ZOOMED OUT – Not I, but CHRIST.

John 3:30 – “He must become greater; I must become less.” (NIV) “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (KJV)

I love cameras, being both in front of it and behind it. A shout out to all camera lovers reading this. #highfive# This one’s for you.

You’ll agree with me that using practical examples to pass on a Biblical truth makes more meaning than just going on and on about it. When a practical example is given that I can relate to, the truth behind it sticks to my heart for life. Last Sunday I was in discipleship class when the issue of what it means for Jesus to be magnified in my life was brought up. And almost immediately a bell went ding! in my head. And I was like wait a minute, wait a minute… I can so relate to this!

Okay, okay, okay, so this is what came to my mind: When a camera zooms in on a particular object or image, it focuses solely on that thing and the other parts of the background just kinda fade away from the area that the camera lens is zoomed in on at the moment. So simple an example, yet carrying such heavy truth! I felt God speaking directly to me on the issue being discussed. I realized that when Jesus is magnified in my life, I am no longer seen, but Christ is seen in full view of everyone who looks at my life. Like Apostle Paul would say, “…Not I but Christ…” (Galatians 2:20)

This equally means that my sole duty as a believer should be to live for Christ in every area of my life. When I do this consistently, the lens would be zoomed IN on Christ, and I on the other hand, will be zoomed OUT. And this brings to mind when the rapper Lecrae says, “I could play the background, so won’t You take the lead?”

Jesus Christ must be seen in me and through me. When that happens, He is being magnified. And I am reminded from the Bible that when the Son of Man is lifted up, He will draw all men to Himself.

Its time for me to zoom OUT… so that Jesus can zoom IN…

I leave you with the lyrics of Lecrae’s song, “Background”

Bless…

"Background"
(feat. C-Lite)

[Chorus:]
I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

[Verse 1:]
It's evident you run the show, so let me back down
You take the leading role, and I'll play the background
I know I miss my cues, know I forget my lines
I'm sticking to your script, and I'm reading all your signs
I don't need my name in lights, I don't need a starring role
Why gain the whole wide world, If I'm just going lose my soul
And my ways ain't pure if I don't live according to Your Word
I can't endure this life without Your wisdom being heard
So word, to every dancer for a pop star
'Cause we all play the background, but mine's a rockstar
Yeah, so if you need me I'll be stage right
Praying the whole world will start embracing stage fright
So let me fall back, stop giving my suggestions
'Cause when I follow my obsessions, I end up confessing
That I'm not that impressive, matter of fact
I'm who I are, a trail of stardust leading to the superstar

[Chorus:]
I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

[Verse 2:]
I had a dream that I was captain of my soul
I was master of my fate, lost control, and then I sank
So I don't want to take the lead, 'cause I'm prone to make mistakes
All these folks who follow me, gon' end up in the wrong place
So let me just shadow you, let me trace your lines
Matter of fact, just take my pen, here, you create my rhymes
'Cause if I do this by myself, I'm scared that I'll succeed
And no longer trust in you, 'cause I only trust in me
And see, that's how you end up headed to destruction
Paving a road to nowhere, pour your life out for nothing
You pulled my card, I'm bluffing, You know what's in my hand
Me, I just roll and trust you, You cause the dice to land
I'm in control of nothing, follow you at any cost
Some call it sovereign will, all I know is you the boss
Man, I'm so at ease, I'm so content
I'll play the background, like it's an instrument

[Chorus:]
I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

[Bridge:]
I know I'm safest when I'm in Your will, and trust Your Word
I know I'm dangerous when I trust myself, my vision blurred
And I ain't got no time to play life's foolish games
Got plenty aims, but do they really Glorify Your name
And it's a shame, the way I want to do these things for You, yeah
Don't even cling to you, take time to sit and glean from You
It seems You were patient in my ignorance
If ignorance is bliss, it's 'cause she never heard of this

[Chorus:]
I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

WALK YOUR TALK!!!

A song goes like this, “What you are speaks so loud that the world can’t hear what you say; they’re looking at your walk, not listening to you talk; they’re judging from your actions every day.”

James 2:17-“Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?” 

2 Timothy 4:2- “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction.

Titus 2:7-8- “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

You know it’s so easy to say we believe in God and we are Christians and all that. But where’s the proof? What practical reason is there to back your talk? Can it be truly said of you behind your back that you TRULY, ACTUALLY believe in God? The plain truth remains that it is what you DO that proves the truthfulness of what you SAY. It is not just enough to have faith without works to prove your faith!

Our ultimate example, Jesus Christ left us with the mandate to preach the Word before He left earth. His command was not just talking about preaching the Word with words but most importantly, preaching with our lifestyles. It is proven fact that the way a person acts sends a clear and loud message concerning that person to others even before they are spoken to.

Therefore, the question arises that asks, what message are you passing to others through your lifestyle? Are you a rebel at home, a saint at church and a cheat at work or school? You are being watched.

Francis Assisi said, “Preach the gospel always and when necessary use words!” Wow!!! This then means that my every action is presenting the gospel. But then, is it presenting the gospel correctly? Does my lifestyle lift high the One I preach? We are victims of talking too much and doing so little! People want to see your life before they hear about your Jesus. It’s that simple. 

Your life may be the only Bible someone will get to read. If that is so, will it be worth the read? Remember, you are the Jesus people see, are you representing Him well, walking in His steps? Your decision to return the extra change given to you by the market woman or your decision to answer a hurtful statement with kindness may just be the push the person needs to want to know more about Jesus and what a privilege to be the channel God uses to lead such a one to salvation in Christ!

If I truly claim to be saved then it is paramount that my lifestyle should show that I am truly saved and now a child of the light. Remember that you are like a signboard pointing others to Christ. Are you pointing them in the right direction? Do not give others a reason to question your faith. It’s time to walk your talk!

Jesus, our perfect example walked His talk. He taught that we love our enemies and pray for them. Guess what? He did not fall short of what He taught. He went to the cross to die for the same people who crucified Him and He prayed for them right there on the cross! Such a perfect example! The Bible recalls that someone observed saying, “Truly He was the Son of God.” Can that be said of you? Step up and stop falling short of what you preach! It may look difficult but that’s why the Bible says in Titus 2:11-12 that “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”

So my brothers and sisters, it is possible to live right! All you need to do is embrace God’s sustaining grace. The world is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. Let your faith spill over into your daily life because what matters is not faith and works; neither is it faith or works, BUT faith that works.

Preach the Word; Walk your talk!

References:

1.      ODB 2014, August 3^rd entry.

2.      Holy Bible, NIV (Zondervan)

3.      The Message Bible (NavPress)

Friend of God

I usually make it a point of duty to spend time with God each morning when I wake up. But, on so many occasions I find myself in such a hurry to meet up with daily demands and thus I hardly spend quality time with my Father either in reading and meditating on His Word r even in prayer. That’s not excuse enough though. I’m guessing you can connect with my experience as well.
Exodus 24:18- “So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” (NKJV)
 Looking at the life of Moses alone brings to light a great deal on my walk with God. A great fact that struck me is the fact that Moses spent 40 days on the mountain with God. This is 40 consecutive days, without coming down, probably without eating; because Moses had reached the point where God was filling enough for Him. The questions now are: how much time do I spend with God? Am I diligently seeking Him despite the time it may take me? Have I reached the point where God is enough for me? Am I willing to forget the world and focus on God, spending time with Him?
Exodus 31:18- “And when He has made and end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.” (NKJV)
The story of Moses’ time with God on the mountain continues and at the end of his time with God, he was given the commandments for God’s people to take with him. Now, these weren’t just ANY two tablets of stone with the commandments on them. The Bible says the commandments were written with the finger of God Himself! Wow! This opened my eyes to see the experiencing myself gives me the privilege to receive directions for my life and for God’s people directly from the throne of God Himself. Amazing isn’t it?
 Exodus 33:11a- “So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to His friend.” (NKJV)
 It should be noted here that Moses’ walk with God was a continuous one. It didn’t go on hold after he came down from the mountain. Instead, it continued. My walk with God must be continuous; daily.
How do I relate with God? Do I relate with Him as an Almighty, ‘High Up There’ being whom I see as fearful and ‘very serious’? Well, on the contrary, Moses’ relationship with God proved otherwise. The Bible says that Moses spoke to the Lord as a man speaks to his friend. Wow!
God desires a relationship with me as my friend, but only the amount of time I spend with Him can guarantee that. Just like I have to spend time with my earthly friends to know them better and strengthen our relationship, I also must spend quality time with God as well. How amazing will it be that the God of all the earth is my friend? I would like to say, that would be so dope!
 Exodus 34:35- “And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him. (NKJV)
 Personally, I feel great inside-out anytime I spend meaningful time with god. I’m joyful and energetic. There’s always a difference. Well, Moses experienced the difference too. His face shone. In fact, it shone so much that he had to put a veil over his face when he came out from spending time with God. That’s amazing. Spending time with God sure makes a difference in one’s life.
 Moses was known to “speak” with God. Speaking involves communication and conversation. Meaning that, it was a two-way street for Moses and God. Moses spoke to God and God spoke to Him too. That’s why there was a friendship collabo going on between them. I personally wouldn’t like to keep talking to a friend who doesn’t talk back to me.

 The thing I realize in all this is that it’s my choice, your choice. I must go “in’’ to speak with God. There is no protocol to speaking to God. Because now, I can approach the throne of God boldly and find grace in my time of need. Hebrews 4:16 says, “So let us KEEP COMING boldly to the throne of grace, so that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Int. Standard Version. Emphasis mine.)
 I want to be a friend of God. I want to talk to Him and hear Him talk to me. I want to experience Him for myself. I want to focus on Him because He is all I need. I want to be able to spend meaningful time with Him without being in such a hurry. I want to deliberately walk with Him as Father and friend. I will search for Him no matter how long it takes because He says I will find Him (Isaiah 55:6). I want to experience the difference that spending time with Him brings and I want others to see the difference too. I want my relationship with Him to be continuous. I want to get to the point where He is enough for me.
 I’m going IN. Are you?

References:
The Holy Bible (New King James Version) Thomas Nelson Publishers
www.biblehub.com (International Standard Version)

FOREVER YOUNG? The Battle for Your Youth.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 & 7 – “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”. …and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” (NIV)
It is a great privilege to be young don’t you agree! Therefore let me congratulate you! The most exciting time of a young man or woman’s life is the period of his/her youth. This is a period of great strength, agility, alertness, and freedom. Every nerve in your body yearns to be expressed and the spirit of adventure runs hotly through your blood.
But, as exciting as the time of youth is, it is also a crucial period. Important choices have to be made. Choices that will set the foundation for the rest of your life. The life you will have in 5-10 years from now will be as a result of the choices you make now that you are young. So let me pause here and ask, What choices have you made and are you making?
Yes, this is the peak of your life! Enjoy life to the fullest because this is the time to discover, explore and try out new things. But also remember, whatever you do while you are young has lasting effects on you. Therefore, this is also the time to keep your Creator at the center of your life. The Bible says to “Remember your Creator in the days of you youth…” Not when you are old, frail, retired, and less busy. No-no. It is while you are young and strong enough to work for God. This should be the focal point of your living as a young man or woman. This is the perfect time to bear good and lasting fruit for the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:32-34 also lays emphasis on the fact that a young man or woman should be concerned about the Lord’s affairs. This is no time to run after the world’s pleasures because they will but bring you to ruin. Why waste your youth and sit back when you are old filled with regret because of the wrong decisions made? You wanna live life to the fullest? Try living it God’s way. Try investing your youthful strength into working for Him. You will have lasting results instead of lasting regrets. He is interested in your strength and so is the devil. This brings us to the fact that there is a battle over your life as a youth. Because the devil is interested in your strength, he will do any and everything to harness it for his use. But you see, allowing the devil access your strength while you are young will only destroy you and fill you with regret later in life.
However, the choice about who wins the battle over your life is solely yours. Who you turn your strength over to for use is very important. But a choice must be made! What will it be?
The battle is a fierce one as the devil never gives up. He will fight against your body, soul, and spirit. He will question your beliefs. He will give you reason to give him your strength. But this is the time to Remember Your Creator.
I know you feel like you could go on being young forever but the plain truth remains that you are only young once.
So why waste your youth?
Why give the devil a chance?
Why lay a shaky foundation?
Why follow the crowd?
Why set wrong priorities?
Why make the wrong choices?
Why forget your Creator?
Make your youthfulness count. Invest in your youth. Make wise choices. Give your strength to God today.
Be young to the fullest; God’s way.
YOYO (You’re Only Young Once).



References:
True Images Bible (NIV) Zondervan
Battle for the young. Gbile Akanni
The Holy Spirit