The Unnecessary Drama

Let's make a stop at the family of Isaac and see what played out.It was true that he gave Esau the report that Jacob came with subtlety and stole the blessing away.But was it really enough reason to give away a treasure of such magnitude to the 'wrong person'?

A quick look at the life of Isaac proves beyond doubt that he had more stake at the given away of that blessing than Jacob's subtlety.

Isaac had signals that demanded verification but they were all ignored by the aroma of the steaming venison before him.

The first was the instinct to query the speed with which the meal was prepared.Jacob smartly gave the appropriate religious response, "because the Lord thy God brought it to me".Wow!

Secondly,his skepticism for the answer made him call Jacob to come near that he may feel him and be sure that he's Esau.He felt him and was taken by the animal fur.

However,the voice became the third warning sign.Though the skin was in tandem but the voice was not, "the voice is Jacob's voice,but the hands are Esau's hands".A normal thing to do could have been to wonder at this miasmic manifestation,but unfortunately,he judged only with the skin and ignored the disparity in the voice.What a costly mistake!

Still not totally convinced,though now with compromised interest because the aroma has got his gullet rehearsing for the venison,he asked Jacob to come closer and kiss him.Such closeness couldn't have failed in detecting who Jacob was but now he couldn't judge properly again.He quickly gulped the meal and poured the blessing on Jacob.

Quite a scene,right?Now how could Isaac fall so low to such cheap trickery.A closer look will suggest that Isaac's lust for venison is uncontrollable.His rational mindset gave way at the aroma of the properly garnished venison.Otherwise,what else could suffice his poor judgement?

Like Isaac,many times we are imprisoned by several venisons to the extent that all warning signs are beclouded to us.We let our senses decide our actions,despite the signs. 

Anything that evokes skepticism in our mind over a decision should not be treated with kids glove.Caution demands that we check the reason for the red sign.But when we are gripped by our lusts for the venison,who can help us at that point?

Everyone has their own venison,it could be anything that you love so much the way Isaac loved savory meat.

It's time to check.Who or what is your venison?Has your love for this venison taken every reason away from you that you don't ponder on the signs you notice.Wouldn't it be nice to slow down and check again instead of letting this aroma run you down?

No wonder the bible says that we are tempted when we are drawn away by our lusts and enticed.The whole drama would be unnecessary if Isaac started on time to listen to his instincts and acted on them.

Don't engage in such unnecessary drama.Life is too short for that.

References: Genesis 25:28a,27:20-27,James 1:14

Don't be the Fool

There's this illusion that we need more money.It is natural to want more in life,however,going for that extra in defiance of any form of ineptitude,makes one a "fool". This is because that elusive hope of utopia can push someone to do the unthinkable.Yet there's no such thing as utopia.Life does not consist in the abundance of what we have no matter how much they are.Life is found in God.It is in God that we have true riches.It takes being rich in God to really live,yet we are often deceived that God or not,once we have the riches we are made for life.That's a foolish mindset.It is only a fool that says that there's no God and whenever we go after wealth as an end of quest on earth,outside God,we're ditching ourselves.We need the right perspective and attitude to wealth if we will remain intact in God and not be fools.

Reference: Luk 12:13-21

When God is your Shepherd

The Lord is my Shepherd.There is someone who watches over me.He is The Lord.He is no ordinary police or military who can be conquered and overthrown by a stronger opponent,no,but He is The Lord.The Maker of heaven and earth.He chose to be my Shepherd.I am His sheep.He knows that I am tender and vulnerable to wild animals.He knows that it takes a strong Shepherd to guarantee my safety.Because I am too precious to Him.He wouldn't risk my safety in the hand of anyone.He chose to be my Shepherd.So,because of that,I have everything I need.The things I don't get are the things I don't need,because He knows my needs and makes sure that I get them.
He ensures that I have rest void of any trouble.He is The Lord.He does not take me to where I will struggle to feed.He knows that I can only experience rest when my pastures are green.So He makes me to lie down there.He knows my need for a green pasture and so He brings me beside still waters,not troubled waters.Waters that will always refresh me and sustain the pasture for me without me having to water them myself.
His presence and provision causes my strength to be renewed.Anytime I need renewal,I should go to His presence and let Him feed me.He takes me through the right paths.In the right paths,I cannot be wrong or miss my direction.Right paths leads me to the right places where I ought to be.So He leads me there because He longs to preserve the glory of His name.He does it for His names' sake.I should not take my success for granted and assume that it's by my strength.He does it for His names' sake.
When my right paths seem to be very dark and it looks like I've lost my direction,I should not be afraid because my Shepherd is always with me,with the rod and the staff,wading off the predators that may want to take advantage of my precarious situation.He never leaves me.He protects and comforts me.He doesn't remove me from the valley but He gives me the right attitude to walk through it.
Even in the presence of my enemies,those who want to eat me up because I look vulnerable,He prepares a banquet for me.He wants me to learn that my strength is in Him,not in my wits.I don't have to look strong or intimidating.I'm ok the way I am.My Shepherd does not get intimidated by my enemies.He is more than a match for them.He so much blesses me that my cup overflows.He honours me with the oil of His presence.I feel great.
Now I know that your love and your beauty will chase me around all through my life.So,if I have all these in you,there is no better place to be then for the rest of my life than in your presence.
Thank you Lord.

Watch Your Ship

So they left Egypt and travelled north into the land of Negev-Abram with his wife and Lot and all that they owned,for Abram was very rich in livestock,silver and gold.Now Lot who was traveling with Abraham was also very wealthy with sheep,cattle and many tents.
It is not a coincident that "Lot who was traveling with Abram was also very wealthy".It cannot be overemphasized that our association has a lot to do with what we become.Every man is rich with something,whether good or bad.It is only what we have in abundance that overflows to those around us,whether consciously or unconsciously.That is why if you were never a football fan,when you start associating with those who are crazy with football,in a matter of time,you'll start analyzing football like them.There is always a transfer in every association.What we project is a reflection of the association we keep.Our association determines our acceleration in life.If your life is not measuring up in any area,change your association in that area.It is a ship that will either sail you through the storms of life or drown you in life.
Think about this,where are you heading to with your present association?

References:Gen 13:1-2,5

The Next Level

The anointing of God is the Spirit of God. Every child of God has a measure of God’s anointing. The anointing is the grace God gives us to make right choices as we should. Being born into the Kingdom of God qualifies us to become children of God and share the right of son ship with Christ. But what our life becomes stems from the choices we make henceforth. The Spirit of God given to us at salvation is to empower us to start making the right choices in line with our new found faith. Otherwise, one could be born again and still live in defeat, like every normal person. Jesus knew this and one basic choice He made was to love righteousness and hate iniquity, i.e consecration by will, not by legalism. As a result, God anointed Him above His fellows with the oil of gladness. The degree of God’s deposit in our lives is proportional to our level of consecration. Our choices differentiate us from the rest people. The call to be a Christian is a weighty responsibility and that requires the anointing in no mean  measure. Jesus knew His calling, hence His choices. God has called us unto noble responsibilities. What are the choices you need make to fit into that calling? The much we can do is to perform lifeless rituals without the corresponding anointing upon us. Borrowing a leaf from Jesus will be a good start. Love righteousness in its minutest level .Promote justice. Choose to do the right thing with passion whether other people join you or not. Stand for truth and God will build a tabernacle upon your life. On the other hand, hate iniquity, no matter how it’s decorated. Iniquity will drown you. Shun evil at all cost even if you have to stand alone. Heaven will send help on your way. I congratulate you as you begin this day, with the help of the anointing of God(the Spirit of God, the grace of God),to make the right choices that will move your life and our nation forward. Our country need me and women who can stand for truth in all circumsatnces. Be among them

References: Heb 1:9,Isa 61:1

He Got Your Back

The Almighty God cannot be swayed by mortal men. He knows the end from the beginning. The intention of our hearts is laid bare before Him, He need not that any should tell Him of any man for He knew all men. This alone should caution us to be careful what we imagine even before we execute them. However, the heart of man which is deceitful and desperately wicked cannot stay without longing for freedom to wander in its lust. The inclination of the heart is such that anything man thinks is evil. God already knows the doom ahead of our imagination and so He prepares for us before we land. But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Such is the magnanimity of God’s grace. The Lord engages any suitable means to forestall our impending betrayal. He wants to keep us aware of His love, such that even in our unfaithfulness, He remains faithful to us. He brings us to situations, places, events, people, etc., that will leave a definite positive impact in our hearts. Many times we tend to forget. But when the chips are down, He engages our conscience with those songs, words, films, books,etc, to remind us of His love and promises, just for our sake. Oh!, that we may cherish any moment we have to learn at His feet, whether in the car,office,market,school,church,etc.May we not repress those urges to listen to those edifying songs or messages, read those inspirational books, watch those Christian movies, read those Christian magazines, signposts, fliers, etc, for those are the arsenals He uses to guard our hearts in those unguarded moments when we are jeopardized by our environment and people around us. May we be open to His promptings as He keeps drawing us towards the narrow way.

References: John 2:25, Jer 17:9, Rom 5:8

Do It Now

Everything God does has a redemptive purpose. Man may have their own agenda but God's intention remains flawless. Again, God has a generation at heart any time He sets out to do a thing. When the Israelites were about to enter the promised land and the death of Moses was imminent, God would not let Moses go without consolidating what He started. He told him to write a song and teach the Israelites with their children so that when they enter the promised land and forget God in their prosperity, that song will be a witness to them. Moses wrote the song and taught them that same day. I cannot stop to imagine that the life of someone in a Christ less society, a prison or anywhere in the world is hanging on that song God has told you to sing, that book He has inspired you to write, that story/drama He has moved you write and act, that NGO He has told you to start, etc. I don't know what God has told you to initiate and you are still procrastinating. A generation is waiting for your arrival. Don't be sluggish anymore. We are running out of time. Pick your pen and write that song, book, story, etc. Will you wait till all have started worshiping other gods before you start? Now is the acceptable time. Wake up, child of God and do it NOW.

References: Deut 31: 19-22, 2Cor 6:2.