We are pressure cut diamonds- thoughts on the role of pressure in our lives

Pressure is important and necessary in this life if we are to be refined in the way that our Father God wants. Each one of us comes to this earth like a rough cut diamond, bearing the limitless potential and creativity that is wrapped up in our DNA. Our true brilliance needs time and the pressures of life before it can be experienced by us and also seen by others. 

Our DNA is not just about physical, psychological and emotional characteristics we inherit from our parents and ancestors, it also includes the image of God which he placed inside every single human being he created. Our spiritual DNA may appear intangible until we make certain choices that connect us with what God intended when he allowed you to survive in the midst of some one hundred million potential sperm. 

The thought of this is mind blowing and sometimes I find it difficult to grapple with understanding the full impact of what this means. Arriving here on the planet with our God DNA means we already have:

-The mind of Christ

-All the powers of heaven

-The characteristics of God himself

We were imbued with this sometimes enigmatic quantum of power from the God Head in a way that should make us able to withstand the knocks of life. 

It's hard to imagine this, but we are to embrace the knocks of life, for in and through them, the unique characteristics of our particular kind of diamond is revealed. This is because every one of us has a purpose or destiny or life's walk; whatever we like to call it, what this 'path' signifies is the 'reason for our being'

We see so many examples out there in the world and also in our lives of the indomitable human spirit. People who travail beyond the confines of crushing limitations to excel in some way and thus bringing us to a place of inspiration and wonder. 

One of the key God characteristics we came with is creativity. Inherent in each one of us is the capability to use our God given creativity to surmount the issues we face. Creativity is an agency of change, it is an agency of healing, it is the most potent force of God. 

Unfortunately, the popular information pushed out there is that creativity resides in musical and visual artists alone - or at least mostly in that group of people. This is not true, every human being has creativity buried within them because it is a key aspect of the Godly DNA we arrived on planet earth with. There are many ways that creativity is expressed, even more than the Seven and a half billion humans inhabiting this beautiful earth. 

Our primary job is to unleash this inherent creativity through various fields of endeavor to bring about change in a manner scripted by heaven. The pressures of life force us in various directions. The purpose of pressure is to direct us to develop in growth producing ways. To shut down and oppose the odds that stack against us is like a physical work out to build and strengthen our muscles, but in the spiritual/ soul sphere of our lives. This is the role of 'pressure' in our lives. So it is really worth keeping this in mind when we are going through our sometimes painful life's journey , that your particular design, brilliance as a diamond is being 'cut and polished'. The brilliance of a diamond is predicated on how it is cut, how many facets it has which ultimately reflect light in optimum ways. 

So embrace pressure, and shine forth the glory of God, reflecting His true light, His character and DNA which is already within. For all their beauty and brilliance, Diamonds are very hard and not easy to break. In the analogy I am focusing on here, it means we are actually more resilient than we can imagine. 

The last girl standing- By Guest blogger NK Maduforo

My eyes were closed and opened suddenly as some
men burst into the room. The smirk look on their faces
told it all…I was a goner. One of them laughed
wickedly and told me that I was done for. I had always
gone scot free but as he said those words, it
confirmed my worst fears; these men were not going to
let me go.
I quickly grabbed some clothes to cover myself
and urged him to do the same. Even though we were
certainly going down, we could at least look decent.
To my uttermost surprise, they grabbed me, left him
and pushed me outside as I screamed at the top of my
voice, "but we are in this together". No one listened
to me so I kept quiet. I had always known that this
could happen but I guess like they say 'stolen water
is sweet'. Now I would pay the ultimate price.
As we walked along, I listened to their
conversation and heard one of the men say, "this would
certainly trap him". I did not understand the phrase
and as I looked up, one of them spat on me and called
me names.
They finally brought me before the one I assumed
was the judge and pushed me forward. I pulled my
clothes tighter around me and as i looked at him, my
mouth dropped open because I had seen him before. I
had even listened to him before. Though I knew I was
guilty, I felt ashamed standing before him. This was
most certainly the end for me.
One of the men said to him, "Teacher, this woman
was caught in adultery, in the very act. I looked down
at my toes; I knew what was coming next.
He continued. "Now Moses, in the law commanded us
that such should be stoned. But what do you say?
I braced myself for the condemnation I deserved
and looked up at him again but Jesus stooped down and
wrote on the ground with His finger, as though he did
not hear.
When they continued asking Him, he raised Himself
up and said to them,"He who is without sin among you,
let him throw a stone at her first. And again, He
stooped down and wrote on the ground.
I braced myself again as He said that and waited
for the stones. These were the scribes and Pharisees
and certainly they were holy men. Without raising my
head, I glanced sideways as one by one, beginning with
the oldest even to the last, they went out.
I looked up to see Jesus standing alone. I looked
around and observed I was the last one standing.I
still felt like the condemned waiting for my sentence,
when Jesus raised himself up and saw no one but me. He
said to me, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours?
Has no one condemned you? I answered, "No one Lord".
Jesus said to me, Neither do I condemn you, go and sin
no more.
That was a long time ago now and I must tell you
that I followed him faithfully from that time. I was
there when He was crucified and saw Him after He
resurrected too. It's easy to say that He died for us
all but I know deep down in my heart that if I were
the only one in this world; if I were the last girl
standing, Jesus would still pay that ultimate price
for me.
Written by

Nkiruka 'NK' Maduforo

The Giver

Thinking about the importance of giftings that God puts in every one of us. There is so much talent out there, in all fields of endeavor . It is mind blowing. I looked within and gave thanks for mine, but I am hearing deep in my spirit this morning, that the most important part is the giver. 

This God

If like me you have ever wondered why natural beauty can be inwardly uplifting, I realize that it was all part of God's plan. To display His beauty, the awesomeness of His majesty and to gladden our hearts.  He gave us that impetus in us called 'sense of wonder'. 

We are then supposed to return glory to the creator and enjoy what He has put out there for our eyes to feast on.

I was doing just that when I sat on a friend's porch in Johannesburg and witnessed this stunning sunset. 

This God

Who painstakingly

Painted the sunset

With many different hues

Who set the fiery ball in place 

Who juxtaposes light and dark

In the right proportions

To please the eye

I gasp in wonder 

In awe of His creation

This God

My God

My King

My Saviour

My everything

He is risen! Hallelujah !

The best way I knew how to worship and show my appreciation for what Jesus did for me and all mankind is to draw. So I got to it, starting with a scribble in my journal. I think these images express all that I wish to say.

Thank you Jesus for what you have done and for giving me grace to express my joy in drawings.

Amen

Good Friday thoughts on Psalm 139: 16b

Yesterday, I was reporting to a dear sister that all my medical check ups came out clear. I am in to my sixth year of breast cancer survival and the all clear report was very welcome indeed. As much as I have faith that God will uphold the miraculous healings I have received, my human mind still needs this physical confirmation. It is actually what I expect but there is always a tiny thought in the back ground saying ' what if'

She shared with me, her complete and total acceptance of what God says to her in Psalm 139 verse 16b. It is a scripture I am familiar with but her mentioning it like she did, made it come alive again. So I penned this bit of prose below in my journal today, as I reflected on the scripture. 

TO WHOM I BELONG 
You ordained my days Lord
You know me 

You made me
Fearfully and wonderfully 

Even before my days came to be
You called me by name
I am so grateful that
I know who I am 

~Miracle

~Empowerer

~Encourager

~Proclaimer

~Warrior
And I know 

To whom I belong 

This Good Friday, I am led to think deeply about the importance of the cross and what Jesus did for mankind, and how Jesus as God man , knows who we are.
Jesus knew who I was even as He hung on the cross. 

In my life's journey, I have been on a path of discovery, and life's experiences are helping me uncover the beauty and wonder of how God created me. This journey is also walking me in purpose.

Trials have come, huge seemingly insurmountable challenges and I have been anguished and wondered how a loving God would allow these difficulties in my life. The truth is this, that every single experience good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant is a crucial part of our 'moulding' , our 'becoming' and our 'living out the days ordained for us'
In Christ Jesus, we are ' becoming' more like Him and therefore aligning with our 'making' which was truncated by Adam.
And so we must embrace all that the Lord will allow in our lives, so that we 'attain to the measure of the stature of the Lord'
This is the least we can do in order to honour what Christ did on Good Friday thousands of years ago. What He did to restore us to His intention when He made us in His image.

Palm Sunday

This Palm Sunday, I was privileged to see a stunning sunrise and my thoughts went to who Jesus is . The light of  the world sat on a donkey and the people who threw their cloaks down and waved palm branches recognized him not. They said he was 'A prophet from Nazareth in Galilee'

Live long, live focused on winning the prize.

Introducing Nk Maduforo who is guest blogging today on 'finishing well'

The article was written around the time of the Rio Olympics but it's message is still relevant and true for all times. 

Enjoy 😀

So I watched Usain Bolt win the 100m finals in the ongoing Rio Olympics and I'm like 'wow'; the amount of training that goes into being a winner of race that averages 10 seconds.
How much more the race of life which we are running . Or should I say the race of eternal life! Are you giving it your all or is it business as usual but hoping that somehow, the win will just happen? Be encouraged by the following scriptures to take a more active stance.

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9v 25-27)

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (2 Timothy 2 v5)

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4v8)

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3 v 14 )

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. (1 Corinthians 9v 24)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.(2 Timothy 4 v 7-8)

This race has a prize! Are you running, trekking, jogging, crawling or sitting this one out?

Live long, live focused on winning the prize!

NK Maduforo

Mercy is love actualised

On being my brother's keeper and showing empathy

I wish to share some thoughts about practical  steps we can make to reach out to people in the body of Christ in the context of being our 'brothers keeper.'

I was struggling with dealing with the chronic condition I am living with and told various brethren to stand with me in prayer because I was feeling overwhelmed with the  difficulties of various challenging symptoms. I know that it is in the nature of chronic conditions that there are flare ups, but I had been experiencing more than what is usual for me, more or less back to back with short breaks in between. This had an impact on my being able to get on with normal life. 

I had prayed , my husband had laid hands on me and prayed but I was still struggling. I got to a place of feeling tired of fighting . I asked various brethren to pray for me after telling them my plight and every single one threw scripture at me and asked me to declare them and to stand on them. This is absolutely good advice, but I was not short of standing and declaring, I was just tired, and my strength was flagging. 

It took a while before I realized I needed to be specific about what and how the brethren should pray. It took me a while to remember what I have learnt through my lifelong journey with health challenges, that the prayer I need is for 'grace to endure.' For I have come to learn that if the Lord will not miraculously take away the challenge immediately, what I need is 'grace to endure' 

On my part , I have decided on a lifestyle of endurance and using every tool available to ensure that I look after this amazing 'temple' body God has given me. My belief is that I need it to operate in this earthly realm , to do God's work and I am often led by the spirit to take on various lifestyle strategies. First, to preserve it well and thus allow it to work at as optimum performance as possible. This has meant that apart from prayer and reading the word, I have payed attention to diet, excercise, my thought life and choosing carefully my everyday tasks and activities as well as noting any changes that show up. 

Every prayer I received from well meaning brethren, was very much appreciated but I  just want to share that it is not always that we should be declaring scripture at someone suffering. We should also try to be like Christ who always in the first instance 'showed compassion'. Sometimes, the best way of 'being our brothers keeper' is to show 'empathy' Sometimes, it is enough to say something simple  like 'I am sorry you are suffering like this, it must be difficult to deal with.' Sometimes, it is valuable to the person to connect with your humanity. 

So,  by all means pray scriptural prayers for the person, but also show your love by using plain and simple empathetic words . Sometimes these simple words can be encouragement for the soul and a booster to help the person rise up and stand again. 

Lenten thoughts 1-An ever present help

Do you really know how present our God is?
How much he cares for every little detail concerning you?

Can you allow Him to reach you;
And bring to you riches in character?
Things of eternal value that will never perish ?

What will you change?
How will you allow your will to choose something different?

Will you let God finish His work: 
Of Renewal in you?
Will you?

Or will you hold fast
to what must go,
what must perish, 
what must die?

So that the righteousness of God,
Which He has already bought for you,
Will be allowed to spring up and live? 

Spread abroad mightily within me Lord
A new heart, a new perspective 
A changed nature that I may embrace my path with joy

So that the utmost glory is given to your name Jesus!
Our heaven sent ace.

Lara Cookey

01 March 2017

Change

The word CHANGE has been on my mind lately , and how much I need to be open to change in order to align with heaven's wish for me. So I was inspired to draw this image and write my prayer down. I pray this energizes someone to make a change they have been grappling with. Amen

But I have the mind of Christ

God is love 1John 4:16

We do not realize how much God loves us and is actually with us, so when pain comes, we feel alone and don't realize His loving arms are there all the time. My turning point was realizing that in the depths of my worst challenges God was there. He told me very clearly that He sees everything I suffer, and that I should rest in Him. When your maker tells you that 'eternity cannot contain the magnitude of the love I have for you Lara' . All bets are off, no questions asked, I received the knowledge of God's love as simply as that. Thereafter , even to the threat of my very life, I could be calm and confident and my fear and panic turned into perseverance  as God gave me grace to endure. 

We can endure an infinite amount of pain while resting in God, because His power is endless and mighty and we actually have it within us already. It is in our spiritual DNA. We are made in His image. 

Capsule of Joy

Ephesians 1:3-14 is one powerful dialogue which makes my heart glad every time I read it. The love of God is encapsulated in it so vibrantly, and I receive it with newness every single time.

As I read it again today, I hear a rhythm in the back ground that is unique. Not quite a tune but something like a cross between rap and spoken word style delivery. The pace and beat resonates with me and I feel joyful. 

Here is my list of key words which express the content in summary as it speaks to me. 

Blessing

Chosen

Redemption

Forgiveness

Deposit guarantee

Revealed / made known