FACT OR FICTION

What's Easter all about? Easter bunnies, coloured eggs, Christ's resurrection? What say ye? i might have my opinion but some disagree. They say the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is either... the greatest event, or the greatest fraud in history! Did Jesus Christ actually rise from the dead? Dr. Simon Greenleaf, the Royal Professor of Law at Harvard University, was one of the greatest legal minds that ever lived. He believed the Resurrection of Jesus Christ was a hoax. And he determined, once and for all, to expose the "myth" of the Resurrection. After thoroughly examining the evidence for the resurrection — Dr. Greenleaf came to the exact opposite conclusion! He concluded that according to the jurisdiction of legal evidence the resurrection of Jesus Christ was the best supported event in all of history! What changed his mind? What evidence did Dr. Greenleaf encounter that so drastically turned him around? What facts did he discover that he could not rationally ignore? For more information see http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/jesus/greenleaf.html The church in Corinth had to deal with similar problems. Many false teachers claimed that there was no resurrection from the dead. Paul told them that if Christ was not raised, then the salvation proclaimed through Christ was a lie and they were still pitifully lost in their sins. Where Adam’s sin brought death to all, Christ’s death and resurrection bring new life to all who come to Him. Only those who are in Christ through spiritual birth will be raised to live eternally with Him. The hope that the Resurrection brings encourages us to look back to what Christ did for us through His death and resurrection and to look forward to what He will do for us when He comes again. We need to live today as people who are convinced that eternal life is ours through faith in Christ. Christ’s Victory over death and sin is available to all who believe in Him. The hope in the Resurrection can help believers now and in the future. In the present, that victory is over sin, in the future, that victory will provide us with incorruptible bodies. As believers, the hope of our resurrection can have a powerful impact on our lives, guarantees victory over death 1Corinthians 15:20. We know our future is in God’s hands, a future that is wonderful beyond description. So we can steadfastly and confidently serve God, knowing that our work for Him is not in vain. JESUS DIED! IT’S NOT A STORY...IT'S A MESSAGE. Happy celebration of this great weekend & the future; Happy Easter!

IWA LEWA

Doing my post graduate studies in languages, i've come to appreciate the dynamism and beauty of language, 'efik, ibo, hausa, itsekiri, yoruba etc'. There is this depth, bond within a speech community we experience whilst speaking local dialect that the ambiguity of English Language cannot give. Abi no be so?...lol

An adage like 'Iwa Lewa' in Yoruba meaning, 'Character is Beauty'. Take in some deep breath and meditate on those words.

I've met really fine, i mean super-dressing, drop-dead-gorgeous looking persons in this life. You may even count it a privilege of sorts to be in such company but suddenly they open their mouth and your fantasy is dashed on the ground, like mud smeared on your face. Hmmm...the stink of pride, rudeness, poor character...no man can bear!.

Today the Psalmist says, "i will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? i will walk within my house with a perfect heart 101:2". So i ask, is it possible to be perfect? Can we have a perfect heart? 

Some of my friends said a blatant No! 'only God can be perfect they said'. But i beg to disagree. I believe strongly that we can affirm and cooperate with God's purpose to transform us into the likeness of Christ.

I remember my past. I was always angry or sad, not caring for anything or anyone, my soul hardened and black...Today, my life is different, filled with Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and so much more by the instrumentality of God's word, his grace, mercy and prayers. i get closer to perfection daily.

That bad habit can be dropped; the Good habits developed. You can't change your life without effort. Whether it is losing weight , breaking a habit or changing your attitudes, every step forward requires effort. The key is to decide NOW to begin making the changes needed in your life.

i can tell you how for free; Develop a plan , list the areas of weakness, get Christian literature on that matter, commit to prayer, study God's word & get wise Christian counsel, we can cooperate with the Holy Spirit to make the changes needed to become more Christlike.

Make wise choices today, grow in Christ, Be Perfect, let the frangrance of your character exude today, develop Godly Character.

Character is Beauty; 'Iwa Lewa'.

SYSTEM FAILURE

System failure in computer science refers to a situation when a computer system fails, as a result of failure of one or more of its components. For instance, when a hard drive fails, it will prevent the computer from being able to boot. This same principle applies to our body system. If one part of our body is not functioning properly, the whole body will not perform optimally.

 

 We as believers, are not far from this same principle in our communal life. God has design each one of us with a unique ability and has in His omniscience placed us exactly where we find ourselves today. 


The question then is do we accept our place in the municipal of Christ?

It takes a lot more than a big “Yes!” to belong. Jesus gave two examples: about a man who wants to build a tower and his failure to complete it will bring ridicule to him for lack of foresight and about how a wise king would decide beforehand whether to go to war (if he has the military strength) or seek alternate conflict resolution technique pointed out that one cannot be a half-hearted disciple.

Following Jesus and doing His will is an all-or-nothing effort. Those who do God’s will do what pleases Him before what please others. This obedience can come at a high cost. If family and friends do not hold this same value, relationships can become strained or broken. It can be a high cost to leave behind family and friends to serve only Him. Still, He calls us to forsake all and say good-bye to everything else.

NOW THAT WE ARE SAVED, WHAT NEXT?

Once adopted into God’s family, one’s relationship to the spiritual family (body of Christ) becomes very important. Together we the body of Christ doing His work until His return. We depend on one another to accomplish this task. No one person can do this work alone. This then demands variety and diversity. It is impossible for one part of the body to be the whole Body by itself. All the different parts are needed in order to make the Body complete (I Corinthians 12:17, 19). Even these members we may think are weaker or feebler have a purpose. Some parts receives less recognition but they serve an important place in the Body all the same.

Rom 12:6-8:

⁶ God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, then prophesy whenever you can-as often as your faith is strong enough to receive a message from God. ⁷ If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. ⁸ If you are a preacher, see to it that your sermons are strong and helpful. If God has given you money, be generous in helping others with it. If God has given you administrative ability and put you in charge of the work of others, take the responsibility seriously. Those who offer comfort to the sorrowing should do so with Christian cheer.   (The Living Bible)

                                                       LOVING OTHERS           

Have you ever had bad neighbors or friends? What’s the worst thing that was done to you?  When I asked my guys in the studio, they all shouted, ‘Ha! Plenty o! Of course, I asked for gist. Victor recounted how his best friend took his ATM card and withdrew all the money in his account; Charles told us how his roommate he lent his laptop switched his 750Gig hard disk for 60Gig, Sam recounted backstabbing moments, I remembered stories of people poisoned, lied against and even killed. What’s your story?

Can we still show love to people despite these experiences? YES! Jesus did it, and so can we. Today’s lesson examines the second part of the great Commandment and how it affects our relationships with people around us. It is impossible to please God without loving others.

Besides loving God, loving one’s neighbor is the most important part of a person’s lifestyle. The two go hand -in- hand and cannot be separated loving God and loving others. Jesus made it clear that we cannot love God and not love our neighbors.

Jesus gave us two supreme commands: Love God and love your neighbor. These two commandments are tied together and cannot be separated. This is emphasized repeatedly throughout the New Testament. Yet, it remains challenge for every believer.

This may be a good opportunity for us to evaluate our lives in this matter of loving others sincerely and living harmoniously (despite their excesses). The Holy Spirit is given to every believer to produce love that honors and prefers others. Let us invite the Holy Spirit to work in us in relationships where we are especially having difficulty.

 

Let us determine not to look down on or judge fellow believers who practice their faith differently. Determine to trust God to take care of them and help all believers mature in their faith.

So help us God.

SUNDAY SCHOOL DIARIES: DATING GOD

SUNDAY SCHOOL DIARIES: DATING GOD

DATING GOD

DATING GOD

One dear friend of mine, Damien, recently got closer than mere friends. I liked him too and it seemed a relationship was on the way. He told me all the sweet words ever, how he loves, adores and respects me, said how he felt i was the perfect mate. We spent long hours talking & hanging out but i was still uncertain of his plans especially checking my calendar.
 
At some point i had to ask, 'Damien dear, where are we going with all this love & closeness thing? What's the plan for us?'. The response shocked me. He wanted us to start dating, have a relationship until we are sure we can be together forever. Hmmm...what else did he want to know? Was he window shopping or buying (you can follow this link for more on men window-shopping for women http://berylehondor.blogspot.com/2013/02/window-shopping-or-buying.html ) , afterall he had known me for over 5years and the dating game always had an expiry date that may leave a sour taste in the mouth, carcass of wasted emotion and unchecked expenses…
 
Our Lesson today clearly defines our relationship with God. Its not a Dating Game. It’s got a purpose, clearly spelt out and its completely mutual (with us gaining even more, as we don't have to take God to expensive restaurants or spend money we don't have...lol). Loving God is the believer's highest purpose especially because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
 
So to provide a simple, summary statement to define a believer's duty/relationship with God, Jesus hinted us in Mark 12:28-30. We need to identify and obey the great commandment; To love God wholeheartedly and how we can express Love for God in everyday living.
 
According to Keri Russell, 'Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can change your life forever'. Will you take a decision to love God (even more) according to his will and purpose Today?

Matthew^37-38 Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. .”

If the most important thing in your life is to love God, you must regularly examine the temperature of your relationship with him. Is it cold, lukewarm or hot? You are as close to God as you want to be. So ask questions, seek answers; What can you do today to stir your own heart and soul into loving action? What spiritual resources can you use to help you grow in your love for the Lord.

You may have forgotten what he promised and has done for you. I like to make a list of all the many ways God has worked in my life. Try it, then share the list with someone of these blessings, expressing gratitude for his Love & work in your life.

Damien & I won’t get married because I refused to play the waiting , sorry Dating Game; Don’t try to date God, He wants a real permanent relationship, Any reason why you can’t?