IT'S MY RACE

This Christian race is a big deal fam!! So many Christians with so many different beliefs on how to truly serve this our one true God. Honestly, it can get tiring! Like..."ahahnn; what is it sef,  I'm not doing again!!"

Different doctrines everywhere. Sheeesh!! Sometimes I hear some things and have to make a conscious effort not to be judgemental.  There's too much of that in the Christendom already. I guess with no harm intended though. *sigh

There are people every where telling you how you are supposed to be serving God. Some people stop going to church not because it's not a bible believing church but because they have focused on the preacher and not God. They forget that even preachers too are human. Before a preacher is a preacher, he's human first. So don't expect him or her to be perfect. Personally, I don't believe that's fair! You are not perfect, are You? Yet you claim to be a Christian right? So why would you be expecting a preacher or religious leader to be perfect? Are they God? Plus God uses imperfect people. Don't you think?

See ehn, I believe this Christian race or better still, the Christian journey; as my friend would rather call it, is a process. You don't just accept Christ and then immediately depart from all your evil ways! No. It's something you spend your whole life making a conscious effort to achieve with the help of God. Christianity as some people say is a life style. Sometimes you'll falter, other times, you won't. What matters most is your desire not to falter! And repenting when you do. You have to keep striving to be the best you can be. Don't allow the world put all the pressure on you.

Our relationship with God is individual. It's not you, your pastor and God, or you, your partner and God, or you, your parents and God. It is you, yourself and God!!  Don't look left or right. Don't allow the world to confuse you. The Bible has been made available for us. BLESS Jesus for that. Eat, sleep, digest the bible. Invite the holyspirit to help you in your journey. He is also readily available. (Jer.33v3). Bless Jesus again for that.

The most important thing in our Christian race I believe is LOVE!! It works magic people. Has anyone out there ever been in love? It's a beautiful feeling! Your lover can do no wrong by you. You are more often than not willing to forgive no matter the circumstance. You want your lover to be constantly happy. This person has a huge influence on you. His/her mood, decisions and actions affect yours. You constantly want to be with this person. You are quick to defend this person's name. Infact, in your mind, no one can ever love this person better than you; so you don't need anybody telling you how to love this person!!

Did you get that? I believe each person has a unique and special relationship with God. If you have this Love for God, you will not be fazed by what you hear anywhere. You'll be like, "I know my lover and I don't need anyone to validate Him or my relationship with him! Period. I would like to add here also that faith comes with love among other things.

My aim is to make heaven on the last day taking as many people as possible along with me. So I will have faith that my lover will never forsake me and will always guide me in line with his will and word. I believe that no matter how much I falter or digress, He remains faithful to bring me back on track. I believe in Him that He loves me enough to want me with Him in eternity. Hence, He will constantly have my back and show me the truth and way, so long as I keep loving Him.

Don't be downcast if the world is making you feel like an outcast Christian because you are not serving or loving God the way they have been taught to. Hogwash!! All you need to do is Love Him. Trust me on this, we definitely always want to know whomever it is we love better. So strive to know Him more. Psalm 42 vs 1

I hope this makes sense to someone. Like I always say, I'm not perfect, I don't have all the right answers, I'm not always correct but I'll say it anyhow and hope that despite all these flaws, the holyspirit would interpret my banters and make them add value to someone out there.

So in conclusion, I believe that our relationship with God is like a marriage. So many people with their different opinions and advice. It's okay to listen, but always remember, what works for couple A might not work for couple B and what doesn't work for couple C might work for couple D. The most important ingredient is LOVE! It'll keep you going. John 4 vs 15 - 21

Good news though, God is such a sweetheart, He has made it so easy for us, because He first loved us. So much so he gave His only begotten son. John. 3 v 16. What greater love is there, fam?!!! If not for anything, how about you start from loving Him because He first loved you. Your race would be so much easier and sweeter. You'll experience Him in all His glory!

If there's anybody out there feeling like an outcast believer, feeling unworthy. Hey! Lighten up. Don't give up because of people around you. FOCUS! Determine to keep running after God. Don't look left or right. No matter how hard it seems. Keep your eyes on Him.

Here's a beautiful song by Todd Dulaney "(I'll keep) running to you". Make it your anthem. Not too many words make up the song. But the few ones that do,  are meaningful and powerful!! Find the lyrics and video below. Don't forget to sing along. Enjoy.

Spread the love people.

I'LL KEEP RUNNING TO YOU
It may not be easy
But Lord I'll keep running to you
Sometimes I get weary
But I know that You're pulling me through
When it feels like it's ending
My heart will depend on Your truth, Yes
I'm working hard to follow You
Yes, I'm working hard to follow You
It may not be easy
But Lord I'll keep running to you
Sometimes I get weary
But I know that You're pulling me through
When it feels like it's ending
My heart will depend on Your truth, Oh Yes
I'm working hard to follow You
Yes I'm working hard to follow You
I'll keep running, I'll keep running to You
I'll keep running, I'll keep running to You
I'll keep running, I'll keep running to You
I'm working hard to follow You
Yes I'm working hard to follow You
[Repeat]
I will, I'll keep running to You
I will, I'll keep running to You
I will, I'll keep running
I'm working hard to follow You
Yes I will, I'll keep running to You
Yes I will, I'll keep running to You
Yes I will, I'll keep running
I'm working hard to follow You
Yes I will, I'll keep running to You
Yes I will, I'll keep running to You
Yes I will, I'll keep running
I'm working hard to follow You
Yes I will, I'll keep running to You
Yes I will, I'll keep running to You
Yes I will, I'll keep running
I'm working hard
Yes I will, I'll keep running to You
Yes I will, I'll keep running to You
Yes I will, I'll keep running
I'm working hard
To follow You

GRACE PERSONIFIED

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  Proverbs 22:6 KJV // http://bible.com/1/pro.22.6.KJV

I've never been able to truly describe my encounter with God. As a matter of fact, for a very long time when faced with the question "when did you give your life to Christ"?, I would always stutter.

This is because like many of us out there, I grew up in a Christian home. I am the last of six. And from the day I knew my left from right, I have encountered God in many ways through these lives that preceeded mine and my parents lives as well. I grew up encountering God after series of prayers of agreement and fasting. For every time, we waited on God as a family and He showed up for us, I encountered Him afresh!

For every time, we had to wait a little longer than the last time, for the times it seemed as if He was no longer with us; the times it seemed as though the heavens were closed and we would be so cast down and low in our spirits; I encountered Him afresh! YES! For every time I fell short of His glory and He still made me feel worthy, I encountered Him afresh!

Here's the thing though, at some point in my life my mother was on my case, going on and on about how it is a good thing for a Christian to have a "birthday". She hounded me for years. But I was not bothered. I guess the Holy Spirit agreed with her. Because on this fateful day in my second year in University, "the week of spiritual emphasis" a program that was held every once in a while then was on. The preacher at the end of his sermon made an altar call. Surprisingly, I felt a nudge in my spirit to go forward. It is important to note here that I have never been one to come forward during an altar call. I had Jesus in me from the word go, remember? Lol. Anyways, the nudge became more intense.....so intense I could hear my heart beating, like this was a chance of a lifetime. Like the world would end if I didn't go forward and I would not make heaven. I struggled and struggled, but the Holy Spirit wouldn't let me be. I eventually caved in; and I'm forever grateful I did. Because this particular day marked the beginning of a new Era in my Christian race.

Look at God,  some many years back, I didn't have a birthday. But look at me now. Okay, I digress, the point is, I believe in the fact that some of us are actually born into Christianity and have an understanding of God's love. I believe it is possible for someone to say, "oh, I kinda have always known Christ". Some of us were brought up in the way of the Lord, so no matter how much we deviate, we always find our way back to Him! Yes some of us are the lucky ones! Shout out to our parents for showing us the way.

Notwithstanding, have you publicly identified with Christ? Are you living for Him in spirit and in truth, in secret and in the open?

Yes you and I are the lucky ones, we are not worthy of this love and grace. We are so far from perfect!! So let's not take what we have for granted. The Bible says shall we continue in sin that grace may abound, God forbid! (Romans 6 v 1). There's a lot more for us to experience of our father. Take your love deeper. Don't be complacent with the "I've always been a Christian" talk. Yearn for more! Strive to live a holy life! Strive to make the one true God happy. He deserves it and MORE!!!

As always, I pray the holyspirit helps interpret my words here. While He's at that, here's a beautiful rap song by lecrae ft. Rudy currence "lucky ones". Lovely rythm, awesome lyrics. Please enjoy.

Bask in grace fam!! Cheers

EVEN WHEN IT HURTS

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

http://bible.com/1/1th.5.18.KJV

Hello people! So today I want to talk about painful circumstances. Basically, times in our lives when our faith is really stretched and tested. Times we never really get to comprehend. Like, "God, I don't get it, why is this happening to me?"

These times are highly crucial in our Christian race and every child of God has gone through this period before. As a matter of fact, trying times are embedded in the "life and times" of every Christian. 

The only difference I believe, is the nature of the painful circumstance. Before I carry on though, I would like to add here, that I'm totally against anyone downplaying another person's struggle. Like, "trust me, you haven't gone through half of what I have". This might be true sometimes, but please I implore us as Christians to never use this line. I detest it. 

Listen, a painful circumstance is any circumstance that shakes your belief! That makes you feel helpless and maybe even hopeless. It makes you feel lost. You are at a crossroad and it feels as though you are jinxed. Nothing seems to be working. You keep praying and hustling but, you are not making progress, at least not physically. You feel like you are stuck on one spot and the world is passing you by. Despite all your efforts to be a good Christian. Hahaha!! It's a nasty period fam. I'm sure you'll agree.

Let's take it a bit deeper to loss....loss of property and even worse loss of life. Has anyone out there ever lost someone dear? Sugar!! This is the worst place to be ever. I think it's the only painful circumstance, I permit the "detested line" I mentioned above. This is like irreparable. Yes, yes, I know we'll get to see our saved loved ones in heaven. But while we are here on earth without them, it can be excruciatingly painful. Shout out to Oluwatosin Olajide! My dear dear cousin in whom i am well pleased. Your death birthed this blog. Look at that!!! Even in death, your work for Christ continues!! Your memory lives on!!. Shout out to Mrs Loice Duru, the mother of my beloved friend, who selflessly shared her great mum with way too many of us. We love you ma, and your legacy  lives on!

Whoosaa!! I don't think pain can be aptly described. When experiencing pain, no matter the degree, it's like a blackout. It's like we are numb, in limbo, we have no idea what to do to make things better. Nothing anyone says or does can really make us feel better. The last thing on our mind is praying or praising God or anything. We just want the world to be still while we try and gather ourselves together. Unfortunately, that never happens.

Music for me, does it!! It might cut it too for someone out there reading this. Music does it right; Hence the importance of listening to edifying songs at a time like this. I'm not saying it's the way out of a painful circumstance or anything. But some songs are just totally relatable. Listening to the lyrics of these songs and chanting them amidst tears can be a form of prayer too; I believe. Okay. Enough! Here's "even when it hurts" by Hillsong again.  Powerful,  Powerful song fam! As always, find the lyrical video below.

Keep hope alive people!