NO! I DON'T NEED ANYONE'S TROUBLE.

Jesus' interaction with the man with an unclean spirit in the book of Mark 5: 1-20 is quite instructive in that it gives us a window into the principle of transference of challenges and troubles.

Sad as it sounds, we understand from this reading that troubles can be shifted from one spot to another and challenges can move from one being to a different one.

Hmm! Does that mean that whatever is responsible for the restlessness and oppression that individuals, organizations and nations face, can be relocated to another place? Yes!

The Legions responsible for tormenting the man were moved from his body into pigs, who later drowned.

Why is this important to us?

Troubles and challenges have underlying causes or 'Legions' responsible for them. In addition, people and places often act as 'containers' and 'carriers' for these troubles and challenges.

While it was not mentioned how the Legions got to occupy the man's life, we note from Jesus' comments that the man found mercy in God's sight.

Mercy, of course, is always needed where transgression abounds, and unclean spirits cannot dominate a life truly devoted to God.

Friends, please live Godly and guide your heart. Sin attracts trouble, and ungodliness can open our lives to strange and tormenting spirits.

May another person's trouble not come upon us in Jesus name.

MY SWORD, HIS PLAN.

Peter's story in John 18 and Matthew 26 is very instructive. A mild drama where he inflicted injury on Malchus out of unguarded passion, anger and the need to defend Jesus.

Of course, Jesus rebuked Peter and remedied the situation, letting Peter know that having a 'sword' does not mean it should be used anyhow.

A 'sword' can be a special ability or influence. It can be a position, a platform or a skill, e.g., to write, talk etc.

If a 'sword' is misused, it may land the user in trouble. In fact, according to Jesus, whoever kills with a 'sword', will also die with a 'sword'.

Interestingly, Jesus further explained to Peter that His arrest was part of a divine plan.

Wow! By trying to 'defend' Jesus, Peter was obstructing a divine plan?

Well, if we fail to understand God's agenda for a season or His purpose for a situation, and we slash others with our 'sword', we should expect to bear the outcome of our action.

Our intention may be nice, but our timing and execution may be completely wrong. Unfortunately, we may have to suffer the consequences of our misjudgment even while claiming to be 'doing God's work'.

May we not be LIABLE for our misbehavior where we should have been REASONABLE and guided with our 'sword'.

photo credit: stephendelacruz

The ALM AND THE BALM

Life can be interesting.

In Acts 3, a crippled man made a living out of begging for alms close to the gate of a church.

While others would go into the church to pray at the hour of prayer, this man was laid at the church's gate for sympathizers to toss him some coins.

The people who brought him there daily left him at the gate and would not take him into the church. 

But why was he not taken into the church to pray as well? Perhaps God might have healed him all these years. 

Well, that's one of the ironies of life – it could be that the people who brought him daily were satisfied with him begging rather than being healed, or the crippled man himself viewed begging as an easier way to get by. After all, he cannot walk; he has a genuine excuse.

Thank God for Peter and John who, rather than give ALM, called the BALM in Gilead to heal the crippled man. Why give him what will keep him crippled and not make him walk?

Please, here is my point – there are times you may need 'alms' in life, but do not settle for it as an occupation. Begging can become a hold that keeps you at the same spot for a long period. Break free and regain your dignity.

Allow God to intervene in your situation, and you will never need to beg for 'alms' again. 

In verse 8 of Acts 3, after being healed, the man now entered the church. Wow! At last, he entered the church to praise his God.

 

Friends, it’s time to walk; it's time to serve the Lord without crutches. May you be free in Jesus' name.

David, my friend.

My dear friend David. Yes, you are a giant-killer, but your throne may not be ready yet.

Yes, you have charisma, but you may need time to develop the right character to rule when the time is right.

Watch the songs that are being composed with your name attached to it. 'Saul killed a thousand and David killed ten thousand' is not a song for you to dance to.

Distance yourself from this song and their composers. If possible, hide yourself for a while for God to tutor you more.

Do not let your praise-singers make you see Saul as your next 'uncircumcised Philistine' for his head to also roll.

Saul must not die in your hands. Remember, Saul is still anointed of God and he is still the King.

Photo credit: sharefaith.com

An application to ‘My Future’ – A Satire.

Dear ‘My Future’,

 

Please accept this letter as my formal application for the position of ‘An Individual With A Great Future’.

 

I am a young, active, brilliant professional who, for reasons of being idle and confused, now channels my energy and resources into creating ‘go-to’ platforms where ‘breaking news’ are shared.

 

Over the last couple of years, I have become technologically savvy, with great proficiency in phone usage. My two most-used functionalities are ‘record’ and ‘send’. Whether it makes sense or not, I record it and post it online. It is a fast world and whoever breaks the ‘news’ first gets the most attention. Therefore, I really do not have the time to verify before I amplify any message.

 

While I could be using my time online to learn new life, business, and career-transforming skills, I see more opportunities in peddling rumors and viewing meaningless videos.

 

I have built a qualitative experience ‘forwarding’ unnecessary, unsolicited and unverified messages to people. In particular, when there is a promise that ‘god’ will bless me, I usually make sure such messages are sent out with utmost urgency. Whatever is sent to me – profanity, etc., my contact lists must receive them.

 

When it comes to recording, sharing and forwarding ‘news’, nobody is spared – my friends, pastor, manager, colleagues, and family members.

 

Recently, in response to one of my posts, somebody told me I may be ruining my future gradually, by maligning others. I immediately rejected that negative suggestion in ‘jesus’ name. My portion in life is to succeed and succeed I must, especially in this ‘content-hungry’ world.

 

The beeps from the different likes on my posts wake me up in the morning, and in going to bed at night, I regularly peruse what needs to be posted the next day. Keeping my seven social media platforms active everyday has been a great delight, and I hope to sustain this momentum as I take up the role of ‘An Individual With A Great Future.’

 

Please give utmost consideration to these invaluable experiences I have noted above in your decision.

  

I look forward to hearing from you and will appreciate an opportunity to discuss further with you soon.

 

Sincerely,

 

The Guy With A Doubtful Future.