Category: Random thoughts

Daily Ponder : The Love you have lost

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#018

 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Revelation 2:4-5 NIV

The Love you had first

One of the interpretation is that Ephesus had lost its early love for Christ. Another interpretation is that Ephesian believers had lost its love for one another and needed to revive compassionate works they did at first. Many interpreters think both are in view, since love for christ and love for one another is related.

ESV STUDY BIBLE COMMENTARY

My thoughts:

Our tendency to lost our love for Christ, over theological knowledge and wisdom is one of the many battle a Christian has to weight in and check our hearts carefully. We can be passionately zealous for the mission, for the ministry, for evangelism, public ministry and have a heart so far from Christ is a pity.

On another extreme, we have lost grace towards fellow believers on their failings, shortcomings and probably their convictions aren’t satisfying enough on our eyes. The community becomes dry of love when to much driven on working and no loving relationship exist.

Our love for Christ, over flows in our relationships and community. We will always be in a heart check, knowing our sinful tendency, But praise be to God for His grace in our lives that enables us to repent and go back to our first love. Jesus Christ.

Daily Ponder #018 Alpha & Omega

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 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:8

Jesus is the beginning of all history, The CREATOR and the goal for all whom all things are made. All history moving towards glorifying Him.

More than being a a comforting verse, it is a power for those who believes. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega. When our lives are fully submitted to him, we are relieved from the cares and worries of this world.

He knows your beginning, he knows your failings, your darknest past, your shame, your brokenness. He knows. Nothing is hidden, everything is bare naked and fully known before him.

He knows the end as well. He knows the journey, you will go through. He know every inch of it.

WHO HE IS MATTERS above all, His character cannot be likened to humanity. Perhaps the question is do we know him? Or do you associate God with the failings of parents, christians friends or on what you see on those who claims to be of faith? Are we living a life in pursuit of of knowing him more?

May we live lives that is centered on Jesus, He is the way, they truth and the life. He is the Alpha and the Omega. May we live lives that desires to give more glory and honor towards him.

May He be your Alpha and Omega.

Daily Ponder: #017

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But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Jude 20–21 NIV

The best antidote to the lies of this world is by building up our most holy faith. Build is the key word. This entails labor on our end, the discipline and effort, the humility and a hear that desires God more than anything else.

Build the faith, not out of obligation but rather out of the revelation of the underserved grace, mercy and love. Build the faith because we cherish it the most.

Praying in the Holy Spirit does not mean talking to God about our agendas but rather in a sense praying in harmony with the leading of the Holy Spirit.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Romans 8:26-27 NIV

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

Daily Ponder: #016 The leader who cared

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I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 JOHN 4 NIV

The past few days I took time ponder in the book of John ( 1-3 John). Theologians say that it is more likely the apostle John who wrote it. But definitely the author of this book in a an elder of the church.

Going through the pages the past few days, I felt it was a father and a friend communicating. It is evident with how the author addresses the recipients. “My dear children, or My Friend.”

It made me appreciate His leadership, He was loving and blunt about the truth that the believers may walk in truth that honors God. He gave practical advise in living out the faith, in showing love and how to Honor God.

He reminded the people to go back to the beginning ( the Gospel ) and never fails to mention about the truth. ( Jesus ) John 3:14 Jesus is the way, the truth and the life no one comes to the Father except through Him. He was never silent about these things.

As he mentions these lines. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” John see the believers as sons and daughters, as his children and family. It reminds me as well of the joy of seeing the students I have help before to walk in the way of Christ. Is is indeed a joy to see.

What an awesome leader John is, We need leaders like him. Thank God for His life and being use by God.

Daily Ponder #015 The truth

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Because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

2 John 2-3 NIV

Because of the truth,

The word truth is prominent in John’s greetings, perhaps because early Christians saw themselves as being in close communion with Jesus, who called himself the truth ( John 14:6 I am the way, the truth and the life..)

Which lives / abides in us and with us forever…

The gospel that unites lives in us and is a shared faith among believers, not just a personal conviction.

with us in truth and love.

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

Jesus is the truth. His truth liberates, transforms, brings life, brings healing, brings joy. His truth is done and finish, He died for you and me that we may be save from our sinful selves, bring salvation in us. His truth comes with His love. A love that that is so powerful it enables us to love as He does.

May you come to terms with His truth and His love.

Daily Ponder: #014 Who is it that overcomes?

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One of the message taught in the book of 1 John is the love of God and loving His people. And that loving in action shows obedience to God. Imagine if indeed every Christian actually do that, Christians are walking vessels of love, grace, mercy, healing, restoration and a lot more.

I continue to ponder on 1 John and let me share this below. I believe it is very clear and the message is enough.

 For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:4 NIV

Genuine Christians are not defeated by the world’s hostility or compelled by it to turn from Christ.

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

1 John 5:5 NIV

My friend, if you are reading this It is my hope that you will come to know Christ and anchor your life on Him. He loves you and care for you. He is gentle and kind, He will not disappoint you as your trust in Him.

Daily Ponder: We love because

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#013 May these words speaks loudly in your life.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

1 John 4:9 NIV

 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins

1 John 4:10 NIV

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

1 John 4:12 NIV

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 

1 John 4:15 NIV

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18 NIV

We love because he first loved us. – 1 John 4:19

Daily Ponder: Great love and loving one another

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#012

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

1 JOHN 3:1 NIV

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us…”

Today’s pondering continues on the book of 1 John. This letter was addressing a group of believers who where in the midst of unsettling situation. The original recipients are believers and is addressing what is happening in the community.

What really caught me is the word “See” … with your eyes, with eyes wide open. Not every who have eyes can actually see. See the greater reality, the greater truth, but in this case The love that is greatly lavish by God on us.

The Great love of the Father…. God’s great love poured upon us, God is love and God is Just. In his justice sins in our lives are unacceptable. We are actually enemies of GOD come to think of it, for we live lives of sins, for Justice to be met, Jesus took our place to be punished and gave us His righteousness, giving us forgiveness of sins and salvation as we put our faith in Him. This gift enabled us to be children.

We are children of God that is who we are. We are now recipients of His lavish love, because of Christ.

God gave us a command, To believe in Christ and to Love one another.

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

1 John 3:23

LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

Love is an action inevitable to those who believe in Christ.

Love is action is the command among the children of God.

Love is the marker of God’s children.

Loved people, love people.

Daily Ponder: #011

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The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2: 17 NIV

What is the the love of the world in this context?

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes,and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

1 John 2: 16 NIV
  1. The lust of the flesh
  2. The lust of the eyes
  3. The Pride of life.

Reflect:

Are we doing the will of God? or our self will?

Where is our lives centered and anchored upon?

Prayer:

Lord, forgive me from the lust of the flesh, lust of eyes, the pride of life. Help me to do your will. Increase my desire for you each day, you alone brings lasting joy, satisfaction and fulfillment. In Jesus name!

Daily Ponder: Coming into light

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#010

In the next five days I am giving attention to 1 John in the New Testament. One chapter a day.

Today I am taking on 1 John 1, Here are my key highligth’s and take ons.

God is light and in Him there is no darkness.

1 John 1:5 ESV

Light exposes the imperfections, the dirts, the filthiness, it exposes everything that comes its path revealing what is impure. God is Light, When we invite him over our lives, His light to rule and take over us we make Him supreme leaving no room for darkness.

The darkness of sins in our lives, hinders us from walking in the freedom in the light of Christ. The markers for such brings us shame, anger, unforgiveness, pride, lust and a lot more. Remaining in the dark, is choosing to remain in bondage from the powers of darkness.

The sinful human nature is filled with darkness, unimaginable. We are in need of saving, we are in need of power against this nature. It comes in understanding that God is light and has the power to set us free. We need to desire this deeply in humility as we pray for liberation.

What can cleanse us? What can move us into these light?

The Blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:7 ESV

It requires death, a blood of an innocent and purity, free from sins. However it is none existent within the humans. So Jesus took our place, He died and rose again offering salvation and forgiveness of sins to all believe and accept him as Lord in Savior.

If we confessed our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us all from unrighteousness.

1 John 1: 9 ESV

The confession of sins is acknowledgement on our end, an act of humility bringing things to light. A promise of forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness.

God’s character is faithfulness. He forgives as promise when we enter confession. Jesus is central towards forgiveness and walking into the light.

What can be my actions steps selecting on these:

  1. What are areas in my life I potentially nurture darkness?
  2. In a time of prayer, come to light acknowledging this before the Lord and hold on to the promise of forgiveness.
  3. Find a spiritually mature and confident you can come and a safe place of confession and ministering.
  4. How can you walk more in the Light? Are you part of a community that helps one another to walk in the light?