And On Her Tongue Is The Law Of Kindness

The Holy Spirit dropped this verse (Proverbs 31:26) in my spirit and I believe that some sisters, including me, need to hear it.

 

We've read about the Proverbs 31 woman over and over again - how she is always on point etc. I have come across a lot of women who really do all they can to be like that woman. They cook, clean, work, fix stuff around the house etc. That's not bad in itself. Please just learn to take a break once in a while and don't wear yourself out, okay?

 

Anyway, you'll find among a good number of these women what I like to think of as "stress-induced harshness". I am shocked to hear and read what they have stored in their minds under the "virtuous woman" exterior. It is really scary, in my opinion.

 

I am all for doing one's part for a successful marriage. However, please do not sacrifice your salvation and spiritual well-being for a "successful" marriage. Please do not end up like Sapphira. The Lord will help us all.

 

Please spare time from your busy day to fellowship with God, study the Word and commune with the Holy Spirit. They have a way of relieving the stress and sweetening your heart and tongue.

 

Whatever the burden you're carrying, please take it to the Lord in prayer and LEAVE IT WITH HIM. He is the Ancient of Days, so I'm certain He has taken someone else through that route successfully before. Your case is not beyond His capability. You'll finish strong, in Jesus' Name. Cheer up and create an atmosphere of love and kindness around you.

 

Have a blessed and productive day.

Welcome to Lent.

Good day sisters. How are you doing? I trust that all is well.

I found out quite late that yesterday was Ash Wednesday - that is the flag-off ceremony for Lent, if you were not aware.

 

To educate those that don't know, Lent is supposed to be a period of fasting and sober reflection; a time where excesses are cut off etc. One of my relatives died around this period many years ago and we had to postpone her burial till after Lent. It's not that you can't bury Catholics during Lent but you can't par-teeh...And my people wanted to par-teeh (Please don't let me start my tirade on the whole par-teehing thing...). One is expected to do things in moderation.

 

While participating in the National Youth Service scheme, I learnt a hymn that had these lines "I'll be a true soldier, I'll die at my post". As I reflected on the lines, I realised that I don't just want to die at my post; I also want to live at my post. I don't want to do whatever I like while I'm living then rush to my post to die, lol.

In my opinion, that's what many do during Lent. They indulge in unwholesome behaviour at other times and try to atone for it during Lent. This can't be what Jesus died for, can it? I like the idea of fasting, sober reflection and living in moderation. My point is, please don't restrict it to Lent. The 'sacrifice' of Lent will not atone for the wickedness of the other periods.

 

Jesus talked about taking up our cross DAILY. He was not talking only to Catholics; it concerns you and I. Living in moderation is a Biblical injunction. The Bible admonishes us to follow peace with ALL men (including irritants) and holiness without which no man can see God.

 

Please let me know you read this by telling me the scriptures that support the ideas propounded in this post, lol.

Have a blessed and productive day.

Lessons from Mephibosheth

Interesting thought from yesterday's service.

We read from 2 Samuel 9 during service. As we read on, my attention was drawn to Ziba. Mephibosheth was the grandson of a king. He ought to have been 'settled' for life... Unfortunately, that was not his case. He was broke, living in someone else's house and lame. I wonder where his son was...
In contrast, Ziba who was a servant in Saul's house. He had 15 sons (wow) and 20 servants. Somehow he had made 'it'. 
One day, David remembered his covenant with Jonathan. I'm wondering why it took David so long to remember the covenant...Lord, please remind everyone that has a part to play in connecting me to Your plans for me of what they need to do QUICKLY, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

You'll find out later in 2 Samuel 16: 1-4 and 2 Samuel 19: 24-30 that Ziba was not particularly excited about having to serve Mephibosheth. He eventually set Mephibosheth up and got everything David restored to Mephibosheth from him. 
Ziba was instrumental in reconnecting Mephibosheth with David. It is likely that Mephibosheth felt indebted to him. It was the same Ziba that set him up, taking advantage of his lameness.
David was able to restore the material things Mephibosheth lost but he couldn't reverse his lameness, which was a fall-out of the death of Saul and Jonathan. It was that lameness Ziba took advantage of.
Along with other lessons I learned from today is that I need to pray for TOTAL restoration, including the intangible things, so that 'frenemies' (aka unfriendly friends) will not take advantage of anything to steal again from me what God has restored to me.
The quote that has been bouncing in my head all through last week can now be shared, lol. I couldn't search for the person who said it, we can search together later...
"Eternal vigilance is the price we have to pay for freedom"

At least I have a reference for my closing verse, lol.
"Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him in the faith..." (2 Peter 5: 8, 9a Holman Christian Standard Bible).
Beware of the Zibas of this world that help you in one breath and use deception to collect it back in another...

Have a blessed and productive day.

WHERE DO YOU WORK? WHAT DO YOU DO?

Good day people. How are you doing? I trust that all is well.

As I was heading out yesterday, one of my new neighbours gave me a ride. Two questions he asked me as we were chatting, amongst others, were "Where do you work? What do you do?" I told him the name of the organization I work for and what we do. We talked about other things before I alighted.

Whilst in a meeting later in the day, the facilitator asked us similar questions as the ones my neighbour asked me earlier. My answer the second time (essentially to myself) were not the same as the first time. This time, my answer was "I work for the Lord".

As I reflected more on this, I realise that my second response is the correct one. I work for the Lord. Everything I do should be for the advancement of the kingdom. As I go about my daily tasks at home, at work, while playing, while pinging (add your own), I have to ensure that I am doing it unto the Lord.

I don't know about you but I was jolted out of complacency by that thought.  I belong to God!

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Colossians 3: 23-24

“Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.”

Ephesians 6: 7-8

 

Have a blessed and productive day.

Watch How You Rejoice

Good day people. How are you doing?

Interesting lesson from today's service in Isaiah 39.

Hezekiah just got healed miraculously and the king of Babylon sent emissaries with a letter and presents to him.
Hezekiah was so glad (I wonder why, though) that he showed the emissaries things he had no business showing them.
Then, Isaiah told Hezekiah that EVERYTHING in the palace and ALL that his fathers stored up would be carried off to Babylon. Even some of Hezekiah's descendants would be taken away and be made royal Babylonian eunuchs.
Surprisingly, Hezekiah's response was "The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good" because he thought: There will be peace and security during my lifetime...SEE SELFISHNESS! I'm sure someone is thinking "What could Hezekiah have done?" Erm, this is the guy that prayed in Chapter 38 and God reversed Himself...Now, he's just taking the prophecy like that? Uhmm
Anyway, the thought that came to me as this verse of scripture was shared in church was that some of us inadvertently invite trouble when we're celebrating that "breakthrough"...Who sent Hezekiah to show those guys around? Why did he not just thank them for the letter/gifts, refresh them and send them on their way?
It's just like the woman finally took in after waiting for some time. Someone heard about it and came visiting. You now begin to talk about how helpful your husband has been etc. Be guided! Watch how you celebrate when you receive that miracle.
Have a blessed and productive day.
PS: This scripture was shared in a segment of the service that was not the sermon. That's one more reason to get to church early enough to participate in all segments of the service.