I swear I saw the look of death
Behold my eyes on that vivid night
The sight was such a fright it sparked
A terror unimaginable my soul did have
It drowned my soul and made a hole
Snappy detached her answers hold.
I soon declared to fold my love
To go and cry and reason why
But here I see her bitter heart
Crispy and tough and a mass of stone
The night I witness that deathly look
I threw my hope of love to drown!
K.Oni
Monday, 31 January 2011
What I feel when I sing to God in the congregation
When I stand in the congregation to sing, I am immediately taken over by a strong colourful affection for the sweetness of His face. Oh I feel in my heart an upward journey towards his throne of grace and all the while He showers me with tender kisses. And when I behold His adorable face I dare not open my earthly eyes for I am so far gone into His presence. My heart is fully set upon His glory. I am moved a million times more than the sea in my happiness and it is a shame that the praise is but for 20 or so minutes. I would gladly sing all day and night eagerly moved with all manner of affections accordingly as He would have me feel. My soul is often alone but bathed with tremendous peace and joy that even in my worst despair I feel in my inmost being His satisfaction. But I am never truly alone for He is with me and will always be with me until that glorious reunion when I shall meet Him bodily and then we can with unimaginable laughter stroll the park of the new earth with a host of saintly company.
K.Oni
K.Oni
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Do you fear that you will fail again tomorrow?
I fear my soul that I will fail, if I should promise once again
I fear the hurt it will bring, despair will swallow up my mood.
What should I do? I wish to run, to live and dance
To sing and laugh for my God.
But here I am once again, fearing tomorrow’s breath again.
So I’m still as a useless tool but this is far from my design.
If I be as I am, the devil wins and the kingdom pass.
A voice I heard with wise words say
“Take no thought for Tomorrow’s pain
Tomorrow’s day will take its pain
Remain your heart in today’s gain”.
If you are crippled by failure and fear that tomorrow you will fail again, do not worry so much about tomorrow’s failure today but rather rest in the forgiveness of Jesus today and let that dictate how you live your life tomorrow. This will free you from the fears of tomorrow’s failure.
K.Oni
I fear the hurt it will bring, despair will swallow up my mood.
What should I do? I wish to run, to live and dance
To sing and laugh for my God.
But here I am once again, fearing tomorrow’s breath again.
So I’m still as a useless tool but this is far from my design.
If I be as I am, the devil wins and the kingdom pass.
A voice I heard with wise words say
“Take no thought for Tomorrow’s pain
Tomorrow’s day will take its pain
Remain your heart in today’s gain”.
If you are crippled by failure and fear that tomorrow you will fail again, do not worry so much about tomorrow’s failure today but rather rest in the forgiveness of Jesus today and let that dictate how you live your life tomorrow. This will free you from the fears of tomorrow’s failure.
K.Oni
Saturday, 29 January 2011
Beware of self-righteous performance
Some have imagined themselves to be dedicated to the Lord by their good deeds, by paying close attention to their manner of life, to their external duties and having a powerful zeal for the works of charity but all the while this were all to advance their cause and acceptance before God. Many rest upon their duties for their security before God and when these things are found to be lacking they fear that God must not love them anymore so they are reduced to fear and despair. This shows that their works are founded upon the pillars of self righteousness and not under the blanket of His divine grace. Those who are disposed to such avenues find time and time again to be entirely useless in keeping on the narrow path for a mountain appears before them which is insurmountable to climb. Even saints whose eternal abode are secured are apt by their fleshly wants to return to the works of the law wherein their performance dictates the nature of their acceptance before God. Thus a little neglect of divine things is enough to see them imagine that their position before God has changed and that God now beholds them with a frowning hate and so they seek to counter it by works in order to be right again.
If you are one of these souls, like myself who is apt to perform secret duties in self-righteousness rather than having a better principle of performing them to the glory of God, I eagerly advise you to pause and stop. Consider your doings and entirely reflect upon your ways. Do you suppose that by the works of the law any man will be justified before God? Certainly not; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and all will continue to fall short of the glory of God. By works shall no man be accepted before God and if this is so, should you not settle this in your heart and forsake any notion of self-righteous performance? Absolutely; for this hill will only injure your soul and give you a false sense of security which it has proved so far and ought you not to seek a better foundation for your works? Ought you not to seek a better end for your doings?
Yes. You ought to seek a better end for your works and that to the glory of God. But before such end is acquired, you must first survey the cross of Christ. What do you see on your look? Do you see another man, a criminal or do you see the Son of God? It is indeed the Son of God. This is the cross on which the prince of Glory died. Although He was equal with God this man emptied himself and became nothing, humbling himself to be crucified on a Roman tree. See, from his head, his hands and feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down, he hangs there all for you so that you may be accepted while He was rejected. See those nails that pierce his hands, see those blood that dribbles down, see those eyes that looks to the sky, it is for your sin he died. He has finished your work for you and sets you a free man to play with him in His paradise. His cross has broken the curse of the law; you are now under grace, a free man to work for him not for debt as you owed before but for pleasure and joy in which He provides. Is this not a better work to be employed in? certainly; for your duty is born out of love for Him who died for you.
Therefore, forsake any thoughts that promotes pride in self and seek not to do your works in order to be accepted or loved but pour contempt on it all and survey the cross on which the prince of Glory died. Then will all your good frames be founded on a desire for the glory of God rather than self-righteousness.
K.Oni
If you are one of these souls, like myself who is apt to perform secret duties in self-righteousness rather than having a better principle of performing them to the glory of God, I eagerly advise you to pause and stop. Consider your doings and entirely reflect upon your ways. Do you suppose that by the works of the law any man will be justified before God? Certainly not; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and all will continue to fall short of the glory of God. By works shall no man be accepted before God and if this is so, should you not settle this in your heart and forsake any notion of self-righteous performance? Absolutely; for this hill will only injure your soul and give you a false sense of security which it has proved so far and ought you not to seek a better foundation for your works? Ought you not to seek a better end for your doings?
Yes. You ought to seek a better end for your works and that to the glory of God. But before such end is acquired, you must first survey the cross of Christ. What do you see on your look? Do you see another man, a criminal or do you see the Son of God? It is indeed the Son of God. This is the cross on which the prince of Glory died. Although He was equal with God this man emptied himself and became nothing, humbling himself to be crucified on a Roman tree. See, from his head, his hands and feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down, he hangs there all for you so that you may be accepted while He was rejected. See those nails that pierce his hands, see those blood that dribbles down, see those eyes that looks to the sky, it is for your sin he died. He has finished your work for you and sets you a free man to play with him in His paradise. His cross has broken the curse of the law; you are now under grace, a free man to work for him not for debt as you owed before but for pleasure and joy in which He provides. Is this not a better work to be employed in? certainly; for your duty is born out of love for Him who died for you.
Therefore, forsake any thoughts that promotes pride in self and seek not to do your works in order to be accepted or loved but pour contempt on it all and survey the cross on which the prince of Glory died. Then will all your good frames be founded on a desire for the glory of God rather than self-righteousness.
K.Oni
You only need to wash your feet
It was just the hour before the Passover and Jesus knew that his hour had come. The hour where he was to be crucified, to be hanged on a tree, to be mocked and tortured had come. Jesus knowing this set aside his disciples and knowing who He was, which is the Son of God, the eternal Word made flesh, wrapped a tower around his waist, poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet. He said to Simon Peter, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not everyone of you”. Jesus explained the meaning of this duty that his disciples should do as He has done for them and that no servant is greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Then Jesus says something interesting which shows that active obedience is required of his disciples. Jesus said ‘Now that you know these things, you will be blessed when you do them’.
This blog is not an exposition so the focus is not in exegesis but rather to draw out a Christian principle of why as Christians we only need to wash our feet. The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in the sixth chapter of the 1st epistle to the Corinthians saying ‘…and that is what some of you were. But you where washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God’, vs11.
If you call yourself a Christian today, you have been washed, you have been sanctified, you have been justified and these are immutable, unchanging and unalterable. You will remain washed until the day of redemption and thus you have no need to fear hell or to be laden with guilt to such an extreme that you dear to disbelieve this promise. This brings us to the saying of Christ when he tells his disciples, ‘those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean’. Have you not had a baptismal bath in Christ my fellow believer? If affirmative then your whole body is clean and you have only need to wash your feet. By this we mean for you to continually wash off the sins that remains in you, the sin which dirties your feet but can by no method destroy your heavenly assurance. But we implore you for the sake of your pilgrim joy to continually wash your feet from the stains it has acquired from this world so that like a soldier you are fully employed to your masters bidding rather than entangling yourself in civilian duties.
Is your feet stained with pride, lust, anger, impurity, self-indulgence, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, fits of rage, selfish ambition, rebellion, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like. Is your feet stained with these and more and have you not found it an hindering to your heavenly progress. Has these not at times suffocate your happiness and have you not to your own detriment been reluctant to wash your feet. Suffer yourself no more but come to the fount where Christ as He did with the disciples will also do with you. But how you may say ? Hear the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 13:14, ‘rather put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires’. And this putting on of Christ is to be done daily and in doing so you will continually have clean feet and the stains will be no more.
You may say but how do I put on Christ so that I may have clean feet? The answer to this question is best given in the way of application. If you are bored, lonely, tempted and have an urge to sin, do not sit on your bed and fantasize, or seek relieve from alcohol or drugs which brings you into further darkness but in these moments put on Christ and you will not make provision for the flesh to gratify your sinful desires. To put on Christ in your moment of trial means to turn to Him, to gaze upon his wonderful face in prayer, in His words (the bible), in meditation of his works, in praise and worship and in fellowship with those who bear his image. And you will see temptation flee from you as the night flees at the entrance of the sun. Next time you are tempted, wash your feet by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ who is forever blessed. Amen
K.Oni
This blog is not an exposition so the focus is not in exegesis but rather to draw out a Christian principle of why as Christians we only need to wash our feet. The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in the sixth chapter of the 1st epistle to the Corinthians saying ‘…and that is what some of you were. But you where washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God’, vs11.
If you call yourself a Christian today, you have been washed, you have been sanctified, you have been justified and these are immutable, unchanging and unalterable. You will remain washed until the day of redemption and thus you have no need to fear hell or to be laden with guilt to such an extreme that you dear to disbelieve this promise. This brings us to the saying of Christ when he tells his disciples, ‘those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean’. Have you not had a baptismal bath in Christ my fellow believer? If affirmative then your whole body is clean and you have only need to wash your feet. By this we mean for you to continually wash off the sins that remains in you, the sin which dirties your feet but can by no method destroy your heavenly assurance. But we implore you for the sake of your pilgrim joy to continually wash your feet from the stains it has acquired from this world so that like a soldier you are fully employed to your masters bidding rather than entangling yourself in civilian duties.
Is your feet stained with pride, lust, anger, impurity, self-indulgence, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, fits of rage, selfish ambition, rebellion, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like. Is your feet stained with these and more and have you not found it an hindering to your heavenly progress. Has these not at times suffocate your happiness and have you not to your own detriment been reluctant to wash your feet. Suffer yourself no more but come to the fount where Christ as He did with the disciples will also do with you. But how you may say ? Hear the words of the apostle Paul in Romans 13:14, ‘rather put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires’. And this putting on of Christ is to be done daily and in doing so you will continually have clean feet and the stains will be no more.
You may say but how do I put on Christ so that I may have clean feet? The answer to this question is best given in the way of application. If you are bored, lonely, tempted and have an urge to sin, do not sit on your bed and fantasize, or seek relieve from alcohol or drugs which brings you into further darkness but in these moments put on Christ and you will not make provision for the flesh to gratify your sinful desires. To put on Christ in your moment of trial means to turn to Him, to gaze upon his wonderful face in prayer, in His words (the bible), in meditation of his works, in praise and worship and in fellowship with those who bear his image. And you will see temptation flee from you as the night flees at the entrance of the sun. Next time you are tempted, wash your feet by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ who is forever blessed. Amen
K.Oni
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Rene and Poet - part 5
Above the earth, the sun beams shines on the green pastures where Rene and Poet lay with affectious fondness for one another. Poet has just awoken and while asleep Rene analysed his frowning expressions and then asked him what brought him such sorrows.
Rene: You must tell me your dream, my loving Poet, your expressions brought a great sense of sadness to my soul, what worries you?
Poet: Ah Rene, the sun shines like the radiance of her beauty and this grass displays the bounty of her laughter. I dreamt of her again but I had to forbid my willing tears to flow. She is the soothing source where all my sorrows pour and the source of which my grief endures.
Rene: What brought about such misery?
Poet: I found myself with another youth walking to a house near the street. It was adorable and the air was the most comfortable to breathe. We entered after being greeted by a man of lovely features, smart and eloquent in his speech and wonders were hidden in the staring of his blue eyes. I could not look away until a greater beauty flooded my eyes. It was her, dressed in a colourful dress with hearty designs of bright and dark colours. She wore a brown purple scarf with black stockings to display a tower of modesty. On top of her God given carefully made figure, she wore a black open Jacket and I stared with eyes of love that such a beauty I have never uncovered nor will be found among the daughters of Eve.
I noticed that she was dressed for Him and immediately for my sake of not possessing her, tears translucently dropped from my eyes. It was a witness to my sorry affections and she noticed my disposition and with a gentle stroke she drew near and beseeched what the matter was with my gentle face.
Then I awoke, sweet Rene, it was a horror, but it is but a dream, an awakening dream that tells me that I must make my move soon before she falls under the spell of another of Adam’s offspring.
Rene: Oh Poet, your light hearted heart cannot bear such dreams, rise with me and we shall venture to my mansion and eat a feast.
K.Oni
Rene: You must tell me your dream, my loving Poet, your expressions brought a great sense of sadness to my soul, what worries you?
Poet: Ah Rene, the sun shines like the radiance of her beauty and this grass displays the bounty of her laughter. I dreamt of her again but I had to forbid my willing tears to flow. She is the soothing source where all my sorrows pour and the source of which my grief endures.
Rene: What brought about such misery?
Poet: I found myself with another youth walking to a house near the street. It was adorable and the air was the most comfortable to breathe. We entered after being greeted by a man of lovely features, smart and eloquent in his speech and wonders were hidden in the staring of his blue eyes. I could not look away until a greater beauty flooded my eyes. It was her, dressed in a colourful dress with hearty designs of bright and dark colours. She wore a brown purple scarf with black stockings to display a tower of modesty. On top of her God given carefully made figure, she wore a black open Jacket and I stared with eyes of love that such a beauty I have never uncovered nor will be found among the daughters of Eve.
I noticed that she was dressed for Him and immediately for my sake of not possessing her, tears translucently dropped from my eyes. It was a witness to my sorry affections and she noticed my disposition and with a gentle stroke she drew near and beseeched what the matter was with my gentle face.
Then I awoke, sweet Rene, it was a horror, but it is but a dream, an awakening dream that tells me that I must make my move soon before she falls under the spell of another of Adam’s offspring.
Rene: Oh Poet, your light hearted heart cannot bear such dreams, rise with me and we shall venture to my mansion and eat a feast.
K.Oni
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Thank you God for my pain
Last night, I was inflicted with a pain unbearable that it brought me to my knees in the prayer room grasping for breath and laying face down struggling to stand. I could not pray for my head was throbbing with severe headache as if needles were jabbing me from the inside of my head. It was uncontrollable and with the little strength I had, I picked myself up and hurried as fast as I could to my house on my half injured leg. I immediately opened the cupboard door and took two ibuprofens which helped calmed my storm a little but the pain shot through my head almost through the night as I could not sleep but dwell in darkness hoping and praying that the pain would go away. I would have wished the pain to be anywhere else but my head and at times I wished for my soul to depart from my body if this pain could cease. I was a terrible soul and the devil saw it an opportunity to afflict me with spiritual guilt but I countered it with the imputed righteousness of Christ.In my pain I felt I had received the sentence of death, that I despaired of life itself if this pain was to remain but God delivered me and used it to His glory
But in my pain, I thanked God for He meant it for my good, (Galatians 4:13-14). During this trial the Holy Spirit made me reflect on those who are suffering and especially those who are heading to hell. My pain is but momentary but the pain of hell is for eternity and what I suffered last night does not compare to the sufferings of hell and I prayed that no one should enter it if this is the pain that would be afflicted to their souls. Through this trial the Lord awakened in me a renewed passion for lost souls and those who are suffering. He kindled in me a praying compassionate Spirit and zeal to focus my attention on those who are suffering and those yet without Christ. The torments of hell will be horrible and at times I despaired and reasoned within my soul, that why O Lord will you inflict them with such darkness but I was rest assured that the Lord only does good and whatever He inflicts would be just and reasonable to what they deserve.
Thank you God for such pain as last night for you used it for my good and have made me more earnest in my duty. Oh that I may not loiter on my heavenly journey and to not entangle myself with petty trifles. Focus my mind O Lord and let me live each day, each hour and each second to your glory in the hope that millions will be relieved of suffering especially eternal suffering.
K.Oni
But in my pain, I thanked God for He meant it for my good, (Galatians 4:13-14). During this trial the Holy Spirit made me reflect on those who are suffering and especially those who are heading to hell. My pain is but momentary but the pain of hell is for eternity and what I suffered last night does not compare to the sufferings of hell and I prayed that no one should enter it if this is the pain that would be afflicted to their souls. Through this trial the Lord awakened in me a renewed passion for lost souls and those who are suffering. He kindled in me a praying compassionate Spirit and zeal to focus my attention on those who are suffering and those yet without Christ. The torments of hell will be horrible and at times I despaired and reasoned within my soul, that why O Lord will you inflict them with such darkness but I was rest assured that the Lord only does good and whatever He inflicts would be just and reasonable to what they deserve.
Thank you God for such pain as last night for you used it for my good and have made me more earnest in my duty. Oh that I may not loiter on my heavenly journey and to not entangle myself with petty trifles. Focus my mind O Lord and let me live each day, each hour and each second to your glory in the hope that millions will be relieved of suffering especially eternal suffering.
K.Oni
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