Tag: christianity

Ways of repentance

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Hello again and welcome to freestyle Friday recap 🥳. Hope you are doing great, glad to have you here. This is JahzRhythm and I am very excited to take you through this awesome time we had on Friday the 19th of July, 2024.

Our phenomenal host GodzNiel inspiringly presented the Topic for the day to us: Ways of Repentance.
The floor was opened by the captain Godswill Ezeonyeka with this powerful piece:

The worst expression of humanity is fit-framed into a four-letter homonym honed from our deep-seated need to be like our God.

M ade from dust, yet we make ourselves into fickle feeble fallacies of strength. Assuming our minds into mines that craft our perception into a reality that we did not make, we deceive ourselves.

I nsorburdinate we stand in our fallen fate. We grasp at the nothingness that tricked us into ourselves. Our insufficiency stares back at us, declaring that we never had anything to claim for “mine”

N ever has a man found fulfilment fiddling with feigned mastery of the mystery of existence. Salvation implies we need help, and therein comes the Lord saling on the streams of mercy.

E very good and perfect gift comes from God. The first time we tried to claim ownership to something outside of God, we lost everything. It is here that I repent. Nothing is mine. Everything is the Lord’s.

Take a deep breath.. yeah, take it all in. So awesome. Then at dusk, just after he was sure we were done savouring this, the amazing GodzNiel blessed us with this outstanding piece:

Haba

No no, me I no go gree
Wisdom is my cup of tea
No vex, Father told me since
Step One, get em saved indeed
Then it’s thick Obedi
Fast off enemies
Life wan taya me
From remembering
Remember me, Oh Oluwa mi
Ah, I handover my autonomy

Saved by Grace, not the one that has a surname
Sure odds, face what I’m saying to the one lame
Someone said I should counter with Mohammed
Dey your day, we go meet amidst the last day

Kolobi,
all the Spirit benefits
I’m a Sniper when I speak
Dem go doubt until e hit

Jalabi
Matthew seeks thirty-three
We’re permitting anything
But say Jesus and we leave
Doing shoprite with your sin
Have you tested, have you seen
Now I’m hunting on the fringe
Unbelievers only please

No no, me I no go gree
Wisdom is my cup of tea
No vex, Father told me since
Step One, get em saved indeed
Then it’s thick Obedi
Fast off enemies
Life wan taya me
From remembering
Remember me, Oh Oluwa mi
Ah, I handover my autonomy

Me wey bin dey cast pass Cyril Stober
So low behind no Charles Okocha
More wild thoughts than Miss Rihanna
But I’m preaching these days and I sprinkle anger

Father Father Biko teach me character
Now that I’m a soldier, it is Sir yes Sir
Make e no be say I still dey form Jonah
Make I no go slumber when I see Esther

No no, me I no go gree
Wisdom is my cup of tea
No vex, Father told me since
Step One, get em saved indeed
Then it’s thick Obedi
Fast off enemies
Life wan taya me
From remembering
Remember me, Oh Oluwa mi
Ah, I handover my “ought”
You know me

A significant day we had with these remarkable pieces. I hope you were blessed reading this, I believe God has spoken to you through this. Do have a good day ahead. Till next time, Adios.

Authors
Godswill Ezeonyeka
GodzNiel

The Fire of God’s Love

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What is God’s love?

A good feeling of acceptance or a strong sense of protection from evil?

God’s love is characterised by a commitment to His creation. A commitment to groom, nurture, provide, care, and sustain. The Word says “For God so loved the world” not Christians. His love will be biased if it was only committed to His followers, His nature is void of segregation. He loves the world, He loves His creation and unlike man, His love for us is not based on how well we reciprocate. His love doesn’t diminish when we walk outside His will, it takes a U-turn and chases after us.

God’s love is patient, fierce and eternal. His love never runs out on us because it doesn’t depend on us to keep it fresh. As a matter of fact, we do not have the ability to nurture or sustain it. Our decision to dismiss or accept it does not affect its intensity.

When we read the Adam story, it is tempting to think that God pushed them out of His love and security because they disobeyed Him. On the flip side, God knew that the genealogy of Adam had to begin for Him to send His son to come and provide a channel through which our acceptance seals us eternally to His love. So no, He didn’t push them out, He drew them closer with forgiveness through the sacrifice of the blood of His son, and since we all were in Adam it applies to us too. It is why He says in Hebrews 8:12 “… I will remember their sins no more” because His blood bought us back eternally.

Let’s look at the concept of fire, it refines and destroys. Fire refines gold but is also capable of destroying life and property. Fire burns but also produces. It is true that after a great famine comes a great harvest, if only you let go of all you lost and work towards all you can produce. The question is, what have you decided to make of the heat you feel?

The beauty of salvation is the freedom of choice. God is always willing to refine us as long as we let Him destroy the insecurity we feel, the habits that do not serve our purpose, the jealousy that eats us up, the immaturity that hinders responsibility, the ignorance that hides us from the truth… The list might be endless but the outcome is sure. If we let Him destroy all that is not of Him in our lives, He refines and produces in us beyond our desires. God’swill Ezeonyeka once shared with me that “When God is with you in the fire, the fire is the safest place to be” it blessed me.

Listen friends, the reconstruction you seek will not happen unless you allow God to do the demolition. You cannot get charcoal until you burn wood and no matter how rich your ingredients are, you do not get a meal until you light up the fire.

Let it burn, let the fire of God’s love permeate your being, it is the only fire that truly refines.

Imani Dokubo
© 2023

DOUBLE AGENDA

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I trusted immensely,
Gave up Christ stupidly,
Served you truthfully,
Worshiped you severely,
Gave up my virginity,
And all my divinity,
I came to you purely,
Purely and very openly,
Now you accept Christianity,
Place me in “insanity”!
Equate me to simplicity,
Where is the originality,
And the futility!
A wedding in the city!
By you my sweet,
How should I feel it?
And oh! Yes! I did it,
But, it’s what it is.
Evil they call me
And yes I am mean
But what does it mean
For long he picked me
Defiled and used me
Suddenly he drops me
Picks up another
Strolls to the Alta
“Double Agenda”
Is what I’m into?

Charles Young
©2021

Culture Shock In Christianity

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Science says freezing hot food causes freezer shock
But since we don’t do Lukewarm
Luke warms the food back to back
Or freezes it till hell freezes over.
Let the freezer shock if it must.

The day I told my mum I won’t go to hell
Even if I die fornicating
She shouted ‘chi’m egbu’m ooo’.
‘It’s funny-Kate how the devil is fighting for your life’.
Old people think they are wiser
But I have read my history books back and forth
And the devil lost the battle a long time ago.

I tell people not to bother using a mechanic
That I have a transformer that can transform
Their wretched Volkswagen to a Ferrari
But they are afraid to hug transformer
Even if it will only zap them to eternal life.

They say trade by barter is our culture
And the church continues trading her Joy.
Even after Christ said it’s not for sale,
They still couldn’t take despite their starvation.
Instead they borrow wears they can’t afford
Snapping and posting with two fingers up
Captioned ‘for the culture’

Chy’D
© 2020

Enough

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“Madam, would you like anything else?”

No.

I’ve. Had. Enough.

I’m done with this junk you serve on a platter
This sorry excuse of a diet
That I swallow,
To convince myself that I’m eating
A 5 second prayer, one verse of scripture
To convince myself that I’m growing…
I’m sick of it!

I’m tired of your new recipes
Food that feeds on me.
Superficial Christianity with a dash of religion,
Truth served rare with ego stuffings.
Glamorized gospels that are far from good news
leaving me bloated, constipated
full of myself and void of Him.

And what’s with the drinks?
Sweet to taste, but leaves an unquenchable thirst
words promising but empty
incapable of answering life’s burning questions
Don’t you serve Living Water??

And why is your food so costly?
your charges are outrageous!
My relationship with God, My peace, My joy, My destiny is too high a price.

So I’m sorry Mediocre Christianity
I won’t be having any more.
I’ve. Had. Enough.

Damaris Akhigbe
(C) 2020

Letter to Ola #2

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Dear Olaedo,


On wokeness


As you know, there are two sets of people on social media: the woke and the unwoke. I think you consider yourself woke which is beautiful. Examining cultural beliefs and societal inclinations is the only way to discover the truth and live by it. Considering that the world is constantly changing, being current with trends may even determine your relevance in the society.


The unwoke will likely want to shame you with empty words that suggest you are copying westerners and you should stay true to your roots. Imagine if Jesus stuck to culture, obliged the Pharisees and denied grace for works. However, you shouldn’t follow trends. The trend already set for us is forever relevant. Apply it and see.


I got carried away some time ago with worldly philosophies. When I found myself in difficult situations, I thought about what someone I respect on social media would do, not what Christ would do. When those philosophies drowned me instead of saving me, I ran back to Christ.


I prayed for a thorough purge; that the worldly wisdom I had unconsciously imbibed and the old, false knowledge I grew up with be wiped from my heart. I asked for light to flood my heart and make me new.


I don’t think you must have an opinion on every trending issue. If you do, then you must have enough information on the issue to back up your opinion. Be empathetic enough to consider perspectives. There are things you don’t understand. Say little or nothing on those things.


The only time you should speak boldly is when it concerns the gospel and when the matter borders on love.


Love can never go wrong.


The baseline solution to all trending matters from politics and economy to racism and feminism is love.


Self-awareness makes you more empathetic and less judgmental so don’t use it as an excuse to be self-absorbed. There is a thin line between the two. Pray for discernment to act accordingly.


Whether you use labels or not is not important. It’s your choice. For instance, you don’t hate being addressed as a Christian because some Christians believe it’s works that save while others believe it’s a mix of works and grace. I feel ownership of identity is important whether there is a label or not.


However, you are first a Christian, every other thing is secondary.


You’ll make mistakes and that’s fine. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Sometimes your understanding is limited by experience, exposure, and just the mere fact that you are human. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your path.

With Love,
Mama

– ChyD
© 2020

ONE SECRET CHRIST LIVED BY

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Sometimes I wonder why I experience highs and lows in my walk with God. During my highs, I’m unmindful of the lows, rather, I revel in an ecstatic feeling of sailing into a permanent, victorious, Christian Life. Eventually, the lows creep in and I feel God is hiding His face from me. I begin to feel a void; my bible studies slowly become uninteresting, my prayer life drops to the point where all I can whisper is ‘help me Lord’.
Currently, I’m in a spiritual high and I’m using this opportunity to understand the pathway to my spiritual low so I can avoid it by every means. I’ll go ahead and share it with you.
John 5:30
[30]I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord–but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me. (Amplified Bible)
Things you can deduce from here:

  • Jesus, while on earth, was a full-blooded man who had the potential of sinning if He chose to. Let me show you something;
    Romans 8:3
    [3]For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice], [Lev. 7:37.]
  • Jesus never did anything throughout His work on earth without asking for directions from God.
  • He relied on the still small voice for every thing.
    So how did this help me?
    Let me show you something else:
    Psalm 32:8-9
    [8]I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
    [9]Be not like the horse or the mule, which lack understanding, which must have their mouths held firm with bit and bridle, or else they will not come with you.

God speaks to His children by His Holy Spirit. God is constantly speaking through the still small voice. He’s always telling you what to do and how to do it. He’s interested in you, your kitchen, your laundry and even when you’re in front of your computer.
He wants a willing obedience for every single thing He lays in your heart. Being a mule or a horse grieves the Holy Spirit.
In my case, I realize when I leave out the Holy Spirit in some areas of my life, I limit Him and when I do things my way, I grieve Him. When I hurt Him consistently, I’m ruining our relationship. My physical impulses would begin to call more shots and I die gradually.
The good news is that I have the right to choose who calls the shots in my life.
Romans 8:12-13
[12]So then, brethren, we are debtors, but not to the flesh [we are not obligated to our carnal nature], to live [a life ruled by the standards set up by the dictates] of the flesh.
[13]For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever.
Ask the Holy Spirit to explain these passages to you. It will make more sense.
I’m not saying I’ve not grieved the Holy Spirit in the course of this High but I can tell you that I genuinely repent and obey that exact instruction. God is looking for a person who’ll have no will or opinion outside of His, a person who will yield as Christ yielded.
I believe you are that person.
Shalom.

Favour Omeje

(C) 2020

The Army

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Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

1 Kings 19:18 (The Living Bible)

For those that do not know where this verse popped out from, let me give you a quick glimpse at what was happening before this statement that was made by God. Elijah has been running away from Jezebel and many prophets of God has been slain. Elijah in his desperation, said to God, I am the only one left! After some instructions, God tells Elijah in what looks very much like an afterthought – “by the way I have 7000 more, quit your despair”

Like Elijah, we sometimes worry about where our world is headed. We are genuinely concerned about the state of the global church and rightfully so. We wonder if there are enough people who believe the right things and are willing to stand for truth in these times. While one can see what our fears are built on, let God use this is article to tell you quite succinctly – “by the way I have more people than your wildest imagination”

As I write this article, I am reminded of Gehazi, the servant of Elisha who was beyond terrified when a ton of soldiers on horseback came to lay siege on the house of his master. In his despair, Elisha – who has been calm all through – prays for his eyes to be open and then he realised they had a much bigger, more terrifying army laying siege on the so called “soldiers”. I hope this short reading has the same effect on your fears because the devil may try his hardest but there is definitely MORE on the Lord’s side than you can imagine.

Before you ever wonder if you are ever alone, I want to tell you that there are millions of fire brand, convicted and sold-out Christians in China despite the government’s efforts to shut them down. I want you to know that there are millions of crusades that do not make it to Television broadcasts and Online platforms. Just in case you need proof, you can go on the internet and you will find that the last National Day of Prayer hosted by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and Pastor Benny Hinn boasts of over 3 billion people connected at one time. The Bible is still the best selling book of all time, no book comes close and Jesus is still the most said name on earth. Do not let the devil fuel your fears, open your eyes to the army of the Lord.

I have realised that the devil has a habit of drawing people out of the whole by making them think they are alone. Nature tells us that is how carnivores hunt. When you feel isolated, then he can introduce strange ideas but now you know better – The army of the Lord is growing. It is always growing and though we might argue over certain things, never make a mistake that we are the strongest army that exists on planet earth and that is because we are on the Lord’s side.

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:16-18 (King James Version)

Jesus in that verse, institutes the authority and power of the church. We are strong and we are built on the truth that Jesus is the Son of the living God. One more thing it tells us is that we are on the attack! Contrary to popular belief, it may seem that the church is on the defence against the wiles of the enemy but Jesus tells us that we are on the attack. We take the battle to the enemy and what is more, his defences cannot hold against us. His lies cannot stand the clarity of our truth. His darkness disappears at the coming of our light and his power is non-existent when we come in the name of Jesus. Make no mistake, we are more and we are powerful.

In the song, “Break every chain” the writer articulates very perfectly that there is an army rising. Our army is present and always growing and guess what we are all about – breaking chains! So be encouraged, you are not alone. You are not weak. You are part of the strongest army that ever existed if you believe in the Son of God, Jesus – the risen Christ.

Let me end by saying this: I have personally lamented about the state of the world and the church but everyday I meet more and more people that give me hope. From The Christ A Poet Team to every voice publicly declaring the Christ everywhere, I am reminded there is an army and I am so glad to be part of it.

If you don’t believe in Jesus, you have to know that you are on the losing side and while you still have your mind, a good decision you can make is to choose to believe in Jesus and trust him with your life. When you do, you enlist into this army and together we charge!

– Ezeonyeka Godswill
(c) 2020