Church last night and the screams

I have often been moved by the Spirit in sweet sensations that my belly feels like a swelling fountain about to burst with all manner of affections and delight. I have often danced and moved with such fierceness that I become uncontrollable but of which I am conscious of. There was a refreshness upon this house of which I mean the church of which at almost immediately I sensed the airy presence of the Holy Spirit and that He was at work in certain individuals of which manifestations were outward in groans and screams of which may have been a disturbance to some who are not so much occupied with such manifestations. I felt in my own eyes as I fixed my eyes in space a solidness of heaviness in the air which is I took to believe evidence that God is at work in this place. Also all that the preacher was saying, the Spirit had already occupied my mind with them in the present week .

But some may found it strange and observation proved to witness certain individuals leave because they were not accustomed to such strangeness in the church. So  I pray for those who are not moved by such manifestations not to count themselves unworthy or to superimpose a favouritism or madness to those who are succumb by the divine Spirit. I pray for love and the ruination of all jealousy and bitterness towards those who are moved by the Spirit accordingly and each as sweet as it pleases the Holy Spirit to move in them will by and by hold hands and rejoice that both their names are written in the eternal book of life.

In a later post I will write concerning this matter on the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

K.Oni

Are you crippled by fear in evangelism?

Faith in God is able to cripple all your fears in evangelism. You see your fear arises because you have set your eyes upon man and not upon God. You are convinced that the man may ridicule your presentation, be wiser than you, think you a fool for believing such nonsense. You focus on yourself and your own inability and this are the reasons why you are crippled by fear but now oh man lift your eyes to the Lord and be like Caleb who did not look at the strength of the Canaanites and the weakness of Israel but he looked upon God Almighty who is the Lord of Host and the Canaanites were destroyed thus Israel entered the land flowing with milk and Honey. Set your eyes upon the Lord and delight yourself in His power for your God is able to save and if we rely on His mercy, grace and Love, then what have we to fear? For if I go out placing all of my hope in God waiting for Him to display His glory through me, will I be disappointed? Absolutely not for fear shall flee from me and with great boldness and love I shall speak, rebuke, and exhort my fellow citizens with the gospel of Christ. I shall pack my bag, head to the streets and ask to pray for the heathens knowing that God is already at work and I am just joining in His work. God is able to save, so when I venture in all circumstances to reach my fellow men, I care nothing for comfort or happiness, sorrow or pain, nor in the will of man but all my hope is in the sovereign mercy of God that perhaps God through me will do a work which will ripple through the end of time. Now, reflect upon your own life and evangelism (your desire to tell your people about the whole counsel of God), where are your eyes set, are you yet crippled by fear if you are then I beseech you to set your eyes upon God believing that He is able to conquer giants and move mountains of which you are to be the instrument on which the victory will commence.

But you may say how can I set my eyes wholly upon God in order to be rid of all my fears? I shall tell you how my dear friend!

First, ask yourself is God able to do whatever He pleases? Absolutely! And is anyone able to restrict his hand? Certainly not. In the past has not God moved in your life, in History, and in others in ways unexpected and has he not by  His mercy brought about great revivals and the salvation of the most wicked souls? Absolutely! And ask yourself this question, are you believing and trusting that God is able to use you for His glory - to bring about the salvation of your precious friends? Are you assured that God is passionately devoted to the task of restoring and redeeming his people (those who are not yet his) because they are in need to hear the gospel from your lips and see the fruits of your Christian life?

My friends, focus on Christ and your heart will be easily encouraged. Fear will become to you like an ant of which is no difficulty for you to crush. In view of this, of looking entirely upon God more in faith (for faith expresses itself in actions and works) you will see heaven invade earth in all your endeavour and the power of the Spirit will flood your entire ministry. Also faith expresses itself in prayer, in continual prayer for it is the expression of your dependence upon God. If a man prayeth not his faith is weak but if a man is found constantly on bended knees, He is entirely full of faith and in time of the hour He shall duly fulfil his task and the Spirit will speak and act accordingly through him as He wills. I am a transgressor in this as well my friends but today I repent by gazing upon the man on the cross in whom all my sins were nailed, and by whom I am justified and eternally accepted. I gaze and watch as he bows his head and gives His soul, then He was taken down, dead, balmed, and buried. I gaze yet and found him to be raised and therein all my hopes resurrected, and before my eyes, to the eye of my soul I see Him with a glittering smile. I gaze as I watch Him fly to the His heavenly throne and today I gaze knowing that he is here with me and though His Spirit which lives in me my eyes can see and adore the perfections of His Godly face. Oh my beloved, my beloved, my eyes will never fade from thee as yours never fade from me.

K.Oni

Time to pray and shine

I am moved by the restless situation that is occurring all across the world, it seems that the kingdoms of this world has been shaken. Creation is groaning and rebelling against the sinful acts of men, human establishments are crumbling and happiness is decreasing. I feel a worldwide unrest especially with the current situation in the middle east and the impact the conflict will have on the economy especially among the poor of the poorest. My soul is troubled within me and as I watched the news last night, I held my hands in my face and asked the Lord, that how do I interpret these times, what is happening and how are your people to react. There are passages to which one could turn to in the New testament, that calls for the alertness of believers, that warns that time is short and the day of judgement is at hand, therefore do not be slack but work while it is still day. Paul warns the Church at Ephesus to ‘be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but wise, making the most of every opportunity , because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is… Instead be filled with the Spirit’ (Eph 5:15-18). I do not want to be foolish in these times but I want to know what God’s will is and I want to do all that I can to be prepared and to prepare others.  In answer to my prayer I believe, I was in a dream and much of it I cannot remember and it was not until my awakening that I concluded that this must be perhaps what to be doing in these times. I found myself in a place with two others and being chased by a force we entered this place and held the door. We held the door by prayer and the force could not enter in, then I awoke. I was filled with a sense of urgency to pray and to make this my daily diet and to seek out to people with the gospel of repentance, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a time for God’s people to pray as never prayed before and a time to shine, for creation is waiting for the Sons of God to be revealed. We must not veil the gospel in these times for if we veil it, it is only to the detriment of those who are perishing but with unveiled faces we must declare the good news of Christ administered with a thorough devotion to prayer and practical Love.

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:11-14.


K.Oni

The past two weeks

As a student with one lecture a week and a two hour tutorial every two weeks it is remarkable to witness how much time I have and how much I could do. I could work, indulge in my pleasures, study whatever I want to study, help people and many more things. Of course there are lots of things that I could possibly be doing but without a structure I could end up doing nothing.  The past two weeks have been to me a joy and delight, constantly amazed by the grace of God and his divine provision.

Two weeks ago was UWECU events week where the Christian union put on events designed to attract non-Christians to come and hear the gospel of Christ. I loved the week but faded out towards the end for reasons of my own. I loved the gazebo where we gave out free tea and coffee for the whole week to student. I enjoyed the many conversations and the friendship established through serving tea and coffee. The questions asked where general questions of which I had encountered before so it was a pleasure to answer accordingly and tell of the goodness of God. Many of the other events were also enjoyable and throughout the week non-Christians were able to hear the gospel of our blessed Lord. There are many things which happened throughout the week and I thank God for it all. I pray for eternal fruit from this week and that many come to saving faith in Christ.

Playing football for UWE we lost against Swansea which melted our title ambition, Glamorgan needs to drop a point and we have to beat them if we are to win the title. All is in God’s hand and whatever happens Jesus is my satisfaction. I do wish for us to be promoted and with all of my heart I will do my best. Having a niggle also is an hindrance but God has enabled me to play thus far and his grace will see me through according to his will.

Church I have loved, the fellowship awesome and the services have been sweet. Being a student I eat most often after the services and it saves me from cooking. I love the student ministry at WSC and love the leader passionately that I pray that God may increase the fold.

It is entertaining to me to have such a better passion for my study at university. I love reading the journals but I have much to do and more of my time need to be given to it if I am to excel. The literature is vast and interesting but most are saying the same things and my limited mind is beginning to grasp the concept and methodology of political leadership.

This week has been a return to my usual self in the sense of constant daily seeking to reach out to people and serve. I spoke throughout this week to at least one soul about our Lord Jesus Christ and by His grace I shall continue to do so. I need more passion more agony for the lost and to be a man bend on his knee to His God pleading night and day, wrestling with Him till he has blessed me and grants my request which are according to his will and when they are not He corrects them by correcting me.

My friend is in town for most of this week and it has done my soul much pleasure in seeing him again. I love him with all of my heart and pray that He will continue to stand firm to the very end till the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And whatever is worthy, whatever is pure,  whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.

K.Oni

Black History month - Phillis Wheatley (On Being Brought from Africa to America)

In an ideal world, namely a world without sin, there would be no need for a black history month for there would be no need for the injustice of slavery and the plight of blacks to the shores of America to be treated as slaves. Also ‘educational establishments and the national curriculum would fully recognise and appreciate the contribution of black people throughout history. Sadly that is not the case’*.  Black history month grew out of the “Negro History week”, and you can read more about the development of black history month here. Black History Month is held in February in America and October in the UK.

The focus of this blog is on a particular slave artist called Phillis Wheatley. She was a slave poet of colonial America and she became the first black person to publish a book of poetry in English. Benjamin Franklin wrote a positive assessments of her poetry and upon hearing her he asked her if there was any service he could do for her. Phillis Wheatley earned herself an international reputation and her elegy (mournful poem) on George Whitfield was widely reprinted on both sides of the Atlantic. For further reading of her biography click here.

Surveying her vast poems, I have loved her simplicity and complexity and admired the range of expression she conjures to awaken the imagination. Below is a poem that is one of my favourites of hers and I hope that you too may survey her works and be blessed and excited.

On Being Brought from Africa to America

'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too:
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
"Their colour is a diabolic die."
Remember, Christians, Negro's, black as Cain,
May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.

Even in the iniquity of slavery, Phillis Wheatley had a sovereign view of God in all things. Although her captors had meant her life of slavery for evil God meant it for good, for her to come to a saving faith in Christ Jesus in whose abode this passing torture is but light and momentary.

Phillis Wheatley poems

* http://www.black-history-month.co.uk/sitea/BHM_FAQ.html

K.Oni

Psalm 9 - An exposition

The first half of this psalm declares the victory of God’s total rule and triumph. Verses 1-12 is all affirmation, the fruit of reflection of God’s victory and justice over the wicked and vindication for the righteous. Verses 13-20 departs from this reflection and turns into a prayer arising from a state of suffering. The psalmist is seeking deliverance so that he may declare the praises of God.

Vs.1 I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart. An acceptable thanksgiving is one which is from the heart, it comes from the soul, it arises from the satisfaction of the individual towards its object. God is a God who deserves constant praise for He is worthy. Our thanksgiving should always be entirely from our hearts. Notice the excitement in this verse, the psalmist prepares himself to give thanks with all of his heart, for the praising of God is the delight of his soul. I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. After thanksgiving comes declaration, the wonderful deeds of God are so awesome that it is a sin to conceal them. A heart moved by God will not be contempt to hide to himself the great deeds of God but with joy would as soon run to the streets and shout of the great and wonderful deeds of God. The gospel is one of the greatest deeds of God and how wonderful is the story that bids sinners to come and live. Is this not wonderful to you, and if it is why do you veil it from your neighbour. Let us declare the gospel of God for it is a wonderful deed of God executed by His Son and continued by His Spirit. Vs. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praises of your name, O Most High. Our God is a happy God, therefore he calls his worshippers to be happy, to be glad and to rejoice in Him. There is a satisfaction and wholeness when one grasp the pleasantness of happily surrendering oneself to God in singing and rejoicing. The heart of man was made to sing and that to God. Notice that the psalmist is to rejoice in God and to be glad in God. The psalmist is not keen to rejoice in God’s benefits or what God may grant him, but in God. When was the last time you rejoiced in God, in His being, in who He is, Father, Son, and Spirit. For one to rejoice in God, one must know God and when one contemplates of His being and character there is immediately a warmness flowing through the veins of one’s blood for one is so excited by His character and nature that He is their satisfaction and treasure. Those who know God in a sweetly manner are apt to rejoice and sing praises to his name.

After the psalmist has declared of what He will do, that is to praise God, He now focuses on his enemies and bids them to vs. 3 turn back. The reason for such a warning is because his enemies stumble and perish before God. God has caused his enemies to fall but God has upheld the psalmist vs. 4 right and his cause, while God is sitting enthroned as the righteous judge. God is altogether righteous and throughout the psalms this nature of God is constantly being drawn out and appealed to. God is the universal judge and he judges the nations and peoples according to his righteousness. No one is wronged when God unleashes the sword and strikes with the arrows of justice. Each is judged in total righteousness and fairness. Vs. 5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their names forever and ever. The righteous are never destroyed and their names are never blotted out but the wicked are destroyed and for all eternity their names are blotted out from the book of life. They have no place in heaven and never will. The wicked are destroyed in the lake of fire and the righteous laws of God rebukes the godless nations of today.  The psalmist continues to gloat over the righteous judgement over his enemies, vs. 6 Endless ruins has overtaken my enemies, you have uprooted their cities; even their memories have perished. God has granted the Psalmist victory over his enemies and the psalmist rightfully acknowledges that this is all God’s doing.

The believer can sweetly rest in the hope that justice will win the day, the wicked will not go unpunished and the righteous will be rewarded. God fills the throne of power and His kingdom is everlasting. Vs. 7 The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgement. For all of eternity God will reign, his ways will win the night and his plans will never be thwarted. Some have been fools in considering themselves rulers and kings forgetting that there is a greater King who is above them who will call them into account. Humans by nature exhibit a great folly by sitting themselves on the throne in which God is to rule over their lives and in rebellion they choose to actively walk their own ways disregarding the reign of God. Little do they know that God has established his throne for judgement, to render to each soul according to their deeds. He will give to rebels what they deserve when they come to his throne for judgment and their judgement will result in a banishment from His kingdom forever into the everlasting abyss prepared for the devil and his angels.

God’s total rule abounds to the whole world and whether poor or rich God will take their lives into account and declare justice for their plight. Vs. 8 He rules the world in righteousness, and judges the world with equity. Some have complained of a lack of justice here on earth and some dictators have ministered injustice in their reign, but the Lord rules in righteousness. Partiality and respect of persons will not be found in heavens court, there will be no bowl for a bribe, or the crafty speech of a wayward lawyer. Each person will be judged with fair equality as all the evidence will be known and all rocks will be turned so that all facts are laid bare and the guilty are rightly convicted.  But vs. 9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. This privilege is reserved for those who are oppressed or victims who have been wronged. The LORD is for them and He provides a shelter for them, the LORD himself will be their defendant, He will defend their case. Be encouraged my fellow believers when you are oppressed and wronged, God is your refuge and Jesus is your saviour. He will defend you and the courts of heaven will acquit you and God himself will prepare a room for your dwelling. Therefore give thanks to the Lord for He is righteous. Vs. 10 Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. The psalmist knowing who God is is able to rejoice in God for he knows God and those who know God will trust in God. The niceness in trusting in God is that he will never forsake you. This is sweet to the soul knowing that in great trials and tribulations, when all seems to be failing you, the Lord will never forsake you. He is your anchor and your shield, those who seek him will find him and in finding him will know that the LORD was always by them and what greater blessings will He comfort you with when you find him.

Vs. 11 Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. A contemplation of the deeds of God causes the psalmist to sing praises to God and these deeds are to be declared among the nations. The deeds of God we have seen is his judgement on the nations and wicked people, God is righteous, a refuge to the oppress and administers justice to the people’s of the earth. Such a God is to be praised and enjoyed, to be loved and cherished.  God avenges and never forgets vs. 12 He does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.

The psalmist now moves away from the universal declaration of the Justice of God to all people’s to his own situation. Vs. 13 LORD, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me from the gates of death. Are you a soul distressed by your enemies, call upon the Lord to come and look, tell him to come and administer justice. Beseech the Lord to have mercy on you and to lift you from the gates of death so that vs. 14 you may declare his praises in the gates of Daughter Zion, and there rejoice in your salvation. A heavenly reason why you should always seek deliverance from all of your infirmities, troubles and difficulty is so that you may rejoice in God and sing praises to his name. God’s glory should be your motivation in your deliverance and his praise should fill your lips.

Vs. 15 The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The psalmist reflects on the victory the Lord has granted him over other nations, how when the nations planned and boast of their plans they fell according to them. They set traps but it was them who was caught in them. Vs. 16 The LORD is known by his act of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. God’s works are demonstrated in his justice, and thus he punishes sinners. He is Holy and pure therefore the wicked cannot be justified except through the way in which He provided namely through the cross of His Son. It is the only way where sinners can be pronounced as righteous and therefore be able to stand beneath the swinging axe of God’s justice.

Vs 17.  The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God. Those who forget God will be thrust into hell and whole nations will be there as well but vs. 18 God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. Mercy is always at hand for the needy and the afflicted, although they fear that they are forgotten, God will never forget them. Let those who are afflicted and needy never fail to hope, let them never succumb to the ways of the wicked but endure your sufferings waiting in hope for your deliverance which will either come in this age and without fail come in the next. Those who are found in this position are apt with great intensiveness and desire to utter these words,  vs. 19-20 Arise, LORD, do not let mortals triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence.  Strike them with terror, LORD; let the nations know that they are mortal. This is a call for humility, for God to humble those who forget that they are mortal and who put themselves in the seat of God. The nations will be judged severely those who oppress and afflict the innocent, God will strike them with His right arm and plagues which amounts to great terror that the nations will declare their own mortality and give praise to the one who is Immortal.

K.Oni

Long time in eternity

Its a long time in eternity 

and we are only there in heaven 

because of what Jesus Christ has done

Miscellanies 3 - Refreshed and comforted by His love

My Dear Lord why should my soul doubt when you have sweetly assured me of the eternity of your Love for me. My soul, doubt no more for surely as God lives and exist so does His love for me. First he is my Maker, my creator and I the creature and He is my master and I his servant.  But this is not the reason for my comfort; He is my Father and I his child. Christ is my brother, my dear friend, for He ascended unto his Father and my Father, to his God and my God. But this is not enough for me, my maker of whose image I am made is my husband and I his bride. He is the fountain of which I drink and the Sun of my day. I am a member of his body, He my head. Such wonderful truths you have made known in your words, ‘it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than my words to fail’. Wonderful are these thoughts so spread out in the pages of your book to me that my spirit melts with awe at the consideration of them. You have done so much for me and I so little for you, but you refresh me in the hope that when I land on heavens shore, I will utterly be transformed as to be entirely perfect so that I may worship you as I ought and understand the perfection of your love for me. There I shall have a dance with grace, kiss the feet of hope and bid farewell to faith. I shall eternally dwell with love and sing with joy. Your love has comforted and refreshed my soul, Oh to be wholly entwine with thee, and hug my daddy and touch my brother’s garment. I wait in hope and purify myself as you are pure.


K.Oni

Miscellanies 2 - A dying faith

There was a boy who grew up in a Christian home and when he was old enough he left his home to live among his companions. His new life brought him closer to God and a zeal to reach his generation engulfed him as never before. He was on fire, a burning flame for the glory of God and for the conversion of the heathens. Men and woman looked upon him with great excitement and marvelled at his faith, he himself marvelled at his faith and thanked God for such grace. But his soul was sensitive to sin and one sin held him captive of which time and time again he could not defeat. He was often left paralysed and crippled and slowly but gradually it began to eat up his faith. His light was slowly burning and because of his sin of which he felt he failed so miserably left him a dying man. He felt sorrow in his soul and the faith he once had he only had a little left. He would go to church, but his heart was miserable, he could no longer pray to God in secret or had any solid desires to worship or convert the heathens. Although he wanted to restore the joy he once had but he felt unable to. His life was slowly fading away, he was filled with powerlessness. His faith was a dying faith. But his story does not end here for by the grace of God, a man came into his life to mentor him. The man taught him that His eyes should be fixed on Christ and not on his faith, nor his works but on Christ alone. The man greatly encouraged him and was like a father to him. He taught him more about grace and God’s unconditional love and how the work of Christ was his eternal merit and God could never condemn him. Slowly and gradually his faith returned and burned with a passion as that was witness by those reformers and apostles of God. He now knew how to bring sinners sweetly to the mercy seat of God and how to comfort guilty souls for he himself was under such discipline. His dying faith was rekindled and burned like a fiery furnace.

K.Oni

When God turns a deaf ear on prayers

Does God always hear people’s prayers, or do some pray in vain thinking that God hears them, when in reality He chooses to turn a deaf hear to their cries? Some may perhaps have a notion that all prayers are worthy, and God being who He is is by nature willing to listen and hear their prayers delightfully. They entertain the notion that it is their birth right for God to listen to their prayers and answer them accordingly. Also, there are some who come before the presence of the Lord with severe doubts, defeated by the devils whisper that they are such an unworthy soul that for them to lift up their cries to the Lord is an abomination. They are mute by their own wickedness, depressed and thus fail to pray.

What does the scripture say about God turning a deaf hear to prayers? It is to be said that God is sovereign and can choose to answer any prayer as He sees fit. He is altogether happy and never backed into a corner, God always does whatever He pleases for He is free to do as He wills.

Many scripture passages speak on this issue and here I will highlight a few passages and at the end give you more passages in which you can search for yourself. The text highlighted are not in need of exegesis for they are clear and simple. The first of these passages is found in Deuteronomy 1:45 ‘You came back and wept before the LORD, but he paid no attention to your weeping and turned a deaf hear to you’. The reason in this passage why God turned a deaf hear on the Israelites was because they rebelled against God. God told them not to go and fight against the Amorites but they did not listen to God and thus they were defeated. So when they came to weep before God, he paid no attention to their cries.

Psalm 66:18 - ‘If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear’.

John 9:31- ‘Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshipper of God and does his will, He hears them.' We know that God does hear the prayers of sinners, that is sinners who are humble.

Malachi 1:7-9 - ‘You offer defiled food on my altar. But you say, ‘how  have we defiled you?’ ‘By saying that the LORD’s table is contemptible. When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that now wrong? Try offering them to the governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you? says the LORD of hosts. And now entreat the favour of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favour to any of you? says the LORD of hosts.'

Proverbs 28:9 - ‘One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination to the LORD.' Notice that the prayer is an abomination. This is strong language. God hates it.

Psalm 18:40-41 - ‘You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. They cried for help, but there was no one to save them - to the LORD, but he did not answer.' God decided not to hear the prayers of the Psalmist enemies. He decided to answer the Psalmist prayers, that is to hear them, to favour him. But he answered not the prayers of his enemies.

James 1:6-7 - ‘But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let no man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord’.

Isaiah 59:1-2 - 'Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;  but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.'

The passages above have shown that God does not hear the prayers of  those who regard iniquity in their hearts, those who remain in sin, those who offer unworthy service to God, those who turn away from God’s law, who worship idols, who mistreats God’s people , who doubts and etc.

It is clear that God does not always listen to prayers and if you find yourself in any of those camps, it is wise for you to examine your soul and repent. To come to God for mercy asking for the forgiveness of your sins and trusting in Jesus alone, trusting in His works and righteousness. When you trust in Jesus and believe in His name, God always hears your prayers, because all of your sins are pardoned and when we confess our sins, He is just and faithful to forgive us of all of our abominations. God will sweetly hear the prayers of His saints and of those who are penitent at heart. But to those who are violent, rebels and haters of God, God will not hear them, infact their prayers are an abomination to him. He will only hear them if they are willing to repent and change their ways.

Of course God can hear everything. He knows what is in our hearts and hears every idle words we say. By him not listening to prayers, I mean God actively choosing to ignore your prayers or to look upon it with indignation and and consider it an abominable thing.

Other passages you may look at:

Jer 14:10-12 Prov 1:25-28  prov 28:9 Isa 1:15 Jer 11:11  eze 8:15-18 Luke 18:11-14 Micah 3:2-4 Job 27:9 Psalm 78:34 Heb 12:17.

K.Oni

More short poems

The Black Shakespeare

His writings opened up the context of languages 
His words proclaimed on the highest mountains
Dressed in a coat ranged from the wildest beasts
And He only walked on white snows.
His traces are left like footsteps on human hearts
His thoughts are deeper than the space within
Who can question his immaculate mind, 
A genius shaped by Sovereign Hands.
Born with the slaves yet a tutor to the kings
Despised not his own but taught them freedom and peace.
‘A slave his more than a man’ he often said
‘And a man is more than a slave’ he openly declared. 

K.Oni

I knew the price I had to pay
I knew the choices I had made
In my desperation I designed my own grave
I crafted the wood from the reasons I gave
What is it to you, what is it to me.
The dangers I cuddle before my own eyes
If death it is to be then it was death I was begrudged to.
Now waiting; for my eternal sleep
Let no soul wake me as I lay six feet deep in the earths crypt. 

K.Oni

She got my heart beating like the drums in rock n roll
                    I can’t control how I feel, I know its deep this time
Its stronger,           brighter,                clearer than before
I cannot wait to see my                 baby tonight.
Can’t                 sleep can’t walk            can’t talk at all
I’m                      lalalalalalalalalala
She got my heart beating like the drums in rock n roll

K.Oni

The Joy of confession 8

Sinner: It’s been a terrible week for me sir. I feel lost and trapped in this body of mine. I have no means to enjoy God because of my sins and when I am in such a state I fear for my fellow creatures because I withdraw to my self and care nothing of their concerns. Many may notice a change in my disposition which should be common to them now and some may enquire of my injury and with uncaring eyes I would easily dismiss them and draw to be alone. Oh but my heart is not happy, it is terribly sad and I wish not to stay like this. I feel myself not knowing who I am or who Christ is. I am gripped by fear that Christ has altogether grown weary of me and He has removed my lamp. The Father has altogether deserted me and the Spirit is silent and care not for my abominations any more. I feel wholly useless and among the saints I feel a filthy soul so I would avoid their meetings. Even so sir, I feel the terrible corruptions that feels me and many times I wish to discard myself from it but it seems to linger. This is the devils doing and mine, God has no part in it for He is a righteous being. I do not know what to do sir and I cannot leave the faith. It is impossible for me to do for I am drawn to Jesus and though the tempest blow yet the flame still remains although very faint and weary. I cannot live my existence like this sir, I need deliverance for I should die of sorrow and misery. Could mercy and grace be mine today or must I wait till my death? Will God punish me for my sins and for being a bad child? Oh if He does I hope He speaks to me for the silence I cannot stand. I would have him beat me and scourge me as long as I can hear His voice than for Him to be wholly silent leaving me to my own devices. I come here today sir that perhaps in this church He may speak to me.

Sir: Oh poor child, I feel your sorrow for it was once mine. You are engaged in a fierce battle of which your soul is so sensitive to sin and the devil knows your frame so He attacks you violently with his whole host so that you may be left crippled and feel yourself unable to walk for God. Only those with foreseeable great futures are attacked at such a level, those with dreams and visions, who without caring are destined to tear the devils kingdom that the devil attacks so vehemently. Many have fallen at his attacks but those who persevered have been the hallmark of the Christian faith, who carried a burning torch to the devil’s house and burnt his whole company setting the captives free. Such a future lies with you my friend, you are a remarkable soul my spirit tells me. You are to ride on a white horse with a glittering sword, advancing deeply to the enemies camp, slicing through the barricades of lies and setting many a soul free. Those who are held by sickness and death will live by your hands for the Lord has given you such a gift but it is wholly at your will to live. You must my friend with all passion continue to fight and not give up, for you have lost hope. You have lost hope in His mercy, you have lost hope in His grace and above all you have lost hope in his love.

Tell me my friend, when did Christ died for you? Was it when you was saved and began to live a holy life or was it when you was still in the devil’s camp?

Sinner: It was when I was in the devil’s camp before I was born sir. And indeed I have lost hope in his mercy, grace and Love. That is unwise of me for the scripture tells me that his love is unfailing and who am I to disbelieve such affirmations of scripture.

Sir: You are a wise soul my child. Believe today once again in His unfailing unconditional love for you. No sin could separate you from His love but sin may cripple your feet. Today the Lord has forgiven you, the Father has welcomed you back and the Spirit has arisen from His sleep. Sin no more for you are to sensitive a soul and when you sin, repent and trust in the forgiveness that is found in Jesus for it is for you. Your future bears a wonderful song and you are to sing it, make sure your throats are clear and have no hindrances at your feet for the Father has called you to a mission, a mission that will impact the whole earth.

(The sinner went home rejoicing in God, delighting in His messiah and dancing once again with the Holy Spirit).

K.Oni

I hear of a lady

I hear of a lady who is remarkably in Love
With the Being who created and rules the world
Her pleasures they say are wrapped in Him
Her delight complete in adoring Him.
Rumours whisper of their secret time
Conversing but no one in sight
Some have called her a deluded mind 
But explanations far exceeds the extra stride.
A strange sweetness occupies her mind
A galloping joy fills her smiles
The tales do bear a wonderful charm
The tales do make my heart incline. 


K.Oni

Be radical Lovers- "Love one another as I have loved you"

For a long time the Holy Spirit has been teaching my heart about love, of the love that Christ displayed, about the same love the apostles demonstrated; and the Holy Spirit has been tugging my soul to imitate. 2Corinthians 6:11-12 is always at the forefront of my mind which reads, “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us”. I feel like the Corinthians, I am withholding my love and have not opened wide my affections to many souls of which the Spirit convicts me that I ought to. But I hold back and stiff my affections perhaps in fear of being seen as over zealous or to be thought of as being exceedingly righteous of which criticisms my soul wishes not to employ. These are senseless reasons and I ought not to be like this but this is my consistent disposition of which my soul desires to alter.  But how can I alter my character and dispose of my fears and free myself to love exceedingly and endlessly. I know the answer and at times when I am together filled with the glimpse of his love I cannot help but imitate and when the Holy Spirit consumes my soul, I care not but to love my God and neighbour whole heartedly. I am a soul moved more by feelings than by truth but herein is where I err for I should first be moved by truth and consequently feel accordingly. Therefore it gives my soul much pleasure to fathom the exhortations of love commanded in the Holy scriptures which then produces in me a passion to live accordingly.

Scripture is littered with the command to love. Our Lord Jesus rightly declared that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God  with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and with all of your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself’, (Mark 12:29-30). Love is the queen of Christian graces as Paul writes to the Corinthians in book 1 chapter 13:13, “And now, these three remain: faith, love and hope. But the greatest of these is love”.  Love is greater than faith and hope because it is the one  in which there is a reproduction between man and God. When a man loves he reflects his creator, but when a man hopes or posses faith, these qualities are not to be found in his creator because God has no need of them. For what should God hope for that he has not ordained or to whom should he depend on that he should possess faith? None at all for He is the giver of faith and the source of all hope but He is love and we love because He first loved us. We don’t have faith because he first had faith, nor do we hope because He first hoped; but we love because He first loved us and He has poured out His love into our hearts by His Holy Spirit. Although it is to be said that faith, love and hope are inseparable for it is the rightful possession of a true Christian.

Paul writes “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3), and again “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" (Colossians 3:14). Paul says to the Romans: "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8). And also to the Ephesians: "Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2). This command is not only to be found with Paul but also in the hearts of the other apostles.

Peter and John joyfully declare this command. "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8). "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love" (1 John 5:7-8).
These commands are to be found with the Apostles but the root of their declaration came from their Lord who engrained it into their hearts. Jesus proclaims, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).

Love is rightly the queen of Christian graces and we ought to walk in love, to swim in love and to live a life of love. We ought not to restrict our affections but to be radical lovers, passionate and excited. Love is fully demonstrated in the life of Jesus and to live a life of love is to imitate the Life of Christ. Many are deluded in thinking they have love but their love stems from man and not from God. Love is like a overflowing river of which by necessity must burst its own banks in order to water the dry land; its reward is the pleasure of flowing and expecting nothing in return.

A man may know nothing of penal substitution, or the full implication of the work of Christ on the cross, but the man would know that for God so loved the world is why Jesus hanged on that tree. My brothers and sisters, let us love as Christ loved us and let us free ourselves from any restricted love, and be like the rain which pours vehemently on dry grounds having no care for which patch its waters should drop.

K.Oni

Miscellanies 1 - Salvation through faith

Faith alone is the condition for salvation and even that faith in which a man may possess is yet a gift from his saviour. You may by hearty prayers and hard work seek your salvation but until you unclench your fist and beat your chest and lift thine eyes to the heavens to declare your wretchedness and then with all manner of simplicity look with the eyes of faith to the cross, you will forever be in search for your salvation and your works will only bring you to the terror of hell. I beseech men with great fervency to leave the mountain of works and to come by the plains of grace where it is a free merry ground of easy delight. Salvation is by faith in Christ and herein alone is the remedy from eternal damnation. Forsake your works for God has not promised to grant salvation by them except through faith. To those who believe in His name, He gave them the right to become children of God.

K.Oni

Fixed on you

I conceived I’ll pass over your face
Discard from my memory your girlish grace
Dismiss the feelings like yesterday’s race
But here I am remembering your ways


The seasons change but mine remains
Winter chilled my love in place
The Robins have no tree to nest
The doves eschew their custom pair


I sigh my deep faded face
Mourning the day my longing grew
A fever burned my eyes to tears
Crippled by a love I wish to tear


Here I set a tent in the hills of doom
Waiting for the march of the valiant steed  
Even in times of war and death 
My heart is eternally fixed on you


K.Oni

Pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit each morning

Here is a challenge, a direct plea to your daily walk that after you begin your prayers with thanksgiving, commence it with an eager expectation that the Lord should fill you with His Spirit so that you may walk your day accordingly and in his guidance. The Spirit already indwells you but ask that you may be filled as it was with the early believers; they prayed and after they prayed they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and thus all had the courage to speak the word of God boldly, (Acts 4:31). Peter filled with the Holy Spirit was able to stand before the leaders with boldness and declare the name of Jesus Christ, (Acts 4:8). Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit was able to look up to heaven and see the glory of God and Jesus Christ sitting at his right hand, (Acts 7:55). Paul tells us, ‘do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead be filled with the Spirit', (Ephesians 5:18). And when you pray, do not be double minded in your petition but believing with all faith that God has heard and answered your prayers in the most affirmative sense. As you are constantly filled with the Spirit, having a constant awareness of his bounty, you will walk automatically in line with his steps and dance gracefully to his song. You will no longer gratify the desires of the flesh but you will find yourself walking in love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness and self-control. Pray each morning to be filled with the Holy Spirit, not for selfish gain but for the sake of fellowship and the enjoyment of God and to boldly declare the gospel of Christ, the Nazarene who died and rose again.

K.Oni

Why am I a Christian

This week is UWE Christian union events week where the Christian union seek to put on different events, open to all with the opportunity for all to hear and question who Jesus is, and the radical difference that our decision about him makes. I will be hosting one of these events in my house titled ‘games, food and discussion (why am I a Christian). Initially I thought of doing the presentation but I passed the responsibility to one of the speakers of the events week. Anyways I knew what I would say if I was to do the presentation and thus I write it on this blog. It is exciting to see how this week will unfold and I am confident that God’s will will be done.

Before I answer the question why am I a Christian, it is important to give a definition of what is a Christian. A Christian is someone who follows Jesus as presented in the bible. Therefore the definition of a Christian cannot change from generation to generation and a Christian will believe the fundamental truths that the bible clearly portrays of who Christ is. That Jesus is the Son of God, he died and rose again, he died for our sins and through him alone I am justified and made righteous before God, 1 John 4:13-15. A Christian is someone who has been born again (John 3:3), they have become a new creature (2 Cor 5:21), God has put in them His Holy Spirit and they have decided to follow Jesus and turn away from their sins. A Christian will remain in Jesus until they die and should they die denying Jesus it shows that they were not a Christian, 2 John 1:9. Therefore a Christian is summed up in the person of Jesus Christ.

If a Christian is summed up in the person of Jesus Christ, a man who lived 2000 years ago, then why am I following him? What we know about Jesus is summed up in a book called the bible and it is remarkable of what the bible says of Him before he was born and after he died and rose again. He has been the fascination of scholars and ordinary men ever since his birth and for the rest of history thus far. He claimed to be God, to give eternal life, to forgive sins, he predicted the exact time of his death in fact he marched towards it. He raised the dead, he knew what people thought before they spoke, he performed miracles and many more. The life of Jesus alone is enough to say why I am a Christian and there are many more reasons that I could give, e.g. the reliability of the bible, the prophecies made before it actually happened, present testimonies and etc. But the main reason why I am a Christian is yet to be presented.

The reason why I am a Christian is because of God’s grace; God had mercy on me and decided to save me and to bring me into a right relationship with himself so that I may enjoy God forever. But you may say, save me from what? From his wrath, the penalty that I deserve which is hell.  For you see, we all know that we are all sinners, we have done what we know was wrong, we have lied, steal, use God’s name in vain, we have lusted after others in our hearts, we are selfish, boastful and etc. we have all turned our own way, we have rejected God’s way and the punishment for all of this is wrath. This is God’s righteous anger against anything evil. God hates sin and because we are sinners he must punish you for your sins. But because of God’s great love for us, Jesus came willingly to come and die for our sins, to take our punishment so that whoever believes in him and ask for mercy through Jesus Christ will be forgiven and enjoy God forever. I believe because of God’s grace towards me and through believing in Jesus, He saved me and I was reconciled to him.

Will you not today ask God for mercy? And if not ask yourself why? Do you hate God and love your sin? I am a Christian because of the grace of God and I plea with you to cry to God for mercy before you die when the flames of hell will make you unclench your fist and see the misery of your decision.

Lots of Love
K.Oni

Why is my soul downcast within me

Why is my soul downcast within me?

Why can I not rejoice and uplift my soul with your praises?

Once I was strong and my feet was quick to your house

But now I struggle to wake to sing the psalms.

My prayers are shortened, and my heart is heavy.

What a burden this is to me!

My sin has made me weary and at night I cannot sleep

My bed is drenched with tears, for I have fallen away from my love

Your words I have strayed from and the result is unrighteousness.

How I have fallen from the depths of high and departed from your ways

I have delighted in worldly things.

What was it that I lacked when I was in your presence, for surely it was nought

And tremendous peace I received.

Truly it is, truly it is

The heart is deceitful above all things and mine has deceived me

It told me of false securities and puffed up my righteousness.

It made me lavish in my pride and promised me empty things.

Now I am weak and a terrible sight to behold

I sit in the dust and covered with ashes, the dogs have become my best friend.

I have become the tramp of the city and the least favoured among men.

My soul is downcast within me and I dear not look to the heavens

For who will hear the voice of a wicked sinner, who will be my aid?

Day and night I languish in my sorrows and weep until I can cry no more.

So I wait patiently for death, to die and fall eternally asleep

But even death flees from me, it torments me and ridicules me.

I am alone, alone in misery, who will be my saviour?

“Jesus comes for the sinners, repent and believe”.

I once believed, but will He take me back?

Surely I will fail again.

My soul is downcast within me! Who will lift it up?

Surely Jesus can thus I will wait

Come Lord Jesus, let me feel the joy of your salvation.

K.Oni

Upward call to Heaven

This is my poor attempt to imitate the wonderful book called ‘Stepping Heavenward’. The book is written in a journal style format and it details the story of a girl as she lives her life and grow in godliness. Its worth a read for all girls and boys perhaps may learn from it as well. I am currently reading it and it has inspired me to imitate Prentiss style and write one of my own, titled, ‘Upward call to heaven’. I will be writing it and posting it up in parts. You can download and read Stepping heavenward from this link: Stepping Heavenward.

Upward call to Heaven (3)

Two weeks have since passed since my decline in health and today brings with the sunrise a healthy appetite for an outdoor walk. My bed had been my companion far to long and a change of scenery will do splendours for my young mind. Amelia promised to meet me before the morning ends to go for a stroll in the open fields and there she would spill on me all that she had learnt in class. I was doubly excited for once again I shall enjoy the gaping air and to tell Mother of the progress of my reading of scriptures. God has been very good to me and I think that it was my careful attention to His words which brought about my quick recovery. I pondered that what if I should live a life free of sin, then I should be the most healthy of boys and grow to be strong and wise like Jesus for he knew no sin. Jesus lived without sickness according to the biblical accounts and I reasoned that it was because he was sinless for bad deeds brings about bad troubles and infirmities. Here in my discovery, I was zealed to live a righteous life wherein I knew no sin and thus infirmity and sickness I shall never know. But my fantasy was short lived as I pondered in my soul that a million sins I must have committed before and if I should be punished for each one then my efforts would be useless to attempt to maintain a righteous life for I do not have a million days to live. I sighed on my bed with a frowning countenance at such a system and wondered why God would have it this way. Those were my thoughts while sickness occupied me but today brings a fresh renewed passion to the goodness of life.

Mother called me down to come and eat. She had been baking all morning and I would have been a helper but Mother restrained my hands until I was fully recovered. I loved each morning to see my Mother’s gentle eyes, she is a remarkable mortal, the first fruits of God’s creatures and it is impossible for any being to miss her beauty. I prayed many times that I may be like mother, for I feared that a soul like myself had no possibility of entering heaven unless I was changed to be like Mother. She does everything with great simplicity and fondness and when she prays she is ever so satisfied and joyful. But when I pray, I am greatly uncomfortable for I thoroughly believed that God must not love me because of my disposition and prayer was a chore, rather than a delight.

I drew near to Mother and she grabbed my cheek and examined my face; a smile twinkled in her eyes and with a rush of love she hugged me and bid me to sit and eat. ‘Your strength as returned, it seems good to the Lord to shine his mercy upon you. I am happy to see your countenance return and what beam you have upon your face’. Mother is a cheerful soul and it pleased my soul more to see the joy on her face of my recovery than it pleased me. I sat and ate the tasty dough and told Mother of my readings of scripture but I refrained from telling her my thoughts. I told her of my meeting with Amelia before the morning ends and joy swelled her face. Mother is happy of my keeping company with Amelia for she is a good influence and a well kept garden. She could only be for my good and improvement.

K. Oni

Our Relentless War Against Sin

Have you ever wondered, “Why do I have to deal with sin at all? If God hates sin, if true Christians hate sin, and we’re all in agreement, then why must it remain?”

That’s not a bad question to ask. Why would a good God leave behind such a menacing enemy that corrupts your relationships, threatens your holiness, hinders your worship, and causes so much anguish in your life?

I’ve often wondered if the children of Israel entertained the same thoughts about their pagan neighbors—the Gentile nations who continually harassed them.

Remember their history? God empowered the Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua to enter Canaan, dispossess the inhabitants and seize control. Joshua was unstoppable. After the initial set-back at Ai, Israel conquered nation after nation, killing the leaders, inhabiting the cities, and establishing control. It’s one of the most captivating portions of Old Testament history to read.

But when the dust settled and Joshua had grown old, a new generation of Israelites emerged to face a grim reality—the enemy was still alive. Scattered pockets of resistance still remained. Skirmishes ensued as the Canaanites sensed Israel’s battle fatigue.

Insurgents grow bold over time, and they want to take back what was once theirs.

And that’s exactly what happened to Israel. Those remaining nations harassed the children of Israel continually, forcing God’s people to cry out for fresh deliverance. And that’s the cycle of Judges.

Can you identity with Israel’s fatigue and frustration? Surely they too questioned God’s purpose for not completely removing the enemy from their new home. God anticipated their questions and provided some fascinating insight in the opening chapters of Judges:

Now these are the nations which the Lord left, to test Israel by them (that is, all who had not experienced any of the wars of Canaan; only in order that the generations of the sons of Israel might be taught war, those who had not experienced it formerly). Judges 3:1-3

Very interesting. God wanted to teach war to an inexperienced generation of Israelites. Why? Because it was important for them not only to hear of God’s power and deliverance, but to experience it for themselves. They needed to see God’s faithfulness—He was committed to their survival, He was always able to deliver, and He demonstrated His intention to preserve them. After all, experiencing God’s enabling power to conquer your enemies was better than, well, hearing about it from Grandpa Joshua.

Here’s the point. God could have wiped out all traces of sin—effortlessly, just like he could have permanently wiped out the nations surrounding Israel. But He didn’t do that for them, and He hasn’t done it for us either—not yet. Full deliverance from sin’s presence will come when we receive our glorified bodies. Then sin will no longer harass us. What a day that will be! But until then, God calls us to a relentless war against sin—a war with a divine purpose. But…what are those purposes?

First of all, we must remember that God does whatever He pleases (Ps. 115:3). He works all things according to the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11). We don’t know the full extent of His sovereign will, and much of that remains secret (Deut. 29:29). But we know this: in His wisdom, God has chosen not to remove fully the presence of sin from His redeemed.

A believer’s struggle with indwelling sin somehow fits into God’s overarching purpose to glorify Himself and conform believers into the image of His Son. Paul says:

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:28, 29

That’s the most generic explanation you’ll find in Scripture for the presence of evil in the world, including the evil that afflicts believers.

That said, I believe we can discern some reasons why God allows Christians to struggle with sins, some divine purposes for the war. Consider these possibilities:

(1) To make us humble and dependent on God: Whether you fail or succeed, have you noticed how your struggle against indwelling sin reveals your weakness and magnifies God’s strength? Whatever the outcome of any particular battle, you can give thanks to God that He allows you to see yourself for what you really are—weak, prone to sin, and utterly dependent. At the same time, you can praise Him for who He proves to be—our all-sufficient Savior and Friend.

Consider Peter, who on the night of the Lord’s betrayal boasted of his loyalty to Christ. Hours later he watched his self-confidence crumble as he denied Christ three times with oaths. Consider the failures, but resulting victory of many such men, and how they produced humble, courageous, Spirit-led servants of God.

(2) To cultivate thankfulness: Here’s an instructive exercise. Reflect on some recent occasions you found to express thanks to God. Did any of those relate to your or another believer’s ongoing struggle with sin? Maybe you thanked God for granting strength to face temptation, delivering you from a besetting sin, forgiving you for stumbling in a moment of weakness, or failing to share the gospel with a lost colleague.

(3) To promote compassion: You can relate to the lost, not only by remembering your former life of enslavement to sin (Eph. 2:1-3), but also through experiencing present failures. When you face temptation, whether you resist and escape unscathed, or succumb through weakness, it should promote compassion toward others.

(4) To keep your focus on the gospel: What causes you to survey the cross each day and marvel at the power of God’s grace? Is it not the sin that clings so closely, the sin you find yourself confessing and forsaking each day? God wants to keep the cross fresh in our minds. He wants the gospel to occupy our thoughts. Think about it. We can hardly make it through a worship service without a wicked thought assaulting our minds. Even in the name of fellowship we often commit some of the most ghastly sins with our tongue. The presence of sin and our ongoing struggle keep us focused on the beauty of the gospel.

(5) To make you long for heaven: This world is not our home, and this body is not fit for eternity. When Paul lamented his unredeemed flesh (Rom. 7:24), he was expressing a longing to be completely free from the presence of sin. He talked about that eagerness again and again throughout the New Testament. In Philippians 1:23, he said departing to be with Christ would be much better than remaining in his flesh. In chapter 3 he continued that thought: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory.”

Paul longed for heaven because he grew weary of his struggle against sin. The seasons of victory he enjoyed on earth whetted his appetite for final, permanent victory in heaven.

Do you share Paul’s longing to escape the flesh? Do you yearn for the Holy City, untouched by corruption? Our struggle against remaining sin helps point us to heaven, where true rest awaits us.

Well, those are just a few possibilities inferred from Scripture. Feel free to suggest others.

By Tommy Clayton- Grace to you http://www.gty.org/Blog/B110204

Behind the waterfall

Behind the waterfall
A gold heart laid

In the basket slept
The heart of grace


A sweet heavy voice
Beckoned my face
"Come here and take
This heart is yours".


But sir I feel an unworthy cause
My past has made me hard and tough
I carry a stone that is not my own
The weight stills my guilty soul


Years I've cried for this sin of mine
Killing all my dreams sweetly afar
The worst of all, I am not the one
To be blamed for this path I've gone


"Come my Son beyond this fall
and take this gift that is yours
I know thy feel and thy sacred plea
The grace you need is here and free".


K.Oni

Signs and wonders and the Kingdom message

These passages show how Jesus and His disciples preached the message of the kingdom accompanied with signs and wonders. Jesus has given us authority and a commission to reach the ends of the earth with the good news of the kingdom so let us hasten in our duty with all diligence preaching and manifesting the glory of God in the obedience of unbelievers to the message accompanied with signs and wonders.


Matthew 9:35-38 
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”


Mark 1:15,39 
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”  Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” ³⁹ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.


Luke 9:1,2&6 
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, ² and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.  So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.


Mark 3:14-15
He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach ¹⁵ and to have authority to drive out demons.


Luke 10:1-2, 8-9, 17-20
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. ⁹ Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

 ¹⁸ He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. ²⁰ However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Matthew 28:29-20

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 14:3

So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

Hebrews 2:3-4

This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. ⁴ God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

The question is, are these for today, or are the signs and wonders to such extreme as was witness in the first century the same for today?

K.Oni