Pivots of Faith [2] - Knowledge

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Rom 10:14)

Suppose that as you walk down a busy street an old man stopped you and promises to give you $50 million the next day, would you believe him? I doubt you would. You might probably think it’s a scam. Suppose young man walking with the old man then told you that the old man is Warren Buffet [one of the richest men on earth], would your ‘faith’ level increase? My guess is that this new information would most likely catch your attention. Now if that same person then told you he is Warren Buffet’s Chief Financial Officer and that Warren gives out that amount of money to one random person every year; what do you think is going to happen to your faith? My guess is by now your faith in getting the money would be rock solid!

What did you think was the significant change from the point when you got that promise which you didn’t believe and the instant when you ‘suddenly’ had the strong conviction that you would get the money? The answer of course is that you now have RELEVANT KNOWLEDGE! Now you know that this old man gives out money like this every year and that he is in fact Warren Buffet who is worth an approximate $65 billion! This new information has brought you knowledge about WHO the man that promised is and therefore you now know what he can accomplish. Therefore your faith now rest firmly on the knowledge of WHO promised and not the enormity of what was promised.

Have you ever wondered why you have not been able to unwaveringly stand on God’s promises to you in spite of external contradictory circumstances? Maybe you should check your knowledge level. How much of the character and capabilities of God do you know and are convinced about? Apostle Paul asked a salient question in the book of Romans chapter ten; HOW SHALL THEY BELIEVE IN HIM WHOM THEY HAVE NOT HEARD? Did you see that? You can’t believe in God’s promises if you lack knowledge about God. If you do not know that HE is an all-powerful, all-present, all-knowing God; you will have difficulty trusting Him to do what He says He will do.

Most Christians know the importance of faith. We know that without faith it is impossible to please God [Heb 11:6]. We also know that we need faith to take advantage of the finished works of Christ and experience victory. We know that God’s people through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: in short, we need faith to do exploits [Dan 11:32 …but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits]. But you see, faith doesn’t even begin to exist outside of revelation of God through His word.

The scriptures say that faith comes by hearing the word of God [Rom 10:17]. We can also say faith comes by hearing words about God and it would still make sense. God’s word reveal to us the character and capacity of our father. That how we know he is able to do what he says he will do. It follows then that the less of God you know, the less faith you would have. Little wonder the scripture says that without faith it is impossible to please God and those that come to him must believe that he is and is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. The point here is that faith is accurately only based on the one who promised and not what was promised for that which was promised has no substance apart from Him who promised. So when God says He will do exceedingly abundantly above whatever I ask or imagine; my understanding that God is all-powerful [capability] and faithful [character] to fulfill his promise is actually what steadies my faith.

Consequently through my knowledge of God, I not only know that God can do all things; I actually know He will do it for me. If God says it, I believe it and that settles it. Hallelujah!

The Pivots of Faith [1] - Hope

If faith be impotent it’s because hope is dead and if hope be dead then peoples, persons and nations shall descend into the dark abyss of despair and slide eventually into extinction.

The scriptures declare unequivocally that faith is the substance of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Clearly seen here is a correlation that cannot be ignored: being that faith is of hope and hope births faith. The viability of faith then lies in the existence of hope; if there is no hope then faith cannot come into existence because hope of a necessity precedes the advent of faith. We understand therefore that the impotence of faith might point to the conspicuous absence of hope.

Most Christians, I presume, understand the importance of faith. Did not the scriptures say that without faith it is impossible to please God? Yea, truly we see that through faith men subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens and women received their dead raised to life again. If that then be so, and hope must need precede faith, then I say there is more to hope than meets the eye.

So what then is hope? The Greek word translated hope denotes expectation and anticipation. Expectation denotes a thing desired but yet to be experienced. This means that that which is seen [experienced] is no more hope, for a man does not still hope for that which is already experienced. The key thing about hope is clearly its character of immateriality. I cannot see, touch or smell your hope or expectation. Consequently faith then is the substance of an expectation and the evidence of that which is immaterial.

Our God, declares the scripture is a God of hope [Romans 5:15]. Put another way, he is a God of expectations or a God of the immaterial. By immateriality I speak not about a lack of substance but rather the absence of a three dimensional reality relating to what occupies space and has weight. I make this distinction because contrary to human understanding and definition, the immaterial is not without substance. A lack of hope is therefore not necessarily projected by the deterioration of circumstances in the realm of time and space.

Taken a step further, we know that the things which are seen are made from the things which are invisible [Hebrews 11:3]. If this be true and it is, it therefore suggest that the only things that cannot be created or brought into the reality of time and space is that which has not first of all existed in the realm of the immaterial; hence, it can be called a hopeless situation.

This gives light to the life of Abraham in scriptures according to the book of Genesis. We read that God promised him a son while he was about seventy five years of age. However, Abraham went several years without the fulfilment of this promise to which his reaction was to lend God a hand in the fulfilment of this promise; enters Ishmael. This is a proof that in all these years Abraham did not hold on to the hope of this promise till God appeared to him again at the age of a century save one. After this encounter the bible states categorically that Abraham held on to the hope of God’s promise to him regardless of external circumstances [Romans 4: 18-20]

Therefore, it can be rightly concluded that hope is the track upon which the train of faith speeds towards its mark. 

Christians & Fashion: Matters arising.

Dressing and fashion in this age and time is so ubiquitous due to globalization. fashion trends in the U.S.A is the same with what obtains in Europe, Africa and everywhere else. many years ago you could pick out a Christian from the crowd as a result of their dressing which where usually uninspiring to say the least. However, one thing common in Christian dressing of yester years is that they covered people's body non the least their private areas.In these days however, these private areas are not so private anymore and this fashion trend has gotten a firm grip on Christians all over the world. Some years  ago i was in a wedding ceremony with a christian sister. I couldn't concentrate because the gown she wore was quite shut and sitting down revealed quite a large chunk of her thighs. I had to stand up eventually and move somewhere else. Maybe i just didn't have enough self control!

God says we should dress for glory and beauty [Exo 28]. We are not to dress for beauty only nor for glory only; whatever i put on should glorify God and be beautiful. And as we can see, glory comes before beauty.

I therefore pose the following questions:

1] What is right in wearing clothes that expose female breast and skimpy skirts?
2] What is right in men sagging their trousers?
3] What do females think and expect when they put on revealing clothes?
4] Are men really moved by these female actions towards serious relationships?
5] Does our dressing reflect our spiritual maturity?

Please I would really appreciate your comment/opinion on any or all of these questions. Thank you.

THE IMPORTANCE OF LISTENING IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION

By J.A Adisa 

Conflict is an offshoot of clash of interest between two or more people. Human Beings live in groups in every given society. The smallest group of the society is family. Relationships, of necessity, develop between two or more people who find themselves living together in a family or in a particular geographical location (i.e. beyond the family). In any given society, people tend to cluster together based on their ethnicity or religious affiliation. There will always be clash of interest where we have more than one person living together. This clash of interest is what results into conflict. The cause of the clash may be religious, ethnic based, i.e. cultural differences or that of personal interest. The point is, there is no relationship that is devoid of misunderstanding. At times, a seemingly simple misunderstanding can degenerate into a conflict ad if care is not taken, it can escalate to a war.

It is always good to have an understanding of and respect for the view and beliefs of the other person we relate with. When a misunderstanding ensues, a quick intervention is always necessary to nip the problem in the bud before it results into a brawl. The truth of the matter is, no matter the seriousness of conflict, the warring parties will still resort to dialogue at the end of the day.

In resolving conflict, the ability to listen is very paramount on the part of the intervener. In any situation, if the people involved in the conflict had taken time to listen to each other or to one another and had shown some understanding and consideration for the other person (s), the conflict would have been averted.

Listening is not synonymous with hearing; it is not everybody that has the ability to hear that listens. Listening is a skill that has to be developed. A skilled listener listens to understand the position of the other person. He listens to get the clues or points that give insights into the other person’s position. He pays special attention to the other person’s choice of words, tone and body language. What most of the time serve as obstacles to communication are the inability to listen intelligently and skillfully to the other person.

Listening is not a passive action. Rather, it is an active process that demands a rapt attention on the part of the listener.

Active listening is time demanding. It involves patience but many of us are always in a hurry to speak rather than listen. This is what results to argument among people. Where people are able to listen well to each other, conflict is reduced to the bearest minimum. The emotional importance of listening is the soothing effect it has both on the speaker and the listener. When you give your full attention to a person by listening, you are saying in other words that you are interested in what he or she is saying and that the person is important enough to merit your time and attention. It is always good to hear the other person out; it is an opportunity for him or her to let off the steam. When you give someone a fair hearing, he respects your judgment more. The quality of your listening can actually control another person’s ability to talk. Ahuja Pramila et.al. in their book ‘How to Resolve Conflicts Through Listening’, said, “A good listener plays the role of both mirror and sounding board that throws back a reflection of the speaker, giving him a chance to see and hear himself in a way that might not otherwise be possible”.  When you listen well to the other person, you are investing into his or her life; at the end there will be dividends of peace accruing to both parties. As a husband, be patient with your wife; to listen to her. She would not be happy if you cut her short while talking. Do not pass your judgment on an issue before she concludes talking. Doing that may result to emotional or even psychological problems.

The same thing goes for a woman. Develop the ability to listen to your husband. He needs someone to pour out his mind to and that is you. You are his confidant. When he faces challenges in the office, he should find succour in you. The ability to listen does not end with spouses alone, in relating with your children, in – laws, friends, colleagues, neighbours, and even house helps, you need to exercise patience in listening to whoever you are relating with. Listening is the life blood of any relationship. Listening is to a relationship what the eyes are to the body.

The 'Love' Story Of Two Siblings

Sometime after this, David's son Amnon fell in love with David's other son Absalom's beautiful sister Tamar. Amnon became so emotionally distressed that he fell sick over his half-sister Tamar. She was a virgin, and Amnon found it difficult to do anything to her. Meanwhile, Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, who was the son of David's brother Shimeah. Now Jonadab was a very shrewd man. "Why are you so depressed these past few mornings," Jonadab asked Amnon, "since you're a son of the king? Why not tell me?" Amnon replied, "I'm in love with my brother Absalom's sister Tamar." Jonadab advised him, "Lie down and fake being sick. When your father visits you, ask him, 'Please let my sister Tamar come and give me something to eat that she prepares especially for me, and after she makes dinner for me, let her feed it to me personally.'" So Amnon lay down and faked being sick. When the king came to visit him, Amnon asked the king, "Please let my sister Tamar come and make some of her bread especially for me, so she can feed it to me personally." So David sent for Tamar back at the palace, telling her, "Please go to your brother Amnon's home and prepare some food for him." Tamar went to her brother Amnon's home, where he was lying down. She brought along some dough, kneaded it, prepared some cakes especially for him, baked them, and emptied the baking skillet just for him, but he refused to eat. "Send everybody out of here," Amnon said. So everyone left the room. Amnon told Tamar, "Bring the food into my private bedroom, so I can eat it with you personally." So Tamar took the cakes she had prepared and brought them into the private bedroom for her brother Amnon. But as soon as she brought them near him to eat, he overpowered her and told her, "Come here and have sex with me, my sister!" "No, my brother!" she kept telling him. "Don't humiliate me like this! This just isn't done in Israel! Don't do this utterly foolish thing! And what about me? Where will I go to escape this disgrace? And as for you, you'll be known as one of Israel's greatest fools! So please talk to the king, because he won't withhold me from you!" But he was unwilling to listen to what she was saying. Since he was stronger than she was, he forced her into having sex with him. Afterwards, though, Amnon hated her very intensely. As a result, his hatred for her exceeded the love that he had previously for her. So Amnon told her, "Get up! Leave!" (2Sa 13:1-15 ISV)

THE MAN, THE WOMAN AND THEIR GOD

EKKLESIA CONFERENCE 2013

CONFERENCE CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, NIGERIA

4pm Prompt

I Returned !

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.(Ecc 9:11 KJV)

I don’t know about you but there are many things I have received that I did not merit. I have won races [not literally] in which I was not the fastest; won battles I thought I should have lost; gotten provision in ways I didn’t expect and received favour when doors seemed shut. In other words, I have been a candidate of God’s favour and mercy over and over again. Like Solomon I returned [observed, considered] these things and concluded that God is faithful.

Maybe you are reading this and you are not convinced God has been good to you; as a matter of fact you think God has some explanation to do concerning some things in your life. Many times we are so consumed with our problems we simply refuse to see the good things God has thrown in our paths. The point is that we do not take time to objectively consider and observe the totality of events in our lives. When we do, we begin to see that we have absolutely many things to be grateful for. When we count our blessing and name one by one, we would be surprised to see what God has done!

In another perspective, how many times have we had the privilege to return… literally? You went out yesterday and returned home safe. You went to the hospital pregnant and returned with a baby. You  went to college years ago and you returned to your family. You started a business venture and you returned with profit. You went for surgery and you returned alive. Every time we return we have a chance to celebrate the faithfulness of God. When we celebrate God’s faithfulness we open doors for greater blessings.

The Response of a Lover

I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go………………………………… (Son 3:2-4 KJV)

Every time I see him my heart skips a beat, my palms begin to sweat and the smile on my face is so bright it can light a stadium. I seldom look into his eyes, not because I am shy but because the intensity of his loving gaze seems more than my mind can contain. Could a man love a woman this much? Many times when I am alone I wonder aloud, ‘can there be a greater love than this?’

In all things however, it is our fellowship with one another that I love the most. By fellowship I refer to time together spent talking, walking, holding hands, feeding on the uniqueness of each other’s celestial and terrestrial beauty, having intercourse or simply enjoying the tranquility in silently gazing at nature’s beauty. 

Please do not imagine that this relationship is all about me. It is true that I cannot equivocally say that I love him like he loves me but I keep trying.  You see, it seems as if all he needs from me is to have the right attitude to his love towards me. I see him smile when I respond to his words and his touch. It is obvious his delight emanates from my positive response to his love for me.

I look forward always to his speaking to me, talking with me or instructions for me. I delight in the wisdom in his words and the now expected positive result from heeding his instructions. Well, many of the female specie would frown at my dependence on him and fascination with who he is. But, day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year, the more I depend on him the better my relationship with him becomes. The interesting thing is; the benefits of our relationship supersedes the two of us, it brings the best out of my relationship with others and more importantly I feel whole in my body, soul and spirit.

This is my story; the story of a lover and the one he loves. I know you want to know more about me but I don’t think you need to. Anyway, let me at least intimate you with my name and the name of my lover.

My name is ‘Christian’ and my lover’s name is Jesus. 

God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1Co 1:9 AMP)

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship [Greek; koinonia: participation, communion, fellowship, intercourse] of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (1Co 1:9 KJV)