“It was not I who did it; my cousin is the one who gave the money. I don’t give bribes; how then could I have paid money for unrighteous things?” But the money was given in your name. Did you instruct the payment? “Are you accusing me of lying? I was told at the ministry I can do nothing without a certificate so I left. My cousin saw my distress and promised to help out. I never asked him to give a bribe.” But you knew he did, and you knowingly picked up the certificate. “How was it my business how he conducted his affairs? If he gave a bribe on my account I did not sanction it; now don’t start shaking your head at me!”
Have you not read "Go, meet King Ahab of Israel, ... He went to confiscate Naboth's vineyard. Tell him, 'This is what the LORD asks: Have you murdered someone just to confiscate a vineyard?' 1Ki 21:18, 19(GW). God judged him, yet was it not Jezebel his wife who organized the murder? “Is this fair?” Fair? Was it not in Ahab’s name the letters were written and when Ahab learned Naboth and his sons were dead why was his curiosity not aroused? “I thought only Naboth died.”His sons were killed too 2Ki 9:26. Like you Ahab knew the matter could not be settled legitimately. "I asked Naboth to sell me his vineyard or to let me give him a better one," Ahab replied. "And he told me I couldn't have it." 1Ki 21:6(CEV). He, like you, was guilty.
“But he didn’t do it.” Mark you God said nothing to him until he went to benefit from the evil done in his name on his behalf. When he heard about Naboth's death, Ahab went to confiscate the vineyard. Then the LORD spoke his word to Elijah 1Ki 21:16, 17(GW). David once longed for something too: David said longingly, "Oh, that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!" 2Sa 23:15(ESV). Knowing fully well how it was obtained refused to drink it. Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and carried and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it. He poured it out to the LORD and said, "Far be it from me, O LORD, that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of the men who went at the risk of their lives?"2Sa 23:16-17 (ESV). That you did not do it physically does not save you. You knew about it and went to benefit from it: you did it. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them! Eph 5:11(ESV).
Monday 27 June 2011
Tuesday 21 June 2011
An ordained encounter Week 25, 2011
Don’t ask me her name, just suffice it to know she is a graduate and worked in the bank. She wasn’t working in Enugu when this happened. Please leave the issue of her identity alone for now. It should be protected don’t you think?
She has been screaming again in her dreams. I really don’t know what she dreams of that makes her scream like that but it has come on again and again. The screams are loud and disturb the entire ward. Hearing it makes me uncomfortable. I pray it stops. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep Psa 127:2(ESV). No she is not a psychiatric patient nor are we in the psychiatric ward. What am I doing in the ward? I have been admitted here for some time because of recurring problems in my pregnancy, and wonder sometimes what God has in mind for allowing me His child remain in the ward. But having met and befriended her I wonder less. The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way Psa 37:23(ESV).
I have been in the Lord for a long time now and experience His goodness. It’s been His faithfulness that got me this job in the laboratory at the Teaching Hospital. If you come to the PEPFAR lab you would meet me. I like to share my faith with clients. She cared to share her story.
It all came about because of a love affair. There is this man she has been getting along with and intended to marry. The man also is bent on marrying her, but her people would not agree. Along the way she became pregnant. It now was a shame and she decided against advice to terminate the pregnancy.
Where it was done; again please don’t ask too closely. It got complicated, septic, and this bank working spinster now had her womb messed up. Her people abandoned her completely. She had to battle for her life and it is through the mercy of God she is alive today. The way of sinners is dark; they see not the cause of their fall Pro 4:19(BBE). Worse still since she came in here she can’t hear a thing. I am told it could be the complication of some drugs she was given. She has to look at you to make out what you are saying.
Her life has changed any way; since she made a commitment to Jesus. There is a peace that surrounds her, and she is such a warm personality. You wouldn’t have known her history if you weren’t told. Ah, do you see that man coming to see her? That’s the man she was pregnant for. He still visits her, but can things ever be the same again?
Thanks for coming; I know I will be discharged soon. Pray with me o! I want to have this baby out soon without further wahalla.
P.S. I delivered safely last month and am now on maternity leave
She has been screaming again in her dreams. I really don’t know what she dreams of that makes her scream like that but it has come on again and again. The screams are loud and disturb the entire ward. Hearing it makes me uncomfortable. I pray it stops. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep Psa 127:2(ESV). No she is not a psychiatric patient nor are we in the psychiatric ward. What am I doing in the ward? I have been admitted here for some time because of recurring problems in my pregnancy, and wonder sometimes what God has in mind for allowing me His child remain in the ward. But having met and befriended her I wonder less. The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way Psa 37:23(ESV).
I have been in the Lord for a long time now and experience His goodness. It’s been His faithfulness that got me this job in the laboratory at the Teaching Hospital. If you come to the PEPFAR lab you would meet me. I like to share my faith with clients. She cared to share her story.
It all came about because of a love affair. There is this man she has been getting along with and intended to marry. The man also is bent on marrying her, but her people would not agree. Along the way she became pregnant. It now was a shame and she decided against advice to terminate the pregnancy.
Where it was done; again please don’t ask too closely. It got complicated, septic, and this bank working spinster now had her womb messed up. Her people abandoned her completely. She had to battle for her life and it is through the mercy of God she is alive today. The way of sinners is dark; they see not the cause of their fall Pro 4:19(BBE). Worse still since she came in here she can’t hear a thing. I am told it could be the complication of some drugs she was given. She has to look at you to make out what you are saying.
Her life has changed any way; since she made a commitment to Jesus. There is a peace that surrounds her, and she is such a warm personality. You wouldn’t have known her history if you weren’t told. Ah, do you see that man coming to see her? That’s the man she was pregnant for. He still visits her, but can things ever be the same again?
Thanks for coming; I know I will be discharged soon. Pray with me o! I want to have this baby out soon without further wahalla.
P.S. I delivered safely last month and am now on maternity leave
Tuesday 14 June 2011
All things are lawful..... week 24, 2011
“I kind of find raw, change of colour and spread abstract.” In case you found the other test a bit hard to interpret let’s see what the letter to the Corinthians says: "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything 1Co 6:12(ESV). Is it helpful even if it is legitimate? When reaching illiterates for Jesus, is it helpful to speak Queen’s English or Pidgin English? Although I am free from all people, I made myself a slave to all of them to win more of them 1Co 9:19(ISV). Hudson Taylor - that great missionary to China - was considered unserious by the people he was trying to reach because of his dressing. When he changed to a culturally more acceptable attire he was taken more seriously. So that in every way they may make the teaching about God our Savior more attractive Tit 2:10(ISV).
“Can I apply these tests to every issue in life?” No! I want you to note these tests only apply with issues without a written command in scripture; not like considering marriage to someone not born again. She is free to be married to any man she wishes, but only if he is a Christian 1Co 7:39(GNB). No need to judge such things further.
“Well if the practice is part of culture it won’t affect your time with God, may not offend brethren and your conscience. So it would be safe huh?” Culturally acceptable doesn’t translate to spiritually acceptable. So don't follow the customs of Egypt where you used to live or those of Canaan where I am bringing you. I am the LORD your God, and you must obey my teachings Lev 18:3, 4 (CEV). Even if nothing is written in scripture against it, is it enslaving, addictive, controlling you? You know that programme on television you cannot miss, the match you must watch even if it means your prayer time shifts or that you miss fellowship that day? “Must I keep checking everything? At this rate you’ll have me check before I even think!” My apologies; live your life normally, but examination is a normal exercise for the sincere Christian. Keep examining yourselves to see whether you are continuing in the faith. Test yourselves! You know, do not you, that Jesus Christ lives in you? 2Co 13:5(ISV). “Suppose despite all these tests it is still uncertain, what happens?” Keep practicing it; just walk in integrity, and as you learn more and more it will become clearer. But solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice to distinguish good from evil Heb 5:14(ISV).
“Can I apply these tests to every issue in life?” No! I want you to note these tests only apply with issues without a written command in scripture; not like considering marriage to someone not born again. She is free to be married to any man she wishes, but only if he is a Christian 1Co 7:39(GNB). No need to judge such things further.
“Well if the practice is part of culture it won’t affect your time with God, may not offend brethren and your conscience. So it would be safe huh?” Culturally acceptable doesn’t translate to spiritually acceptable. So don't follow the customs of Egypt where you used to live or those of Canaan where I am bringing you. I am the LORD your God, and you must obey my teachings Lev 18:3, 4 (CEV). Even if nothing is written in scripture against it, is it enslaving, addictive, controlling you? You know that programme on television you cannot miss, the match you must watch even if it means your prayer time shifts or that you miss fellowship that day? “Must I keep checking everything? At this rate you’ll have me check before I even think!” My apologies; live your life normally, but examination is a normal exercise for the sincere Christian. Keep examining yourselves to see whether you are continuing in the faith. Test yourselves! You know, do not you, that Jesus Christ lives in you? 2Co 13:5(ISV). “Suppose despite all these tests it is still uncertain, what happens?” Keep practicing it; just walk in integrity, and as you learn more and more it will become clearer. But solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice to distinguish good from evil Heb 5:14(ISV).
Wednesday 8 June 2011
leprosy test 2 week 23, 2011
Do not be quick to adopt uncertain practices. It’s not always appropriate to decide on a matter after the first examination. When unsure quarantine the matter for closer observation. Observe the outcome of such practices and see if it is worth imitating. Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith Heb 13:7(ESV). Take for instance this boyfriend/girlfriend issue. A recent survey shows a third of all “exclusive relationships” introduced sexual intercourse within two weeks. I’d say that’s a very risky practice. You can’t be disvirgined if you are never alone in a lonely place or behind a locked door with another, can you?
What do you observe for? The priest would check the matter for colour and depth. And if the hair in the diseased area has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a case of leprous disease. When the priest has examined him, he shall pronounce him unclean Lev 13:3(ESV). If it is eating into your worship and relationship with Jesus, changing its colour; ditch it. I used to read secular novels and noticed that following this my relationship with God was affected; I could not get into His presence in praise and prayer as before, my ability to receive from the Bible was diminished. A beloved spinster complained she could not get meaning from her devotional time with God. It turned out she was keeping a relationship with another man and it was turning physical.
You may say “I still have lovely times with God”, but that’s not all. Still bring up for checks. But if the spot is white in the skin of his body and appears no deeper than the skin, and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest shall shut up the diseased person for seven days Lev 13:4(ESV). How long should I check it? 7 days? Well I guess that has to do with how long it takes to get revelation. It took Jeremiah 10 days to get a word from God. Patience. Take it again and again for re-examination until some decision can be taken.
And the priest shall look, and if the eruption has spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a leprous disease Lev 13:8(ESV). Is it spreading? Taking up and replacing precious time with God and family? Such things increase the temptation rate while leaving you in a weaker state. Pharaoh’s technique I call it. Make them work so hard that they won't have time to listen to these lies Ex 5:9(CEV). Being too busy for God and family is a distraction God warns against. Remember Martha and Mary? Martha was distracted with much serving Lk 10:40(ESV). If it’s raw or spreading, changed colour or deepening: keep away! I hope you find the test useful.
What do you observe for? The priest would check the matter for colour and depth. And if the hair in the diseased area has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a case of leprous disease. When the priest has examined him, he shall pronounce him unclean Lev 13:3(ESV). If it is eating into your worship and relationship with Jesus, changing its colour; ditch it. I used to read secular novels and noticed that following this my relationship with God was affected; I could not get into His presence in praise and prayer as before, my ability to receive from the Bible was diminished. A beloved spinster complained she could not get meaning from her devotional time with God. It turned out she was keeping a relationship with another man and it was turning physical.
You may say “I still have lovely times with God”, but that’s not all. Still bring up for checks. But if the spot is white in the skin of his body and appears no deeper than the skin, and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest shall shut up the diseased person for seven days Lev 13:4(ESV). How long should I check it? 7 days? Well I guess that has to do with how long it takes to get revelation. It took Jeremiah 10 days to get a word from God. Patience. Take it again and again for re-examination until some decision can be taken.
And the priest shall look, and if the eruption has spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a leprous disease Lev 13:8(ESV). Is it spreading? Taking up and replacing precious time with God and family? Such things increase the temptation rate while leaving you in a weaker state. Pharaoh’s technique I call it. Make them work so hard that they won't have time to listen to these lies Ex 5:9(CEV). Being too busy for God and family is a distraction God warns against. Remember Martha and Mary? Martha was distracted with much serving Lk 10:40(ESV). If it’s raw or spreading, changed colour or deepening: keep away! I hope you find the test useful.
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