All posts by anjabaxanda

THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS; Why and how this generation has lost it!


Many centuries ago, before the spread of the Gospel throughout the entire globe, certain men carried the Good News to nations and preached Christ without fear.
Many of them were executed; some crucified upside down and a few of them plunged in hot oil. All of these were a few of the many trials and persecutions that the early believers endured for the gospel.
The martyrdom of Polycarp of Smyrna describes how the fire built around him would not burn him, and that he was finally jabbed to death.
Even the Bible we read presently is accessible because of the sacrifices of these Fathers. Men like William Tyndale were burnt alive because they were found translating the Bible into English.
I often wonder how so outstanding the Fathers’ faith was that they laid down their lives for the kingdom and for the gospel of Christ to reach the end of the world.
Today, unfortunately, the church is filled with infant and unproductive Christians who assume Christianity is about money, cars, cathedrals, and prosperity.
The reason is that some present-day churches have failed to teach that the Christian faith is characterized by persecution and trials.
Many have failed to realize that our faith will one day be tested, and we would have to either deny Christ or stand up for the one whom we profess as our Lord; in some worse cases, even die for his cause.


The modern Christian faith is deficient in certain areas which is why the faith of the old saints is more remarkable.
What are some of these features associated with the old Saints?

  1. They were ready to Give their life for the Gospel.
    The Fathers were ready to surrender their lives for Him, knowing that a crown of life awaited them.
    “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Philippians 3:10).

They had an incredibly strong faith that made them live here on earth with the hope of eternal rewards, unlike many modern Christians who want to reel themselves in the flashy things, the world has to offer. The sobriety the old saints treasured has become old-fashioned for them.

  1. Their Faith was not materialistic. Our Fathers who lived solely for Christ were ready to let go of any worldly attachment for Christ’s sake.
    For instance, St. Paul forfeited his affluence and lived ordinarily so that he might fulfill the necessities of the Gospel.
    Not only was their faith not materialistic, but it was also laced with strong persistence even in the face of death.
    “When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious(BR) and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit,(BS) looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. (BT) 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open(BU) and the Son of Man(BV) standing at the right hand of God.”It is saddening that when some modern believers are tried, they cower in fear and can’t defend what they profess.” Acts 6:54-56.

Over time, some churches have trained the believers to only enjoy receiving from God. When their wishful expectations are no longer met, they lose faith in God.

  1. The Christ’s Doctrine.
    “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 1:3.
    The Fathers contended for the faith that was delivered to them and opposed any dogma intended to shift the believers’ focus from Christ. They were established in Christ’s doctrine and knew what was accurate and inaccurate.
  2. The ministry of the Word and Prayer.
    They gave themselves to the study of the Word and prayer.
    The Fathers were never casual with the Bible. What this means is, whatever the scriptures stood for, they supported. Whatever the scriptures were against, they were against also.
    They followed the teachings of the Bible until they became living bibles.

Many modern believers choose to modify some precepts of Christ. They further enjoy modified sermons and follow their illusions. It is not they are unaware of their actions but they do this to satisfy their lust. In addition, prayer for them has become something that is rarely practiced.

The Gospel is sacrifice. The fathers in the past offered up themselves so that we can be saved. They showed that trials and persecution are part of true Christianity.
They worked hard and are long gone. We are only enjoying what they worked for.

Now that it is our time, how many of us can boast of maintaining the Faith of the Fathers with the same fervency as they did?

Greenhills Emmanuel.

THREE QUALITIES OF A MOTHER

Picture Credit:- The News Minute

God made man into two unique and distinct personalities, the male and the female. This two personalities are to work together and complement each other. The female is given the ability to carry a being in her and give birth.

A human female who gives birth to a baby and parents a child is called Mother. You now get to know that it’s not just about giving birth but parenting. It’s much simpler to give birth than to go through the process of parenting.

Many ladies have chosen to give birth and leave the children to fate and chance.

If you don’t want to go through the process of parenting a child, birthing him doesn’t fully make you a mother. Should the child grow up, whoever he sees as his mother is the one who parents him.

Motherhood is a good thing that comes with a great responsibility. A true and real mother possess certain attributes other than being the entrance gate of the child. You as an upcoming mother or a mother presently should see to it, that you possess these qualities;

1) ABILITY TO NOURISH

Nourishment is not just about providing food with the necessary and healthy nutrients. It is to cherish and comfort, to promote growth and supply means of increase.

You cherish your seed (child), possess a strong affection and love for him, you are always there to comfort him when facing challenges and issues in life. You are interested in the things that brings about his growth, this is who a mother should be. These are characteristics found in a mother who nourishes her children.

As a mother, you shouldn’t leave your children in the hands of strangers like domestic home workers e.g maids.

You should know the kind of food and snacks they consume to know if it’s good for their health. You should know when your child is having struggles and challenges, be available, you are a mother.

The ideal mother should be able to provide healthy food and snacks made by her for her children. You shouldn’t expose your child to eat things from outside that are poorly prepared with no nutrient value. Make time, put your own made snacks and food in his lunch box. Be responsible for what your child consumes.

There are jobs that you shouldn’t get involved in as a mother. Any job that will take you away from your child, make you an alien to your child is not worth it. You might work your ass out daily to provide enough for the child but what happens to the mother child bond?

You notice that there is a big gap between your child and yourself. You loose your child to frustration and sadness. Every child wants that motherly attention and affection, he need a mother who will be there to understand and comfort him. Are you fulfilling this role? Do you possess this quality? Is your child, the child put into your care being nourished??

2) TENDER LOVING CARE

This means to look after, be mindful of, pay close attention and concern towards a child. It is a considerate and compassionate care, being fond of, loving and gentle towards a child.

Why would you be proud to answer ‘mummy’ to that cute baby girl, yet, you aren’t mindful of her, you pay no attention to her, anything can happen to her for all you care That is not a good quality of a mother. If your child can be going through a situation but you don’t notice or have a knowledge of it, it means that you pay no attention to the child.

Whatever you are fond of and love so much, should always be your priority.

Do not say to Carl “I love you my angel, kiss, kiss” when you do not show any evidence of your love.

How will she believe that you love her when you are so fond of your phone and laptop?

Are you compassionate and considerate towards the child, do you care for the child? Are you aware of your child’s problems and what are you doing to solve it? Do you observe your child? Can you answer the question, who is your child?

A mother should know who her child is, you should be deliberate and consciously observe your child, get to know your child. Create that bond and closeness. Care for your child , be soft on the child even when giving correction and disciplining him.

Calmly, mildly and gradually deal with his flaws and faults. Be gentle with him.

3) ABILITY TO TRAIN –

To train is to teach, to bring up one according to right laid down principles, to impart knowledge. A mother spends greater time with the child than others. She is responsible for the child’s upbringing .

Your love for your child is not evident in the over pampering the child to destruction but it’s in the teaching and guiding the child to know what is the right. The manifestation of any child shows the if he was trained or not. Training also involves educating your child formally and informally.

You shouldn’t train your child according to what you feel is right but what is absolutely right in the sight of God. Your mistakes should be a reference point of guidance. Fan to flame the potential and skill that you have discovered in the child.

1 Timothy 1:5 (TPT)
5 as I think of your strong faith that was passed down through your family line. It began with your grandmother Lois, who passed it on to your dear mother, Eunice. And it’s clear that you too are following in the footsteps of their godly example.

You can understand how important it is for a woman to know what it is to be a mother. The faith and salvation of Timothy was as a result of his mothers, from his grandmother to his immediate mother. These mothers laid down godly example to train Timothy bringing him up in the way of the Lord.

Timothy’s mother and grandmother understood his talent, his calling and guide him through till he became a teacher of the word. It’s your responsibility as a mother to know your child’s talent, potentials and calling. This will be a blueprint for your counsel, guide and prayer for your child.

Proverbs 22:6 (TPT)
6 Dedicate your children to God
    and point them in the way that they should go,
    and the values they’ve learned from you will be with them for life.

You dedicate your child to God but it doesn’t end there. Direct your child, train him up in the way he should go. Your child will be very observant, learning the little and big things you do, will you be proud if he displays such publicly?
Remember, the values they’ve learned from you will be with them for life.

Being a mother comes with extra carefulnes because you are moulding and patterning the life of a person, all you do and say is being inculcated into the child. Learn what is right and sound as a mother, your child has to have good values.

Psalm 127:3 (TPT)
3 Children are God’s love-gift; they are heaven’s generous reward.

You as a young lady is a mother and should take the place of a mother towards the children around you. Treat the children like you would treat you own child. These children are gifts from God. If you are a guardian to any of them, treat them right. Stop the maltreatment and wickedness you met out on them.

These children are blessings to you, when they are grown you will see the fruit of your labour.

Pray for help to carry out the responsibility of a mother. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you build in these qualities.

Scripture credit – The Passion Translation (TPT)

Written by: Ejiofor Chidimma Blessing.

The Happy New Year

The sounds of joy fill the air,
A new dawn has emerged,
The new man must be seen,
The countdown has begun.

The new light is shining,
God’s love must be rekindled,
A new shift has occurred…
Destines must be rediscovered.

Happy New Year, they say,
New things is what we want,
New wineskin is what we need,
New days ahead is what we seek.

In the new, be renewed,
In the you, be the new you,
Be not conformed to the world, but,
Let the kingdom transform deep in you.

Darkness must be subdued,
Through the new you.
Kingdoms must be dominant,
Through the great you.

In you lies the new,
The new lies in you.
There’s no new without you,
There’s no you without the new.

Greenhills Emmanuel Amarayahweh

IMPORTANCE OF GOAL SETTING

We all have goals but only few has taken time out to map out and set their  goals.

Goal setting has become a very important part of our everyday life as humans and as a matter of fact, we will get little or nothing done if we don’t set a goal for ourselves.

Take a look at an athlete who is currently training for one of the biggest race of his life, hoping to win the gold medal but for that hope to become a reality, he must have plans, plans to finish the race at the lowest time possible, plans to wake up early in the morning for exercises and so on.

The goal is the gold medal but every goal without a plan(setting) will only end up as a mere dream.

Even God, during the creation made plans for each day starting from the first day to the seventh day.

The greatest importance of Goal setting is the fact that it brings our goals into reality, it makes visible our dreams and imaginations.

Goal setting makes the impossible possible. It might look so hard, so difficult but trust me, when you have right plan, it becomes easier to achieve your goals.

One thing a proper plan needs is PATIENCE. In order to make progress with your goals, always have it in mind to take baby steps and not a huge leap. With each step, we get closer to our goals.

Don’t be too anxious or impatient, remember slow and steady wins the race but at the same time, don’t be inactive.

You don't climb a mountain by taking a huge leap neither do you climb a mountain by sitting around its bottom, doing nothing.

Youou start by taking a step and gradually you get closer until you are finally at the top.

Any goal without a proper planning could end up making the goal owner feel he or she isn’t capable thereby making them think low of themselves.

Embarking on a journey without making plans for it could end up in a total disaster or disappointment.

We need to make plans, set our goals in order not to get disappointed, broken and frustrated at the end.

“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold it was VERY GOOD. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day” – Genesis 1

It says in that passage above that all God made was very good meaning perfect, flawless, beautiful but it was all the outcome of a beautiful plan.

When you take time to set your goals, you will end up having a perfect and wonderful result.

You want to have a great result? Take time out to set your goals PATIENTLY  and remember to include God in your plans for he is the master planner.

Let him be inactive the first and the last in your plans and trust me when I say you will have a perfect, beautiful and flawless result.

Written by Tolu-Taiwo Victor

UNBROKEN

Tear me down for I will not bend,
Persecute me for I will not curse,
Stone me for I will pray for you.

Stand against me for I will walk away,
Take me to death for I will not be afraid,
Take me into the dungeon, for I will still preach.

Bind me in chains, I will still write,
Smash me in my face, I will still sing,
Take away my possession, I have peace of mind.

Crucify me , my redeemer liveth,
Afflict me with pains and tribulations I will rise again;

Chase after me , the lord is my safety,
Throw me into the furnace of fire I will live again…!

Greenhills Emmanuel Amarayahweh

REASON FOR OUR MERRIMENT


His birth birthed celebration-
In Him we found Jubilation.
Kill the question, ignite action
All has qualified, no audition.
His birth replied our petition-
Even our unanswered questions.

Be merry in this merry feast-
Eat your fried chicken at least.
Wise men did theirs at the East.
Even the evangelist and priest.
Sing till your voice crest summit-
Be merry in this merry feast
   
Mehhhhh… Sounding with solo,
Joy everywhere; singing with alto.
Hail our master, bravo!
We are happy, let’s call on alonso.
Dance to the allegro,
Saviour is the commando.
     
Because the world is tattered
Ruthless and it’s scattered
The lamb was slaughtered
For hope that has been shattered
Its skin, used to cover the uncovered
He restored hope that was shattered
        
The year has been tough
Full of falls, thorns and rough.
But His love was ever enough.
In life’s prison we were in handcuff
But He ransomed us in His love.
Thank you Lord, for your Love
       
The tale was not by sight,
Neither was it by might
It was the light twice as bright;
At the new born’s sight.
Let’s merry in His only light
For the blind has seen the light.

Collective Poem by    © JUDAISKY®
, ©AWOKORY®,  © STANDARD_INK® ,    ©NKEMJOY® And  © NAIJALILY®

INTIMACY

Take me to your inner chambers.
Take me to your palace of love.
Lead me to your desired pastures.
Uphold me with your arm;
Your stretched arms.

Draws me closer…
Pull me into your rivers of revelation.
Show me the path to your everlasting grace;

Breastfeed me with the milk of your words..
Revive me with the speakings of your spirit.

Teach me with the understanding of the ancient….
For my life Will be empty without you…!

Greenhills Emmanuel Amarayahweh

LIVING IN INTERNAL TRANQUILITY

Matthew 14 vs 32 ;
“And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased

The disciples of Jesus were out one night in the middle of the sea and suddenly, a great wind arose which was going contrary to them. Take note of the word, ‘CONTRARY.’

Also note that at that time, they lacked Jesus in the ship because Jesus was out somewhere praying at that time.

I believe Jesus’ disciples did have tried everything they could to restore balance to the ship.

Probably, they had adjusted the ship, or throw some goods into the sea. All of these were done in order to prevent the ship from sinking.

But when Jesus came into the boat in verse 32 above, we’re told in scriptures “And when they were come into the ship(JESUS alongside Peter), the wind ceased”, the storm became calm, the trouble left and Peace was restored.


John tells us, in his account of this story that “they (referring to Jesus’disciples) WILLINGLY received him into the ship…… ”,

After seeing they could not help themselves, they WILLINGLY received him. After trying their best to bring peace, they WILLINGLY received Him who is ‘THE PRINCE OF PEACE’ into their boat and immediately, peace came into their lives both externally and internally.

That ship represents our lives as Christians. In the midst of the storm, it is trying its best to escape the storm, to find peace and inner tranquility.

We earnestly search for it with all our might. Yet, because of storms like this pandemic, we live in panic, in fear, and in despair

This is because in our quest for true peace, we have left out The PRINCE OF PEACE, JESUS CHRIST.

We have totally left him out of our troubles thinking we could solve it ourselves, when the Bible actually tells us in Proverbs 3 that we should lean not on our own understanding, but trust in him and acknowledge him in everything we do including our troubles!

If He could not give us peace, He wouldn’t have told us in 1st PETER 5 vs 7 to cast all our cares(troubles, needs, problems) upon Him.


He knew we would face challenges and that was why He made Himself available, to hear our cries and save us, giving us peace both within and without.

God really wants you to take your hands off the wheels and allow him take control.

He wants you to stop being in charge of your life and let him handle it. He really wants to help, if only we could let him take over.

How can I invite Jesus into my life?


It’s very simple. You invite Him by first accepting him into your life.

With the first step done, know that He has stepped in already.

Though He’s in their lives, yet, many Christians today, fail to acknowledge the Presence of God that dwells with and in them.

Be fully convinced that God is with you even in the midst of that storm. Though, the storm might be so frightening that it’s difficult to feel Him working in the midst of it, do not be despaired.

We rely on God by continuous studying of His Word. Our Bible doesn’t exist merely to show we are Christians, it is there to help us to build up our faith in God!

The Bible has a solution for every kind of problem the world is facing today.

The problem with many-a-christian is that when challenges come and their inner peace is gone, instead of turning to God, they blame him. If you can’t blame a barber for you having a bushy hair, then you shouldn’t blame God for your problems!

We live in a world full of troubles bound to take away our peace but if we can just turn to God through constant studying of the bible, prayers and trusting in him, trust me we will be at peace even if all around us seems to be going contrary because we know God never fails.

Lastly,

Proverbs 3vs 1&2,
“My Son, forget not my law but let thine heart keep my commandments
For length of days and long life and PEACE shall they add unto thee ”

See up their, it brings peace, God’s law and commandments brings peace. As a matter of fact, whatever you let your heart get used to will rule you, so if you let your heart rely in God’s word(commandments) through studying the Bible, prayer and trusting in him, Your heart will gradually get inclined to Peace which only the Lord gives both inward and outward.

Let Jesus take control of your life today, take your hands off the wheels and let him take over. SHALOM

Tolu-Taiwo Victor

GOODNESS

Goodness

The ends of everything I have reached,
To many paths I have crossed searching,
The love of God has been preached to my ears,
His love I have come to embrace.

The pains of my existence has been seen,
The knowledge of my living is very thin,
The experience of His love is not slim,
The Goodness of Him is more than a team.

Dust for dust I have heard them say,
Love for love is what my master taught,
Eye for eye was what men taught me,
Grace for grace is what He showed me.

His love transcend all human understanding,
My mind limited me to my own understanding,
His goodness showed me my standing place,
He came and took me to his place of abode.

GreenHills Emmanuel