To Bless Those Who Persecute You! Only By Grace!

Apr19

Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Friends, I don’t know about you but it’s somehow a struggle to abide by this scripture with those that have done you grievous harm when you have the means to hurt them back badly. Am being honest! Struggle for sure, ‘cos I want to give them a dose of their poison too! But then, what’s the difference between us? Go higher!

It’s even more tempting not to jubilate when God start dealing with them. And He let you in on it! Sweet hey? Na na na! Pray for them!

Yes, you understand that they allowed themselves to be used of Satan, but they could have resisted right? For the Scriptures says offense will come, but woe unto whom it will come through – Matthew 18:7

Yoruba will say, “omo ti ko ni je ki iya oun sun, oun nan ko ni fi oju kan orun” Meaning, a child that says she will not allow her Mom to sleep definitely will not sleep herself.

If you continuously work against someones peace, peace will elude you too. Isn’t it better to forgive them and let God deal with them as He is doing already!

Vengeance is the Lord and He knows much better how to deal with those who troubles you – 2 Thessalonians 1:6. He knows where to deal the blow for the best result than you could ever imagine.

You must ask for grace to forgive, let it go! I know it is tough, especially when it’s from professing “believers”. I mean those “working” the Scriptures, like second nature yet act wickedly towards others! I mean, they should know better right?

Do your part, forgive and let God do His part. He is doing it better than you’ll ever imagine or know!

Lord, help me to forgive and let go of those that are hurting me right now so I may receive forgiveness for my own sin. You have helped me to overcome past hurts, thank you. Abba Father, according to 2 Thessalonians 1:6 trouble those that troubles me with tribulations. Let them be caught in their own snares, disappoint their scheming heart. Father, deal with them ruthlessly if they refuse to repent. Saul pursued David to his own ruin. Every one standing between me and my next level, let the hands that is not of mortal uproot them from my path. Every soul, those who have lent themselves to Satan, that want to stand in your place in my life Oh Lord my God, like dagon let them be bowed down, let them be crushed by your mighty hands in Jesus mighty name.

Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!

Contentment! Great Gain!

Apr17

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:10-12

Blessed is the man who is content with such as he has. Greed eats the soul up. Like the grave, nothing satisfy the shallow. In plenty they are never satisfied, devoid of peace in the inward being. ☀Radiant Glory

Genuine Conversion, Holy Spirit, And Mammon!

Apr10

Acts 8:9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

Friends, from the passage above, you would think and believe Simon’s conversion was genuine. You see friends, as human and as feeble as our emotions are, we want to belong! None of us want to be ostracized no matter how independent, wise, powerful or strong we are. We don’t want to be the only one out of the pack if we can avoid it.

Note that Simon had been a celebrity in Samaria, well known and celebrated by all until Philip came on the scene. Philip brought the real deal and everyone quickly saw the difference between darkness and light. They unanimously yielded to the light. The people believed the things they heard concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ and were baptized.

Unfortunately, people are not hearing about the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus today according to the Scriptures. What we hear these days, from the Catholic to the Protestant – Presbyterian, Pentecostal and all is more of self-marketing, promotion, traditions, and outright deviation from the truth of the Gospel.

It seems it’s the in thing to be a Christian now, to be born again, to be associated with truth, light, moral, right standing and all that many are willing and ready to pretend in order to belong without conviction and repentance of sin.

Simon was one and many more today declaring faith in the Kingdom of God and in the name of Jesus Christ, yet offering money to purchase positions in the Kingdom, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. In verse 18. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

The gift of the Holy Spirit cannot be bought! Neither the fruit of the Spirit! How else can this be explained to you? We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23. Every single one of us! However, there is provision for us to be saved, For God so loved the world that He gave us His beloved son – John 3:16! To everyone that believes in the Son of God – John 3:36, Salvation is guaranteed by faith alone. You cannot buy it, and if you fake it, time will tell! Faith can only come by hearing the word of God – Romans 10:17. 

What word then are you hearing? Preachers! what word are you preaching? Are we seeing a transformation in ourselves? Are people been discipled? Or is it all about the money, position, numbers, activities? All these are not going to be in the book of records! Neither will it matter here when you are gone. Ask the super rich! They are soon forgotten! Every single one of us will be forgotten, only the lives we touch and how we make others feel about themselves will outlive us! Do not base your existence here on mammon! It will never satisfy you! It will make living easy, but contentment is from God!

Greed-is-a-bottomless-pit-which-exhausts-theActs 8:20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are (avaricious) poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” 24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”

 

Father, I pray in Jesus mighty name that the thought of my heart and those of my friends contrary to your words be forgiven us in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!

 

Three Years On!

Apr10

It’s Joansanusi.com anniversary.

I am so glad to have a forum to share my thoughts and also learn from others. This blog has been a safe place for my thoughts, a reservoir of a sort to share my inward working.

To all my followers all over the world, a big thank you. To my occasional visitors, thanks, to my constant encourager, commenting and giving me feedback, thank you so much for inspiring me to continue thinking. Yeah! I appreciate you all!

Thanks, everyone!

Joan

Your Latter Days Shall Be Better

Apr5

Oh Lord, what have I done to deserve this? Who have I sinned against Mummy? These and many more questions I used to ask my mother of blessed memory. Having known “religion” as a child, living truthfully to the best of my knowledge according to my understanding of The Word, I did not expect the experiences of life apportioned to me.

My Mom’s response had always been, “you don’t have to sin against someone to be attacked by wickedness”. My prayer for you is that ” ale a san e ju owuro lo” as in “your latter days shall be better”. I did not know this was scriptural for a long time until I read Haggai 2:9  ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place, I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

patient in spirit

To everyone who has been tossed by tempest here, there, and overboard, yet holding on to the promises of God, abiding in His presence, the sun of righteousness has this word for you. Haggai 2:4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts. Keep working out your faith friends! Keep doing the needful.

Jpottereremiah 30:22 ‘You shall be My people, and I will be your God.’” If you take time to examine yourself, you will realize that you have been growing closer to Christ. Through these experiences, God has been revealing more of himself to you. You are growing through, breaking forth into who you are created to be, strong, capable, and resilient. God is walking you, guiding you through friends. Isn’t that awesome!

Job 8:7 Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly. Ecclesiastic 7:8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; Endure this season with joy for the refreshment is presently been prepared. You shall laugh last! The Potter is making something extremely beautiful – Jeremiah 18. Abide In The Word!

Believe the Word! It works wonders!

Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!

The Healing Word

Apr5

Excerpt from The Healing Word – Open Heavens Devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye

1 John 1:8-9 says:

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Beloved, the above scripture is the healing word that the Lord is sending to you today, irrespective of the number of years you have spent in your walk with Him.

Do you believe it?

The healing we are talking of today is not only physical; it is also spiritual, material, financial, marital, intellectual, and all-encompassing.

In whatever you are need healing today, by the word of the Lord I say to you, be healed in Jesus’ mighty Name.

Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!