Satan and his millions of evil spirits are worshipped as "gods" by billions of peoples on earth.
These demonic spirits enter into and possess human beings and use them to commit horrendous offences against mankind , all over the earth.
From the beginning of Satan's presence on the Earth, billions of people have been deceived and are being deceived even till today, by Satan.
Satan , the perpetual liar and impostor appears to them , demanding their worship and he makes them believe that they are worshipping the one "true God"; when they are actually, worshipping Satan and his evil spirits! John 10:10 .
" There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" Proverbs 14:12.
Secondly, Satan hates God and cannot forgive God for coming to the earth; in human form as Jesus the Christ , the Son of the Living God.
Jesus Christ came to expose Satan's lies and to show Mankind the Way back to God!
" He that committeth sin of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested , that he might destroy the works of the devil".1 John 3:8b.
When you hate someone , you hate his children and everything and every symbol which reminds you of that person.
The same implacable and passionate hatred which Satan has for God ; he and his children manifest the same hatred against the Gospel of Christianity, the symbol of Salvation which is the Cross, against the Church and born again Christians!
Nothing drives Satan and his children mad and incensed with rage than the mention of THAT name JESUS and the sight of a Christian preaching the message of the Gospel!
Of course , Satan doesn't mind the existence of dormant Christians!
Satan uses his nation on earth; comprising of millions of demon-possessed persons as his weapons of hatred to attack, weaken and kill as many people as possible , especially Christians.
Their feet are swift in shedding blood ; NEVER in doing anything good!
In fact , nothing sets them off into wild cheering and jubilation, than the news or sight of war, of beheadings and bloodshed ; especially the blood of Christians !
"You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him.
When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it". John 8:44.
As Satan and his gang of murderers were defeated in the beginning ; so they remain our defeated foes even till today. They are under our feet.
We are required to forgive our foes as our God forgives us .
But , Wisdom is "crying in the streets", on our behalf, that we MUST RECOGNISE and DISCERN the difference between Forgiveness and Foolishness.
We endeavour to follow peace with all men , as is required from us as Christians ,in a hostile world. But God does not demand for foolishness leading to ultimate destruction as a proof of our obedience of His commandment of Forgiveness .
The lives and properties of many Christians have been lost and destroyed because of ignorance and lack of knowledge of the Word of God about forgiveness !
The Wisdom of God cautions us against those people we have forgiven, who continue to harbour implacable hatred and thoughts of murder in their hearts against us !
The following Bible verses are, all , apt descriptions and symbols of the Enemy, Satan; as they manifest in demon-possessed men and women.
"...wolves.." Matthew 10:16, Luke 10:3.
"....serpents and scorpions.." Luke 10:19.
" .. thieves , robbers , liars and murderers." John Chapter 10.
"... a roaring lion ,walking about, seeking whom to devour". 1 Peter 5:8;
"..they have become unprofitable,..the poison of asps is under their lips. Romans 3:13
" They do not know the way of peace, destructions and misery are in their ways. Their feet are swift to shed blood. No fear of God in the eyes ". Romans 3:14 - 18.
"... beasts at Ephesus...." 1 Corinthians 15:32.
These characters sound scary but they are real and are very active all over the place!
The Good News is that we have been given power to tread on them and to over overcome them with love and forgiveness.
But we should not give them easy access into our lives and allow them to wreck havoc !
God has not sent us on a mission of self-destruction by foolish living!.
People keep wild animals and poisonous snakes as pets. They tame these pets , feed them and treat them with love and affection.
Yet they keep these wild and dangerous creatures where they belong ; in cages!
No sane persons would give free access to dangerous characters to enter their lives and give them their privileged secrets .
You could forgive lions and serpents who have vowed to kill you ; but do not " forgive and forget" past offences and then put your head inside the "tame" lion's mouth or insert your finger into the snake's mouth!
You could decide to forgive the devil by dining with him ; but always dine with the devil with a very long spoon and with both your eyes open !
Hezekiah ,the God -fearing King of Israel ,had a forgiving and forgetting heart .
He had visions of "World Peace " and good intentions of forgiving and forgetting his former sworn enemies. ( Isaiah 39: 1-8 )
King Hezekiah was very magnanimous and eager to take the hand of friendship extended to him by Me-rodach-baladan , son of the King of Babylon .
He gladly welcomed emissaries from Babylon and gave them a grand tour of his palace and of all his dominion. He showed them all his treasures!
Hezekiah displayed the spirit of true forgiveness towards his old enemy, whom he thought was genuinely repentant and was offering the "olive branch" of reconciliation.
However,immediately after Hezekiah's gesture, the reprimand from God concerning his actions came through Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 39:3-8.
This prophecy about the repercussion of Hezekiah's foolishness, surely, came to pass; according to God's warning.
(2 Kings 24:10-16 )
The lesson here is that if you have forgiven someone , you would be naive to assume that that person has forgiven and forgotten the enmity between you ,even as you have forgiven them.
Forgiveness is holy and desirable ; foolishness and madness are not.
" Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine,lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you". Matthew 7:6.
There is therefore a difference between Forgiveness and Restoration .
Reconciliation is that bridge linking FORGIVENESS to RESTORATION of friendship.
Both you, the victim and the offender have to BUILD bridges to enable you reach the desired goal of restored peace, love and harmony in that relationship.
If you are building bridges through forgiveness and forgetting offences and the other persons are pulling down the bridges , the reconciliation process would collapse .
Until you get to that point of restoration and MUTUAL willingness to live in peace with your enemy ; the counsel from the Word of God is:
"The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep walking and suffer for it". Proverbs 27:12.
Continue to love and forgive your enemies. Follow peace with all men ; but get His Wisdom; be wise , be vigilant always.
Thou through thy commandments have made me wiser than my enemies : for they are ever with me. Psalm 119: 98
" My Word like as a fire..."
Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord . Do I not fill heaven and earth ? saith the Lord. Jeremiah 23:24.
Jeremiah 23:1-8.
1. Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
2. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
3. And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
4. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
5. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
6. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
7. Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
8. But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.”
"How canst thou say, I am not polluted,I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley,know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways ". Jeremiah 2:23.
Jeremiah 23 : 11 - 40.
11 " For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.
12. Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
13. And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.
14. I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
15. Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.
16. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
17. They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
18. For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?
19. Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
20. The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.
21. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
22. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings ".
Jeremiah 23:1-8.
1. Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
2. Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
3. And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
4. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
5. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
6. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
7. Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
8. But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.”
"How canst thou say, I am not polluted,I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley,know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways ". Jeremiah 2:23.
Jeremiah 23 : 11 - 40.
11 " For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.
12. Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
13. And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.
14. I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
15. Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.
16. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
17. They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
18. For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?
19. Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
20. The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.
21. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
22. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings ".
"Hear , O Zion ! "
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17.
Jeremiah 22:1-9. - To all "Kings and Priests" .
1. Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word,
2. And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates:
3. Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.
4. For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.
5. But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.
6. For thus saith the LORD unto the king’s house of Judah; Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon: yet surely I will make thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited.
7. And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire.
8. And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city?
9 Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.”
Jeremiah 22:1-9. - To all "Kings and Priests" .
1. Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word,
2. And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates:
3. Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.
4. For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.
5. But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.
6. For thus saith the LORD unto the king’s house of Judah; Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon: yet surely I will make thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited.
7. And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire.
8. And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city?
9 Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.”
Crufts Dog Show 2010.
Last week, dog-lovers from all over the world were treated to exciting displays and entertainment from man's best friends , dogs.
It was four days of fun at the world- famous annual International "Crufts" Dog show.
This is the Pet show which I look forward to every year because I am a dog lover and , annually, "Crufts" is guaranteed first class entertainment !
The Cruft Dog show has been held since 1891, when the founder Charles Cruft started it in London .
This year's show took place in the NEC Exhibition Centre in Birmingham ,from 11th to 14th March 2010 . It ended on Sunday night, the 14th, with the "Best of Show" ceremony and the selection of the overall winning "Top Dog" from over 22,000 dogs which participated in the various dog groups of the competition.
The trophy being competed for was the Crufts Best in Show Trophy.
This is the most prestigious title and trophy in the dog world!
Once again , as in previous years , we were treated to outstanding displays of intelligence and skills by these wonderful animals!
The dogs were superb in every way!
The winner this year was a beautiful, confident and delightful dog called Yogi, a Hungarian Vizsla breed. He had won the Crufts "Gun Dog Group" award two days earlier and 16 awards in previous competitions over the years!
Winning the " Crufts Best in Show " trophy was the only award which had eluded this amazing dog .
After achieving his dream title on Sunday, seven year old Yogi,could retire now in great style; with fame and glory !
Congratulations Yogi! Good boy! Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
Winner of CRUFTS 2010 - YOGI
Best in Show winner - Yogi - winner
As usual , CRUFTS was a very entertaining display of beautiful dogs and the various skill they had learned . All sorts of major dog breeds were represented.
Diverse breeds of Dogs
Dogs' qualities like their agility , composure , balance , looks , grooming , temperament and obedience were taken into consideration before choosing the overall winner.
Toy Dog Group
The most entertaining displays of the week-long show were the Agility Competitions between dogs from over twenty Dog Clubs in the U.K. and the Dancing dogs !
Crufts 2010 was indeed a fun-filled family outing for the thousands of people who thronged the venue at Birmingham .
Dancing Dogs
Agility Displays
Like in previous years ,all the dogs were well trained and beautifully groomed .
I have always wondered how the dogs could remain calm and well behaved; without quarrelling , barking excessively and biting each other in fierce dog-fights!
I guess the dogs knew they were on show in a very important competition ; being watched by thousands of people!
Some of the dogs even knew when they won or lost in their events.
The winning dogs became very excited and happy ; changing their strides to respond to the prolonged applause from the crowd ; while some of the losers were visibly upset.
Lots of cuddles, kisses and sweets from their owners , soon comforted the dogs!
The other group which drew a lot of applause was the "FRIENDS FOR LIFE" group.
This comprised of mainly Guide Dogs for the Blind or Disabled persons and Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.
Also included in this group were several dogs who had achieved outstanding feats in protecting and caring for their owners .
This year, in this group were the two stars of CRUFTS 2010; Treo , the Army hero dog and his handler ; Sergeant Dave Heyhoe.
Treo and Sgt. Dave Heyhoe
Treo , " Officer and Gentle Dog"
The celebrity dog and his handler received a standing ovation when they came on stage, on the final day of the Crufts 2010.
Treo is a black Labrador from the 104 Military Working Dogs, in Leicestershire , U.K.
A few weeks earlier , Treo had been awarded the Dickin Medal , the animal equivalent of the elite Victoria Cross,the highest military award, for his gallantry in battle and his meritorious service to Queen and country!
Treo, the remarkable dog, was able to successfully, detect and sniff out the "daisy chain bombs" planted in several road sides by the Taliban, in the Helmand province ; thereby saving hundreds of lives of the soldiers he was working with in Afghanistan.
The Dickin Medal was presented to Treo by Princess Alexander .
TREO the Hero receiving his medal from Princess Alexandra .
Treo ,the War Hero , on duty at the Battle front in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Another Crufts Show has come and gone.
May this delightful show return , next year and many more years ; to enrich us with the usual fantastic displays which prove that the Creator has given all His creatures , in-built talents and abilities.
If animals ,dogs, can be trained to perform like these; then all living creatures are teachable and potentially useful!
Given the proper training and opportunities ; marginalised human beings , in every society, could perform a thousand times greater feats than they are achieving now.
All God's creatures are bright and beautiful in deed !
It was four days of fun at the world- famous annual International "Crufts" Dog show.
This is the Pet show which I look forward to every year because I am a dog lover and , annually, "Crufts" is guaranteed first class entertainment !
The Cruft Dog show has been held since 1891, when the founder Charles Cruft started it in London .
This year's show took place in the NEC Exhibition Centre in Birmingham ,from 11th to 14th March 2010 . It ended on Sunday night, the 14th, with the "Best of Show" ceremony and the selection of the overall winning "Top Dog" from over 22,000 dogs which participated in the various dog groups of the competition.
The trophy being competed for was the Crufts Best in Show Trophy.
This is the most prestigious title and trophy in the dog world!
Once again , as in previous years , we were treated to outstanding displays of intelligence and skills by these wonderful animals!
The dogs were superb in every way!
The winner this year was a beautiful, confident and delightful dog called Yogi, a Hungarian Vizsla breed. He had won the Crufts "Gun Dog Group" award two days earlier and 16 awards in previous competitions over the years!
Winning the " Crufts Best in Show " trophy was the only award which had eluded this amazing dog .
After achieving his dream title on Sunday, seven year old Yogi,could retire now in great style; with fame and glory !
Congratulations Yogi! Good boy! Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
Winner of CRUFTS 2010 - YOGI
Best in Show winner - Yogi - winner
As usual , CRUFTS was a very entertaining display of beautiful dogs and the various skill they had learned . All sorts of major dog breeds were represented.
Diverse breeds of Dogs
Dogs' qualities like their agility , composure , balance , looks , grooming , temperament and obedience were taken into consideration before choosing the overall winner.
Toy Dog Group
The most entertaining displays of the week-long show were the Agility Competitions between dogs from over twenty Dog Clubs in the U.K. and the Dancing dogs !
Crufts 2010 was indeed a fun-filled family outing for the thousands of people who thronged the venue at Birmingham .
Dancing Dogs
Agility Displays
Like in previous years ,all the dogs were well trained and beautifully groomed .
I have always wondered how the dogs could remain calm and well behaved; without quarrelling , barking excessively and biting each other in fierce dog-fights!
I guess the dogs knew they were on show in a very important competition ; being watched by thousands of people!
Some of the dogs even knew when they won or lost in their events.
The winning dogs became very excited and happy ; changing their strides to respond to the prolonged applause from the crowd ; while some of the losers were visibly upset.
Lots of cuddles, kisses and sweets from their owners , soon comforted the dogs!
The other group which drew a lot of applause was the "FRIENDS FOR LIFE" group.
This comprised of mainly Guide Dogs for the Blind or Disabled persons and Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.
Also included in this group were several dogs who had achieved outstanding feats in protecting and caring for their owners .
This year, in this group were the two stars of CRUFTS 2010; Treo , the Army hero dog and his handler ; Sergeant Dave Heyhoe.
Treo and Sgt. Dave Heyhoe
Treo , " Officer and Gentle Dog"
The celebrity dog and his handler received a standing ovation when they came on stage, on the final day of the Crufts 2010.
Treo is a black Labrador from the 104 Military Working Dogs, in Leicestershire , U.K.
A few weeks earlier , Treo had been awarded the Dickin Medal , the animal equivalent of the elite Victoria Cross,the highest military award, for his gallantry in battle and his meritorious service to Queen and country!
Treo, the remarkable dog, was able to successfully, detect and sniff out the "daisy chain bombs" planted in several road sides by the Taliban, in the Helmand province ; thereby saving hundreds of lives of the soldiers he was working with in Afghanistan.
The Dickin Medal was presented to Treo by Princess Alexander .
TREO the Hero receiving his medal from Princess Alexandra .
Treo ,the War Hero , on duty at the Battle front in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Another Crufts Show has come and gone.
May this delightful show return , next year and many more years ; to enrich us with the usual fantastic displays which prove that the Creator has given all His creatures , in-built talents and abilities.
If animals ,dogs, can be trained to perform like these; then all living creatures are teachable and potentially useful!
Given the proper training and opportunities ; marginalised human beings , in every society, could perform a thousand times greater feats than they are achieving now.
All God's creatures are bright and beautiful in deed !
Pray for Chile.
"And the Lord passed by before him and proclaimed , The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.... " Exodus 34:6.
Please pray for the nations of Chile , Japan , island state of Hawaii and the Pacific islands and coastal areas of Australia . Pray for mercy and for deliverance for these areas from the fury of the Destroyer.
Father in the name of Jesus Christ , we declare your names and we lift up the Standard of the Holy Spirit against the fury of the enemy in these lands!
We stand in the gap and we take authority against the counsel of the enemy to steal, to kill and to destroy; we command " Peace , be still !" to every weapon of destruction!
We speak peace , comfort , deliverance and healing to the peoples of these nations in the name of Jesus Christ . Amen
Thank you Lord , for you have answered . Amen
Please , also, give to the relief agencies who are working round the clock to bring relief and comfort to millions of people in these lands.
To this end, once again, the British Red Cross has set up an appeal for donations.
Please log into the British Red Cross website or that of the Red cross in your country and donate generously. God bless you richly .Amen.
Please pray for the nations of Chile , Japan , island state of Hawaii and the Pacific islands and coastal areas of Australia . Pray for mercy and for deliverance for these areas from the fury of the Destroyer.
Father in the name of Jesus Christ , we declare your names and we lift up the Standard of the Holy Spirit against the fury of the enemy in these lands!
We stand in the gap and we take authority against the counsel of the enemy to steal, to kill and to destroy; we command " Peace , be still !" to every weapon of destruction!
We speak peace , comfort , deliverance and healing to the peoples of these nations in the name of Jesus Christ . Amen
Thank you Lord , for you have answered . Amen
Please , also, give to the relief agencies who are working round the clock to bring relief and comfort to millions of people in these lands.
To this end, once again, the British Red Cross has set up an appeal for donations.
Please log into the British Red Cross website or that of the Red cross in your country and donate generously. God bless you richly .Amen.
Offences : Stepping on Sore Toes.
Offences are acts done intentionally or unintentionally to cause hurt , annoyance , provocation ; to disrupt peaceful co-existence or to break the law .
In all human relationships and societies offences are bound to happen.
Some offences are so grievous that some victims of such offences have likened the extent of the pain and hurt they suffered to that which a person would feel if someone stamped with his foot , hard , on the corns and bunions of their toes! Or the pain felt if someone slammed a hammer on a finger with a throbbing whit low!
Many people do not forget the humiliation they suffered when they were "down" and then someone, instead of helping to pull them up; kicked them hard, over and over again !
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Offending God and fellow men is not a new phenomenon; for offences are as old as when the first man , Adam , walked on the earth.
This write-up is about offences committed against us and how we should react to them.
As it was in the beginning (Genesis 6:5,6 ) so it is now and even worse, in these last days.(2 Timothy 3:1-17)
What does the Word of God say should be our reactions to these offences?
How do Christians survive in the midst of diverse offences in these perilous times?
How do we navigate the murky waters towards out goal; without sinking and without missing the mark?
"Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offences cometh!" Matthew 18:7.
The Lord is saying offenders and their offences ; at certain times in our lives , will come our way and he decrees "WOE" unto them.
In this world , there are men, women and even children whom the enemy would use to offend and to grieve the Believer ; even to the extent of derailing one from the Faith.
May we never have a portion in the woe which our God has reserved for them! . Amen.
These offences and offenders could come from the "world" and from even the most unexpected sources like from our families , close friends and even from within the Church.
"The heart is deceitful, above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it ? Jeremiah 17:9
God is not going to hold us accountable for the sins of these offenders. Or for the way they have chosen to live their lives.
But he will hold us accountable to Him for our reactions to these offences.
Moses , a man after God's heart , who spoke with God face to face; was harassed and grieved by his people , the Israelites.
He reacted violently in anger and frustration ; to the extent of offending God.Numbers 20:1-13.
This resulted to Moses missing his blessing and losing the glory of leading Israel into the Promised land. Deuteronomy 32:48-52.
Another man of God , Joshua , got the glory of Moses' forty years of hard labour!
May God deliver us from the workers of iniquity who would make us offend God and thereby derail our destinies. Amen
Even when persons have committed deliberate offences against Christians, they expect to be tolerated and forgiven by Christians .
Given half the chance , if people knew you were a professing Christian , some people would step on and grind hard on your sore toes, deliberately , just to see and hear your reaction!
We see and hear of people saying and doing things against Christians and Ministers of the Gospel; which they would not dare say or do to unbelievers.
Church leaders and committed Christians ; are seen by the world as " soft touch or easy meat"; for bullying , cheating and as easy targets for abuse and for physical and verbal attacks.
If you knew that if you slapped some one's face or defrauded them of large sums of money; that man or woman would pull a gun and shoot you first before asking you "why?"; you would think twice before going near them with your offences!
Many would take advantage of the meek and gentle Christian; believing that ALL Christians would surely turn the other cheek and say "Father, forgive them...!"
But not all Christians can be slapped around by just anybody . There are Christians who would give as much as they have received!
If you , a Christian, got angry and protested, your offenders would wonder why you were displaying anger!
"Oh! Come and see this so-called Christian! So ? You are angry and you wanna fight; yet you call yourself a " born-again " Christian? Yet you people go about preaching. Come and see hypocrisy from church people!".
Those who have offended you and expected no reaction from you , would then remember to quote Bible passages. They would remind you to display "the meekness of a lamb being led to the slaughter" . LIKE Jesus Christ did !
Trouble-makers would love to shout about "forgiveness" and "turning the other cheek"!
One never ceases to be amazed that persons who conveniently forgot and disregarded what the Bible says about offending others ; would suddenly remember what that same Holy Bible says about "forgiveness , love and peace "!!
Where did such accusers HIDE their Bibles before committing offences against others?
Some times we feel "hard done by" and very bitter about the way people have treated us ; repaying our love and kindness with treachery and hatred.
No one can predict where , how and when these offences which try the soul could spring up and that confirms the word in 1 Peter 5: 8:"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
In our search for our daily bread , we could encounter challenges by falling prey to con men and women ; all kinds of dupes and fraudsters; offering us " fantastic business opportunities!"
Liars and fraudsters abound everywhere , even in the church.
The same evils and bad attitudes found outside the Church , are also rampant in the Church. No difference.
In some churches, because of what goes on there, people wonder whether they are in an office hall , in a clubhouse, in the market place or inside a church !
"For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you as it is written". Romans 2:24,
The reward for your kindness, generosity and hospitality to your family and friends could be quarrelling, insults , false accusations and hatred from them !
Some people have vowed never to allow any guests into their homes because of offences committed by previous guests.
Offences have caused serious rifts between friends .
There are women who have vowed never to get involved with any female friends or join any Women Groups;in or outside the Church , ever again!
Many people have adopted a "no mercy , no lending of money to anyone" policy.
Some Christians have been deceived, used and dumped by politicians ,who they had trusted, campaigned with and voted for; as people who would go into government offices to "make the difference".
Before winning elections, these "Christian candidates" made lengthy, sweet promises: to turn the country and their communities into "El-Dorado"; to "eradicate poverty and mosquitoes; to give free this , free that to "my people"!
Before being elected ,they had sounded so convincing as God- fearing "Christian" men and women of integrity; "Liberators of the suffering and down-trodden masses ".
Only for them to get into top government positions and thereafter, commit even worse atrocities than their predecessors whom they had criticised and condemned !
The only poverty and mosquitoes they have eradicated, so far, are the ones in their own lives and in their immediate and extended families!
In love relationships and marriages ; there are offences galore!
People fall in love and get married , hoping and believing for a peaceful home.
But soon after,offences, bitterness and unforgiveness set in.
Are you deeply wounded because the "love of your life" has come out in his true colours; after using your marriage certificate to get what he wanted ; that is a foreign passport and work permit papers? Worse still,he has gone into hiding because you have discovered the truth that he had a wife or wives with six children in his country before marrying you and he had been sending money to them , regularly; for the past 3 years, while married to you !
Or maybe your "honey and sweetheart" has duped you of your life savings; has sold your house and valuables or has attempted to sell them?
A man of God in London, warned wives, recently , that they should stop writing prayer requests for him to pray that God should make their husbands leave their marriages and never look back ! Or requesting that God should stop their husbands who had left , from ever thinking of returning to the marriage!
The Pastor said they should stop it because God cannot answer such prayers!
One of such women said despite the fact that he earns a very good salary, her husband had abandoned the care of their four children and payment of all the household bills to her on her meagre salary.
Her complaints and pleas and counsel from their pastor to her husband about his attitude , have fallen on deaf ears.
Her husband told her she should stop complaining and be grateful to God that she even had a husband who is her "crown and her covering" . He told her " as a woman , without a husband you have no crown,no covering , no respect and you are nothing!"
She looked at her self, from head to toe and she couldn't see any "crown or covering" ,whatsoever; from him to her!
She believes God will answer her request and she has vowed to keep praying until he leaves; because as a Christian , she didn't want to report him to the Child Support Agency and Social Services or invite the police to walk him and his wonderful "crown and covering" of sorrow and shame, out of the house!
Whilst doing the work of an evangelist in the U.K., I have encountered people who "don't do God" who tell me that they have decided to keep the Church at arm's length because they are perplexed and offended by what the Church stands for.
They say they cannot see the usefulness and relevance of the Church or any of the other religions and their places of worship in human lives!
Many Christians have been asked similar questions.
One said he has been told by a number of people that if they had their way, they would lock up every church , mosque and Sikh ,Hindu and Buddhist temple in the U.K. and throw their keys away!
I have been asked why is it that those countries which profess to be very religious and very holy and prayerful; ( some of these countries even have "religious police"!); are the countries with the highest level of injustice , corruption, massive human sufferings , oppressions against women and children ,lawlessness, wickedness, crime and poverty; in the whole world?
Also ,people are offended and ask why there is excruciating poverty and challenges in the lives of the majority of church members when compared to the lives of affluence and opulence enjoyed by many church leaders and their cronies ?
Why , they ask should thousands of people allow a few men and women to fed fat on them; all in the name of religion?
Some see the Church as a huge financial drain and burden and a waste of time and space. With no commensurate benefits in people's lives.
Millions of devoted Christians return home after attending churches to homes without any food , money or the basic comforts of life!
In some countries in the world , the only time and place where people see and enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply and running tap water are when they are in churches which have electricity and tap water from generating plants.
My answer to all these questions is that where ever there is massive Gospel revival , the Devil unleashes his hordes of demons from Hell against the people there ; to quench the fire of the Gospel, to cause serious problems in the lives of Believers living there; to weaken their faith and to weaken and destroy those nations.
Nevertheless , Satan has failed and he remains a defeated foe of the Church. Despite all these challenges from the Enemy of the Gospel, by the grace of God ;the Church is marching on!
Come rain , sunshine , tsunami, snow , tornado or earthquake; Christians will keep on attending Church, they will keep on supporting and giving to the work of the Gospel and believing God for a better today and a glorious future which our God has promised us! If this is not the evidence of FAITH ,prevailing faith of the Believers ; then what is it?
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by their testimony; and they love not their lives unto the death". Revelation 12:11
Wherever or however offences come , they are temptations which would try the patience of any "Job". But, whatever the degree of offences , God's commandment is that we must forgive even as we have been forgiven by Him. Matthew 6:12,14,15.
Forgiving offences against us should NOT be dependent on the repentance of the offender. Forgiveness must depend on our relationship with God as his children.
It is for OUR OWN GOOD that we forgive those who have deceitfully used us.
Forgiveness ,without the help of Holy Spirit ,is a hard thing to do .
It is a Divine attribute and it is a higher calling from our God.
For us , there is power, blessings and glory in forgiveness.
May we receive grace to forgive , today and always.Amen.
I was teaching " Forgiveness" in Sunday School some years ago. The text was taken from Matthew 18:21-35.
After the teaching, one of the listeners asked me why God has not forgiven Satan, patted him on his back, embraced him and restored Satan to his former position in Heaven?
I have answered that question in my next blog which is Forgiveness: The Path of Wisdom.
Remain blessed!
In all human relationships and societies offences are bound to happen.
Some offences are so grievous that some victims of such offences have likened the extent of the pain and hurt they suffered to that which a person would feel if someone stamped with his foot , hard , on the corns and bunions of their toes! Or the pain felt if someone slammed a hammer on a finger with a throbbing whit low!
Many people do not forget the humiliation they suffered when they were "down" and then someone, instead of helping to pull them up; kicked them hard, over and over again !
Offending God and fellow men is not a new phenomenon; for offences are as old as when the first man , Adam , walked on the earth.
This write-up is about offences committed against us and how we should react to them.
As it was in the beginning (Genesis 6:5,6 ) so it is now and even worse, in these last days.(2 Timothy 3:1-17)
What does the Word of God say should be our reactions to these offences?
How do Christians survive in the midst of diverse offences in these perilous times?
How do we navigate the murky waters towards out goal; without sinking and without missing the mark?
"Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offences cometh!" Matthew 18:7.
The Lord is saying offenders and their offences ; at certain times in our lives , will come our way and he decrees "WOE" unto them.
In this world , there are men, women and even children whom the enemy would use to offend and to grieve the Believer ; even to the extent of derailing one from the Faith.
May we never have a portion in the woe which our God has reserved for them! . Amen.
These offences and offenders could come from the "world" and from even the most unexpected sources like from our families , close friends and even from within the Church.
"The heart is deceitful, above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it ? Jeremiah 17:9
God is not going to hold us accountable for the sins of these offenders. Or for the way they have chosen to live their lives.
But he will hold us accountable to Him for our reactions to these offences.
Moses , a man after God's heart , who spoke with God face to face; was harassed and grieved by his people , the Israelites.
He reacted violently in anger and frustration ; to the extent of offending God.Numbers 20:1-13.
This resulted to Moses missing his blessing and losing the glory of leading Israel into the Promised land. Deuteronomy 32:48-52.
Another man of God , Joshua , got the glory of Moses' forty years of hard labour!
May God deliver us from the workers of iniquity who would make us offend God and thereby derail our destinies. Amen
Even when persons have committed deliberate offences against Christians, they expect to be tolerated and forgiven by Christians .
Given half the chance , if people knew you were a professing Christian , some people would step on and grind hard on your sore toes, deliberately , just to see and hear your reaction!
We see and hear of people saying and doing things against Christians and Ministers of the Gospel; which they would not dare say or do to unbelievers.
Church leaders and committed Christians ; are seen by the world as " soft touch or easy meat"; for bullying , cheating and as easy targets for abuse and for physical and verbal attacks.
If you knew that if you slapped some one's face or defrauded them of large sums of money; that man or woman would pull a gun and shoot you first before asking you "why?"; you would think twice before going near them with your offences!
Many would take advantage of the meek and gentle Christian; believing that ALL Christians would surely turn the other cheek and say "Father, forgive them...!"
But not all Christians can be slapped around by just anybody . There are Christians who would give as much as they have received!
If you , a Christian, got angry and protested, your offenders would wonder why you were displaying anger!
"Oh! Come and see this so-called Christian! So ? You are angry and you wanna fight; yet you call yourself a " born-again " Christian? Yet you people go about preaching. Come and see hypocrisy from church people!".
Those who have offended you and expected no reaction from you , would then remember to quote Bible passages. They would remind you to display "the meekness of a lamb being led to the slaughter" . LIKE Jesus Christ did !
Trouble-makers would love to shout about "forgiveness" and "turning the other cheek"!
One never ceases to be amazed that persons who conveniently forgot and disregarded what the Bible says about offending others ; would suddenly remember what that same Holy Bible says about "forgiveness , love and peace "!!
Where did such accusers HIDE their Bibles before committing offences against others?
Some times we feel "hard done by" and very bitter about the way people have treated us ; repaying our love and kindness with treachery and hatred.
No one can predict where , how and when these offences which try the soul could spring up and that confirms the word in 1 Peter 5: 8:"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
In our search for our daily bread , we could encounter challenges by falling prey to con men and women ; all kinds of dupes and fraudsters; offering us " fantastic business opportunities!"
Liars and fraudsters abound everywhere , even in the church.
The same evils and bad attitudes found outside the Church , are also rampant in the Church. No difference.
In some churches, because of what goes on there, people wonder whether they are in an office hall , in a clubhouse, in the market place or inside a church !
"For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you as it is written". Romans 2:24,
The reward for your kindness, generosity and hospitality to your family and friends could be quarrelling, insults , false accusations and hatred from them !
Some people have vowed never to allow any guests into their homes because of offences committed by previous guests.
Offences have caused serious rifts between friends .
There are women who have vowed never to get involved with any female friends or join any Women Groups;in or outside the Church , ever again!
Many people have adopted a "no mercy , no lending of money to anyone" policy.
Some Christians have been deceived, used and dumped by politicians ,who they had trusted, campaigned with and voted for; as people who would go into government offices to "make the difference".
Before winning elections, these "Christian candidates" made lengthy, sweet promises: to turn the country and their communities into "El-Dorado"; to "eradicate poverty and mosquitoes; to give free this , free that to "my people"!
Before being elected ,they had sounded so convincing as God- fearing "Christian" men and women of integrity; "Liberators of the suffering and down-trodden masses ".
Only for them to get into top government positions and thereafter, commit even worse atrocities than their predecessors whom they had criticised and condemned !
The only poverty and mosquitoes they have eradicated, so far, are the ones in their own lives and in their immediate and extended families!
In love relationships and marriages ; there are offences galore!
People fall in love and get married , hoping and believing for a peaceful home.
But soon after,offences, bitterness and unforgiveness set in.
Are you deeply wounded because the "love of your life" has come out in his true colours; after using your marriage certificate to get what he wanted ; that is a foreign passport and work permit papers? Worse still,he has gone into hiding because you have discovered the truth that he had a wife or wives with six children in his country before marrying you and he had been sending money to them , regularly; for the past 3 years, while married to you !
Or maybe your "honey and sweetheart" has duped you of your life savings; has sold your house and valuables or has attempted to sell them?
A man of God in London, warned wives, recently , that they should stop writing prayer requests for him to pray that God should make their husbands leave their marriages and never look back ! Or requesting that God should stop their husbands who had left , from ever thinking of returning to the marriage!
The Pastor said they should stop it because God cannot answer such prayers!
One of such women said despite the fact that he earns a very good salary, her husband had abandoned the care of their four children and payment of all the household bills to her on her meagre salary.
Her complaints and pleas and counsel from their pastor to her husband about his attitude , have fallen on deaf ears.
Her husband told her she should stop complaining and be grateful to God that she even had a husband who is her "crown and her covering" . He told her " as a woman , without a husband you have no crown,no covering , no respect and you are nothing!"
She looked at her self, from head to toe and she couldn't see any "crown or covering" ,whatsoever; from him to her!
She believes God will answer her request and she has vowed to keep praying until he leaves; because as a Christian , she didn't want to report him to the Child Support Agency and Social Services or invite the police to walk him and his wonderful "crown and covering" of sorrow and shame, out of the house!
Whilst doing the work of an evangelist in the U.K., I have encountered people who "don't do God" who tell me that they have decided to keep the Church at arm's length because they are perplexed and offended by what the Church stands for.
They say they cannot see the usefulness and relevance of the Church or any of the other religions and their places of worship in human lives!
Many Christians have been asked similar questions.
One said he has been told by a number of people that if they had their way, they would lock up every church , mosque and Sikh ,Hindu and Buddhist temple in the U.K. and throw their keys away!
I have been asked why is it that those countries which profess to be very religious and very holy and prayerful; ( some of these countries even have "religious police"!); are the countries with the highest level of injustice , corruption, massive human sufferings , oppressions against women and children ,lawlessness, wickedness, crime and poverty; in the whole world?
Also ,people are offended and ask why there is excruciating poverty and challenges in the lives of the majority of church members when compared to the lives of affluence and opulence enjoyed by many church leaders and their cronies ?
Why , they ask should thousands of people allow a few men and women to fed fat on them; all in the name of religion?
Some see the Church as a huge financial drain and burden and a waste of time and space. With no commensurate benefits in people's lives.
Millions of devoted Christians return home after attending churches to homes without any food , money or the basic comforts of life!
In some countries in the world , the only time and place where people see and enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply and running tap water are when they are in churches which have electricity and tap water from generating plants.
My answer to all these questions is that where ever there is massive Gospel revival , the Devil unleashes his hordes of demons from Hell against the people there ; to quench the fire of the Gospel, to cause serious problems in the lives of Believers living there; to weaken their faith and to weaken and destroy those nations.
Nevertheless , Satan has failed and he remains a defeated foe of the Church. Despite all these challenges from the Enemy of the Gospel, by the grace of God ;the Church is marching on!
Come rain , sunshine , tsunami, snow , tornado or earthquake; Christians will keep on attending Church, they will keep on supporting and giving to the work of the Gospel and believing God for a better today and a glorious future which our God has promised us! If this is not the evidence of FAITH ,prevailing faith of the Believers ; then what is it?
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by their testimony; and they love not their lives unto the death". Revelation 12:11
Wherever or however offences come , they are temptations which would try the patience of any "Job". But, whatever the degree of offences , God's commandment is that we must forgive even as we have been forgiven by Him. Matthew 6:12,14,15.
Forgiving offences against us should NOT be dependent on the repentance of the offender. Forgiveness must depend on our relationship with God as his children.
It is for OUR OWN GOOD that we forgive those who have deceitfully used us.
Forgiveness ,without the help of Holy Spirit ,is a hard thing to do .
It is a Divine attribute and it is a higher calling from our God.
For us , there is power, blessings and glory in forgiveness.
May we receive grace to forgive , today and always.Amen.
I was teaching " Forgiveness" in Sunday School some years ago. The text was taken from Matthew 18:21-35.
After the teaching, one of the listeners asked me why God has not forgiven Satan, patted him on his back, embraced him and restored Satan to his former position in Heaven?
I have answered that question in my next blog which is Forgiveness: The Path of Wisdom.
Remain blessed!
Spring has sprung!
Springtime is a period of renewal and of new birth ; not only for plant life but for birds , insects and reptiles.
For all living creatures, it is a time which ushers in a welcome change from the chilly winds, rain and snow of Winter.
For me , Springtime is a very pleasant time. It starts in mid-March and ends by mid May ; it comes with the beautiful sights of fascinating splashes of shades of new green leaves on trees and shrubs and myriads of colours of Spring flower beds.
Some of these spring plants show up as early as in February each year, in London and its surburbs.
They show up every Spring to give us immense pleasure .
Enjoy them while thy last.
Spring Flowers
Spring , my favourite time of the year , features not only vibrant life and colours ; but also, temperate weather. It is not freezing like in autumn and winter and not sizzling hot like the Summer months of June,July and August.
When I see the tiniest buds on particular trees , shrubs and flower gardens, then I know for sure that Spring is here at last!
Already, in the past fortnight, there have been signs that the weather has changed in London and that Spring time has arrived early this year.
As at this week , there are numerous sightings of Cherry blossoms and Magnolias flowers; and clusters of blue bells , "snow drops" , hyacinths, Lenten Rose , Scilla, tulips and daffodil flowers; which are usually the first to show signs of Spring.
Many major areas in London are lined by these trees and flower beds which come alive in Spring.
They DO give the City a gorgeous look!
Every year ,I look forward to the "springing forth" in some particular spots in London. One of such "Spring spots" which I look out for each Spring is Hyde Park, London and its beautiful array of varieties of flower beds ; especially its widespread perennial beds of Daffodils .
Daffodils, these yellow cuties, are usually among the first spring flowers to break through the frozen winter soil of house gardens , parks , side walks and wild places!
The most famous Daffodils in the country are those in Hyde Park , London.
They have a Fan Club of millions of people from all over the world who watch for their annual first sighting! Thousands visit these daffodils , every day in Spring and Summer because they have become one of the world-famous "icons of Spring",in London.
This year, as they have done faithfully for years, they are here already; though few in number,as at this week .
But these daffodils are showing the promise of becoming a full carpet of yellow soon; as they did last Spring and in previous years.
I call them "My Faithful Friends"!
( See my blog ," Tides of Life" of 8th April , 2009).
Soon ,joggers, walkers ,riders and sun bathers in Hyde Park will behold gorgeous sights of miles of lovely daffodils like these below.
Carpet of Daffodils in Hyde Park ,London.
Riders in Hyde Park .
Daffodils lining the side walk.
A branch of Cherry blossoms
Cherry blossom Tree
For all living creatures, it is a time which ushers in a welcome change from the chilly winds, rain and snow of Winter.
For me , Springtime is a very pleasant time. It starts in mid-March and ends by mid May ; it comes with the beautiful sights of fascinating splashes of shades of new green leaves on trees and shrubs and myriads of colours of Spring flower beds.
Some of these spring plants show up as early as in February each year, in London and its surburbs.
They show up every Spring to give us immense pleasure .
Enjoy them while thy last.
Spring Flowers
Spring , my favourite time of the year , features not only vibrant life and colours ; but also, temperate weather. It is not freezing like in autumn and winter and not sizzling hot like the Summer months of June,July and August.
When I see the tiniest buds on particular trees , shrubs and flower gardens, then I know for sure that Spring is here at last!
Already, in the past fortnight, there have been signs that the weather has changed in London and that Spring time has arrived early this year.
As at this week , there are numerous sightings of Cherry blossoms and Magnolias flowers; and clusters of blue bells , "snow drops" , hyacinths, Lenten Rose , Scilla, tulips and daffodil flowers; which are usually the first to show signs of Spring.
Many major areas in London are lined by these trees and flower beds which come alive in Spring.
They DO give the City a gorgeous look!
Every year ,I look forward to the "springing forth" in some particular spots in London. One of such "Spring spots" which I look out for each Spring is Hyde Park, London and its beautiful array of varieties of flower beds ; especially its widespread perennial beds of Daffodils .
Daffodils, these yellow cuties, are usually among the first spring flowers to break through the frozen winter soil of house gardens , parks , side walks and wild places!
The most famous Daffodils in the country are those in Hyde Park , London.
They have a Fan Club of millions of people from all over the world who watch for their annual first sighting! Thousands visit these daffodils , every day in Spring and Summer because they have become one of the world-famous "icons of Spring",in London.
This year, as they have done faithfully for years, they are here already; though few in number,as at this week .
But these daffodils are showing the promise of becoming a full carpet of yellow soon; as they did last Spring and in previous years.
I call them "My Faithful Friends"!
( See my blog ," Tides of Life" of 8th April , 2009).
Soon ,joggers, walkers ,riders and sun bathers in Hyde Park will behold gorgeous sights of miles of lovely daffodils like these below.
Carpet of Daffodils in Hyde Park ,London.
Riders in Hyde Park .
Daffodils lining the side walk.
A branch of Cherry blossoms
Cherry blossom Tree
Thumbs Up for Online Shopping !
Though I shop online , occasionally ; it is not my first choice for shopping.
I had this impression that surfing the internet to buy stuff was the norm for men , home-bound persons and workaholics.
Some people think online shopping is a sad thing to do.
I am not a big fan Online shopping ; like most women are not.
But, in the past two weeks,I have been enjoying the benefits of Online Shopping.
I appreciate the services offered by online stores when I couldn't find time to go shopping and I have had my shopping delivered to my house.
So, recently ,like millions of people do every day,I have sat back in the comfort of my home and shopped on-line.
After a few minutes of surfing on stores websites , deciding on what I wanted, and clicking on my choices of foods , juices, groceries and other household items; voilà! a shopping order is made and paid for ; to be delivered to me with despatch.
It was that easy! Then I had time to do other things .
A few hours later, my door-bell rang and the orders are delivered by the store.
Some of the delivery men have been kind enough even to bring the bulky shopping bags into my kitchen instead of leaving them on my porch for me to carry in.
Who says On-line shopping is not fun?
Do I intend to make it a habit to do my weekly shopping on-line?
No.
Why do more people not shop online , more often?
Online shopping has its pluses and minuses.
But it cannot give the buzz one gets from getting some live retail therapy, in store !
There is a lot of pleasure in being in the atmosphere of massive shopping malls and being surrounded by a vast array of goods to choose from.
Also ,there is the social interaction of meeting people; friends, old and new, in the shops during the peak shopping hours.
Inside the shops, you feel the joy of being alive ; being part of a milling mass of humanity!
Crowds , chatting, laughing and moving around in a shopping frenzy!
Touching , feeling and trying on the items on display; comparing their qualities and prices before chucking them in shopping trolleys.
However , some of these shopping malls in London are HUGE ; about 2 kilometres square!
Sometimes one would tire of the effort and time spent on moving around them ; shopping and carrying the shopping bags to the car parks and then driving home through heavy London traffic.
Shopping online is convenient but I would not buy shoes , clothings , perfumes and cameras on-line .
I prefer the satisfaction of seeing ,touching ,sniffing and checking them, in store , before buying them.
On-line stores could, sometimes, deliver items of a different brand name from the one you requested for; if they are out of stock .
Also, since all on-line transactions must be paid for, never by cash , but with store cards ,credit cards, debit or Master cards or all kinds of "precious plastics"; there are problems of identity theft and card fraud ,leading to theft of huge amounts from victims' bank accounts by criminals on the Internet.
These security risks of Online Shopping have to be managed by the shopper.
To safeguard online financial transactions, most banks and card issuers ,now give their customers the added risk -prevention tips and pin codes to protect their online transactions and frustrate all fraudulent efforts by online criminals.
Caution is the word ; like in any other financial transactions.
With adequate vigilance one could keep on enjoying the convenience of online shopping.
So , I have decided that whenever the need arises , the easy-option for me, as with other time-strapped busy-bees, would be the time-and-effort-saving option of Online Shopping .
I had this impression that surfing the internet to buy stuff was the norm for men , home-bound persons and workaholics.
Some people think online shopping is a sad thing to do.
I am not a big fan Online shopping ; like most women are not.
But, in the past two weeks,I have been enjoying the benefits of Online Shopping.
I appreciate the services offered by online stores when I couldn't find time to go shopping and I have had my shopping delivered to my house.
So, recently ,like millions of people do every day,I have sat back in the comfort of my home and shopped on-line.
After a few minutes of surfing on stores websites , deciding on what I wanted, and clicking on my choices of foods , juices, groceries and other household items; voilà! a shopping order is made and paid for ; to be delivered to me with despatch.
It was that easy! Then I had time to do other things .
A few hours later, my door-bell rang and the orders are delivered by the store.
Some of the delivery men have been kind enough even to bring the bulky shopping bags into my kitchen instead of leaving them on my porch for me to carry in.
Who says On-line shopping is not fun?
Do I intend to make it a habit to do my weekly shopping on-line?
No.
Why do more people not shop online , more often?
Online shopping has its pluses and minuses.
But it cannot give the buzz one gets from getting some live retail therapy, in store !
There is a lot of pleasure in being in the atmosphere of massive shopping malls and being surrounded by a vast array of goods to choose from.
Also ,there is the social interaction of meeting people; friends, old and new, in the shops during the peak shopping hours.
Inside the shops, you feel the joy of being alive ; being part of a milling mass of humanity!
Crowds , chatting, laughing and moving around in a shopping frenzy!
Touching , feeling and trying on the items on display; comparing their qualities and prices before chucking them in shopping trolleys.
However , some of these shopping malls in London are HUGE ; about 2 kilometres square!
Sometimes one would tire of the effort and time spent on moving around them ; shopping and carrying the shopping bags to the car parks and then driving home through heavy London traffic.
Shopping online is convenient but I would not buy shoes , clothings , perfumes and cameras on-line .
I prefer the satisfaction of seeing ,touching ,sniffing and checking them, in store , before buying them.
On-line stores could, sometimes, deliver items of a different brand name from the one you requested for; if they are out of stock .
Also, since all on-line transactions must be paid for, never by cash , but with store cards ,credit cards, debit or Master cards or all kinds of "precious plastics"; there are problems of identity theft and card fraud ,leading to theft of huge amounts from victims' bank accounts by criminals on the Internet.
These security risks of Online Shopping have to be managed by the shopper.
To safeguard online financial transactions, most banks and card issuers ,now give their customers the added risk -prevention tips and pin codes to protect their online transactions and frustrate all fraudulent efforts by online criminals.
Caution is the word ; like in any other financial transactions.
With adequate vigilance one could keep on enjoying the convenience of online shopping.
So , I have decided that whenever the need arises , the easy-option for me, as with other time-strapped busy-bees, would be the time-and-effort-saving option of Online Shopping .
Coming Clean .
That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon my head: for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb....! Judges 16:17.
Secrets are heavy burdens which most people carry at some point in their lives .
Confession or "coming clean", is also known as , "baring one's mind or soul" ,"letting the cat out of the bag" or "airing dirty laundry in public".
"Coming clean " is the act of revealing secrets to one or more persons , or sharing our desires, fears and aspirations with others.
For some people harbouring secrets is second nature to them. They believe that their confessions are privileges from them ; reserved for God and their very close friends and lovers, ONLY.
However, with some people, no secrets , big or small , are safe!
There are various reasons for people's decision to "come clean" .Confession of transgressions could be done voluntarily from a guilty and repentant heart.
Or people could be flattered , forced , tortured , drunk , "spaced out" , sexually seduced and aroused , tricked, cajoled, bribed or entrapped before divulging secrets.
The anonymity of technology offered by phones and the Internet has made it very easy for shy people to be bold enough to "come clean" about their shocking secrets and deep-seated sexual fantasies and " hate rages" ; using swear words cursing and ranting about anything and everything , to their hearts' content!
There are websites where people using pseudonyms can have a field day, doing these.
Also,there are 24 hours "sex-chat" or "rage" phone lines set up to make money from calls from people willing and eager to call and release the burdens of their souls about their sexual fantasies , anger , frustrations and about whatever!
One of the the most enduring and potent weapons used to extract secrets from even the most hardened secretive souls is the "Honey Pot" system.
This weapon has been used for thousands of years and it is still working till today.
The classic example of a "Honey Pot" trap is the saga of Samson and Delilah.
Even today , men both great and small have continued to fall;to be deceived by modern day "Delilahs" , who have done excellent jobs of extracting valuable secrets from men.
Satan has used such women to cause the mighty fall of several ministers of God.
"Delilahs" are being used by law enforcement agents , by the military and the Secret Service as spies to infiltrate dangerous criminal gangs and top government and military circles , all over the world ; with devastating effects.
The male equivalents of Delilahs are the "Cassanovas".
These are men who use their charming good looks, flaterring words and fake promises of undying love, romance and marriage to deceive old or young wealthy and prominent women into divulging secrets about their bank accounts and other valuable properties.
Whatever the reasons for them, confessions could make or mar a human being.
A burden shared is a burden halved. Some people come clean when they could no longer bear the burden and guilt of keeping their secrets.
Confessions bring relief to weary souls and could cleanse the soul and body of toxins.
Depending on their intentions , people could decide to "come clean" with honest or evil motives.
A genuine repentance and desire for forgiveness for past crimes against humanity , could prompt a full confession from an offender to their victims. This helps to mend bridges and create peace with victims of the offender's crimes .
Also, coming clean with admittance of guilt and sorrow; could be a cunning ploy to deceive and gain the forgiveness and trust of former victims; thereby re-gaining access into their victims' lives and homes to commit even worse crimes than before!
Sometimes, people could decide to parry or escape further questioning by making false confessions.
Samson did this to Delilah before finally succumbing to her wiles .
A false confession could , also be made to get respite from nagging!
Constant pressures and nagging demands from loved ones "for the truth" could be doing one's head in; to the extent of prompting a false confession!
Some jocular confessions could be expensive, painful jokes to an impressionable mind.
The answer to this child's persistent questions in the graphics below; could have been :"Okay ,okay ! You was downloaded ! And so what?
Now get out of my face!
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Coming clean ; apart from being an act of obedience to the Word of God, could the required elixir for relationships.
Confess your faults one to one another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16.
When we bare our innermost guilt and secrets to another human being we are indicating that we trust them and wish to be trusted in return.
Also, it indicates that we wish to start or renew a relationship on a clean slate; with no deceit or secrets between us and our confidants.
However , in any case of "confessing" to any human being ,caution by Wisdom based on the Word of God, should be our guide.
Confess your faults to Man and your SINS ,to God and not to any man .
Human beings, however "spiritual" they may be,could become judgemental in their relations with others; based on the information gotten from people's confessions!.
But ONLY God is able to forget and forgive our sins , absolutely.
Recently, one of my young lady friends visited me and she was very distraught!
She is one of my mentees; who I stand in prayers with concerning life partners.
Her fiancé ,who attends the same church with her, suddenly , had become very cold towards her and had stopped calling her or answering her calls and text messages! Worst still, she heard he had been saying nasty things about her to their friends.
Weeks before this, she had asked me for my counsel. This guy had been asking her to tell him "everything" about her past life history , before she became born again!
He had generously told her about his former girlfriends, how they went on holidays together, what they did in bed and how many abortions he and the girls had agreed to commit! He tried to convince her that since he had confessed his sins to her, she should do the same for him. He then quoted James 5:16.
It is very good to quote the scriptures. But it is neither good nor fair to use the Bible with cunning intentions, to manipulate people for selfish ends!
I remember warning this particular young lady NEVER to divulge her past sins to any human being. Her past sins are no body's business.
Faults and sins are not the same.
People sin against God ; not man. Only God has the power to forgive sins.
When a person confesses and repents , God forgives them and they become completely new creatures. Proverbs 28:13 ,2 Corinthians 5 : 17 -19.
Any body who cannot believe and accept this truth about you as a child of God; should be told to keep off from you. They should go away and try their bigotry stuff elsewhere! No man or woman has the right to probe and demand for a "confession" from you. Confession of sins to mere human beings for what?
There are Christians who are angry and are very bitter because they have discovered that their personal secrets which they had revealed in confidence, to some "counsellors" and "prayer-partners" in the church , are now general knowledge; in the public domain as topics for gossips, all over the place!
May God enrich us with the wisdom to know these differences and to sense the devices of the enemy to take advantage of our Faith in the Word of God. Amen.
During courtship, it is imperative that the intending couples come clean to each other about certain aspects of their lives , past and present.
The couple must not conceal facts like: if they were married , divorced , separated, or if they had children already .
But they should not go into details about their sex lives and bedroom games with their previous partners!
They should come clean if they are unemployed, under-employed or struggling financially. There must not be any lies, deceit, fake grandeur or false living.
Also,the couple must come clean if they have any hidden health challenges like sickle cell anaemia,leprosy , epilepsy, cancer, AIDS/HIV, occasional psychiatric malfunctions, male impotence or female frigidity.
These faults should not be concealed but they should be revealed and shared by the couple; so that they could pray for each other and seek counselling to iron out these issues before marriage.
Some Christians cannot accept some of these faults in their future partners ; while some Christians can and do accept them. It all depends on the individual's spiritual maturity. There should be no deceits ,at all.
Engagement is not marriage .
Persons who cannot accept these faults should fell free to walk away from engagements and continue their search elsewhere, without wasting each other's time.
Any man who insists on knowing his proposed wife's past "sins" is up to no good.
It is the height of folly for any girl to "confess her past sins" ; especially sexual and abortion sins to a man she is planning to marry!
Most men , on hearing such confessions would take to their heels.
You would not even see their brake lights for dust!
Why ? The male psyche is different from that of females.
One of the realities of life is that: while men would expect women to accept, overlook and forgive men's sexual indiscretions; most men , including born-again Christian men; CANNOT forget, overlook or forgive the same from women.
Even after marriage, some men , still, would hold such information against their wives and keep bringing up the matter .
This attitude could cause serious problems for any couple.
In this aspect of "coming clean", some men are simply, insanely unforgiving!
Recently, a man divorced his wife because she was raped in his presence by armed robbers who decided not only to beat and rob them but also to rape his wife and their two teenage daughters!
From that day, onward, he refused to sleep with his wife !
He just could not bear the memory of the horrible incidence of his wife's rape.
This led to a lot aggression and hostility from him towards his wife.
All appeals to him and efforts from friends and families to make him see reason, fell on deaf ears. He could not give even one reason why his wife was being blamed for what happened.
After a short while, he moved out of their home and remarried.
This would tell you HOW the mind of some men work!
Desires for publicity and popularity are strong reasons for coming clean.
Some people would come clean because they desire the attention and publicity which a scandalous confession brings into their dull lives!
Full confessions silence blackmailers! This effective weapon has been used by many politicians and celebrities who have been targeted by all sorts of blackmailers.
Coming clean about plans for mass murder and suicide could be a cry for help and cry for attention from a sad ,mad and lonely alarmist. These type of sick confessions should be investigated, urgently and not dismissed as "fake".
Sheer madness caused by anger and a desire for revenge would make criminals throw all caution to the wind and confess their gang secrets.
Hell knows no fury as a woman scorned!
Aggrieved mistresses have been known to come clean with damaging details about affairs with wealthy and prominent married men.
With a strong desire to hurt their married boyfriends and their wives; these angry mistresses target the men's marriages ,careers, their incomes and reputations with the intention of pulling them down and tearing them to shreds. Unfortunately ,these vengeful mistresses ,usually, achieve their aims.
As happened some years back ,in the case of the Pastor/General Overseer of one of the biggest churches in London( estimated membership of 3500 ), who was convicted for rape and jailed in 2003!
This highly respected minister of God had been committing adultery with several single and married women in his church , for many years.
I remember the harrowing shame and shock which EVERY Christian felt, during his well- publicised trial and sentencing.
Nobody believed he could do such deeds and fall so mightily.
The enemies of God and the British Press had a field day; publishing terrible disclosures about the man of God from his several mistresses and stories about his embezzlement of church funds and about his and his family's lavish lifestyle.
At first he denied it all ; but eventually , he broke down and confessed everything.
I remember my sister and I wept bitterly when we watched his confession on TV.
As soon as the first woman confessed , others followed suit to do more damage!
The pastor had told each of them that they were special and that he loved them only and no other woman! None of the women knew he was sleeping with several of them!
This lie made the women very angry and willing to expose him and bring him down.
One of them was so angry that she alleged that the pastor raped her in his office!
The first woman to confess said she decided to "come clean" became she was fed up and became very disgusted by her Pastor's hypocrisy!
She said while he was always sleeping with her; committing adultery , he was pretending to be a good husband! She said the pastor would preach two sentences and the 3rd sentence would be about "My lovely , beautiful , wonderful wife!"
Also, she said she came clean with every detail to teach the pastor's wife a bitter lesson! And what did the pastor's poor wife do to deserve this terrible scandal?
She said she was disgusted with hearing the pastor's wife, whenever she was preaching, saying: "My wonderful, handsome husband did this, did that for me or said this and that!"
May God deliver us from every snare of the enemy! Amen.
When you join hands to commit and conceal sins with others you will surely be exposed ,some day. Even when people have promised you to keep your secrets secret; they could decide any time, to blackmail you or come clean with damaging revelations!
Though hand join in hand , the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. Proverbs 11:21.
The heaven shall reveal his iniquity and the earth shall rise up against him. Job 20:27
He makes all things Beautiful .
For thou , O Lord , hast made me glad through thy work; I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
O Lord , how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. Psalm 92 :4,5.
Sometimes , we throw up our hands in despair and give up when we realise the futility of our "fix-it" efforts. When we try to fix things; to make them look better or to put broken pieces back together again.
There are some repair jobs in the home which we can have fun doing them; with a little flair for D.I.Y.
But there are some "hard stuff" which demand the professional touch for any repair work to be effective on them and there are some damages that are irreparable , by any human professional.
Like a broken beautiful porcelain china vase , or discoloured and damaged laundry.
I have lost , at least, a couple of pretty woolly clothing , which came out shrunk to a size or two smaller; because I forgot to turn my washing machine to the correct temperature settings before starting the washing .
Also, we all must have experienced the horror of seeing stained and damaged light-coloured clothes because we didn't separate the colours before they went into the washing machine . Damaged laundry are an annoying sight and fit only for the bin!
There is hope and remedy for all things which are hopelessly damaged and unwanted in our lives when we hand them over to the Mighty Restorer.
The Creator of all things beautiful , has the solution and the ability to make all things ugly and damaged , beautiful again. Hear him:
The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts : and in this place I will give peace , saith the Lord of hosts . Haggai 2 :9.
" Awake , awake , put on thy strength, O Zion: put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem , the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
Shake thyself from the dust; arise and sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion." Isaiah 52 :1-2.
You say: " I have heard all these words before!
When will God turn around this situation in my life; from ashes to beauty ; from reproach to glory ?"
God makes all things beautiful in his own time .
He declares it and sees the end of a matter from the beginning of it. Isaiah 46:10.
Delayed answers to prayers are not "No" answers from God. Delay could be God's way of saying to you : " Wait. What you are asking for is far smaller and less glorious than what I have in store from you!"
Believe God in that situation and praise the Lord for your BEST is yet to come .
God makes ALL things beautiful for all who wait and trust in him.
I decree grace and strength into every life awaiting His beauty and glory. Amen
Praise waiteth for thee, O God ,in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.
O thou that heareth prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Psalm 65 : 1,2.