Wednesday 31 October 2018

The Only Impossible Thing







Do you know it's impossible for God to lie? Everything is possible in our world because we have seen things we thought were impossible become possible. That's why there are a lot of mysteries that we cannot explain. 

The only thing that is surely impossible is that God cannot lie. When He gives a promise, you have a rock solid guarantee because God cannot break His word. If God makes you a promise , you bet it's a guaranteed one. 

 I don't know about you but our world is always changing, people are changing, people who you considered good and holy start to disappoint the trust you have in them, even the sun and the skies are not trustworthy. A steady ground that you have so much faith in to hold you firm starts to quake,  waters that you used to swim in start to overflow their banks and destroy lives and property. Your Father as much as he loves you cannot even keep his promise. 

The only sure thing I know is God and so I run with my whole life towards Him. I grab Him with both hands. His promises are in changeable.  He is the anchor to my soul, my unbreakable Spiritual lifeline. He is Rock Solid!...My Rock Solid!

Find Christ while He can be found because a time will come when you can no longer find Him.

Wednesday 17 October 2018

Stage Performance Tips



Who is your favorite performer (whether a musician,artiste,actors or actress or dancer)?
Hove you been privileged to watch live  performances by your favorite performer or just any performer?

Performers are constantly in the limelight and when they are on stage, they always have an expectant audience awaiting nothing short of an exhilarating performance. Sadly, even the most famous of performers in history have experienced some embarrassing moments on stage while performing.

Did you know the famous Drake fell on stage at the America's Most Wanted Concert in 2009? Did you know Justin Beiber vomited during his World tour in 2012? Did you know Jennifer Lawrence tripped at the Oscars in 2013 while Beyonce also in 2013 tripped on her trench coat and fell down approximately 12 steps while performing on stage in Orlando?

You may not know some of these performers but irrespective of what the audience thought of those embarrassing moments, there sure is no better trick to recover from such stage mishaps other than knowing that you did absolutely everything in your power to give your best performance while on stage..

Now let's explore some tips to help achieve our best performance as Christians......

KNOW YOUR STAGE

Do you hope to be a performer some day? Do you have any talent? But even if you don't, there's no cause for alarm because as Christians, we already have a stage just like our Saviour and Performer; Jesus Christ. Life is our stage with perfect sound and natural lighting services provided by the sun during the day and the moon during the night. 

Remember that Philippians 2:14-15 tells us as performers (Christians) to "do everything without grumbling or arguing,so that we may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people. We 'must' shine among them like stars lighting up the sky...."

Who says we need a big stage ? Just like performers sign contracts with their managers,1 Corinthians 6:9 confirms our own agreement with Our Savior as Christians reminding us that ,"we are not our own;we were bought at a price..."

From the moment we were saved, Jesus Christ sold out tickets to our shows as people around us are expectant of our actions as Christians and so Apostle Paul in his letter in 1 Timothy 4:12 tells us of the kind of performance expected from Christians where he says,"  Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity".

It's meaningless looking for bigger stages because our lives are the biggest stages we could ever get. Let's utilize our stage!!

CHOOSE A ROLE MODEL

Which better role model does a performer need than the Greatest performer; Jesus Christ who was and still remains the greatest showstopper. He demonstrated his power over nature and spirits while bearing witness to the truth and thrilling everyone he came in contact with while performing on stage.

Remember He was twelve years old when He started asking questions and giving answers in the Jewish Temple among the Rabbis, and it was said, “Everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and His answers” (Luke 2:47) As a great performer, we are told that “All spoke well of Him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from His lips (Luke 4:22)

As Christians in today's world, we are called not  just to be performers (Christians) but showstoppers like Jesus Christ for we are told that; " To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." (1Peter 2:21)

IDENTIFY YOUR AUDIENCE

Musicians, actors and others may have their performances focused on impressing everyone around them because tickets were purchased to the show but no matter what performance is put up, not every person in an audience can be impressed. Also, in a fairly similar way, as Christian showstoppers our main audience and also our VIP GUEST is our Creator for  "we are His own people created to bring Him glory.."(Isaiah 43:7)

Matthew 6:1 then tells us, "make certain you do not perform your religious duties in public so that people will see what you do. If you do these things publicly, you will not have any reward from your Father in heaven."

AVOID EYE CONTACT

Just as performers make different performances depending on their audience who may probably be kids or adults. In the same way,some of us have consciously or subconsciously 'repackaged' our Christian identity to suit those around us.

Are we different performers (Christians) at work,home or in school unlike when in church? 

Remember that even while Jesus Christ’s performances glorified God, 1 Peter 2:23 tells us he was insulted but "he did not answer back with an insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but placed his hopes in God, the righteous Judge."

Having confirmed that our major audience is our Creator, Colossians 3:2 tells us to "set our minds on things above, not on earthly things."

LEAVE IT ALL ON STAGE

Musicians, dancers, actors do different performances on stage according to their gifts.Unlike them, we being unique performers (Christians), we may or may not have the same gifts as the strong David,the dedicated Abraham or inspirational Apostle Paul but God calls us to be 'show stoppers' with whatever gifts he has given to us.

Romans 12:6-8 tells just how to use our gifts where it says," we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. If it is to prophesy...serve....teach...encourage...giving...leading..."

BE ALWAYS READY

Who is your favorite musician? If you had a front row seat to his or her show, how would you feel at the close of the show? Let's see.....excited? Overwhelmed? 

As performers (Christians), everyone who is privileged to witness our performance irrespective of the time or place should be also excited, overwhelmed and remain in awe of the supernatural being who made the show possible. For even the world's greatest performer ; Jesus Christ tells us with no time specifications to let " our light  shine before people, so that they will see the good things we do and praise our Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:6)

Revenue from ticket sales typically goes to the performing artists, producers, venue, organizers and the brokers. But in our case, all glory must go to the giver of life (our stage) for 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us "whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God's glory.."

As I drop the curtains here.....Let's always remember that our life today is a gift and coincidentally remains our stage and always know YOU MIGHT JUST BE THE LIVING BIBLE THAT others read.

Written by Legal Mike
Inspired by the Paraclete

Wednesday 10 October 2018

Do you Know that Where You Stand, Sit or Walk Matters to God?



In Psalm 1:1  
The Psalmist gives both a promise and a warning as he describes the way of the righteous and the way of the sinner.
The one who will be blessed is the person who does not listen to the counsel and advise of those who do not know God — they look directly to God for their counsel. They do not stand in the way of sinners, that is, they do not make them their constant companions and join in their behavior. And they do not sit in the seat of mockers. They do not degenerate into an attitude of sarcasm and a cynical view of people and life.

It carries the idea of being a hindrance to, blocking the way to, or being a stumbling block to a person's spiritual growth, or a person's way to heaven.

Standing in the way of sinners.This does not mean standing against them, but with them, agreeing with them. It means telling them that the lie is "a little white lie" or that their behavior is okay,  they just need to "love themselves" "selflove".

Watch the counsel you receive and the counsel you give. 


The first word in the first verse of psalm says "Blessed". 

The counsel you receive determines the course of your life both on earth and in eternity.

There is a fruitful destiny for you who seek to walk in godly paths. (v. 3) "He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.