Niel’s Exegesis

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We cant save, we are the saved.

Perhaps we have barbed ourselves by lifting biblical phrases, again perhaps, out of context.

Our view, or stand, however; is to me as clear as yours. I wont quote 1John3:11-16 or even go into some long exegesis about how we are doing what is natural to us. It is obvious we all see things differently.

We are younger than you, and in our time, today, when we see a mosquito or a fly, we swat it and pray that we dont already have malaria.

When a lecturer tries to sleep with my friend, we get a recording device and set him up…but we pray the senate dont cancel the class results because of him. We know we cant fight BokoHaram, so we leave that to God. But we switch off the TV when we catch our young siblings watching BBNaija. And we change the station when they’re gone and watch GameofThrones.

We want to ignore the world, we also want to change a few things, get some money, go to work and hope the kids can be left alone with the Tv.

I dont have kids yet.

But I once watched porn. Someone should have told me it would erode my self esteem and that I was misdirecting my time, but no, everyone was ignoring the world.

But I blame no one. And am not even telling anyone to change…I’m just venting. In real life, I will listen to you, because I trust you. I will fix my eyes on Jesus and pray for those who I could have helped. After all, all of my help comes from the Lord; they should trust God too.

I just thought perhaps I should love my neighbour as I…nevermind. I will just pray for him.

Where is it written in the Bible that there should be a balance between what is our and what is God’s responsibility?

We should all seek, first, the kingdom of God…

…Madonna once sang, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions; what did she know about good?

…like Paul says, Ephesians 4:11-25, we are all growing to that level where we are rooted in The Truth, all the while trying to speak truth to each other.

The Niel

(c) 2018

Frank

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Reducing scarcity dissolves celebrity statuses so its safe to say that ‘being Frank’ saves the day,

I’m here to be Frank, I can’t pretend just to please anyone… I’m here…to be Frank,

I want friends who are wise so I can fool around safely. So I never wonder if I’m wrong since they shoot their thoughts straight at my phone just to bullseye me with a sharp ‘I miss you’,

I want friends who forget that I have to go and sigh at my goodbyes like we’ll never meet again. Their eyes glow when I appear; I am a star, they are mirrors,

Maybe that’s why they say ‘Tell me your friend, and I’ll tell you who you are,’ because that’s not in the Bible,

But my friends though…

I’m upset when they’re amused and I’m used to the use of my absence for the discussion of weightier matters,

But do I change them like I change shaving sticks? No. I am enough, they are enough,

Some books book a book-long look of flukes for me to get hooked on to with the look of a promise like, ‘Look, if you took on this and that look and hook on to this and that spook, your nook of Looks will be so warm, johns will pray to host you. You can mark it anywhere’,

But they are all tax collectors and like a Mat you write ‘welcome’ on, they are hardly ever inside the story building up as our lives, so they don’t see our flaws while promising windows for each sealing,

Temperaments and Peppermints have taught me this; If you are predictable and pleasant, there still is no guarantee that the other person will be,

In my search for the pinnacle of a stable relationship I took a stab at a popular question. No one sees the selfishness of the silence this question is serially supplied with, the question is…

What are friends for?

Is a friend in need a friend indeed? If yes then answer this;
Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friend, which of your friends can you die for?

Don’t worry Jesus died for your friends so don’t worry,
Gies of God to each other. A friend in need is just opportunely so. So once again, let’s ‘be Frank’; I am friends with you because I love you. I won’t always want you around but that’s not a reflection of my displeasure.

And when I’m gone just carry on, don’t mourn, rejoice every time you do recall my voice. We’ve come a long way, from where we began, and I’ll tell you all about it, when I see you again,

I’ll be careful when I am ‘being Frank’ with you so I don’t hurt you in a bid to say my mind,

The stench of fellowships…often murdered by honesty;
The smeh smeh whispers of Frank.

Its safe to say ‘being Frank’ should be replaced with being ourselves,

After all, who is Frank? I don’t know him. Let’s keep it simple,

I am The Niel Quchi; and I just want to make common sense.

The Niel

(c) 2018

BOOK REVIEW: EXPLORING WORSHIP, by Bob Sorge

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Author: Bob Sorge 

Pages: 262

Edition: 22nd

Publisher: GCEE BRUNO CONCEPT LIMITED, Lagos, Nigeria. 

Reviewer: PHILIPA ORAEGBU
 
 
 
God seeketh worshipers not worship. Why then do I need to worship if he seeks it not?
 
Bob Sorge, an ardent writer of thought provoking practical books, ignites hearts yet again with this piece, Exploring Worship: A Practical Guide to Worship . Bob, a former music director, expresses his belief and desire to see leaders and worshipers equipped in the spiritual and practical aspects of worship. His writing is not just theoretical; it retells real life experiences and contains bible references. With these, he is able to show the importance of spiritual sensitivity in the art and act of worship emphasizing the place of the Holy spirit and a worshiper’s ability to discern.
 
“Worship”, though a common term in the faith and commonly regarded as just the act of singing slow songs, is beautifully exposited in this book. Exploring Worship clarifies the diverse misconceptions of the term while expounding its simplicity, essence and exclusivity. 
 
The book is divided into two sections: The Heart of Praise and Worship, and The Leading of Praise and Worship. The first section of the book comprises 7 chapters and dwells on worship and praise as expressions unto God, while the latter has 3 chapters and relates the practical aspect of worship. 
 
The first chapter discusses praise and its distinctive extroverted nature. Its essence, and how it’s perfunctory on will and not emotion. Bob proceeds to explain when, where and how one should praise. Praise, being extroverted expression, is done in varying ways. Some of these are common; others are not very widely practised. 
 
The second chapter addresses our approach to God’s presence: an individual approach and congregational approach. Worship as a Christian communal experience is described as an excercise which requires both on the worship leader and worshippers to bring to life. The author makes it clear that there are sacrifices to be made by all involved, in order to actualize worship. 
 
Chapter three emphasizes the use of praise as a weapon of spiritual warfare. The scriptural basis of its use is not without explanation, likewise the exposition on the use of the forms of expression of praise as spiritual weaponry.
 
Chapter four explores the term ‘worship’, its distinction from praise, its essence, and how the Holy Spirit is an integral part of worship. Worship as revealed is not bound by time or place but rather is dependent on “spirit” and truth. 
 
Who really are worshipers? How does one become a worshiper? What does it mean to worship without guilt and what are the attitudes that could hinder an acceptable worship? These questions are answered in detail in the fifth chapter of the book. 
 
Worship has three aspects to itself as written by Bob, the vertical aspect where the worshipes communicates with the Lord; the horizontal aspect, in which the worshiper communicates with the congregation; and the inward aspect of worshiper’s internal communication. All of these are found in chapter six. 
 
Chapter seven talks about the link between prophecy and music, the difference between psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, and how they should be incorporated into today’s congregational worship. There’s also some discussion about walking in prophetic worship by faith. 
 
Chapter eight delves into the art of leading worship. The author wants us to understand that proper worship leadership is learned. Worship leaders don’t just spring up; they grow by learning. Further explained are the qualifications a leader should possess: musical expertise which is of great necessity; the leaders preparation both musically and spiritually; and the leaders leading– and not controlling -worship. 
 
Chapter nine exposits the importance of a worship leading team in a church, the role of the pastor and worship leader in congregational worship, the various members of the worship leading team and their place in the church. 
 
And finally, chapter ten makes known the need for planning worship services, the need for sensitivity, preparation and balance as regards worship services, creativity in providing good variety in worship services, and practical steps to writing songs and teaching new songs.
 
If you are desiring insight into the world of worship, the art of worship and leading worship, you will find this book useful. It demonstrates, among other things, that worship is not about the subject (worshiper) but the object (God) . And this, in the end, is the key message we all need to internalize.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

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​ FIRST OF, THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER.

Unconditional Love does not eliminate the consequences of Living according to the Dictates of the World. We must tell ourselves the truth. No matter how I claim Gods love for me is unconditional, not once have I escaped the consequences of my wrong doing. I have always had to make restitution for damages I caused in one way or the other, where I have hurt people I have had to apologise, where I have lied I have had to tell the truth, where I have been wrong I have always had to realise either through scolding or lashing out or whatever means correction came, I have had to accept my wrong and repent. ( not just feel or say sorry but actually turn away from doing the damage anymore).
By the virtue of the gifts of Will and Choice God has made us with, we are responsible for every action, word and move we make.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE IS DISCIPLINE.

    Unconditional Love does not connote lawlessness or the elimination of necessary chastisement and correction. It is in Hebrews 12 that we are taught very emphatically:  

My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.

“Instead, what should we do?!”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

“hmmmmm, Good question…”

 If you are not disciplined and everyone undergoes discipline then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.

“..no kidding!!!”

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. 

“True true, true that…”

How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!

They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 

“Gbam!!!”

Its all there honestly, I don’t need to stress it more than already stated. Unconditional Love will discipline you and prove you and wash you and refine you until you come out as gold.

By the way any one who claims to love you but doesn’t tell you the Truth, correct you when you go wrong, pets you when you’re treading the paths of unrighteousness, hugs you when your attitude is filthy, hmm please run, that person does not Love you. And vice versa, if you Love yourself as God loves you, Unconditionally, You will tell yourself the Truth and walk in righteousness as you were Born Again to do. 

BORN OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. 

For God so loved the world, that He made a WAY. And for ALL who will believe… They will be born Anew, possessed by Unending Life.

– It all began with Unconditional Love.


 “Beloved let us love one another, for love is of God and anyone who Loves is born of God and knows God, He that does not Love, Does not know God For God is Love…”
1John 4:7&8. 

   You are not of this world!!! I am not of this world!!!! ( say it). So we can’t afford to entangle ourselves with the yoke of bondage that obeying the Lusts of this world brings, rather we should stand fast in the liberty which Christ has given us in His kingdom. What is the Kingdom of God? 

  1. Righteousness (The New Nature of Christ in you that you are enabled by the Holy Spirit to express Freely in the earth)

  2. Peace (The nature of God in us that enables us Rest in His promises and Trust in His Word with the whole heart)
    and

  3. Joy in the Holy Spirit (Not being moved by circumstances but constantly drawing Hope and strength from the Living Water of Gods Love that Flows from within you by The spirit of God.).

Understand that the gospel of Jesus Christ should not only be heard from your lips and known in your head but should be seen in your life. 


      See, in this place there is no law or fear of punishment and people will hate you, people will hate you for Living a set apart life, people will call you names, people will lash out at you, tell you you’re overdoing the righteousness, but you don’t need to fight them , In 2corinthians 4: 3 – 4, you have been given an  insight as to what the problem is, you know 

But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,
So what do you do? You do the needful and pray for people. Pray that the eyes of their understanding will be open” so that  they can see the free gift we all Have in God through Christ Jesus. This is how to Live in Love.

Your life cannot be guided by this and someone will come and threaten you with fear of punishment. This is where love is perfect and Unconditional and far reaching Only in the confines of The Kingdom of God.
There is Freedom in Christ… Literally, I cant stress this enough.

If you dupe somebody and get billions of naira out of the deal or you break a covenant you have with someone nastily or you swindle your way out of speaking the Truth just to save yourself it is not the favour of God, it is unrighteousness and there is an end for all unrighteousness its called death. Death is the end product of everything that is gotten from The kingdom of darkness. 

THE KINGDOM INBETWEEN

I’m glad to break it to you, there is NO Kingdom in between. 

   There is no place for lukewarm, no place of mixing both Kingdoms. To reject light is to accept darkness, to accept light is to reject darkness (I know thats deep church but stay with me :/). 

Okay on a more serious note now,  It was in a bid to clarify this that Paul in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians said, 

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

This is a legit question I ask myself all the time, because there is wisdom in it.  In the place of mixture, the line of holy fire that clearly divides Light and Darkness can be easily ignored. 
God has redeemed us through His dear son Christ Jesus to Birth His kingdom in the earth. 

There is no middle ground or comfort zone. We all must choose to walk in Righteousness because we have this new nature, His kingdom within us!
You must be proud of who you are in Christ, gingered to Love, gingered to make peace with God in your day to day concerns and interactions ( not tolerate the world ooo but reconcile others to the father in love), gingered to share, gingered in kindness. 

A believer in Christ Jesus who understands, “I am A new Creature, I am not of the fallen world, I am not of the kingdom of darkness, I have been born into The marvelous light of Jesus Christ!” Will be excited to live in righteousness, refusing to make excuses for Unrighteous desires especially when they rise up in you, this transformation is spiritual being made manifest in the earth! It was Paul in his letter to the Galatians 5 who said, 
  

  “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions…..”

This is just the fact. Darkness and light don’t see eye to eye at all! This is why your Choice is important,
So verse 6 says, 

“But if you are Led by the spirit, you are not under the law”.. 

You need to allow the Holy spirit Lead you. its a conscious thing. You’re not a robot, you have a will, the Holy spirit is not evil, he will not manipulate you to do the will of God. 
You will Choose to mortify the desires of the flesh so that righteousness can be made manifest in the earth through your life. 

May God keep us even as we continue to yield to His lead and may our lives continue to be a testimony that indeed Christ came in the flesh and we are overcomers in Him.

#GraceAndPeaceFamily

©Msray.

The Harvest is Here!

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Our vision statement as a team, in Isaiah 61:1-3 said something pretty interesting in the latter end.
“…that they may be called “oaks of righteousness”

This year God has laid it in our hearts to go out and bring in the harvest and announce that there is a harvest. God has commissioned us to do this till as many as would listen will be indeed oaks of righteousness.

We are grateful to all our sponsors and partners. Together we win!

The Harvest is Here!