Yenga's Corner

In our society there's fair weather love and lover simply by the way we have created this idea of what love is and how it should be expressed. It's easy to love when all the right conditions are aligned -the perfect weather, but that is not reality. Imagine the feeling of finding the perfect lover who falls for you when you are at your worst; looking crusty without make up, hair nor teeth brushed, but they love you for who you are not how you look. This is how God demonstrated His love for us; when we were yet sinners, rebelling against Him (Romans 5:8). He gives us a sure promise that nothing will separate us from His love not even death (Rom *:38-39). The highest institution which is marriage allows commitment to broken through death but not God's love. It transcends death.  This Valentine's I give you the greatest lover of all times- Jesus Christ.

Can you measure the distance between the earth to the heavens or the clouds? It's immeasurable. David says in Psalms 57:10 "For your faithful love is as high as the heavens and your faithfulness reaches the clouds". This is to show the faithfulness is immeasurable and its transcends life. God gave me this word in my morning devotion knowing that I will receive very sad news that may make me question His faithfulness. This is one of the most important attributes of God- His faithfulness.

Have you ever done a personal year end inventory exercise? Similar to companies doing year end reporting to see where they suffered losses and where they made profits, or even how they operated during the year, its important to take stock of your personal life. In the Bible David was great at doing this. He says in Psalms 103:2 "Praise the Lord all my soul and forget not all His benefits". Keep track of your blessings throughout the year and you will be amazed that even with a few hardships there is more to celebrate than to lament. This will help you face the future with boldness and hope. I traced 12 blessings in 2022 some were even disguised in hardships. How many can you trace in your life from last year?

We have all had enemies at some point in life whether by choice or circumstance. The question is how do we deal with our enemies? When emotions of hatred or betrayal well up inside us like in the case of David in Psalms: 58, we may be tempted to avenge ourselves and take matters in our own hands. But Jesus recommends us something different- He says to Pray and love our enemies. Now that requires some spiritual and emotional maturity.

Harnessing our self-discipline and self-control can be very challenging to master. Every temptation or trial no matter it's magnitude is not uncommon. Someone somewhere in the world is either going through something similar or even worse. In I Corinthians 10:13 there is an encouragement that whatever we are going through, God know in advance that we can handle it. He cannot allow us to go through something that is greater than our strength or capacities, because He knows us so well. He even provides a way out for us already. All we need to do is find it.

Is saying in Jesus' name at the end of our prayers the magic formula to get an answer? After all Jesus Himself said in John 14:13-14 that whatever we'll ask in His name He shall do it. Is that a blank cheque to ask for anything? Certainly not! Praying in Jesus' name is praying according to His will, or anything that is aligned with Jesus' values. We cannot ask Him something contrary to His nature/character and expect Him to do it.

Can we cheat death so that we can live longer? Death is an equalizer of humanity as it strikes everyone, the rich, poor, young, old, beautiful or ugly. It is no respecter of persons. Even though death seems like a finality of life, it is in reality the beginning of eternity. We can never get accustomed to death as it leaves us helpless. So how does one overcome death and face it with bravery? By having the overcomer of death in them. Jesus conquered death so that we can be victorious over death. Acts 2:24; "God raised Him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by death". 

Have you ever said something and regretted it as soon as the words rolled out of your mouth? We have seen celebrities and people in power retract on things they said because they were inappropriate. We can lift up others with our tongues as well as destroy. Someone said God created us with two ears and one mouth so that we can listen more and talk less. James 3:5-6

Hypocrisy is presenting a false image of oneself. The Pharisees were great hypocrites and that is why Jesus was often at odds with them. He often rebuked them because God knew their heart was not in line with their outward appearances. God wants us to be authentic, we cannot hide behind a mask or a spiritual make-up. 

Sight is not just for those whose eyes can see. Blind Bartimaeus even though he had never physically seen Jesus, He had better insight of Him than the disciples who had "seen" His countless miracles. Bartimaeus had the insight that Jesus was the Messiah, that is why he was not going to let Him pass by without healing him. He had a different sight - A sight of faith. Bartimaeus saw through his faith and not through his eyes. Mark 10:46-52