Friday, October 30, 2009

In This 2009, We Will...(6)

For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, `Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea,' and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he say shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he say [Mark 11:23].


Mercy did not need to experience men herself; her conclusion was that they were all fakes, pretenders, wife beaters and liars. She had seen her elder sister being dumped by a man, leaving the young lady with a baby who never knew his father. She had seen the constant turmoil her eldest sister went through because of a husband who beat her every day for no reason. That was enough.

So Mercy told me, “I will never marry in this life. The only good men I know are my brother and my father. The rest are no good.” This she kept on saying.

We were young then. As we grew older, our priorities became different. We no longer wanted to read Enid Blyton books. The M&Bs had aroused something in us. We wanted to experience those things. We began to see that afterall, men can be good (maybe after a fight or two). We decided to try relationships. Mercy told me that she was in the relationship to get all she could from the man, such as access to company data for projects, companionship on weekends and let it not be said that she is a lesbian. She insisted that she will never get married.

Few years later, our classmates started getting married one after the other. Despite her beauty, it became more difficult for Mercy to stay in relationships. All led to nowhere, confirming her beliefs about men. When I saw her 2 years ago, it was still the same story.

I had been on my own journey, but there was something I learnt – we create our world with our words. I learnt to stop confessing negative words. I had learnt that I will have whatever I say [Mark 11:23]. I also learnt that we can ask God to forgive us for every idle word we have said, and by starting afresh we can recreate our world. So I told Mercy it was time for her to take back those words she confessed when she was younger, and start making positive confessions. In a few months time, she will be getting married.


In this 2009, We Will Speak Right.

We have been made in the image of God [Gen 1:27]. We know that God created the world by speaking, by calling things to be. His words began with, “Let there be…” [Genesis 1:3].

I would liken the impact of the words we speak to ripples. When you drop a stone in water, you see the way the ripples (waves) propagate outward affecting everything around it until a point where the energy fades away. That is how the words we speak are. They affect what is happening around us. The more we speak, the more we change (whether positively or negatively) the things around us.

What are the things that cause us not to speak right?
1. Ignorance: - We do not know the effect our words have or the kind of words we should be saying. In addition to the words we say, speaking the word of God also causes a manifestation of power because the word of God is backed up by the power of God [Hebrews 4:12].
2. Slangs and words we pick from our environment: -This guy is ‘bad’ may come out as a slang to mean something positive but it is indeed saying the guy is bad. Words like ‘this task is killing me’ may seem like a figure of speech but it is saying the task should kill you.
3. Circumstances: -when you are faced with a situation that cripples your faith and hope, you find yourself speaking what it is saying to you. So you have to speak back to the situation. Circumstances and situations are facts. The word of God is the truth.
4. Fears: - Job said “the thing I feared most has come upon me”. When you have fears, you begin to meditate on them, and worry about them, and what you have on the inside of you finds its way out through the words you say (even in your prayers). Such fears begin to manifest. You must replace the spirit of fear with faith, and by speaking the word of God.

Beloved, there is nothing you cannot have in this life. In this 2009, you will speak right. It is not too late to ask God to forgive you for negative words you may have confessed out of ignorance. This is a time to speak positively and call what you desire into realization. You may seem like a mad person when you are calling things that be not as though they were, but the truth is you will be acting as a true child of God [Romans 4:17]. Don’t use words like “if” but rather use words like “when” as you talk about your testimony to come. Your story will be different because we have a God who is indeed a story-changer.

Have a blessed weekend ahead.

For other posts in this series please visit the links below:
1. In This 2009, We Will Pray for Others
2. In This 2009, We Will Worship The Lord
3. In This 2009, We Will Know God for Ourselves
4. In This 2009, We Will Guard Our Hearts
5. In This 2009, We Will Sow Seeds

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Infant Steps: Re: When is One a Christian?

Beloved EROLyrics Readers,

Welcome to a blessed week. Covenant grace and peace be to you in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior, who reigns forevermore.

Today’s question on the Infant Steps Series is an interesting follow up on the question “When is one a Christian?” I remember that after I gave my life to Christ, I felt “that is it” and I continued life as usual. Was I a Christian then? I don’t know. Did you feel that way? Please read akaBagucci’s question below and share your views. Thank you.

Dear Rita,

Having prayed the 'sinner's prayer' how much of the next steps are dependent on the individual and how much on God?

I would think that if there really was a change, there should be new desires - to get in the word, fellowship and pray. Does that mean when such does not become the default desires, the person never became a Christian?

akaBagucci.



If you have any questions you would like to discuss on the Infant Steps Series, please drop me an email at esurunma@gmail.com or leave the question as a comment in any of my blog posts.

If you want to view past questions and answers on the Infant Steps Series, please check the list on the sidebar right of the blog.


All posts on the Infant Steps Series will be posted on Tuesdays, 9 AM West Africa Time.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

You Are Blessed

Wonderful Heavenly Father, Awesome God, The Author and Finisher, The Perfecter and Completer, You who does things beyond our expectation, even at your own perfect timing, words are not enough to describe you. As we draw closer to the end of this year, I am convinced, oh Lord, that 3 months is not too long for you to turn things around in the life of the person reading this. You do miracles every day and You can do miracles in this person’s life. Oh my Jehovah Suddenly, how I love and adore You. This 2009 is not over yet. Thank you that this year will be filled with testimonies for the person reading this. In Jesus Name, Amen.


Beloved, today we will not be having a question on the Infant Step Series, questions will continue next week. I want to share with you something about being blessed.


A challenge or trial in life does not necessarily mean you are out of the will of God. If you find yourself in such a situation, you may ask yourself “what have I done to deserve this? Has God stopped loving me?” The deceiver does not help matters because he will place before you several reasons why you may be going through the challenging phase. The greatest lie of them is when you are made to believe that there could be a curse, based on what you did, or a curse from someone related to you.

Beloved, I want you to understand that as a child of God, operating under the covenant [Genesis 15:1-18], you cannot be cursed because Whom God has Blessed is Blessed and no one can curse such a one [Numbers 22-24].

Remember the covenant between God and Abraham. As a spiritual descendant of Abraham, you are part of this covenant because when God started out with Abraham, He said, “…I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you” [Genesis 12:2-3]. You are blessed automatically and hence you cannot be cursed.

Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that He would never change His mind. So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, you who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as you hold to the hope that lies before you. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for your soul. It leads you through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for you. He has become your eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. [Hebrews 6:16-20 paraphrased].

So as I wish you a blessed week ahead, be conscious of the fact that you are indeed blessed, you cannot be cursed, and you can hope in God for it is impossible for God to lie. As a child of God, victory is assured for you. Nothing can separate you from the love of God. Remain blessed.



Do you desire the blessing and assurance that you cannot be cursed, yet you are not born-again? It is not too late to give your life to Christ. Simply confess your sins to God, ask for forgiveness, acknowledge His son Jesus Christ that he died for your sins, and he is alive. Invite Jesus to become your Lord and Saviour, and for the Holy Spirit to help you obey God. Look for a church founded on the word of God to attend, and continue to grow in the word. The Blessing will be upon you and victory over every situation will be guaranteed.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Infant Steps: Is What Everyone Doing Always Right?

Beloved EROLyrics Readers,

Welcome to a blessed week. Covenant grace and peace be to you in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior, who reigns forevermore.

Today’s question on the Infant Steps Series has to do with following the crowd. Sometimes we do things everyone is doing but is it always right? Please read Nelson’s question below and share your views. I am not quite sure how to categorize this question. Integrity? Tax evasion? Honesty? Please suggest something. Thank you.

Dear Rita,

I am a born-again Christian and have been for over seven years. I thank God for my job. One of the benefits of my job is that we are paid furniture allowances towards the end of the year. The options for collecting the allowance are
1) It is paid with salary and hence taxed heavily (to lose like 18-22% of it) or
2) A false receipt is brought stating that I have already bought my furniture and I need a refund. In the process of refund, the money does not have to go through my salary. This money we are talking about here is huge and much more than how much I would spend on furniture.

Recently, in my office, some folks were talking about whether option 2 is right or wrong. Someone said, “As long as Nelson does it, it is not wrong because he is a born-again Christian?”

Is option 2 wrong? This is what everyone does because our counterparts in other organizations are paid this allowance but the allowance is not taxed. If your answer is yes, please explain why.

Nelson




If you have any questions you would like to discuss on the Infant Steps Series, please drop me an email at esurunma@gmail.com or leave the question as a comment in any of my blog posts.

If you want to view past questions and answers on the Infant Steps Series, please check the list on the sidebar right of the blog.


All posts on the Infant Steps Series will be posted on Tuesdays, 9 AM West Africa Time.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Random Post

I had heard so many good things about her. Yet I doubted. I could not believe what they said. I wanted to see for myself. So I decided to go and meet her.

From her I learnt that:
• You can find strength in shortcomings
• There is some amount of pride and arrogance everyone needs
• Out of nothing, you can create something – it only requires vision, diligence and integrity
• That excellence and quality can be a standard
• That no matter what anyone says or does, you can be the best
• That when things begin to work out for you, even those who mocked you will respect you
• We are given sufficient to make us who we should be, it is how we make use of what we have that counts, not how much we have
• Once people know you are a good leader, you will have no problem being followed.

Okay okay, I am rambling. Do you want to know who she is? See the pictures below…Click on them to see larger view.









I had a vacation to Dubai. It was fun, exposing and enlightening. Best I have ever had and the best place I have visited so far (because I like the temperature). I thoroughly enjoyed myself. “She” is Dubai.

So I said,“It was a true report that I heard in mine own land. Howbeit I believed not the words until I came, and mine eyes have seen it: and behold, the half was not told me…” [Paraphrase of 1 Kings 10: 6-10]. And I spent all the money I carried with me there – it finished in their mall.

To explain the lines above:
1. You can find strength in shortcomings – In Dubai there is a lot of sand. Instead of complaining that their land is desert, they turned an area into a recreation /tourist site – The Desert Safari. Amazing! My heart was in my mouth all through the ride on the sands.
2. There is some amount of pride and arrogance everyone needs – it was as if they believed money can buy anything. They have an artificial ice rink in that hot (38degC)land? They have something like Disney Land? They have a Zoo? By the time I saw that they are capable of almost anything, I was looking forward to seeing a polar bear in their zoo.
3. Out of nothing, you can create something – it only requires vision, diligence and integrity. The place was once a desert. The rest is self explanatory.
4. That excellence and quality can be a standard – OMG! The quality of their buildings and structures left me dumbfounded. The underground tunnel…the palm jumeria…If you see the exceptional treatment they give visitors, you would wonder if they are constantly on training. Then if you go to their fast food joint, you will see efficiency in service. 1 person attends to 1 customer in 3 minutes. Their bus stops have AC!!! Their metro is a tourist attraction. Excellence exudes from everything they do. They are very organized. I won’t talk about their first-rate schools or hospitals in this post.
5. That no matter what anyone says or does, you can be the best –oh yes, they have the biggest, tallest, most innovative of things there…they aim to be the best at all times.
6. That when things begin to work out for you, even those who mocked you will respect you – like me for example.
7. We are given sufficient to make us who we should be, it is how we make use of what we have that counts, not how much we have - Reminds me of the parables of the talents. The more you use what is given to you, the more you get. Everyone wants to invest there.
8. Once people know you are a good leader, you will have no problem being followed – and ultimately, you have more people doing good.

Ok, I am not trying to market the place to you, but it is worth visiting for a vacation (among other things, my female counterparts understand). As I landed Nigeria, it was back to hold up and electricity issues. That is why I started listening to a friend who had been talking about “Light Up Nigeria”. Please feel free to join the group as Nigeria is transformed to a better place in that area.

It is not too late to see a change in Nigeria. Let us all take out time to pray that the kingdom of God will be established in Nigeria. Let us continually pray for our leaders, and those in authority. And let us not forget that tiny drops of water make the ocean - if individually we do what is right and good for Nigeria, collectively we make Nigeria a great place.

And if you hear that there is position for Minister of Tourism…nominate me :-) I have great plans for Nigeria, ever since I visited Dubai.

Have a blessed weekend ahead.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Infant Steps: Being Unequally Yoked

Beloved EROLyrics Readers,

Hope your week has started out great. Covenant grace and peace be to you in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior, who reigns forevermore.

Today’s question on the Infant Steps Series is centered around the passage on being unequally yoked “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness…” [2 Corinthians 6:14]. As a Christian, will you date someone who is not a Christian or eventually marry the person? Please read Jeremy's question below and provide him encouraging yet truthful answers. Thank you.

Dear Rita,

I have known this lady all my life. We grew up together in the same compound. She is kind, loving and the only woman that excites me. I have fought enough fights with her and we understand ourselves. She is my best friend. We were separated for a few years when she went abroad for her university education. During that time, I did not date anyone else. I also became a born again Christian and have been for over 3 years.

After her education, she returned to Nigeria and the sparks continued. When I mentioned her to my parents, they made a comment about since she is not a Christian, not even a born-again Christian, that I should consider a sister. Not long after my parents said it, I overheard some people talking about being unequally yoked.

Tell me, is it wrong that I am in love with someone who is not a Christian? I know she is a good girl but she did not grow up in a Christian home and I do not want to pressurize her into accepting my God. I believe that with time, as we are man and wife, I will be able to rub off on her and she could give her life to Christ. What really is the implication of being unequally yoked in marriage?

Jeremy.





If you have any questions you would like to discuss on the Infant Steps Series, please drop me an email at esurunma@gmail.com or leave the question as a comment in any of my blog posts.

If you want to view past questions and answers on the Infant Steps Series, please check the list on the sidebar right of the blog.

All posts on the Infant Steps Series will be posted on Tuesdays, 9 AM West Africa Time.