Walk With Me #Deararn.

Ada, Deyo and Timi were prayer buddies. They met in fellowship, and it was not long before their common zeal and love for God drew them to each other. Even though they were close, they were generations apart in terms of age. Deyo was in his sixties, and Ada and Timi were in their late twenties. They had similar reasons to want to seek God. Apart from their regular worship days, they got together once a week to fast and pray. The day set apart was so they could hear God and pray God's will. To them, hearing from God was vital.

This season of their lives, Ada and Timi needed life partners and to the time was running out ('Twas in the eighties, then girls married early). They did not want to be labelled "old maid" so they resolved to shake the gates of heaven until the answer came. Deyo had been married for almost thirty years, and the wine had since run out. Didn't they say that when you came to Christ, everything became new, including your marriage? Why was his needing help?

The prayers were fervent, the needs were huge, and the wait was endless, in their own eyes! "There was silence in heaven..." was an apt way of describing their situations. Heaven was just not about to budge. Years rolled by, nothing, nothing! Until, finally, Timi had a young man ask her hand in marriage. Miracle! Ada waited another five years.

Demi had been married 25 years, no child; not even a pseudopregnancy and medically, nothing was wrong. She had nothing to hold on to except promises from God's word, (many times she wondered if the words were for her or she was deluding herself). She knew they were God's words; she just was at a loss why they had no expression in her situation. Menopause was knocking, when will the child go to school, when will he/she grow, let alone marry? Was it so hard for God to give her a child? If only she knew.

Abram knew what it meant to wait. He was promised a child at 75. The child did not happen until 25 years later. In the process, Abram became old, made mistakes and just as he resigned himself, God made an appearance. Unbelievable! Laughable, yes, Sarah laughed. The long silence, broken, Abram became Abraham and Isaac came into the picture. Note the sequence, first a change of name/nature, then the promise personified.

Today we stop to ask:

* • From whence art thou?

* • Of what stock are you?

* • To whom do you belong?

* • What is your faith based on?

* • The Christ you profess, how did you come about Him?

Looking through the scriptures, we discover "the faith". There is a faith in Jesus Christ. This faith recognises all that Jesus came to do for us on earth and all He is doing for us in heaven.

From Jude's record, we are to fight for it. He admonishes us to earnestly contend for the faith, which was once delivered to us. Who handed the faith to us? Since the faith was given to us, how have we handled it? Is there a generation following in the line of the faith that we profess?

We learn from scriptures that our faith:

* • Must be kept

* • Must be watched

* • Must be defended

* • Must be continued

* • Must transcend generations

* • Must be proven

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

(2 Timothy 4:7)

If you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. (Colossians 1:23)

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. (2 Timothy 1:5)

For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:5-7)

There will be many times that life will test what you say you believe. At such times, the Bible advises us to stand firm.

If someone were to ask you the reason for your being, what will your response be?

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

(1 Peter 3:15)

As we spend this day rolling over this in our hearts, may we truly arrive at the faith that was delivered to us. May we embrace this hope in Christ and be more willing than we have ever been, to follow in Christ’s' steps. Do have a glorious time fellowshipping with other believers. Share your faith; someone's life may depend on it.

NOTE:

Pray for your country/ the land you have come to find yourself. In its peace, you will find peace.

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BOOKS BY Anne Ajadi:

YOU WILL MARRY WELL

GODS LADY IN WAITING

WALK WITH ME IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

HEART MATTERS, LIFE MATTERS

NAVIGATING THE NIGHT SEASONS

Aloneness many times is a gift. It helps us confront our very selves. It digs into all the corners we would prefer not to go. 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 your office; a chair; a spot in the park; wherever you get it or however you create it, you need time alone with God. The sound of rushing waves, the melody of the birds, the soft music at the spa or the fluttering of wings in the garden; the beautiful flowers, the colourful butterfly, all point us to the reality of a higher being.

Jesus took time out, look what came out of it: He saved the whole world. Take time to be alone with God, ask all the questions, the disciples did, and they got answers, keys to life's mysteries. Wrestle like Jacob; you might get a change of name. We discover things when we come apart. God promised we would find Him when we seek Him with all our heart. You will never really know the person of Jesus except you come up close and personal.

Picture this; there is the stuff that you own that you keep in secret places. Not every visitor to your house knows they exist, let alone where they are kept. You only allow a privileged few access to your hidden treasures. Today, please take time out to be alone with God. Some of us need a friend, the type that only Jesus can be. Take time out to be with Him alone. Better still; give Him a room, a spot in your personal space and watch transformations take place.

Jesus at the garden wished the cup would pass. He did not get that request, but He got you and I. Hurry, my beloved, get alone with your maker.

anneajadinspirations.com

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BOOKS BY Anne Ajadi:

YOU WILL MARRY WELL

GODS LADY IN WAITING

WALK WITH ME IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

HEART MATTERS, LIFE MATTERS

NAVIGATING THE NIGHT SEASONS

Growing up in one of the orthodox churches, prayer was rhetorical and majorly mechanical. You knew what prayers were said at certain times of the year. If you were a faithful congregant, you would be able to say those prayers without opening the prayer book. The prayers were written by Christians who lived centuries ago. The struggles were similar, and one could understand the thought behind prayers, but for folks like me, many times there was a disconnect.

Being a member of the choir and also a lay reader, I could recite most prayers in the book. The priest only has to start, and I would be chorusing. In such circumstances, the focus was not essential. Meditations were hardly necessary. Just know the words, read along and respond when you have to. The order of service left us a window of about 90 seconds to say what was in our hearts. Pray someone tell me, how much heart issue can be cramped into 90 seconds?

This whole thing left a craving in my heart for a dynamic relationship. I needed to report some people, and I needed to ask God to allow me to come first in class; 90 seconds certainly did not do it for me. When I was introduced to the new birth, and exposed to a more vibrant relationship (not that it was not existent in the life I had known before, I just was not exposed to it), I jumped at it. Who wants to serve a God that was so far away? I needed Him up close and personal, someone to gist with, and the new birth afforded me that. I was in heaven! I loved the ability to tell Him all, including mundane matters.

I noticed, however, that such prayers were not peculiar to the orthodox alone. In today's church, we find pre-written prayers, and they are to be said in certain situations. It cuts across denominations. I am a little uncomfortable using someone else's words to express my thoughts, especially when I know exactly how I feel. I believe it removes from the relationship. If I came before a close friend reading someone else's speech or list and expect him to respond cordially.

If I had to pray words written by another, I would first read through and agree with those words. You may not be like me, you may disagree with my style, but I do believe there is a level ground in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Bible calls Him the author and finisher of our faith. He came to earth as a man, lived in our world to show us how to live. One of the many things He let us into was that He had a prayer life.

The disciples noted that he prayed and that John the Baptist and his disciples also prayed. But they saw a difference and asked their master for a guide. Hear what He says in the Gospel of Luke:

He said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.” Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:2-13)

Will Your ‘But’ Hinder You?

He had it all - power, position, influence. He was at the peak of his career, and everyone respected him. By him, victories were wrought for his country. The king owed him a lot. He had soldiers under him, but he was a leper. Pray, when did he become one? Before or after he rose in his career? How did he pull it off? Did he have to retire after becoming leprous? Aren't lepers supposed to be kept outside the camp? Are the rules different in Syria?

How come this leper had a household that even had servants? How were they relating to him? Did he have to tie a bell on his legs? Was he allowed into state functions, or did he have to sit at some inconspicuous place? Intriguing though is the fact that though he had a disease, the first thing we learn about him was his fruit, his results. He won wars and brought home bounties.

He was great Captain, honourable deliverer and mighty man. If we looked at the half-full cup, we would see all his achievements. If we, however, choose to see half-empty, we saw his disease; we would call him a leper. We have the choice to go through life, bearing significant fruit, scaling great heights, or we can choose to stay with our pain or 'but' and remain unfruitful.

Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy (2 Kings 5:1)

Naaman, in his fruit-bearing season, brought home a solution provider. She became his maid, and even though she was disadvantaged and a servant, she chose to use her gift. She knew what her master needed, and she was not going to be selfish with it.

She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:3)

How come she was so sure? Simple, the lowest of the Israelites knew about the covenant-keeping God, the healing God and the all-powerful God. Remember, she was just a maid. Even in this state, she was a blessing. All she had was a word, not sure how it would be received; she shared it all the same? Tell me, what do you have that the world around you can use?

They brought it to General Naaman's attention, and he chose to make it a state affair. He was the diseased party; first, he went to his king to ask that he liaise with the King of Israel. From Israel's king's reaction, we learned that the Syrians at that time were not just their captors; they were the superior power and making such a request was spoiling for trouble.

When you are down, the tendency is that you forget who you are. The King of Israel must have forgotten that though they were under Syria, they were still covenant people. Your situation does not define who you are. Problems do not last forever. There is always a timing to everything, and no matter what; God is still your God.

Thank God for prophets! God always has them in every season. The prophet sent a message to the king, 'Tell him to come to me; I have what he needs'. Naaman, the leper, arrived at the prophet's house with pomp and pageantry. Talk about a proud sick man. Remember he, with all his achievements, he was the one in need. The prophet reduced him to size; nobody comes to God achievements in tow. You lay down your crown and humble yourself. The instructions were sent, state protocol set aside and General leper was angry. What pride? The aides plead with Master Leper, he must have come across as pitiful, but thus far they already came and what good would their returning empty do?

'Oga try', they encouraged. Fancy begging a man in need to receive help, but what could they do, for as long as he was in that state, themselves could not have the peace they desired. He reluctantly assented and dipped himself in the Jordan River. If the fancy rivers were healing waters, would he have been in his state? Surprise! He got healed. Then he knew, there was a more significant force. Ge

From the Father’s Heart

My child,

Many call me their Father, but I do not know them. Some run errands in my name, and I did not send them. Some swear by my authority, and they were never mine. Many are wondering why I just let them be, tell me if I destroy them how many will remain. I am sure you will not like it if infidels say all I do is destroy because that will not be true. All I am about is the redemption of man back to me.

I made all the provisions; I wooed the people in many ways. It is just that they would rather walk in their ways.

You see, their ways can only lead to death and destruction. Many of them think they know, but they do not know anything about me or the way I work. Many talk in my name, and they never consulted me. I am sure you are wondering why I am telling you all this. It is very simple; I want you to get it. I have invested too much to watch you miss the way. Every time my people chose the wrong path, it hurts. My son Jesus already paid the price, and the Holy Spirit is there to help them, what more do they want?

I do not want my people to perish, but you must understand why I cannot behold sin. I am a just God. I cannot condone evil that is why I arranged a way out for my people. When they go against my will, I have to punish. All I want you to do now is warn them again. They do not have forever to get it right. I am about to wrap things up, and they cannot afford to go on the way they are going.

Many of my children are deluding themselves, saying that they are in the age of grace, so it is all right to do whatever they like. How can that be? If they truly understand my grace, it will make them do right and love and appreciate me more. Grace, my child, is not a license to sin. It is room to behave like me. I indeed love them, but love chastises, love punishes, you know. If I let them continue in their rot, they will shipwreck the faith, and you know very well that I cannot let that happen.

I am writing you this little love note so you can run and let my other children know. I am getting ready to end this age, and I want them to be prepared.

I love you.

Your Father

P.S.

“Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’ “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved. (Ezekiel 33:2-9)

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ (Matthew 7:21-22)

In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish...

Who Is Your Mordecai?

Everybody needs a Mordecai in his or her life. We need that voice of reason. We need the brother who loves us enough to provoke righteousness in us. We need the uncle that requires nothing from us but Christ and Him crucified. We need the friend who knows God's laws and ways enough to encourage us to refuse the attractions of the world. We need the caretaker who though they are in strange environs themselves they remember enough to know that God rules over all. That you are not in your native land does not change your identity.

We need the mom who knows our nakedness and to whom our success or lack of it does not change a thing. Esther's cousin Mordecai was more than a cousin; he became her guardian. He insisted on her staying true to her identity. He watched over her affairs daily. He knew better than to leave her well-being to chance. He nudged her into destiny. He understood the times. He knew when destiny was knocking.

Mordecai was so secure in himself; he would not compromise his stand with his God even in the face of death. We all need a Mordecai in our lives. Someone who knows the real you sometimes saw your beginning, saw you become who you are now and is not threatened by your position or status. We need someone who reminds us of our identity in Christ in God, folks who encourage us to defy the forces of evil in and around us. We need people who will spur us on, especially at critical moments in our lives and destiny. We need someone who provokes righteousness in us.

Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, (Esther 2:5)

Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died. (Esther 2:7)

Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her. (Esther 2:11)

When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up. During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were impaled on poles. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king. (Esther 2:19-23)

All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. Then the royal officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you disobey the king’s command?” Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore, they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai’s behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew. When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes. (Esther 3:2-6)

When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. (Esther 4:1)

He sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and delive

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-19)

Revelation is key to a meaningful existence. To live a productive life, we must know whose we are, what we are about, where we are going etc. The fact that God placed us in families is proof that identity is important. Knowing that the things that we see are copies of the things we do not see, we must stop to pay careful attention. Ask questions. The Bible records in the Book of Joshua that children would ask their parents why certain traditions exist and their reply was to recap their family history.

…to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” (Joshua 4:6-7)

Today, we look into our identity. Jesus asked His disciples, who the people said He was. Their responses are worth noting. People thought various things of the man Jesus. Some thought He was just a prophet; others thought he was John the Baptist; some even thought he might be Elijah or even Jeremiah. Whatever they thought of Him would inform how they related to Him. The question we must ask ourselves today is "what do we think of Jesus?" From whose eyes are we seeing Him."? How have we been relating with Him?

Truth is if you asked people what they thought, you would get as many diverse answers as the folks you queried. Whatever their response would inform their actions. What we must note, however, is that we must all come to the point in our Christian walk where we get to answer the same question Jesus asked His disciples. If He quizzes you, ‘who do you say I am?’ The correct response to this question would unlock your destiny. It did for Peters.

Let's stop to consider the story. Peter responded that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. And then Jesus revealed, only God could give a man the revelation of who Jesus is, and it is in that revelation that one will discover who we are as Peter found. Jesus said to him; you are Peter, no longer a reed, no longer unstable, no longer tossed about. From that moment, Peter became stable, rock, reliable, bold, and fearless. When you discover Jesus the Christ, we find out who we are.

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

(Psalms 36:9)

My beloved, let's stop to ask: Who do men say Jesus is? Do you see Jesus through your pastor's eyes? Is He the one spoken about by others to you? By what name is He referred? Who do you say Jesus is? Do you have a revelation of who He is? Have you seen Him? (Phillip said we would see Jesus). Did He tell you who you are?

Many of us have carried identities that were wrongly placed. Labels that have no bearings with where we are going. Ask Jabez he knows that road. His mother called him a child of sorrow. God's identity for him was 'honourable man'. For as long as Jacob was Jacob, he could only scheme his way through life, as soon as he became Israel, his destiny changed.

My dear, I ask again: Who are you? What is God's pronouncement in your life? We all need to pray – Lord show me who you made me. Alleluia!

The Noise Of Silence

They chose to wall themselves in rather than let some outsider come in. The people of Jericho heard the news of the Israelites taking over everywhere they go., news reports, was they were like locusts who left desolation wherever they trod. Do you blame the inhabitants of Jericho for fearing the worst?

Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. (Joshua 6:1)

For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

(2 Corinthians 13:8)

Joshua 6:1-27 recounts the story of how the children of Israel took down Jericho. Let us call this; The Noise of Silence. The strategy was simple. the priests led, and the warriors marched around the city walls. once daily for six days and said nothing. Absolutely nothing for a whole six days? On the seventh day, they were to go around seven times and shout.'

What was the silence supposed to do? And why for six days? What was going on? I mean, the people must have wondered what God was up to. It is true He had done many weird things in times past. This beats everyone's imagination. Did anyone consider how thick the walls were? What was the sense in just walking around a fortified wall and you could not even talk to your neighbour? What would the noise of the seventh day do? Only God knew.

imagine that the people behind the walls worried themselves sick, hearing footsteps every day. 'When will they attempt breaking down the wall? What were they even doing just marching?' They must have wondered to no end. 'This people's reputation was that God was with them, and they take over other people's territories.'

Let's bring this home. Who got a peep into your destiny and is trying to stop your advance? What strategy has the Lord given you to deal with the situation? The Noise of Silence confuses the enemy. Many times, the enemy believes they have you all figured out, but God has a joker. He always does, what with fighting with hailstones, or just singing praises when the norm is that you carry weapons.

The shout of victory makes the enemy shiver. Why shout, how can shouting make a wall fall flat. It did not crumble. It fell flat. Who does that? God!

Beloved, God knows the strategy for your fights. Like David, you need always to stop to ask. Walking with God means the enemy can never figure you out. Being a covenant child makes you an enigma to your world. Whoever stands in the way of God's people risks living a cursed life. God knows the way out of whatever situation. Just let Him lead.

Prayer: Every territory that is yours and right now is being walled and fortified, may the wisdom of God will bring it down.

Having gotten your territory, you must stay with God. You cannot meddle with the enemies' cursed artefacts no matter how costly and attractive. Every Jericho wall has to come down. Your destiny, your inheritance cannot be behind any walls. Pray, my beloved, pray! 

anneajadinspirations.com

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BOOKS BY Anne Ajadi:

YOU WILL MARRY WELL

GODS LADY IN WAITING

WALK WITH ME IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

HEART MATTERS, LIFE MATTERS

NAVIGATING THE NIGHT SEASONS

#Prayerworks.