Posts

Showing posts from May, 2024

I should find Rest In Peace in this lifetime

Image
LIFE LESSON: Resting in peace is a struggle that I have to strive for in this lifetime not when I am dead. While listening to people being interviewed on various podcasts, I observed that many individuals frequently utter the phrase "May his or her soul rest in peace" when referring to the departed. This was a habit I also had before adopting the Kingdom of God as the framework through which I navigate life on earth, as in this framework, resting in peace is a gift that should be pursued during one's lifetime and is available to those who embrace the Kingdom of God (2 Thessalonians 1:2). As a dweller in the Kingdom of God, I recognize the importance of striving to rest in peace in this lifetime. This posture knits my heart in perfect unity with Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 13:11). When I am in perfect unity with Christ, my spirit can faithfully harmonize with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:3) , enabling me to become the person God created me to be. To fulfill my God-given pu...

Acts of kindness do not make me amiable to the divine

Image
LIFE LESSON: My hostility against the divine plan cannot be rectified through mere acts of kindness because my concerns are anchored in the tangible realm, whereas God's purview extends beyond the physical, encompassing the invisible spiritual domain. I once believed that performing acts of kindness would make me more amiable to God, this belief has been challenged by my natural hostile disposition toward God. Acts of kindness based solely on self-effort and practiced outside the realm of God's kingdom are not enough to overcome my inherent nature. Outside the Kingdom of God I am unable to surrender to God's will (Romans 8:7 TPT). So, I embraced these acts of kindness because they are centered around doing for others. While these acts seemed selfless, my true motivations were impure. Deep down, I adopted this stance because I believed it would position me to receive God's blessings. Which means I positioned myself against God because instead of pursuing God himself, I ...

Death is not the end but the beginning of true life

Image
LIFE LESSON: By embracing death as the beginning and not the end, I found refuge in eternal life, where the profound wisdom unfolds. While watching a popular TV series, a scene emerged in which a grieving husband lamented his wife's passing and expressed his desire for God to take him instead. This sentiment resonated with my prior perspective on death, perceiving it as the ultimate end. However, upon accepting the invitation to enter the Kingdom of God, my understanding of death transformed. In the Kingdom of God, death represents a transition from the earthly realm to the spiritual realm and, through Jesus Christ, it signifies the passage from the natural realm into eternal life (John 5:24 TPT). Embracing this new perspective marked the beginning of my life with God. My acceptance of the invitation into the Kingdom of God stemmed from my pursuit of true knowledge about God. However, my previous perception of death as the end would have hindered this pursuit, as death leads to et...

True freedom is found in focusing on the vertical

Image
LIFE LESSON : Authentic life can only be achieved by acknowledging both the mundane and the transcendent aspects of life. Mike Lipkin, the "YES man," was the one who first exposed me to the realm of motivation. His influence led me to read numerous motivational books and follow many motivational speakers. Still, I must admit that despite all my efforts, the books and speakers had no impact on my life and it did not lead me to experience true life. I initially struggled to comprehend why this was so, as it appeared to work for others. Now I recognize the cause: the motivational world concentrates solely on the horizontal plane, disregarding the vertical plane, where genuine fulfillment unfolds (Luke 22:16). I came to realize that the motivational world only emphasizes physical well-being, neglecting the vertical plane's purpose to influence both the physical and spiritual realms, capturing my soul (1 Corinthians 15:50). The motivational world is anchored in what can be see...

Personal desire can be an obstacle to my destiny.

Image
LIFE LESSON: Prayer is not a means to satisfy my personal desires; rather, it is to align with divine providence. In a recent discussion with a friend who attends a denominational church, he expressed that God fulfills all his prayers. Upon further exploration, it became apparent that he perceived God as a granter of his desires. This perspective contrasts with my experience of God of the Bible , my prayers are also always answered, but the responses I get are either YES, NO or NOT NOW.. My prayers are not always met with a "YES."as it the case with my friend because the Creator understands that my human desires alone, without his divine guidance, will never lead me to true fulfillment (Proverbs 27:20). God of the Bible prioritizes intimacy with me but some of my desires, unbeknownst to me, could hinder that intimate relationship (Luke 17:22). I was created to become a vessel through which God's plans on earth are realized. However, living solely for my human desires pr...

Imbalance is the way to true destiny

Image
LIFE LESSON: The journey to true destiny begins when the balancing scales of life tip too heavily towards the intangible realm of spirituality, rather than the tangible and practical aspects of life. When I started my journey of faith, some in my social circles accused me of being too spiritual, urging me to seek a balance between spirituality and worldly concerns. This view persisted even when I sought guidance from experienced fellow travelers on my faith journey, leaving me discouraged and questioning my path.Despite all my efforts I found balancing the spiritual and natural realms inherently incompatible. However, I later discovered a profound truth that shifted my perspective. Rather than being an obstacle, being excessively spiritual is precisely the imbalance required for alignment with the God of the Bible. Pursuing a balance between my natural and spiritual realities hinders my progress toward God's plans. True closeness to God demands the replacement of selfish desires ro...

Being a good person is not enough

Image
LIFE LESSON: Goodness is attained through personal efforts, while righteousness is a gift that cannot not be attained through self effort Throughout my life, goodness has always been my goal, I've always endeavored to be a good person, both as a citizen and as defined by societal standards. I believed this would suffice in securing my standing with the God of the Bible. However, as I embarked on my faith journey, I discovered that being right with God requires more than just being a "good" person. Before I began my faith journey, I considered myself a good individual. But after delving into the Scriptures, it became evident that my goodness or societal recognition had no bearing on my relationship with God. According to Matthew 6:33 TPT , the only place I can be right with God is in his Kingdom, therefore I had to accept the invitation into the Kingdom of God. To achieve personal goodness required significant self-effort, but being right with the God of the Bible cannot b...

Compomise is not true love

Image
LIFE LESSON: True love does not compromise, it seeks to influence towards the truth In matters of social issues, my stance has always been that compromising my values to accommodate diverse viewpoints is a testament of true love. Popular culture endorses this view, but it misaligns with the principles of the Kingdom of God. Within the Kingdom of God, patience and kindness towards individuals holding opposing views on social issues are encouraged as expressions of love (1 Corinthians 13:4; Luke 6:35) . However, demonstrating love also involves upholding the truth found in the Bible, rather than partaking in actions that undermine my moral standing before God (1 Corinthians 13:6) . Therefore, my approach in demonstrating true love to individuals with differing social views will be to consistently exhibit patience and kindness. However, I will refrain from compromising the truth by celebrating actions that contradict the biblical teachings. Instead, I will steadfastly stand on the truth o...