Be still... there will be sunshine after the rain

This is what was laid on my heart to sketch this morning.

I was just laying my many anxieties before the Lord's feet, and this image was pressed strongly on my mind. So I have drawn it because I believe that this is what He said in response.

I am deeply comforted and encouraged. 

I have renewed hope.

I pray this for you too.

Efena Otobo- Inspiring victory against all odds and a beautiful heart of gratitude

Dear readers,

I could not resist sharing this article written by my friend's daughter Efena Otobo who sustained a life changing spinal chord injury over a year ago.

She and her mother have inspired me no end. You can click on the link below or read the copied and re posted version here.

I am so grateful for all God has done and is doing in the lives of Efena, Alero and their family.

Have you got a reason to share your gratitude? Do share and inspire and encourage others as Efena has.

Enjoy!

http://www.itsmilkandhoney.com/feature-season-of-thanksgiving/

The word “gratitude” is often associated with the spirit of Thanksgiving; it is synonymous with a season known for its generosity and benevolence. Whether you are in the loving presence of family or friends, or even happy strangers, learning to appreciate one’s blessings in life should not merely be restricted to a few hours of satisfaction after gorging on Thanksgiving turkey and all the fixings. Having the humility to express thankfulness must be embodied in a person’s words, actions, attitude and approach to the zest of life.

God has enabled me and my wonderful mother to leave London, England to the shores of Carlsbad, California and the bustle of Atlanta primarily for rehabilitation after sustaining what the enemy wanted to be, a catastrophic spinal cord injury. Hydrotherapy has become a weekly pleasure in my physical therapy schedule at Shepherd Center, Atlanta, Georgia. Being immersed in the water gives me an overwhelming sense of serenity that is difficult to comprehend. Part of the aqua-based workout involves floating face-up while practicing the skills of an adaptive backstroke. Whilst swimming a couple of days before Thanksgiving, a deep feeling of gratefulness shook me to the very core of my being; a stark realisation that without God’s incomparable and incomprehensible love, strength, support and provision, I would not have progressed to this point on the personal journey towards complete physical, spritual and mental healing and restoration.

The only memories that echoed throughout my mind at that moment, were the joyful experiences of the past twelve months. a far cry from the agony of the seven and a half hour surgery last November 2014, the second of its kind. The first surgery was in April 2014 – five days after the horrific car accident. Memories as diverse as marvelling at the beauty of Carlsbad’s natural endowment to the bouts of laughter while seated on the plush leather recliner in a luxury cinema at the Plaza Paseo Real; from basking in the sunshine in the perfect Beverly Hills weather to appreciating the inner workings of family-owned wineries in Napa Valley; from the child-like delight and wonder in the audience of the Shamu celebration show at Sea World.

To the camaraderie fostered between best friends while posing for a caricature artist; from experiencing the transformational presence of the Holy Sprit during evening worship at the Bethel Healing Conference in Redding.  Admiring the cutest selfies ever with the three most adorable Storm Troopers at Comic-Con, San Diego; from screaming my head off during the Supernatural panel for my two favourite actors, Jensen and Jared to teasing the loser in last place at the Project Walk staff relay race; from making three special new friends in the Hollywood entertainment business to dancing in a Nashville hotel ballroom dressed head-to-toe in BCBG; from clapping after an especially unique and brilliant performance of A Christmas Carol at the Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta to gripping my sides on the couch, laughing, singing and resting in the arms of a childhood friend after consuming my first Thanksgiving meal at a home in Marietta, Georgia, the happiness crystallised in countless moments of time seems to be never-ending.

The enemy grossly miscalculated the good that has and will continue to come from being confined temporarily to a wheelchair. Often at times, I find tears welling up in my eyes due to the rush of emotions when I think of the plethora of blessings that are constantly being thrown my way. Words cannot fully encapslate the level of gratitude I feel towards my Heavenly Papa for all He hath done for me and my family. I urge you to let Thanksgiving go beyond a single day; whenever you receive a kind word or gesture from a fellow human being or are in the fortunate position of being a blessing to another, utter a word of gratitude to the One who provides; for without Him, we may as well not fully exist.

Thank you for reading and May you continue to be blessed with good fortune. Amen.

Written by Efena Otobo

My VFC sermon 15 Nov 2015- Faith, Works and Patience

Victoria Fellowship Church (VFC)

 International and Interdenominational

 Sunday Sermon 15th November 2015

 Quarter Theme: Living by Faith

 Topic: Faith, Works and Patience

Preacher - Lara Cookey

Assistant  Albert Okpala

 Texts: James 2: 14-26, Hebrews 10:35-39

 Memory Verse Hebrews 6:12 "We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised"

Sermon - 5 minutes delay before audio starts

https://youtu.be/jpXn8egcnJQ

Hebrews 10:38-39 inspired- To whom we belong

Hebrews 10:38-39
"But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back." 39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

To whom we belong
Are those who have faith and are saved
We do not shrink back
We stand firm
We believe, we affirm
Every truth in your word
We stand firm
We believe that it is done
We do not shrink back
Because of the one
To whom we belong

God bless Nigeria, for He can use any king ( president or governor ) to deliver His promises

Hello everyone,
This has been an intense season of campaigning and politicking . With rising fears of impending flashpoints and the uncertainty that they bring, it is not at all surprising that sentiments and emotions have been running high. The tension in the air has weighed heavily on everyone like dark storm clouds about to break. Everyone is waiting to exhale.

Now that the presidential elections are over,we must all rise up and pray assiduously for the leader the people have chosen, whether or not it is the result we hoped for. The enormous task of nation building is still at hand and never more needed. It is the responsibility of both the leader and the led to be intentional about engaging in the kind of thinking that promotes the enormous teamwork that it will take. We all need to get with an ideology that will steer the ship of this great country of ours through the tumultuos, deep waters that form the fabric of our extremely complex inter tribal/political dynamic. 

My prayer and mantra is:

Nigeria must rise! 

In my research into national leadership and the delivery of God's promises to a nation, I focussed on King Cyrus. His reign was characterised by exploits that are a great example that we can learn from. I have reposted part of a well written, detailed  article below for those who may want to read it. It contains severall crucial elements of what a leader can do for a nation and a people when under the guidance of God's hand.

Proverbs 21:1 is my scripture of the moment especially because I have recently been reading Psalm 46. In verses 4 & 5 , there is a beautiful statement which melts my heart each time I read it-

 'a river which makes glad the city of God'. 

The preceding three verses speak to a calamitous situation , or in Naija parlance ' katakata don bost!' 

In my vivid imagination, I picture a river raging and bursting its banks, flowing everywhere causing big 'wahala' and then it becomes calm and flows gently. There is a calm and peace, there is silence as God directs things. The river is the human spirit; the soul , and it goes where it was designed to. ( imaginings all mine) 

 I like what it says later in verse 6 about Nations being in turmoil and the profound impact of the power of The Almighty on a tumultuous situation just by the sound of His voice- 

'the earth melts.'

Following on is another statement expressing God's sovereign power over the affairs of nations, and I have altered it here and appropriated the spirit of the words for Nigeria, especially in a critical time like this.

 

The Lord Almighty is with Nigeria, the God of Jacob is our fortress.

 I think it is important to keep faith and hold on to His word regardless of the facts around us. I speak what I wish to happen here with an assurance that it will come to pass in God's own time
I beleive it. 

Back to Proverbs 21:1 , which I think is particularly relevant to Nigeria because we definitely need a country CEO who's heart is inclined towards serving the people. What we need is a 'shepherd- leader' like the shepherds in biblical times who cared for his flock to the extent that they may risk their lives for the safety of the animals in their care.

I will end my self notes here by bridging psalm 46;4-7 and Proverbs 21:1

So here is my bridge as it came to me today, it puts the right words out there for you and me to focus on and it gives hope. I have found that hope based on the word of God, is never misplaced. It took some twenty years before I got a diagnosis that saved my life. I held on, my family, friends and myself stood on His word,  He did not disappoint us. In due season, my deliverance came. He is the same yesterday , today and forever. 

Psalm 46:4&5 and Proverbs 21:1 ( amalgamation all mine) 

In the Lord's hand is The president of Nigeria's heart ;He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases, and to the river which makes glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within Nigeria, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 
Our Nation has been uproar; He lifts His voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with Nigeria; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Amen and Amen!

What are your thoughts?

Notes on King Cyrus- Culled from www.gotquestions.org

Cyrus is a king mentioned more than 30 times in the Bible and is identified as Cyrus the Great (also Cyrus II or Cyrus the Elder) who reigned over Persia between 539—530 BC. This pagan king is important in Jewish history because it was under his rule that Jews were first allowed to return to Israel after 70 years of captivity.

In one of the most amazing prophecies of the Bible, Isaiah predicts Cyrus’ decree to free the Jews. One hundred fifty years before Cyrus lived, the prophet calls him by name and gives details of Cyrus’ benevolence to the Jews: “This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him . . . ‘I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me’” (Isaiah 45:1, 4; see also 41:2-25; 42:6). Evincing His sovereignty over all nations, God says of Cyrus, “He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please” (Isaiah 44:28).

Cyrus’s decree releasing the Jewish people, in fulfillment of prophecy, is recorded in 2 Chronicles 36:22–23: “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: ‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the LORD his God be with him. Let him go up.”’” Other Old Testament books that mention Cyrus include Ezra and Daniel.

King Cyrus actively assisted the Jews in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem under Ezra and Zerubbabel. Cyrus restored the temple treasures to Jerusalem and allowed building expenses to be paid from the royal treasury (Ezra 1:4–11; 6:4–5). Cyrus’s beneficence helped to restart the temple worship practices that had languished during the 70 years of the Jews’ captivity. Some commentators point to Cyrus’s decree to rebuild Jerusalem as the official beginning of Judaism.

Among the Jews deported from Judah and later placed under the rule of Cyrus include the prophet Daniel. In fact, we are told Daniel served until at least the third year of King Cyrus, approximately 536 BC (Daniel 10:1). That being the case, Daniel likely had some personal involvement in the decree that was made in support of the Jews. The historian Josephussays that Cyrus was informed of the biblical prophecies written about him (Antiquities of the Jews, XI.1.2). The natural person to have shown Cyrus the scrolls was Daniel, a high-ranking official in Persia (Daniel 6:28).

Besides his dealings with the Jews, Cyrus is known for his advancement of human rights, his brilliant military strategy, and his bridging of Eastern and Western cultures. He was a king of tremendous influence and a person God used to help fulfill an important Old Testament prophecy. God’s use of Cyrus as a “shepherd” for His people illustrates the truth of Proverbs 21:1, “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.”

Faith is a shield

Faith is a shield
That when produced within
Is formed by our thoughts and actions
In deep recesses of our minds
The true lie of our spirit
Faith is the GPS of spiritual perception
The locator and director of our path
Faith is thinking and doing opposites
To what we see, and feel and know
To circumstances, and things that generate fear
Faith is the parchment paper we write on
Faith is a catalyzer
That allows us to perceive
To access and to know His favour

Gratitude , Grace , Faith

I kicked off celebratIons for my birthday by being  in a place of deep gratitude for another year of life, by his grace. I was reflecting on so many things, mostly the power of grace that I have been privileged to receive. In my reflections I read three pieces of writing from my journals which centred on grace and gratitude. They were written at different times over the last year and a half, and come together for me now as one whole thing that I embrace.

01 January 2013
SAVED BY HIS GRACE
Saved by His grace
Steeped in His love
My only answer
Is that its from heaven above
Grateful beyond measure
For innumerable gifts
For privileges
Seen and unseen
What an amazing God!
What a Saviour!
I bend low my knee
My heart cries out
Why me! Why me!
And he answers...
Because I love you
Because I honour my word
Because I want you to be
An example of this love
Endless and free
From eternity to eternity
I have loved mankind
Be a temple for me
Be the bible people see
Be the catalyst for someone to take courage
Be bold, be different
Showcase my creativity
Let me be me

GRATEFUL IN LAGOS 29 August 2013

G - Gratitude
R - Reverence
A - Adoration
T - Thanksgiving
E - Eternal glory
F - Fellowship
U - Unending love
L - Loyalty

I am grateful Lord, because of who you are, your patience and love for me. I am grateful for the truth you have revealed to me about myself, and my behaviour that  makes me struggle within sometimes. I am sorry for my stubbornness , for my rebellion and going my own way, and doing things in my own strength.
Forgive me Lord. Have mercy on me for I am a very silly girl at times.

This is why I am so grateful, because you always rescue me, and I am so happy that there is room for forgiveness from you. That there is fullness of joy in your presence.  
Help me Lord to forgive myself.
Be glorified in my life Lord. I am grateful for my life, and what you are doing in it, and what you will have me do.
I bless your name and reverence you. In Jesus mighty name.  

Amen!   

SAVED BY GRACE 12/07/2014

Every human being has faults that are inherent that can be magnified or subdued by the environment in which they grow up and have been nurtured. We are each socialised in peculiar ways triggered by the innate forces within until we find ourselves in a new environment with different forces, reach an age of reason, or come to realisations. Realisations and recognition are the bedrock of self awareness. There are two kinds of self awareness- 

one which is completely in the natural-governed by self will

and 

another which is in the spiritual-governed by God's will. 

They can sometimes be in conflict because our life's experience may not corroborate our Christ given identity, and therefore how God sees us. This is where FAITH comes in.

Standing on our belief system is a powerful tool which keeps us focussed on where we are going and centred on the truth about who we are in God's eyes. To ignore this truth is to diminish GRACE. We have free access to this grace through the word of God which is available for us to eat of.

Yes I am flawed. Yes I have made mistakes and taken decisions that I know are wrong. Yes I have said a word that has wounded someone. Yes I have failed to take many opportunities that came my way. However, I know that , I know that,  I know that my spirit man must be in the driving seat.

I am grateful for grace. I am grateful that I always have new choices. That I am transformed by the renewal of my mind. It is grace that has made that provision for me. I must keep that uppermost in my mind. My mind is the most powerful weapon with which I can hold on to the truth in His word regardless of times, seasons, circumstances or what others say about me. In Christ, I am a work in progress, but also, I am:
-More than a conqueror
- Able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me
-able to move out of darkness into His marvellous light.

FAITH AND GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY

Luke 18:1 (NIV)
1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.


Luke 18:6-8 (NIV)
6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off ? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

These two statements say to me that God's willingness to answer prayer is not what the question is, but how I keep faith. Here it says I will get justice and 'quickly'. How do I reconcile the statement of 'quickly' with many issues that have not been answered yet, such as the return of the Chibok girls? It took nearly 25 years of suffering before I received healing? How 'quick' are those??

With the Chibok girls, I think perhaps God is using the situation to 'find occasion' against Boko Haram, just like he did with Samson and the Philistines and Pharaoh and the Children of Israel. Concerning my healing, if I pause a minute and look at what I have learnt through that adversity, the quantum of growth of my faith, and the depth of my relationship with God, I view those years with gratitude. God really did do something new in me , in and through those difficult times.

My conclusions:
It is all about my perspective, thoughts behaviours and belief system on the one hand and the sovereignty and timing of God on the other. Though I find it difficult to understand within the limits of my human view point, I can definitely 'allow' what God is saying to come through.

However, once I take a deeper look at the verse 6, I begin to see that my faith position is important in the equation.
What I hear loud and clear is that :
1) I must keep faith
2) God hears and sees my petitions and my plight
3) He says He will answer quickly
4) The timing of the answer is part of a wider picture which only God has control over.
5) God's sovereignty means that what is happening in my life is not about what is comfortable for me, but completely about how my faith shapes my response to life's experiences .  Also, how my faith impacts my willingness to serve God, and my submission to His sovereignty.

All easier said than done eh? So this is a reminder to myself. 

I hope this speaks to someone too.

May your faith be built up to the measure of the power of our God, which is available to you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

HEAVENLY ALGEBRA

1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[S]4Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 

Romans 4:1-5 (NIV)

Self notes:

It was not Abrahams works that made him righteous before God, it was his faith. In fact, I also see that Abraham's faith was evident through his works. I think of faith and works as conjoined twins.

Abraham BELIEVED God.....And ( his belief/faith) was credited to him as righteousness. From this I learn that faith is the seed capital that produces the desired bounty of righteousness. 

Righteousness is ' right standing before God'

I also learn that faith is simply believing God.

Believing God means I trust Him

Trusting Him means that:

1) I am certain of what I believe 

2) I know that I know that I know 

3) I am not swayed by times , seasons or circumstances

On Acts 8:26-28 ......Obedience, implementation and discipleship

In obeying God promptly, Phillip was an agent of change in the life of the Ethiopian eunuch. His immediate obedience was a significant pre cursor to an important event, a clear actualisation of Godly purpose for the Ethiopian eunuch. 

As I read this scripture, and thought about obedience, I began to consider  it's role in parenting. Training children to obey their parents is part of the transition process by which they come to have the right inclination of heart to obey God. Obedience learnt at the hands of parents then becomes a foundation on which obedience to God can be built, and therefore discipleship. A kind of mind map, highlighting how strong discipleship can be built inspired me to sketch a ' discipleship wall' and the building blocks that contribute to it. Conceptually, the mortar that holds it all together is FAITH.

To OBEY , you must first hear the instruction or command
To HEAR, you must first be LISTENING
To LISTEN you must first open your heart
To OPEN YOUR HEART, you must first engage your conscious ACT OF WILL
To submit your will, you must first DISCERN what the available choices are.
To discern the particular choice to make you must first RECOGNIZE them
To RECOGNIZE them, you must first SEEK
To seek, you must ASK
To ask, you must first have a NEED.

The Ethiopian eunuch had a NEED. he wanted to understand the scriptures he was reading. There he was moving along in his chariot, pondering these things and God set into motion , something, that is nothing short of a miracle.
Whether I am the recipient of the services of 'a Phillip'; one in the place of seeking and wanting to understand God's word, or I am the 'Phillip' for someone, it is strengthening to know that God will pull out all stops to connect an obedient implementer to a seeking follower. 

Ultimately a seeking follower is a strong disciple.

Most of my posts centred on the Bible are excerpts from my journal ; personal devotion notes to self.

I am asking myself what NEED is there in my heart that seeks to understand the word of God today?

How can I build on it to start to ASK questions?

I pray that you will be able to RECOGNISE your need also, for our God will pull out all stops to meet you at the point of your need. He needs you and I to do this as part of His working out the purpose of our lives. 

Strength and grace to you in Jesus name!

Amen