tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47438478810113547952024-03-05T22:59:27.680+00:00ZOEIn Him was LIFE and that LIFE was the LIGHT of men. I have come that they may have LIFE and have it to the FULL.John 1:4;10:10b(NIV)Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.comBlogger358125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-57781332082343577512012-03-04T00:00:00.000+00:002012-03-04T08:35:48.433+00:00Anointed for service<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"<b>See I have chosen Bezalel</b> son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah and <b>I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make </b>artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftmanship...."</i></div>
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<i>Exodus 31: 2-5</i></div>
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I wrote a post on the <a href="http://amarasviewonstuff.blogspot.com/2007/09/i-am-anointed.html" target="_blank">anointing</a> a few years ago and I defined the anointing as being 'empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out a certain task.' It is not for people to accord us with titles, it is not for notoriety or popularity, it is not to create a gap between the 'anointed' and those we feel are not, for we are all anointed just that we have been anointed to do different things. I think we church folk really need to learn this.<br />
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Moses was anointed to be a leader. God gave him clear, specific instructions regarding how the tabernacle should be built, I mean it doesn't get more specific than this and I thought I was a perfectionist...lol! However when it came to the actual work, God anointed and thus appointed someone else. I believe this is another example of godly leadership, freeing people to serve God with their God given ability and not trying to stifle their creativity.<br />
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The most important point for me to reflect on in this passage was the balance. God says I have filled this man with the Spirit of God but He didn't end there, He also gave him skill, ability and knowledge. Our anointing comes to ignite our natural skills, abilities and knowledge. Its isn't an either/or, either the Spirit or ability but a both/and both the Spirit and ability. The Spirit just makes our talents go into high definition! All these factors need to work together and I believe this is what makes believers relevant, especially in the times we live. We can speak in tongues and we can also make artistic designs, sing, teach, manage the church's accounts, clean, cook a meal, give elderly folks in church a ride to church. Outside the tabernacle we can also be relevant and show the world that our God is great by providing excellent customer service, meeting deadlines, getting work done, writing great reports etc.<br />
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I believe that just like Bezalel, God has chosen each and every one of us to do something. Something special, something unique. Whatever it is, it was given that we may bless others with it. And in blessing others, we ourselves will be blessed. Blessing others doesn't have to mean doing work for free but meeting needs in people lives, some needs which they will happily pay you top dollar for but that is another post.<br />
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I am filled with the Spirit of God and will bless the world with the skills, abilities and knowledge He has given me.<br />
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ZoeBZoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com185tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-36859424083381179432012-03-02T18:42:00.001+00:002012-03-02T18:51:38.125+00:00Lenten Reflections: More for me<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my Lord , what shall we do?" the servant asked. "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. <b>Those who are with us are more than those who are with them</b>. And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.</i></div>
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Today I prayed and asked God to open my eyes so that I can see. Just like Elisha's servant my vision is usually shortsighted. I can see the 'army' with 'horses' and 'chariots.' I don't see beyond them to see hills full of horses and chariots of fire. You can't compare chariots with chariots of fire and guess what, those chariots of fire are all on my side. They're all on the home team!</div>
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It is such a refreshing thought, 'if God be for me, who can be against me?' It is reassuring to know that when all hell is breaking loose in different areas in my life, there are more for me than against me. David understood this about God when he said </div>
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<i>"He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though MANY oppose me." </i></div>
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<i>Psalm 55:16</i></div>
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God is bigger than any situation I may face. God is on my side and no matter what comes against me, I am already in the majority. It doesn't matter how hard the storm rages, how hard the boat is rocking, what is of utmost importance is that Jesus, the One who stills all storms is here in this boat. </div>
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Lord, open my eyes that I may see.</div>
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ZoeB</div>
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<br /></div>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-31878267422090841162012-02-26T00:00:00.000+00:002012-02-26T00:00:04.743+00:00Lenten Reflections: What I'm building on<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who builds his house on the ROCK. <b>The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house</b>; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundations on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and do not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. <b>The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house</b>, and it fell with a great crash."</i></div>
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<i><b>Matthew 7: 24-27</b></i></div>
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This post is based on a sermon I heard in church a few weeks ago. God bless my pastor : ) Another very popular message. I've heard it in Sunday School and I've taught it in Sunday School too. What I found very interesting was that the only thing different in this story is the foundation the house was built on. Not the houses themselves and not the rain that came down, the streams that rose, the winds that blew and beat against the house. The only difference was the foundation the house was built on.</div>
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I have no building experience but most of us know that the foundation is not seen. You can spend a lot of money on the foundation and to others your site is just an empty plot of land. But how important the foundation is, even more important I daresay than how beautiful the structure of the house is or even the finishing. It might be a mansion but without a good foundation, it is a good for nothing mansion.</div>
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We will all face storms in life. Regardless of ethnicity, political affiliations and even religion. What guarantees our standing through the storm is enduring the necessary pain of building on the right foundation. Building our characters and not just our charisma. Building on sand is easy compared to building on a rock. Lashing out in anger at your child is easier than composing yourself and speaking a gentle word. Submitting a C grade assignment is easier than working on an A+ one. Saying yes to an extramarital affair is easier than working on your marriage, after all it is your spouse's fault for not giving you everything you need to be happy.</div>
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The easy route is not always the best. During Lent let us consider our ways and be wise.</div>
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I am building on the rock so I can stand through the storm.</div>
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ZoeB</div>
<br />Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-85835988364533691002012-02-24T00:00:00.000+00:002012-02-24T00:00:05.136+00:00Lenten reflections: Rocks as pillows<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.....When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the Lord is in this place and I was not aware of it."</i></div>
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There is a joke in my house that when I sleep deeply, I will sleep through the bed being stolen from under me...lol! However, I'm sure even I couldn't sleep with a rock for a pillow. Picture a weary Jacob, running from his brother's vengeance. He has done wrong, but so has Esau because he had given up his birthright! He is running from the familiar to the unfamiliar. From the comfort of his father's house to the hope of acceptance in his uncle's. Midway, he is tired, so tired that he can use a rock for a pillow and fall asleep.</div>
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Life can be hard. Disappointments abound. Rejection common. We run towards what we think is a solution and discover the cruel joke of a mirage. We use rocks for our pillows. As we take time to experience more of God during Lent, I want to encourage you as I am encouraging myself. That even when life is hard, God has not forgotten about us. With rocks as pillows, we can still dream dreams and see visions. We may be going to Laban's house with nothing and yet return back home with great wealth. Our present struggle isn't the end of our story. In the words of Chimamanda Adichie 'the danger of a single story isn't that it isn't true but that it is incomplete.' The Author and Finisher knows our stories. He is where we are, whether we are aware of it or not. Seasons do change and I trust and believe that a good change is around the corner for us.</div>
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I am learning to trust that just like Jacob, even though I am not in a place where I want to be at this present time, God will bring me back to Bethel with a testimony. </div>
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Even though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil.</div>
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ZoeB</div>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-50973348786914218352012-02-22T00:00:00.000+00:002012-02-22T00:00:02.295+00:00Lenten reflections: Fixated on the future<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>'Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: FORGETTING what is behind and STRAINING toward what is ahead.'</i></div>
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I got a powerful 'Inspiration in your Inbox' recently that reminded me of the verse above. It reminded me how important sharing can be. We sometimes literally have the power to change someone's day. Share something beautiful today. </div>
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Its a very popular verse. We all have it memorised, immortalised in our journals, on plaques, on Tshirts and mugs but how many of us are really doing this? I must raise my hand and admit my guilt. I so often find myself trapped in the past, unable to guard my heart with all diligence against the onslaught of past mistakes, past hurts and even past victories. Sometimes the good old days can be an obstacle to the great present days and awesome future days.</div>
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When I am down or when things are not working, I find myself drifting into the past. Thinking about who hurt me, how unfair X and Y were to me. Thinking about who I hurt, asking myself if God is punishing me for something I may have done. Even after asking forgiveness, my heart keeps asking God to forgive even things I don't know I have done..it sounds so silly writing it down now..lol!</div>
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I realised as I read that email that there were some things I just had to let go of and move on. I believe God spoke to my heart and told me that the way to let go of the past is to be fixated on the future. Seeing where you can be. The beauty the future holds and beginning to work towards it. Paul used the verb 'straining' towards what is ahead. Strain means pressure, when you strain, it is not something that comes to you naturally. </div>
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Letting go and looking ahead is more than reciting the Bible verse. It takes work and yes I find myself slipping sometimes. But I have made a commitment to wipe the slate clean with some people and over some issues. I had some really nice tweets on this issue last week but it also included throwing some stuff out. What's the point of holding on to a picture, a card, a whatever it is that has the power to take you back 10 years, 3 years, 1 month and put you in a sad place. That belongs in the bin. Whatever it takes, let's get fixated on our future.</div>
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Letting it go and moving on</div>
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ZoeB</div>
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<br />Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-34304716575063891452012-02-21T10:34:00.003+00:002012-02-21T10:39:03.010+00:00'Come, let us rebuild' Nehemiah's voice<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"....The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and it gates have burned with fire" When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days, I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. </i></div>
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<i>Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace."</i></div>
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Beautiful Jerusalem, capital city of the Kingdom of Israel. At its highest point in Solomon's time it housed both the temple and the palace. Even the queen of Sheba was amazed when she saw the magnificence that was Jerusalem. But Jerusalem was eventually conquered, her sons and daughters taken into exile. Now, the people are 'free' but what they saw when they returned home made them weep.</div>
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It is one thing never to have experienced good times, one can adapt. The one who was born blind does not see black or darkness, he sees nothing. The one who was not born blind curses the blackness, the nothing. He remembers the brilliance of the rainbow, blue clouds, green grass, the redness of the earth. So it was with Nehemiah when he heard news from Jerusalem. From magnificence and opulence to broken walls and burnt gates.</div>
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Some of us can relate to this situation. There was a time that just the mention of his name brought a smile to your face but now something has broken. The business you've worked so hard to build seems to be in ruins. Broken relationships, broken dreams, ashes of what once was. We sit and weep for we remember how things once were. The past is not always painful, sometimes its beauty makes the present struggles that much hard to endure. Jerusalem was once a beautiful place to live, work and play. Nigeria too (hmm). </div>
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There is nothing wrong with crying but our response must never end there. Nehemiah mourned, fasted and prayed before the God of heaven and then he took action. Nehemiah is a 'type' for a godly leader. Not someone who professes to be a good leader, for a good leader does not need to say he is one. His works and posterity judge him for good or evil. Nehemiah's 'voice' was to rebuild the wall of Jeremiah. Walls are very important, even more so in Bible times. Walls speak of security and protection. To keep out what needs to stay out. </div>
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It takes courage to rebuild anything. Sometimes its just easier to start from scratch. But sometimes we don't have that option. To re-build means doing something again, there was a building, there was a business, there was a career, there was a marriage, there are children, but we need to re-build again. Go with God, find your voice. We will rebuild our lives, we will rebuild our nation. The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in record time because the people came together. Read the story a bit further, there was opposition at every turn (Sanballat and Tobiah) so there will be obstacles but we must develop a tenacity to rebuild our lives, against all odds.</div>
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Finding my voice, using it.</div>
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ZoeB</div>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-39125844524147657012012-01-24T00:00:00.000+00:002012-01-24T00:00:05.511+00:00"If I perish, I perish"; Esther's voice<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 16px;">Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: </span><span style="font-size: 16px;">“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”</span>
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When I read the Bible, I sometimes wonder about the person behind the words. I wonder if Esther ever felt scared when she proclaimed those words. Did she speak with 100% confidence or did she just say them to pacify her adopted father. The words sound so sure and so confident and yet I still wonder.</div>
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There was the law of the land, you do not go to the king without a summons. To do so was punishable by death except he stretched out his scepter to you. He hadn't sent for her in a month...he obviously must have been quite pre-occupied...hmm! Her first response to Mordecai was the law of the land, the facts of the case. Mordecai reminded her that she had a voice. That phrase 'for such a time as this' keeps reverberating in my head these days. What is it that God has assigned me to do 'for such a time as this.'</div>
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Esther didn't scream, she didn't shout but she did practice civil disobedience in stepping up to her husband the way she did. I believe in prayer and fasting, now more than ever. However, we can't end there. I believe that the beautiful master plan that played out in the last chapters of Esther was delivered to her as she was praying. It was divinely inspired. I believe that in prayer she found her voice, found the strength to what she had to do. Today we celebrate her but I want to go beyond that to emulate her.</div>
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I found it incredibly fascinating that although Esther was the main character, the words she actually spoke were few. It's not in how much you say but what you actually say. Not so much in how much we do but what we actually do. Her voice was to save her people, my voice may be to save my family, my church, my community, my nation. The most important thing is for me to find my voice and use it.</div>
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What about you?</div>
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Remain blessed.</div>
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ZoeB</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-45218793879263635622012-01-22T18:42:00.002+00:002012-01-22T18:42:51.160+00:00Finding our voice..I am not what you would call a bold person, not really what you would call a courageous person. However, I am beginning to realise how important it is for one to find their voice. There is a difference between voice and sound. A voice can express itself in a whisper or a scream. I wouldn't whisper if I realised my best friend was crossing the road without looking and a lorry was about to hit them. I wouldn't scream while having a conversation with her about some personal choices she had made.<br />
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We all have a voice, some people are more vocal than others. Some voices are oral, some are written. A voice that stands out to me is the hazy image I have of an Indian man in a white robe who felt it was right for his people to be independent of British rule. We all have a voice. God gave it to us. Our voice is our purpose, what we are here for. Whatever it is, find your voice and use it.<br />
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God bless.<br />
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ZoeBZoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-44797409508140742092012-01-20T00:00:00.000+00:002012-01-22T18:17:50.213+00:00OccupyNigeria: Worth thinking aboutSome videos that really got me thinking..<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews</b>. Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain.” </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.” </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery.</b> Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I heard their outcry and these charges, <b>I was very angry</b>. I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, “You are charging your own people interest!” So I called together a large meeting to deal with them and said: “As far as possible, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!” They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> So I continued, <b>“What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?</b> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.” </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> “We will give it back,” they said. “And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, <b>when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah,</b> until his thirty-second year—twelve years—<b>neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor.</b> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. <b>But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.</b> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. A<b>ll my men were assembled there for the work; we</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> did not acquire any land.</b> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, <b>I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b> Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people.</b></span></div>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-23523192593974136192012-01-16T20:34:00.002+00:002012-01-17T08:28:15.377+00:00Why I am Occupying..What I am about to share has been on my heart for a few days now and while it is a deviation from what I would normally write, I am learning how important it is to have a holistic view of life. As much as we yearn for eternity, right at this moment we live in this world. Jesus said 'We are in the world but not of the world' and sometimes I have this tendency to compartmentalise life into Christian and secular boxes when in reality it is really one life lived with Christ at the centre.<br />
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Since the announcement of the removal of the fuel subsidy in Nigeria, I will be lying if I said I have not been angry. In short, angrier than I had ever been before about things occurring in my nation. I saw prices of goods and services rising. I saw some people on minimum wage of N18,000, £72, $120 a month having the major part of their salaries obliterated by the sure increase in transportation costs. I saw an insensitive Government yet laying another burden on the people. A Government that asked people to sacrifice and tighten their belts and didn't show any good faith in tightening their own belts. A Government that calls basic amenities like healthcare, education, good roads, drinkable water palliatives. There is the economics of the subsidy, why its removal is good for the nation. There is the propaganda, how the fuel subsidy only helped the rich and not the poor. I shake my head and pray that I am wrong in thinking as a nation we have trod this path so many times. That this present administration lacks sincerity and compassion. That while we think we live in a democracy because we have elected leaders, the lack of freedom of the press and judiciary makes it seem we are not.<br />
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What I found interesting was the initial silence from believers. I sometimes think we confuse Paul's admonition for us to respect authority with keeping quiet in the face of evil. For to keep quiet when evil reigns is to condone it. A lot of people felt that our Christian leaders should have been more vocal with regard to the issues. While I am among that group, I respect people's right to do what they feel is right. The most important thing for me is doing what God wants us to do and not what is popular opinion. My grievance was and in some ways still is that a lot of these leaders publicly endorsed a particular candidate and used their influence amongst their congregation so now is not the time to claim separation between church and state.<br />
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It was encouraging to see some ministers finally speak up as a response to some criticism for the silence. For too long, the church has hidden behind 'Let us pray' and forgotten that prayer while being the MOST IMPORTANT FIRST step in transformation, it is not the only step. Jesus prayed in Gethsamane, his prayer so intense it was almost like drops of blood fell from his brow, this was his preparation for Golgotha. Esther prayed and fasted for her people, after which she went to face the king with the injustice about to be unleashed to the people even at risk to her life.<br />
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Other blogs have the facts and figures. The 2012 budget, the KPMG audit on NNPC, the SURE document etc. I am occupying because I feel in 2012, enough was finally enough. Occupying isn't personal, political, ethnic, religious. It is about Nigeria. It is about saying No to a system where corruption thrives and righteousness doesn't. A system where believers find it difficult to say No to compromise so they can earn a buck. Occupying isn't about insulting anyone but standing for truth. People are free to agree or disagree. For the first time in a long time, the people are united in their stand. I believe in a democratic society, people have a right to say NO in a peaceful manner. I am still praying for Nigeria and I hope we are all praying too because there must be a change. Things can no longer go on as they are.<br />
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He said 'Occupy till I come' which wasn't in reference to protesting but us taking our rightful place. Most importantly I must allow Him to Occupy me.<br />
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Remain blessed.<br />
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ZoeBZoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-57823687163968601572012-01-06T00:00:00.000+00:002012-01-06T00:00:03.494+00:00DetoxDaddy<br />
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I woke up this morning singing 'I have seen the Lord's goodness, His mercy and compassion. I have seen the Lord's goodness, hallelujah, praise the Lord!'<br />
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I claim the words of this song to be my reality in Jesus name. Indeed You have been good to me and my family in the past. I know You will continue to do the same in my future. Dear God, I thought what I needed was a job, fit into that dress, and all the x things on my imaginary 'I will be happy when this happens' list and yet what this week has taught me is that when you choose to 'detox' be warned because all sorts of stuff is just going to start coming out of you....literally! The sugar shaking, the crankiness, the headaches on the physical side and now on the emotional end I am just realising how much resentment has been in my heart towards a, b and c.<br />
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Yesterday, I allowed a seed of mistrust lie in my heart and I know its because of the things I have refused to deal with from the past. Daddy, help me not to allow that seed germinate. Great thing about this process is not just the giving up of things you don't want in your system but taking in things that you do want. The fruit of the Spirit is love and Your word says we should love one another, deeply and sincerely to fulfil the call of Christ on our lives. Dear God, please be my guide and shield. This heart was not created to hold on to resentment and anger but to give love. My life was created to be a reflection of You. Help me Daddy to always say what needs to be said but to speak all truth in love.<br />
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Help me weed out bitterness and envy from my life. Tired of my 'woe is me' song lately. Please help me. My heart cries out to You. I believe in the transforming power of your love. You took Simon the flake and make him Peter the rock. At the cross we can drop our sin clad lives and receive righteousness, peace and joy. I want my life to be a true reflection of You. Lord it isn't about accumulating silver and gold but living and fulfilling purpose.<br />
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God thank You for being 'honesty' in our relationship. For showing me things about myself that You do not like. Not to condemn me but that I might be saved. Thank you for this season in my life, for the grace for this season. Thank You for strength in this season, thank you for joy in this season. Do what You alone can and may your awesome name always be glorified. May I always find rest in You. Now and always.<br />
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In Jesus name. So be it.<br />
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Much love<br />
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ZoeB<br />
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<br />Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-24649641044987826682012-01-04T00:00:00.000+00:002012-01-04T00:00:02.293+00:00Open and HonestDear Lord thank You. I'm so glad and blessed that I was in church yesterday. Pastor's message really spoke to my heart. Lately, it seems that all I can see around me is disorder, just as it was in creation. I call to mind the walls of Judah that had been destroyed and the sinking feeling Nehemiah must have had as he purveyed the walls. But You are not intimidated by the size of the problems and challenges I face. You did not stagger at the chaos present in the Beginning and I know You are definitely not overwhelmed now.<br />
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I know Your Word tells me to be anxious for nothing but prayerful about everything and that those who know their God are strong and do exploits. But I am weak, I feel like I have been buffeted by trials and tribulations on every side. It seems the battles just line up back to back. I have been weary because I have not waited on You. I haven't hidden in You as my refuge, haven't kept You as my refuge and shield. I did faint in the day of adversity, indicative that my strength was small.<br />
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All, including myself have sinned and fallen short of your glory. Your glory is how You intended for us to live. I know I have Lord but again I ask for your mercy. I want to be intimate with you again. Fall in love with you again, walk the line with You again. Today I just want to be honest about where I am and what I feel. You know and see all things anyway. I'm hurt, I'm tired and I'm angry. I'm hurt about the things that have happened* . Daddy I know that I shouldn't keep all this hurt and pain inside of me, its toxic and affecting me in so many ways yet I don't know what to do. A voice says 'Talk to me about it, tell me where it hurts.' It hurts deep inside, so deep that I don't know if I really want to reach inside and get to it because I don't know what else I'm going to find in there. Daddy, I believe that You have the power to transform lives, to turn things around and bring about a good change.<br />
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I commit them into Your hands, they need You more than ever. They need You to be their strength, shield and exceedingly great reward. They need You to show them the way back home. I just realised my truth. That even if it was proved without reasonable doubt that You didn't exist, I would still believe in You (what sort of scientist am I then...lol!) Lord this is a right hot mess that only You can fix. Please help us and please help me. I know weeping endures for the night but Lord please let the morning not tarry for it comes with my joy.<br />
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Thank you for always listening.<br />
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*I want to be as open in my prayers as I can but some issues involve other people and so I will not always give details. The point of this is not so much about the actions but the feelings. I hope you understand. Also the prayers in this series do not reflect where I am right now, by His grace I am in a very different place : )<br />
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Much love<br />
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ZoeBZoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-59444120560818150202012-01-03T00:00:00.000+00:002012-01-03T00:00:02.362+00:00Thanksgiving..<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Let everything that has breath praise the Lord</i></div>
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<i>Psalm 150:6</i></div>
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Dear Lord thank You for allowing me see this day. For Your goodness and faithfulness, for keeping me alive. There is so much on the inside that I would really love to let go of but dear Lord as always I ask for your grace to stay on this journey to the end. It is a new day, I can hear the birds singing and I know I should be thankful.</div>
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Your Word says 'let everything that has breath praise the Lord.' Truth is at this moment, I don't feel like I have anything praiseworthy about but that is not actually truth, because despite everything, I know I can still say 'Thank you I am alive.' The Word doesn't say 'Let everything that has breath and FEELS LIKE, praise the Lord.' So I will praise You with every fibre of my being. I will praise You and give You thanks. For all you do and all you will continue to do.</div>
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Lord please keep me in this attitude today. One of thanksgiving, one that doesn't dwell on what has gone wrong or what is going wrong but one that dwells on your truth. I am comforted by Your word. In the beginning, the earth was without form and void, darkness on the face of the deep and yet despite the chaos you said 'Let there be light' and there was light. I'm grateful that You have the power and can shine light in the darkest of circumstances.</div>
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Pray I hold on to this word through my day.</div>
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Remain blessed</div>
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ZoeB</div>
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<br />Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-5322313163732399352012-01-01T00:00:00.000+00:002012-01-01T00:00:09.455+00:00Prayers in the Valley...Wow! How much I have missed blogging. How has everyone been? This post is dedicated to my baby sister @doshix for your constant support, encouragement and kicks (in a good way) to return. And return I have.<br />
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It always surprises me when people ask me why I like to pray. Truth is its that its more that I just have to pray not that I like to...lol! Truth is that there have been periods when I have found it difficult to pray, when I haven't felt like and when I haven't wanted to either. Truth is prayer is a lot more than what we think it is and sometimes a lot less too.<br />
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I write most of my prayers. If you've followed this blog for any period of time I'm sure you'll know that already. Prayers in the Valley are prayers I have written over a period of time. They aren't polished, they don't reveal deep truths, the only thing I can say about them is that they are sincere. Prayer is talking to God, nothing more and nothing less and I am on a journey towards a place I call 'Authentic Christianity.' Christianity doesn't say this is the end to all your problems or that there always be laughter, what Christianity says is that 'no matter what happens, you don't have to face it alone.' Its easier to offer prayers of praise and thanksgiving for the goodness of God in our lives but a balanced Christianity knows that the Cross and grave precede the resurrection.<br />
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My prayer is that they bless each and everyone reading this, encourage them that no matter how personal the struggle, you are not alone. I have really missed being here, not just writing and reading comments but being part of my blog family.<br />
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I am looking forward to 2012. Everything it has to offer, mountains and valleys, sunshine and rain.<br />
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Happy New Year.<br />
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Remain blessed and highly favoured<br />
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ZoeB</div>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-55793262970803683792011-08-31T11:04:00.001+00:002011-08-31T11:04:33.477+00:00Untitled..<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>'You are either drawing close to God or away from Him. You can't be stagnant, there is no middle ground.'</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I didn't open Google Chrome with the intention of reading my blog or posting a comment. I have a big exam on Monday and I have been composing my apology in my head for the next post to come sometime after that ..'<i>sorry I disappeared without any explanation.' </i>but apparently that wasn't God's plan for me today.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have excuses but no real reasons for being away. I became tired of a number of things and realised I was running on empty. I also learnt that I need to live what I'm learning through my writing. Always. I did miss being here but I had another writing project and I just couldn't write anything else. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I hope to be back to regular blogging soon. There are many things written in my journal which I initially didn't want to share but you never know who needs what when and if there's anything I've learnt in the last few months its that most of us believers (myself so included) have become adept make up artists and Photoshoppers. We imagine what Christianity should be like and it's always the 'perfect picture.' The most important image of our faith is a very bloody Christ on a cross..its gruesome and it doesn't end there but that picture exists. A lot of people are struggling in silence unaware that I your sister underneath all my smiles is struggling too.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So I will share..not everything..God is still dealing with me but I pray that you are always drawing closer to God even if its an inch or a fraction of an inch. I've learnt that when I turn towards Him, He has his ways of bringing me close.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Much Love. You are blessed and highly favoured.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ZoeB</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">N.B If you are on Twitter, please follow me there @ZoeBeliever. I know that has also been a big distraction from here. Microblogging eh?</span>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-13897670303917169652011-04-22T00:00:00.001+00:002011-04-22T00:00:04.852+00:00On 'Christianity'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A good man may not be a Christian but a Christian must always strive to be a good man. Of what point is our 'religion' if it does not lead us to be more charitable...to be more like Christ. Dear Lord in this day I ask not for courage to change the world but courage required to change me. Let prudence, charity, justice and love be my watchwords today dear Lord/ Give me the strength not to take the 'bios' pathway but the Zoe. It is not just the abundant life but a higher form of living. Dear Lord be my strength and guide. Help me to see the place of prayer as a divine appointment between I and my Heavenly Father. It's ok to be nervous when you've been a bad child because a good Father chastises the one He loves. But I'll step into that place remembering that I'm meeting the One who sent His one and only son to die for me while I was still a sinner. I'm just imagining how much more You would receive me into your arms now as a child. A naughty child...but a child nonetheless... : )</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">N.B. Not everyone who goes to church is a Christian. Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian is one either. However Christians do lie, steal and do bad things. Because salvation is instantaneous but maturity is a lifelong process. Jesus Christ lived his life as a model for us and being a Christian is daily depending on His grace to live like that. We should be getting better. I love the way C.S Lewis puts it. "It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird; it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while inside an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad."</span>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-46126943257803636302011-04-21T00:00:00.002+00:002011-04-21T00:00:00.811+00:00On 'Wisdom'<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?.......God understands its way. And He knows its place.....And to man He said, Behold the fear of the Lord that is wisdom and to depart from evil that is understanding.'</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Selected verses from Job 28</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What can we do without wisdom? We were not designed to trust in our own intelligence, to trust in our own understanding, to rely on ourselves for anything but to depend on God to show us the way. Hmm...O Lord God teach me to put my trust in you once again. The answers to all questions of life can be found in you. Thank you for today. In you is the wisdom required for me to solve the riddles that life throws my way daily. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">N.B There are some days I wish God didn't speak to me...lol!</span></div>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-87719397167294777322011-04-20T00:00:00.001+00:002011-04-20T00:00:02.368+00:00On 'The Darkness'<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>'There is unquestionably a grave danger of many becoming spiritually paralysed by depression'</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Streams in the desert</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 21px;">Isaiah 61:3</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love David and I love reading the Psalms. He's one of the Bible characters I relate to because I see a lot of myself in his life and his writings. Christianity is not about perfection but that despite imperfections God still loves us. I do know the feelings that come with being depressed. To be afraid to face a world that seems so full of joy while your own heart seems so full of pain. To not rejoice in the 'day the Lord has made' and all you live for is to go back to bed again and pray for sleep to take you away from reality. But there is hope and there is light. For another beauty of Christianity is the simple truth that light banishes darkness. Jesus is that light. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It is a process. When Jesus touched the paralysed man, his healing was immediate but he had to pick up his bed and walk. He had to begin to use his legs to go to places. It does take time and a loving friend sometimes. What is a friend if you cannot entrust them with the responsibility to share your burdens with you? It helps to be busy, looking for ways to be a blessing to others. Depression puts the focus on you, service puts the focus on others. Depression is listening and believing 'satanic whispers.' Set your atmosphere aright (preaching to myself right there). The grace of God is sufficient to see you through the darkest moments of life. Weeping may endure for a night....encourage yourself in his word that joy comes in the morning. He is the Lover that is never too busy, never too tired. His love for us is renewed by the day. Lord let your light always shine in my darkness. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There is a battle to be won, lets receive strength from on high so we can fight the good fight of faith. In Jesus name. Amen.</span></div>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-87080544562805001772011-04-11T00:00:00.001+00:002011-04-11T00:00:04.503+00:00On....'His silence'<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">But if I go to the east, he is not there;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">if I go to the west, I do not find him.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">But he knows the way that I take;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Job 23: 9-10</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">The absence of the 'feeling' of His presence cannot be concluded as His absence. His 'silence' does not diminish His Omniscience or His Omnipotence. I usually equate those quiet moments as having to do with sin. Its true...sin separates us from God. But its not the whole story. Even when I don't know where He is....He knows where I am. When God does speak to Job at the end of the story, it's obvious that He had been there all along, through the death of the children, the death of the business, the death of everything. Problems are not an indication that God has forgotten us..'Many are the afflictions of the righteous....but the Lord delivers.' Sometimes I think He's always speaking but its me who isn't always listening but its comforting to know that He is always there. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Lord teach me to trust you in the silent moments and the grace to obey You when You do speak.</span></span></div>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-77991523953264246402011-04-10T00:00:00.007+00:002011-04-10T00:00:06.125+00:00On....His goodness?<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For the Lord is good and His mercy endures forever; his faithfulness continues to all generations. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Psalms 100:5</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sometimes I can look at my life (I'm sure you do as well, don't worry I won't tell..lol!) and ask God if certain events and circumstances are an indication of His goodness? I hastily conclude from present issues that I can see no evidence of His faithfulness. But then.....my circumstances are not what gives God His characteristics. That is a myopic view. Chimamanda says it well when she talks about the danger of a single story....the danger of a single story is not that it is not true but that it is incomplete. My story about God cannot be based on present events, not even on the story of my life but its about looking at life from a Kingdom perspective. I think there's a reason why God promises that those who wait on Him will soar like the eagles...eagles have a different view from chickens! I'm tired of clucking..it's time to rise. What you see from an altitude you can never see from the ground. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A Kingdom perspective means seeing it through God's eyes (I rarely get this...its not so much about understanding as it is about trust). I don't like to be prejudged by people but I do it to God all the time. When we hear bad why do we always attribute it to God?..either His nonchalance or impotence...If we truly know God we'll know that He is very interested and He is also very powerful. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Knowledge comes with intimacy. If I know Him...I should trust Him.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I wish I had all the answers but I don't. But I know God is good. I see the fire...He sees a purification process.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-68733943875606171732011-04-09T00:00:00.004+00:002011-04-09T00:00:00.239+00:00Forgive me.....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">that I still love them. That I'm asking God to teach me about condemning sin and not the sinner. Because sometimes I don't know where one ends and the other starts or when one starts and the other ends. Forgive me for praying for restoration of the wronged for it takes strength and courage to speak against what is wrong, despite what others may think of you. Forgive me for praying for restoration of the guilty and for thinking that they may need God even more. Forgive me for not discussing issues when I don't have the facts. Forgive me for not believing that not everything available on the Internet is true. Forgive me for thinking you should know better. Also for being 'biased' but are we not always biased with respect to those we love? Hmmm? Forgive me for not choosing sides for I wonder which side God is on? For I believe that the same God who is working on healing in one is also working on healing in the other. Forgive me for thinking He has the ability to do so.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Forgive me for believing that when people fall, they fall into the arms of a loving Father who will punish their wrongdoing and yet still have the capacity to have mercy on them. Forgive me because I don't understand how He does this...I'm still working on my own salvation, with fear and trembling, now more than ever. Forgive me for not having the capacity to fully empathise with a situation, true if it had been me..I would shoot first and maybe ask for forgiveness later...Forgive me for accepting the apology of people who looked into my eyes, admitting their error as they told me they had made a mistake. Forgive me for thinking you were not entitled to your opinion about issues and matters for you are. God doesn't love us less or more wherever we stand.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Forgive me for being confused about what to say or do because my Christianity 101 manual didn't prepare me for some things. I am a believer working towards maturity, and some days are harder than others. Sin remains sin, regardless of who commits it. Grace remains grace, regardless of who requires it. In all, God remains God, despite of what people want Him to be. Forgive me for having more questions than answers. Forgive me for not making sense but then who says we should make sense of everything?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Forgive me for believing that despite everything that happened God has the power to work good through it all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Please forgive me...</span>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-88759354412570594562011-04-08T00:00:00.001+00:002011-04-08T00:00:04.824+00:00On patience...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Wait for the LORD;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">be strong and take heart </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">and wait for the LORD.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Psalms 27:14</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It takes courage and bravery to be patient..'be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord'....you will need to be strong. I will need to be strong to face each day and keep going on despite the fact that I have not seen any physical evidence of my good change. To keep sending stuff out despite getting a slip that says 'Thanks but no'. To keep keeping at it requires bravery and courage. To believe God and live life at the same time. To obey God when He tells you to make things happen for others with your skills and abilities. Because I believe that God will make life happen for me.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Daddy give me courage to be strong, to take heart and wait for you. Like David, let my wilderness season bring out psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Help me to wait with the right attitude, not in despair but in abundant joy serving others.</span></span>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-48370138660291602922011-04-07T00:00:00.002+00:002011-04-07T00:00:03.314+00:00On difficulties...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>'It is the storm itself that the eagle uses to soar upward into the dark sky, turning the storm clouds into a chariot' </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Streams in the desert</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What a suitable word for me today. It's easy to be 'academic' about God working all things together for my good. Truth is that 'all' includes extremely difficult things as well. It includes disappointment and heartbreak. Just like the individual ingredients of a cake can be horrible if consumed alone, insert eggs, butter, flour, sugar, cocoa mix...yet working together and going through the heat of the oven they can give the most scrumptious, yummy chocolate cake! In the same way, I believe God can mix the individual ingredients of our lives, insert rejection, storms, disappointment...allow us to go through the fire and come out looking different and better. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today I am disappointed at my 'rejection' folder (insert job and grant application) but I trust God and choose not to give up. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Daddy help me remember you in difficult times, that they never last but are character building. That they don't necessarily come from you but you can still use them. Please give me strength.</span></div>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4743847881011354795.post-67814374670245488382011-04-06T00:00:00.002+00:002011-04-06T00:00:02.792+00:00On being..<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>'She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said'</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Luke 10:39</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I always want to do something. I don't know how to be. I'm more a Martha than a Mary...its more important to get table settings right than enjoy the meal..lol! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mary got it right, sitting at the Master's feet. Not because she wasn't going to go and do something later but right at that moment she just needed to sit down and relax, just 'be' with Jesus. Life is about moments, some seemingly insignificant but yet so pivotal. In a whisper, in half a breath they're gone...I'm learning to recognise them. When you love someone, spending time with them is a given. Just being...being a family, being friends, being people. Nothing wrong with doing but being precedes the doing.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dear Lord, I need to learn to sit at your feet but I need You to help me. While I would rather foxtrot and quick step through life remind me that there should be room for the waltz and somedays its enough to just hold hands. Thank you Lord.</span>Zoe Believerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065810844499006682noreply@blogger.com5