I AM RIGHTEOUS!: Dealing with an Identity Crisis

Micah 6:5 – “O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD.”

For a very long time I struggled with the issue of my righteousness in God’s eyes. I kept thinking, “I am such a sinner, I’m sure God doesn’t see me as righteous.” But this year, God has in His faithfulness shown me and affirmed to me that I am righteous. Wanna know why? Let’s dig into Scripture a bit.

God is righteous and in Him dwells no iniquity. Now, because of Jesus Christ, I am righteous. This is not to say that I am void of sin, but to say that when God beholds me, He sees the righteousness of His Son Jesus. Micah tells us to cast our minds back to the story of King Balak and Balaam in Numbers.

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Numbers 23:20-21 – “Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.”

The story was that king Balak saw the nation of Israel as a threat and called upon Balaam to curse them. However, Balaam couldn’t curse them but could only bless them at the command of the Lord, which he couldn’t even reverse. At this juncture let me point out an amazing fact to you. Whom God has blessed, no man can curse. His blessings are permanent and cannot be reversed. That’s why we must desire God’s blessings much more than miracles. Miracles are momentary, but God’s blessings are permanent.

Now in verse 21, :…he hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel…” Israel was a nation that had always defied God’s instructions and committed sin upon sin. But here was God saying that He did not see their iniquity. Not that they weren’t guilty of iniquity, He didn’t just see the iniquity! Now this buttresses the point that my Righteousness is not of works or of keeping the law. My righteousness is by faith. Because if it were by works, God would not have declared that He did not behold their iniquity. God’s righteousness is beyond human comprehension! I am a sinner but God doesn’t see my sin! Instead what does He see? He sees Jesus, who is my righteousness! Therefore I AM RIGHTEOUS! Because of my faith and belief in God, I am righteous!

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The Bible says in Romans 4:3 that “…Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Verse 5 says, “But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work.” Praise God!

The criteria for righteousness is faith, not works. Therefore, my righteousness is no more about how many laws I keep, but about my simple faith in God. That is why even when I sin, He doesn’t behold my sin because I am righteous in His eyes. I am righteous enough. I am as righteous as I will ever be. I am as righteous as I will ever need to be. My righteousness account will continually remain credited and my unrighteous account, remain empty because of the blood of Jesus and my faith in Him. I am righteous! Praise the Lord! I need never to struggle with an identity crisis every again. I believe God, and therefore I am righteous. What a victorious life we live in Jesus!

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2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

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Dear Father,

It’s such a great feeling to know that in Your eyes I am righteous. Thank you that my simple faith in You is my criteria for righteousness. Thank You that despite my shortcomings, You do not behold my sin. I am rightoues. Thank You because whom You have blessed, no man can curse. Thank you for this assurance. I am filled with joy unspeakable! I love You my righteous King.

Amen.

I hope this has blessed you.

In Christ,

Shanpepe  

Congratulations! You have been enrolled into the School of Trials

Romans 5:3-4 : “We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.”

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Hardship isn’t something to smile at. But God wants me to rejoice when I encounter them because they are good for me. And because He knows all things, why not? I must begin to smile at my trials because of the bigger picture of God’s master plan for my life.

“…they are good for us – they help us learn…” (vs 3) I would like to see trials and problems as a school, a place of learning. And connecting to the previous point, just like a student rejoices at the start of a new school year, I should also rejoice at my trials because I am resuming a new school year at the school of trails! Unbelievable and absurd, I know. But problems and trails are a place of learning for a child of God. In this school I will learn endurance under harsh circumstances which will develop strength of character in me and when my character is in good condition, I am able to really face life as it comes, the Jesus way.

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This character as it is developed, strengthens my expectation (faith) of my salvation. Yes, I will face trials but, “this too shall pass.” There comes a day of salvation, but I must have faith and be expectant of this encounter. This is why my character needs to be strengthened so that I can have more faith that I will be saved from my present trial. And the following verse states that “And this expectation will not disappoint us” (vs 5).

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Gold goes through fire to be refined, but does it remain in the fire forever? NO! After it has been purified to the goldsmith’s taste, it is removed from the fire and fashioned into the desired pattern or shape.

I must rejoice in my trials, attend class and have faith that my day of salvation will come!

#selah

“Dear Lord,

Thank you for the trials I am currently facing. Help me to rejoice even as I pass through them. May I learn every single lesson that you want me to learn, and may your character be formed in me even as I wait and look forward to my day of salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

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Hope this blessed you.

In Christ,

Ishanpepe. 

Taking off the Robe

John 13:1-11: “Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”

Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.””

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Jesus displayed an utmost act of humility when He took off His robe and washed His disciples’ feet. Taking off His robe signified the stripping all pride or greatness. What do I have on that I need to take off in order to be humble? Is it my knowledge, beauty, skills, or achievements? God wants me to strip all such things before humility can be manifested. Humility is service. Jesus showed this by washing His disciples’ feet. He instructed His disciples to do same to others. I must be willing and ready to serve others. Now, humility is not just serving others but also allowing ourselves to be “served”. This must sound strange. However, let us look at the passage again. When Jesus got to Peter’s turn, he refused to allow Jesus wash his feet. I know we might think that he was just being modest, but look again. Here was an opportunity to be cleansed by Jesus Himself which Peter met with strong refusal. I lack words to explain this but we are all in need of God’s cleansing, and unless we put aside any sentiments or pride, He cannot do His work of cleansing in you and me.

Verse 8: ““No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.””

If I do not submit to God and allow Him cleanse me, I do not belong to Him. He must cleanse me so I can belong to Him.

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James reveals that Grace only comes for a man when/after he humbles himself before God. Grace has a requirement; HUMILITY. I cannot be a recipient of grace when I am proud. NO WAY. Pride stands in the way of grace. Remember that Grace is undeserved mercy. Humility portrays that I am nothing and that I need God. Humility reveals my uttermost need for God.

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It is only grace that can keep a man, but before that Grace must come humility. May we not allow any “robes” in our lives stand in the way of receiving God’s grace.

May the Lord help us.

#selah

Dear Lord,

I strip myself of any “robe” in my life; material things, skills, knowledge, beauty, fame, or achievements. Help me to put on utmost humility. I need You, I really need You, because without You I am nothing. Cleanse me from every iniquity. I put myself under Your mighty hand. Please supply GRACE for me so I can do Your will. Help me to be willing to serve others in all humility. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.  

Faith Makes The Difference!

Hi everyone,

It’s indeed been a very long time since I put up a post here. It’s been such a hectic but interesting summer though. God has been speaking to me on different issues, one of them being on FAITH which I would share with you about today.

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“The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.”(Hebrews 11:2) What set our Biblical ancestors apart was their faith. Their faith separated them from the rest of the “normal people”. Faith is what made them as successful as they were in their lifetimes. The presence of faith takes away any sort of desire to follow the crowd. Faith elevates, sets apart, and distinguishes. Faith was the secret weapon of my ancestors.

“By an act of faith, Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It was what he believed, and not what he brought, that made the difference. (Hebrews 11:4) The Bible never mentioned the content of both sacrifices. Don’t be surprised if Cain’s sacrifice was actually larger in quantity than that of Abel. God was not concerned with quantity or type or even quality per say, what God is much more interested in is my faith rather than my substance. Abel’s faith was what caused his sacrifice to be better than Cain’s. God honors faith.

“By an act of faith, Moses’ parents hid him away for 3 months after his birth. They saw the child’s beauty, and they braved the king’s decree.” (Hebrews 11:23) Faith doesn’t operate on the terms or rules of humans. Moses’ parent must have seen something special in their child and in faith believing that God will fulfill the destiny of Moses, defied the king’s decree and hid him. Faith sees beyond the present to the future.

“By an act of faith, Israel walked through the Red Sea on dry ground. The Egyptians tried it and drowned.” (Hebrews 11:29) Faith makes the difference! The Israelites walked through the Red Sea on dry ground simply because of their faith. If the Egyptians as well had had some faith, they could have crossed too! This is what makes a life of faith different. Faith is my secret weapon to do the so-called impossible. Faith is so powerful. It is the KEY to unlock every promise God had said concerning my life. It is the key to unlock every locked door/obstacle in my path. FAITH IS POWER.

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Hope you have been blessed by this.

In Christ,

Shanpepe. 

Difficulties...and Lessons

2 Corinthians 1:8-10 – “I think you ought to know dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead. And He did deliver us from mortal danger. And we are confident that He will continue to deliver us.”

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We all have gone through one difficult hardship or the other; each one varying in character and time duration. But the point is, we know what it is in to be a hard or difficult situation. Life is full of ups and downs and it will not always be rosy. I believe this post would be an encouragement to your heart and to mine all over again.

I have come to realize over time that just one single Bible verse can hold so much valuable truths for life, talk more of three verses. As usual, I would just be sharing what God has taught me from His word. I hope you are blessed as you open your heart to receive.

• Hardships and painful moments teach me to trust and rely totally on God.
• In difficult moments I am helpless and overwhelmed with sorrow but I can rely on God during such moments.
•  God has power to raise the dead and therefore He is able to lift me up in such difficult situations.
• Relying on God means handing over the situation to Him and choosing not to worry about anything because He is in full control. At this point my knowledge is null and void.
• God is able to turn things around. When I may feel like I’m not going to survive a situation, when I rely on Him, He turns it all around.
• Life and death are in God’s hands. Because of this, I can rely on Him.
• God’s power never dwindles; He delivered His children before and even right now He is still in the business of delivering His children from danger and hardship.
• “…He will continue to deliver us.” God’s deliverance has no limit. It is continuous, consistent. Thank you Lord. This is another reason why I can rely on Him. He will never fail me.
• Jesus is life. When I feel like I am near death, His life is sufficient and available to strengthen me.                        
• Relying on mySELF will just lead me to destruction.
• Since God is so powerful, why doesn’t He prevent such experiences from coming my way right at the beginning? He allows me experience such situations to prove His power. To prove and expose my helplessness and my ultimate need of Him.
•  Without God I am NOTHING.
• God has a reason for everything and therefore He allows me experience harsh experiences for a reason.

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Dear Lord,

I give my hardships, difficulties, overwhelming pain and discomfort to You. I ask You to please take control of them. I choose to rely solely on You and no one else. Turn things around for my good. I am helpless and I need you. I am nothing without You. You have delivered before, You are able to deliver now.

“Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh for grace to trust Him more!

AMEN.

In Christ,

Ishanpepe. 

Seasons of Planting...

Psalm 126:5-6: “Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.”

Dear Friend,

I hope today’s post holds a word for you.

I am currently writing exams, and it is almost becoming a nightmare for me. As a law student, I have so much to get into my head; sections of the constitution, criminal law provisions, contract act provisions, philosophical arguments and so on. Sometimes I just want to throw my hands in the air and give up. In fact on some days I have shed a few tears of frustration… we all have our days where we just wanna give up… it is a part of this life, but once there is life my dear, there is hope.

The verse above reminds me that in my own situation, the time and effort I am investing in my education are all seasons of planting… and how I plant greatly determines how and what I will reap! The season of planting is a painful one. This is where the digging, hoeing, clearing of the field, planting, weeding and watering takes place. This is the period of backbreaking, exhausting work. But the harvest! It is a joyous season. The harvest comes after the planting. The harvest is the reward for the painful season of planting.

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In the verse, there is a guarantee (“…will harvest”) that when I plant in pain, I will reap with joy. Therefore, the planter plants with the aftermath in mind. He or she knows that there will be a time of rejoicing after the pain. After the tears come the songs of joy.

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The season of planting is not a forever something. It will surely come to an end and the way I plant determines how my season of harvest will be like. This season of planting for me (education/exams) is not funny. It is exhausting and backbreaking work. But I must look forward to the joys of harvesting what I have planted. This season will not last forever!

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Father,

Help me to be strong in my Spirit even though my body is weak… this education of mine… it’s wearying me, tiring me, it is hard work. I need Your grace to keep planting… to keep sowing, to keep investing. Help me not to throw in the towel and give up. Help me to be steadfast and resilient even when my eyes are filled with tears. Help me to look forward to the joys of harvest and to be encouraged. Give me grace Lord. Give me strength, give me patience even in this season of planting. I choose to keep planting. Remember my tears and give me a good harvest.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

I hope you are encouraged dear friend… keep planting… it will definitely be worth it in the end!

In Christ,

Ishanpepe

Jara O, na Jara!

Good morning from here!!!

First things first, I really have no idea why the post has some weird background on the font, but please just manage biko. 

*clearingthraot* So! I hope you have been blessed by our last two writers. Today's writer is a childhood friend of mine, Miss Dorcas Bitrus. *drumroll* 

To be honest, I never knew she could write like this ooooo..... I'm not yabbing you Dorcas, but i'm proud of the woman you are becoming. 

Happy reading guys!

"Either God is deaf, or God is deaf. Because on our own part really we've done everything. We have claimed, we have acquired in the spirit and beyond, we have captured, we have snatched and all what naught.

I wonder why the whole world is not wealthy already. Especially we in Africa and my dearest Naija. I mean I marvel at the ivory bronze irony (I literally just made up that expression, forgive me Profs). There are secret revealing books, key(s) delivering seminars, power packed empowerment services, Impartation services, wealth transfer anointing services and oh don't get me started on all the visions and prophecies we have bent our tonsils over from screaming amen to receive! Oh the folly of mankind!

When the wealth of the world is like the crumbs that has fallen to the floor, why are we busy chasing and claiming wealth especially the 'wealth of the wicked'? It's like a prince ducking under his king size table to grovel with the dogs for the crumbs that fell from the feast atop his table. It makes no sense at all. The crumbs are his, obviously but so is the feast ON TOP of the table why should he want crumbs?

I used this analogy to help clarify what Christ says when he says to seek first the kingdom and all other things will be added to us. It's like get your priorities straight. You know when you buy garri in the market and ask for jara... If your're asked which is of more worth to you, the garri you bought or the jara added, it's pretty obvious.

Wealth is one of the jara's of the believer. It's not the real deal and not what is absolutely important. And since God is good and gracious to both the sinner and saint, he decided to hand the jara to those who cannot afford to and are not entitled to the real deal. When beggars beg, what are they given? 'The main the main' or the extra? So you see the dangerous trade when a believer's heart is totally focused and consumed with trying to gain wealth? (note that I said TOTALLY consumed)

If you see an unbeliever boast, the high point, the peak, the pinnacle and the crown of all his boasting is that he has wealth and power in this world. I picked interest (Debbie can you believe this) for some reason in Nigerian circular music of recent (for the sake of definition, let's say it was for research purposes...lol and also I live in Benin now so really I'm immersed in them everyday). The trend is clear as the blue skies....money, sex, power. Half those guys that are singing these songs are in an over extended stage of puberty really. Pray for them, the light hasn't come on for them yet! Their boast is so sleek and shallow. For the sake of your sanity and to ensure a maintained level of maturity, biko listen to spiritually uplifting songs.

But have you seen a believer boast tho?! It's other worldly! So outta here! He boasts of living for eternity, he boasts of being heir to a God...the one true God. He boasts of being a dead man walking and doesn't bat an eyelid while saying that. You need to listen to one of my favorite Trip Lee songs 'brag on my Lord' (old but woke as ever!)

Look as a Christian you're a mystery to the world. They can't get you. They don't understand why you have the audacity to do some of the things you do. Like it's just not done, so how dare you? That's why a man married to his pretty bride of 21, will leave his country and home of comfort and come to Africa to translate the Bible from English to some Stone Age language. I mean who does that?!

You need to understand that at 21, there's some thing much more important than owning an iPhone, an iPad, and what ever i's Apple is yet to enslave us with. Youths, take a mission trip. Don't wait for the church to organize it. Meet up with a few friends and just go.

Wait lemme even check this girl's profile sef...which school she go? Where she dey work? Oh wait oh....So madam, you're a broke youth corper sef and you're here busy writing how we should not desire wealth? You never see money before na in make! And you never suffer before, na because you dey see food chop every day abi? na Bible I wan chop?! Anyway no be your fault, your papa don dey feed you tey tey! Ajebo pikin, abeg shift make I hear word. Lol.

To be continued."

Brag on My Lord - Trip Lee

We don't wanna waste our time braggin' on small pleasures, you know? 

We wanna brag on the greatest treasure

So go ahead Trip...brag on

Okay...let me brag

[Hook]

Can I brag on my Lord?

Go and brag on 'em Trip (x3)

Let me brag on my Lord

Yeah he's hotter than fires

We roll with the flyest

He touch me and I kinda change like he's King Midas

He rolled with 300 way before Leonidas

He hold me down, I call him Your Highness...Get it?

I heard other faith groups

Talkin' 'bout they were the lightest

But the Father's portioned to Christ

He's gotta bias

He never does it quite the way we think

He's got surprises, our eyes is

Focused on him so we fired up

And we wired

He took us out the dirt

Grimy muck and the mire

Addicted to his grace

And I call him my supplier

Then we call him Most High

Cause ain't nobody higher

King Jesus we not sleepin' on him

All nighter

No He's not Elijah

Greater than Jeremiah

He's the best

Hear the crowd screaming from the risers 

Been workin' for eternity but never been hired

He's on his Brett Favre

You can't make him retire

(Brag on Him)

I'm still goin' can't quiet us

The Light of The World, nobody's brighter,

I try to 

Emulate his walk, I ain't original I strive to 

Copy his style, I aspire to be a biter

You can't make us turn on him for prizes

Or bribe us

Check his power mayne

From his love you can't pry us

Not even with pliers, so please don't even try to

If loving him's a crime, then indict us (I gotta brag)

Hook(x2)

Brag on...

Brag-brag on my Lord(Go and brag on em Trip)(x4)

Go and brag on 'em Trip (x3)

Thank you for this piece Dorcas. May we desire God more than silver or gold!

In Christ,

Shanpepe.

References:

http://genius.com/Trip-lee-brag-on-my-lord-lyrics

www.haikudeck.com (Image)