iMeditate Mondays: A second chance

Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”  “No one, sir,” she said. "Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

John 8:10-11

'Thank you for giving me a second chance, I wasn't sure you would but I'm glad you did'

Excerpt from an email to ZoeB

I came across a programme on BET a few days ago. There was a beautiful young woman, I can't even remember her name but she was sharing what I considered a testimony. She grew up in church, moved to a different state to further her career and then got pregnant. She was given a choice between her career or her baby and she chose to have her baby. She came back home to a small town to face the disappointment of her parents and the judgement of almost everyone else. 

There is wrong and right and there's nothing wrong with calling someone out on wrong behaviour. But I ask myself what is the point of kicking someone who is already down? My friend from school had a baby out of wedlock and she told me that some of her 'church' friends stopped speaking to her. How does that help? Where is our compassion? Love is both conviction and compassion...not condemnation. We all have done things we're not willing to share with the world. God knows we did it too and yet we are all products of a second chance. He says 'freely we have received, freely we should also give'. We should be the ones teaching the world about love and not the other way around! 

Back to the story, she said she cried every single day she was pregnant. Until her son was born. She said she talked to God and asked for His help. He gave her a second chance, she gave herself a second chance. Today she's walking in her destiny, beautiful and happy. Listening to her touched me deeply. One day we will all need a second chance, an opportunity to right a mistake we have made. To make things right, to get back on track. Will we receive it? Are we giving it?

I'm not advocating remaining in an environment that is detrimental to your sense of security. That's why is an iMeditate to take some time to think it through. I'm asking God to make my heart large enough to be a second chance giver. To see as He sees...beyond labels.

Meditations from ZoeB 4.2.11 on the couch..

iMeditate Mondays: His embrace!

embrace /em-breys/  to encircle; surround; enclose

Have you ever been caught in God's embrace? Been held by God and felt a love so indescribable? Lost without any knowledge of space or time? In an embrace, hearts touch. He encircles me, surrounds me and encloses me in His presence. Hmm...we serve a God who likes to get personal. I'm craving intimacy with Him.


Have you been held by someone you love in an embrace? An embrace that says 'I'm here, you're safe, I care, I will be here as long as you need me, I love you.' As beautiful as that it, it is but a shadow of what God has in store for us...what I call the 'real deal.' I believe human relationships serve as a guide to teach us about relating with God. God's arms are open to show you the real deal, where are you?


Meditations on Sunday 23.1.11 during worship

The love of God

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 

Romans 8:35

Sometimes I make the mistake of thinking that loving God and God loving me is the same thing. I compare the love God has for us to the way a husband loves his wife, a mother her baby, football fans their club, a dedicated worker his job. However, Paul gives us an inclination of how much God loves us;

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord

Romans 8:38-39

God is not a 'grandfather' in the skies who either nods impotently when we do wrong or send fire and brimstone to judge us. He loves us according to His nature which our human hearts may have an inkling of but never hope to fully understand. His desire is not that we understand but that we accept His love. We can never hope to love anyone as He loves us. God does not love me the way my best friend does multiplied a million times. God is God. He does reveal Himself to us directly and through His Word and that is why it is a journey, a journey of love.

Happy birthday T.O.M. You've taught me about love from a totally different perspective. I pray for God's goodness to always be manifest in your life. Today and every day.

iPray Friday: For the love of God

Father I thank you because another Friday has come and we find ourselves alive and well. Thank you for being who you are. My God, who is the King of kings. My God, who is the Lord of lords. My God who reigns supreme. You are Jehovah El-Elyon, the Most High God, higher than any situation I could ever think of facing. You are God and I'm so grateful to be called your child, even more honoured to be considered as your bride.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14

Hmm, Lord. Your word says that the greatest commandment is that I love you with all my heart, soul and strength and also I should love my neighbour as I love myself. Ever so often I go through 'The Love Chapter' in 1 Corinthians 13 and usually find myself falling short. 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1st Corinthians 13: 4-7

Thank you for showing me that it is impossible for me to live according to this standard....because you never intended for it to be but the love of God that comes as a fruit of the Spirit...for the fruit of the Spirit is love. Lord teach me how to love, the way You would have me love. A love that is sincere and without hypocrisy, a love that comes from a heart that has been yielded totally to the Father. It simply isn't enough to desire to be more 'loving', walking in love is tantamount to walking in the Spirit. If I walk in the Spirit, then I don't fulfill the call of the flesh. Father, it's about admitting that I cannot do this without your help. Holy Spirit, I ask for your help in weeding out every 'self' weed and planting the seed of love in my heart.

Daddy, I know that I cannot love others if I do not learn how to love you, neither can I love others if I don't love myself. I'm not claiming to know what this all means but Daddy I am open to learning, show me the different avenues I can share your love to a dying world. Father, I pray for a renewal of love in the body of Christ that we may love each other as it was in the beginning. Father, let our profession of faith not be in mere words but in deed and action that people not see us but Christ in us, the hope of glory. That your love fill me till I overflow and shed abroad into the lives of those around me.

Help me to walk away from the 'pettiness' and the 'drama' that comes when I live in the flesh instead of living in the Spirit. God, I know your grace is more than sufficient to enable me walk in love every single day of my life. I pray for the love of God for you are love and I am your child so love is in my spiritual DNA. Thank you Father, I bless and magnify your name.


I love you Lord. 


Remain blessed and highly favoured.


ZoeB


N.B Feel free to add your prayers, requests as comments (anon or otherwise). It was so nice last week to pray with others as they lifted their requests before the prayer answering God.  He hears and He does answer..

Sometimes......Everytime

Sometimes I'm like Adam

I shouldn't eat the fruit but I do anyway

Sometimes I'm like Abraham

I say I believe but I'm holding out on Option B

Sometimes I'm like Sarah

Allowing jealousy to get the better of me

Sometimes I'm like Isaac

I lie to get myself out of a sticky situation

Sometimes I'm like Moses

I react in anger rather than responding in love

Sometimes I'm like David

Carried away in the moment, not thinking about consequences

Sometimes I'm like Elijah

I've seen the fire fall but fear still has a grip on my heart

Sometimes I'm like Peter

I deny, funny how one can deny without saying a word

Sometimes I'm like John Mark

Turning back when the road seems too tough

BUT

EVERYTIME

When I stop and stay still in His presence

He says "I LOVE YOU, COME BACK HOME"

Everytime He loves me

Not because I'm perfect but because He loves me perfectly

Everytime He corrects me

Smacks do hurt, consequences bring pain

Everytime He turns me

In the right direction because He knows it so well

Everytime He reminds me

I am His beloved and He is mine

Everytime

Every single time.....

The Bible says that 'the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, great is His faithfulness' also ' He has loved us with an everlasting love, He has drawn us to Him by His loving kindness.' We will make mistakes sometimes, we'll fall flat on our faces and wonder how we who know what is right end up getting it so wrong but don't despair, avail yourself of His grace today. Grace is not about making excuses for sin but it is God's arms that lift you out of the ditch, it is giving yourself permission to admit 'I made a mistake, God I'm sorry, help me!'.

Father, I thank you because you are a God of compassion. Thank you for lifting me up. Amen.

Remember the story of your life can never be over until The Storyteller says 'The End.' Remain blessed and highly favoured and have a great week.

Giving thanks to God

16* years ago, on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon, God blessed a wonderful couple with their second daughter. Since that day, circumstances in my life have changed, there have been ups and downs, there have been great days and sad days but one thing I can say is that GOD has remained faithful. He has been with me and kept His word.

Today is about giving thanks to God, it's not about unfulfilled dreams and expectations. It's not about how close to hitting the big One (that's how my big sister refers to getting to 30)I am, it's not about issues or problems. It's about lifting up my hands and saying Thank you Jesus because not every one born on the same day as me are still here now.

Thank you Father for life, health and wealth.
Thank you Jesus for the fire that is purifying me and making me shine like gold
Thank you for my family, the way they have taught me about love and forgiveness, the way we pull together during tough times, thank you Lord
Father, I give you thanks for the friends you have given me, the confidants, the 'scaffolding', everyone that has passed through and those that have stayed on, they have all contributed in their own way. I love you people
Thank you for the friends i have made through blogging, thank you for egbons and aburos who by their talents have made me laugh, cry, go wow or just stay silent and think. You guys are so talented, keep stirring up your highest gifts.
Thank you Lord for answered prayers through the years, for "This just has to be God" testimonies
Thank you for the man who loves me, both when I'm good and not, not because he's perfect but because he's perfect for me. Thank you for our commitment to grow in our love for you and for each other
Thank you Father for the future, thank you for the vision, both written and unwritten for though it tarries, I know you'll give me the patience to wait for it for it will surely come to pass
Thank you for people who read this blog, follow, I pray that they are blessed, happy, provoked, I don't mind if they are angry or don't agree but let these words always be a seed in the hearts of people who read

Thank you, thank you, thank you, may this be my new song in this new year I'm going into. A year of gratitude, truly being grateful for all my God does and just growing in love with Him.

Thank you Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His LOVE endures FOREVER Psalm 118:1

* P.S I'm not really 16 but I'm sure you knew that already...lol!!

The Invitation

The invitation came in the mail
and addressed me by name
it had a royal seal
The King of Kings
and Lord of Lords
requests your presence
at his banquet

I searched my wardrobe
I must look my best
I adorned my righteousness
polished my good works
and sprayed on some self-confidence
I looked pretty good
or so I thought

I stepped into the grand hall
It was so full of light
I tried to smoothen my gown
Alas, I realised that
I was clothed in rags
Hearing the footsteps of the king
I must hide
Tears began to fall
I can't see the King like this
I'm not worthy
I shouldn't be here

But He said
Come as you are
I have loved you with an everlasting love
I have drawn you to myself with loving kindness
I'll clothe you with my righteousness
Wrap you up in my forgiveness
For I have sanctified you
Take your place of honour at the table
Feast on my goodness and faithfulness

You are my daughter
A princess
I have called you,
chosen you, justified you
Continue to walk in your calling
Be holy as I am holy
You are blessed beyond measure
You shall do great things
You are blessed beyond measure
Remain in my love
This invitation is for a permanent arrangement
I love you


But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet, and invited many; and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, `Come; for all is now ready Luke 14:16-17

As has just been said:"Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion Hebrews 3:15