Behind Closed Screens

What Does It Mean To Believe?

Have you checked your feeds lately? This is perfectly rhetorical. It’s how you will find many messages professing love for God, being thankful to the God they believe and believe it or not I still receive prayer chains in this day and age. I know ,those that practically end with ‘Send this to five people and await a miracle’.

Having a conversation with a stranger meaning I met the person at a restaurant and we got to talking. Anyway the conversation somehow was directed to christian faith and as the conversation grew he broke out ‘I believe in Jesus Christ’ and well here is somewhat what our conversation yielded.

To say you believe in God, is it enough to post ‘Say a Prayer, Have Faith, I love you Jesus’
Surely it’s more than just knowing ,speaking it.
Let me give a slight example in our contemporary today.
You are on a weight loss journey and you are told of the necessity of good diet and exercise and you believe it as a fact but that doesn’t shed the weight just because you believe.

Many of us probably believe God exists but that belief is no better than the one of demons.
James 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe–and shudder!
See they believe and even shudder, to burst the bubble ,simple acknowledgement of God’s existence doesn’t make one Godly or a Christian.

Genuine belief in God is solely based on who he is and this is revealed through his Word.
To truly believe in God you must believe in Jesus Christ who is the exact representation of the father.

Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.

This is how he has chosen to make us understand. In the past he spoke to our ancestors through the prophets in various ways but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.

Hebrews 1:1-2 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

See religions can sing kumbaya while saying we all believe in one God but however Jesus Christ will divide us.
One cannot have Faith in God as he really is unless that Faith includes Jesus Christ.

More than believing in God we must trust him for Salvation and that means coming to him through Christ alone.
There is only one mediator between God and Man and that is Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to believe in God?

Not only believing but delighting in the Truth of Jesus being a Son Of God who came to save us ,embracing and making Christ the Lord over your life by surrendering to him.

The devil ,demons know this Truth, they know he is a son of God but they do not value it ,it is a threat to them.
It ought to be valuable to you that when the Holy Spirit begins his work on you.
The transition is you will want to be with him, enjoy him, be with him, follow him.

To quote John Piper
“That we are now looking away from ourselves to Christ and embracing all that God is for us in him, that is what faith is, that is what belief is, that is what saves. “

I must add to believe in God definitely involves a change of life. Yes we know by the fruits there is no way around it.
Faith that does not result in actions is a dead faith.
What you believe will govern your life.
Depending on God you have believed , actions demanded of person should all be based on who God is and we know this how?
Through his Word.

Today we are tempted to remake God in our image, picking and choosing what we find agreeable.
Watch and Pray that you are devoted to one that is revealed in the scriptures.

“The Consequences of your understanding of the scriptures will be felt in the practical living.”
John Macarthur

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Where Else Will You Turn To?

When those around you have stopped trusting God, when everything around you seems to crumble, when it seems as if you have lost the battle.
Where else will you turn to?

How can a Good God allow these bad things to happen to us?
This question has either crossed ones mind, still lingers on ones mind or you are yet to ask it.
We may not comprehensively cover it today,some day, soon I hope.

But let us not quickly forget of our nature as humans. We are as fallen as fallen can be;in simple words we are all capable of all the evil you can basically let cross your mind.
It’s easy to point fingers forgetting you fall short daily.. Did I say daily? literally moment by moment.
We are not sinners because we sin, rather, we sin because we are sinners. That is, we sin because we are born with sinful natures.

Just as our nature will always reveal how much we need God , the suffering we face while on earth will always make us more aware of God and perharps that our eyes may be opened, our ears may hear and our hearts may be turned from darkness to light.

If anyone tells you that your life can be without troubles ,pain while on earth , it is a lie.
Open the Bible it’s never been more clear than the sun rise.
As long as you on earth, troubles shall come, sufferings shall come but we have a promise of one who never changes , who is true to his word ,who is the same today, tomorrow and forever .
He shall not forsake you. Cast all your anxieties upon him for he cares for you.

So where else are you going to go?
Where will you turn to?
If you have somwhere else to turn to then you haven’t fully grasped the concept of God the All Knowing, Almighty, Transcendent Holy One.
Truth is if you really believe God you will believe everything he tells you.

And I Quote R.C Sproul..
“There are two basic reasons why Christians at times long for death. The first is our deep longing to arrive at our spiritual destination. The pilgrimage of our souls is not finished until we enter into our rest.

The second reason is the desire for relief from affliction. As I noted earlier in this book, the time of our death is in God’s hands. We must not take steps to hasten the moment of our departure. God is the author of life and is sovereign over both life and death. We may pray for death, but the request may be granted by God alone.”

I ask you again ” Where else will you turn to?”
If not the one who created everything on heaven and earth, the one who knows it all, he knows what you going to think before you think it, the one who is Holy, Good ,Faithful, All Loving.
The one who paints perfection even when it’s something we cannot fully comprehend.

Jackie Hill Perry in her book ‘Holier than thou’ writes….
When there is a storm, believe God. When there is stillness, believe God. He is too holy to deceive. Too holy to lead you anywhere but to Truth.

I desire that this message reaches many far and wide.
It seems like when troubles arise we are in much more despair as thou we don’t know the Truth and maybe we don’t.
It seems like when troubles arise we are quick to ask ‘Why Me?’ as if anyone else is more deserving.
It seems when troubles come, many have forgotten to seive Truth beyond trauma.
It seems when troubles come we have forgotten to fight with the right weapons that we don’t wage war against flesh and blood and we must put on the armour of God because after everything we must stand (Ephesians 6:10).
It seems that when troubles come we have forgotten where to turn to.
When sufferings come we ought to know it produces endurance, endurance produces character and character produces a hope that does not put us to shame, for his love has been poured into our hearts through the gift of the Holy Spirit given to us.
When Troubles come I hope you know that we can turn no where else but to the only living God, the Holy One, the one who remains forevermore, the All Knowing.
Blessed be to God the Most High.

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Why We Should Care!

The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good.
It’s almost easy to pull out a checklist and measure how good of a human you are;You would think!

It is what we are taught today; be a little kinder to yourself, let go of what doesn’t serve you, let go of the toxic people, move your own direction, move at your pace ,make your life your own.

All the above could almost sound so true and realistic. Don’t you think?
But sometimes we just need to keep on the thinking caps alittle longer.

Do you know how practical some of these things or contradictory they sound?
Do you know how many people you would have to let go of in this lifetime not pointing out how many more your yet to come across.
Move your own direction, which is your own on an earth where there is nothing new under the sun.
Move at your pace like you have absolute control of what, where,who: Ask Year 2020 . We haven’t forgotten so fast . Have we?

Maybe we shall debunk more of this self talk as the year progresses but I just had to talk about this whole toxicity talk.
What is toxic? Who is toxic?
Is it finely defined that you know for sure you are not toxic yourself.

As Christians it means we have to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven us for the inexcusable.
I know this sounds impossible but we may be saved by faith alone but faith that saves us seldom comes alone.

So often we have easily forgotten what God has forgiven of us, is yet to forgive of us and you don’t even know the future but no somehow we can direct toxicity to what doesn’t serve you.
In bid to point it all back to you guess where the arrow is not pointing: Back to Jesus.

To have Faith in Christ also means trying to do what he says. There is no sense in calling out his name as one who trusts him but cannot take his advice.
As C.S Lewis puts it.. not doing these things inorder to be saved but because he has began to save you already. Not hoping to get to heaven as a reward for your actions but inevitably wanting to act a certain way because a first faint gleam of heaven is inside of you.

See how we readily post Forgive, Love, Be Kind.
How about you extend that exact grace to the rest?

Luke 6:30-36 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

The acceptance of oneself that is now obsessively preached is slowly becoming am essense of a whole moral problem.
It affects the outlook of life itself.
To feed the hungry, to forgive, to love your enemy is undoubtedly a good thing.
That what you do unto the least of your brothers you do unto Christ.

But what if you discovered the poorest of all beggars, the most stubborn of all offenders , the very enemy himself are these within you and that you also stand in need of kindness, love, forgiveness.
What do we usually do? Hide it from the world and refuse to admit ever having met this least in ourselves.

Unsplash images

As you wish that others would do to you, do unto them.
This is exactly Why You Should Care?

A Happy New Year , guess the greeting is valid till….
Lets Talk.

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A New Year And A Prayer

I really thought I could do another write up before the year ends. Am I the only writer that felt the need to?
The pressures rested on knowing how we always successfully encourage people to enter a New Year in Prayer .
Thanks to Shadray a blogger friend he asked me to write something on Prayer earlier on in the year and I thought to recycle it here .
He is all about love you can always catch more of his writings here. https://randomthoughtsofshadray.wordpress.com

So. Something happened to me that got me really mad I was left asking myself whether
the person who had done it will still go before God and pray for blessings and if God will actually answer them positively.

In the heat of my anger, I wrote the piece below… before someone else read it and gave me a completely different lecture on prayers in an attached piece just right after mine. it’s all in this article.

“You may ask yourself why some of your prayers seem to take ages to come true than others and you end up thinking again that God does for others better than He does for
you.
But the thing is that, sometimes it is in what you pray for that determines what and when you will get it. E.g. when King Solomon ascended to power, he had the opportunity to ask God whatever he wanted. Riches, victory in wars, love etc. but of all that, he asked for wisdom and when God heard this, He was pleased and on top of that wisdom he added him victory over his enemies and riches. Wow. How generous!

I.e. when praying, analyze your prayer before sending it out.
Does it really fit in that moment?
Does it benefit or coerce others?
Why emphasize a prayer for a car while still
renting a one roomed house?
Why not a plot of land first then (financial) power to build next?
Why pray to take over someone’s position at work?
Where do you want them to go?
Is God going to answer that?
You’re praying to get into someone’s life yet you know they got a partner.
Are you going to get mad justifiably when God snubs you?

We are told not to limit ourselves but remember, we’re also told to think before we act.

LOOK INTO YOUR PRAYERS!” So I wrote.

However, after realizing that I had a very Christian friend amongst my circle of friends, I extended a collab request to her to contribute to my piece and see if she shared the same views as me.
However, to my surprise, she came back with a whole new piece, totally different from what I had written and below are her beautiful thoughts on the matter about the sanctity of prayers.

Connie Dia is on https://behindclosedscreens.wordpress.com/ for those that wish to connect with her on her site.

“If anything, prayer reveals how personal God is.

Prayer is commanded of Christians all through scripture, please note, I said Christians.

I am grateful for Shadray reaching out and asking me to contribute to this topic.
I am going to try and shed light on my view of prayer by the word today and I must admit it wasn’t always so.
I hope by the end you will have an idea on what prayer is about and for.

I currently don’t subscribe to such a thing as; one prayer being more powerful than the other because that would seem you have a role to play in getting prayers answered.
(Shadray- “But don’t I?’’)

God is so sovereign he doesn’t need help in doing anything. He is already involved in
everyone’s life to accomplish what He has set out to do in them.
All power resides with God to do or not to do. Hope this is clear enough.

However, we can speak on ‘Effective Prayer’. We all want our prayers answered I
presume. (Shadray- “You def’ right?’’)

We can start with one of those promises Jesus actually made to Christians.
John 15:7 ‘If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.’
I know how it’s so heartwarming to know that Jesus actually said this.
I could feel someone’s hand raised already saying “Yes, yes this is it.’’

I recently came across a quote ‘ We are followers of the word and not editors.”

This is it. We cannot ignore that a parameter was set.
“If you abide in me and my words abide in you.” His parameter is clear on what
will make this an effective prayer. You must abide in him and his words abide in you.

Let’s look at another one just to guide us a little more on how we ought to carry content and context of the word as written.
1 John 3:22 ‘And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His
commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.’

This again juices it all over. Whatever we ask we receive from him. Amazing! Right!
But look at the statement, there is a continuation “…because we keep His
commandments and do those things pleasing in His sight.”

Another commonly used scripture is; Psalms 37:4 ‘Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.’
What am I trying to bring out here?
The only joy that lasts is when our desires are drawn out from His desires and they are the ones with a promise attached to them.
In simple terms spending time in the presence of God, in His word, your affections and
desires are changed or rather aligned within God’s will for you.

Prayer is not for gratifying natural desires it’s a gift for bringing joy and satisfaction to
those that are in tune with God.

James 4:3 ‘You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may
spend [it] on your pleasures.’
It’s here. We ask wrongly to spend it on our pleasures. (Shadray- “Yup, you’ve nailed
it’’)

I Quote
“If you have no business obeying God, in bringing the whole of your life, your
attitude from morning to night into conformity to His values and in getting
your desires from His desires, prayer is not your business.”
~John Piper~ (Shadray- “wow!!!’’)

So yes you may pray prayers that will not come to pass because they were never aligned in God’s desires for you.
Prayers may seem to take long to be answered according to you but by what measure do you use that it has taken long?
It’s in God’s power on how and when He chooses to or not to do something.

Analyzing prayer before sending it out is an errand not worth taking. God already knows what’s in your heart before you even say it. (Shadray- “Oh my!!!’’) Prayer is a place of the most vulnerability you can ever experience.

As to what I know now, Shadray is right on this. (Shadray- “yayyy!!!’’)
Think before you act or rather, before you pray. Do Think. Thinking will lead you to ask
the right questions and hence search out for answers.

Prayer reminds us so much of who God is and who we actually are

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Santa Is Not Coming

The Festivities are upon us and the most asked question is here.
“How are you spending your Christmas?”
Wait!! Have you gotten asked the question yet? And what was your answer?
This is me getting to know your plans.

Well Christmas is here, plans or not it’s happening but just one more thing I just have to call out on.
It’s the memes ,the grown humans making wishes and writing wish lists ,the children expectant expressive faces all saying; Santa you got me, Santa you hear me, Santa this is what I want .

I decided to think on this. When I was younger, did I ever believe in Santa Claus? Don’t get it wrong I knew about him, I mean I was the kid with a book as a best friend so believe me I knew exactly how Santa supposedly came (always through a chimney..) here wondering how many had those growing up. I knew you always left out some snacks (preferably milk and cookies) for Santa and again here wondering…….hold that thought! Reindeers even.

See I had heard of Santa Claus but did I believe he exists. If I did then I wouldn’t remember but what I remember are presents.
Presents not from strangers or falling from the sky. My mother shopped clothes with us (me especially because I was always outgrowing clothes so fast plus my foot size always caused confusion …) and my Father would always carry us to places for us to pick out what we would like.
So one thing was clear Presents came from parents well and other family.

The Santa Claus I remember was always some teacher, favourable human who would dress all up in uniform and hand out the gifts to kids but come on ,Did we believe it was Santa in the movies?

Santa Claus is turkey born and a legend that can be traced back hundreds of years he is also known as Saint Nicholas he was a monk who is said to have given away all his inherited wealth and travelled the countryside helping the sick and poor. (This is one of the way of lives for monks ). Saint Nicholas has so many stories that stretch back as far as the 3rd century and today he is celebrated as a patron saint for children known for his kindness and piety.

To be popularized as jolly man in red who brings gifts to children all started with a poem written by an episcopal minister who wrote a Christmas Poem in 1822 for his three daughters. “Twas the night before Christmas”
His poem largely attributes to the image potrayed of Santa Claus today and created a popular American icon.

Traditions and heritage make history ever-changing and yet history remains the same.

You can carry on a good work as Saint Nicholas did, it was his way of life and not just a Christmas activity.

Well the french have their own Pere Noel, the Italians have a ‘good witch’ La Befana and whilst Africans we have a Santa in the movies and tired old tales.
Maybe it sounds harsh but am asking you tell your children the Truth, am asking you look in the mirror and stop making wish lists to a Santa who is long buried.
Am letting you know Santa is not coming; also threatening the children about a Santa who won’t give them presents if there naughty doesn’t turn them into perfection.

In the midst of all these Santa tales it’s easy to forget what Christmas is about.
Penned down a little reminder three days ago
https://wp.me/pc1DBU-gn.
The Truth about a Christmas; A redemptive history began at Christmas.
Christmas is not about Santa it’s history began in a manger.

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A Way In A Manger

Christmas celebrates an awesome fact that God is grander,wiser and more mysterious than we will ever know.
Christmas began in the heart of God.

It’s the Festives, It’s like a bug ,it eventually catches you.
Christmas has a whole lot to do with Christ more than us is the emphasis because when you have a plate of Meats and loud music echoing all around you, he is probably the last thing you will be thinking about.

Also to point it out to you that if you cannot truly look to God and thank him for receiving his Gift .
How else do you celebrate one you have not believed? Or is it Christmas you really celebrating?

The past weeks I tried to highlight on What Salvation is? What we are saved from and towards? And how we receive Salvation?
You can check it here https://behindclosedscreens.wordpress.com/2021/11/24/salvation-today/
It’s stands true that this is by far the greatest gift we could ever receive.

Christmas announces that the God who made everything has come to us in our flesh.
This is what we want to remember

Luke 2:9-14 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

The most shocking and surprising thing ever in this world. The extraordinary way God chose to save us.
It’s a special time to reflect on such Glorious Truth.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Christmas means Christ-mass and it has been observed as far back as the fourth century under the influence of the church.
Christian Traditions replaced Pagan solstice festivals throughout Europe.
It’s also a true reflection of light that overcomes darkness.

When Christ came into our world he didn’t come to brighten our Decembers but to transform our lives.
Rich Miller~

Happy Festives .

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On Receiving Salvation

Hallo BlogFam. I guess by now it’s clear am set on talking Salvation till the year ends.
Call this my own Blogmas edition.
Highlights of this Year would be learning that the Christian message of Salvation is simple enough to understand but deep enough for a lifetime study.
In here lies glimpses of my very own life, a story am not about to stop telling.
Let’s say it’s Alot.

Anyway Last week we spoke about What we are saved from and to what. Find it here https://behindclosedscreens.wordpress.com/2021/12/02/what-are-we-saved-from/

This Week we shall talk about; How we receive Salvation?

Hope it’s clear by now that the work of Salvation from beginning to end is the work of a Gracious and Sovereign Lord.
God doesn’t go around choosing people because there is something good in the sinner and it moves him to pity. (This is a tale for another day and I can assure you there was no good in me before Christ).

So, How do we receive Salvation?
We receive Salvation in Christ through Repentance and Faith.

Repentance and Faith cannot be separated from your journey of salvation.
This is the beginning of it all.

Let’s shed more light. Repentance in simple terms is simply turning away from our sinful ways.
It means to change your mind about something. It has to do with the way you were thinking of something and now you think the opposite.
Repentance is good news . It means there is an ability to change. You are turning from unbelief and turning towards Jesus.

Repentance is not a word we hear often and yet it’s not exempt from the journey of salvation.
Its a perfect description of when you come to Christ. You no longer reject Christ but now you believe Christ is the son of the living God.

Matthew 3:1-2 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

You shouldn’t be afraid of the word ‘Repent’ but rather; Is it not better to embrace an idea of turning to Christ and away from your sin.

Look at this man!!
Luke 19:8-9 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.

Zacchaeus was a tax collector ,these were one of the most hated men in there days. (My heart pounds at a speed everytime I see street vendors running with their goods to avoid some tax men in Kampala, Uganda).
If you think about it today whose ever happy with the tax men anyway.
Zacchaeus has a turn around of heart, how can a man who was set on collecting heaps of money and setting some aside for himself desire to give half of his goods back.
It’s What Jesus said next that seals it.
“Salvation had come to his house.”

Now we ought to know ,In terms of Salvation, you cannot separate Faith and repentance.
To be saved one must place Faith in Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins.
That decision requires a change of mind, repentance about your way of life.

We cannot separate ‘Turning from sin in repentance’ and ‘Coming to Christ in Faith.’
In the New Testament we see many times the call to believe and turn away from one’s sins.

Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

I mentioned this when beginning our Salvation Teachings , To believe you will still need God.

I like to give an example of myself, I grew up in a stauch christian household, this meant church every Sunday with no fail and somehow I never fell sick on Sundays.
I once tried to use cramps as an excuse but my father failed to understand the stomach pains I was trying to explain and got me into the car somehow.

We were at Christian household, anyway when my wings got a little less clipped I found my way around the Christ life and eventually deferred from it completely and by that i mean even the former church congregation forgot of my existence I became a passing memory.

But one day, ok honestly it didn’t happen in a day but over time nothing set me up for what guilt feels like but amidst it all it’s how my heart went from there is a guy up there whatever to Lord I need you, Please Forgive me.

This is a snippet of a story , but be assured it’s the biggest change that ever occured in my life and it had nothing to do with who I was in that time.
It was all God, he called me to himself.

In believing one repents and in repenting believes.

When you have received Salvation two eminent things should happen.

You will be deeply convicted of the guilt and bondage of sin which leads to repentance.

You will have a dominant sense of wonder of Christ Jesus.
You discover what it really means to honor God. A heart attitude that confesses Christ and seeks to honor him in every aspect of their life.

You cannot come near the Holy one apart from the Grace of God.
Catch you Next Week.

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What Are We Saved From?

Okay Christmas is almost here, some of you are probably saying nope ;still too early.
Well not if we are going to celebrate it rightly.
I guess Adulting is either hitting hard or better yet Jesus just grabbed me tighter.
Happy New Month to you.

We talked about Salvation last week. You can check it here https://behindclosedscreens.wordpress.com/2021/11/24/salvation-today/
Hope you picked on something dear reader.

So today I decided it’s also right we know what are saved from and for whom?

Popular teachings may easily have you think we are saved from things like purposelessness, addictions, shattered relationships, difficult circumstances.
If you think about it thou ,that is not the primary problem humans face.

Salvation in the Bible almost always points to deliverance from a physical threat, the New Testament readily points us to deliverance from consequences of sin or clutches of the devil, or the Wrath of God.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Romans 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Quote : John Macarthur

The real problem is Sin and Guilt. That’s the issue. God sent Jesus Christ to rescue us from the consequence of our sin and everybody falls into the category of sinner.
It doesn’t matter wether you are among the haves and have nots, wether you have great expectations or not ,wether you are consumed by passions or exhibit a degree of self control and discipline. You are still a sinner. You have broken the law of God and he is angry about it. Unless something happens to change your condition your on your way to eternal hell.
You need to be rescued from the consequences of your sin. Those are the principal issues the Gospel solves.

We see that Salvation is really more than being rescued from hell, it is receiving delivarance from our greatest problem, the many consequences of our sin against a Holy God.
It would also be helpful if you note Salvation as a past, present and future happening.

Just like we have emphasized of God’s love; We have left out some Truth.
See ,if God indeed has a perfect love then he must have a perfect hatred against the thing that seeks to undermine what he loves . God hates Sin.

Knowing what we are saved from is not enough ,we must also know what we are saved to as well.
We may also think Salvation is about having a clean slate, a second chance, forgiveness but it is clearly more than this.
The best gift is that you are saved from eternal consequences of sin and also saved towards God.

It doesnt take rocket science to know sin has caused havoc and wreckage but of all benefits is that Salvation brings us to God himself.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 8:34-36 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

We are saved for a relationship. This is the Greatest Good.
Happy New Month , Happy Festives.

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SALVATION TODAY

When we have people meddling with what the Bible says then we have people meddling with the Glory of God.

I thought such a time perfect to put down some writings on what we loosely call Salvation. And I say loosely with a heavy heart.
Salvation is not meant to be a groupie kind of thing, or a brush up on feelings , or a moral card to flip out when we feel like it or even a song.

Okay let us start somewhere. Salvation today ,somehow a likable notion I guess when it suits one.
Have you asked yourself or if ever, “What is Salvation?”

I believe it’s also right I point out first ; What Salvation in Not.

Salvation is not a choice .

This could sound different from what you hear daily. I mean today it’s all about choice that at this rate it’s all turned into one big joke.

We don’t have a choice in coming to God or not. Yes Iam repeating it again.
Infact we don’t have the ability to choose God, we don’t have the inkling ,We don’t have the desire .
You know why! Our very nature is why.

Our default is to distrust God, to believe we know better than the All wise knowing God.

Nothing separates us from God as much as our very nature does.

Salvation is not about confessing Christ.

Today anyone can confess Christ faster than a gun would go off.

It may not look like a big deal to you. We were taught as children that everybody is a child of God.

John 1:10-13 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

The scripture is as clear as can be but to all who did receive him, who believed in his name,he gave a right to become children of God and it goes on to say not of blood, nor of any man’s will or flesh but of God.

It’s easier to believe salvation began when you confessed with your mouth and believed in your heart but to believe is neither our power .

Why didn’t everyone who heard Jesus believe him and just follow him?
Why didn’t you just believe and confess the hundreds of times you heard of him?
Who of you made a choice to be born into this world?

A man coming to God is a work of the spirit and the work of the word in that man.
It’s all God.

Salvation is not a game.

Need I say more.

By now you probably wondering What is Salvation then?

Salvation has a story and in simple words it’s God delivering/saving you from eternal consequences of sin through Jesus’s Death and Resurrection.

I was recently reminded that if you do not know what it means to be saved you will be convinced you are even when you are not.

Jesus gave himself up and bore our sins and became a curse for us and all this so we could be reconciled and saved from ,protected from God’s wrath.

Romans 5:10-11 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Salvation is a Gift that only God can give to you.

John 6:36-38 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

We cannot come to the father unless he draws us to himself.
Only by his Grace and Mercy can we come to him.

If you are profess to be Christian I hope you can take out some time to ponder on the gift God freely and mercifully gave to you and what it means moving forward.
If you are not Christian ask God to help you believe because to believe you also need him.

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November a little late.

Not sure how to begin this but nevertheless we are here ,back to scribbling. Was I ever gone? Let’s Catch up.

I took time or rather chance sharing on different platforms last month.

So I was approached to write something on raising disciplined children and you can imagine what I was thinking.
I don’t have children,what would I know?
A Friend whispered ‘Teach what you know when you learn more you will teach some more’ and oh how time tells a story.
God willing one day I will tell the story of experience.

You can catch the article here https://dreamchasermagazine.com/raising-disciplined-children-today/

Its been quite a ride in October just like any one living alot of mountain climbing, sometimes a camp in the valleys , sometimes looking over to the green pastures, sometimes sitting and soaking in the beauty of creation and many times falling on my face in the Lord’s presence just thankful that he is there throughout.

When a friend contacted me to add a contribution to a post he was writing on Prayer.
I couldn’t say no better timing than then.
I asked him if he was open to me speaking Truth on what I have grown to learn rather than agree with him on everything.
He was such a sport he said ‘take it away no problem’

I mentioned this because today everyone believes there perspective is their Truth.
If everyone has their own Truth then ‘What is Truth?’
If Truth is based on what you feel, what you want, what you think is right or wrong according to your standards then we are in for a whole lot of trouble.

A friend always tells me ‘We can both be wrong ,one may be right and the other wrong but we cannot both be right, there is only one Truth.’
Just think about it.

You can catch the article here https://randomthoughtsofshadray.wordpress.com/2021/10/29/understanding-how-prayers-work-shadray-connie-dia-collab/

Hope you enjoy the articles and on a nice note. Christmas movies have started showing. Don’t mind me. The bug is catching up.
While at it , am doing a whole lot of catching up on reading. Currently reading a book titled “Surprised by suffering by R.C Sproul.”

All I can say is I can’t wait to live, love and write sentences you could understand.

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