One of the most remarkable verses in the Scriptures can be found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Paul was painstakingly trying to communicate something to the Christians at Corinth- something that has so much usefulness to us, today. Verse 17 says:
‘If any man be in Christ, He is a new Creature! Old things have passed away; Behold, all things have become new!’
-2 Corinthians 5:17
This verse captures the wonder that happens at Salvation- how the heavens rejoice over the one sheep that has been found; how there is a resurrection from death into life, the spirit of man dwelling inside of him- there are too many things happening at once when a man hands over his life to Jesus.
Only that, just you and the Holy Spirit know. Well, if you came out publicly to repent and confess Jesus, then everyone present there knows too. Most likely your friends are unaware. Your friend-with-benefit wasn’t there, and neither did your coursemates know about this life-altering decision you just made.
And this is the born-again experience.
Salvation comes with a whole new identity, something that can be difficult to explain to anyone who hasn’t experienced such before. It comes with a total upheaval of your lifestyle choices- your outfits, your favourite slang, music, books and the like.
If you’re like me, you’d have lost a whole lot just to gain Jesus. I had built high and mighty structures around sin; structures that took years to sustain. Oh boy, I thought I was losing everything. Some people were already living lives tailored to the faith (even in sin) so when they converted, it wasn’t so much of a hassle. You know this set of people- Pastor’s children, Missionary kids, etc. On the other hand, I had to start all over again. ‘New Creature’ became literal for me.
Was it easy? No.
Did I cry? Yes, I cried. Buckets.
Am I better off for that decision? Yes, definitely!
Being born-again is as much an external decision as it is internal. At the very beginning, only you and a few people are aware of the change going on inside of you. But as you progress in your Christian walk and take decisions daily, the ‘new creature’ in you must shine through.
Simply put, if those friends you used to be comfortable sinning with/around still find it absolutely normal to hang out with you, after your conversion, then something’s wrong.
Yes, I said it – quote me anywhere.
While in some instances you might have to drive away certain influences from your life, some others will get up and leave themselves. No need to look for a fight and earn enemies for yourself- Your light is so blinding, it drives the darkness away. Only if you let it shine, that is.
There are practical ways that allow you to live out your new identity. One major way is to be bold about sharing and talking about your Faith. Don’t be afraid to include Christ in your conversations and decisions. If you have to do anything contrary or make you uncomfortable, simply say no. If pressed further, throw in your reason. Don’t cower from an opportunity to talk about Jesus, because many will come!
Another practical way will be to join a Christian community. Sin thrives in the dark, along with other sin buddies. Now that you’re born-again, prayerfully and intentionally seek out godly friends and a community you can be a part of.
I got born-again in my final year. As crazy as that semester was, my time at fellowship doubled and I spent more time with my friends who loved the Lord. It strengthened me a whole lot and convinced me that I could live a life for God, even on campus.
‘The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]’
-Psalm 37:23
Our Father desires to see you grow, even more than you do. This is why He will order your steps to the right relationships. You’ll discover that although your old friends are gone, you’re now part of a family of siblings who genuinely care about you.
You might wonder what the big deal is, about letting everyone know that you’re now saved – I mean, God knows. That should count, right?
Not entirely.
The thing is, God knows and that’s fact. However, you interact with people every day- people who could greatly benefit from what God did for you. People who are living in gross darkness and are in desperate need of light. People sent by God to you, to lead into His Kingdom. Do you see why being silent about your new-found status is dangerous to others?
Okay, granted you’re shy, introverted or plain selfish (don’t just sit there, pray to God for help!). Your lifestyle must tally with your Born-Again status, if not, you could lose that which you’ve been gifted. It’s super easy to slip back into sin if you permit the things or people that lure you so easily, back into your life. Just letting them hang around can do sufficient damage.
Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us.
-Hebrews 12:1
There is no better time than now, so don’t procrastinate. Do not put it off. God is right by your side and He is cheering you on. I am, too!
Never in my life would I have thought that I would have the opportunity to meet with the President. What I did not know is that he was right there, around my vicinity, all this time.
My name is Merci. I don’t know why my parent gave me that name, but I love it. My parents are one of the most influential people in the country, and at the mention of my family’s name, people are always eager to associate with us. Even as a child, the same respect that was accorded to my parents was accorded to me.
Growing up, I had all that I needed at my beck and call; Money, gifts, and attention, my parent gave to me without even asking. You can call me the spoilt-rich kid, but I knew I was not spoilt, I was just given the comfortable life every child deserve from their parent, especially as a kid from a well-to-do family.
With all of these, I still wanted more, there was a space in me that longed for more.
I got into the university and made lots of friends due to my family’s influence and status in the country. In my dormitory, I had a few friends who were always happy, dancing, and shouting. I wonder what always made them so happy after the hectic work in school, I wanted that kind of happiness so I reached out to them.
They introduced me to their source of happiness –which I now term as highness– to make me feel better, but it still did not feel up the emptiness in me. After we have been high and displayed our craziness. I still wanted more.
When they saw that I still was not satisfied, they introduced me to affairs with the opposite sex and assured me it will help me out, but each time we did it, it was like I was drowning deeper in emptiness.
I knew there should be a solution because there is no problem without a solution.
I got home one day and my parent told me, we were meeting with the president. What a joy!
For the first time, I felt like a king. I got dressed ready to go meet the Number one (1) citizen of the country.
On getting there, the president was attending to people, but immediately he saw me and my parent, he motioned for us to come to him. I looked at my parents and was like, so you have this close relationship with the president and you never brought me to him, what kind of parents will deprive their child of this great privilege? Nevertheless, we were with the President and I was ready to make good use of the opportunity.
He greeted my parent briefly and then looked me in the eyes, he opened his arms wide open to embrace me.
I was so surprised but I hugged him as if my life depended on it. The President had me in his arms, and I knew I would be in the headlines of different newspapers the following day, but I cared less about that.
He said to me, “Son, your parent had told me so much about you and I am so happy to meet you”. That was when it dawned on me that my parents were always talking about their friend who had helped them to get the position they are in now, and how they would love me to meet him, but I was too oblivious and stubborn to discern they were talking about the president.
I wept in his arms, and he cleaned up my tears and told me he will hold me by the hands and help me solve all the problems I have in my life. I wished I had met him before doing what I did back then in my first year. He noticed the regret in my eyes and he told me.
“There is no room for regrets, old things are passed away, and all things are now new, now that you are my son”. I smiled the moment he called me his son.
I felt peace, joy, love, and assurance that I was saved in his arms. Now I know why my parents would not stop talking about him.
Since then, I have lived and enjoyed like the president’s son. Good news for you!
I can connect you to the president too because I have easy access to him all day and night.
He tells me every day that he is ready to adopt a lot of children, as many as those who him as their father. He sent me to stand as a witness by telling you all my story, and how I have been saved from all habits that even my parents could not help me with.
He loves you and he is ready to meet with you today!
He said in his words “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11: 28-30.
Growing up in a religious circle, from Sunday school to teenage church, and campus fellowship, I thought the word, “religion” was too demonized. You can see how the preacher would squeeze his face to indicate distaste, as he mentioned the word, R-E-L-I-G-I-O-N.
But really, is being religious the opposite of being spiritual? Some will even say, “I don’t practise religion, I have a relationship with God.”
How can a word that presents a garb of piety become something that church folks have painted as a demon with horns and a pitchfork in hand? What’s wrong with being religious?
I checked all the synonyms of “religious” in my Thesaurus. And this is what I found. They include: ‘devotional,’ ‘devout,’ ‘god-fearing,’ ‘godly,’ ‘holy,’ ‘pious,’ ‘prayerful,’ ‘spiritual,’ and ‘divine.’
I took a close look at all these words and wondered what was wrong with them. Wasn’t a man like Cornelius a devout man, who was consistent in alms-giving? Didn’t his religious practices go forth as a sweet memorial to God?
Now to the word, ‘spiritual,’ it has an elitist ring to it. Those who claim to be spiritual remind me of women who tell their friends that they would rather buy imported shoes and clothes than locally-made ones. “Spiritual” sounds mystical, mysterious, special, and elite…what other word could describe folks who describe themselves as spiritual.
What if I told you that demons are spiritual? Yikes! Well, sure they are. I mean, they believe in God.
What if I told you that idol worshippers are spiritual?
What about atheists, satanists, free, thinkers, and new-agers? These people are also spiritual.
There’s nothing wrong with being religious. It’s a beautiful word. It’s a compliment. I think people really mean “traditions of men” when they refer distastefully to the idea of religion. The Christian religion is a devotion to Christ, not a tradition of men or a performance of sanctimony. Our good works, which are a reflection of the fruit of the Spirit, which comes as a result of our faith in Jesus Christ, are a reflection of our religion. These good works are also reflected in all the synonyms listed earlier.
This is what the scriptures say about religion. It’s found in James 1:26-27
“If a person thinks that he is religious but can’t control his tongue, he is fooling himself. That person’s religion is worthless. Pure, unstained religion, according to God, our father, is to take care of orphans and widows when they suffer and to remain uncorrupted by this world.”
You see, religion isn’t a bad word, after all. The one thing we should guard against is his vain or worthless religion. Our spirituality and our religion go hand-in-hand. Our being religious is what makes us spiritual, that is, every religious act is a reflection of how much we honour God. It’s our worship.
What makes us different from demons is that they believe in God, but don’t exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. They can’t exhibit works of righteousness because they don’t have the Holy Spirit.
“I’m not religious. I have a personal relationship with God.”
This is another misguided statement.
Our works, which are a fruit of our salvation through the Lord, Jesus Christ- the fruit of the Spirit is what is reflected in our religiosity.
We are religious because we fear God.
We are religious because we choose not to be stained by the world’s beliefs and systems.
We are religious because we are devout. All these and so many other good traits we exhibit can be borne out of a life of relationship with God.
You can say that you’re a follower of Jesus. That’s cool. But it’s not wrong to say that you’re religious. Remember, Cornelius was a DEVOUT man. He was religious.
The Bible says that he feared God with all his house.
He gave alms and always prayed to God. He had a relationship with God and his religiosity was reflected in his GIVING and prayers to God. The scriptures say that “his alms-giving went up to God as a memorial.
So many of us claim to be spiritual, but find it difficult to give. This doesn’t look elite, does it?
We even demonize the word, “works” at times. Our works as believers aren’t meant to seek approval from God but are fruits that we have truly been saved.
When you see Jesus face-to-face, I hope he says these words to you:
“For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.”
It takes a person that understands true religion to give food to the hungry, give water to the thirsty, give shelter to a stranger, and give time to the sick and those that are incarcerated.
It takes the spiritual to do all these because they understand their works are worship to God.
It takes the one that has a relationship with God to see that these good deeds are to God.
Anybody can claim to be spiritual, but not everyone can possess the Fruit of the Spirit that is expressed in our religiosity.
Times are beginning to get a little tenser than they used to be. In the past, it seemed like there was a more routine way of living. People had to wake up, go early to the farm, get breakfast ready, go to school if they had the opportunity, and remember to say a prayer or two as they go through the day. The routine was so predictable and less burdensome that it was so easy to introduce something new to them and not ruin what they already had.
In the 21st century, however, things are way far from that. There are many movements, and a thousand organizations shouting over what they think the whole world should be paying attention to that it almost feels like the world needs to hear a loud ‘CUT!’ to finally pay attention to what matters the most, ‘THE GOSPEL’.
As a believer, when was the last time you brought this message up in the face of anyone? I want to presume it was not so long ago, but permit me to say that it doesn’t come as easy as it used to be because everyone is rushing somewhere and sometimes it’s even possible for you to get caught up in the big rush.
I have had people tell me ‘I’m busy!’ or ‘Why would you tell me to leave my religion to follow yours’ or ‘God will help us oo’ (While I was presenting them with God’s help 🙄) or ‘I have heard about Jesus already’ (The question here is do you know him? Did you care to meet him after you heard?)
At this point, I’m pretty sure that if you are a 21st-century youth like myself, I’m telling the story of your Evangelical life already, and you’re wondering, what should we do now?
The answer is to keep at it! Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the situation of the world and the hardness of many men in the face of the gospel and I just say to myself ” God how are you coping with all this happening down here? ” The answer I get is Love! Love doesn’t give up on people. Everything may change, technology may get way crazier, jobs may get a lot more competitive, and who knows, humans may get so much time to self-obsess soon when robots start doing all the work. However, the way to eternity, the way to peace, life, and righteousness, the way to God, and the way of love never changes.
Isn’t it surprising that with all that happened with Jesus, his last words were still love? Isn’t it surprising that the one message God has for every sinner is ” I love you, regardless?” Sometimes, I must confess that I get frustrated and I wish there was a way I could yell at people and say ” Don’t you get it! ” However, I look at God’s disposition and it never changes. Over and over again He is playing the same flute and whispering the good news of salvation to the hearts of men. He is saving the undeserving, and freeing the guilty. Everyone who comes to Him experiences a change.
When I think about the possibility that lies behind the hardened heart finally saying Yes to the Gospel, I get encouraged to keep at it.
Matthew 11:17-19 says this: ” ‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t mourn.’ For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
Ultimately, the choice every individual makes determines their eternity, and as this scripture suggests, some may remain unmoved regardless of who’s bringing the message. But our disposition doesn’t change, and we must keep preaching the gospel and maximize the opportunity we have to make an impact on the outcome of people’s lives. God changes people, I know you’re a testimony yourself and it’s on us to reproduce other testimonies in this fast-paced world. Every time you think about giving up or being less intentional about getting the message of The Gospel out there, think about the Character of God. God has been playing the unforced Rhythms of Grace for centuries. He didn’t give up till you got saved, and why should you let yourself give up when everyone stands a chance at salvation?
The times may change, and the methods may change too, but the rhythms of the Gospel don’t change. God loved the world, he loved the world in sin and oppression, he gave his son for the world and he is reconciling the world to his son through the message on our lips. Don’t give up on playing the flute, tell God to make your heart as patient as his and your sound as smooth as his as you reconcile hearts back to him in this changing world. God bless you!
Have you ever been faced with a situation that got you wondering if you were sure you heard God speak? I have.
During this period, you feel downcast and forsaken. It seems time is closing in on you, and the worst of it is that you find it difficult to pray!
At the beginning of 2022, my husband and I fixed a date for our wedding. We kept on believing in God while the date was still afar off, but the moment it was a few weeks before the wedding, panic took over. We couldn’t turn to family members for help because we had boasted to them about our trust in God. I lacked what to say to God in prayers. God told my husband we wouldn’t be put to shame and that was the thin thread we had to hold on to. It was at this moment we truly understood the meaning of trust in God.
By definition, trust means firm belief in the reliability, truth or ability of someone or something. In the context of this article, storms mean challenges, problems, and difficulties.
Thus, trusting God in the eye of the storm means firm belief in the reliability, truth or ability of God in the midst of challenges. Proverbs 3:5 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding”. Hebrews 11:1 (MSB) also says The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.
The basis of the Christian life is all about faith which is also trust without wavering. When you trust in God, you do it from your heart. Even if your mind doubts ( as there would be times when your mind would tell you that you are being irrational), don’t let it get to your heart. Once you do not stagger in trusting God, He will perform that which He promised.
In order to convince you that you can put your trust in God, I will highlight examples of some people who trusted in God and came out with testimonies. In scriptures, we have an endless list of people who trusted God in impossible situations and God came through for them. Here are a few examples:
1.Daniel: In the book of Daniel chapter 6, the rulers in the kingdom of Babylon were jealous of Daniel so they framed him up. They made King Darius sign a decree forbidding them from praying to any other God but him with consequences attached to whoever defaulted. Not minding the consequence, Daniel went on to pray, even more than he ever did before. He was arrested and thrown into the lion’s den, yet he believed God would bring him out unhurt. At the end of the day, he came out alive without a scratch.
2.Abraham: He is not called the father of faith for nothing. According to Romans 4:16-23, he believed he would have the son which God promised him even at old age and this was credited unto him for righteousness.
These and many more men and women trusted God in Bible days and also in our contemporary days and God made them pull through.
One striking thing you should know is that God is in the midst of the storm with you. He promised not to leave or forsake you. Do you remember the incident on the stormy sea with Jesus and His disciples? The disciples were afraid of drowning, forgetting that since Jesus was in the ship they couldn’t sink. Immediately Jesus woke up and spoke to the great storm of wind, there was peace and calm.
I am excited to be writing on this topic because I have had a first-hand experience and I can tell you emphatically that God doesn’t fail. Don’t forget our story which I shared at the beginning of this article. We continued to trust God all through that period, and he came through for us. At the end of the day, Psalms 34:5 was our testimony. In a nutshell, always remember this: with Jesus in your ship, you can sail through any storm.
Prayer is one of the most essential practices in the Christian faith. It is a way for believers to communicate with God and express their love, gratitude, and needs. Throughout the Bible, we see numerous examples of prayer and the power it holds in the lives of believers.
The Bible teaches that prayer is a vital part of the Christian life. In the book of Matthew, Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray, saying, “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). This passage highlights the importance of private prayer, where we can be honest and open with God about our thoughts and feelings.
In addition to private prayer, the Bible also teaches the importance of corporate or public prayer. In the book of Acts, we see the early church praying together, and it says, “They were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:1-4). This passage shows how the power of prayer can bring about powerful changes in the lives of believers, even to the point of receiving the Holy Spirit.
Prayer is also a powerful tool for intercession or mediation for others. In the book of James, it says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). This passage shows that prayer is not just for us to communicate with God, but also to communicate for others. The Bible encourages us to pray for our leaders, our families, our friends, and even our enemies.
Prayer is also a way for believers to express their gratitude and thanksgiving to God. In the book of Psalms, we see numerous examples of prayer of gratitude, such as Psalm 103, which says “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:1-2). This passage highlights the importance of taking time to thank and praise God for all the good things he has done in our lives.
The Bible also teaches that prayer is a way for believers to express their needs and concerns to God. In the book of Philippians, Paul writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). This passage shows that prayer is not just a one-way communication, but also a dialogue where we can express our needs and concerns to God, and trust that he will take care of them.
Furthermore, the Bible teaches us that prayer should be done with faith. In the book of Mark, it says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). This passage teaches us that when we pray, we should have faith that God will answer our prayers, and that he will do what is best for us.
Finally, the Bible teaches that prayer should be done with persistence. In the book of Luke, it says, “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly” (18:7-8). This passage encourages believers to persist in prayer, and reminds them that God is just and will respond to their cries for help.’
Anna was really troubled, she had a lot on her mind and she did not know what to do. She had so much work to do and so little time to do them, to put in simpler terms, she was at her wits end.
You may be wondering, why does Anna have so little time to accomplish so much, why did she not start early, was she lazy? Did she forget she had work to do? Or what really happened that she had so little a time to accomplish much? To answer that question we would have to go back in time about two weeks ago.
“Anna, you are about to be twenty and what have you done with your life” said the little taunting voice in Anna’s head. She had not even thought about the age she was turning and suddenly here comes this taunting voice in her head mocking her.
“Anna, see Janet, she is just eighteen years old and she already is known as a good graphics designer, see her works, see how people are praising her works” said the taunting voice in Anna’s head while she lay on her bed while scrolling through her phone and viewing Whatsapp statuses of her contacts. Anna began to cry and think about her failed attempts at establishing businesses. She thought about when she tried baking and how that failed due to the establishment of a popular bakery on campus that had lower prices due to them purchasing their goods in bulk. Customers always compared the prices of her pastries to that of the Bakery’s pastries that were cheaper and she eventually began running at a loss trying to keep her customers. She then went further to think of how she tried her hand at fashion designing but failed due to the theft of her sewing machine which in turn crippled her business because she had no funds to purchase another and finally at her last attempt at business when she tried investing the last of her savings in crypto but that took a wrong turn when the chart crashed last week and she lost all of her savings.
Anna kept crying and she eventually fell asleep. She woke and tried to silence the voice but it kept taunting her.
She started dreading her birthday and wanted the day to never come. The voice lived rent free in her head. She couldn’t focus and she started hating herself and seeing herself as a failure.
“Anna see all the opportunities others are getting at their young age and you are there watching them, your parents are still sending you allowance at your age, are you not meant to be ashamed. Big girl with no source of income, SHAME ON YOU!!!” screamed the voice in Anna’s head.
So now we are back in the present, it’s a day to Anna’s birthday and the birthday girl is panicking, she can’t think or breathe properly, she is under pressure, there is so much to be done before she is twenty so that she can meet up.
“Can’t the day be postponed? Do I have to clock twenty tomorrow? Can I rewind to when I was eighteen so I could done better and become accomplished by now? Should I take loan and start a business, should I sign up for design classes? I don’t have the money? Should I ask my parents? No, that is not right, I am too big to be collecting money from them, what then should I do???” these were the major thoughts in Anna’s head as she lay on the bed.
Anna started crying and she eventually slept and dreamt. In her dream, she saw a large field which had a small stream in the middle. The stream had a bridge over it for those that wanted to cross to the other side of the field. She then saw a small girl trying to cross the stream without using the bridge
The girl kept trying to jump over it but she kept failing, she then became tired and she sat down in defeat with her cloth soaked and shivering due to her failed attempts that made her fall into the stream.
“Why can’t she just use the bridge, it will be faster and easier for her” thought Anna,
”That’s because she wants to use her power to cross without the help of the bridge” said a voice behind Anna,
Anna turned back and saw a man whose face seemed to shine, she then replied him “But why, why not use the help that is already there, why stress when a solution has been proffered? I just don’t understand”
“That is the same way Your Heavenly Father doesn’t understand why you refuse to take His help and insist on making it on your own” replied the Man
“I don’t understand what you mean, I haven’t refused any help. Why would I do that when I am seriously in need of help? In fact, I have prayed so many times for help” replied Anna
“You were not asking for help the times you prayed instead you were complaining just like that girl that couldn’t cross the bridge. Every business you ventured into, you did not seek God’s direction instead you went in on your own and when it failed you went to God complaining thinking you were asking for help. You have hung your head so much in defeat that you did not even see The Lord trying to help you and guide you. You are that little girl praying to cross the stream and ignoring God’s advice that you should use the bridge. Anna, seek God’s will for your life and only then will you be truly satisfied!!!” Said the Man and after saying that, he disappeared and Anna woke up from her sleep with one purpose in mind.
She knelt by her bedside and said “Dear God……” and with that, her problems were solved in an instant.
When I started De Vine blog in 2019, I had no expectations or grand visions for it. I just needed an avenue to share what God was teaching me at that point in time. I simply was seeking an outlet to reflect on the lessons the Holy Spirit was teaching me one day at a time. But, lo and behold, the blog grew to become quite a sensation. People from almost all the countries of the world visited the site, and many commented on how they were blessed by the posts. I even had requests for reposts and republication of some of the articles. Overall, I published 40 posts with 12 guest authors to whom I am eternally indebted.
Taking stock of my experiences as a Christian blogger for close to four years, all I can say is that journaling/writing constitutes an intrinsic part of the Christian life. I am aware that not everyone is literate and that not everyone likes writing, but, for those who can, I encourage them to do so as often as they can. There is just something about penning one’s experiences/meditations/reflections that make them more solid, real, and concrete. It has been such a privilege for me to share some of my reflections in the form of a blog post. I am grateful to all who read, commented, shared and were blessed by the posts. While this is not an announcement of the termination of the blog, it is a way of humbly indicating that I can no longer promise regularity in the production of content. This is because I have had to take up other responsibilities between last year and now. When I started the blog, I was a student and I had a lot of time for extracurricular activities but I am now doing a full-time job. As a result, I found myself struggling to keep the blog running alongside my regular job and other familial responsibilities. I tried to employ the service of guest authors but I soon realized that even that is not sustainable as I still have to edit and proofread these contents. While I am going to keep writing and keep inviting guest authors, I, regrettably, can no longer be as consistent as I used to be. It is to this end that I chose “taking stock” as the theme of this month’s post.
I asked beloved friends, many of whom have been featured as guest authors on the blog, to share their thoughts on the idea of “taking stock”. I asked them to take stock of their experiences as Christians in the past year and share what they have learnt. I cannot tell you how much I was blessed, moved, inspired, and strengthened by all the stories my friends shared. I have no doubts that you will be equally blessed and inspired by these stories of trials and triumphs, hope against hope, radical faith, and unwavering commitment to Christ. There couldn’t have been a better theme, considering that we are in the last month of 2022. Hence, I invite you to read and be encouraged by the experiences and testimonies of fellow Christians in 2022.
The major lesson I learnt this year is the mystery of praising God. The summary is that whenever I praise God, he does miraculous things for me. Trust me, it always works! An additional secret is to praise God in the middle of the night. There is something about the midnight hour that I am still trying to understand but I do know that Paul and Silas prayed and sang at midnight and experienced great deliverance. I’ve learnt to reduce my prayer points and turn them to praise points. Dance like a baby before God–– do it unashamedly like David, loudly like the children of Israel (Josh. 6: 5), and acceptably like Blind Bartimeaus who knew that he needed to ask for mercy before calling Him the Son of David for his praise to be accepted. Praise God and you’ll be amazed at his wonderful acts in your life. Things you never prayed for will begin to come your way, and when you eventually go to sleep, you’ll dream dreams and see clear visions. Selah!
It was on the 1st of November 2021 that my dad got diagnosed with brain cancer. At that point of his intense illness, I was reminded of and strengthened by the words of Jeremiah (32:27) that there is nothing too hard for God to do. I also remember the 1st of January 2022, at our morning prayer session, where Joel 2:23-27 was read. The person who shared the word that morning emphasised the fact that God is going to restore our health, finances, marriages, and everything that was taken from us. This further solidified my trust in God to heal my dad but, four days later, he passed on. I was broken and shattered. I found myself in a force field of sorrow. I went to God in agonizing prayers, but all I heard were the words of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (in everything give thanks). It sounded and felt counterintuitive to give thanks in the midst of my debilitating grief, but these words of Paul would not leave me. I kept meditating on these words, and before I knew it, the burden that felt too cumbersome and insurmountable started to give way to peace that passes all understanding. With more trials and afflictions building up, and with so much that has been lost, I have not lost my FAITH.
It is normal to wait until one has received a positive answer to prayers before giving a testimony. I received a nudge from God that I have a testimony to share, even though I am still waiting for an answer to some of my prayers and I cannot but share this testimony, even now.
My testimony is that God has helped me to find and experience true happiness and joy continually, even in the midst of situations that naturally cause depression and deep sorrow. Initially, I experienced all kinds of negative feelings: sadness, fear, shame, anger and so on. I just wanted to hide away, alone with my problems.
I cannot pinpoint exactly when the change occurred. But I discovered that God put in me this ‘I don’t care’ attitude. ‘I don’t care’ that I am still waiting on God, ‘I don’t care’ what people will say or think, ‘I don’t care’ that it seems I am being left out, ‘I don’t care’ that the enemy is trying to put me down, ‘I JUST DON’T CARE!’. I have so many beautiful gifts from God to rejoice about, I have so many blessings surrounding me, I have the presence of God with me, I am blessed indeed!!!. Little by little, my focus began to shift from the things I’m waiting on to the things I have already been blessed with, and now, I dare say, I can give a complete lecture on how one can fully rejoice in the LORD!, even when odds are stacked against one.
It is not always rosy. There are brief moments of wistful thinking and nostalgia; but there is this perpetual/unflinching joy underneath it all; happiness and fulfilment that God only can give. Being a citizen of the Kingdom of God gives you this perpetual and unflinching joy in every life situation you find yourself. You become a citizen by asking and believing that your sins are forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ through faith, ensuring you continue to steer clear from sin after your salvation, and continuing to deepen your relationship with God through sanctification, baptism of the Holy Spirit and continuous consecration.
In summary, this is to tell you that: even as the redeemed of God through Jesus Christ, we are promised trials of faith, temptations, persecutions, sufferings and so forth, however, we as followers of God can rest assured that, God being with us in the storm, fire, or whatsoever, we can smile at the storm, we can rejoice in the presence of God and we can have hope and/or the conviction that ‘though He slay me, yet will I trust Him’!.
I don’t know who needed to hear this, and as a very private individual (those who know me, know this about me), I did not intend to share this, but I know God wanted me to share this testimony, perhaps to encourage someone out there.
Keep praying about your situation and do only what God tells you to do about it. He will give you an answer of peace. Even as you keep praying, be glad in the LORD and rejoice, rest easy and joyfully in Him, REST.
2022 was indeed a year for me. In this one year alone, I have had the happiest and saddest moments of my life. I don’t know how best to paint the heart-wrenching events that cascaded my life this year. My finances got to a record low in a long time…I was in serious minus. All investments I embarked on were not working. The heaven seemed to be made with brass, because my prayers seemed not to be going anywhere, in fact, I felt I must have done something wrong to God. My life was so filled with zero testimonies and missed opportunities that I practically hungered for just one thing that would make people say congratulations to me. In this one year, I had so many teary moments–– I am talking about exhausting and unhopeful tears. Added to all of this, I needed God to intervene in sponsoring my wedding which was slated for the end of the year. And just a few weeks before my wedding, my dad passed away. Just for context: I was very close to my dad, and he (my dad) was very involved in the planning of my wedding.
My life was tearing apart.
But what was surprising to me in all of this was that, unless I told you what I was going through, you would not know. Thank God we don’t look what we have been through. I am grateful for the peace that passes understanding. I am grateful for the joy of the Holy Ghost. This is the first time I could practically say that it is possible to rejoice in adversity. This is in no way because I am strong. It is just God. The Holy Spirit was just so close to comfort.
I am not sure I was faithful in my commitments because, at the start of the year, my goals were “Not to be Slothful in Business”, “Fervent in Spirit”, and “Serving the Lord”. But through it all, I found His mercy, I learnt He truly cares and loves me, I saw him answer my prayers at the end of the day and directed me in His will. I learnt faith in such a new, practical, and refreshing way.
The miracles of supply from above were astonishing! God practically touched men to help and favour us. Even if we had persuaded people to do so, I doubt we would be blessed as much as we were. In fact, unlikely folks reached out to help.
A lot has changed with me, and a lot is still changing. Hopefully, it is a change that gravitates to being more like Him. I hope to be more and do more. May God help me.
Looking back, I think the most worthwhile question to ask is, “Did I really obey all God’s instructions to me?” At about the beginning of the year, I was sure God wanted me to adjust some things as regards food preference and time usage. In fact, I gave my word to follow through! It is really saddening to realize that, for the most part of the year, I didn’t. Ironically, it is a year where I have come to experience more of his steadfast love despite my unworthiness. At such a time as this, I cannot but cry, “more of you Lord, more grace to do your will”.
I would speak to taking stock by sharing a testimony.
I started the year with despair. I had undergone two exams from the prior year and had failed both. Results came in December. The third was a request, I wanted to get promoted at my place of work but didn’t know how, as I was not so qualified. So at the beginning of the year when everyone around me was counting their blessings from 2021, the devil was quick to tell me not to bother counting because ah mean, what do I wanna record? I had three outstanding requests with failure staring at my face.
Well, I started 2022 on a really dispiriting tone. It was as though I was already down and needed to fear no fall. It really couldn’t go any worse. However, the first victory came when my name came up for promotion. I not only got the promotion, but I also got a 5-star rating, the highest at my place of work with double bonuses. Next, I went for the Piano test in August and this time, I was more scared than the first attempt. This would be an international disgrace, I thought to myself. Two days later, I learnt that I had passed. How that happened, only God can explain. The result of the third is not yet out but if God has done these two for me, the third ain’t nothing! He can do allllllllll. There are many side blessings from this year alone, but I don’t want to exceed my two paragraphs limit. My 2022 is wayyyyy better than 2021. God is newer to me every day. I’m grateful to Him eternally.
I started the year as a serving Corps member, I had 4 months left to conclude my National Youth Service Corps. I was to finish in April, which is also my birth month. I was approaching a special age; I was grateful for all I had. I looked back wishing things were as I planned. Reality dawned on me how time flies and how each moment matters. One important lesson l learnt was God’s speed and timing are the best. I thought things weren’t going according to how I had planned. Little did I know that God was still very intentional about me.
My second lesson was to take my stand for Christ uncompromisingly. I was faced with sexual temptations and immoral advances! Not by power or by might was I able to sail through, it was just grace.
My third lesson is total dependence on God for whatever I wanted. I mean there was a special wish I had to be married in 2022. It didn’t seem possible but God did make it happen. FAST FORWARD to post service, I relied on a connection I built in my service year to get a job. The person kept postponing…. My hopes were crashing, I was almost getting depressed. There was this Juicy July Program where ladies gathered to pray. I gave that month all I had. Then something dropped in my spirit to go to the particular house of God I asked for my admission. I went there, I prayed again, my spirit was calm. God raised a man who came through for me.
God brought my family members together after 6 years of living separately due to professional demands. It has always been a prayer point that was checked this year
I had my down moments: when my sister lost an opportunity she really desired, when my best friend didn’t win the grant we thought would happen. I lost a fervent friend who served the Lord. I was really sick this year, God always came through with healing in his arms. God was indeed my all in all. 2022 taught me to keep all of my eggs in one basket with God, not to compromise my stand for God (I tried this) and to always lean on God
This year is gradually coming to a close and it’s great to take stock by making some reflections.
By carefully watching the trajectory of my life this year, it is striking to me that God is ever involved in our affairs as human beings. We should continually yield to God and not drive the course of our lives entirely by ourselves; we NEED God. And we should always remember that He will never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5 KJV).
Lastly, I thank God for the gift of men — people God has used for me tremendously. I thank this ever gracious and loving Father for all He has done for me, and I pray that as He continually works in me both to will and to do His good pleasure, I will remain obedient and submissive. Amen.
Taking stock of a year like 2022 can never be easy. It was a great year of new beginnings and uncommon testimonies. While drafting my goals for the new year, I felt some things I wrote were too grand and therefore not feasible. Now, everything on the long list is cleared with a month to go. So many testimonies! Favour and grace became a lifestyle this year, and everything I laid my hands on prospered. YHWH’s faithfulness, love and fatherly kindness I experienced daily and vividly.
I am encouraged to pray more, not just because prayer is most important, but also because all my prayers were answered. Imagine if I had prayed more! I also enjoyed the company of the Holy Spirit whenever I open my bible to read, and I received tremendous help to thrive and be a shining light in the isolated town I was posted to work. People said I cannot live here for a year without picking up a vice or two, that even great Pastors and people more spiritual have come and “adjusted”, and that what I can do is try not to sin too much. For me, it was not so, and the only vice I seem to have picked is how much I now love bush meat. I started this year as a child of God, and I still am. Blessed be His name forevermore. Also, 2022 is a year where I had to deal with a lot of responsibilities, regardless of whether or not I was prepared. I had to grow up, and to an extent, with God’s help, I did. It was also for me a year of full emotions: laughter, love, tears- of joy and of bereavement, family and friends reunion; some welcomes and many goodbyes.
Lastly, I bless God for the consistency of De-Vine Blog, the contributors, and the readers, and I pray for more inspiration and time to do the Lord’s work. God bless you.
The year 2022, started with a lot of mixed feelings, I had a very sad experience of loss in 2021 and was thinking if I lost any other person, I would not be able to hold up. God being his faithful self sent a message of hope and comfort to me, “…thou crowneth the year with goodness and thy path drops fatness”. With this, I learnt to cast my burdens upon him and talk to him about my anxieties and doubts. God came through for me.
I started the course I had put off for some time, He reassured me of my family’s safety and his long-time promise came to pass against all odds. The Lord has blessed me more than I ever imagined in this year. I have learnt that He loves me greatly and if I can only trust and obey him more, He’ll do much more than I ever imagined. Indeed, not one of his promises fails.
The year 2022 is one of the years full of highs and lows. Anyone resident in Nigeria can relate with the words; ‘’ SAPA’’, ‘’SHEGE’’ and ‘’JAPA’’. And those that are entrepreneurs or self-employed can relate better. But as believers we find solace in the promises of God: “When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, there is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person” (Job 22:29). Having taken stock of the year 2022, I can only testify to the faithfulness of God. Yes, he does answers prayers, it may not be in your own time but in His perfect time and for His Glory. Around October this year, things were really hard for my family. We had bills to meet and salaries to pay; the month was fast rounding up. So, I got a call from one of my clients that his friend would call me for some land documentation. I expected it to be immediate; all my hope was on it. I wanted the provision. But at a time, I got tired of waiting. Have you realized that when you are waiting, three days can look like three months? That was my predicament. And I prayed a sincere prayer; that God would bless me in His own way while adding what I was expecting as an addition. Lo and behold, I got a strange call from the US, it was an old friend and he required my service for a job, and within 24hrs he made a substantial payment to mobilize me for the job. I was like wow! This must be God. And guess what? The job I had thought would be the solution to my problems came in thereafter. God will give you every good and perfect thing you desire in His time. Relax!
Taking thought over this year, I realize that the only thing that makes the year great is God. If i should look into myself, my environment or experience, i will not have judge aright. But when I look unto God, beyond challenges, hopelessness, stagnation and cruelty, i find grace and help. There were many equations that never competed until God was involved. This year I escaped accidents, suicide attempts and the accusing tongue of jealousy. I have learnt that where there’s a favour there’s a future. Also, there are two things that bring wealth to a man: Favour and Value. However, I regret not taking some bold daring steps this year. Now, I know no matter how beautiful God’s purpose and plans are, until a man takes a step in faith, those plans remain mere pretty dreams. I have been blessed by the many posts on De Vine blog. They are life shapers. May God continue to bless the conveyor and the hands of the ready writers. Happy new year in addy.
Going down memory lane, I have found that life is no chance but providence. I was born into a Christian family where I learnt the tenets of Christianity. This formed the bedrock on which my life stands today. I knew the power of prayer from my childhood and have proved God’s power to answer prayers. Although, the answers do not always come just the way I would want them, they are always higher than mine and right on time. As a human, I am disposed to wanting to sometimes choose my way, and be independent of my Maker, who wants me to depend solely and wholly on Him at all times. This attitude has landed me into many troubles that resulted in lots of emotional distress, anxiety, depression and even panic attacks. I can tell you categorically, that God answered all my prayers, both the seemingly impossible ones and the ones I sighed under my breath. Then, I began to ask myself where the mental torture came from when God was always there ready to answer my prayers. My experience so far has made me see God as a loving Teacher. No wonder, He is called, the kind Shepherd. One striking thing that God did for me was giving me jobs I didn’t apply for just after my undergraduate study. He has blessed me and shown me that I can leave the wheels of my life for Him to steer because He only can do it best. It’s been a thrilling experience with God and I want to be with this God forever.
This year, one of the many things I’ve learned is the act of waiting. When I was praying in January, I was kind of rushing God for a breakthrough but then he gave me a scripture in Isaiah 40:31. I didn’t understand why God wanted me to wait but I did. The assumption about waiting is that you do nothing while you wait but, actually, there are certain things we must do in the wait. We must keep praying, keep reading the Word, and keep still. In Isaiah 41:10 he says fear thou not for I am with thee... and in Exodus 33:14 my presence will go before thee and I will give you rest. Those words gave me an assurance that he’s with me in my waiting, and I thank God for that. In a nutshell, I learned to fully trust in Him and He did not disappoint as He eventually answered my prayers. One thing I thank the most is the joy and peace He gave me, something no man can give. And yes I do face challenges but He still remains faithful.
It’s that time of the year again: bright lights, jingling bells, musical concerts and carols, family dinners, and just pure rejoicing in the air. It is Christmas time. Unfortunately, many people do not know why Christmas is so important to Christians; in fact, many countries have started to secularize Christmas as any other public holiday. While most Christians recognize December 25as Christmas day, it does not mean that that was the day Jesus was born. It is simply the day that has been earmarked for celebrating the fact that Jesus came to save this world––hence the song “Joy to the world the Lord is come”. Christmas is a reminder that Jesus brought His glorious light to this dark world and that He came to redeem us all from eternal bondage. It is also a reminder that God loved the world so much that he gave us Jesus so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Christmas is a time of rejoicing. When Jesus was born in a manger to the virgin Mary, we are told that heaven and earth were rejoicing. The angel who brought the good news was reported saying:
Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men (Luke 2:10-12).
Every Christmas, I find myself returning to the following songs as a way of reflecting and reminding myself of why Jesus is the reason for the season (He is in fact the man for all seasons). Because I find myself returning to these songs every year and because I always feel blessed listening to them, I concluded that they are my favourite Christmas songs. I hope they bless you too.
ForUnto Us A Child is Born
“For Unto Us A Child is Born” is what happens when your favourite scripture is made into music by your favourite classical musician. The prophecy of Isaiah (9:6), many centuries before Jesus was born, is something I find myself returning to every now and then. I cannot even count the number of times I have used those words as a prayer point. I also don’t remember consciously memorizing the verse––– and that is simply because G.F. Handel turned it into a memorable song. It’s such a privilege for me to have sung this song in the choir a couple of times. The orchestra accompaniment (especially the sound of the string instruments) always moves me to tears. Thank God for Prophet Isaiah and for the gift of G.F. Handel: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
Mary, Did You Know?
This contemplative song written by Mark Lowry of the Gaither Vocal Band gets to me all the time. While the song has been criticized for lacking theological depth and for infantilizing Mary, I still cannot help but enter a meditative mode every time I listen to it. It is quite ironic that some critics think the song lacks theological depth because, for me, it provides some of the most profound insights into the simultaneous humanity and divinity of Christ. I think the “Mary questions” in the song are just a rhetorical and musical device employed to spur listeners into thinking of Jesus as “God become Man”. Here is an example of a line from the song: Mary, did you know? That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I Am. There is a thousand version of the song online but my favourite performance of the song is by the band called Pentatonix. Their harmonious acapella and penetrating acoustics will leave you transfixed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Did you know that this advent/Christmas hymn, originally written in Latin, is over 1200 years old? It was translated into English only in 1851. I love the texture of this metrical song, the raw pessimism giving way to a call for joy. The song beautifully encapsulates the story of Christmas. We were languishing in sin and darkness with no hope in sight but thanks be to Jesus who chose to come to earth and rescue us from Satan’s tyranny. Thank God for the promise of Emmanuel (God with us”). Every year, I listen to For King and Country’s version of the song. I like their version because of how they tactfully add the touch of soft rock/pop without losing the original soul of the song. I particularly like the part where the trombone comes on because it gives you a feeling of nostalgia for a place (Heaven) that dwells within even though you have never really been to that place. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkvYR4BcHYc
O Holy Night
My Christmas is not complete without listening to “O Holy Night”. What a gift the song is. Did you know that this song was originally based on a poem written by Placide Cappeau, a French poet, in 1843? The poem was made into music four years after it was written. The song would go on to become one of the most popular songs celebrating Jesus’ birth. The song captures how the birth of Jesus gave our miserable world “a thrill of hope”. The song pictures how the world rejoices because the birth of Jesus has heralded a “new and glorious morn”. While the song is one of the most popular Christmas songs, it is also one of the most difficult to sing because of its wide and–– might I add–– wild vocal range. Some of the best vocalists in the world (Celine Deon, Mariah Carrie, David Phelps, Lauren Daigle etc.) have all attempted the song, but my favourite rendition of the song is by Lincoln Brewster. Listen to Brewster’s version as see why, in my evaluation, he has the best rendition of the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i4c5cFKls8
Noel
There are many “Noel” songs out there, but I don’t think any of them matches the musical genius of this particular one written by Chris Tomlin and performed by Lauren Daigle. Apart from Daigle’s enchanting voice, my favourite part of this song is the piano interlude––– it gives me chills all the time. The song emphasizes how the Christmas story is, ultimately, a story of love. God loves the world so much that He gave us His only begotten son, Jesus. Therefore, Jesus is an embodiment of love; he is love incarnate, love divine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vwu-t7QRaE
Mary Had A Little Lamb (Yoruba Version)
There are so many Christmas songs in my native tongue, Yoruba, and many of them are translated from English. While this song entitled “Mary Had A Little Lamb” draws from an existing Christmas song, its lyrics and tune are innovative and original. What is innovative about the song is that it combines a western classical musical style with a Yoruba ballad style of singing. The song, which is often performed as a duet, is meant to be accompanied by an orchestra. It tells of the peace that is brought upon the world by Jesus, the Lamb of God. The song is best experienced as a live performance. While the only available recording of it ( performed by The Belcanto Ensemble of Italy) is not very clear, it is nonetheless enjoyable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwWYT9GqAaA&t=1s
Have you ever marvelled at God’s creation? Have you ever thought about how great bodies of water came into existence? Have you ever pondered on how God made the great lights: the sun, moon, and stars? Have you imagined the joy of young lovers towards each other or the rapturous feeling a newborn child gives his/her parents? My point is that God, the connoisseur of beauty, is behind it all. He gave everything he created to man as a gift and, in return for his loving kindness, we are to give him praise and pleasure. The Psalmist puts it so well when he writes:
I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky jewelry, moon and stars mounted in their settings. Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way? Yet we’ve so narrowly missed being gods, bright with Eden’s dawn light. You put us in charge of your handcrafted world, repeated to us your Genesis charge, made us lords of sheep and cattle, even animals out in the wild, birds flying and fish swimming, whales singing in the ocean deep. Psalms 8: 3-8(MSG)
With every resource God has given to us, spiritual or physical, we must always remember that we are caretakers and not owners. Nothing we have or own absolutely belongs to us; we will be accountable for how we steward what God has entrusted unto us.
2.
Habakkuk 3: 17-19 is a scripture in the bible that resonates a lot with me. Though things do not go as expected, and life seems topsy-turvy, I am supposed to rejoice. I am expected to always rejoice in the Lord, to joy in the God of my salvation (vs 18). One day, it occurred to me that the God of my salvation can restore all I have lost: time, money, resources, belongings, and even relationships. God replaces things in such a manner that they appear not to have been lost. He may also choose to not replace them. Either way, our position should be to trust the process and God’s dealings. God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9); He keeps his words and promises. Through it all, I find a lot of courage in Habakkuk’s words (3:19): “The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!.”
3.
If one acknowledges the transcendence and supremacy of God, life becomes much easier to live. All you need is to lean on God’s words and trust His promises. Take a look at Job who lost all he had in the twinkle of an eye. The loss wasn’t because he sinned but because God knew He could trust Job’s loyalty to Him. Take a moment to reflect on this: Can God trust you? Can God trust your love for him beyond what you desire from Him? To piggyback on my earlier point, an understanding that every single blessing we have is from God will solidify our trust in Him. Who can teach us about trusting God better than bro Paul who, in his letter to Timothy, writes:
“This is the Message I’ve been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It’s also the cause of all this trouble I’m in. But I have no regrets. I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end. In the midst of sufferings and persecution” 2 Timothy 1:11-12 (MSG).
We see here that Paul wasn’t trusting in his wisdom or strength to do what God assigned him to do. He was going to trust God for the blueprints. He would not neglect the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Hence, trust simply means a firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something. God himself had trust in humanity when he gave his only son to die for our sins! Did he love his son? Oh yes. He was also extending his great heart of love and kindness to man. He trusted that man would not spurn his love. Was dying for man’s sins an easy task for Christ? Oh no, yet he trusted the Trinity’s decision borne out of love toward mankind. Again, all of this points back to my earlier point that no matter what comes our way, the best option, or rather, the only option is to trust God
Finally, my friend, I would like to share a hymn that I sing often to just help me remember that I should trust God even in my lowest estate. I came across the hymn when I had a tough year and I sang in tears! I overcame really because I had testimonies and I was pointed back to Jesus Christ
De Vine 