by Jeanie | Nov 18, 2015 | Religion
I heard what he said, but I did not understand what he meant. So I asked, “How will all this finally end, my lord?” Daniel 12:8
This passage of scripture grabbed my attention earlier this morning as I was getting ready to get out of bed. Daniel here, was being lectured by Michael on the latter days or end times, as most people know it.
The times we live in has been tagged as the information age – we can access literally anything on a whim – how to write a book in 10 days, build your confidence in 24 hours, attract a guy, find a man and keep him in a day, make a million in one year .. .just reach up and grab it … the list goes on. The chockfull information unfortunately has not been able to eradicate or minimize the quest for understanding; if anything, it has increased it.
Prophet Danny wrote about hearing what was said but not understanding. And to get clarity, he asked a question – How? Just as reading does not translate assimilation, hearing also does not equate understanding.
I have been thinking about this since morning and have continuously asked myself these questions:
- What have you heard lately?
- Do you understand what was meant?
- Have you asked for clarity?
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established. Proverbs 24:3
Yes, for lack of knowledge the people perish, but I would like to excel above and beyond hearing what was said (knowledge acquisition – being built) to understanding what was meant (life application –being established).
May God help us!
by Jeanie | Oct 1, 2015 | Religion
When I woke up this morning, I spent some time in devotion. Well, what I really did was talk to God without giving him the time and chance to talk back to me – I am repentant. Between that time and getting ready for work, I had a situation that spawned an unholy anger in me. Before long, I had gone lengths I didn’t want to first thing in the morning, especially after being with Jesus. Dashing off, I quickly broke bread, said a prayer, and headed out the door.
Being a sovereign and loving God, He took a moment to give me a word:
They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. John 8:6
The passage above shows that these folks had planned their actions to elicit a certain response from Jesus. Their ultimate goal was to test, try, tempt, and trap him in order to gain evidence for his sentencing. Now Jesus had had his moments ‘saying it as it was’ like John did calling the Pharisees ‘brood of vipers’ and some other things that cost him his head.
A few verses down, he would be calling the Jews liars – a softer tag than ‘hypocrites’ and ‘white washed tombs’. I am sure he wouldn’t have had any difficulty telling them how close they were to being disinherited despite being heirs according to the promise, I would have …. but he didn’t!
He probably considered the woman in front of him being accused of adultery but more so, the outcome of his actions, would it make things better or worse? Whatever he did, he’d be justified – he could get away with it; worst case, he’ll sort it out behind the scenes during a one on one with the Father but for the sake of this one woman and many onlookers, he took a different approach. In fact, he may have done himself a favour too because those people were so cruel they would not hesitate stoning him to death or pushing him down a cliff. In any case, it worked out together for good in the end.
Today, there is a huge market for the spoken word which is impacting the demand for paper copies. Audiobooks are growing and gradually taking over the print industry. Both styles of communication are effective depending on the time, place, event, and audience. There are times I shy away from making certain phone calls because I believe an email/letter would best convey my intentions, other times, I ring to avoid being misconstrued.
In the above scenario we see Jesus doing something similar – he was in no way short of words to say but he took time to reflect on a few points, construct his response, and delivery method. He probably ended up saying same thing but in a different way – aptly and calmly, but first he bent down as though he was writing while thinking silently.
My situation earlier in the day would have escalated to the point I made some calls and saying things I probably would be regretting about now, but thank God for the power of the word! I can testify that the test to provoke me to a disastrous act failed – the issue was resolved without my involvement, and hopefully this written piece would impact someone in better ways than my words could.
by Jeanie | Sep 3, 2015 | Religion
Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. John 9:41
Jesus here addresses the Pharisees who for their positions (appointment by God and placement before men) assumed they had arrived. For a moment they failed to recognize that whatever and wherever they were was by grace and not race; and given a little time and chance, the tables can turn.
Sight in this discourse transcends the natural ability or power of vision to a spiritual dimension. The plot has a blind man, his parents, external community (temple/ church goers), the spiritual leaders (Pharisees) and the sight giver (physician and his friends (disciples)). If you look very closely, you’ll notice you have at least one of each character in your life- some are more obvious than others.
The disciples probably heard Jesus advise the lame man at Bethesda to stop sinning lest a worse situation befalls him. A few miles down the road, they see a blind man and ask the question – who sinned? High time they tried the prophetic, right? To their amazement, neither the man nor his parents sinned but it happened for the glory of God.
I was blind but now I see
This was the man’s testimony (good news or if you like, gospel). Not even the Pharisee or the community could take this away from him. He knew what he had been through – the many years of blindness, groping, falling, and rising. Now with a mud pie (Jesus’ spittle and dust) and a pool wash, he is cured. Hang on, do these folks actually think I can fake my blindness from birth, he wonders ……
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word… Ephesians 5:26
What did he do to you?
The Pharisees still bewildered by the miracle probed to see if there was any way they could discredit or discount his experience. I have told you, the man responded. On and on the dialogue went. I did interject with a few lines –
He gave his life for me, took away my filthy garments exchanging them with a beautiful robe of righteousness – that’s what he did for me. Took me from the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock to stay – he did it! Pulling me out of the garbage dump, he set me among noblemen and women where I have inherited a throne of honour – My, did he do it? Yes , he did! #ifeelapraise #hollaapraise
The disciples have now disappeared to do some more praying to activate their prophetic accuracy leaving Jesus center stage to finish his work. Something profound had happened and not many realized. The physically blind had both his sights activated. He could see man and God while those who apparently have been seeing from birth were blinded even to death. Their spiritual sight was deactivated. They can only see so far… Looking at their condition, Jesus said:
If you admitted you couldn’t see, I would have given you sight but now you claim to see – you are blind! You are ashamed of the gospel (the good news , testimony) which is the power of God unto salvation – Romans 1:16
At this point, I got involved in the ‘multilogue’ interjecting with the question, what about the glory of God?
A few words of scripture came to mind:
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. Titus 2:11
Action: Receive
… who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4
Action: Come
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? Ezekiel 18:23
Action: Turn
3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 2 Corinthians 4
As I listened to the passage this morning, I paused to just to tell Jesus – I can’t see, would you open my eyes please? Unveil my eyes, cause me to see, enlighten me to the truth. I want to see the glorious light of the good news. Cause me to understand the message about Christ’s glory ….
I would like to invite you to do the same….. if you would
by Jeanie | Aug 2, 2015 | Religion
Sometimes we find ourselves in circumstances we wish, hope, praise, pray and fast they go away, somehow – by the word or wand! I just had one of those moments now and when I calmed down, the word came.
Concerning Jesus, scripture says:
He had to go through Samaria on the way. John 4:4
On your way to destiny, there are places and things you must go through; encounters which are crucial and peculiar to your purpose. It might be painful but it’s needful.
David in one of his psalms said:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.. Psalm 23:4
It might seem dark and cold and there is no warmth, way up or out. Perhaps you can hardly breathe and wondering if there’d be life after THIS. Yes, there is! Don’t give up, just keep going. Inhale. Exhale.
In another place, the sons of Korah said:
When they walk through the Valley of Baca (Weeping), it will become a place of refreshing springs. Psalm 84:6
‘Through’ seems to be a recurring theme in the texts and is indicative of the fact that whatever you are currently dealing with is
temporary, this too shall pass, you are simply in transition, going through, and soon will be out on the other side – your place of rest.
Your challenges are your building blocks and unique selling point. The very things that are trying to break you are the things that will MAKE you. Your valley will become a mountain – an elevated and refreshing place. Your weeping will turn into singing. A change is coming but in the meantime, just know IT is necessary.
Be encouraged.
by Jeanie | Jul 19, 2015 | Religion
by Jeanie | Jun 3, 2015 | Religion
John 2:
11 Jesus performed this miracle, the first of His signs, in Cana of Galilee. They did not know how this happened; but when the disciples and the servants witnessed this miracle, their faith blossomed.
This passage is one of those that teach about ‘change’ and its impact on the environment and people who’ve experienced it. How it happened, they couldn’t quite explain or deny the encounter. Thus will be your experience in the remainder of this year. What God will do in and through you, people will witness in wonder.
It is amazing how scripture also details this miracle resulted in the disciples’ faith blossoming. This implies that people’s belief in you or lack thereof depends on your certain performances and changes. Ever told someone you are millionaire and they took a good look at you from top–down? Likewise, Jesus probably told these guys he was a miracle-worker, healer, saviour, etc but until he did it, their faith in him was on a much lower level.
This year, may you stand up and out as an authentic specimen, reference and proof. If you need to buy a house, buy it; get a job, get it; have a child, have it; get married, do it!
Someone’s faith will blossom on your account! #hollaapraise
