The story is told of David in the Bible. He was disadvantaged right at birth because of his birth order. Being the youngest of the brothers he was the least viable to be king. And yet it was David that God had chosen to be king, him who was the least qualified by human standards.
Picture that day when Samuel went to anoint one of Jesse's sons as king. David must have been going about his business tending his father's sheep unaware how things would soon change for him. Being the youngest in the family would have meant that he did what it was that he was instructed to do. Tending sheep must have been something he did not quite mind because when he was called to be anointed he was glowing with health was of handsome features.
David went on to do exploits which included fighting Goliath because he was chosen by God. He did exploits because the hand of God was upon him. This is a wonderful story on how much more important it is for us to have a good standing with God than with all else. It is a typical manifestation of the importance that God attaches to his chosen.
We are living in a world that attaches meaning to human connections. It centres on our own ability to achieve on our own. And yet Christ has called us to be different. We need to seek his hand upon our lives by yielding to him and allowing him to take charge of our lives.
It is wonderful to be chosen of God. We see it in the days of old how those that God chose enjoyed unmerited favour in their lives. Not to say that God chooses people who are without fault or who live lives with no challenges. But when God has chosen one he walks in the authority of God upon this world. Such a person will have a special anointing to do what he would not otherwise do on his own.
It is wonderful to be chosen of God. The tasks he puts ahead of us may not always be pleasant ones but it is comforting to know that he will go with us. Being chosen means that God will go alongside so that he can prove his might through exploits done by his chosen. It means that God can entrust us with seemingly impossible tasks which we then accomplish by his grace. Being chosen is operating on God's Grace nonetheless.
As Christians we are the chosen of God. We are called to live lives that prove the power of God in that we do exploits for the Glory of the Lord. The beauty of it is that we do not need to lean on our own understanding to do this. We just need to yield to his leading and hearken to his call in our lives.
It is a one who is yielded to God that will not hesitate to take up impossible situations because he has God on his side. Such a one will forge forward even when the battle rages on because he trusts the one who brought him into it to take him safely through. This is one who will not lean on his understanding but depend on God to take him through lifes' journey.
23 July 2012
02 July 2012
Invitation to Accept Jesus
They sat huddled up together. There was so much fear in the house that you could actually put a hand on it. The kids hung on to their parents in hope of sorts. The two grown ups were a bunch of nerves too. This was bigger than anything any of them had dealt with before. There was no doubt that the family was under attack.
It had been going on for several nights now. They had tried seeking counsel from friends to no avail. No one seemed to know just what to do in the circumstances. Fear seemed to fill every room in their house. It was so real that none of the family members could bring themselves to be alone for a moment. This is how they had spent several nights in a row. Trying the best way they knew to fight off fear. It seemed like fear had taken over their lives and was threatening to suffocate them even further. They needed a bigger power to fight it but that was one thing they did not have.
Many people struggle with issues in their lives for such a long time on their own. The only way they get anything done is to do it themselves. They lean on their own understanding since that is all they know. They might have heard of the saving Grace of Jesus Christ but are not yet willing to let him in to all areas of their lives. And so many people are living lives that are oppressed for lack of anything better to do. It could be that illness that has found a home in your body. It helps if you take it to the Lord as he has asked us to take our burdens to him. He will make the load more bearable for us if we trust it with him. And he is faithful to fulfill his promises.
Nothing is too big or too small to take to the Lord. What might be impossible to us is very simple to God. But for him to get involved in our lives we need to ask him in. We give him a place in our hearts so that once he has a foothold he can then get to work sorting out issues in our lives. He cannot do that from the outside of our hearts. He needs us to let him in. Once he comes in then it becomes easy for him to deal with what it is we present before him because he has permission that we grant him on accepting him into our lives. That is why it is very important for every person to accept Jesus in his live because there will be issues in life that we cannot handle on our own. We neee to have him in our lives so that we can enjoy the fullness of his saving Grace to the full.
Each one of us needs something or someone to fall back on. And just like a child who is afraid of the dark we need one to cling on to when the storms of life come. But more important is forming a relationship with Jesus so that he is involved in all the seasons of our lives. He can be there to share our happiness and our sadness too. It is not enough to call on him just when the ship is sinking but to call on him when all is going on well too. There is nothing like sharing happy times with one who is close to you.
You will be amazed how much Jesus will do once you let him in. He will set to work so that your life will bring glory to his name. He will do well to make sure that anyone called by his name shall not be put to shame. It doesn't mean that our lives cease to have troubles once we accept him, it is just that it will be more bearable with him on our side. Jesus feels our pain and suffering. It hurts him more than we know when people struggle with so much on their own. So much of the suffering in the world would be easier if people would seek the help of the Lord. All other solutions cannot face up to Jesus. They may last but for a while. But when we let Jesus into our lives he not only changes circumstances in our lives but also brings a breath of fresh air our way. He enables us to go through live victoriously and most of all he walks the paths of life with us.
He will do it for you. He will give you a new lease of life. He will purge all the bad habits and you can start a new life. Forgiven of all the past. He will give you joy unspeakable so that even in times of pain you can lift up a song to him. If you invite him into your life you can cast your burdens unto him. No care will be yours alone. He has promised to. Try him and see if Jesus will not bring such change your way you will wonder why it took you so long to know him. Noone has come to know Christ and lived a life of regrets again. He makes all things new and will fill your heart with peace. All you need to do is ask him in. Behold, he stands at the door. Let the saviour of the world have a place in your heart today.
It had been going on for several nights now. They had tried seeking counsel from friends to no avail. No one seemed to know just what to do in the circumstances. Fear seemed to fill every room in their house. It was so real that none of the family members could bring themselves to be alone for a moment. This is how they had spent several nights in a row. Trying the best way they knew to fight off fear. It seemed like fear had taken over their lives and was threatening to suffocate them even further. They needed a bigger power to fight it but that was one thing they did not have.
Many people struggle with issues in their lives for such a long time on their own. The only way they get anything done is to do it themselves. They lean on their own understanding since that is all they know. They might have heard of the saving Grace of Jesus Christ but are not yet willing to let him in to all areas of their lives. And so many people are living lives that are oppressed for lack of anything better to do. It could be that illness that has found a home in your body. It helps if you take it to the Lord as he has asked us to take our burdens to him. He will make the load more bearable for us if we trust it with him. And he is faithful to fulfill his promises.
Nothing is too big or too small to take to the Lord. What might be impossible to us is very simple to God. But for him to get involved in our lives we need to ask him in. We give him a place in our hearts so that once he has a foothold he can then get to work sorting out issues in our lives. He cannot do that from the outside of our hearts. He needs us to let him in. Once he comes in then it becomes easy for him to deal with what it is we present before him because he has permission that we grant him on accepting him into our lives. That is why it is very important for every person to accept Jesus in his live because there will be issues in life that we cannot handle on our own. We neee to have him in our lives so that we can enjoy the fullness of his saving Grace to the full.
Each one of us needs something or someone to fall back on. And just like a child who is afraid of the dark we need one to cling on to when the storms of life come. But more important is forming a relationship with Jesus so that he is involved in all the seasons of our lives. He can be there to share our happiness and our sadness too. It is not enough to call on him just when the ship is sinking but to call on him when all is going on well too. There is nothing like sharing happy times with one who is close to you.
You will be amazed how much Jesus will do once you let him in. He will set to work so that your life will bring glory to his name. He will do well to make sure that anyone called by his name shall not be put to shame. It doesn't mean that our lives cease to have troubles once we accept him, it is just that it will be more bearable with him on our side. Jesus feels our pain and suffering. It hurts him more than we know when people struggle with so much on their own. So much of the suffering in the world would be easier if people would seek the help of the Lord. All other solutions cannot face up to Jesus. They may last but for a while. But when we let Jesus into our lives he not only changes circumstances in our lives but also brings a breath of fresh air our way. He enables us to go through live victoriously and most of all he walks the paths of life with us.
He will do it for you. He will give you a new lease of life. He will purge all the bad habits and you can start a new life. Forgiven of all the past. He will give you joy unspeakable so that even in times of pain you can lift up a song to him. If you invite him into your life you can cast your burdens unto him. No care will be yours alone. He has promised to. Try him and see if Jesus will not bring such change your way you will wonder why it took you so long to know him. Noone has come to know Christ and lived a life of regrets again. He makes all things new and will fill your heart with peace. All you need to do is ask him in. Behold, he stands at the door. Let the saviour of the world have a place in your heart today.
12 June 2012
Calling on all religious leaders
At this time in our country, people have more questions than answers. So much is going on and our people wander like sheep in the wilderness without answers. Lately we have been hit by a spate of accidents both traffic and otherwise. People are begging for answers, where are our religious leaders?
They are the ones who should have answers when noone else will. Try to make sense out of otherwise senseless situations. But their silence is deafening. It is like they are just as confused as the rest of us. I believe the call of God is such that they are answerable to the people they minister to. It is a responsibility given to them by God to shepherd his people. Part of which means trying to reconcile daily happenings with the will of God. If they are not doing it, who will? What hope is there for the people of Kenya. Are we naked and exposed with noone to provide the answers we seek?
It is well and good working to draw souls to Christ. But at a time when people are fumbling all over in search of answers then it would be well for them to take up their place and point the way out to them. Most of what has changed in this country is because religious leaders called out to the people to repent and get right with God. It was broadcast all over the need for us as a country to be right with God. There were those that made light of the situation but I believe that this country was saved of so much tragedy because people were called to come out and pray.
Given, there is the sunday call to prayer. But with the way things are right now we need more enforcement for things to go back to the way they were. Christians everywhere need to be called for united prayer. This is because some things happening now require more than casual prayer. They need us to go into fasting and cry out to God for our country. We need people to call out christians from slumber. Christians know that there are unusual things happening but it is the duty of those called of God to unite us into interceeding for the nation. They are too silent on issues facing the country.
They are the ones who should have answers when noone else will. Try to make sense out of otherwise senseless situations. But their silence is deafening. It is like they are just as confused as the rest of us. I believe the call of God is such that they are answerable to the people they minister to. It is a responsibility given to them by God to shepherd his people. Part of which means trying to reconcile daily happenings with the will of God. If they are not doing it, who will? What hope is there for the people of Kenya. Are we naked and exposed with noone to provide the answers we seek?
It is well and good working to draw souls to Christ. But at a time when people are fumbling all over in search of answers then it would be well for them to take up their place and point the way out to them. Most of what has changed in this country is because religious leaders called out to the people to repent and get right with God. It was broadcast all over the need for us as a country to be right with God. There were those that made light of the situation but I believe that this country was saved of so much tragedy because people were called to come out and pray.
Given, there is the sunday call to prayer. But with the way things are right now we need more enforcement for things to go back to the way they were. Christians everywhere need to be called for united prayer. This is because some things happening now require more than casual prayer. They need us to go into fasting and cry out to God for our country. We need people to call out christians from slumber. Christians know that there are unusual things happening but it is the duty of those called of God to unite us into interceeding for the nation. They are too silent on issues facing the country.
There is a role that religious leaders have that is meant to augment the politics of the land. This is because they are meant to lead a people into repentance and crying out to God for the land. The Bible says that if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land 2 Chronicles 7:14. Yet we are all sitting on our laurels waiting for things to change. It is a lie from the devil for us to accept all the wrong in society. We cannot put blame on the Government either. That is where our religious leaders come in.
Years back, especially during election year, we had pastors calling out to faithful for united prayer for the nation. The prayers would unite Kenyans from different communities and I believe that it is the said prayers that have kept us anchored despite the storms. Even our politicians will bow down to the call of the almighty. So this time it is the pastors that are not utilizing the power given to them to lead people to prayer. People are too busy doing all else to go down on their knees and pray.
We sit under your wise counsel. We call on you when noone else will listen. You help lighten our burdens in life for which only God will repay you. We need you now to come out and tell us God's message for the country. Point to us where we have erred. We look up to you because we believe God had called you to lead us in his ways. Right now we desire to hear his voice to the nation through you. Will you stand up for him? Will you rely his message to us at this time? Will you pull us together so that all kenyans can stand in unity and call out to God for our land? Anyone?
Years back, especially during election year, we had pastors calling out to faithful for united prayer for the nation. The prayers would unite Kenyans from different communities and I believe that it is the said prayers that have kept us anchored despite the storms. Even our politicians will bow down to the call of the almighty. So this time it is the pastors that are not utilizing the power given to them to lead people to prayer. People are too busy doing all else to go down on their knees and pray.
We sit under your wise counsel. We call on you when noone else will listen. You help lighten our burdens in life for which only God will repay you. We need you now to come out and tell us God's message for the country. Point to us where we have erred. We look up to you because we believe God had called you to lead us in his ways. Right now we desire to hear his voice to the nation through you. Will you stand up for him? Will you rely his message to us at this time? Will you pull us together so that all kenyans can stand in unity and call out to God for our land? Anyone?
23 May 2012
Suicide
We are seeing an upsurge of people either taking their lives or those of the ones that they love. While many urgue that it is a result of poor parenting I beg to differ. Many such people just have poor coping mechanisms and do not have someone keen enough to notice changes of behaviour.
I have had the privilege to speak to someone who was having suicidal tendencies. He narrated to me how he would get this overwhelming feeling of helplessness come over him which would leave him depressed and looking for reprieve. In his case he turned to alcohol and did drugs. This would be of temporary relieve to him but the depression continued.
In the event that no one notices the change of behaviour, this person will eventually get hooked on drugs or alcohol not because he wishes to but in search of a way to escape the prevailing situation. But if someone close is keen enough to notice behaviour changes early then the situation could be saved.
It is amazing how quickly people dismiss suicide and other addictions as stemming from bad upbringing. This is a shortcut to bury our heads to the underlying factors that lead to this. While upbringing does have an effect on a person, it cannot be the culprit to the circumstances faced and a persons ability to deal with such.
I know for sure there are lots of people behind bars who should be in hospital instead. But such languish behind bars and do not even understand their actions. Except they find the all time healer Jesus Christ they leave the correction centres none the better.
We all need to be more involved with each other. The church has a big role to play in stepping in to correct behaviour and identifying those who may need further help. This is with close partnership with professionals trained for the job. If we all purpose to be our brothers' keeper and get involved with each other we shall have fewer people taking the easy way out.
Today is the burial of one such young person who took his life. A seemingly normal young lad going about life but then at some point decided he could not take it anymore. It is a sad state of affairs for all who loved him. They have to bear with the pain of the loss and perhaps guilt of what they might have done differently. Yet in all this the blame may not be theirs.
In olden days, the strong social fabric worked to ensure that people in society were responsible for each other. There was no two ways about it. If you found a young man misbehaving one had a right to stop him and seek to know his reason and even met out discipline on him. This kept people within the set boundaries because it was more like big brother was always watching. And could be anywhere.
Today with the self actualisation of independent lifestyle we are ill equipped to handle some issues in life alone. The fact that your neighbour does not care if you drink too much and sleep on your doorstep is working against us. It is this casual state of affairs that is plunging us further into dilemma. If we don't go back to the Bible teachings and be our brothers' keeper nothing will change. We might have to watch as others self destruct and feel nothing.
It is time we all wake up to the fact that there is no replacement to the human touch. Technology cannot replace the feel of flesh and blood relationship we have with one another. More meaningful relationships happen when we take time to relate with each other and offer a shoulder when all is not well. It is as God meant it to be. I believe he knows what is better for us more than we do sometime.
I have had the privilege to speak to someone who was having suicidal tendencies. He narrated to me how he would get this overwhelming feeling of helplessness come over him which would leave him depressed and looking for reprieve. In his case he turned to alcohol and did drugs. This would be of temporary relieve to him but the depression continued.
In the event that no one notices the change of behaviour, this person will eventually get hooked on drugs or alcohol not because he wishes to but in search of a way to escape the prevailing situation. But if someone close is keen enough to notice behaviour changes early then the situation could be saved.
It is amazing how quickly people dismiss suicide and other addictions as stemming from bad upbringing. This is a shortcut to bury our heads to the underlying factors that lead to this. While upbringing does have an effect on a person, it cannot be the culprit to the circumstances faced and a persons ability to deal with such.
I know for sure there are lots of people behind bars who should be in hospital instead. But such languish behind bars and do not even understand their actions. Except they find the all time healer Jesus Christ they leave the correction centres none the better.
We all need to be more involved with each other. The church has a big role to play in stepping in to correct behaviour and identifying those who may need further help. This is with close partnership with professionals trained for the job. If we all purpose to be our brothers' keeper and get involved with each other we shall have fewer people taking the easy way out.
Today is the burial of one such young person who took his life. A seemingly normal young lad going about life but then at some point decided he could not take it anymore. It is a sad state of affairs for all who loved him. They have to bear with the pain of the loss and perhaps guilt of what they might have done differently. Yet in all this the blame may not be theirs.
In olden days, the strong social fabric worked to ensure that people in society were responsible for each other. There was no two ways about it. If you found a young man misbehaving one had a right to stop him and seek to know his reason and even met out discipline on him. This kept people within the set boundaries because it was more like big brother was always watching. And could be anywhere.
Today with the self actualisation of independent lifestyle we are ill equipped to handle some issues in life alone. The fact that your neighbour does not care if you drink too much and sleep on your doorstep is working against us. It is this casual state of affairs that is plunging us further into dilemma. If we don't go back to the Bible teachings and be our brothers' keeper nothing will change. We might have to watch as others self destruct and feel nothing.
It is time we all wake up to the fact that there is no replacement to the human touch. Technology cannot replace the feel of flesh and blood relationship we have with one another. More meaningful relationships happen when we take time to relate with each other and offer a shoulder when all is not well. It is as God meant it to be. I believe he knows what is better for us more than we do sometime.
08 May 2012
ULTIMATE SEX
It was designed to be a culmination of the love between husband and wife. The expression of the ultimate feelings brought on by their love for one another. It was meant to be within the confines of the marriage covenant. But that is fast changing.
Sex is the ultimate expression of love between two people whose love is so deep that words cannot adequately express how they feel. These two people who have made a commitment that what they feel for one another is so true that they are willing to forsake all others to be with each other. It is a seal of a life commitment made.
But things are changing. Now more than ever, the marriage institution is facing more challenges than have ever been seen before. It is no longer considered necessary for a couple to have any form of commitment. Sex comes cheap as such many wonder why they need commitment when they can have it anytime with no strings attached. And this is the breakdown of the family set up.
Familiarity breeds contempt. Even in a marriage situation there needs to be something other than feelings to hold it together. Because when the youth years are gone and what remains are embers from yester years, there has to be a reason for two people to remain together.
Sex has been made cheap. Because it is what sells it is being used in business circles to provide the lure for sale. It is ridiculous to liken a smooth car engine with the flow of passion. Even more twisted to compare a bottle of beer to a woman caught in throes of passion.
The effect of all this negative portrayal of sex is that what God meant as a sacred reserve for marriage has become a tool to tantalise and lure people for all the wrong reasons. The commercials have become competition at depicting different scenarios of lust all packaged to sell. And sell they do. Because even with the negative portrayal sex still holds mystery.
There is magic when two people who genuinely love one another express this within the confines of marriage. To begin with, the two are at peace in knowing that theirs is a blessed union thus have nothing to hide. With no guilt and no holds barred sex in marriage is just the way God intended it to be.
In contrast what we are witnessing are people who jump the broom straight from binge drinking and are left with nothing in their arms when all the alcohol evaporates from their heads but regret. There is a whole generation of people who use sex for mere gratification and are not willing to commit further.
The book song of songs details the joy of two lovers who come together in true belonging. Nothing compares to the rich expression of their passion. Hidden in those words are feelings between two people who treasure their love for one another. These two yearn for each other. They possess each other thus lay claim each of the other. Theirs is love that thrives on the understanding that each belongs to the other.
These two nurture their love. They openly express their feelings to each other. They take time to appreciate their different forms. Nothing is taken for granted. They appreciate their differences and openly marvel at each aspect of their differences. Theirs is a relationship born out of investing time together and being fully committed to their love.
How contrarily to those fleeting feelings that come with heightened passion. When two people who barely know each other come together just to quench the fires of their passion and remain none the better for no bond can come out of such! These are the ones who do not get to know the true bond of love and the security of claiming another in love. They come together purely for selfish reasons thus deny themselves the privilege of loving and having being loved exclusively by their one.
There is nothing that comes close to loving and being loved exclusively by the one in a blessed union. Those around approve of such. And above all, God in heaven blesses and smiles on the two with love.
Sex is the ultimate expression of love between two people whose love is so deep that words cannot adequately express how they feel. These two people who have made a commitment that what they feel for one another is so true that they are willing to forsake all others to be with each other. It is a seal of a life commitment made.
But things are changing. Now more than ever, the marriage institution is facing more challenges than have ever been seen before. It is no longer considered necessary for a couple to have any form of commitment. Sex comes cheap as such many wonder why they need commitment when they can have it anytime with no strings attached. And this is the breakdown of the family set up.
Familiarity breeds contempt. Even in a marriage situation there needs to be something other than feelings to hold it together. Because when the youth years are gone and what remains are embers from yester years, there has to be a reason for two people to remain together.
Sex has been made cheap. Because it is what sells it is being used in business circles to provide the lure for sale. It is ridiculous to liken a smooth car engine with the flow of passion. Even more twisted to compare a bottle of beer to a woman caught in throes of passion.
The effect of all this negative portrayal of sex is that what God meant as a sacred reserve for marriage has become a tool to tantalise and lure people for all the wrong reasons. The commercials have become competition at depicting different scenarios of lust all packaged to sell. And sell they do. Because even with the negative portrayal sex still holds mystery.
There is magic when two people who genuinely love one another express this within the confines of marriage. To begin with, the two are at peace in knowing that theirs is a blessed union thus have nothing to hide. With no guilt and no holds barred sex in marriage is just the way God intended it to be.
In contrast what we are witnessing are people who jump the broom straight from binge drinking and are left with nothing in their arms when all the alcohol evaporates from their heads but regret. There is a whole generation of people who use sex for mere gratification and are not willing to commit further.
The book song of songs details the joy of two lovers who come together in true belonging. Nothing compares to the rich expression of their passion. Hidden in those words are feelings between two people who treasure their love for one another. These two yearn for each other. They possess each other thus lay claim each of the other. Theirs is love that thrives on the understanding that each belongs to the other.
These two nurture their love. They openly express their feelings to each other. They take time to appreciate their different forms. Nothing is taken for granted. They appreciate their differences and openly marvel at each aspect of their differences. Theirs is a relationship born out of investing time together and being fully committed to their love.
How contrarily to those fleeting feelings that come with heightened passion. When two people who barely know each other come together just to quench the fires of their passion and remain none the better for no bond can come out of such! These are the ones who do not get to know the true bond of love and the security of claiming another in love. They come together purely for selfish reasons thus deny themselves the privilege of loving and having being loved exclusively by their one.
There is nothing that comes close to loving and being loved exclusively by the one in a blessed union. Those around approve of such. And above all, God in heaven blesses and smiles on the two with love.
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