Something So Special about that Name!

Last weekend, I went to the Post Office to pick our mails. Let me quickly point out that in this part of the world, a lot of people find it more convenient and safer to use courier services in receiving or sending out their parcels, howbeit-it many companies still make use of the general post office’s services to send out notice of meetings, dividend warrants and what not. My mum owns and usually operates the box but once in a while, I get the mails for her and also because I used the address for some of my academics-related correspondence. I hadn't been there in a long while and so I stopped by since I was driving around the area.

I had some difficulties opening our box and because it was a weekend,operations were skeletal. Moving over to the back of the building where I had seen someone walk into,I told the attendant I wanted to make inquires about what the problem could be and he went in to check the records. As soon he pronounced the name on the box, his colleague suddenly exclaimed “I know this name” and pronto, they attended to me, so courteously; in a way and manner that made me so satisfied with their services for the first time. I felt so honoured! Apparently, I went with the wrong key but since I was able to identify myself, they got the issues sorted out without any hassle. As I drove away, it dawned on me that the mention of a name, had given me favour and access. 

Oh yes, I understand better what the Bible says about the name of Jesus!

That name is the only authentic key that can open any kind of door in heaven, on earth and under the earth. At the mention of that name: demons scamper, the sick are healed, the oppressed are delivered, and the downcast are lifted. What a mighty name!

John 16: 23 says “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Jesus wants us to brandish that name with so much authority and make the best use of it. It’s a pre-signed blank cheque, a visa to any country, a key that can open any kind of door! It’s the name highly exalted above ALL OTHER NAMES. Presidents of countries rule for a season and whilst they are incumbent, to a large extent, their names can open some doors but when they are out of the office, they become part of memory. Jesus’s name has been potent from ages past and to eternity, it would forever be relevant.

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ isLord, to the glory of God the Father.(Philippians 2:9)

So I opened a letter addressed to me and in it, I found the details of something I had been expecting for a couple of months. Alas, it had been waiting for me in the box, but I had been worrying and trying to find out why I wasn't getting a response in that regards. Sometimes, we worry so much about what God has made done for us already, forgetting that once we pray according to His will He hears us already.

We’ll talk about that some other time.

You and Jesus are an unbeatable team!  I see greatness in you.

The Pen

A Thicket or A Ticket for Destiny?

 The story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac his beloved son of promise will always be an astonishing best-seller. We all know that for that remarkable act of obedience by Abraham, God made an everlasting covenant with him and swore to bless him irreversibly. Many times, we have celebrated Abraham’s bold act, his faith in God and his readiness to let go; we have celebrated Isaac’s boldness and willingness to be sacrificed as well but there is someone that we hardly celebrate- The RAM caught in the Thicket.

Genesis 22: 13.

“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son”

 God had given Abraham and Sarah the promised child after 25 years of waiting. He did it as He promised, at the fullness of time... Halleluyah! Everyone had come to rejoice with them, the child had grown in strength and beauty and He had become the delight of everyone and the apple of his parents’ eye. All of a sudden, the same God says “Abraham, sacrifice your son to ME”. In case the meaning of sacrifice doesn’t strike any serious meaning, to sacrifice actually means-“lay him on the altar, slash his throat and offer him to Me”. Abraham willingly proceeded to carry out this instruction. Alas, God had a plan, He wanted to test him and he passed but that wasn’t the end of the story. Jehovah-Jireh had prepared a worthy vessel for this moment, for such a significant occasion that will serve as a turning point in the destiny of many generations to come.

More often than not, the sheep should usually move in a flock and there would always be a shepherd who would lead them by the way, hence it is thought provoking to find a Ram (a male sheep) stuck somewhere in the bush, all by itself with no trace of the shepherd or other sheep. How lonely it must have felt; how dejected. He was not only lost, he was caught in a thicket. (A thicket is a thick or dense growth of shrubs, bushes or small trees; a thick coppice).

In retrospect, we understand that the Ram had a divine purpose, a place in destiny; worthy to be mentioned in the bible. Fulfilling a typology of what Jesus Christ was going to do; to be offered as a sacrifice for the world. That Ram was so blessed to have been handpicked by God Himself for such an Eternal purpose and we can’t but acknowledge that what he had gone through, was only a divine set up for his destiny. He was divinely stuck in the thicket for a noble cause. If Rams were to have names, his name would have been mentioned in the bible. He was a substitute for Isaac who was to be offered;  he was hindered, left alone, subjected to stagnancy, hunger by being stuck in the thicket but God was only setting him up for greatness.

Have you noticed what part of his body was caught in the thicket? Not his waist or his legs but he was caught by his HORNS. A horn represents the very core of a Ram’s life as it is almost impossible to see a ram without the horns.  A horn could be used as a musical instrument; it was also a tool used for anointing God’s chosen in the Bible days. (Remember Samuel’s horn used in anointing David and in many other instances in the bible, kings were anointed with oil in horns). So we see that what was meant to be an object of praise, admiration, adoration for the Ram was the very thing by which he was trapped, stuck and despised. That job, that marriage, that child, that relocation which was and is supposed to bring glory to God in your life, may have become the very source of ridicule. ….Hmmmn.  I have some good news for you!

The Ram was “incapacitated” and whilst he was moaning his loss,purpose was revealed. God’s everlasting blessings were to be released on Abraham and his seed (which include you and I) and that divine encounter necessitated the sacrifice of the Ram. Don’t despair, hold on, and turn it to God. Change your mind-set irreversibly from defeat and stick to God by faith, unrepentantly. Just like that Ram, your life and circumstances will undoubtedly end up for a noble purpose. Jesus was made a sacrifice for the world and now, He is seated in a place of glory on the right hand side of the Father; with a name above every other name. Halleluyah!

2^nd Timothy  2: 20 says:

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honour and some for dishonour. 21Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

From today, deliberately offer yourself to God and sanctify yourself for His use. Make Him the essence of your existence. Who are we without Him anyway? We didn't choose when we would come into this world, whom are parents and siblings would be, our race, colour and what-not but we can choose to Hand over our lives to Him. He has everything about our existence figured out even before we were conceived.  You have the power to decide whether your life and circumstances will be for honour or dishonour. If you choose well, at the end of it all, God will be honoured; He will swear over your life as He did on Abraham. You will be honoured and your story would become a masterpiece that will encourage generations after you.

You may have been caught in a THICKET, don’t despair, It’s a TICKET for your destiny!....Selah

The Pen.....

Picture Credit: Google Credit

I am R.U.D.E (No apologies)

 It’s a known fact that every human being is a unique combination of genes and every genetic combination is one of a kind. There can never be the same genetic combination for two (2) people even if they are born from the same womb and same time.It’s amazing to know that for everyone God created, He knew them even before they existed in the human realm. I studied God's discussion with Jeremiah and I understood better the extent of God’s personal involvement in the existence of every human being on the face of the earth.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;

Before you were born I sanctified you;

I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”( Jer 1: 5)

God knew who Jeremiah was even before his parents met each other. He knew he was going to be a prophet to the nations and he was sanctified even before He existed at all. Now I find that amazing! How can a person be sanctified for an assignment even before He was created? That shows us that God is the God of yester-years, now and eternity; He remains the same.  Having said that, it is important that you know that no one can be like you. There is a book written concerning EVERYONE before God.  You can read my post titled “A bestselling story” at http://bit.ly/14plLNg for more details on that.

God knew how your parents would abandon you, He knew how there would be so much envy and contention around your life; However, He also knows that NOTHING is capable of stopping you from fulfilling destiny. There is nothing you will do that will disappoint God. You were sent from eternity into time for a designated purpose and your mother was just a conduit. There’s a popular quote that says there may be illegitimate parents but there are no illegitimate children.  You are a dynamite marked for greatness! God Himself had a purpose for you and only in Him can you identify and fulfil that purpose. Outside of Him, man is a failure! He knows your frame and every tiny bit about you. I like how Job states the miracle of conception in the bible.

Oh, that marvel of conception as you stirred together semen and ovum—what a miracle of skin and bone, muscle and brain! You gave me life itself, and incredible love. You watched and guarded every breath I took. (Job 10: 10-12 Message version)

You are not created to imitate people, it is prohibited! You didn't exist in the times of Abraham, Isaac or Jacob because God knew you will be more relevant NOW. You are marked for greatness. Your finger prints print is distinctly different from that of over 7 billion people existing! How about that? God created you to be who He wants you to be. It is an insult on Him for you to want to be like someone else because He has wired you uniquely to be you so you can fulfil a purpose for Him! Acts 15 verse 18 says “Known to God from eternity are all His works” -So be rest assured, God knew about your existence since the beginning of time and He’s got everything about you all figured out.

Jer 1: 6 says -Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”7 But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth, ‘for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.

It is imperative I let you know that when God has chosen and sanctified you, it doesn't matter who accepts you or not. He believes in your capabilities irrespective of what you think and that’s why He reaffirmed Jeremiah’s call when he was doubting himself.  

I am unstoppable; come what may; the challenges, the roaring of the devil, the bland barks that can do me no harm ;  I have come to understand I am here for a purpose ; created specially by the ALMIGHTY GOD  and that’s why I concluded that I am R.U.D.E and I've got no apologies for that.

R: Rare

U: Unique

D: Different

E: Exceptional

Aren't you?

The Pen….

I am what YOU see

I remembered this morning, the black and white Television box we used to own many years ago. With it, we would watch programs and video cassettes excitedly; there was no need complaining of the quality of pictures of the TV because that was all we had and there were not too many colour-TVs around with which we could make comparisons.

Fast forward to today; In retrospect, I realise how we had been short-changed and deprived of seeing the same things from better perspectives, especially with the advent of hi-tech Televisions in different sizes, amazing resolutions, integrated Internet capabilities with features that offer more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary basic television set….Needless to mention the invention of the 3D Television.….. Phew!

The technology then wasn't just capable of giving us what we have now. We couldn't see any better because of technological limitations. However that didn't remove the fact that we could see things in a brighter way if only we had a better TV that had colour which would make the pictures sharper and the overall content more appealing.

Let me drive the point home….When we look at circumstances around us from our own perspectives, all we can get from them are  the white and black images like what the old TV would offer: Difficulties in opportunities, pain in what should be gainful, stories in what should give glory , shame from what should give us fame and whatnot. However, when we choose to look at them from God’s perspectives, through the eye of His word, we get the real colour, the best images and the sharpest resolution of whatever life brings our way.

God has existed from ancients untraceable and like I noted in my last post, His rule transcends generations from ages past to interminable eternity. He can never be technologically bound or limited. He has been hi-tech even before the alphabets existed. He sees 1 million years ahead and that’s why He could tell Abraham he would become a father of nations 25 years before he had a child. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would bare our pain, sorrows, grief and sicknesses almost 700 years even before Jesus came. Why? God already had seen it happen; the Lamb had been slain from the foundations of the world (rev 13:8).

Let me share one interesting story from the Bible with you. Jacob had worked for Laban his uncle for many years by tendering his sheep and it was time for him to exit. So he entered into an agreement with Laban that all the speckled animals in the flock of sheep and goats would be his whilst his uncle Laban would have all the spotless ones (they were obviously more). He however did something that produced some mind boggling results.

 Let’s read Genesis in chapter 30:  37Then Jacob took some fresh branches from poplar, almond, and plane trees and peeled off strips of bark, making white streaks on them. 38Then he placed these peeled branches in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, for that was where they mated. 39And when they mated in front of the white-streaked branches, they gave birth to young that were streaked, speckled, and spotted.

Look at that! A natural act had the capacity to influence something supernatural. The animals whilst reproducing, because they were “seeing” the sticks placed in front of them, reproduced what they were seeing. (Read the entire chapter to get a better understanding of this story).Whoever gave Jacob that inspiration did Him an eternal good. Who else can do such, if not the Almighty God Himself! Laban intended to cheat Jacob but this formula Jacob adopted outwitted Laban’s intentions!

God doesn't joke with issues of what He sees and He doesn’t expect us to joke with ours. We are capable of becoming what we see.  It is interesting that when He wanted to pass a message to Jeremiah, He asked him: “What do you see” (Jeremiah 1:11- Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see? “And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”12.Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word)

If Jeremiah had not seen well, He wouldn't have gone any further. God told him he had seen well and that He was ready to perform His word.  ….”. Until our vision changes, we most likely are not ready to see the word of God performed in our lives. In Genesis chapter 1, God Himself “saw” that was He created was good and He was happy with it. Don’t forget that He chose to speak Light over the despicable state of the earth. He wasn't perturbed by the formlessness and void situation. He spoke and they came to be; how he wanted them. He called those things that be not as though they were…..

Be like your Father- See what He sees.

I love the lyrics of this beautiful song by Paul Mortion and I leave you with it…

Help me to see me

the way You see me

sometimes I see pain Lord

when You see victory

I see where I am Lord

You see where I shall be

open my eyes, help me believe

I am what You see

(Repeat)

You see me victorious

You see me faithful

You see me believing

that You are able

You see me rejoicing

cause I have survived

open my eyes, help me believe

I am what You see

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (repeat)

I am healed, I am free

I am what You see (x2)

(Repeat x4)

Open my eyes, help me to see,

I am what You see

The Pen......

Pressing into Abraham's Blessings

Abraham’s Blessings are mine x2

I am blessed in the morning and blessed in the evening

Abraham’s Blessings are mine…

This is a chorus we sing many times in church with great excitement; Oh yes, Abraham’s blessings are ours but in reality,do we understand what they are and are we enjoying them? It is imperative that we find out what those blessings are hinged on, perhaps we would deduce a more realistic meaning from that song when next we sing it. 

I have been studying in recent times the basis of the covenant God had with Abraham and it occurred to me how truly blessed the man was. This is by no means an exhaustive write up on the Abrahamic covenant but just a hint on what we stand to benefit from it.

Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3 NKJV)

The covenant God had with Abraham is one of the fundamental pillars of our faith as he is known as the Father of Faith. The whole essence of the covenant is spelt out in the verse above. Whilst this verse reveals to us the commitment of God to blessing Abraham, the fifteenth chapter of Genesis consists of the ceremony (between Abraham and God) that was commonly used in the ancient world to formalize a covenant. Time will not permit me to explain how blessed Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were: In wealth and prosperity, they enjoyed the blessings of God immensely and generations after them benefitted and are still benefitting from their relationship with God.

Let’s look at another scripture….

“Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; (Deuteronomy 7:9 NKJV).

When we connect these two scriptures together, bearing in mind that the covenant God had with Abraham is applicable to us and will continue to remain potent for many generations after us, the phrase “a thousand generations” automatically reveals the everlasting commitment of God to us which is the essence of this post. It is interesting that God promised His blessings not only to Abraham but assured him also that in him will ALL the families of the earth will be blessed and this includes you and I. Once we realize the person we have a covenant with can never lie, it births in us faith, hope, an anchor for the soul.

When the Israelites were in bondage in Egypt and it looked as if they would be perpetually oppressed, God remembered His covenant with Abraham and just before their final exit, they were instructed to strike the top bar and two side posts of their houses with the blood of lambs and they were spared from the destruction that cut across Egypt. This cuts the picture of the cross as everything in the Old Testament typifies what was to come.

Going back to our Deuteronomy text (earlier quoted), let’s explore briefly the thousand- generation scope this Abrahamic covenant spans over.  Talking about a generation; simply put, a generation is created when you have an offspring. The next question is how many years make a generation? Studies show that a generation could span between 20 to 50 years:  20 years assuming people have children quite early and 50 years being a more applicable age with reference to the bible times(Don’t forget that God caused a generation to wander for 40 years in the wilderness, raising another generation in the process).  

Matthew chapter 1 shows us that between the time Abraham existed till the time Jesus came into the world, there were 42 generations and if Jesus came about 2000 years ago (using a conservative generation length of 20 years), we have another 100 generations from then to date. In essence, the thousand-generation span for which God is able to keep His covenant commitment for, has not been attained by even a quarter- from the time He made the covenant with Abraham and apparently the quota cannot be exhausted in centuries and millenniums to come. In essence, the scripture earlier quoted , which talks about God keeping His covenant to a thousand generations has us covered and many more generations after us. We serve a God whose rule transcends generations from ages past to interminable eternity!

The prosperity Abraham and His immediate descendants enjoyed should be the minimum benchmark for us, because the same covenant that worked for them still works for us and that is why we can sing that Abraham’s blessings belong to us. In essence, we are too loaded to be blessed. That covenant cannot be broken; it remains potent and valid and we are qualified beneficiaries because we are children of Abraham (if we follow his footsteps).  Isaiah 51:1-2  says Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.2Look to Abraham your father, And to Sarah who bore you; For I called him alone, And blessed him and increased him.”

So it means we are eternally blessed, the covenant still works for us, for our children and for many more generations coming after us. Wow!

But wait………

There is a better covenant! Jesus Christ, by reason of His death ushered us into the new covenant under which we are justified by God's grace and mercy .It is now possible to have the true forgiveness of sins, healing, prosperity, soundness of mind, the establishment of God’s kingdom in our lives, enjoying the supernatural in our natural world and many more. Jesus Himself is the Mediator of this better covenant between God and man (Heb. 9:15). Jesus' sacrificial death served as the oath, or pledge, which God made to us to seal this new covenant. This covenant is far more powerful, potent than all other covenants God had with the patriarchs of old.

Christ’s death moves us into another dimension entirely; we are blessed from now till eternity,over and again. The coverage encompasses our health, prosperity, guaranty of eternity and every GOOD thing we can imagine from generation to generation; for those who will accept Him. So when we claim the covenant of Abraham, and then that of Jesus Christ, words cannot describe the extent of our blessing and greatness.

How do you see yourself? The truth is that your reality is not defined by your circumstances but what the word of God says about you.

You are blessed and cannot be stressed

You are prosperous in spite of the boisterous situation of the world economy.

You are gifted and cannot be shifted

You cannot be one with God and be broke.

You can't be a small child of a big God.

What can't be denied God can't be denied you.

There has to be a mentality shift in you today. You are who Christ says you are and by faith you lay hold on all He has made available!

Above all,

This covenant works only for those who love HIM. A covenant relationship with God means we have entered into a life time relationship with him. 

Can He get a life-time commitment from you?

The Pen.....

Parables in Miracles....

It is so easy to see God’s power at work in one area of our lives and  forget it so soon when we are confronted by challenges in other areas. Have you ever experienced some supernatural encounter, “a wow, thank you Jesus intervention” or an answer to prayer that leaves you eternally grateful as you marvel at a miraculous provision, escape, healing, angelic visitation and then not too long after, you are faced by a seemingly huge challenge that you think God is incapable of solving?

Numbers 14: 2 –“And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness”

The people complaining in the verse above were the same set of people that saw the Red sea divide before their very eyes. They saw Pharaoh and his chariots drown in the middle of the sea and their bodies washed to the shores, yet because of a negative report of giants occupying their promise land, they lost hope in the same God of their salvation; The God who had brought water out of the rock for them. Tell me, which miracle is easier- The division of  a vast sea into two, with the Israelites walking on a dry ground in the middle of it whilst the waters stood tall on both ends OR God going with them to possess a land of promise presently occupied by  “perceived” giants? I am tempted to conclude that sometimes, first-hand witnesses of miracles or those who have seen God’s power in an immense way are the ones who forget His acts and slide into an unbelieving state so easily.

John 2:7-”Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom”. 

So my husband asked me a couple of days ago- Whatever happened to the servants who fetched the water that was turned to wine at the wedding of Cana?  They fetched the water, they heard Jesus give the magic instruction “draw out the water”, they obeyed the instructions, drew the water for the Master of the feast, and tasted the water themselves too. They were first hand witnesses of such a mind-blowing miracle of Christ. Maybe if I was in their position back then, after seeing that miraculous act, I would have just relinquished my job as a servant and followed Jesus wherever! Alas, only His mother, brothers and disciples left with him.

It is so easy to see God at work around us and we never get to understand what is happening. Do not take the miracles you see in your lives and those around you for granted. When He does it once, He is able to do it again and again; If God has done it for one, He is able do it for all. Celebrate people’s testimonies.  Moreover, just like someone said- When your friends are doing well, when good things are happening to those close to you, it shows God is in your neighbourhood. Don’t let Him skip your house because of envy. Plug into the flow, rejoice with them whilst you wait with an assurance that your own package will be delivered. The question is- Are we willing to go with Him all the way until change comes?

Never get too familiar with God, your pastors, church, God’s people and NEVER despise those whom God blesses. When good things happen, connect into it, tap into the flow, and sow your prayers into it as well, bearing in mind that whatever a man sows, that he shall reap also. 

There are parables, lessons to learn from every miracle and we should never let go of them.

The Pen....

Sarah: The Stunning Mother of Nations....

A beautiful day it is! This is just a quick thought for ladies and women in all age-categories. I was reading about the life of Sarah in the Bible and some thoughts came to mind about her beauty which was described in two outstanding incidents. Hmmnnn.......If we really are the daughters of Sarah, then we need to take a cue from her.

When Abram arrived in Egypt, the Egyptians took one look and saw that his wife was stunningly beautiful. Pharaoh’s princes raved over her to Pharaoh. She was taken to live with Pharaoh.Because of her, Abram got along very well: he accumulated sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, men and women servants, and camels. But God hit Pharaoh hard because of Abram’s wife Sarai; everybody in the palace got seriously sick (Genesis 12:14-17; Message version).

At Sixty Five (65) years of age, Sarah was very beautiful and was the toast of the whole of Egypt. The Princes of Egypt "recommended" her to the King. They didn't even bother "toasting" her for themselves; she was a King's material and truly, she was taken to his palace but was supernaturally rescued. About 25 years later, just before she was going to have Isaac (at about 90 years old), she was still very beautiful that Abimelech, the King of Gerar was going to take her as wife also. (Read the scripture below).

Abraham traveled from there south to the Negev and settled down between Kadesh and Shur. While he was camping in Gerar, Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She’s my sister.”So Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent for Sarah and took her. But God came to Abimelech in a dream that night and told him, “You’re as good as dead—that woman you took, she’s a married woman (Genesis 20:1-3; Message version)

It's one thing to be beautiful, it's another to carry one's self in a beautiful manner. A beautiful woman who doesn't take care of herself and her looks cannot be described as being "very beautiful”. Sarah must have exhibited the highest order of elegance, stylishness and carriage.  Beauty is enhanced by our comportment, our accessories, our disposition and outlook. If Sarah had worn a hard, uninteresting face, she might not have been looked at for a second time. Even Abraham acknowledged her beauty and reasoned she might be snatched from him!

She knew the tricks of keeping her husband to herself; Needless to say she had a great and enormous challenge, which was enough to keep her depressed: No children yet and she was aging, past menopause, with little or no libido but she didn't allow that affect her life, her demeanour and her character. She was a head-turner and a people-stunner anytime. She must have beaten all the young ladies hands down if there was any "Most Beautiful Woman in Canaan" Pageant back then.  

During the time of Esther, young virgins were sought for the king from which he eventually chose Esther (Esther 2:2-Then the king’s servants who attended him said: “Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king) ; however, here was Grandmomma Sarah;  looking so hot that kings were chasing her and wanting her as wife at such an advanced age. She was aged Ninety (90), yet looking sweet sixteen (16)!

Apart from her physical efforts at remaining ever beautiful, I want to share two scriptures from which we could glean some of her other secrets:

Secret 1- "Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God (Proverbs 31:30 Message version). The fear (reverence, awe, worship) of God makes us radiate His beauty continually: It makes us admirable. Prosperity, peace, beauty is promised to those who fear Him.

Secret 2-" Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in. The holy women of old were beautiful before God that way, and were good, loyal wives to their husbands. Sarah for instance, taking care of Abraham, would address him as "my dear husband". You'll be true daughters of Sarah if you do the same, un-anxious and un-intimidated" (Ist Peter 3:5-6 Message version).

Respect, Love, Honour, Gratefulness, Hope, being Supportive were all part of the inner beauty she had, which endeared her to her husband and made her attractive, not only to him, but the entire world!

Ain't gonna let Grand-Momma Sarah look more beautiful than me! What say you?

The Pen....

Picture credit: netplaces.com

In the Right Hands, Everything is Possible!

Hello everyone! 

It’s been a while! I've been caught up in a couple of activities here and there. The middle of the year is usually a good time to revisit one’s goals and re-strategize in order to maximize the remaining days of the year.

So yesterday, I saw on the TV, an advertisement of Nedgroup Investments (one of the largest banking Institutions in South Africa) which featured Captain Chesley  “Sully” Sullenberger ; the Pilot of  the US Airways Flight 1549 that crash-landed on Hudson River on the 15^th of January 2009 in New York. Anyone remembers that story?  Let me give a quick summary of that incident. The plane had taken off from the LaGuardia Airport in New York heading to a final destination of Washington and was struck by a flock of birds just 3 minutes into the flight .The plane lost engine power and ditched into the Hudson River in Manhattan, New York with Captain Sully as the pilot in charge. Long and short; all 150 passengers and the 5 members of crew survived! Not only did the pilot do a mind-blowing job of landing the plane in the river, he monitored the process of evacuating the passengers and was the last person to come out of the plane. Bravo!

Back to the advert I saw yesterday, Captain Sully made a statement that made me smile. He said “I did what was necessary; I am not a hero, I am just a pilot who used 30 years of experience to do my job” and the advert ended with the phrase- “In the right hands, everything is possible” I instantly fell in love with that advert and I couldn't but pen something down from it. Needless to say the heroic act of Captain Sully is one of the most gallant and courageous acts of mankind with an astonishing testimony of no life lost in that incident! Now I call that a best seller story. Of course, many great things have happened to him after the incident; which included an invitation to the White House, a special resolution passed to honour him and his team amongst others but that is not the focus for this write up..

In the right hands, everything is possible. A man; with the interest of the people under his care, masterminded a successful landing of a plane in the eye of the most difficult circumstances and he did it well, attributing it to his years of experience. I want to talk to you about someone: The Almighty, Omnipotent, Omniscient and the Creator of all things who upholds ALL things by the words of His power. He has experience in everything you can think about; He is the Ancient of days who was not created and who cannot be eliminated. He has been from the ancient and will continue to be from everlasting to everlasting! Has anyone ever seen a star fall or the moon unable to stay in its orbit, there-by dropping to the earth? The entire universe of about 7 billion people, innumerable company of angels, those who have passed on to glory; just men made perfect are all under His care.

Deuteronomy 33: 26- There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, and in His Excellency on the clouds.27The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, ‘Destroy!’

Friend, God’s hands are right under you, to keep you from falling, to uphold you when you are weak, to bare you safely to the place called destiny. Because you are in the right hands, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE UNTO YOU. Isaiah 48:13 says- My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand forth together. God’s hands are so deep and wide that he could measure the waters in the hollows of His hands. Now that is serious! (Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?-Isaiah 40:12).

With the same hands, He satisfies the desires of every living being! (Psalm 145:16) and when He opens those hands, we all are filled with every good thing we desire (Psalm 104:28). That same hands are so long that when Moses asked to see God’s glory, He covered Moses’ face with His hands till He passed and Moses was only able to see his back (Exodus 33:22). With that outstretched hands, He created the whole of the universe and those hands still work wonders till date. I have seen those hands many times at work in my life, I see them in the life of those around me, I hear amazing testimonies and surely, you will experience the power of those great Hands of His in your life too!

Those Hands brought the Israelites out of Egypt, divided the red sea, drowned Pharaoh and his chariots, delivered Lot and his family from a perishing Sodom, struck down the walls of Jericho, shut the mouth of the lion for Daniel’s sake, wrought unimaginable and naturally impossible miracles! Above all, He upholds us by His hands!

Considering how gigantic and mighty the hands of our God are, I truly agree with the advert, that in the right hands, all things are possible!

The Pen……

The advert can be seen at http://www.ordinaryday.co.za/#prettyPhoto[iframes]/0/

 Photo credit: Google images