A while ago my daughter came home from school with a writing assignment. She was to write an article for a newspaper supporting her belief in God. She was to prove that He exists. And I was to supply the evidence!
After a sigh and a smile I proceeded to explain that whatever proof I could provide would come from the Bible. And to those who did not believe the Bible my proof would be worthless. I did proffer some scientific suggestions to God's existence, with some back-up from historical findings. These disciplines may not provide conclusive evidence that God exists, but neither can they prove that He doesn't. However, the crux of my response went thus:
God, in His infinite wisdom, has decided to hide Himself from those who will not believe, and to reveal Himself to those who do. As lame as this might sound, it is the gospel truth. A half-hearted, critical search may well reveal nothing. But if we seek Him in faith He will allow us to find Him.
He says of those who seek from the heart,
And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you...
Jeremiah 29:13-14a
But to those who will not honour Him as God, who despise Him, He says,
Because I have called, and you refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded...Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early but they shall not find me.
Proverbs 1:24 and 28
The passport to the realm where God manifests is called faith. Without it we cannot access Him.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for He that cometh to God MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, and that He is a rewarder of them that DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.
Hebrews 11:6 (capitals, writer's own)
God is a spirit. Spirits do not show up in test tubes, on CAT scans or x-rays. No litmus test or forensics team will ever be able to detect His presence. The only way to see God in our lives, to hear Him speak, to have Him work things out for our good, is to come to Him in faith, believing first of all, then seeing.
Jesus said, "...whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no way enter in." Luke 18:17
The kingdom of God is not a physical location but the realm where God is honoured as God. This could be in our lives or up where the angels live. Receiving it like a child refers to accepting without question, as children innocently do.
So after we had listed our scientific and historical suggestions my daughter and I ended with something like this: We will see God if we believe in Him. But if we do not believe we most likely never will. This is the way He has chosen to remain; found by faith but hidden by unbelief.
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Monday, 14 July 2008
A Gift!
If you couldn't view the video at top, right, here it is again. Enjoy!
For further information on what to do with God's love, or how to enjoy a personal relationship with God, please contact me at turnaroundresources@gmail.com
I've known Him personally since 1982, and I'd do it all over again!
For further information on what to do with God's love, or how to enjoy a personal relationship with God, please contact me at turnaroundresources@gmail.com
I've known Him personally since 1982, and I'd do it all over again!
Sunday, 6 July 2008
What’s Your Status?
All men have some kind of relationship with God whether we believe in Him or not. We are all connected to Him in some way. Hebrews 4:13 calls God, “Him with whom we have to do.” We either have a right relationship with God or a wrong one. Please note that when I talk of a right relationship and a wrong one I am using God’s definitions. I will expand on this shortly.
God’s word describes a right relationship with Him, that is, being connected to God the right way, as righteousness. Similarly, being in a wrong relationship with God, or being wrongly connected to Him, is described by God as unrighteousness.
Romans 10:9-10 tells us how to be rightly connected or in a right relationship with God. John 3:18 tells us how people remain in a wrong relationship, or wrongly connected to Him. Let us read the following verses for a better understanding:
Romans 10: 9-10
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
Romans 4:5
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
John 3:18
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Simply stated:
(1) If you believe on God’s Son Jesus, that he died and rose for your sins, and has the power to save you, and if you confess him as your Lord and Saviour, you are saved. Your heart-faith and mouth’s confession put you in a right-relationship with God. That is, you are made righteous, you are saved.
(2) If you do not believe on God’s son Jesus and his power to save you from sin, you are not saved, but your unbelief (not God) condemns you. You are in a wrong relationship with God. The Bible calls this unrighteousness.
We each have the free will to choose, either to be saved by our faith in Jesus or to be condemned by our unbelief in him. Our relationship with God is ours to make or break. There is no middle ground. There is no fence to sit on. If you have not yet made a decision you have not chosen God’s righteousness. You are in a wrong relationship with God, along with those who have chosen not to believe on His Son.
Before Jesus came to this earth, people became righteous by obeying the Law of God. After Jesus’ death and resurrection God shows us a new kind of righteousness, a new way to get rightly connected to Him:
Romans 3:22
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference.
We cannot earn God’s righteousness. We can only receive it by faith in Jesus. Any effort on our part to “do enough good” to earn it is called our own righteousness, not God’s. In fact, God calls such efforts “filthy rags”.
Isaiah 64:6
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.
Let us not be ignorant of what God requires of us. Let us not shun God’s invitation to salvation and His free gift of righteousness
Romans 10: 3
For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Romans 3:22
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference.
Philippians 3:9
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is of God by faith.
Sir, madam, what is your spiritual status? Are you in a right relationship with God or a wrong one? Notice that God has clearly defined what He accepts as right or wrong. If you design your own righteousness you do not have the righteousness of God; according to John 3:18 you have therefore condemned your own self. If you have not yet made a choice, you are presently without the righteousness of God. There is no fence to sit on. I therefore urge you to choose now, and to choose wisely.
If you have not yet asked Jesus to save you from sin, to be your Lord and to grant you his righteousness, but would like to do so, please pray along with me, out loud:
Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe that he died for my sin. I believe that you raised him from the dead for my justification. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and I receive him today as my Lord and Saviour, and I give God the glory.
Welcome to the family and the household of God!
John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
Ephesians 2:19
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
If you would like further information to help you grow spiritually please send me an email requesting such.
May the goodness of God follow you and your loved ones through this week. May He order your steps and His word light your path. May you continue to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness, and in so doing, all His blessings shall be added unto you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God’s word describes a right relationship with Him, that is, being connected to God the right way, as righteousness. Similarly, being in a wrong relationship with God, or being wrongly connected to Him, is described by God as unrighteousness.
Romans 10:9-10 tells us how to be rightly connected or in a right relationship with God. John 3:18 tells us how people remain in a wrong relationship, or wrongly connected to Him. Let us read the following verses for a better understanding:
Romans 10: 9-10
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation
Romans 4:5
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
John 3:18
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Simply stated:
(1) If you believe on God’s Son Jesus, that he died and rose for your sins, and has the power to save you, and if you confess him as your Lord and Saviour, you are saved. Your heart-faith and mouth’s confession put you in a right-relationship with God. That is, you are made righteous, you are saved.
(2) If you do not believe on God’s son Jesus and his power to save you from sin, you are not saved, but your unbelief (not God) condemns you. You are in a wrong relationship with God. The Bible calls this unrighteousness.
We each have the free will to choose, either to be saved by our faith in Jesus or to be condemned by our unbelief in him. Our relationship with God is ours to make or break. There is no middle ground. There is no fence to sit on. If you have not yet made a decision you have not chosen God’s righteousness. You are in a wrong relationship with God, along with those who have chosen not to believe on His Son.
Before Jesus came to this earth, people became righteous by obeying the Law of God. After Jesus’ death and resurrection God shows us a new kind of righteousness, a new way to get rightly connected to Him:
Romans 3:22
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference.
We cannot earn God’s righteousness. We can only receive it by faith in Jesus. Any effort on our part to “do enough good” to earn it is called our own righteousness, not God’s. In fact, God calls such efforts “filthy rags”.
Isaiah 64:6
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.
Let us not be ignorant of what God requires of us. Let us not shun God’s invitation to salvation and His free gift of righteousness
Romans 10: 3
For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Romans 3:22
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference.
Philippians 3:9
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is of God by faith.
Sir, madam, what is your spiritual status? Are you in a right relationship with God or a wrong one? Notice that God has clearly defined what He accepts as right or wrong. If you design your own righteousness you do not have the righteousness of God; according to John 3:18 you have therefore condemned your own self. If you have not yet made a choice, you are presently without the righteousness of God. There is no fence to sit on. I therefore urge you to choose now, and to choose wisely.
If you have not yet asked Jesus to save you from sin, to be your Lord and to grant you his righteousness, but would like to do so, please pray along with me, out loud:
Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe that he died for my sin. I believe that you raised him from the dead for my justification. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and I receive him today as my Lord and Saviour, and I give God the glory.
Welcome to the family and the household of God!
John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
Ephesians 2:19
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
If you would like further information to help you grow spiritually please send me an email requesting such.
May the goodness of God follow you and your loved ones through this week. May He order your steps and His word light your path. May you continue to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness, and in so doing, all His blessings shall be added unto you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Friday, 6 June 2008
Kayla's Phone
A young friend gives her mobile phone a makeover and I learn a few lessons on change. It could be frightening, painful or rewarding. The attitude makes the difference.
Kayla sat on the floor in a world of her own. I could see she was sticking sequins on the casing of her mobile phone. “What are you doing?” I asked her, surprised. “Making it look better” was her mumbled reply. I said I thought it looked good to begin with but, “Just be patient and trust me,” she smiled. “When I’m through you’ll be amazed!”
I must admit that with each passing day, Kayla’s phone looked better and better, and so original. Watching her work reminded me very much of the way God works with us: patiently, steadily, with confident trust in what we can become. Kayla worked a section each day, putting away phone and supplies at the end of each session. When asked why the makeover could not be done in one go, the young craftswoman replied, with a wisdom beyond her years, “The glue has to dry a little at a time. If you do it all at once, it doesn’t dry properly. The sequins will come off and the end results won’t be so good.”
Like Kayla’s phone casing, each one of us is a heavenly makeover in progress. We may not be our best selves at present but God sees the end from the beginning. He knows the greatness He has put inside us, and works patiently but steadily to bring us to full potential. If we give Him our cooperation, we become all we can be. Though others may lose patience, not seeing our inner beauty, we can count on God to finish the job, making all things beautiful in His time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Devotion
Day One
Though the writer thought Kayla’s phone looked good to begin with, Kayla promised that it could look better. “Just be patient and trust me,” she smiled. “When I’m through you’ll be amazed!” Likewise, we often think we are just fine as we are. Therefore, when God starts to re-make us, we protest. Change can be uncomfortable, even frightening. However, we must remember who the Changer is - Our Father, God! Will He ever hurt us? No! All His thoughts and actions toward us are for good. Is God trying to fix some areas
of your life? If you let go and trust Him you will not regret it. Remember, He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Proverbs 3:5-8, Jeremiah 29:11, Numbers 23:19, Psalm 56:3
Reflection:
In what areas of my life is God inviting me to change? How do I feel about making the change? Can I count on God to be there while I’m growing, or am I afraid that I’ll be all by myself?
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, I thank you that you love me just as I am. I thank you that because you love me, you want to help me become all that I can be. I trust that you work all things for good and I will not be afraid. I surrender myself into your loving arms. In Jesus’ name, amen
Copyright © 2008 Oma Edoja
This article may not be reproduced, neither in part nor in whole.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Two
Have you ever wondered why it seems to take forever to become what God wants us to be? Do you wonder why He does not do the makeover all in one go? Well, in the first place, the length of time depends on us, not God. We are the ones who complain and baulk when it is time to make a change. Remember the Israelites’ forty-year journey that should have taken eleven days? Their whining and rebellion was the cause of that. The lessons they could have learned through obedience took forty years instead of eleven days. God waits patiently until whenever we are ready. Because He understands us He teaches “line upon line, precept upon precept,” not all in one go. So let us be patient, willing and obedient, and watch God’s plan unfold.
Deuteronomy 8: 2-3, Romans 12:2, Isaiah 28:10, Hebrews 5:8-10
Reflection:
What attitudes will help me through this process (Psalm 40:8, Luke 22:42)? What attitudes could hinder me (Isaiah 45:9, Philippians 2:14)? What influences will help me (Rom12:2)? What influences could hinder me (1Corinthians 15:33)? What can I do to get more positive influence and support through my growing period (Hebrews 10:25)? What can I do to remove or neutralize the negative influences that hinder growth (2Corinthians 6:17a)? What can I learn on my journey (Deut 8:2-3)?
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, I surrender my will to yours. Have your way in all of my life. I open my heart to your Spirit as you teach me your way. I am willing and obedient, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Copyright © 2008 Oma Edoja
This article may not be reproduced, neither in part nor in whole.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Three
Has the devil ever lied to you that you are worthless, a nobody, and would never amount to anything? Or that you are ugly and no one could ever want or love you? Have you known so much failure that you just don’t want to try anymore? Do you now believe that nothing good could become of you? If any one or any circumstance has ever said these things to you, they are lies from the devil. The devil knows that everything God has made is good, very good, and that includes you. You are wonderfully made by God and He has a beautiful plan for your life. Stop listening to the ugly words of the enemy who wants to destroy you. Spend more time listening to God. Faith comes by hearing, so make sure you hear the right words. As the refreshing rain of God’s word continues to water your soul you will blossom into the person God created you to be.
Genesis 1:31, Psalm 139: 13-14, Romans 10:17, 1John 4:10 (God has loved you since before you even knew Him), Hebrews 13:5b (God will never leave you), Zechariah 2:8 (You are precious to God, the apple of His eye).
Reflection:
What negative things have I believed about myself, my body, and my abilities? Now I know that God made me “fearfully and wonderfully,” “very good” and with much wisdom. (Psalm 139:14, Genesis 1:31, Psalm 104:24). I am not a chance-happening, a frivolous after-thought, unwanted, unplanned or a mistake. I am precious to God and important to His kingdom. I am part of His plan. I am equipped for my purpose. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I will no longer pay any attention to negative words or thoughts.
Let us pray:
Thank you Dear Father for setting me free with the truth. Your truth will remain in me and bear fruit. I receive strength from you to stand strong through life’s trials. I take authority over all the lies the enemy has told me. I break their strongholds in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Copyright © 2008 Oma Edoja
This article may not be reproduced, neither in part nor in whole
Kayla sat on the floor in a world of her own. I could see she was sticking sequins on the casing of her mobile phone. “What are you doing?” I asked her, surprised. “Making it look better” was her mumbled reply. I said I thought it looked good to begin with but, “Just be patient and trust me,” she smiled. “When I’m through you’ll be amazed!”
I must admit that with each passing day, Kayla’s phone looked better and better, and so original. Watching her work reminded me very much of the way God works with us: patiently, steadily, with confident trust in what we can become. Kayla worked a section each day, putting away phone and supplies at the end of each session. When asked why the makeover could not be done in one go, the young craftswoman replied, with a wisdom beyond her years, “The glue has to dry a little at a time. If you do it all at once, it doesn’t dry properly. The sequins will come off and the end results won’t be so good.”
Like Kayla’s phone casing, each one of us is a heavenly makeover in progress. We may not be our best selves at present but God sees the end from the beginning. He knows the greatness He has put inside us, and works patiently but steadily to bring us to full potential. If we give Him our cooperation, we become all we can be. Though others may lose patience, not seeing our inner beauty, we can count on God to finish the job, making all things beautiful in His time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Devotion
Day One
Though the writer thought Kayla’s phone looked good to begin with, Kayla promised that it could look better. “Just be patient and trust me,” she smiled. “When I’m through you’ll be amazed!” Likewise, we often think we are just fine as we are. Therefore, when God starts to re-make us, we protest. Change can be uncomfortable, even frightening. However, we must remember who the Changer is - Our Father, God! Will He ever hurt us? No! All His thoughts and actions toward us are for good. Is God trying to fix some areas
of your life? If you let go and trust Him you will not regret it. Remember, He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Proverbs 3:5-8, Jeremiah 29:11, Numbers 23:19, Psalm 56:3
Reflection:
In what areas of my life is God inviting me to change? How do I feel about making the change? Can I count on God to be there while I’m growing, or am I afraid that I’ll be all by myself?
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, I thank you that you love me just as I am. I thank you that because you love me, you want to help me become all that I can be. I trust that you work all things for good and I will not be afraid. I surrender myself into your loving arms. In Jesus’ name, amen
Copyright © 2008 Oma Edoja
This article may not be reproduced, neither in part nor in whole.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Two
Have you ever wondered why it seems to take forever to become what God wants us to be? Do you wonder why He does not do the makeover all in one go? Well, in the first place, the length of time depends on us, not God. We are the ones who complain and baulk when it is time to make a change. Remember the Israelites’ forty-year journey that should have taken eleven days? Their whining and rebellion was the cause of that. The lessons they could have learned through obedience took forty years instead of eleven days. God waits patiently until whenever we are ready. Because He understands us He teaches “line upon line, precept upon precept,” not all in one go. So let us be patient, willing and obedient, and watch God’s plan unfold.
Deuteronomy 8: 2-3, Romans 12:2, Isaiah 28:10, Hebrews 5:8-10
Reflection:
What attitudes will help me through this process (Psalm 40:8, Luke 22:42)? What attitudes could hinder me (Isaiah 45:9, Philippians 2:14)? What influences will help me (Rom12:2)? What influences could hinder me (1Corinthians 15:33)? What can I do to get more positive influence and support through my growing period (Hebrews 10:25)? What can I do to remove or neutralize the negative influences that hinder growth (2Corinthians 6:17a)? What can I learn on my journey (Deut 8:2-3)?
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, I surrender my will to yours. Have your way in all of my life. I open my heart to your Spirit as you teach me your way. I am willing and obedient, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Copyright © 2008 Oma Edoja
This article may not be reproduced, neither in part nor in whole.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Three
Has the devil ever lied to you that you are worthless, a nobody, and would never amount to anything? Or that you are ugly and no one could ever want or love you? Have you known so much failure that you just don’t want to try anymore? Do you now believe that nothing good could become of you? If any one or any circumstance has ever said these things to you, they are lies from the devil. The devil knows that everything God has made is good, very good, and that includes you. You are wonderfully made by God and He has a beautiful plan for your life. Stop listening to the ugly words of the enemy who wants to destroy you. Spend more time listening to God. Faith comes by hearing, so make sure you hear the right words. As the refreshing rain of God’s word continues to water your soul you will blossom into the person God created you to be.
Genesis 1:31, Psalm 139: 13-14, Romans 10:17, 1John 4:10 (God has loved you since before you even knew Him), Hebrews 13:5b (God will never leave you), Zechariah 2:8 (You are precious to God, the apple of His eye).
Reflection:
What negative things have I believed about myself, my body, and my abilities? Now I know that God made me “fearfully and wonderfully,” “very good” and with much wisdom. (Psalm 139:14, Genesis 1:31, Psalm 104:24). I am not a chance-happening, a frivolous after-thought, unwanted, unplanned or a mistake. I am precious to God and important to His kingdom. I am part of His plan. I am equipped for my purpose. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I will no longer pay any attention to negative words or thoughts.
Let us pray:
Thank you Dear Father for setting me free with the truth. Your truth will remain in me and bear fruit. I receive strength from you to stand strong through life’s trials. I take authority over all the lies the enemy has told me. I break their strongholds in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Copyright © 2008 Oma Edoja
This article may not be reproduced, neither in part nor in whole
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