Taken Aside!

Oct15

Mark 7:32 -37 A deaf and dumb man was brought to Jesus to be healed. Jesus then took the man aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his finger into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and commanded the ears to open and it opened and the man’s tongue loosened and he began to speak plainly.

I wonder what would be going through my mind as a deaf and dumb that was brought to Jesus to be healed. Why is He taking me aside from those that are or want to help me? My companion, my parents, my friends, neighbors and well wishers! Just lay hand on me here I would have uttered if I was able to speak! If only Lord!

But then God’s way is not our ways. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55

Some of us have been taken aside, moved away, separated from all things familiar and desired so that Christ may work in us, to enable us see, hear, and speak eloquently.

Many a time we will not understand; some of us are resisting, and some are complying with the direction the Spirit is leading us. May God help us all to flow with the Holy Spirit.

Lord, I know you have taken me aside, you have put your hands in my ears, your spit unclogged my arteries flushing out every deposit that is not of you, and you have touched my tongue with your fire loosening and purging me as in Isaiah 6:6-10

I have not heard you lately though Lord, speak to my heart Savior! My hope is in your saving grace, draw me close to you. Let me hear and see you clearly, let my heart be receptive, and let your words find a fertile ground in me, and let my lips speak of your wondrous wonder to the glory of your Holy name I pray in Jesus mighty name. Amen

All you need to do for Christ to take you aside is to acknowledge your need for His help friends. Ask the Lord to save your soul this day. He will give sight to your eyes, hearing to your ears, give you a receptive heart, and anoint your lips with words that sustain the weary. You will become Christ mouthpiece bringing comfort to the comfortless. Be born again friends! I bid you in Jesus mighty name!

Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!

What Defiles! The Heart!

Oct11

Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 18 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” Mark 7:14

My first thought when reading this was a question, “What about sex, alcohol and drugs?”

But then I got my answer in verse 18 ‘Are you so dull?” he asked.. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body. 20 He went on:

“What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come – sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Mark 7:20-23

This is where most of us are caught, our thought life, not seen, secret, but very potent! This is where we plan to kill, steal, murder, manipulate, commit sexual sins and all. The sin that easily beset us occurs here, in our hearts. I have caught myself many a time and I must say, very disappointed that such thought could even come to me. The battlefield of our minds!

This is why King Solomon said in Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it flows the issues of life.

Premeditated murder, adultery, fornication, covetousness, manipulation – sorcery, envy, jealousy and all kinds of evil stem from that little seed sown, watered, pruned and nursed to fruition – this is what defiles.

I don’t know about you but I am asking for mercy here. I have had some very bad thoughts and the Holy Spirit does check me and I will be like, “Where does that even come from?” I mean, I am holy, righteous, redeemed, speaking in tongues, why would such thought come up within me?

This is where I demolish every arguments and every pretensions that sets itself up against the knowledge of God for my life and destiny, and I bring every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. And then I am ready to punish every act of disobedience, because my obedience is complete in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 personified.

Father, I know that there are at least one other person with me saying I don’t know why, but often than I want to acknowledge, I have entertained bad thoughts, passed lewd comments, acted in certain ways that does not befit me as an ambassador of The Gospel, I ask for mercy today Lord, forgive me and help me by your Holy Spirit to nip evil thought in the bud.

Almighty God, let evil not fester in my heart, saturate my being with your presence, Holy Spirit I ask in Jesus name.

Thank you Father for pruning and molding us to be Christlike! We are open Lord for your correction, and thank you for a receptive heart.

Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!

The Elderly!

Oct10

I wonder how success is truly measured in God’s sight!! Hmmmmm. Can anyone be regarded as successful, though they have all the similitude of success, cars, houses, huge funds investment, savings etcetera if they have or are not taking care of their parents? Mark 7:5-13

The religious always hold unto the mundane, neglecting the weightier and most important law of the Lord. Loving God, our neighbors, and ourselves is more important than any other for upon this is all established.

Many parents are in nursing homes with no visitation, many are there in abject poverty while their kids are swimming in everything money can buy! Friends, if you are too busy to visit, employ someone to visit on your behalf for crying out loud!

Seriously, take time out to visit your parents, they cared for you and you should care for them now! Let them crossover knowing they were and are loved and that you are proud of who they are!

In some cultures, a parent that died in penury is buried in coffins worth $50,000 with the elaborate ceremonies of another $50,000. Can such children be termed successful? No! That child is but a failure!

Jesus when he was leaving the earth made provision for His mother even though he was not the only child of Mary. He said in John 19:26 ” When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”

Please friends, there is no excuse to neglect our parents! This is the first commandments with a promise of longevity!

Go show some love please!

Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!

Anchored!

Oct9

Mark 6:53-56 When they crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever he went – into villages, towns or countryside – they placed the sick in the marketplace. … ALL WHO TOUCHED IT WERE HEALED

Friends, Jesus is everywhere and anywhere you call His name. He has anchored in your backyard, front yard and in your heart! He is at that troubled office, home, congregation, conglomerate etc

Will you call upon His name today for the salvation of your soul? Healing of your body, and emotions? Will you call on Him who is able to restore your marriage, career, ministry, ………. and self esteem?

Reach out in faith friends, He is nearer than you think!

Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!

Watch, Pray, Be Expectant!

Oct8

Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the Oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Mark 6:47-50

Okay Lord, I do not understanding why you waited till just before dawn to come towards me when you saw me last night straining. You saw the strain of my situation and circumstances discomforting me. You knew I was having difficulty at the beginning of this endeavor, this business, this pregnancy, relationship,this career, this ministry, this marriage, health, whatever OARS means to you put it there friends. Yet you waited Lord! You did not come to me right away! Why!!!! Why!!!!

And then when you decided to come, you acted like you were passing me by. You could not speak to me from afar, announcing that you were on your way, you scared me Lord! I thought you were a ghost. I mean, I couldn’t sleep all night, troubled, tossed here and there, my energy sapped, my will weakened, and you were going to walk by me? Mark 6:47-50

Jesus! You knew all things. You knew I was afraid. I almost pissed in my pant! Why did you walk on the water like that? You could have waited longer till day break so I could see that it was you, I mean why come just before dawn? Mark 6:47-50

Friends, whatever situation and circumstances you are in, the Lord knows and He is coming, maybe already there! You also need to remember that He showed up the last time you needed a miracle. The Lord want us to pay attention always to every event. He want us to watch and pray – Mark 14:38

If we are not watching and praying, and expectant, there is no way we will see the miracle, signs and wonder we are waiting for. Watching alone will not give us result, at best we will see all and everything that scares us. When we pray, our spiritual antenna comes up to sensitize us to see what natural eyes cannot see, we get an understanding of the times like the children of Issachar – 1 Chronicles 12:32. When we are expectant, it shows that we believe what we have asked for – 1 John 5:14-15

I announce to you today that if you believe, you will see the glory of God – John 11:40

Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!

Social Responsibility! He Fed!

Oct7

By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. ‘This is a remote place,” they said, ” and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, ” That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 ” How many loaves do you have? he asked. ” Go and see.” Mark 6:35-38

When the disciples came back from doing exploit, Jesus took them to a solitary place so they can rest, regain the virtues they have expended. However, multitudes saw them leave in a boat and followed them. When it was late in the evening, the disciples asked Jesus to send the people away so they can go and have supper.

Correct me friends if I am wrong. This is exactly what is going on in African, and Black American Churches – These are the ones I am familiar with okay. The people put in their cents and dollars in the offering basket day in day out, years after years and when there comes a need for that money to be spent for the good of all, the people are then referred to go sort themselves out! Where is our social responsibility? Where is our compassion like Jesus taught? Be reminded: The disciples made the same mistake, and Jesus corrected them.

The continent of Africa is riddled with poverty and our Men of God are numbered among the wealthiest in the world, amassing wealth but not giving back to the pocket from which these funds came from. The old time Churches built schools, provided scholarships, rehabilitated those handicapped by illnesses, equipped hospitals etc.

I saw this first hand growing up but these days, I have not seen anything of worth done in the last few years for the people of The Kingdom. Men are just amazing wealth in the name of Christ for self glorification and not The Kingdom of God! Consciences have been seared – 1 Timothy 4:2

Every major city has mega Churches and yet the people are none the wiser about the gospel, what it means to be a Bible believing Christian. The traditions of men has replaced the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. You cannot see Christ in most Christians, there is no difference in us and the world. Lord help me to reflect you! Oh, help us!

Secular organizations know what social responsibility means, they sponsor events, take up causes and support research for the betterment of the environment in which they do business. I have seen Mega Churches lined about by impoverished neighborhoods and congregants without an iota of concern. This is not Christlike!

About fasting, prayer, seed sowing, tithe and offering – Christ expects us to do all these and more. However, he also taught us to be our brothers keepers, be truthful in our business dealings, work to earn, be kind and compassionate towards each other!!!!

Isaiah 58: 6 Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen; to loosed the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

I think every believer should read Isaiah 58 again and again, meditate on it, I believe the Holy Spirit will revive us as at the first to be Christlike!

Are we afraid of running out of funds? Christ Jesus is able to multiply whatever we have in our hands as long as we are engaging it in pursuit of His Kingdom and her people Mark 6:41-43

Christians!!! It is time to start being Christ-like. This is what can and will change our world, not the amassing and boasting of wealth gathered by greed and shenanigans.

Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!

Get Some Rest!

Oct5

Mark 6:31b “come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Jesus sent his disciples out in twos to do exploits. They came back, gathering around Christ Jesus excitedly reporting all they had done and taught.

There were other people coming and going interrupting this meeting that Jesus felt it was good to take them aside to rest.

This says to me that in whatever we are doing, we do need to rest. As Christians, after every exploits which I believe is daily, it will be good to cultivate a time alone with Christ where we unburden, and take up his strength.

This weekend dear reader, find time to unwind, rest, breath deeper, and relax in His presence!

Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!