Face Facts, Believe Truth

 

The fact is what you see (or perceive with your physical senses). Do not believe it. The truth is what you will see if you believe.

To the world you believe what you see. But in the kingdom of God you see what you believe.

 

Abraham faced the facts that his body was as good as dead and Sarah’s womb was the same – also dead. He did not deny it. But he did not believe it. He believed the truth of God. He believed that God’s Word is true. He believed that God is a faithful God and would not go back on His Word. He believed in the face of the discouraging facts. His faith did not waver but was rather strengthened. When all human reason for hope was gone, he hoped in faith (Romans 4: 17-21).

 

So do not say what you see. Say what you believe. With your words you create life or death (Proverbs 18:21). Create life. The truth as Jesus presented it is that if you say to a mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea’, and you do not doubt in your heart but believe what you say it will happen. It will be done for you (Mark 11:23).

 

So, in spite of what your situation may be, no matter what your circumstances look like, believe what God’s Word says about you and confess it. Believe that He loves you and has your best interest at heart. Believe that He is working all things together for your good according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Take note, His purpose not yours. But it is for your good. He made us. We are His. He has a plan. Trust it. Trust Him. Believe that He is making something beautiful out of everything, including the unpleasant ones and the messy situations.

 

The fact is your situation is hopeless, humanly. The truth is He is God and is able to turn your situation around to give you a pleasant surprise that will amaze you and those who will be privileged to witness it or hear your testimony.

 

‘Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. … What is seen was not made out of what was visible’ (Hebrews 11:1, 3). The facts are before you, face them. But, believe, have faith, be certain of the truth that you do not yet see.

John 11:40 – Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’

 

 

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Christmas Gifts

Christmas gifts under tree

It was a Friday and two days to Christmas.

I was travelling to the other side of town within Accra and the traffic was heavy. It was about 11am. What was everyone doing moving around town? Shouldn’t they be at home or work or if they were shopping, at the shops or shopping centres? Okay, they were probably shuffling between shopping centres or their homes and shopping centres. Anyway, I was in a ‘trotro’ and sitting by a window. My favourite spot so I can get some more air. Some people don’t mind sitting with the windows closed even when the bus is hot and stuffy. It amazes me.

I had in mind to seal my ears with some music to help me enjoy the ride more and endure it less. I was just waiting for the ‘mate’ to take my money so I would not be interrupted once I started. He was done taking the fares now and I was untangling the cord of my headphone to start listening to some music to help improve my mood. The journey was just starting and I was already feeling tensed and tired. I was seated in the second row. Just as I began untangling the headphones a man in the second seat of the first row stood up with a Bible in his hand. I felt like I really needed the music, and now this man wants to preach. Okay. I had to decide to continue or stop. I thought to myself that if the headphone was already on my ears that was a different thing but it’s not yet on my ears. I would have still listened if I was already wearing the headphone anyway. I just would have had some background music. So I said to God, ‘I’m putting this down for now out of respect for You, but please don’t let him keep long. It’s only out of respect for You.’ Out of respect for God because I knew the man was going to be preaching the Word of God, and if even nobody knew me, I had to set a good example by listening even if I felt I didn’t need the word because I already knew the Lord. Also, I didn’t have to do anything that would be discouraging to the preacher. He is bold enough to stand in a bus and preach. I don’t do that. So I don’t have to discourage someone who is doing his part of fulfilling the Great Commission.

As is usual of most bus preachers, he started with a prayer. Then continued to share the good news of eternal life in Christ, recommending Jesus to everyone. He shared his testimony of how he was Muslim but converted to Christianity when he heard and understood the gospel, and has now dedicated his life to spreading the good news about Jesus so others could also be snatched from the fire of hell. He made particular reference to John 14:6 where Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’

In the course of his delivery, he made a point that it is Christmas and people will be arguing about when Jesus was actually born. That Jesus was not born in December but actually in March. That when Jesus was born is not really what matters but the fact that Jesus was born, and was born to die to save us. He said a lot of things in his sermon but this is what made the most impression on me. It had never really crossed my mind, and it was true. Yes, so I learned something from the many things he said. It was good I listened. I also believe he sowed good seed in other hearts in the bus as well.

Re-echoing that point, whether Jesus was born on 25^th December or not, it is a day we remember and celebrate the birth of our saviour Jesus Christ. Because, the bottom line is He was born. He is God’s gift to us. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16). Through Jesus we receive God’s gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). This is what Christmas is about – Christ and giving. The gift of God to us – Jesus, and eternal life for us in Jesus.  Take this gift out of Christmas and it will not be Christmas, maybe x’mas or something else.

God loves you and gave you Jesus. Jesus loves you and died to save you. He is the Life. Trust me, you are not truly living if you do not know Jesus (John 17:3). He is the Truth. If you do not believe Him and His Word whatever you believe is a deception, and He warns us about it (Matthew 24:4). He is the Way. If you are not following Him, I’m sorry, you are lost. But you don’t have to be. Give your life to Jesus and He will set your course right, give you life, and open your eyes, filling your life with light.

Along with all other gifts and presents and visits and gatherings share this truth. It may be the best gift you give to someone this season. A gift that will make heaven rejoice.

2 Corinthians 9:15 – Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Merry Christmas! I just shared my gift for you. 🙂

A Little Care

People who care

Are people who share

Listen and understand

And lend a helping hand

 

The little we say

The little we do

For one in need

Can save a life indeed

 

A show of love

A deed of kindness

Need not be

A gesture great or grand

 

A word of recognition

A caring smile

A warm handshake

Can make a difference

 

It’s hard to believe

That all wish to receive

But some never the thought conceive

To give to those in need

 

People need the Lord

People are hungry and homeless

People are sick and helpless

People are distressed and hopeless

 

Let’s give a little care

And the gospel share

Give the Word of life

To secure them eternal life

 

We do have enough

For some to go to waste sometimes

But not even little do we spare

For those in disrepair

 

It deprives one of a meal

Some of a slice of bread

Some child perhaps

Of a bottle of milk

 

Your overflows and left overs

Your old, unused and unwanted items

Can bring one back over

From drifting to the other side

 

For no fault of theirs

Some live without bread

Others live looking for warmth

Others live longing for fulfillment

 

Let’s give the Bread of life

To those who hunger

And those in darkness

Draw to the light

 

 

A kind word

A show of love

A little care

Can save a life

 

Secure one’s future

On earth and after death

Make life worth living

With a little care

 

Jesus not only raised the dead

And healed the sick

The hungry he also fed

And helped fishermen catch of a bounty of fish

 

He spoke and calmed seas

To bring calm and peace

To put his dear ones at ease

He cares, as you can clearly see

 

He visited and dined with people of sin

And made them see their need of Him

So they could live a life of meaning

And at the end be with Him

 

We have an obligation to care

Jesus did and still does

We’re His representatives here on earth

Let’s love one another like He commands us

 

Let Him not say to you

On the last day

What you did not do for the least of these

You did not do for me

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oneness Is Wholeness

The hand said to the eye

‘I’m okay without you, never mind’

So like a blind man

I stretched out my hand

Searching and feeling

Little by little

Till … ‘Ouch!’

I got burned by the fire

Following my selfish desire

 

Then, the ember said to the rest of the logs in the fire

‘I’m all lit up now

Full of fire, I can stand on my own and go higher

No way can my fire go down’

But surely, it wasn’t long after

He was all cold and sour

And now, descending lower

 

Before there was any such thing as the standing brush

I used to bend down and sweep the compound

And the rooms with a short broom

Making sure to pick and to push back into the bunch

Any broom stick that came falling out

Then the floors were left looking spick and span

Soon, out of haste I began to ignore

As they fell out one by one, more and more

My work became less effective and more difficult

And you sure know the lone broom sticks

Were just broken and thrown into the fire

They were of, virtually, no use

 

We are the body of the head, Christ

We do need each other to survive

Living this victorious Christian life

Forsaking the assembly of the saints

Is never a good idea, if I may say

No matter how nicely you paint it

Let it continue and you will grow faint

And eventually pass out

Remember strength in unity?

Together we stand, divided we fall

Oh how good and pleasant it is

For brothers to dwell together in unity

And shepherds, be vigilant

Enough not to lose count

So you don’t leave the one to stray

Focusing only on the ninety-nine in the stay

 

Acts 2:1 – When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

 

Ideal Heart?

 

I’d have loved it much

If there was such a heart

As I’m about to describe

With the pen of a scribe

 

It is a two-sided heart

A fleshy inside

Filled only with love

And a stony outside

That hurt cannot penetrate

 

It can accept love

Because it is filled with it

And that only, it gives

And hurt can never dilute it

 

I wish I had a heart

That could love and love and love

And would never be scared of loving

Because it never feels hurt

 

Not that it couldn’t feel another’s hurt

It could, because the heart is love

And love sympathises, empathises and comforts

But itself can never be hurt or feel hurt

 

So that no matter how much hurt emanates

From other hearts it engages

All they receive in return is love

True love, unfailing, unconditional love

 

I call it

The ideal heart

If it could be real

It’ll be the best part

 

But not so!

We love

We get hurt

And all that follows

 

Ever considered

Our greatest model

The heart

Of our perfect example?

 

He is the Truth

So His heart is true

He is the reality

So His heart is real

 

His heart is love

It feels hurt

It absorbs hurt

But love is never diluted

 

Yes, He feels pain

Yet He loves all the same

This, nothing can change

Not even worst disdain

 

I can only pray

For such a heart as His

Which is never swayed

Even when betrayed

 

I can only ask

For such a heart as His

Which only loves

And prays for them that attack

 

I can only request

For such a heart as His

Which loves all

And gives up none

 

An ideal heart

It sounds great

But to have the Saviour’s heart

I can’t wait

 

Ideal versus real

I can imagine and wonder away

But what is true

Is inevitable anyway