Walk With Me #Deararn.

John was in a board meeting when the call came through. Alicia was being rushed to the hospital; no one knew if she would survive.

Flooded with emotions, John, accompanied by two of his board members, went to the hospital. They got there just as she was being wheeled into the theatre. Confused, John did not know what to think or do. She was all he had left. God had assured him he would no longer need to sorrow, but with his daughter's life hanging between life and death, he could not do anything, only wait.

Eight hours later, surgery was completed, and the long wait for recovery began. Would Alicia be alright? Or would she have to live with some disability? What about the promise of God? How would the word of prophecy find expression if she was incapacitated? (God had told him Alicia would travel the world, proclaiming the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. "God, what now?"

One day became one week, then one month and counting. God, please say something. Will Alicia be okay?"

(Silence)

"What am I supposed to do now?"

John's friends, Jim and Tony, tried their best to be there for him; they took control of the office so he would not need to concern himself with the goings on therein. They also took turns to sit with him whenever they sensed he needed someone to keep his hope alive.

Have you ever had to endure the silence of heaven? Have you ever desperately needed a word, and none came? Do you have unanswered questions, that period when you would do anything to know what God thought of an issue? Or the time when all around you is dark, and all you asked was a ray of hope, a flicker of light, a word, a sign, anything but silence.

The week's activities began in earnest as Jesus and the disciples made their way to Jerusalem on Sunday. Then, Friday came, and things got to a head. Jesus died, and His body lay in a borrowed tomb.

Just hours before, there was buzzing activity. It wasn't what the disciples would want, not how a storyteller would want their story to go. They got to that point when the dots refused to connect.

There is usually some time of silence in the corridor between the pain and its eradication or relief.

What characterizes the period can be anything. For John, it was the endless wait to know if his girl would make it. For Jesus, even His rich and influential disciples were powerless against the occurrences in His life during the period of silence..

Have you ever felt stuck?

That moment when you cannot feel the presence of God.

What should the Christian disposition be the day after the question and before the solution? -The period between the loss and the recovery.

· Rest,

· chill

· relax,

· pause, Lay still.

· Say nothing!

· quiet trust

· Submit to the process.

· Let it go.

· Hand it over

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

If you can wait, silent Saturdays usually only last but for a while.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10

When you submit to God, understand that death leads to life. It is also important to note that releasing a matter to God, does not mean you lost, it just means you are about to gain something new.

If you do not release today, tomorrow would be held hostage and the future cannot be unlocked.

Shame, despair, hopelessness pain, may be part of the silent Saturday, but glory, hallelujah, resurrection, power, and authority attend Sunday. Angels still move stones, and Jesus' tomb remains empty. Instead, hope is rekindled for life, and life assumes a new meaning through Christ.

Alicia woke up after five months in intensive care, she went on to recover fully, and John's period of silence gave birth to a ministry of hope and trust in Jesus.

For Further Study:

Psalm 42:11, 43:5

Psalm 83:1

Isaiah 62:1.

 ALONE WITH GOD

I remember being threatened as a child with aloneness as punishment. It meant I would be alone with my thoughts, and maybe the dark forces would come and catch me. But, by some stroke of fortune, I never experienced the threatened eeriness of being alone.

Instead, I discovered it as a divine gift, my time to be in tune with my inner self and God, my creator. It was time to ask all my questions without the fear of being shut down. It was my opportunity to be face-to-face with myself and dig into the areas I was not keen to share with the world. (Be careful what you threaten a child with, you might just be unlocking some hidden treasures)

As an adult, now heavily involved with mission work, I recall one occasion when I travelled to the mission field at Koma Hills Nigeria, Halfway through the trip, the vehicle broke down. It was the season when Boko Haram held sway and I was in their zone in the middle of nowhere in the wee hours of the morning.

It was just me and the driver who could hardly speak English. Being late at night, there was no retreating and staying put was too dangerous. 

After a few hours of bemoaning my fate, I remembered that I had not spoken to God about it. I took a few steps away from the vehicle and cried out to God. I reminded Him I was on the assignment He gave me, and I did not want that night to be my end.  I said a few more things that are best left to anyone’s imagination. When I was done and could feel a sense of calm, I returned to the vehicle and requested the driver to start the car. He refused at first but eventually agreed. To both our relief, the car started and we could resume the journey. My lesson is that God does answer the desperate cry of His children.

Time alone could be a day at the beach, just watching the waves; a walk in the garden; a morning at the spa, a night alone in the woods; a room in the house, a corner in the office, a chair; a spot in the park; wherever you get it or however you create it, you need time alone with God. It can be the sound of rushing waves, the melody of the birds singing the praise of their maker,

Jesus took time out; look what came out of it: He saved the whole world. Take time to be alone with God, and ask questions, the disciples did, and they got answers, keys to life's mysteries. Wrestle like Jacob; you might get a change of name.

When we come apart, nutty issues become easy.

What Benefits Accrue from spending time alone with God?

1. It allows us to think and be in tune with ourselves and our Maker

2. It engers growth as every time spent in prayer and meditation nevers leaves us in the same position. We get to know God and by nference, ourselves.

3. We are able to organise our thoughts, and focus on what matters thereby making better decisions invariably turning our lives around

4. Where there is pain of any sort, aloneness allows us to process and put things in perspective thereby fostering inner healing

5. Spending time with God and His word, we gain joy, peace and receive comfort for any issue plaguing us.

6. Alone times helps us reflect on our values and beliefs and where necessary, adjust or change them

7. When we spend time alone, especially in nature, we better appreciate God and His benevolence in dealing with us humans

8. when we spend alone times, we are better equipped to serve our relationships 

It is wisdom to have regular times whn we withdraw to be properly aligned with our maker. It engenders proper self development and overall well being. If we are at peace with God and ourselves, we will are better able to relate to folk around us.

Beloved, take time to be alone with God. Jesus had regular times when He withdrew Himself from the crowd and the city buzz. He always comes back with power.

For Further Study:

Psalm 86:17, Mark 1:35-41, Psalm 46:10, Genesis 32:24, Daniel 10:7 – 10, Matthew 17: 1- 9,  Genesis 45:1-7

SERVICE IS THE WAY TO RISE IN THE KINGDOM

Mark 10:35-45

Two brothers, James and John, left their family business to follow Jesus. Like many other Jews, they waited for a Messiah that would deliver them from the tyranny of Roman rule. 

Being part of the preacher's inner caucus is an accomplishment. They saw the miracles and heard the teaching that the way He spoke, there was a disconnect between the people's expectations and the reality on the ground.

They must have wandered if they had not lost out by following Him. What do we do? Shall we salvage whatever was left? After all, Jesus was already talking about winding down His business on earth. If He would not set up an earthly kingdom, they might as well secure their spots in the heaven kingdom. Strike One, they did not determine the first pick, how did they think they could pull off the next one?

They decided to approach Jesus with their request as a favour. Both wanted prime spots in the new Kingdom. 

Should ambitions have a place in the Kingdom? Not in this instance. They asked what only God the Father could grant.

Jesus did not let it slide, it was another occasion to learn some life lessons

1. They did not figure out the weight of what they desired

2. Positions in the Kingdom is the sole prerogative of God

3. The way up is dogged with suffering and sacrifice

4. their request elicited indignation from the others, who probably felt they were beaten to it

5. Service is how we rise in the Kingdom

What do we take home from the story?

1. Do not seek a position. Work to serve.

2. There is a due reward for every sacrifice/service.

3. To be included in Jesus' train was a rare privilege.

4. There is nothing wrong with wanting the best for your children; only the desires should be channelled through God's will

5.It is alright to strive, to be ambitious, and to aspire to greater heights, but it must be within the confines of God's plan and purpose

6. Do not overestimate your self-importance

7. God's children are not to carry on like the world.

8. Following Christ comes at a price

9. To enlist in Jesus' army is a noble cause

Final thought: 

Do you find yourself clamouring for position?

What does service mean to you?

Never seek a position. Rather, seek to serve. 

How would you rate yourself in the light of this word?

For further study; Mathew 20:21-28

DAY 1

ASH WEDNESDAY

Don't tear your clothing in your grief,

but tear your hearts instead."

Return to the LORD your God,

for he is merciful and compassionate,

slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

He is eager to relent and not punish. JOEL 2:13

Why this, and why now?

Mathew 16:21.

From then on, Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day, he would be raised from the dead.

Some things we face necessitate some actions or reactions. It does not matter what brought you here or how you got to this point in your life; the important thing is that you are here and must deal appropriately.

See it as every new season, day, and moment, we get another chance to begin again. 

As we enter the Lenten season this year, let us start right. 

A wise man once said the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart. Yes, you heard right, the heart is where it all begins.

Where is your heart? What kind of a heart beholds God?

What do you bring to the table?

A broken and contrite heart is always welcome. God promises that it will not be despised.

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.

You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:17.

Beloved, why are you embarking on this journey? Many things drive us to God: pain, trouble, curiosity, or you got to the point where you admit that there has to be more and only God can answer the questions in your heart. 

Understand that you need God, and to find Him, you need to come with a true heart and clean hands, and His love has been made available to you free of charge by the blood of Jesus. So come boldly and get acquainted with God's ways and will.

Why now?

The answer is simple: Now is the acceptable time. Now is the only time you are sure of.

God's love has brought you thus far, and it behooves you to reciprocate it by coming closer and taking full advantage of what has been provided for you. 

So, as we begin our journey to the cross, let us remind ourselves of what we need for this journey.

1. A broken and contrite heart

2. A willingness to learn and receive instructions from God

3. A readiness to obey

4. Letting go of preconceived notions and the past and embracing God's will and heart.

5. A clear focus on the direction you are to embark on

6. A humility of heart to admit your frailties and embrace God's covering and strength

7. An understanding of sacrifice, that which was done by Christ and that which is required of you

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. Mathew 16:24

For Further Study. Psalm 51, Psalm 24:3-6

An invitation for you to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and a request that you join the throngs of thirsty and hungry souls looking for more of Jesus in their daily lives and situations. It is a plea to be part of the celebration of life in Christ and a discovery of the power and grace available to the believer. Embrace the liberty to deploy your God-given grace to affect and change your life and world.

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