CONVINCTION THE PATH TO TRUE CHRISTIANITY
Having considered the volume of activities within our campus, I came to understand that church activities gulps majority of our time but the effect of these activities are not visible in the way we relate with each other and the environment that we habit. Instead of increasing our moral standards, it seems the frequent attendance to church activities brings about a geometric increase in the rate of corruption, immorality, cheating, and other vices amongst students and lecturers. This syndrome is what makes me to ask questions like:
Do people who attend church activities everyday really understand the reason behind their existence?
Do people who are called Christians actually understand the true meaning of that name ‘CHRISTIANS’?
Do people who call themselves Christians have a personal conviction about whom or what GOD is?
The answers to the above questions should be given as individuals and not as a group and if treated with utmost sincerity, places us on a better understanding of what Christianity entails. The reason why this answer should be given as individuals is the lessons we derive from the death of our beloved ones for example when an individual dies the people who profess their undying love for this person during his/her lifetime do not enter the grave with the persons corpse, some don’t even like to see the person before he/she is buried while some engage in violent activities over the persons property without even remembering to offer prayers for the soul of the deceased as others will be struggling over a bottle of liquor at the graveside hence the way we spent our days on earth in pursuit of salvation serves as the major determining factor for the place our soul will stay after death.
Joshua told the people of Israel to choose which god to serve (Joshua 24:15) as they entered the promise land, because his household have chosen to serve the true GOD that delivered the Israelites from Egyptian slavery hence we are called to a life of commitment with GOD and this cannot be achieved if we do not define our purpose of becoming Christians in all sincerity. Providing honest answers to the following questions will help us to decide which god to serve, for those who have decided to serve the true living GOD as Joshua did, it will enhance their convinced nature as Christians and they are:
Are you a Christian by Accident?
Are you a Christian by birth?
Are you a Christian because you want to marry?
Are you a Christian because you want your business to progress?
Are you a Christian because you want academic success?
Are you a Christian because you want family breakthrough?
Are you a Christian because you want political power?
Are you a Christian because you want to be recognized by the clergy and the faithful?
Are you a Christian because you have looked through life and you came to believe that GOD exists and it is HE who brings the unequivocal objective of man to its true completion?
If we believe that we are Christians and co-heirs with Christ and understand the purpose of our existence on earth as service to God whom we see in our fellow human being and to do His will in order to reign with in heaven after death then we should decide from the depth of our being to serve God with all our heart, mind and will as the fathers of our faith in the holy scriptures did. In my belittled knowledge, I see the God of Christians as a mystery i.e. His ways are beyond human comprehension but with humility, patience and fervency in prayers you will get to understand his ways. The decision to worship and follow God entails that we stand firm in our faith and beliefs without compromise. Those who make commitment to worship God do so with firm reasons like:-
I believe God is the Almighty (Ps 29:10)
I believe that God is aware of everything that happens on earth because he created the world all that is therein.
I believe that God is capable of taking care of the problems of those who put their trust in Him (Ps. 91). There are a thousand and one reasons for being a child of God; yours will make great impact within you, if you will go to a lonely and safe environment to discuss your life with the one who brought you into existence (GOD) hence derive strong reasons with scriptural undertone as to why you chose to serve the true living God. These reasons can be your motto, vows or principles hence the driving force of your day to day activities. A survey on how you have kept to these vows, policies and principles rooted in the word of God should be done every night before you sleep and necessary adjustment made in order to better the following day then a complete self-examination should be done on our birthdays, feast days e.t.c to know how well we have been working towards achieving the will of God for bringing us into the world.
A convinced Christian is not a person who has everything working out smoothly for him/her, remember the scripture said ‘many are the trials of the just man but from them all the Lord will rescue him’. Christ also told his disciples ‘if any man wants to follow me, let him carry his cross and follow me’. As a convinced Christian no trial or temptation will befall you, if it is not destined by your Father in heaven remember when Pilate told Jesus during his passion that he had the power to set him free or hand him over to the Jews for crucifixion but Christ said ‘you have no power over me unless it is given to you by my Father in heaven’. However, you can be the architect of your own problems if you adamantly deviate from the commandments of God. As a convinced child of God you should be able to say no to immorality in all forms, corruption, cheating in examinations, bribery, envy e.t.c. and strive to actualize your goals through sincere and God-fearing attitudes. Those who believe in God do not manipulate peoples will with their intelligence because it is a capital sin and they do not yield to lecturers threat of sexual satisfaction and sorting in order to pass their courses rather with a firm faith such a person places his/her problem at the foot of the cross hence St. Paul admonishes us ‘brethren, never grow tired of doing what is right’ (2Thess 3:13). In whatever you do remember life is too short to be lived in sin and misery hence it will be treading on dangerous ground for someone to say, ‘I believe in God’ while he/she is still living with a man/woman in contrast to the sacrament of Holy matrimony and other vices. Real Christians are those that believe in the power of prayers which they make to God in all seasons of their lives since Christ enjoined us to pray always and not loose heart(Lk.18:1).
For those who want to make it fast in life without minding the consequences of their actions, I have this to tell you “there is more to life than increasing its pace” hence when you are in doubt do not act because the consequences of your action may keep you depressed, sad or psychologically distorted for the rest of your life or even death. We Catholics are opportuned to have men of great insight in psychotherapy, family life, knowledge of God e.t.c. as priests hence it will be in the interest of our salvation to consult them for better direction just as Tobith advised his son ‘ask advise of every wise person’(Tobith4:18).
The decision to serve God with ones whole heart, mind and body meets the utmost desire of a mans heart which is peace of soul. The desire for true peace has been implanted into our soul in the form of satiety and this satiety many people have misconstrued for the pursuit of power, wealth, pleasure e.t.c. but those who are true Christians fill this satiety with God. This is why St. Augustine said “our soul will not rest until it rest in the Lord”. This satiety of man when rightly filled with God gives man true peace, joy, and completes his understanding of life. The word of God is a strong tower for those who believe in God hence I advise every child of God to read the Holy Bible everyday especially in the early hours of the day in order to prepare you for any unforeseen circumstances within your daily activity.
Therefore, I urge you to decide today which God to serve because after death comes judgment, hell or heaven knowing that death is a necessary end which must come when it will come. I pray that the God who gives us peace make you completely his, and keep your whole being, spirit, soul and body free from all fault, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen(1Thess 5:23).
INTERNET SEARCH
Custom Search
Monday, October 5, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Psychology of relationships
No relationship is ever completely perfect. However, you can make your relationship as enjoyable as possible for you and your partner. It's all about finding a balance between each others needs. This is the psychology of relationships.
It is important in a relationship to be able to recognize destructive behavior patterns that have the potential to push your partner away. Men and women have very different ways of communicating their needs and frustrations, and this can cause problems.
For women, it's important to understand that men place more importance on actions than they do words. So, perhaps instead of constantly trying to get your man to talk about your issues, try to think instead of actual firm actions that can be taken to address things.
For men, it is important to remember that women really need to be listened to and understood. If you feel that things don't seem quite right in your relationship, but you're not sure why, just take some time out to sit down and listen to what she has to say. It is also important to ask questions about what she has just said, in order to clarify what she means. Remember: it might not mean she wants you to particularly do anything; she just wants you to understand how she feels.
And this is all there really is to it. Women just want attention. They just want to feel like you care. They just want you to listen to them and feel like you understand them.
Most break-ups are totally unnecessary, and the majority relationships that end could have actually been saved if only the people involved knew what to do to. Don't be one of the many people who let their relationship fall apart.
It is important in a relationship to be able to recognize destructive behavior patterns that have the potential to push your partner away. Men and women have very different ways of communicating their needs and frustrations, and this can cause problems.
For women, it's important to understand that men place more importance on actions than they do words. So, perhaps instead of constantly trying to get your man to talk about your issues, try to think instead of actual firm actions that can be taken to address things.
For men, it is important to remember that women really need to be listened to and understood. If you feel that things don't seem quite right in your relationship, but you're not sure why, just take some time out to sit down and listen to what she has to say. It is also important to ask questions about what she has just said, in order to clarify what she means. Remember: it might not mean she wants you to particularly do anything; she just wants you to understand how she feels.
And this is all there really is to it. Women just want attention. They just want to feel like you care. They just want you to listen to them and feel like you understand them.
Most break-ups are totally unnecessary, and the majority relationships that end could have actually been saved if only the people involved knew what to do to. Don't be one of the many people who let their relationship fall apart.
God's blessing through giving
Giving is not the same as tithe. Many ministries lure people to give in order to become rich. There are TV shows promising wrong and unbiblical expectations. The verses these preachers use may sound very legitimate and correct. Knowing and doing the will of God through giving teaches you to study context first. We should interpret it as to what a certain verse is talking about; you will see that preachers are.
Giving is a blessing. Selfish and greedy preachers have misused giving to God. They are reaping cash from the dumb Christian crowd. The people who give never get rich but the people they give to do. They boast about buying houses and cars with cash. Some even buy airplanes for their so-called ministries. They turn around and say you will become like them if you give to them.
God has instituted giving as a means to help people in need. If you give to the poor, you give to the Lord. Store up your treasure in heaven. The way to store up your treasure in heaven is to give to the poor and needy. Knowing and doing the will of God through giving leads you to people in need.
Jesus also strictly forbids us from boasting about giving. Let not your right hand know what the left hand is giving. Today we have broadcasts all over telling the whole world how much you are giving to each other's ministry. Your boasting is all the blessing you will ever get when your time before the Lord comes for accountability.
C.S. Lewis said that if you are giving does not hurt your pocket book it is not giving. Faith and giving go together as an exercise before the Lord. When you do not have enough to give, God does not expect you to give. God only expects you to give to some one in need when you have that money. God does not command you to pledge to give to a ministry when you do not have that money at hand at that time.
That is real giving and do not broadcast it to the entire world about how much to whom, you have given. Let the Lord Judge you regarding your intentions for giving. Knowing and doing the will of God through Giving will teach you that it hurts to give.
Do not withhold your hand to your neighbor when you have the money. This is where faith comes in and trusts God to supply your need when you have met the needs of another person. Do not equate this to giving to a particular ministry. Giving to ministries has become a business and fraud today. Becoming full time has become a very profitable business venture for many.
Robert Fenn is a pastor, preacher, mentor and bible teacher for over 40 years.
His writings reflect his personal daily walk, struggles, victories and failures. He loves to share God's unfailing love, protection and guidance to others throughout his life.
Giving is a blessing. Selfish and greedy preachers have misused giving to God. They are reaping cash from the dumb Christian crowd. The people who give never get rich but the people they give to do. They boast about buying houses and cars with cash. Some even buy airplanes for their so-called ministries. They turn around and say you will become like them if you give to them.
God has instituted giving as a means to help people in need. If you give to the poor, you give to the Lord. Store up your treasure in heaven. The way to store up your treasure in heaven is to give to the poor and needy. Knowing and doing the will of God through giving leads you to people in need.
Jesus also strictly forbids us from boasting about giving. Let not your right hand know what the left hand is giving. Today we have broadcasts all over telling the whole world how much you are giving to each other's ministry. Your boasting is all the blessing you will ever get when your time before the Lord comes for accountability.
C.S. Lewis said that if you are giving does not hurt your pocket book it is not giving. Faith and giving go together as an exercise before the Lord. When you do not have enough to give, God does not expect you to give. God only expects you to give to some one in need when you have that money. God does not command you to pledge to give to a ministry when you do not have that money at hand at that time.
That is real giving and do not broadcast it to the entire world about how much to whom, you have given. Let the Lord Judge you regarding your intentions for giving. Knowing and doing the will of God through Giving will teach you that it hurts to give.
Do not withhold your hand to your neighbor when you have the money. This is where faith comes in and trusts God to supply your need when you have met the needs of another person. Do not equate this to giving to a particular ministry. Giving to ministries has become a business and fraud today. Becoming full time has become a very profitable business venture for many.
Robert Fenn is a pastor, preacher, mentor and bible teacher for over 40 years.
His writings reflect his personal daily walk, struggles, victories and failures. He loves to share God's unfailing love, protection and guidance to others throughout his life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)