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In this day and time, no one person wants to be less equipped for whatever endeavour that is sought to be achieved. Be it, career-wise, academics-wise, relationships-wise and so on. 

But I find it quite disturbing that all these ‘physical’ aspects are more attended to, than the key aspect- spiritual walk-wise. Okay! what’s my point?

So it’s no news that with the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, we are privileged to seek to have the spirit of discernment. And believe me, it is really needed now than ever before. If the bible never mentioned it, I would have paid a visit to God and asked to make a vital submission, that is intrinsically needed for the Christian walk and general living, really. Well! There’s no need imagining such/wishing such, the ‘all knowing’ delivered, as always.

In as much as, he has done His part, why is it still difficult for us to do ours? [please feel free to make your thoughts known in the comment section]

So 1 John 4:1 [MSG] says- My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world. I don’t think any other translation could have simplified it any better for me. Testing the spirit is very crucial to the very existence of a man’s spiritual walk with God. I am a firm believer that the lack of ‘testing the spirit’ results in ‘avoidable bondage’

The only reason I can think of, for the decreasing request and application of the spirit of discernment is  ‘sheer laziness’. How? Let me explain: Brother A/Sister B goes to XYZ church. Pastor EFG has given countless prophecies about Brother A’s/Sister B’s family and career , and everything has manifested as he said it. Brother A/Sister B becomes comfortable with leaving all their affairs in the hands of Pastor EFG, and don’t see any reason to test whatever it is that Pastor EFG says, after all, it always comes to pass. Then, Pastor EFG becomes the new Holy spirit, Jesus and God. Why bother going directly to God, when Pastor EFG has the answers? 

This isn’t only experienced with the pastor and member cycle, it could be a spiritual confidant, prayer partner, tongue-speaking, devil-casting,vision-seeing brother/sister. But predominantly, it is the pastor and member cycle that occurs. 

Image from Google

I may not be able to describe exactly how God felt when He said He will spit out lukewarm believers, but I think I can understand the underlying reasons behind such statement. This spirit to discern/test is one that a prophet in 1 kings 13 needed, and his story would have been different from what it was. It is funny [I don’t know if that’s the right word] how the person who told the (1st) prophet lies, was an old prophet too.

This testing of the spirit is not only a present-day ‘challenge’ for believers, it started a long time ago. 

If you remember the story of the slave girl and Paul in the bible in Acts 16:16-18, where the slave girl told the truth about who Paul and Silas were, but with a contrary spirit; she was psychic. This time the girl was not telling a lie, but still the contrariety was going to lead to confusion, and God is not an author of confusion, hence the casting out of the demon.

We need to test EVERY spirit, whether the truth is being said or not, let the spirit be TESTED.

I remember the case of the  ‘eat the grass and you will be closer to God’ congregation story, that took place early this year [January to be precise]. I won’t even bother analysing the event. But this one thing I know: nowhere in the bible did God say for you to draw near to me, you have to munch some grass. I stand to be corrected, if wrong!

A pastor/Elder/G.O/Priest is not God. We, Christians should gallantly test all spirits. When you become a child of God, you become a priest and have the power to communicate with God to know what He will do or have you do. Let us not make men and women who occupy certain spiritual positions, God over all our affairs. However, let us not disrespect them/the anointing that comes with their position either. There’s that balance, that needs to be attained.

Testing ALL spirits can prevent several nights of ‘binding and casting’ prayers or even worse outcomes like that of the prophet in 1 Kings 13. We need to ask God for the spirit of discernment, it is very important in this day and time. May God help us all. Amen!

OPEN SECRET-testing the spirit cannot be accomplished without the Holy Spirit and reading of the bible.

What other reasons do you think prevent Christians from testing the Spirit? If the Spirit is not being tested, what do you think is being tested now? 




P.S  I thank God for journey mercies with my moving. I moved to Canada safe and sound, and met my family in good health as well. It’s a new beginning for me. A fresh start. I’m gradually settling in, and I am optimistic of what tomorrow holds as God is in control of tomorrow. Thank you for your patience. 

Hello,

How are you? How was your weekend? Mine was busy! busy!! busy!!!

I wish I could feel cool like the guy in the  picture but that’s so not how I feel..

The word- ‘Exhausted’ just mildly puts how I feel into words.

So why am I exhausted? I am moving from my current country of residence to a different country. [I’ve deliberately left out my destination, as I intend to make that known in the future]

The truth is, as I type this post; I’m so full of thanks to God. I’m watching BBC’s crime watch and I’m shocked at the events that go on in this country [UK], and none of such evil has been my lot. Not that I’ve been extraordinarily faithful and righteous. It has been God’s endless Mercy and Grace at work. 

So please I entreat you to bear with me as I make this move and settle down. I will get back to blogging as soon as possible [when I am settled in]. Keep checking. If you’ve not read some posts, catch up. Share. Leave your comments. 

I hope to continue blogging soon.

God bless you. xx

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My love for movies, series, (you name it) any thing that consists of a protagonist and an antagonist; is grand. So the fact that since the day I was introduced to the British soap opera, Eastenders, I’ve been hooked, is no surprise. So recently, there’s a storyline from this ‘soap’ that has got me thinking……… 



So there was a lady [I guess I can refer to her as a lady, she was 20 years] that is dead, her name is Lucy Beale [name in Eastenders]. It so happens that her death occurred at a ‘not-so-good’ time, as no parent wishes for their child to die before them, talk more of having a misunderstanding  just before the death of your child. Well! That was exactly what happened in Eastenders. Lucy had just fallen out with her father because he had searched her room and found ‘coke’, and also divulged his finding to a ‘friend’ of hers. However, this misunderstanding was a build-up of how Lucy had been feeling for a long time.

Lucy was a clever, beautiful and industrious lady. She was one who wanted to succeed at whatever she set her heart to do, and her zeal was undeniable. However, she needed something she was not getting. Something so many teens and youths, and generally,

everyone needs- approval/compliments/appreciation/assurance. You can choose   to give it whatsoever name/term you desire. In my understanding, following the drama, Lucy was starved of approval/appreciation/compliments. And this resulted in a disoriented life even in the midst of her strive to be a better person, while achieving her goals.

Image from Google

The truth is there are so many Lucys [representing both male and female] in the world we live in today. All they may require may just be sentences like: ‘great job, well done’, ‘I’m proud of you’, ‘I know you’ll do better next time, don’t give up’……. but they are never forthcoming. I put up a post on self-love sometime ago, today’s post can be said to be a continuation. The truth is, self-love doesn’t generate out of the blue, a ‘conductor’ is needed to nurture or stimulate the self-love. And most times, these ‘conductors’ are parents/families before the friends, colleagues, teachers ‘conductors’ add to that of the primary ‘conductors’.

The part that the primary conductor plays is very vital and cannot be over emphasised. Every human being craves attention, appreciation, and recognition. It’s only right that the foundation is solidly built. It’s no secret that whatever a child is not getting from home, there is a huge possibility that the child will seek for it outside, and most times those that give these recognitions and appreciations do not have the best intentions.

In the case of Lucy, she wasn’t getting the recognition and approval she sought from her father, and it was very easy for her to get carried away when her best friend’s father showed interest in her. This lack of recognition and approval is one of the reasons that some ladies and guys join gangs or get involved in dangerous activities.

Image from Google

Oh! need I add that Lucy said something that struck my heart. She told her father that ‘the main reason she was taking ‘coke’ was to block out every thoughtless word he had said to her’. The power of words cannot be undermined, be it by a parent, friend, colleague, acquaintance. It just has a way of sticking. 

So what’s my take? 

Parents appreciating their children really goes a long way in the life of a child. The words they speak to them, the time they have for them and listening to them [not just hearing]. Parents are the ‘primary conductors’ of self-love.

Friends also play a huge part. It’s quite sad that giving compliments has become a difficult task for people to carry out these days. A ‘you look good’ comment could change the life of a person. I think it is high time the ‘Pull him/her syndrome’ be dropped. It has made no positive effect to lives and will never.

So who is this post for? It’s for me, you and everyone. So let’s do something henceforth, you see someone working hard, appreciate his/her efforts. You see someone who has a nice smile, tell him/her. You like the way someone dresses, tell him/her. Thinking it, is not close to saying it. We need to give importance to the little things; because they are the big things!

What’s your take?

P.S A friend of mine has requested to know how fears and insecurity of oneself and the future leads to unhappiness, and could be the cause of depression and even suicide among youths of today? Please share your opinion

Image from Google!!

I just want to wish you an amazing and restorative Easter. Always remember that because Christ lives, we can face tomorrow……..

Image from Google

Hello Everyone,

How is your week going? Hope much better than you anticipate(d)?

So it just happened that the post I wanted up for today couldn’t be put up today due to availability. However, I found myself pondering on a topic, I wouldn’t have seen myself putting up today. You ask ‘why’? Well!! I think I’ve just being shying away from it. But this morning, with the way I was feeling, I was certain that shying away period was over.

I’m no love doctor or relationship specialist, but this is one thing I know-being ‘single’ does not kill.

I hear (and have heard) different tales on what age and time where ‘being single’ should not be heard of, in an individual’s life. Okay, I think at this point, I should state my take on what single means. When I looked up what single means, I saw different definitions; varying from: sole, one, lone to unmarried….But I’m more for the distinct definition. Not that the other definitions are wrong, but I imagine that those definitions are suited for different contexts.

So let’s get real……

It is no secret that there are so many talks/seminars/messages that describe singleness, but I am also aware that sometimes, the same proponents for enjoying singleness, still contradict themselves with subsequent actions or follow-up articles/talks/messages. So it gets all confusing.

However, there are certain things we should never get confused about.

A single person is a whole person, irrespective of whether they are in a relationship, not in a relationship or married. With a mindset like this, nobody will be thinking that they are incomplete because they are not in a relationship, or because they are not married. I am an advocate for the 100%-100% coming together to make 1; not the 50%-50% to make 100%.

Being a single person does not mean you are immature. Where I come from [Nigeria], this is a popular notion. “Ah, James you need to grow up oh; marry nah”……I understand the fact that with marriage comes the responsibility of catering for someone else other than yourself, but maturity does not just spring up because you are married. Growing out of childish conduct, is inevitable in ‘most’ lives. Being single isn’t alien to the concept of maturity. 
So I remember telling an elderly woman that my mum had given me my nursery, primary and secondary school certificate to keep, that I am capable (mature enough) to take care of them. The next thing she said to me was, ‘you are not mature enough until you are in your husband’s house’. I smiled. I didn’t take offence. Neither did I think much into it. I just accepted that, this is her own way of thinking; and I was fine with that. What I knew was that: I have my own belief/theory and it works for me. Everyone has theirs, but do not let another person’s theory/belief which isn’t ‘healthy’ for you, be what you choose to practice.

Wishing to be married isn’t a taboo either. Inasmuch as I believe that a marriage consists of two single people, wishing to be married should not be seen as a bad thing because ‘you should be single and proud to be one’. Whoop! Whoop!! But if you want to be married it is a good thing as well. The bible states numerous blessings that comes with being married, and there are people who also attest to such. There are also people who have chosen not to get married as well, and personally I feel their choice should be respected because as bitter as it may sound, not everyone is supposed to be married, but everyone is supposed to be single [distinct, whole].

The truth is Hollywood, Nollywood, etc [movies] are not helping with portraying what ‘being single’ should be about. Maybe they are supposed to help but they are not. It’s our responsibility to get the right concept of what being single means really; because whether we choose to agree or not; there are other generations to come. Personally, I wish that they get a healthy concept of being single. And I’m sure there are other people out there with the same goal.

So yeah, Love yourself. Strive to be ‘single’ daily [whether unmarried or married]. Dig into materials/activities that build your mind positively. And if you want to be married- Pray and work by faith [James 2:17].

So what ‘say you’? How do you handle the internal [thoughts] and external [family,friends,colleagues] pressure? Do you have a different opinion? I will love to read your view.

Please share!

All the images used in the post are from Google.