Raphael Adegboye's Blog
Expression for Motivation and Inspiration
Thursday, September 16, 2021
NO! I DON'T NEED ANYONE'S TROUBLE.
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
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
Friday, July 30, 2021
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.
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
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
Sunday, June 13, 2021
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.