Proverbs of My Father – 26 February 2009

My dear son,  

Today, take to heart what I'm telling you; collect My counsels and guard them with your life. Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding. That's right—if you make Insight your priority, and won't take no for an answer, searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt, believe Me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours;  you will have come upon the Knowledge of God. 

And here's why: I give out Wisdom free of charge, I am plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding. I am also a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well, a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere. I keep My eye on all who live honestly, and pay special attention to My loyally committed children. 

So now you can pick out what's true and fair, find all the good trails! Lady Wisdom will be your close friend, and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion. Good Sense will scout ahead for danger, Insight will keep an eye out for you. They'll keep you from making wrong turns, or following the bad directions of those who are lost themselves and can't tell a trail from a tumbleweed, these losers who make a game of evil and throw parties to celebrate perversity, traveling paths that go nowhere, wandering in a maze of detours and dead ends. 

Keep wise friends, they will rescue you from the Temptress— that smooth- talking Seductress who is unfaithful to the husband she married years ago, never gave a second thought to her promises before God. Her whole way of life is doomed; every step she takes brings her closer to hell. No one who joins her company ever comes back or ever sets foot on the path to real living. 

So join the company of good men and women, keep your feet on the tried-and-true paths. It's the men who walk straight who will settle this land, the women with integrity who will last here. The corrupt will lose their lives; the dishonest will be gone for good. And so it shall be because I am the Giver of life and the Righteous Judge!

 

With love,

Your Father

 

Note: Scripture verses from The Message Bible

Proverbs of My Father – 24 February 2009

My dear son, 

 

Today Wisdom has gone out in the street and shouts. You can find her in the city centers, and wherever you go, she will be constantly speaking to you. Even in the middle of the traffic she takes her stand. At the busiest corners she calls out and says: Hey! How long will you wallow in ignorance? How long will you feed your cynicism? How long will you refuse to learn? Make a decision today and follow Wisdom! I can revise your life.

Look, I'm ready to pour out My spirit on you; I'm ready to tell you all I know. As it is, I've called, but you've turned a deaf ear; I've reached out to you, but you've ignored Me so many times.  "It’s better for you to take My counsel seriously and don’t make a joke of My advice. If you refuse to take Me seriously, I'll turn the tables and joke about your troubles!

What if the roof falls in, and your whole life goes to pieces?

What if catastrophe strikes and there's nothing to show for your life but rubble and ashes? Is it then that you’ll begin to need Me? Then you'll call for me, but don't expect an answer. No matter how hard you look, for Me then you won't find Me. 

If you decide to hate Knowledge  and have nothing to do with the Fear-of-God,  if you decide that you don’t want My advice, and you brush aside all My offers to train you, well, you would've made your bed—and you will lie in it like that. But remember that carelessness kills and complacency is like suicide!

Here’s My advice, pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy because you're in good hands.

 

With love,

Your Father

  

Note: Scripture verses from The Message Bible

Proverbs of My Father – 23 February 2009

Today, I decided to start something that I believe will become a blessing to many of my readers. I decided to start putting down various proverbs and words of wisdom given as instructions to me by my ‘Father’, here for all my numerous readers. I believe that these thoughts will also bless as many that read and believe in them.

 

My dear son,

 

Today and every other day, you must learn to start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God in acknowledgement of His position as your maker; only fools choose to disregard such wisdom and learning. Pay close attention, to these things I tell you; never forget what you learned at your mother's knee. Wear these counsels like flowers in your hair or like rings on your fingers.

If bad companions tempt you, don't go along with them. If they say—"Let's go out and make trouble. Let's beat up some old man or old woman. Let's go and show some people who we are so that they must respect us. Let’s join and share some top-quality loot. This is an opportunity for us to make a ‘big hit’ by some illegal means. Join us and enjoy the time of your life! With us, it's share and share alike!"—Oh, My son, don't give them a second look; don't listen to them for a minute. They're racing to a very bad end, hurrying to ruin everything they lay hands on.

Nobody robs a bank with everyone watching, yet that's what these people are doing— they're doing themselves in. When you grab all you can get, that's what happens: in this life, the more you get, the less you are!

 

With love,

Your Father

 

http://www.houseofvirtue.blogspot.com

 

Note:  Scripture verses from The Message Bible.

The Final Verdict in My Father’s Court...

A friend of mine sent me this interesting email recently, and I thought it would be worth sharing here. Enjoy the read!

After living what I felt was a 'decent' life, my time on earth came to the end.. 

The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house.

The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.

As I looked around I saw the 'prosecutor.'

He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney,  kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him. 

The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes.

He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn't take my eyes off of Him.

As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, 'Let us begin.'

The prosecutor rose and said,

'My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell.'

He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and In the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank. 

I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about. 

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. 

I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done? 

Satan finished with a fury and said, 'This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise.' 

When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench.  The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward.

As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty.  

I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus Christ representing me, my Lord and my Savior. 
He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, 'Hi, Dad,' and then He turned to address the court.

'Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wages of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished.'

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, 'However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine.' 

My Lord continued with, 'His name is written in the Book of Life,  and no one can snatch him from Me.

Satan still does not understand yet.  This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy.'

As Jesus sat down, he said, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, 'There is nose that needs to be done.'
'I've done it all.'

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down and the following words bellowed from His lips..

'This man is free.  The penalty for him has already been paid in full.  'Case dismissed!'

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, 'I won't give up, I will win the next one.'ed Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, 'e you ever lost a case?' 
Jesus Christ lovingly smiled and said, “for God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave Me up [His only begotten Son], so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Me shall not perish come to destruction or be lost, but have eternal (everlasting) life.”

 

Concluding Note

Dear reader, if you have doubts about your relationship with The Almighty God through Jesus Christ, or you wish to recieve His gift of Eternal life, then please feel free to pray as follows:

"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you to come  into my life and heart, to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always." Amen

If you have just prayed this prayer or you have any questions about what you have just read please feel free to get in touch on houseofvirtue@gmail.com

 

 

Holding Myself in Readiness…

The disciples of Jesus once asked Him a question saying, Master, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”  Jesus replied them saying, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many.  And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

 “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”

Then Jesus went ahead and told them the following interesting story, “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’

 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’

 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’

 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’

 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’

 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”

As I read the two Bible passages above (Matthew 24:3-14 and Matthew 25:1-13 NLT) they served as fresh reminders to me of God’s desire for His people to be constantly prepared and ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ (Revelation 22:12, Revelation 3:11). I realized afresh how God desires for His people to be rooted and grounded in Christ (Ephesians 3:17-19), so that they are not shaken by any unpleasant experiences they might encounter in the world due to their affiliation with Him (Luke 21:12). How He seeks for a people who have broken out of religious mentalities and are no longer bound by the traditions of men (Matthew 15:3-6); and realize that worship is no longer tied to a place but is a condition of the heart (John 4:21-24), as such we must pray always and not faint so as to maintain a steady flow of fresh oil and power from Him (Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38, 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

I realize today that being a Christian goes beyond going to church and attending numerous church programmes, but rather its more about seeking to do God’s will as His kingdom is being established here on earth (Matthew 6:33).
Today going to church should no longer be an end to itself because  ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts” (Haggai 2:9 NKJV, 1 Corinthians 3:16). He wants His people to realize that they have become the habitation of God (1 Corinthians 3:16), therefore they are to stay alert and carry Him wherever they go. The Master wants His people to hold themselves in readiness for Him.

Uche

 

Pressing On With Positive Change...

There’s an old story I once heard about two men that went to fish. One of them in addition to his fishing gears also carried along a ruler. Now both men stayed side by side of each other as they fished.  Unfortunately, one of the two men only caught fish that were of very little sizes, while the other man seemed to be more fortunate as he caught very big sized fish. But strangely he measured every of the big fish he caught with his ruler, and the ones that were greater than his ruler, he would angrily throw back into the river, while the ones that were of the size of his ruler or even smaller, he would gladly place in his basket. After fishing for a long time in frustration, the one who caught only small fish, turned to his friend with a mixture of envy and bewilderment on his face, and asked him if this was a new fishing technique. If not, why would he catch the desirable big fish and throw them all back into the river except the ones that measured with his ruler or even smaller. The one who caught all the big fish quickly replied him saying, “my friend I’m only catching fish that measures the same size as my frying pan” and he continued fishing (he could have simply bought a bigger sized frying pan instead).

This story reminds me of a passage in the Bible, where it says, “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskin will perish. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved together. Also no one having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, the old is better” (Luke 5:37-39). The story told above is an illustration of the last portion of that passage of scripture - Also no one having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, the old is better. Why do people naturally tend to resist a change to something new? Have you heard such statements as, “Oh, the good old days!”? I believe that it’s only a reflection of the fear of the uncertainty of the new. Fear of the experience of a tomorrow which you can’t predict. Fear of the experience of trying out a new idea which no one else has ever tried and proved before, therefore you are not even sure if it will work; and what would people think of me if I fail in this venture? 

Of course the fear of the unknown is as old as man. That’s why it usually takes great courage to face up to new challenges or pioneer a new field of thought or duty. A reminder of Noah who went ahead and built an ark when people of his time had never seen or known what was rain. They must have wondered what he was building that ark for; they must have laughed at him and may have even considered him as a crazy fellow. And probably when he told them that rain was going to fall not too long from then, they must have written him off as gone bananas. They had never seen rain before; it was a new phenomenon to them in their time. But God had revealed to Noah about the rain which was to come. It was the fact that it was a revelation from God that gave him all the courage that he needed. It was a new idea. With the Almighty God lies every new thing. The Bible says that his mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Therefore when we stay connected to God, He shows us new things ahead of our time! That’s why I believe it’s very important to enter the New Year with God, and even more importantly, to stay connected to God all through the year. 

Some important things I have learned from the stories above and would like to share, is that in order to step fully into the new, it is better to step out of the old first (Proverbs 28:13, Luke 5:36-38), otherwise, the old will always hinder the new. I can’t achieve new results by working with old ideas. This means that I must endeavor to make a critical review of my past in all honesty to myself so as to learn the lessons that will propel me into my future. Then I must forget the past (Philipians 3:13), after picking up the lessons therein, and laying hold of God’s grace, press on into the future by living out my best each day. Consequently, the passion with which I deal with my today is the only testimony I have concerning my tomorrow. Therefore, my present must essentially be transformed continually to reflect what I believe that God has said about my future (Romans 12:2). 

I believe that this is the call for everyone who has put their trust in God today. That all the stains of yesteryears are wiped clean, and the future is stainless like a clean sheet (2 Corinthians 5:17), because the mercies of God are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). That the guarantee for tomorrow’s glory is Christ in me today (Colossians 1:27)! That my tomorrow has no bearing with my yesterday anymore, if I change today, and Christ in me is able to help make that change (2 Corinthians 3:18, James 1:23-25). Rather than making New Year resolutions that end up not working and only create an uncertain tomorrow for me, it is better to put my trust in Jesus Christ. With Him, every step that I take into the future is with the data that comes from God and victory is assured! 

Uche

http://www.houseofvirtue.blogspot.com

Passing Through the Gate…

The New Year is here again, and many like me are still basking in the euphoria of having left the old year behind, and being among those alive to witness this new one. On the last night of the last year, I was in church for the “crossover church service”. While there, I saw the huge crowd of people in attendance unlike a normal Sunday church service, I thought to myself, how wonderful it is - the way people sense the need of entering the New Year in a church (or call it the presence of God if you would). I also realised how important it is for every person to carry the presence of God in the times we are entering. I realised even further that in the place of prayer and worship (presence of God) we can lay hold of God’s supernatural power. In other words we can, by the help of God, and through prayer, do extraordinary things that go beyond normal human understanding (Psalms 18:29). We can outwit every plan of the enemy by receiving supernatural information and power from God in the place of prayer (Ephesians 6:11, 18).

 

These are some tips that God has downloaded in my heart as I entered into the New Year. Now I understand that God does not change (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8), and will not change the times in order to suit my whims. Rather, He has enabled me to change continually, and as necessary until I come into His acceptable and perfect will for my life (Psalms 18:32, Romans 12:2).

 

It is for this reason that I must now review my conducts, habits and attitudes. Because I expect the multiple blessings of God this year, I must increase my capacity to receive them, and it’s not merely by placing stickers on my car bearing such inscriptions as, “My Year of Double Portion”, or “My Year of Supernatural Increase”. As good as such affirmations are, yet it is very essential that I make the necessary adjustments in my life so as to come into the place of such blessings (Psalms 68:19, 1 Corinthians 2:9) which God in His boundless bounty has prepared for all His children this year and beyond.

 

I must realise that although there may be tough times ahead, yet they would not necessarily be bad times, because such times will only serve as defining moments (1 Peter 1:7, 2 Corinthians 4:7-9) for those who are truly in tune with the Almighty God.

 

This is the sound of the season we have entered in.  That even though governments may change for the worse, global and local economic crises may worsen, and even natural disasters may occur (Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:11), yet it is in these times that the ‘Daniels’ and ‘Josephs’ of our time will be manifested (Genesis 41:56, Daniel 2:47-48).

 

Therefore I need to watch what I do with my body and my time (Ephesians 5:16). God wants His people to be blessed. His plan is to take us out of poverty to the place of abundance (3 John 1: 2). I believe that God is moving His people from places of strife and contention to places of harmony and unity in this season. From places of darkness to places of light (Genesis 1:3, John 1:5, Psalms 18:28). From death and destruction, to life and peace (John 1:4, Ezekiel 37:4-12, John 10:10).

 

I believe that God wants to rescue His people this year from the place of poverty, shame, sickness, deprivation, and fear to the place of strength, courage, wisdom, wholeness and soundness of mind and body (Isaiah 54:4, 61:3, 7, 2 Timothy 1:7).

 

Again, I realised that there is really nothing new on this earth except the grace of God (Ecclesiastes 6:10, Lamentations 3:22-23). Therefore, this year I need to be found in that place of His grace (in the place of prayer) because it is in that place that supernatural strength is released. And we all need an empowerment from within to enable us succeed and prosper in His will for us this year and beyond.

 

Consequently I need to rise up in the knowledge and understanding of my spiritual position in God and walk in that revelation towards my destiny. I must pass through the gates (Luke 13:24) into my land of inheritance (Psalms 16:5, Psalms 47:4). Many of us require strength to push through to the next level. Many of us require wisdom to operate in the next dimension. Many of us need to change the way we think to allow for new ideas. We cannot put new wine in old wineskins any more!

 

Let it be sufficient to know that God already has our victory planned (1 Corinthians 15:57, 1 John 5:4), therefore we must rise up in faith and in prayer this year. We must lay hold of our inheritance in Christ. Indeed it’s a reflection of His love for us! Happy New Year and Happy New You!  

 

Uche

http://www.houseofvirtue.blogspot.com

Gaining Periscopic Perspectives in this Season

I recently travelled from Abuja to Lagos (in Nigeria) on an official assignment. I was exceedingly glad that what I went for was done in less time that I had even expected. So I had to get back to Abuja the following day. Even though I dreaded the thought of having to spend an extra time in Lagos because of the ever-present tension in the lifestyle of Lagosians, yet I wished I could stay a little longer just to enjoy the company of my younger brother who lived there. I spent the night in his place, and he dropped me off the next day at the airport with his car. I boarded my flight, and as the aircraft took off, I relaxed and looked through the window. Then I had an experience that I had never really taken note of before, which inspired me to write this note. 

As the gradual ascent up the sky began, causing the earth and the immediate landscape to diminish to the appearance of mere microscopic organisms. Not as if they no longer existed – in existence they were, yet almost of no significance. All of the huge buildings and enormous human activity I left behind appeared as specks of dust far down below. Then I was filled with a sudden realization of the wonders and blessings in viewing things from a higher perspective. I thought of moments earlier, how the buildings around seemed so large in appearance, and the long distance we had to cover before getting to the airport - increased further by the usual crawling traffic of cars on Lagos roads. I thought of the huge sizes of the various aircrafts I had seen as they lay in wait for their passengers and their departure timings. 

As I continued to look through the window, I saw the vast expanse of clouds suspended in the atmosphere, having the appearance of the boundless blue oceans, causing the earth below to disappear. It was glorious. At that moment, I ceased to think of every difficulty I was facing in life – I left them beneath those clouds. All I could think of was the glory and the splendour of God Almighty. Suddenly a verse of Scripture (John 4:35) crept into my thought, where Jesus asked His disciples to lift up their eyes and see that the fields are ready for harvest, when it wasn’t even time for the harvest according to natural timing. Then I reckoned the blessing in seeing life from a higher perspective. 

Now, I believe that having a higher perspective is a grace which God gives His people to overcome the mountains of life. The obstacles of life are easily overcome when viewed from a higher perspective. Duration of trials in life is seemingly shortened by gaining a higher understanding. I believe that an elevated perspective is gained from an intimate relationship with God through His Word (Isaiah 55:9). 

The challenge for you and me today as children of God is to set our sights a little higher (John 4:35). We must realize that there are truths beyond what we can see in the natural. We must begin to walk by faith not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) until what we consider as reality becomes only an illusion, and what we are able to see by faith becomes reality (Hebrews 11:3, Romans 4:17b). 

I believe that God is challenging His children to break free from the deception of the natural, and to go beyond the philosophies of planet Earth (Matthew 19:26, Matthew 24:35). It must become necessary for us to be defined by who God says we are, and to do what God says we can do. Do not be moved by the fears from the natural environment or even the various global crises occurring in our time, for God is fully aware and has promised to always keep his children safe in his care (Psalm 91, Isaiah 43:2). I sense that God is saying that now is time for a great harvest, but you need to lift up your eyes to Him in order to see it (Psalm 121)! 

As I conclude this note, I’d like you to check out an interesting story in John 2:1-10 about one of the first miracles of Jesus. Notice that even though Jesus said that it’s not yet time, but He still did the miracle. His mother, Mary did something that seemed out of timing, yet the Lord moved on her behalf. Be encouraged as you step into the coming year, believe God and operate in a new dimension with Him. You may think it’s not yet time for your salvation or healing. People may say that it’s not yet time for you to get that dream of yours. They may say that it’s not yet time for you to get married, or that you are getting too old to have a child. They may even say that you are not qualified for that job you are seeking or applying for. People may say whatever they feel or think about you, but God is saying today lift up your eyes and see everything from My (God’s) own perspective and you will be blessed in so doing. Merry Christmas. 

Uche

http://www.houseofvirtue.blogspot.com