Make Up Your Mind!

Elijah had absolute confidence that the LORD was the one true God. That's why the prophet challenged Ahab and his false prophets to a contest atop Mount Carmel. Elijah wanted the king to stop causing the confusion over who was to be worshipped- Baal or God.

The prophet told the people it was time to makeup their minds. They could not claim to be God's people and continue to worship idols, rather than in the living God. No false god can do for us what God can do. He forgives our sins, meets our physical needs and satisfies the spiritual longings in our hearts. God is the only one worth worshipping.


I kings 18: 17-40


Culled from The Bible

Why was death necessary?

We often declare that we are telling the truth by saying "Cross my heart and hope to die." That means, "I deserve to die if I'm telling a lie." The agreement between God and humanity is similar. If we sin against God and do not obey his Word, we deserve to die.

During Old Testament times, an animal was killed to take the death penalty that a human deserved for disobeying God. The blood of the animal was then sprinkled in an open display before God and people. When Jesus died on the cross, the blood that poured out of his body was proof that he was paying for our sins. This was the final sacrifice for the sins of humanity.



Culled from The Bible

Have you been to that barber's shop?

A man was strolling down a street and saw a barber's shop with the sign 'cut your hair for free. The shop was large and had sophisticated equipment, he went in and asked, "how long are you going to cut for free?" The barber replied, "As long as I remain a barber." He had a cut, saw himself in a mirror and marvelled, he asked the barber.

"You are cutting people's hair for free, there are millions of people out there looking unkempt; with bushy hair and moustache, young, old who cannot afford to pay for a cut, why aren't people coming?" The barber smiled and said, "I have called unto them but they won't come. See most of them scratching their heads miserably and lamenting about their shaggy look, whereas, it won't cost them anything to come down here". Matt 11:28-30.


That's exactly the scenario between Jesus and the world. Why go about lamenting your plight when everything can be settled by Jesus Christ and Yes for FREE. The end time is near, Christ is coming soon, the best gift you can give anyone (particularly unbelievers) on planet earth, is to lead them to Christ. Without salvation, no one will inherit the kingdom of heaven.

Millions of souls are perishing everyday, tell someone about Jesus Christ, there's no way you can see God except through His only son Jesus Christ. That's where most people are missing it. You can't deal directly with God without passing through His son, it's more or less like wanting to enter a fenced building without making use of the gate.

John 14:16 says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". It is as concise as that. The peace, joy etc in Christ is better than anyone you can get anywhere. Jesus turns nobody away. He sees your heart, He knows your needs, just surrender, please give all to Him. Creation cost him nothing but your salvation? Everything.

Faith (An Inspiring Poem)

Faith… One song playing all through his heart
Faith… One voice holding him through the time
Faith… and he heard their voices:

Oh yes, there can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
Its hard to kill

Who knows what miracle
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will

You will when you believe

Faith… He believed.
It wasn't all he hoped for. It was more.
Because he believed.
In the end, he achieved.
Faith…



Culled from a sound track.
By. Sueddie Agema!

Photos from the Kurt Carr and the Exalted Tribe Live Concert!

This is a little belated but it's not that late. Here are pictures from the Kurt Carr and the Exalted Tribe Live Concert which took place at Harvesters International Christian Centre on Monday Oct 14.








Credit: Vine Magazine

Check out nominees for the 2013 Nigeria Gospel Music Awards (NGMA)

Here are the nominees for the 2013 Nigeria Gospel Music Awards. According to organizers, the awards will exclusively be conducted via SMS premium mobile voting across GSM Networks. The system will allow voters to primarily vote for artistes of their choice as many times as possible using the unique 'Category ID' e.g text > NGMA <space>category ID ->  Y6  <send to> our SMS Shortcode '32811

Artistes can advertise their voting 'category ID' and SMScode(s) '32811' through any means that will pull fans to give them support. Nominated Artistes / Producers or Record Labels need as many votes as possible in their categories to clinch the prestigious NGMA Award.

Voting ends on November 25, 2013 and voters' decision/judges' remarks will be final. Result will be collated and announcement of winners made on the Awards day ( Sunday, December 1, 2013)

How to vote!
Using your mobile phone, Type NGMA > leave a space < Nominees code e.g  T4  > send to shortcode 32811.

    
(1) THE BEST INDIGENOUS SONG - (CONTEMPORARY)
 
1. FLO -   NGMA(space) A1  (send to) 32811 
 2. PITA - NGMA(space) A2  (send to) 32811 
 3. SAMSONG - NGMA(space) A3  (send to) 32811 
4. ANNY - NGMA(space) A4  (send to) 32811 
5. OBIWON - NGMA(space) A5  (send to) 32811 
6. KENNY SAM - NGMA(space) A6  (send to) 32811
 

 
(2) THE BEST INDIGENOUS SONG - (ALTERNATIVE)
 
1.    TAIWO OLADOYE -   NGMA (space) B1  (send to) 32811   
2.  ADA -   NGMA(space) B2  (send to) 32811 
 3.  IBITAYO JEJE -   NGMA(space) B3  (send to) 32811 
 4.  PSALMOS -   NGMA(space) B4  (send to) 32811 
 5.  MONIQUE -   NGMA(space) B5  (send to) 32811 
 6.  GAISE -   NGMA(space) B6  (send to) 32811 
 

 
     
(3) THE BEST INDIGENOUS SONG - (TRADITIONAL)
 
1. SAMMIE OKPOSO -   NGMA(space) C1  (send to) 32811
 2. AFRESH -   NGMA(space) C2  (send to) 32811
 3.  BETHANY -   NGMA(space) C3  (send to) 32811
4.  OKIKI JESU -   NGMA(space) C4  (send to) 32811
5. SOLOMON LANGE -   NGMA(space) C5  (send to) 32811
 6. SAM NEM -   NGMA(space) C6  (send to) 32811

(4) BEST GOSPEL HOP / RAP
 
1. IBK SPACESHIPBOI -   NGMA(space) D1  (send to) 32811
2. PROVABS -   NGMA(space) D2  (send to) 32811
3. GAMEMAN -   NGMA(space) D3  (send to) 32811
4. BOUQUI -   NGMA(space) D4  (send to) 32811
5. N.U.T.T.Y JOSH -   NGMA(space) D5  (send to) 32811
 6. DOPE -   NGMA(space) D6  (send to) 32811
 7. PROTEK -   NGMA(space) D7  (send to) 32811
 8. 565 -   NGMA(space) D8  (send to) 32811
 9. SAM NEM -   NGMA(space) D9  (send to) 32811
 

(5) BEST REGGAE
 
1. RIGHTEOUSMAN -   NGMA(space) E1  (send to) 32811
2. BUCHI -   NGMA(space) E2  (send to) 32811
3. INNERMAN -   NGMA(space) E3  (send to) 32811
4. PAUL PERSOL -   NGMA(space) E4  (send to) 32811
5. ED GILBERT -   NGMA(space) E6  (send to) 32811
 

(6) BEST ROCK
 
1. VIVA -   NGMA(space) F1  (send to) 32811
2. JAHDIEL -   NGMA(space) F2  (send to) 32811
3. FEGA -   NGMA(space) F3  (send to) 32811
 4. AILLY OMOJEHOVA -   NGMA(space) F4  (send to) 32811
 5. IKIRI LAWRENCE -   NGMA(space) F5  (send to) 32811
 6. ADA -   NGMA(space) F6  (send to) 32811
 7. FLO -   NGMA(space) F7  (send to) 32811

 
(7) BEST SOUL/ R&B
 
1. LARRYBLEX -   NGMA(space) G1  (send to) 32811
 2. SEGUN OBE -   NGMA(space) G2  (send to) 32811
 3. SAMSONG -   NGMA(space) G3  (send to) 32811
 4. CHARLES GRANVILLE -   NGMA(space) G4  (send to) 32811
 

 

(8) BEST MALE VOCALIST
 
1. SAMMIE OKPOSO -   NGMA(space) H1  (send to) 32811
 2. SEGUN OBE -   NGMA(space) H2  (send to) 32811
 3. SAMSONG -   NGMA(space) H3  (send to) 32811
 4. CHARLES GRANVILLE -   NGMA(space) H4  (send to) 32811
 5. FLO -   NGMA(space) H5  (send to) 32811
6. PITA -   NGMA(space) H6  (send to) 32811
 7. KENNY SAM -   NGMA(space) H7  (send to) 32811
 

(9) BEST FEMALE VOCALIST
 
1. TAIWO OLADOYE -   NGMA(space) I1  (send to) 32811
 2. NENE SOUL DIVA -   NGMA(space) I2  (send to) 32811
 3. EFE -   NGMA(space) I3  (send to) 32811
 4. ANNY -   NGMA(space) I4  (send to) 32811
 5. ONOS -   NGMA(space) I5  (send to) 32811
 6. DIEKO -   NGMA(space) I6  (send to) 32811

 
(10) MUSIC PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
 
1. FLO -   NGMA(space) J1  (send to) 32811
2. PHAT E -   NGMA(space) J2  (send to) 32811
3. WOLE ONI -   NGMA(space) J3  (send to) 32811
4. MASTERKRAFT -   NGMA(space) J4  (send to) 32811
5. OKEY SOKAY -   NGMA(space) J5  (send to) 32811
 6. J TREASH -   NGMA(space) J6  (send to) 32811

 
(11) BEST GROUP OR DUO
 
1. MIDNIGHT CREW -   NGMA(space) K1  (send to) 32811
 2. TIM GODFREY & XTREME CREW -  NGMA(space) K2  (send to) 32811
 3. GOSPEL ACCORDING TO RAP [GA2R] -   NGMA(space) K3  (send to) 32811
 4. BRAND NEW GENERATION [B.N.G.] -  NGMA(space) K4  (send to) 32811
 5. GOD'S OWN RADICALS [G.O.R] -  NGMA(space) K5  (send to) 32811
 6. TEHILA CREW -   NGMA(space) K6  (send to) 32811
 

(12) BEST  USE OF INSTRUMENT/ BEST JAZZ
 
1.MFM MASS CHOIR -   NGMA(space) L1  (send to) 32811
 2. SEGUN OLUWAYOMI -   NGMA(space) L2  (send to) 32811
3. MIKE AREMU -   NGMA(space) L3  (send to) 32811
 4. NATHANIEL BASSEY -   NGMA(space) L4  (send to) 32811
 5. EBELE THE FLUTIST -   NGMA(space) L5  (send to) 32811

 
(13) BEST NEW ARTISTE
 
1. HENRISOUL -   NGMA(space) M1  (send to) 32811
 2. FLO -   NGMA(space) M2  (send to) 32811
 3. TOLU IJOGUN [NEE ODUKOYA] -  NGMA(space) M3  (send to) 32811
 4. TAIWO OLADOYE -   NGMA(space) M4  (send to) 32811
5. TOEYOURSEA -   NGMA(space) M5  (send to) 32811

 
(14) NEXT RATED

 
1. SAM NEM -   NGMA(space) N1  (send to) 32811
2. FEMI  FLAME -   NGMA(space) N2  (send to) 32811
3. C-STAS -   NGMA(space) N3  (send to) 32811
4. SAM JAMZ -   NGMA(space) N4  (send to) 32811
5. ISRAEL  FUNSHO -   NGMA(space) N5  (send to) 32811
6. STEVE WILIZ -   NGMA(space) N6  (send to) 32811
 7.  565 -   NGMA(space) N7  (send to) 32811

 
(15) RECORD LABEL
 
1. BOSS ENTERTAINMENT -  NGMA(space) O1  (send to) 32811
 2. FREENATION -   NGMA(space) O2  (send to) 32811
 3. LOVEWORLD -   NGMA(space) O3  (send to) 32811

 
(16) BEST COLLABORATION SONG / ALBUM
 
1. 'ARUGBO OJO' -   NGMA(space) P1  (send to) 32811
 2. 'WORUNO' -   NGMA(space) P2  (send to) 32811
 3. 'E GIMME MONEY' -   NGMA(space) P3  (send to) 32811
 4. 'SOKUTUYOYO' -   NGMA(space) P4  (send to) 32811
 5. 'GOD NO DEY LIE' -   NGMA(space) P5  (send to) 32811
 6. 'I STAND AMAZED' -   NGMA(space) P6  (send to) 32811
7. 'TESTIFY' -   NGMA(space) P7  (send to) 32811
8. 'HALLELUYAH' -   NGMA(space) P8  (send to) 32811
9. 'MORIRE' -   NGMA(space) P9  (send to) 32811
10. "LIGHT IN ME" -   NGMA(space) P10  (send to) 32811

 
(17) CHOIR OF THE YEAR

1. MFM HQ CHOIR -   NGMA(space) Q1  (send to) 32811
 2. TREM -   NGMA(space) Q2  (send to) 32811
 3. HICC CHOIR -   NGMA(space) Q3  (send to) 32811
 4. COZA CHOIR -   NGMA(space) Q4  (send to) 32811
 5. FOUNTAIN OF LIFE CHOIR -  NGMA(space) Q5  (send to) 32811

(18) WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR

1. LIZA C  -  'I SURRENDER'   NGMA(space) R1  (send to) 32811
2. SOLOMON LANGE  -  'YABO'    NGMA(space) R2  (send to) 32811
3. FUNKE AKINOKUN  - 'WHO YOU ARE'    NGMA(space) R3  (send to) 32811
4. NIKKI LAOYE -  'ONLY YOU'   NGMA(space) R4  (send to) 32811
5. KENNY K'ORE -  'YOUR PEACE' -   NGMA(space) R5  (send to) 32811

 
(19) SONG OF THE YEAR
 
1.  NIKKI LAOYE  -  '123'    NGMA (space)  S1  (send to) 32811
 2. HENRISOUL - 'BLOW MY MIND'    NGMA(space) S2  (send to) 32811
 3. TIM GODFREY - 'EKELEBE'   NGMA(space) S3  (send to) 32811
 4. SAMMIE OKPOSO -  'MY STORY'    NGMA(space) S4  (send to) 32811
 5. FLO - 'TWALE'     NGMA(space) S5  (send to) 32811
 6. PITA -   'LIGHT UP MY WORLD'    NGMA(space) S6  (send to) 32811

(20) ARTISTE OF THE YEAR
 
1. SAMMIE OKPOSO -   NGMA(space) T1  (send to) 32811
 2. FLO -   NGMA(space) T2  (send to) 32811
 3. SEGUN OBE -   NGMA(space) T3  (send to) 32811
 4. TIM GODFREY -   NGMA(space) T4  (send to) 32811
 5. HENRISOUL -   NGMA(space) T5  (send to) 32811

 
(21) ALBUM OF THE YEAR

 
1.  SAMMIE OKPOSO  -  'THE STATEMENT'     NGMA(space) U1  (send to) 32811
2.  SEGUN OBE -  'STILL STANDING' -   NGMA(space) U2  (send to) 32811
 3. FLO -  'SANCTIONED'   NGMA(space) U3  (send to) 32811
 4. MIDNIGHT CREW -  'KING OF NATIONS' -   NGMA(space) U4  (send to) 32811
 5. B.O.U.Q.U.I - "MARKS OF A GENERAL/EVE OF INDEPENDENCE"   NGMA(space) U5

 
(22) BEST MALE ARTISTE IN DIASPORA

 
1. IZZY - USA -   NGMA(space) V1  (send to) 32811
2. DAFIDI - MALAYSIA -   NGMA(space) V2  (send to) 32811
3. DARE DAVID - USA -   NGMA(space) V3  (send to) 32811
4. JID VOCALS - UKRAINE -  NGMA(space) V4  (send to) 32811
5. PCE CREW - USA -   NGMA(space) V5  (send to) 32811
6. IKIRI LAWRENCE -  ZA -   NGMA(space) V6  (send to) 32811

 
(23) BEST FEMALE ARTISTE IN DIASPORA

 
1. PEGGY OTIS - USA -   NGMA(space) W1  (send to) 32811
2. FUNKE AKINOKUN - FRANCE -  NGMA(space) W2  (send to) 32811
3. ISABELLA - UK -   NGMA(space) W3  (send to) 32811
4. ANU - USA -   NGMA(space) W4  (send to) 32811
5. DORIEN JACOBS - UK -   NGMA(space) W5  (send to) 32811
 6. PAT EDO - UK -   NGMA(space) W6  (send to) 32811

VIDEO AWARDS CATEGORY  
     

(24) BEST VIDEO

1. LIZA C -  'I SURRENDER'  NGMA(space) X1  (send to) 32811
2. HENRISOUL -  'BLOW MY MIND'    NGMA(space) X2  (send to) 32811
3. KENNY SAM -  'IGWE' NGMA(space) X3  (send to) 32811
4. MIKE ABDUL - 'MORIRE'  NGMA(space) X4  (send to) 32811
5. GA2R - 'THE ALMIGHTY'  NGMA(space) X5  (send to) 32811
6. " SAMMIE OKPOSO - ' PRAISE PARTY'   NGMA(space) X5  (send to) 32811

 
(25) BEST VIDEO DIRECTOR
 
1. TOLUCCI -   NGMA(space) Y1  (send to) 32811
2. YINKA DAVIDS -   NGMA(space) Y2  (send to) 32811
3. AKIN ALABI -   NGMA(space) Y3  (send to) 32811
4. LAWRENCE OMO-IYARE -  NGMA(space) Y4  (send to) 32811
5. GBENGA SALU -   NGMA(space) Y5  (send to) 32811
 6. AJAYI SCENELOCK -   NGMA(space) Y6  (send to) 32811
 
     
   

 
(26) SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS
 
1. SUNDAY BEST WITH SABINA  -
 2. SAMMIE OKPOSO -  
 3. NOMORELOSS -  
 

 

 
 
(27) BEST CONCERTS / EVENTS
 
1. GOSPEL NITE LIVE  -  
 2. CLUB 23 -  

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
POSTHUMOUS

Behind-the-scene photos of Deitrick Haddon's new reality series, 'Preachers of LA'

Award-winning Gospel sensation, Deitrick Haddon, the brain behind thesr popular songs , He never fails, Mighty God and the likes is out with another captivating film, Preachers of L.A. The controversial new docu-series premiered on October 9, on the Oxygen network. The reality TV show revolves around the ministries and personal lives of six influential Christian pastors in Southern California.



Synopsis

Preachers Of LA follows Pastor Wayne Chaney, Senior pastor of Antioch Church of Long Beach; Bishop Ron Gibson, pastor of Life Church Of God In Christ in Riverside; Deitrick Haddon, minister and contemporary gospel artist; Jay Haizlip, senior pastor of The Sanctuary in Orange County; Bishop Noel Jones, senior pastor of the City of Refuge Church in Gardena; and Bishop Clarence McClendon, senior pastor of Full Harvest International Church in Los Angeles.

These men of God will share diverse aspects of their dynamic lives, from their work in the community and with their parishioners to the very large and captivating lives they lead away from the pulpit. While "Preachers of L.A." documents these pastors' lifestyles, the series also focuses on the daily struggles and triumphs they face as men, husbands, fathers, brothers and friends.

Viewers will also get to know the strong women who stand behind these church leaders, and often work just as hard to balance their lives in the spotlight with their commitment to family.

Lagos Are You Ready? Kurt Carr and the Exalted Tribe. Live!!!

It promises to be a spectacular evening of worship and praise to God. American gospel music composer and performer, Kurt Carr and his Exalted Tribe would be storming Nigeria tomorrow for a concert like no other.


Date: Monday October 14, 2013
Venue: Harvesters International Christian Centre, Plot 5 - 7, Gbagada Express Way, Gbagada, (opp Mobil Filling Station & just by Atunrase Estate gate), Lagos, Nigeria.
Time: 5pm 

Can you sing? Tim Godfrey & Xtreme Crew's Audition For New Singers comes up on October 14

Are you a super talented gospel singer? Award winning gospel sensation "Tim Godfrey and xtreme crew" call for an open audition for really talented singers. Republic of Xtreme (ROX) is a world-class group that's aimed at giving talented singers opportunities to showcase their skills.


To be a part of this;
1. Follow on Twitter @RepofXtreme
2. Like on facebook (Republic Of Xtreme – Rox)
3. Send a mail containing the following
(Full name, email address, date of birth, Facebook and Twitter handles, phone numbers) to info@rox-inc.com
4. Find your way to Punch Estate Beside PETCOSTARS Petrol station, Mangoro bus stop, ikeja express way, on MONDAY, 14th of October,2013.


Venue: Punch Estate (Beside PETCOSTARS Petrol station), Mangoro bus stop, Ikeja express way, Lagos
Date: Monday, 14th of October, 2013.
Time: 9am

Always remember those hands!

An orphaned boy was living with his grandmother when their house caught fire. The grandmother, trying to get upstairs to rescue the boy, perished in the flames. The boy's cries for help were finally answered by a man who climbed an iron drainpipe and came back down with the boy hanging tightly to his neck.

Several weeks later, a public hearing was held to determine who would receive custody of the child. A farmer, a teacher, and the town's wealthiest citizen all gave the reasons they felt they should be chosen to give the boy a home.

But as they talked, the lad's eyes remained focused on the floor. Then a stranger walked to the front and slowly took his hand from his pockets, revealing severe scars on them.

As the crowd gasped, the boy cried out in recognition. This was the man who had saved his life. His hands had been burned when he climbed the hot pipe. With a leap the boy threw his arms around the man's neck and held on for dear life. The other men silently walked away, leaving the boy and his rescuer alone. Those marred hands had settled the issue.

And so it is with Jesus. His nail-pierced hands remind us that he has rescued us from sin and its deadly consequences.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Are you a lady? Don't Miss, 'The Lady, Her Lover&Sexuality' event

Are you a lady? There's an event coming up tomorrow and I think you shouldn't miss it. "The Lady, Her Lover & Her Sexuality". Powered by His Jewels, the event is an 100% Question and Answer forum for ladies and also a platform for healthy networking amongst attendees.

'The LADY, her LOVER & her SEXUALITY' (TLHS) is an exceptional event for ladies. Over time, we have been taught a lot of things, heard great messages, inspiring stories/experience of people but many a times, we often do not have enough time or the right platform to ask questions and get real answers without been ashamed. This is a gap TLHS hope to bridge.



WHO TO ATTEND
Ladies either single or married, who are real enough to share their stories/experiences, ask questions, get real answers/truth and would love to hang out or be in the company of other great ladies.


Date: Saturday, October 5, 2013
Venue: 5, Montgomery street. Close to skye bank, Yaba Lagos (From Yaba, street before e-Centre).
Time: 10am prompt
Photo session starts by 9:30am

CONTACT
Email: wearehisjewels@yahoo.com
Twitter: @WeAreHisJewels
Facebook: WeAreHisJewels
Hotlines: 08080081181, 08026452722

Relax, the footage has been destroyed

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" ( Hebrews 4:16 )

There was a period of time in my life that I was not living as I should. Everything spiraled downward and the blur of those years caused much guilt and shame later on in life. Although it was a short hiatus in my young life I struggled to get past a few events that happened in my late teens and early twenties.

Every time I moved on with the Lord after that, it seemed the devil threw this stuff in my face to remind me of that shame. Each time I felt unworthy of the Lord and wanted to run and hide from Him instead of running to Him.

My pastor at one time shared an illustration about Satan and His minions being the best videographers around. They love to catch footage of our sin and replay it over and over for us. Hounding us so as to remind us that we mess up even when we call ourselves Christians. They glory in causing heartache and guilt over past events that are done and over with.

This illustration came to a profound climax when He explained that Jesus takes this video footage and erases it by His blood. Then when the footage is played back it is blank with no condemning evidence.

Only when you understand the complete forgiveness from sins can you have confidence to enter into the presence of God and boldly draw near to the throne of grace. The only thing that keeps you from fearlessly approaching God is your consciousness of sin. But sin is not an issue with God because Jesus has made perfect provision for you, making you holy and blameless sanctified by His blood.

So as believers we should not have a sin conscience. The writer instructs that we can enter in to God's presence to receive mercy and find grace when we need it. Even in the midst of struggling with sin. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we don't. Mercy is not receiving the punishment for our sins.

Grace is receiving forgiveness being restored to a state where it is as if we had never sinned in the first place. One drop of Jesus' blood was more than enough to cleanse and wash us clean. If we hold on to the memory of our sin then we will never enter in to find this help and understanding from God.

Trouble comes when we don't understand this amazing truth. I constantly dealt with the guilt and shame of my actions because I had no comprehension of the depth of His grace. I had taken over the playback of this video footage and each time it was erased I recreated it in my mind. It held me captive for many years and kept me from progressing into a deeper understanding of the Lord.

Freedom came when I saw the depth of God's love for me through the eyes of Jesus. I finally saw what He sees, not what I played back in my mind. He does not see a sinner saved by grace, He sees a woman who is righteous, holy, forgiven, loved, blameless and set apart.
He does not see the sins that have been paid for and removed from both of our presence. He sees the blood of His Son, which has purified and restored.

I have taken the words of I John to heart, "This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God" ( I John 3:19-21 ). If ever I struggle with guilt then I remind myself of the truth from God's Word and suddenly my heart experiences the peace of God. The things that previously held me captive cannot hold me anymore. The Lord has done an amazing work in my life, even the memory of several events are but a faint echo of what was.

Not only has He erased the guilt and shame I experience but He has all but erased the memory of it as well. Now I can look at myself through His eyes and see as He sees. This gives confidence to boldly approach God's throne and be at rest in His presence.

Written by Juli Camarin
Culled from jcblog.net

Christ Our Wisdom

"Who of God is made unto us wisdom."
- 1Co_1:30

Man's intellect seeks after rest, and by nature seeks it apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Men of education are apt, even when converted, to look upon the simplicities of the cross of Christ with an eye too little reverent and loving. They are snared in the old net in which the
Grecians were taken, and have a hankering to mix philosophy with revelation.

The temptation with a man of refined thought and high education is to depart from the simple truth of Christ crucified, and to invent, as the term is, a more intellectual doctrine. This led the early Christian churches into Gnosticism, and
bewitched them with all sorts of heresies.

This is the root of Neology, and the other fine things which in days gone by were so fashionable in Germany, and are now so ensnaring to certain classes of divines. Whoever you are, good reader, and whatever your education may be, if you be the Lord's, be assured you will find no rest in philosophizing divinity.

You may receive this dogma of one great thinker, or that dream of another profound reasoner, but what the chaff is to the wheat, that will these be to the pure word of God. All that reason, when best guided, can find out is but the A B C of truth, and even that lacks certainty, while in Christ Jesus there is treasured up all the fulness of wisdom and knowledge.

All attempts on the part of Christians to be content with systems such as Unitarian and Broad-church thinkers would approve of, must fail; true heirs of heaven must come back to the grandly simple reality which makes the ploughboy's eye flash with joy, and gladens the pious pauper's heart-"Jesus Christ came into the world to save
sinners."

Jesus satisfies the most elevated intellect when he is believingly received, but apart from him the mind of the regenerate discovers no rest. "The fear
of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." "A good understanding have all they that do his commandments.

By Richard Onanuga
Follow @richdollarman @Christ_envoy

Would You Know Jesus?

This question came up at a late night discussion of pastors some time ago, "If Jesus were to walk into this room right now, would you know him, and if so, how would you know him?

"There was a long and heavy discussion, when the entire issue was turned upside down by the person who said, "The comfort, the good news of the gospel, is not that I could, would, or should know Jesus if he came into the room right now, but that he would know me!" The pastors had temporarily forgotten the wonder of God's grace: it is not we who do the holding on to, but it is we who are held.
 

John M. Braaten
"The Greatest Wonder Of All"