EVERYDAY JESUS freed you

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Hey…Have a snack

In [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off].

Notice, it is I, Paul, who tells you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no profit (advantage, avail) to you [for if you distrust Him, you can gain nothing from Him].

I once more protest and testify to every man who receives circumcision that he is under obligation and bound to practice the whole of the Law and its ordinances.

If you seek to be justified and declared righteous and to be given a right standing with God through the Law, you are brought to nothing and so separated (severed) from Christ. You have fallen away from grace (from God’s gracious favor and unmerited blessing).

For we, [not relying on the Law but] through the [Holy] Spirit’s [help], by faith anticipate and wait for the blessing and good for which our righteousness and right standing with God [our conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action, causes us] to hope.

6 For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor un-circumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.

You were running the race nobly. Who has interfered in (hindered and stopped you from) your heeding and following the Truth?

This [evil] persuasion is not from Him Who called you [Who invited you to freedom in Christ].

A little leaven (a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers) leavens the whole lump [it perverts the whole conception of faith or misleads the whole church].

[For my part] I have confidence [toward you] in the Lord that you will take no contrary view of the matter but will come to think with me. But he who is unsettling you, whoever he is, will have to bear the penalty.

But, brethren, if I still preach circumcision [as some accuse me of doing, as necessary to salvation], why am I still suffering persecution? In that case the cross has ceased to be a stumbling block and is made meaningless (done away).

I wish those who unsettle and confuse you would [go all the way and] cut themselves off!

For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another.

For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.

But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another.

But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).

For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.

But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.

Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,

Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),

Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,

Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.

If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]

Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challengingand provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.

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Curious? Is this for real? Yes! And it can be found in the gallant letter to The Galatians…but I won’t tell you which chapter in which to find these words…

For those of you pairs of eyes that know…walk by it.

But first, find someone, anyone, and whisper #EVERYDAYJESUS in their ear. Smile.

BEYOND CATHEDRALS

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Style comes to play when these edifices we seek to raise
Romanesque, Gothic, architectural sprawl and splendour resplendent
From foundations rise then, things we’ve dreamed and seen as befitting
Sitting on acres, thinking, holding things and frames
Marble and glass and a sea of colour-spawn accounts, from start to apocalypse
Our own stories should fit in here too, I think

So sounds choirs create as chant and psalmody verbalized resound, sonic perfection sung
Wrung from fronds like palms laid before our king
Many words said, many names proclaimed, one vision appealed to
Apparently
I look to the vessels and see golden glitter, look to the pews and hear tired ‘phews’
Gracefully garmented choir tries to charm with sonorous rhythms
But a chasm is widened as they retreat to seats, to regular routine
Like the rest of us church folk, church bunch seeking charm, finding only sham
And more- shame
Lame, destroyed by fear of our own wrongs done, those deeds done that shut us down
We may cheerlead for our people’s fine voices, but who’s won the adulation?
God’s not fooled

So we’re trim and clean cut for Sunday’s same serenade
Nicely dressed up and reeved up for what talks and faces we’ll have and see
Business deals sealed and partners to seek out, a time to hang out
But is it love or self seeking service that drive these engagements, I ask
Are our meetings only taking forward traditions, social settings devoid of Christ’s full presence
Are our hymns and confessions heart felt or head read
Are we truly free, not hiding behind smiles and breeding death beneath
Are not our wells deeply poisoned, isn’t our salt stale, worn of taste?
What’s our worth, what has the world seen of us?
Where is the fear and offence in the eye of the sinner and the vile
Why is the world so at home with our profession, why are we so cozied up to its style?
Why is life mild and dull, where’s the daring stare of the saint, the defiance of our timeless army?
Decimated horde, ours, I think…
May God decimate that tendency!

Come now, beloved, let us desire His fire
Let the flame of love be real in us, let us be dried of starving moist
Let our hearts be earnest, be daring, be at unrest
Wrestle down dire cowardice, give Him every stained gown
Give up fighting truth, die to come alive, slay deathly slime, rot
Disperse the dark
And let our God, Lord of the light, make us His Church again.

EVERYDAY JESUS.

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(Street Credibility)

It happened that, regrettably,  the Christ-figure has been made to look a concept that only trend on Sundays/Christmas seasons; in chapels and cathedrals. So, all expressions in synch with that concept solemnly falls in place on those days; oh my!

“Mehn! Service was awesome. Felt like I got a room in heaven! Jesus is Lord! Amen, already!”

Christmas day lines could have been like;

“Nah-Nah, not today! C’mon,  it’s Jesus’ day… Respects! ”

After which, we switch connections; so erratic! Monday to TGIF makes no God-sense. It’s business as usual; it’s our life to groove; we’d make it up to God (probably).

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Our dress sense;
Our Conversations;
Our thoughts;
Our engagements/business deals;

How much of consistency do they potray?

John 1: 14.
The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neigh­bour­hood…”

He didn’t just stay cool in Church to revert in the hoods.

He didn’t live a clueless life awaiting the Pastor’s rhema per Sunday.

John 1:4.
“In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men.”

It’s been guys. Enough of the chameleonic stance. It’s not just the DAY of the LORD. It’s EVERYDAY of the LORD. Representation is proffered in the “non” context. You see the need, then you arise in defence.

All I see these days are “Churchies” and “Sun-dallies.” If we carried him into the chapel; did we leave him there? What about the hoods, the streets? They don’t need no Jesus?

It isn’t just MTN, everywhere we go;
It’s EVERYDAY JESUS;
We GLOw, everywhere we go.

Think about these things.
Grace.

DESIRE IS NOT ENOUGH…

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It is an awesome thing when we see great men and desire their greatness. As a footballer, you admire and desire to play like Lionel Messi or Christiano Ronaldo. As an athlete, you long to be like Usain Bolts. As a tennis player, you wish you could play as good as Roger Federer. As a preacher, you crave for the kind of grace enjoyed by the likes of Benny Hinn, Bishop Jakes and Noel Osteen. Whatever field of life you find yourself, you have someone you desire to be like.

Interestingly, the desire is good. It has a potential of directing your focus and channelling it positively. It gives you something to look up to in life. It sets you on the path of great exploits and achievements. It triggers your receptiveness to learning and positive adventure.

As good as desire might be, it does not yield results. Your desires at best can give you hope that you can get there. There is more to greatness than just desiring it. Permit me at this point to introduce you to a good friend of mine called THE PROCESS.

God has told me that this year is a year when ordinary men will be made outstanding, status quo will be broken and natural phenomena will be altered. He also told me that this will be made possible if these men are willing and ready to go through the process.

I want to welcome you to join me on this journey, as God will lead us, to know what God will have us do to get those desired results we have anticipated this year.

“Because he knows the road on which I travel, when he had tested me, I’ll come out like gold” Job 23:10 (ISV)

#THE PROCESS

Please share with others and let it bless them as it blessed you

Stay blessed.       
  

©TRANSFORMING WORDS SERIES
(Transforming the World through the Word)
http://www.transformingwordseries.wordpress.com

BEAUTY IN LIFE’S PIECES

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Utter beauty
Purple sunset paints a faint portrait but still, its heart-snatching
Roaring, thundering to crash, smashing awe into stunned eart, waves to ears
Blossoming flowers, lush dainty things, delicate, love-recollecting
Terrible heights, mountains staring down monstrously upon little me
Rugged descents, steep sharp, trapping, enrapturing, as hawks soar
We gawk, even stand still, in rolling green pastures, sheep feed, dew thick downed, drenched grass slades
Sparkling landscape glittering gold as sun reflects extra-terrestrial splendour
I shut my eyes, breathe in, breathe out, sigh out a sign of deep seated gratitude
Someone gives us the life in which to behold these

My heart softens as children cheer and laugh and play joyfully in the streets
Simple innocence, reminiscent of perfect rest God affords us forever
This forever reflected now, from our soul’s deepest wells, to vast skies’ span, unscaled
When love grows slowly, then bursts forth in confession, lover to beloved, declared, revealed
ike surging waves furiously advancing our way, these spectacles unwrap
The indescribable feeling of being held by overwhelming, comforting, uplifting hands
No world would truly recount to our dim sensation; He, artist per-excellence,does
Makes our perceptions come alive to His rivetingly wondrous works
Makes us see, even through cracks from the dungeon of fallen man’s flesh, brilliant light
Helps us make sense of strips scattered abroad, splintered pieces from a once perfect world
We see these best when we’re there, here with Him
When God smiles upon us.

Book Review: PROVOCATIONS: Spiritual Writings of Kierkegaard- Edited by C.E. Moore

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Soren Kierkegaard 1813-1855

If you are into books on Christian thought and theology -even philosophy- then you must have come across this name a lot: Soren Kierkegaard. And he was such an outstanding writer on life and devotion to God (and what these mean) that he has come to be regarded a philosopher, though I’m quite convinced that he would have frowned upon being referred to in this way. However, his writings have been described as difficult and complex (heard that said a lot about theologians and philosophers!); so a compiled paraphrase of his major works on the Christian faith certainly lends a great deal of help.
Charles Moore’s compilation was first published in 1999 by Plough publishing house, Farmington. This editor does a great job of putting these works under five headings representing various themes. Typical Kierkegaard themes, one might say. He also has a section in it for quotes from this remarkable 19th century Danish writer.
The first set of works relate to the need for clarity and decisiveness in living the Christlike life. Kierkegaard speaks spitefully (as he always does) of vain religiosity and mere intellectual Christianity. What is required is “to will one thing”: to draw nigh unto God, with all that we are. In though, words, and living, regardless of the prevailing atmosphere. Nothing else will do.
Provocations contains writings on the individual, subjective nature of faith- subjective in the sense that the person must believe for himself, and live this faith vigorously. In fact, the vigour Kierkegaard speaks of ‘almost’ comes through to the reader from the pages of the book. Such is his lucid descriptions of what it is to live an uncompromising life of devoted faith, that you might get shaken out of the “going through the motions” sort of Christianity.
There is serious talk too, about love being about sacrifice and surrender, God being the ultimate actor. But we must remember: love is shown in actions.
Soren Kierkegaard has a knack for being blunt about suffering as being part of the Christian’s experience. He describes it as a refining instrument, something which has the potential of bringing us close to God. Because we are not of the world, we will encounter frictions with the world, and we will be bruised. But we will also be shaped and sharpened. Collision with the world is inevitable. He condemns comfort-seeking, as well as cultural Christianity and ‘Christiandom’, for peddling a brand of Christianity which is weary of the fire, and too steeped in worldly concerns to be fixated on the true faith; the faith which is a provocation and an offence to the uncommitted, and the unbelieving.
For this man whose writings call for a radical faith in spite of the horde’s definitions says: “the crowd is untruth”. The need for decision is always with us; the urgency of our faith’s commitments require wholesale abandonment of lethargy and its replacement by the fire of passion for our God and His ways.
Although Kierkegaard’s language may sometimes be caustic and biting, the essence of his desire is clear. And I do not agree with everything he says (for example, I believe that there is some need for an intellectual study of God’s word; it yields great benefits to the Christian and enriches his understanding of various dimensions of the faith). But it is true that a conscious life of undivided attention to the absolute truth of the “mere” gospel, is not substitutable.
I urge you to read this book. You will be challenged by it, without a doubt. And hopefully, moved to live fearlessly the authentic Christian life.