Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions Apply, Ts & Cs apply – a very popular statement you would typically hear at the end of radio and television jingles and/or advertisements. It is also common to see these in business contracts, purchase agreements and even with the mobile applications we download onto our devices.

Although for many reasons we ignore the fine details of these Ts & Cs, they largely determine what we stand to gain or lose in a transaction, especially when things don’t turn out in our favour. We casually tap on the “I Agree” or “Accept” button in a heartbeat without understanding the fine print because for some reason we trust that we will not have any issues engaging a mobile application.

When you get a job and you sign a contract, you’re generally offering your services, experience and expertise in exchange for a remuneration monthly/weekly/daily. Any rational person will typically stay within a work environment where their skills are valued and they in return make good money. People hardly work for free unless in rare cases, given the job is not the main or only source of their livelihood, where they would offer their time for the experience.

Similarly when you accept the gift of salvation and become a born again Christian, you have entered into an agreement with God. As part of it, you need to choose His will over yours in order to fully enjoy the benefits of His salvation. You need to trust Him enough that His Holy Spirit will lead you onto better paths than any choices you would have made independent of Him. We cannot only serve Him when the conditions are favourable for us; serving only to enjoy His favour and not because you really revere Him or love Him.

Let us hear the story of an 79-year old missionary who never got married despite her dedication to God’s work:

It is Satan who tries, in every way, to spoil the peace and joy that God’s servants have in their work. Ellen, my new traveling companion, had gone with me to a lonely mission field in Mexico. Our hostess was a lady missionary, unmarried, in her forties. One evening while we were alone in her little abode, she confessed her bitterness and resentment over being unmarried.

‘Why have I been denied the love of a husband, children, and a home? Why is it that the only men who ever paid any attention to me were married to someone else?” Long into the night she poured out the poison of her frustration. At last she asked me, “Why did you never marry?”

“Because,” I said, “the Lord had other plans for me than married life.

“Did you ever fall in love and lose someone, as I have?” she asked bitterly.

“Yes,” I said sadly. “I know the pain of a broken heart.”

“But you were strong, weren’t you,” she said in biting tones. You were willing to let God have His way in your life?

“Oh, no, not at first,” I said. ‘I had to fight a battle over it. I was twenty-three. I loved a boy and believed he loved me. But I had no money and he married a rich girl. After they were married he brought her to me and putting her hand in mine said, ‘I hope you two will be friends. I wanted to scream. She looked so sweet, so secure and content in his love.

“But I did have Jesus, and eventually I went to Him and prayed, Lord Jesus, You know that I belong to You 100 percent. My sex life is yours also. I don’t know what plans You have for my life, but Lord, whatever it may be, use me to realize Your victory in every detail. I believe You can take away all my frustrations and feelings of unhappiness. I surrender anew my whole life to You.

I looked across the little table at the bitter woman in front of me. Her face was furrowed, her eyes hard with resentment. I sensed she had been trying to run away from her frustrations. Perhaps that was even the reason she was on the mission field.

Sadly, there are some of God’s children who go to the mission field to escape the pain of not having a husband. I know others, back home, who spend every evening away from their families, attending Christian meetings, because they are unhappy and frustrated in their marriages. Work – even mission work – can become a wrong hiding place. “Those called by God to live single lives are always happy in that state,” I said. “This happiness, this contentment, is the evidence of God’s plan.”

“But you loved and lost,” she exclaimed. “Do you believe that God took away your lover to make you follow Him?”

“Oh, no,” I smiled. “God does not take away from us. He might ask us to turn our backs on something, or someone, we should not have. God never takes away, however; God gives. If I reach out and take someone for myself and the Lord steps in between, that does not mean God takes. Rather it means He is protecting us from someone we should not have because He has a far greater purpose for our lives.”

This missionary clearly understood the terms and conditions of her calling. She embraced and fully obeyed the responsibilities that accompanied the kind of ministry God had called her to. Rather than blame God for not having what she had originally desired for her life, she chose to trust Him, knowing that what He had planned out for her life would yield an even greater eternal reward. Her consolation was not in her earthly success, but rather in her ability to attain eternal milestones for her Saviour with her life and through fulfilling His purpose.

“The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth—his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran—and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan,” Genesis 12:1-5 NLT

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! “I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.” Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility.”

“This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised. You must cut off the flesh of your foreskin as a sign of the covenant between me and you. From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased. All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant. Any male who fails to be circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for breaking the covenant.””
‭‭Genesis 17:1-4, 7-14NLT

“On that very day Abraham took his son, Ishmael, and every male in his household, including those born there and those he had bought. Then he circumcised them, cutting off their foreskins, just as God had told him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, Both Abraham and his son, Ishmael, were circumcised on that same day, along with all the other men and boys of the household, whether they were born there or bought as servants. All were circumcised with him.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭17‬:‭23‬-‭24‬, ‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. And Abraham named their son Isaac. Eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me.” Genesis 21:1-6 NLT

We are all too familiar with the story of Abraham, how long it took and how old he was before he had the son that God had promised. Our emphasis today is on the terms and conditions of that covenant God made with him. God had instructed him several times and he had obeyed. Even when he told “white lies” about Sarah his wife, God still kept his promises of prospering him. However when it came to the ultimate blessing of becoming a father of many nations, there were terms to that covenant that had to be fulfilled in order for the manifestation thereof.

Abraham’s responsibility was to obey the terms of the covenant. Bible let’s us know that he complied immediately, same day! As soon as he did this (ensuring that every male within his household was circumcised), a year after, Isaac was born. And we see that even after God’s promise was fulfilled, he still obeyed the terms by ensuring Isaac was also circumcised as God had commanded of his household. When God revealed His covenant to Abraham, he didn’t seek the approval or consent of other men. He spoke to him in a language Abraham understood, knowing from His relationship with Abraham that he could be trusted to live up to God’s expectations.

We need to seek and understand the terms and conditions of our relationship with God. What does God require of me? What is He seeking that I do? He speaks to us in diverse ways based on our relationship with Him, so be careful because not everyone will understand your assignment and why you do some of the things you do. Even though it is great to be hopeful for God’s promises to us, we should also diligently obey and execute our responsibility as far as His promises are concerned.

Serving God only with the hope of enjoying His benefits thereof might shatter your joy and eventually leave you faithless. But to even fully manifest the benefits of our service to him, we need to diligently heed to His instructions (terms and conditions) as outlined in His word. I pray you find the courage to trust in God regardless of what your expectations of life are. May we live not by our terms and conditions but by His. Always endeavor to declare; God’s plan, not mine! God’s will, not mine!! God’s way, not mine!!!

With Love, Esinam.

A vessel God can use

Remember how growing up there was that special bowl that was only used for Daddy, or special plates and cutlery that were used to serve special visitors at home? In a typical Ghanaian home, while everyone else ate their weekend ‘fufu’ or ‘omotuo’ in a regular plastic bowl, Daddy or any special visitor got served in that Pyrex bowl reserved only for the head of the household or for special occasions. I’m essence, the vessel that your meal is served in is a reflection of your value to the household. The Bible makes us understand that as servants of God, as children of God, our ‘yieldedness’ determines the kind of vessel we are defined as in the house our our Lord.

“In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.” 2 Timothy 2:20-21 MSG

Some might argue that being a waste can or compost bucket doesn’t render one useless. That’s true. But cast your mind to the typical characteristics of such. They are often broken or worn out containers that are being used till they can no longer serve any purpose. It is just a matter of time before they are replaced or discarded and ultimately rendered useless.

As Christians, one way we can be rendered useless in God’s vineyard is when do not do first things first. When we no longer prioritize what God has called us to do, we don’t commune with God through prayer and His word, we don’t fellowship with the brethren, we don’t obey his commands and we don’t heed to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Rather we are swayed by the happenings of the world, we toil hard and long for Pharaoh (putting work and social events before serving God). We find ourselves in the last days and there is so much going on around us that could easily dissuade us from God’s original plan for our lives. The cares of this world are many, the distractions are many but it is necessary that we strive to look beyond those and yearn to please our Heavenly Father.

“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.” 1 Peter 5:10 MSG

It can be so hard to keep the faith when everything seems to be crumbling down roundabout you. It’s hard to keep praying when your prayers don’t seem to get any answers. It’s hard to keep giving when you’re not reaping any harvest. It’s hard to keep serving when your labour in the Lord seems in vain. But don’t forget that faith is the substance of thing hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. When that marriage is not happening, when you’re not getting the job you’ve have prayed for, when the baby(ies) you’ve fasted for are not coming even after trying all the medical interventions, don’t lose hope. God is preparing you as a vessel to testify greatly for His glory.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this. Proverbs 3:5-7 MSG

And while you wait, while you hope, while you yield to His discipline and delight in His will you need to work on yourself. You need to keep sharpening your axe. You need to ensure your wine skin is intact, your faith unwavering. That your vessel is ready and able to contain all that He is preparing behind the scenes for your advancement.

““No one sews a patch of unshrunk (new) cloth on an old garment; otherwise the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear becomes worse. No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the [fermenting] wine will [expand and] burst the skins, and the wine is lost as well as the wineskins. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”” Mark 2:21-22 AMP

The period of waiting is not the time for trial and error. It is not the period when you float through existence, expecting something magical to happen. Of course waiting is tough and is rarely ever a pleasurable experience but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like the eagle. But while you wait, build up your most holy faith, consciously renew your mind, consecrate yourself to God and focus on things above.

“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” Romans 12:1-2 AMP

Being a vessel that God can use is not about how old you are, how long you have been born again or how piously you carry yourself. It is about your yieldedness and availability to His will and in His vineyard. Each one of us has something to offer, you choose to render yourself useless. We each need to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, not depending only on corporate fellowship for our spiritual growth but being intentional about spending quality time in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Only then will we understand His true heart for us and how we ought to bring Him pleasure. May our very lives be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto him; a vessel that He can use, Amen.

With Love, Esinam.

Living a Facade

On billboards and television commercials, we have seen a lot of deception being sold to us as the truth. In the quest to convert those impressions to sales, advertisers in the recent past have gone above and beyond, creating graphics and motion pictures so convincing that you can’t help but try the products and/or services that they show off.

Social media didn’t veer off any further. It actually made such deception easily accessible to everyone who is willing to patronize. Now individuals also churn out information about themselves which are equally misleading and untrue. The use of photo filters and video editors are continually on the rise because everyone yearns to make the best impression of themselves possible. Anything for likes and follows I suppose.

Sadly now, this deception has progressed to people actually altering their body, the vessel that God has giving to us on this earth, to house the true us( our spirits and souls) for this short journey of life. Many have become so consumed with looks and having the perfect body figure. Surgical procedures to alter this flesh, the container in which we live, have become the order of the day. Unfortunately though, some have already lost their lives as a result of complications arising from making these choices. Gone are the days where the worst form of deception was to swindle others to amass wealth. Now that’s almost like normal everyday living. Honestly, Jesus didn’t die only for us to forsake Him. His goal was to redeem us from these selfsame weaknesses.

“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ. And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That’s a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. It’s because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. It wasn’t long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it’s all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.” Colossians 3:1-8 MSG

As a child of God who really wants to please the Father, the last thing to keep you awake at night should be what people’s perception of you is. How you look and whether or not people like you based on what they see is absolutely secondary. There’s so much darkness in this world and your desire should be to shine your light, be the salt and light wherever you go and in all that you do.

““Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16 MSG

It’s unfortunate that for many, rather than standing out as the light, standing up for Christ, we’re striving so hard to blend in. To fit into the world’s definition of success and normalcy. People are now unashamedly identifying as all manner of things, including inanimate objects. You, a human being, fearfully and wonderfully made in the image and likeness of God, now identifying as a tree or a figment of your own imagination. Mercy! How then would our lives prompt people to be more receptive of the Father’s unwavering love for them if we as messengers are utterly confused?

“Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.” Colossians 3:9-11 MSG

Essentially living in sin, the old man, the sinful nature that we were born with is old fashioned. Going back to a messy lifestyle and copying what the world tags as trendy is just recycling garbage and reusing it. These are portrayed in three main ways, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life. The old man seeks to satisfy the flesh, satisfy the soul, living in a fantasy and admired by the world. Our new life in Christ Jesus is walking in love and emulating His lifestyle.

“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” Colossians 3:12-14 MSG

The latter portion of this chapter goes on to instruct every member of the household on how to conduct themselves. Being kind to one another and giving off our best is the barest minimum. Being a Christian isn’t cover up for bad behaviour or wrong doing. It’s not Christ-like to cover up a bad character with supposed ‘spirituality’. It will be a tragedy to ‘keep up appearances’ and look good to men here in earth while breaking our Father’s heart, living outside of His will for us. He gave us the free will but His will is always supreme.

“All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].” 1 Corinthians 10:23 AMP

May our lifestyles not be like makeup washed off on a rainy day. What joy for our Heavenly Father to look down as His children make choices not based on our flesh but based on our desire to please Him. I pray that the grace of God will help us to always consider things from God’s perspective in order that our lives please Him alone. Let the true beauty of Jesus be seen in us for His glory!!!

With Love, Esinam.

Disguised Blessings

“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 MSG

I would like to share a chapter from my current read (Tramp for the Lord) that I’ve been meditating upon. It is a testament of author and missionary Corrie Ten Boom on how a newborn infant saved an entire family.

..and a little child shall lead them. Isaiah 11:6 (KJV)

One of my greatest privileges is visiting with missionaries all over the world. Those of us who live in the comfort and security of our homes cannot begin to imagine what the life of a missionary is like. Many of them have no fresh water and only simple food. They constantly face the threat of sickness and infection. Some live in primitive places where their very lives are in danger.

Much to my sadness, yet to the glory of God, the list is growing longer each day of men and women who are literally laying down their lives for Jesus’ sake on the mission field. These men and women stand on the front lines, often in lonesome places, but knowing that their Master who has placed them there will also stand with them.

Once in a primitive spot in Africa I visited a missionary couple. Their small home was located in a delightful spot that gave a beautiful view of lakes and mountains. They had very little of this world’s goods, but were rich in God’s grace and had been given a homesite that many wealthy people would pay thousands of dollars to have as their own. Crowded into this tiny Shack were six children, the youngest just a few months old. “Come with me,” the missionary wife said as she picked up the baby and walked outside. “I want to tell you a story.” We sat on a bench overlooking an awesome scene of grandeur.

Spreading before us was a mighty view of the mountains, covered with deep jungles and spotted with lakes and waterfalls. “To have many little children can be a burden for a missionary,” she said. “There comes a time when you have to send them to the homeland because there are no good schools here. But while they are small you try to enjoy them.

She paused and looked down at the sweet baby asleep in her arms. Her voice was tense with emotion as she continued. “But when I learned I was going to have another baby, I rebelled against God. We already had five small children and it did not seem fair that we should have to bear another. My health was not good and I looked upon having another child with great sorrow and unhappiness.

Tears were streaming down her face as she talked. “Was it not enough to have five children? Oh, how my heart cried out at God and there were times when I wished He would take the baby from me. “The time for the birth was here. I was very weak and there were no doctors nearby. We had no one to leave the other children with, so my husband put us all in the car and drove us into a town where there was a good mission hospital. There we stayed until the baby was born.”

The tiny child stirred in her arms, stretched her little arms and yawned. How precious she looked! The mother’s voice grew soft. “When we returned to our house with the new baby we learned that in the short days we had been gone the dreaded Mau Mau had come. They had murdered every white person in the entire area. Had we been home we would have all been killed.”

She hugged the little baby to her breast, tears flowing down her face. “This little darling was sent by God to save all our lives. Never again shall I rebel against His ways for our lives.”

Such an unexpected deliverance. What were the odds that of all times, it was during their absence in their mission home that people evaded the town on a rampage to slaughter. Couldn’t God have found an alternative way to deliver them? That’s a valid question but had He chosen to deliver them some other way, would they have heeded in the manner that they did? Would they have been rebellious/stubborn? An alternative escape might have even gone unnoticed and cost the entire family their lives.

I am not sure who this message is for and what you may be enduring in this season of your life. These words are a reminder however that if you’re walking this journey with God, you are fully reliant on His will and trusting His leading, you will emerge with a testimony too.

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” James 1:2-4 MSG

For many Christians, we battle with low moments and/or periods in our lives when we feel like we’re at a dead end. When nothing you try doing seems to be working. When your hard-work and toil are yielding nothing. When your service to ministry is not showing forth any rewards. Like someone put it, you feel like you’re between the devil and the deep blue sea, as though every day your life is graduating from frying pan to fire.

You may feel tormented. You may feel rejected and dejected. In such a period of life, you probably have no one else to look up to but God. And even with that, your prayers seem unheard or answers to them are delayed. Rest assured that the God who knows the end from the beginning has it all worked out for those who trust in Him and hold on to His words.

“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” Isaiah 65:24 NLT

I pray these words uplift your spirit, if for nothing at all. The word of the Lord is true and His promises are unfailing. Amidst the turbulence and uncertainty, never let the enemy steal your joy nor your praise. If you are still here, with breath in your lungs, then God is still worthy of your praise. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Our Heavenly Father is working behind the scenes on your behalf. I pray for you that one day very soon, your answers will manifest practically in your life and your praise and thanksgiving will resound in the corridors of heaven.

With Love, Esinam.

Scorpions and Vipers

“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” 1 John 4:20-21 KJV

Several years ago as my father drove along the narrow and rough village road to his allotted work bungalow, we were obstructed by a small herd of sheep. We were there from the city to visit him for the weekend. After several honks, they barely moved as they had just stopped to graze on some patches of fresh grass. We patiently waited till they moved along to continue our journey. Not far off we met a few stray goats and just at the sound of the vehicles engine they took off.

He proceeded to share a tall tale about sheep and goats. And it went thus: “the sheep and the goat picked a vehicle to a nearby village. The bus already had a few passengers. While in transit, the bus conductor fell asleep and forgot to take the fare. When they arrived at their destination, the sheep quietly paid up what it owed and walked away but the goat snuck out and didn’t pay a dime. Till date the goat is avoiding being caught by the bus conductor, hence it running away when it sees vehicles. However the sheep walks in confidence knowing it owes no one.”

We shall dwell on the actual parable of the sheep and goat as told by Jesus in another post soon. However, our focus today is on deceitful and dubious lifestyles that many Christians are unfortunately living. We live in a time where many people are driven by lavish and socialite living. Many will do anything to be perceived as belonging to the high class of society. Some will even resort to scamming innocent people and hacking others accounts just to finance these lifestyles.

Although many do so crudely, many others are also very intellectual in carrying out similar activities. Living a victorious life is not slandering others for your benefit. Living a victorious life does not give you the right to manipulate those you seemingly have an advantage over for your personal gain. It is not seeking out opportunities to enrich and nourish yourself to the detriment of the unassuming and gullible. Bottom line, living a victorious life is not equivalent to being a usurper!!!

““Listen carefully: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves [have no self-serving agenda].”Matthew 10:16 AMP

“So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.” Psalms 73:16-20 NLT

Regardless of how much of life’s treasures you enjoy or the wealth you store up for yourself, you won’t leave earth with anything. It is better to store up treasure above and focus on serving God. Jesus came down to die for us as a lamb (the Lamb of God who takes away the world’s sin) but when He does show up in the clouds of glory soon, He’s coming as a lion (the Lion of the tribe of Judah) and a Judge.

How much more easy life would be if we just stuck to the golden rule:

“And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31 KJV

“Incline my heart to Your testimonies And not to dishonest gain and envy.” Psalms 119:36 AMP

The above scriptures admonish us to love our neighbours as we love God. NO OTHER COMMANDMENT IS GREATER THAN THESE. We must also be careful to not yield our hearts to dishonest gain and envy. It might seem normal and even “ethical” in certain circles governed by the laws of men to carry out dishonest acts. As Christians though, the principle to our actions must be whether or not they please God and are aligned with His purposes for our lives. In the eyes of men you might look stupid and be mocked, but your ‘suffering’ is accounted for righteousness in God’s eyes. Be encouraged by the scripture below:

“And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” 1 Peter 3:13-17 KJV

If you find it a tough challenge to love on, be kind to or treat fairly your brother(sister) whom you see here on earth, how then can you prove your love for the Lord your God who you don’t see? After all, He said in Genesis 1 that he made man in His image and likeness. If your brother(sister) is the express image of God here on earth, then loving him(her) is loving God.

Don’t be a scorpion or viper, stinging others with your venom of deceit and causing them pain and hurt. Better yet, don’t be a goat and shortchange others. Let us endeavor to do better (with the help of the Holy Spirit) because this life is but a short journey and judgement awaits. Living like Christ can be tough but it is possible.

With love, Esinam.

One scoop too many

You know that feeling when you get heavy-handed on salt while preparing a delicacy or when you overload on pepper and eating the meal feels more like a prison sentence. That was me on this day. As a stood at the kitchen counter making a cup of tea, I picked up the honey jar and started scooping up. Lost in thought mapping out the course of my day it was only when the deed was done than I realized I had added one too many scoops to my cup. I couldn’t scoop it back out because the scalding content of the mug was quickly infusing the honey. I had to make a new cup.

This reminds me of an incident I witnessed as a young teenage girl. A young lady had left her family home to follow friends and figure out life for herself. She fancied the grand lifestyle and fell victim to the pressure and influence of her friends. Her family had been searching for her whereabouts for days, weeks and then months to no avail. Except for an occasional rumour of neighbours spotting her in some part of town, there was no concrete evidence of exactly where to find her.

After several weeks, the family resorted to praying for her to return back home, hoping she made it back safe without getting into any trouble. One afternoon unannounced, she went home at a time where she didn’t expect anyone to be there. She met her stepmother who welcomed her and tried probing about why she had left and hoped she was back for good. The conversation quickly escalated into a heated exchange with of words because the young lady had no plans of staying back and wanted neither a lecture nor a sermon.

Long story short, the supposed kind gesture of her step mother to coerce her into staying back at home turned into a bitter exchange of words. The young lady was so vexed and rained insults on the woman. When the woman in her defense tried to correct her, the young lady landed her a hefty slap and vacated the house, never to return. Emotions got the better part of both parties and needless to say, their relationship died that day never to be resurrected.

That’s how Jesus’ disciple Peter so lost it that he slashed off an ear of the high priest’s servant. Even Jesus, who was under arrest kept His composure but Peter utterly lost it. Oh Lord, help us to be more like You in every way.

“Now Judas, who was betraying Him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. So Judas, having obtained the Roman cohort and some officers from the high priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that was about to happen to Him, went to them and asked, “Whom do you want?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas, who was betraying Him, was also standing with them. When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again He asked them, “Whom do you want?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you want Me, let these men go on their way.” This was to fulfill and verify the words He had spoken, “Of those whom You have given Me, I have not lost even one.” Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword [back] in its sheath! Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”” John 18:2-11 AMP

When you are right, pray for mercy. When you’re wrong, pray for mercy. And when you are not sure, still pray for mercy. What matters most is that, regardless of our disposition we still need the Holy Spirit to steer us in the right direction. He is ready and available to teach us what to say and do.

We consciously need to be more mindful with our words. The offended may forgive and choose to let go but the wound might cut so deep and the scar too vibrant that it might impact their receptiveness to other people based on that one act of lashing out “loose words” at them. Words once spoken are not recoverable. Don’t tear down what you have painstakingly built (especially human relationships) with your own words.

“A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 AMP

Keep a positive demeanor and only declare the word of God. When you have nothing nice to say try not to say anything at all.

With Love, Esinam.

His Glory!

Praise the Lord for another opportunity to glean from His Holy word. Today we consider how we can leverage on glorifying God especially in times of battle. He who takes the glory, fights the battle.

“And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.” 1 Samuel 17:42-50 KJV

Many of us are familiar with this popular scripture where David gave God the glory and thus led Israel by the mighty hand of God to win the battle over the Philistines. He knew from his experience as a shepherd boy back in the wilderness of Bethlehem what God was capable of doing. He rode on this faith and confronted Goliath as inspired by the Holy Spirit ( using his sling and stones) rather than relying of the strength of man (the ammunition that Saul offered).

“And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand. And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.” 1 Samuel 18:6-11 KJV

Notice how Saul was negatively stirred up against David when the women of Israel praised David for the victory over Goliath. That moment where the women ascribed to David more accolades (glory) than they did to Saul (the reigning king of Israel) started his battle with Saul. We learn however further down the line that David’s right standing in God’s sight (for He called him a man after His heart), delivered him from that battle ultimately.

“Therefore David blessed the Lord in the sight of all the assembly and said, “Blessed (praised, adored, and thanked) are You, O Lord God of Israel (Jacob) our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the GLORY and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and on the earth; Yours is the dominion and kingdom, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all. In Your hand is power and might; and it is in Your hands to make great and to give strength to everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your GLORIOUS name. “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You. For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope [of remaining].” 1 Chronicles 29:10-15 AMP

In the above scripture, we see how David (now king) returns all the glory to God Almighty. Just as he who takes the glory fights the battle, he who fights the battle must take the glory. Do not withhold God’s glory when he fights your battles and delivers you from difficult situations. In the book of Exodus, the song of Moses also reflects this same principle after Jehovah Nissi won the victory over Pharaoh and Egypt.

“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11 KJV

If you are yet to experience any victory you’ve been anticipating, praise while you wait. Praising God in your waiting season will stir Him up to fiercely intervene with any and all that contend with you. Always give Him the glory before, during and after the battle. The Lord will fight for you and you shall hold your peace, Amen.

With Love, Esinam.

When you are losing the battle(3)

Beloved, battles are part of the lives of great destinies. If you are a nobody the devil would not waste his time on you. And every great destiny attracts commensurate enemies. I thank God you are a special personality so count it all joy when you go through “diverse trials”.

In my previous write-ups, we learned that until sacrifices become our lifestyles, there are many things that would become unreachable to us. If we remain the same person as we used to be in previous years, we should not expect any glorious destiny.

Among the types of sacrifice we mentioned were we ourselves, sacrificial prayers and the last one we would like to discuss is fasting.

Fasting is not about abstinence of food like some dieticians may prescribe. Biblical fasting is premised on abstinence of food to “seek the face of Elohim”. Any spiritual exercise devoid of that seeking part is not biblical fasting. Jesus said “ this kind goes out except by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21). This simply means there are some situations that respond to teaching or preaching alone, others may respond to you living a holy life among others but there is a particular kind that responds only to fasting and prayer.

Most stubborn cases respond to prayer and fasting. When does prayer and fasting become a sacrifice? When it’s done consistently. What do I mean? Some people may fast once a week especially during the day they were born; others may fast 3 times a week or less depending on their graces or seriousness. The emphasis here is how often you do it. It just has to be part of your Christian life. You know in the natural we can’t live without food for sometime because we need bread on the earth but we shall not live by bread alone. What food does to our bodies is what fasting also does to our spirit man. My advice is let’s nourish our spirit man as we do to our body because we are spiritual people and if we want to be victorious here on earth we have to be like Jesus.

Remember that when fasting, we have to live a holy life. If we decide to live a life style that doesn’t please the Lord during or after the fast we have wasted your time and sometimes this kind of situation is responsible for ulcer. “Be ye holy for I’m holy” says the Bible.

Accompany your fast with prayers and genuine repentance (Jonah 3:5). As you fast, use scriptures that relate to your situation. Stand on them and pray earnestly and expect God to move in your favour as the righteous judge.

One good thing that fasting does is that it corrects neurological disorders. Possible tumors are also corrected through the instrumentality of fasting. So you see fasting does not only have spiritual benefits but also physical ones.

According to the Bible, fasting engenders tremendous power for the believer. You know what! “Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in you – Ephesians 3:20”. There is power resident in our spirit man and until we activate it, it remains inactive in us. That divine power is activated via consistent fasting and prayers and the word of God. We are living in an evil world and day in day out, the devil unleashes malignant sicknesses and attacks upon the people of God and for us to reverse that, we need to build our spirit man and get power that can match his activities . The Bible says “ and when Jesus had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterwards an hungred “ – Matthew 4:2 and in Luke 4: 14 it reads “ And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about”. It’s obvious Jesus’ fast wasn’t in vain so will our fast too not be in vain. We may have been fasting for years and may not be seeing results now.

Brethren, let’s not be deceived by the devil or by what we hear or see did “we walk by faith and not by sight”. We have been accumulating raw power to our account without knowing. The day we will be given a microphone just to lead a prayer meeting or just sing, we will know who we have become as a result of our fast . The day, we will pray for the sick or afflicted and see tremendous results we will understand and know we have active power resident in our spirit man. Our family maybe in bondage and God may have been looking for a vessel to use like us because we are serious with church activities. Would we pay that price of sacrifice? We may feel like eating our favourite food but since people suffer from generational sicknesses or curses in our family, we may have to put that food on hold until we have dealt with that issue once and for all. No one will do it for us because destiny matters are personal issues.

When we become a fasting machine, what terrifies others wouldn’t terrify us at all because we would have become “as bold as a lion” the Bible says”. If our sisters are still not married or our brothers are still not employed or we ourselves are always sick and we are still normal, let’s blame ourselves. Let’s wake up from our spiritual laziness or slumber and say to ourselves enough is enough. Say” oh Lord, help me become a serious Christian. I want to fast and see changes in my life and family. Help me Lord”. If that prayer came from your heart, you have been helped by divinity. Now take that step of faith and learn to pray and fast consistently. When you receive that power, what kills unbelievers cannot kill you. Every genuine believer or man of God who is endowed with authentic spiritual power is a prayer and fasting machine. You can’t deal with some altars without corrosive power from Jesus. A measure of that power we have as Believers but it would not be enough until we go for more through consistent prayer and fasting. Power can be likened to money. If I have say GHC 1000.00 I have money it’s true. That money can buy an article worth GHC 1000.00 but can it buy a brand new car for instance? The answer is no! Why it’s true I have money but my money is not sufficient enough to buy the car I need and for that matter I must go and get the money that’s needed to purchase that car. That’s how the anointing or power functions. The power you have now may be able to heal headaches but can it heal cancer? If it can’t then you may need more power to undo the works of darkness. Receive that power now!

By the unction vested in me, I declare and decree let that menstrual and erectile problem be corrected now in the name of Jesus. I bind the power behind that situation and I declare and decree, receive your healing in the name of Jesus!

If you have medical conditions and so you can’t fast because your doctor advised you not to do so, kindly obey the medical practitioner. After your healing, you may fast.

On a flip side , if your faith allows you to fast irrespective of your conditions, may the Lord Jesus help you.

God bless you!

Dr. David Tobi Ogoudou

Up on cloud nine

You know that feeling when your thoughts are jumbled and you space to think and an enabling environment to gather your thoughts?It’s a similar reason why campus communities are built for students, why libraries designed especially for reading, why offices have been structured for workers. A studio is a haven for an artist or photographer to curate masterpieces and a certain mood is vital for intercourse or “knowing” between spouses. You need to be in a certain space/ mind-frame/ atmosphere/ aura to experience and encounter the unusual.

Take a step back from life as you know it and separate yourself. This requires you to be very intentional about blocking a time every day to meet with God. “Quiet Time” is the time you spend with God alone. By making and spending time with God, you build and develop the most important relationship that can ever be. Quiet Time involves making time to read your Bible, meditating on what you have read (Saying it to yourself) and praying by yourself. In today’s post I want to share with you how to make quiet time an important habit of your life.

Turn your frequency up a notch so you can connect /plug in. There are 7 secrets you should definitely take note of to understand the essence of having a personal quiet time:

1. During your quiet time you develop the most important relationship in your life. A natural relationship develops between any two people who spend quality time together. Spend quality time with God. Many Christians do not know the importance of this time with God. John 17:3 says, “Now this is Eternal Life: That they know you. The only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent.” Proverbs 8:17 also says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.”

2. Having your quiet time makes you develop the most important personal habit of all time: a regular time with God. By having quiet time every day, you learn how to make time for the most important things in life first. You learn to prioritise your time and your goals and how you serve God. Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember you creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when say. “I have no delight in them”

3. During your quiet time you draw near to God and He draws near to you. By having quiet time every day, you learn how to dwell in the secret place of God. ”Those that dwell in the secret place of the LORD shall abide under the shadows of His wings”. James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

4. A quiet time makes you read the most important book in the world. The Bible is the most important book in the world. It is the most outstanding volume known to the human race. Matthew 24:35 – Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

5. Your quiet time is your personal school of the word. During your quiet time, you sit and learn at the feet of the greatest teacher Jesus left us – the Holy Spirit. He will teach you many things and show you many wonderful revelations in the Word. John 16:12-13 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…and he will shew you things to come.

6. During your quiet time you increase in your personal knowledge of scriptures. By studying the word you show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Tim 2:15). We learn these also from the second book of Peter “…add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;…” (2 Peter 1:5) and (2 Peter 3:18 ) “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ…”. Your personal quiet time gives you the opportunity to add knowledge to your faith.

7. During your quiet time you experience the presence of God. By studying the word you will know that thanksgiving is the foundation of all your praise and also know that God inhabits the praises of His people. Adam experienced the presence of the Lord in the Garden of Eden until he backslid. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God…( Genesis 3:8)

Drink deep or taste not the saying goes. Why hover on shallow waters when there’s so much nourishment in the deep? If you really desire to encounter God and the beauty of His presence you may ask how do I do this? Below are 3 strategies to get you started:

• Strategy #1 – Set a practical, unchangeable and regular time for your quiet time. You must set a regular time when you meet God. It is very important that you set a regular time for your quiet time. Notice that Moses had his quiet time in the morning. And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount. And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount. (Exodus 34:2,3)

Strategy # 2 – Withdraw from the presence of other people. Although fellowship is good, it has its place. And no man shall come up with thee,… (Exodus 34:3). A quiet time is a time when you are alone with God. You cannot develop a personal relationship with someone unless you are alone with the person.

Strategy #3 – Create an atmosphere that is conducive for fellowship with God. You can do this by playing good worship music in the background.

If you’ve read all the way to the end, then your hunger and thirst for intimacy with God needs satisfying. How about you pause right now and schedule your next private appointment with your Heavenly Father. He yearns to spend time with you too.

With Love, Esinam.

The Wisdom of Humility (3)

The best protection a believer can have from the devil and his schemes is a humble heart.

Jonathan Edwards

Let me share an incident that happened a couple of months back. A young lady was found having an exchange with an older man at a car park. It appeared something had gone wrong and for whatever reason she was unable to maintain her composure causing her to speak very rudely and disrespectfully to the man. The man on the other hand was calm amidst her ranting and insults because as a church worker (yes please, the incident occurred at a church car park while service was ongoing), he had been trained to manage such situations with decorum.

The next morning at his place of work, he had an important role to play on a recruitment panel that was expected to carry out interviews to fill vacancies for their organization. And you guessed right, amongst the first candidates, in walked the very lady from the unpleasant exchange the previous day. Needless to say, she didn’t get the job, not because of his influence or any incompetence on her part but rather because she was overcome with shame and embarrassment and could barely sit through the interview. She left!!!

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” – James 4:1-4 NIV

Jesus Christ came into this world to restore humility by being a humble person and being obedient. God resists the proud but He gives grace to the humble. May we not go through this life with God being in opposition with us. What a terrible life that will be. In fact, I doubt anything would work in your favour should you find yourself in that place.

The loss of humility is the cause of every defect and failure in the human race.

Andrew Murray

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:4-10 NIV

3 Things to remember:

  • Wisdom avoids unnecessary conflict.
  • Wisdom is quick to ask God for help.
  • Wisdom does not play with the devil or try to push God away.

Now let us say this prayer together:

“Lord I am thankful for the restoration of humility in my life because I have discovered that a lack of humility is the explanation for every defect, sin and failure in my life. I pray that through my humility you will give me grace. I am thankful that You will no longer resist or oppose me throughout the course of my life.

Restore me to the place of a son/ daughter that I may be humble to receive instruction, guidance, correction, chastening and rebukes through Your word, the Holy Spirit and any Spiritual Authority You have ordained over my life. May I bear the special fruits of righteousness and holiness as a result of being Your son/daughter through humility. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

With Love, Esinam.

The Wisdom of Humility (2)

Have you ever been at some networking event where someone avoided you because you were not dressed in fancy or expensive designer clothing? Have you witnessed discrimination in seating at an event in church because of social status/wealth or the lack of it thereof? Or have you ever been approached by someone and thought in your head that “nope, this person is not my type”. These are all examples of high mindedness and it is a sign of the lack of humility.

Slow down, I’m not trying to be judgmental here. We have all been been guilty of such habits or victims of similar incidents at some point in our lives for varied reasons. I’m only attempting to share lessons of humility drawn from the book of James with you. Now let us see what James says regarding this matter:

“My fellow believers, do not practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of partiality [toward people—show no favoritism, no prejudice, no snobbery]. For if a man comes into your meeting place wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in dirty clothes also comes in, and you pay special attention to the one who wears the fine clothes, and say to him, “You sit here in this good seat,” and you tell the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down [on the floor] by my footstool,” have you not discriminated among yourselves, and become judges with wrong motives? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters: has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and [as believers to be] heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you [in contrast] have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress and exploit you, and personally drag you into the courts of law? Do they not blaspheme the precious name [of Christ] by which you are called?” James 2:1-7 AMP

This scripture got me thinking though… “is it wrong to zone a person especially when for some reason your spirit does not ‘vibe’ with them?” How about if they have genuinely been rude to you instead or are just unpleasant (not just to you but confirmed by others who have interacted with them). I found the wisdom key in the below popular scripture:

“Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [conceited, self-important, exclusive], but associate with humble people [those with a realistic self-view]. Do not overestimate yourself. Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:16-18 AMP

Certainly you can’t be everyone’s cup of tea, just as everyone can’t be yours. The salient truth however is to ensure that whatever you do or say is led by the Holy Spirit and pleasing in the sight of God. Motives, goals, agendas, dreams, plans and objectives for every individual on this planet are different and inspired by several combinations or even permutations of influences that we can’t even begin to analyze.

“If, however, you are [really] fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, if you have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit]” you are doing well. But if you show partiality [prejudice, favoritism], you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as offenders. For whoever keeps the whole Law but stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of [breaking] all of it. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you murder, you have become guilty of transgressing the [entire] Law. Speak and act [consistently] as people who are going to be judged by the law of liberty [that moral law that frees obedient Christians from the bondage of sin]. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; but [to the one who has shown mercy] mercy triumphs [victoriously] over judgment.”James 2:8-13 AMP

How dreadful it would be that a child of God be accounted as guilty of transgressing the law after living all your life diligently obeying all the laws but failing at only one. Oh may God help us by His mercies to also be graceful and merciful unto one another so that mercy will speak for us on the day of judgement. The highest concern for every believer who fears God should be to please Him and hear Him say well done when we give our life’s account. He sees our hearts and knows our motives. Remember our faith needs to be validated by works but also these works will be tried by fire.

“What is the benefit, my fellow believers, if someone claims to have faith but has no [good] works [as evidence]? Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient—genuine faith produces good works.] If a brother or sister is without [adequate] clothing and lacks [enough] food for each day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace [with my blessing], [keep] warm and feed yourselves,” but he does not give them the necessities for the body, what good does that do? So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective]. But someone may say, “You [claim to] have faith and I have [good] works; show me your [alleged] faith without the works [if you can], and I will show you my faith by my works [that is, by what I do].” You believe that God is one; you do well [to believe that]. The demons also believe [that], and shudder and bristle [in awe-filled terror—they have seen His wrath]! But are you willing to recognize, you foolish [spiritually shallow] person, that faith without [good] works is useless? Was our father Abraham not [shown to be] justified by works [of obedience which expressed his faith] when he offered Isaac his son on the altar [as a sacrifice to God]? You see that [his] faith was working together with his works, and as a result of the works, his faith was completed [reaching its maturity when he expressed his faith through obedience]. And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and this [faith] was credited to him [by God] as righteousness and as conformity to His will,” and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man (believer) is justified by works and not by faith alone [that is, by acts of obedience a born-again believer reveals his faith]. In the same way, was Rahab the prostitute not justified by works too, when she received the [Hebrew] spies as guests and protected them, and sent them away [to escape] by a different route? For just as the [human] body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works [of obedience] is also dead.”James 2:14-26 AMP

Interesting scripture above; Abraham was a just man who commanded His house based on God’s instructions. He backed his faith with works and it was accounted to him as righteousness. Rahab on the other hand was a harlot but she also validated her faith by her works when she kept the Hebrew spies and covered up for them leading to her salvation and deliverance as well as the triumph of Israel over Jericho. The key emphasis here is not just having works, but having works of obedience (that conform to the word and will of God). Essentially having works to validate our faith is not a feel-good formula where we do things that satisfy our souls and present them before God. It is a glorify-Him instruction where we as children of God are humbly submitted to God’s every leading as guided by the Holy Spirit. Don’t forget, it is mercy that speaks for us, not our own righteousness. Selah!

It is said that pride comes before a fall but the above is proof that humility will not just prevent you from falling but will guarantee that you attain great heights. May we be humble enough to show love without bias and be gracious and merciful to one another. May we be humble enough to show kindness and not just show love in words but in deeds. May we be humble enough to not be high minded and esteem ourselves better than others. May we be humble enough to prove our faith in God by zealously working in God’s vineyard. Let the word of God and it’s revelations thereof be so etched in our hearts that we never miss our way. Above all may the Holy Spirit lead us in all humility in Jesus’ precious Name.

With Love, Esinam.

The Wisdom of Humility (1)

Being humble can be a tricky choice to make, especially in a world where you are likely to be trampled on by others or even taken advantage of. But it is a wise thing to live in humility; most importantly in humility to the word and will of God and living in obedience to it.

A lot of us are quick to pray and ask God to reveal to us His will for our lives. We ask the Holy Spirit to order our steps and guide our feet and blah blah blah. Question is, when God’s word is revealed are we humble enough to firstly accept it and then most importantly obey it by doing as is required of us?

“If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind. For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides]. Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position [as a born-again believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God]; and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; its flower falls off and its beauty fades away; so too will the rich man, in the midst of his pursuits, fade away.”James 1:5-11 AMP

Don’t try to earn your way. Grace is a free gift, but you ought to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. These are the two sides of the Christian faith. Works and virtues don’t earn you salvation or favour with God, but how will anyone know what you believe if it is not evident in your lifestyle?

“Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us]. So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].”James 1:19-25 AMP

It might sound like a ridiculous thing to stand in the mirror and see a reflection of yourself but forget what you look like a while after walking away. This is however a reality for many of us. We ask God to speak to us and when His words comes, we hear it but soon forget because we are not doers of it. Remember the parable of the sower where there were four types of ground that received the seeds the sower spread abroad. There was the wayside, the stony ground, the thorny ground and the good soil.

The wayside ground is too obsessed with the vanities of life making it easy for the birds of the air to steal the seed and indoctrinate them with foolishness. The stony ground is too proud and shallow minded and hence the word is unable to gain roots. The thorny ground accepts the word but allows the cares of this world to infiltrate their lives. They easily get distracted and lose focus making the seed wither before it has the chance to bloom. It takes a humble person who is willing to prepare their heart in readiness for the season of the seed to embrace the word of God and obey it.

Remember those days in school when it was believed that the smartest students asked the most questions? I wouldn’t necessarily agree that that theory is valid. What I however believe is that their questions revealed one of two things: a hunger and desire to obtain knowledge just to satisfy some level of curiosity or their genuine interest in the subject matter not just for the moment but for a long term ambition. Either which way, they had a teachable spirit that was humble enough to seek knowledge.

And even for those who were shy to ask questions, most would make a conscious effort to read further and research to obtain more information way after the class is over. Going to the library, for tutorials and group studies were all ways to get a better understanding of a subject one was truly interested in or at least wanted to pass in. The life we live is a test on its own. Wouldn’t you rather go the extra mile to have a better understanding of how to navigate it with ease while relying on the Creator (God) who has freely given us a blueprint/manual (The Bible)?

May we be humble enough not just to ask (seek, knock) but also to live in obedience concerning what God instructs us to do. May grace be sufficient for us to make our faith steadfast. May we also have humility to substantiate our faith with good works.

With Love, Esinam.