The Magnet Called GRACE

Dear Reader,

It has been a so-not-short-time since I last put up a post! Well, you know how life happens and then time moves so quickly. Lol. Oh well, today’s post may seem short and straight to the point, but sometimes its not the length of a message that matters. And so I hope you are blessed.

2 Corinthians 4:15b – “And as God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.”

https://www.pinterest.com/gwenevans1/grace/

What struck me from this verse is that it is God’s grace that brings people to salvation. Not my beautifully crafted sermons or my evangelism strategies or even my testimony, as powerful as it may be. Yes, there are tools that can be used to tell the message of salvation, but they can be used and a person’s heart will still remain hardened. It is God’s GRACE; His unmerited favor, kindness and mercy that is the magnet that draws men to Himself. That is why no man should boast of bringing souls to God. This is why it is God that receives all the glory for the salvation of the lost soul.

http://abidinginthevine.net/the-grace-and-mercy-of-god/

God’s grace says ‘Come, salvation is full and free here. Come as you are. You do not stand condemned. Come and have access to what you do not deserve (eternal life). Come and obtain mercy.’ This is what brings more and more people to Jesus.

As the Bible says, “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” (Romans 9:16)

#selah

In Christ,

Shanpepe. 

SHUT UP & Chill...!

Dear Reader,

Sometimes our help doesn't come until we are quiet before God and take a chill pill! I hope you are blessed by this post.

Psalm 46:10 – “Be silent, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” (NLT)

“Stop fighting,” he says, “and know that I am God,” (GNB)

https://www.washingtonenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/04-quiet-icon.png

Too often I spend my time talking, arguing, worrying and complaining about my problems to God or to other people. And when I do this, I have no room for God because all I can hear is my voice whining and whining. I imagine a scenario where a child is throwing a tantrum and keeps going on and on, crying and talking, and does not seem to even notice his or her mom waiting for him to calm down so she can speak or help with a solution. I remember one time when something went wrong with a job I was to deliver to a client and I was sick with worry. I came home and kept talking and complaining to my mom about what happened and I think I even burst into tears at a point. Haha. But through my whole drama, she never said anything. When I was finally done, she said, ‘So what do we do? What can be done to fix the problem?’ Fast forward to the end of the story, she ended up paying for the problem to be fixed. Now, this is a mother’s love in action. How much more God’s?

I must learn to quiet my spirit, soul and body before God. I must learn to SHUT UP and chill so I can clearly see what God is doing and hear what He is saying. With silence comes a knowledge. The Psalmist says, “Be still and know…” When I quiet my soul before God, the knowledge of His existence and of His greatness will overwhelm my soul. This is the only way that He can reveal Himself to me. Calming down is never easy especially when everything feels like it is crumbling. But if Jesus can calm the raging waves and sea, He can definitely calm my heart. When I am still, I am drowning out the noise and distractions of the world and focusing on God. I am surrendering to Him to take control. You know, when a person is trying to defend themselves before another and chooses not to defend himself against the false accusation put against him or her, it is a sign of surrender. Staying still is a way of telling God that “You know the best God, I choose to stop fighting and surrender to you. Do Your thing Jesus!”

https://i.pinimg.com/236x/69/b9/6c/69b96ca9626ef108b523dd1c77313d70--god-peace-quotes-rest-quotes-god.jpg

God is God and His honor spreads throughout the whole universe. No one can argue or contest His greatness.

Dear God,

Help me to learn to quiet my soul before You so I can see and hear what You are doing. Help me to surrender all to You so You can do Your thing.

Amen.

#selah

Song recommendation: 'Be Quiet' - TY Bello, Sinach, & George

http://purposefulfaith.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Those-Quiet-can-hear-god.-730x548.jpg

Learned anything from this post? Kindly share your thoughts with me in the comments section!

In Christ,
Shanpepe

NO BAGGAGE, NO DISTRACTIONS

Dear Reader,

I hope that today’s post teaches you the very important lesson of faith, trust and total dependence on God’s provision for His work.

Luke 9:3 – “Then He said to them, “Take nothing along for the trip. Do not take a walking stick or a bag or bread or money. Do not take two coats.”

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In this story, Jesus is sending His 12 disciples to go to the mission field to preach the Gospel. The irony though, is that He knew that He was sending them to unknown places but gave them very weird instructions! He tells them not to carry money, a bag, or food. He tells them not to even take extra clothes! In my head, I’m like, what is that? How can a person embark on a trip, especially an unknown on without such things? How would such a person take care of themselves? But Jesus still gave such an instruction. Looking deeply at this verse, I can see 2 reasons why Jesus gave such instructions:

First off, He wanted to teach them to trust that He will take care of them. Sometimes, God wants me to do a task for Him and I may not have the resources, but I go ahead in faith because I am sure that He will take care of me. God will never give me a task without equipping me properly. He will also never leave me stranded. He is teaching me to SOLELY depend on His provision.

http://www.relatably.com/q/img/faith-quotes-during-hard-times/11205083_1402649086725825_2382168318243208674_n.jpg

Secondly, baggage slows me down. The disciples were traveling by foot and so, carrying all these thigs would have been a burden which could have made their journey slower and maybe serve as a distraction or hindrance. God is teaching me that there are things that He will require me to set aside if I am to journey with and for Him; if I am to do ministry for Him. This could mean dropping some friendships, depriving myself of certain pleasures, and making some tough decisions. This goes ahead to remind me of the verse in Hebrews 12:1 that says, “…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.”

Christianity is a race and in order to run this race well, I must travel light. NO BAGGAGE, NO DISTRACTIONS. I must remain conscious of this.

“Father, strip me of every thing that will slow me down in this race of life. Show me what I need to drop, so I can effectively do work for You. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

#selah

In Christ,

Shanpepe

Tarry Longer...

Dear Reader,

Some days back, as I reminisced on the story of the aftermath of Jesus’s death and resurrection during my quiet time, I came across the story of the men from Emmaus and the Holy Spirit gave me new insight on the matter of tarrying longer in the presence of my Savior. I hope you are blessed by this.

Luke 24:28-31 – “By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus would have gone on, but they begged him to stay the night with them, since it was getting late. So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took a small loaf of bread, asked God’s blessing on it, broke it, then gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared.”

https://www.storemypic.com/images/2016/11/24/corrie-ten-boom-if-you-want-to-hear-gods-voice-quote-on-storemypic-95719.png

This is the story of the aftermath of Jesus’ resurrection, and the experience of the men travelling to Emmaus. When Jesus joined them on their trip, they did not know that it was the risen Jesus that walked and talked with them. However, upon reaching the end of their journey, instead of parting ways with this man, they urged him to stay the night with them. It was during that overnight “staying” or “sleepover” as we would put it in modern terms, that Jesus revealed Himself to them.

A question then tugs at my spirit. It is this: “Do I desire to tarry longer with my Jesus?” It is only when I tarry longer in the presence of my Lord that He reveals Himself to me and opens my eyes to see beyond the physical. It is easy and usual to desire a greater revelation of Jesus Christ, but this cannot happen when I do not spend time with Him. Jesus Christ will not reveal Himself to a person He does not know. And how do we get to know more about someone? When we spend time with them. If the 2 men from Emmaus did not ask Jesus to spend the night, they would have missed the opportunity to see the Risen King! But they “begged him to stay the night with them” and He revealed Himself to them.

Sometimes, I feel I am not seeing God, hearing Him, or experiencing Him. I must check the time I spend with Him. Is it lesser and lesser or more and more? I must also prepare my heart for surprising visits and revelations of the Lord to me in new and unconventional ways. In this story, Jesus reveals Himself at the dinner table. He can choose to reveal Himself to me through a song, a movie, a book, an experience, an unbeliever or as I am cooking in the kitchen! That is why my communion with Him must be a continual one.

http://i.quoteaddicts.com/media/q1/818755.png

Dear Lord,

I BEG for a revelation of Yourself to me. Please tarry with me. I want to see You, hear from You, and know You.

#selah

In Christ,

Shanpepe

"GODLY" but Fruitless?

Dear Reader,

GOD WANTS YOU TO BE FRUITFUL. May you be blessed by today's post. 

Mark 11:12-14 – “The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus felt hungry. He noticed a fig tree a little way off that was in full leaf, so he went over to see if he could find any figs on it. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.”

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jimerwin/2015/05/13/mark-11-12-26-living-a-fruitful-life/

          The first thought that came to my head when I read this verse was this: “What do people see when they come close to me?” Often times, I might have the “appearance” of godliness but in all truth, I am empty and unfruitful when Jesus saw the fig tree in full lead, He had an expectation, and this expectation was to find fruit to eat. But when He came closer, there was NO FRUIT. I can imagine the disappointment He must have felt. Are people disappointed when they come close to me? Do they regret establishing a relationship with me? Do they come with an expectation to “eat” from my life only to find nothing?

          People should be able to eat from my life. My life must be filled with God’s Word. I must not be busy adorning my outside looks with religiousity while falling short of having a life that can benefit and lead others to Jesus. Jesus hates unfruitfulness. He doesn’t take it lightly when I am not bearing fruit, when I am not feeding others, pouring into their lives or bringing souls to the kingdom. I have been created to be fruitful and not just to ‘look’ fruitful. My Christian life should have substance. Jesus cursed the tree that was unfruitful. I must be careful not to incur upon myself the judgement of God because of my failure to be unfruitful.

          When I am fruitful, I must be fruitful in season and out of season. God wants me to ALWAYS be fruitful. Yes, the Bible says it was too early in the season for figs, but research also shows that when a fig is of fruit bearing age, it will always have both leaves and fruit in spring (when the story was said to have happened). The fruit may not be ripe (meaning not in season), but there should be a presence of fruit.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/567594359269073284/

          I have been placed strategically at this point in my life to nourish a life with the Word of God in me. That is why the Word of God must always be at the tip of my tongue to encourage, admonish and counsel. People are yearning to know God. They are hungry for the truth; for freedom; for satisfaction. Only Jesus can grant them all that. Will my life be a place of encounter and nourishment for such people?

Dear God,

It is Your desire that I be fruitful at all times. When people are attracted to me, may they not be disappointed by what they see when they come close. In Jesus’ name I have prayed. Amen.

#selah

In Christ,

Shanpepe

God's Word Can Be Trusted!

Dear Reader,

Have you ever felt discouraged? Do you currently feel like God's Word is failing in your life? Do not give up! No matter how long it takes, God's Word WILL be fulfilled in your life. 

Psalm 12:6 – “The words of the Lord are pure words. They are like silver that has been made pure seven times in a stove of earth.”

When something is purified, it can stand the test of time. I mean, why wont it, when it has been passed through intense fire and still survived? It is often said that fire is the ultimate test of a thing. This is true because whatever does not survive is burnt to ashes. Silver or Gold are things everyone loves to handle, but the process it goes through is not funny! It must be passed through fire in order for the impurities inside it to be taken out before it is finally pronounced as pure. And as we all know, original silver or gold do not fade no matter the time. It is a ‘die-with-me’ kind of material. That is indeed why people go to great lengths to be in possession of it.

In this passage, God’s Words are likened to silver that has been purified 7 times over.

Wow.

What does this mean for me?

This means that God’s Words are true, reliable, pure, and can stand the test of time. This means that I can trust His Word and I can rely on it. This means that even when I am facing difficulty even in my own “furnace,” I can hold onto the promises of God to sustain me and take me through the difficult moment. This also means that when my trials are over, no matter how long it takes. God will fulfill His purpose and promises towards me. Therefore, when I am facing challenges, I must not hesitate to pray God’s Word back to Him. It is not that He has forgotten, it is that we believe in His Word and know that He will honor it. Man’s words/promises may fail, in fact, they WILL fail, but God’s Word will NEVER fail. His Word is Yes, and Amen.

https://triumphant55.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/1508726067974-1759377568.png

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

What promises has God made to you over the years? He will fulfill His promise to you! 

https://notetoselfdailyremindersforthebrokenhearted.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/note-to-self-oct-30th.jpg?w=1400

“And blessed is she who believed that what was spoken by the Lord would be fulfilled. (Luke 1:45)

“Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” (Joshua 21:45)

“Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord.” (Ezekiel 12:28)

“The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”” (Jeremiah 1:12)

“…For You have magnified Your Word above all Your name.” (Psalm 138:2) 

https://kzlam36.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/hold-fast-to-gods-promise.jpg

#selah

I hope you have been blessed.

In Christ, 

Shanpepe.