Journey with me through the molding process

Have you ever had a conversation with some people and all of a sudden the topic of discussion focuses on discussing other people, their situation, or their activities? I often at times wonder why a lot of people enjoy discussing (gossiping)  about others.  Some say it is human nature to always want to gossip about others. Human nature? Alright; maybe they are right. The question now is: should this be the nature of the redeemed of the Lord - Christians? I believe one of our guides, the bible, provides the answer to this question. Before I discuss what the bible says about gossiping, what are the reasons why one person, or a group of people, gossip about others? One of the reason I found that gives rise to gossips is "JEALOUSY." When people become jealous of others, they try to talk negatively about them. They point out all their faults so that those who think of such individuals as good will all of a sudden pay more attention to their faults. Another reason why people gossi...

While I was studying the book of Ruth, I meditated on the differences between Ruth and Orpah, and their future. The book of Ruth is about a woman, Naomi, and her family, who relocated from their home in Bethlehem to Moab in order to feed themselves, since there was famine in their homeland. Naomi had two sons but lost them both not too long after their father passed on. These sons had one wife each, Ruth and Orpah, whom Naomi testified of as being kind women, before they died. Now that their husbands were dead, all three women were full of sorrow and unimaginable agony. Naomi concluded, after losing her beloved sweetheart and precious children, that the land Moab was no longer worthy of living in. She also heard that God had blessed the people in Judah by giving them crops again, so she decided to go to Judah. Of course, as kind women, both Ruth and Orpah, decided to embark on the journey with her. They both agreed not to leave her (Ruth 1:5). Naomi tried all she could to persuade them...

On a certain cold night, my friends and I went out to a restaurant to have dinner. On our way back home, a discussion evolved. A discussion about ladies. This, of which I believe you can testify to, is a very common topic discussed among Single Guys. One of my friends started talking about his ex-girlfriend and how her beauty was what attracted him to her. It was then another friend asked what attracts each one of us to ladies we see or consider to be a potential wife. Each individual gave their own answers, some of which I cannot write about. After I heard what their answers were, I could not but shake my head in disagreement and disgust. So what really makes us attractive? How does the bible define attractiveness?  "For women (substitute 'women' with 'men' for the purpose of this article) who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do."  1 Timothy 2:10 According to this scripture, the way God defines b...

It is without any doubt that everyone on earth has a role to play. Even nonliving things have their own important roles in the universe. It is therefore important to know how to use/relate with each individual or thing. The way a toilet paper is being utilized is different from the way a writing paper (or notebook paper) is being used. We do not assume that since both are papers, they will serve the same function. A toilet paper is being used in the toilet while a writing paper can be used anywhere to take down notes or writings. It will therefore be foolish to use a toilet paper to take down notes and a paper to clean up in the toilet. Because of the different forms and roles of these papers, we can conclude that the way we approach and use each paper will differ from the other. In the same manner, every person born into this world has a unique purpose, assigned by God, that has to be fulfilled; and for each purpose to be fulfilled, God may not treat or relate with everyone the same...

A young boy, after service on a certain Sunday, grumbled for half of the journey while he was in the passenger’s seat of his mum car. After hesitating to voice out what was troubling his mind, he finally spoke out. “But why must you force me to go to church with you every Sunday mum? Does being present in church make one a better saint? And please do not remind me of what Hebrews 10:25 says:  ‘ Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:   and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. ’  I know it is good to go church, but the words coming from the altar are not rich enough. They do not edify my spirit. All I hear are things that most basic Christians know. As a matter of fact, some teach things unbelievers know. Then, why should I go to a church with you every time?” The mother, after hearing her son state the reason why he thinks going to church is a waste of time, was dumbfounded....

There has been a continuous rise in the number of churches that closes down, the number of pastors or ministers committing suicide, caught in sexual immorality, etc. This issue should trouble the mind of every child of God. Why are those who ought to be teachers of the word of God  failing to walk according to what they preach? End times maybe? Are there factors that influence the growth in number of these occurrences amongst pastors in this present age and time? Jesus says in John 15:5 that " I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. " With this being known, are these fallen soldiers still remaining in the vine; that is in Jesus? Jeremiah 1:5 might just give the answer we seek to this question. The bible says in Jeremiah 1:5 that  " Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. " Every problem has ...

In our world today, we hear a lot of people say "I am a child of God" every time they are being asked of their identity. What makes you a child of God? Oh, well, I was born a christian and I was born again at so and so age. Also, I got baptized and work in my local parish voluntarily. That's awesome! Glory be to God. So I ask, "What type of God's child are you?" The reply I get: "What? What do you mean? Is there a distinction or levels in being a child of God?" My short one word answer to their question: "YES." Just like every child has a position, be it the first born, the favorite child, or the most disobedient child in a family, we also have different positions in the sight of God. What distinguishes one child of God from the other?  1) The child who fears God As a child, born and raised in Nigeria, my parents taught me how to be a good citizen of my country. They taught me to be respectful, honor others, be thankful, be atte...