VESSEL UNTO HONOUR

A group of women were in a bible study on the book of Malachi, as they were studying chapter three which says ‘He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver’. This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next bible study. That week the woman called up a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse that ‘He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver’. She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered saying, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment, then she asked the silversmith ‘how do you know when the silver is fully refined he smiled at her an answered oh that’s easy – when I see my image in it’’. If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eyes on you and will keep watching you until he sees His image in it (copied from face book).

The above story brings to mind Jeremiah 18vs 1-6 that talks about the potter and the clay. 

 King James Version

  18:1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,18:2 Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.18:3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.18:4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.18:5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,18:6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

Is that not what God the refiner and the potter does a lot of times passing us through situations to refine us and yet we keep wondering what is going on .Sometimes God keeps passing us through situations like the refiner will do to the silver or the potter will do to the clay to refine or mould us. We keep wondering what the problem is without understanding that the refiner is trying to teach you something and make you a better person, and to present you as a proud bride to her groom.

A lot of times God tries to change us through a crisis. God changed Jacob’s name which means deceiver to Israel which means prince with God and the change in Jacob’s life didn’t come easily because he wrestled all night. God will let us wrestle with an issue you cannot resolve or keep passing you through the fire to get your attention, until you get to the point where you concede to His will and the potter is satisfied with the object he has made from the clay.

A lot of times we keep wondering if God is really doing this to us like the mother eagle who withholds food from her children to persuade them to leave the nest and learn how to fly. You see the refiner knows you wouldn’t change until your fear of change is surpassed by the pain you are experiencing, until the Lord makes us more and more like him as we are changed into His glorious image. When the  potter realizes that we are committed and persistent to change he is willing to make us what he wants us to be especially when the potter sees our hearts sincerely, that we no longer want our will but His will.

One thing for a fact is that we didn’t get into that situation overnight and we are not going to be out of it overnight. Many times God has to deal with our weakness and that situation in our lives layer by layer so he keeps molding us at the slightest sign of a dent until we appear like the finished work He wants us to be.You see the potter wants to get us to a point where we honestly face and admit our faults, sins, weaknesses and mistakes. Because God loves you the way you are but He loves you much more to leave you that way.

Jeremiah 29 vs 11 says 

Amplified Bible 

11For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

 King James Version

29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 

Until our next post remain rapturable.

KEMI'S STORY

                                   Ecclesiastes 3:11a (  King James Version ).
                     He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:

Couples get married with the desire to have children, for some this desire comes to pass and for others it does not come true and infertility stares them in the face bringing with it, it many challenges which includes : The endless visits to the hospital, the loss of privacy for the couple especially the woman who has to undergo endless tests and procedures,the Africa culture that puts the whole blame on the woman, having to battle every well wisher who comes to offer solution to the couple’s problem, not forgetting the insensitive comments of some others and a host of other things.For anyone who has ever battled infertility you will agree that it can be a very traumatic experience.Kemi’s story is so interesting  because being  a medical doctor herself, the medical profession could not fulfill her desire to be a mother. After three failed IVF procedures Kemi made up her mind that If God will not do it so be it and God Almighty came through for her.Kemi story further confirms the fact that God Almighty never leaves His own.I  hope your faith, hope and trust in God will be encouraged after reading her story.

                                                                   

In the Exact words of Kemi,

Hi guys I was blessed with a bouncing baby girl on the 13^th of June 2017 after waiting for this miracle for Eight years, and to the glory of God it was a natural conception, with nine months of peace. I almost delivered her in the toilet because I felt no pain and God took all the glory. 

I had several procedures with 3 failed IVF procedures at home and abroad and a grim prognosis of unexplained infertility. It was hard particularly when my siblings were having children, but I had to brace myself and always rejoiced with those rejoicing and believing God that my time would come. I was also favoured with a loving and supportive husband and a prayer warrior mother in-law.After the last attempt at IVF in 2015,I told my husband that I was done with trying and that if God cannot do it, let it remain undone. So I held unto God.

 One thing about this miracle was towards the time of conception of the baby which by the way happened naturally, there was so much pressure from relatives, friends and colleagues including white and black. People started offering me alternatives to God such as pregnancy sustaining stone which I threw away. Also people were asking me to visit witch doctors that cook vegetables for one to eat and get pregnant, but I vehemently refused and I then started telling anyone who asked how far, that God has done it.  Then God showed up to do what only he can do. I confirmed the pregnancy and had to hide myself over six months before telling my own siblings. But to tell you it was easy is a lie, i cried at every menstruation for all these years, but rejoiced with others at all times. Delay is truly not denial and I pray that God who answered my prayers would answer everyone’s good heart desire; be it desires for children, a life partner ,career,job,finances e.t.c.God will do it for you in Jesus Name. Just hold on to God, He is all you need to have your needs met. I Love and appreciate you all.

Until our next post i leave you with Habakkuk 2 vs 3 

                                                      King James Version   

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

                                                        Amplified bible

For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.

Remain rapturable.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND IN TOUGH TIMES

At a time like this when things are generally tough due to the economic recession Nigeria is currently facing. Things are generally tough everywhere and the mouth of most people are filled with only negative report. The year 2016 has ended and 2017 has begun. A lot of us are wondering if all the negativity and hardship of 2016 will continue in this New Year. Everybody had different stories to tell in the last year 2016 but one thing everybody agrees with is that it was indeed a tough year. It was a year where we all in our respective lives were put through one test or the other. Even as a nation. The last year 2016 tested our strength. unity and perseverance. Today, I thought to share a simple story about the carrot, egg, and coffee – items we can find easily around your kitchen, in the hopes that after reading it you will look at things and all the challenges of the last year in a different light.

 “A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as if when one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me what you see. ”Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, “What does it mean, mother?” Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. However, the ground coffee beans were unique. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. 

“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?” Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft, lose my strength and throw in the towel easily? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after an illness, a job loss, a breakup, a financial hardship or any other trial become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter, tough, full of resentment and a hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. The coffee bean fulfills scriptures of standing and coming out stronger from adversity and changing the situation around it. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. When things are at their worst, do you get better and change the situation around. When the hour is darkest and trials are at their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? Do we learn the lessons from the situations in our lives, do we  let the situations and circumstances in our lives improve us and make us better or do we let it make us bitter one scripture that comes to mind is Proverbs 24:10

   King James Version

Proverbs 24:10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

      Message Bible

¹⁰ If you fall to pieces in a crisis, there wasn't much to you in the first place.

I read somewhere that “The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they make the most of everything that comes their way’’ be it good or bad. Robert Schuller said ‘Tough times never last but tough people do’. Times of testing and trials are actually times of spiritual training and growth. God loves you too much to leave you weak, underdeveloped and immature. Things fall apart sometimes in order to fall into place. Sometimes God removes people from their comfort zone in other to take them to the promised land. What sometimes looks like a miserable ending can sometimes be a beautiful beginning. Some events of life can actually be beyond our control, its important to let go and let God.This trial and test you are going through is not punishment it is training, the normal experience of children. Another scripture that comes to mind is 1st Corinthians 10:13

King James Version 

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

    Message Bible

¹³ No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.  

The ability to stay calm regardless of the circumstance, to remain calm when the heat is on and to be on top of the circumstance instead of under can only be gotten from God and His word. We have to learn to live by the word of God in every area of our lives. We have to learn to be sensitive to the voice of the Lord. We must be quick to respond and to obey His voice. God’s word says that my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Be assured no matter what might come your way, God Almighty has your best interest at heart. He will never give you anything too hard to handle or too heavy to bear while having this in mind that this too shall pass.

Until our next post I leave you with this scripture from Jeremiah 29 vs 11( The message bible) '' I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out — plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for''

Until our next post,remain rapturable.

References :
The word for today daily devotional    3/1/17
The word for today daily devotional     6/1/17
mum2mumafrica.com        8/12/16
 


   

IS THERE REALLY ANY NEED FOR COMPARISON

The dictionary has different definitions for the term comparison, but one of the definitions defines comparison as the act of examining resemblances and the other definition defines comparison as the relation based on similarities and differences. As a person I have been so guilty of comparison and I would like to think you too have been guilty of comparison at some point as well. We all have been guilty of comparison at some point in time in our lives. We always have the urge and desire to want to engage in comparison. Even as parents and especially mothers we have been guilty of comparison, we have the urge to continuously want to compare our kids with other kids. The truth about comparison is that comparison breeds envy, competition and resentment. The fact is that whenever comparison comes into play at any point its goal is usually to make the other person feel inferior.

It’s difficult not to make comparison but keeping ourselves in check is the way forward. According to Lisa Bevere in her book Without Rival ‘’comparison is the thief of joy. Comparison is not inspiration. Comparison has a pull to it. If allowed to, it will always move you away from your truest center. Comparison will attempt to puff you up through the insidious vehicle of pride, or it will push you down through the tyranny of insecurity. The brave do not dare to compare, even if that comparison sees them coming out on top, they realize that there are many more steps yet before them and for the cowardly comparison acts as a refuge, who don’t dare to believe there is something more. Rivalry will rob you unless you learn how to turn what the enemy meant for bad into what God can use for good.’’. By comparing and breeding envy we forget that everybody has their own specific purpose and assignment to fulfill in life and that can only be achieved if we walk in our own individual paths and lanes. Someone else finishes school at 20 years and another at 25 years, someone gets married and gets a child immediately, another gets married and it takes some time to have a child. Someone gets married at 25, another in their 30s and some in their 40s.The foolishness that is inherent in comparison of lives is the kind that needs exorcism to expel. Rather than comparing yourself with others, where you are and what you have not achieved; remember the faithfulness of God and where He has brought you from trusting that God is faithful to bring His purpose to pass in your life for as long as you stay focused on Him and in your own lane. One scriptures that comes to mind is 2^nd Corinthians 10 vs 12

King James Version

10:12 for we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

                                              The Message Bible   

12.  We’re not, understand, putting ourselves in a league with those who boast that they’re our superiors. We wouldn’t dare do that. But in all this comparing and grading and competing, they quite miss the point.

We are unique before God with our own individual attributes and qualities. Comparison breeds envy, bitterness and low self esteem. Comparison removes all our individual uniqueness. When we stop comparing ourselves to each other, we are in a better position to accept our self with our short coming and be willing to improve on it, thereby making the best use of our life, gifting and talents. Another scripture that comes to mind is the parable of the talent in Mathew 25 vs 14-15.

New Living Translation.

 14. Again the kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.

15.He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last-dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

Message Bible

14 “it’s also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities.

15 to one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left.

Specifically it was said that the talents were distributed according to their capabilities, which means their various specific individual gifting according to their specific ability emphasizing their individual uniqueness thereby eliminating comparison, competition and rivalry. We have to understand that life is not a competition and that there is really no need for comparison. Some people will be better than you and you will be better than some others, what is important is that as individuals we continually seek to daily improve our selves. I saw this caption on one of the social media some time ago and it totally left an impression in my heart.

                       Photo Credit : internet

In conclusion guys there is really no need for comparison .We all are different, unique and are supposed to achieve different things in life at different times, filling up different voids in life which is the very essence of uniqueness which is to complement one another and not to be the same. Comparison defeats that essence and most times only breeds resentment, anger, bitterness and hatred in our hearts, making us have  very uninteresting lives and destroying our own confidence.  Let’s discover our unique gifting, encouraging ourselves and others in their specific areas of strength and ensuring that we all work hand in hand in propagating Christ  while staying in our own individual lanes.

Until our next post guys remember Comparison does nothing but harm to us all.Remain rapturable.

MY SON'S STORY

                                  Proverbs 10 vs 22 ( King James Version).

 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

I am sharing this story in appreciation to God Almighty and also hoping that it will encourage someone.

I got married on the 3^rd of April 2010.I was so happy. After the wedding I had dreamt of a happily ever life, of having children immediately and not experiencing any challenge at all. The first month no pregnancy, the second month no pregnancy. The months rolled into one year and then the second year came still no child. I had one health challenge after the other through all this period. I was wondering why all this was happening to me, it was so heart breaking because I was born again and I wondered why. The whole experience made me so bitter and angry at God. 

I spoke to one of my mentors Rev Teju Alonge who encouraged me to get a book’’ Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize’’ and also take the confessions in the book daily, by this time I was already almost married for three years without a child. I started reading the book and taking my confessions.  I think on the 25 Feb 2013 I woke up early as usually and I heard a voice very clear and precise “Go and run a pregnancy test on yourself” it was strange and I ignored it, The voice came again more precise and stronger with more precise instructions about running the test. At this point I became scared and confused, but I decided to run a pregnancy test on myself. Behold the pregnancy result came out positive I was pregnant it now dawned on me the voice I heard was from God .It was a miracle I couldn’t believe it God Almighty had heard my prayers,  I was finally going to be a mother. I started my Ante- natal and my EDD was the 31^st of October 2013.I had a really smooth pregnancy, God was with me all through and the doctors monitored me closely. So on the 9^th of November 2013 at 7.00 am, my son came into the world. I couldn’t believe I had become a mother and he was one of the most beautiful creature I had seen.

           .

                         

I thought all was well but the devil refused to rest, a few hours after birth we found out my son was having problems breathing. We were referred from one hospital to the other, the details of all that happened will be too long to write but the summary is simply the fact that my son could not breathe from his nose, he came out breathing from the mouth. The difficulty he had in breathing was so severe it made it even difficult for him to nurse. It  looked like he was not going to make it till the next day. It was so heart breaking watching him go through all that especially as a mother and knowing the fact that it took me a few years to have him after marriage.  It eventually took the doctors a few months and series of procedures to sort out what the problem was. Through it all, God was there,i prayed  and I held unto one scripture ‘proverbs 10 vs 22 that says The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it’. The whole experience taught me something that can only be described best in the exact word of Christine Caine’’God is good and God does good, but bad things do happen to good people”. It further taught me the fact that believers too can have problems but that the word of God will surely prevail no matter the arrows the devil throws their way.

That precious jewel  Onimisi in Ebira( meaning my beloved),Peter meaning the rock Chizaramkpere in igbo  (meaning the Lord answered my prayers ), Testimony his second English name and Nankling in plateau( meaning The Lord has heard) turns three years old today the 9^th of Nov 2016 to the glory of God.

                                         

                  

  My heart is full of grateful tunes unto God. My son is a testimony of God’s faithfulness to me and the fact that God Almighty will always honour His word and not let His word fall to the ground unfulfilled. Every day the joy I feel watching him grow into a man before my eyes is something I cannot describe, but most importantly watching him grow daily reassures me of God’s love and the fact that God Almighty is a covenant keeper but most importantly it assures me that no matter what might come his way that his life is only in the hands of God and that God is concerned about every single detail that concerns him.

I do not know what it is you are going through at the moment, it does not matter how fierce the devil appears, be assured  in this promise from God in Isaiah 59 vs 19b

                                 King James Version
 When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. 

Until our next post remember you don't have to worry or be afraid because no matter what may come your way your life is in God's hand.