Exhortation – LIVING WORDS OF LIFE

A Mother’s Special Letter

In the tapestry of life, one thread stands out in its strength, resilience, and boundless love: and that is motherhood. Mothers, you are the architects of humanity, shaping the future generation with your unwavering dedication and nurturing spirit. Beyond biological ties, your essence encapsulates a profound sense of responsibility, compassion, and sacrifice. And you are more than able. You are stronger than you know.

Yes, you could be so vulnerable, but you are strong. From your nurturing embrace emerge leaders, scientists, visionaries, clergy, reformers, presidents, and beyond. Though you falter at times, you persevere; you weep, you sing, you sigh, yet nothing deters you from enriching the world around you.

Your significant role as a mother transcends mere biological functions. From the moment of conception, where you become a custodian of life, nurturing a tiny being within your womb through the journey of nine months of pregnancy is not merely a physical ordeal but a profound emotional and spiritual experience. Your true essence of motherhood unfurls like a blossoming flower once your child is born.

From the birth of your child, you become the first teacher, imparting lessons of love, kindness, and empathy. Through your gentle touch and soothing words, you instill a sense of security and belonging in your child’s heart. Every lullaby sung, every story told, becomes a building block in the foundation of your child’s character. Mother, you are a miracle. No wonder you are valuable in the sight of the Lord.

Beyond the confines of your home, you play a pivotal role in shaping society at large. You are made to be the silent architects of communities, fostering future leaders, innovators, and change-makers. Through your unconditional love and tireless efforts, you can infuse the world with hope, compassion, and understanding. You are great, mother.

Despite the myriad of challenges and responsibilities, sleepless nights to endless worries, shouldering a burden that is both immense and sacred, you could juggle multiple roles with grace and poise, often sacrificing your own needs for the sake of your children. So, who is weak here? Not you, mother.

Dear mother, the system of the world is fighting so hard to snatch your role of motherhood from you by controlling the minds of your children and filling their hearts with lies. The world wants to be an authority in the life of those innocent youth and children of this generation. The world knows that whoever controls the mind of the children controls the future generation. Would you allow this? Don’t shy away! You are a mother for a reason, and you must never let those responsibilities slip away from you. You can do this. Bring God in. Be in partnership with Christ! Little is much when God is in it. And be available for your children. Money, career, power, etc are not everything. Invest in the life of your children and never leave God out of it.

Absolutely, holding onto faith and embracing the tasks ahead with determination is key. Letting the challenges of the world diminish the inherent power and authority bestowed upon us by God is something we must guard against. By staying grounded in faith and embracing our strengths, we can shape the world for the better, fulfilling our purpose with conviction and resilience.

Reflect on your identity through scripture and stand strong.

“Strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all” Proverb 31:25-29 (KJV)

Women, remember that the importance of mothers extends far beyond the nurturing of biological offspring. Many women take on the role of motherhood in various forms, whether through adoption, fostering, or mentorship. Their love knows no bounds, embracing all who seek comfort, guidance, and support.

In essence, motherhood is a divine calling, a sacred bond that transcends time and space. It is a journey marked by love, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion. Mother’s tireless efforts and unwavering devotion enrich our lives in countless ways, shaping the present and future of society in profound and meaningful ways.

As we celebrate mothers around the world, let us recognize the profound impact they have on our lives and society as a whole. Let us cherish and celebrate the mothers in our lives, for they are the pillars of strength upon which the foundation of our world rests.

Mothers, with God’s wisdom and guidance, you can achieve anything. Embrace your divinely assigned responsibilities and step into your role as a wise builder and a blessed mother.

If He Did it Before, He Can Do it Again

During the first day of the last week of the month, the preacher’s sermon emphasized the importance of reflecting on God’s faithfulness.

In the previous year, our hearts overflowed with petitions to God. Now, those requests seem distant, as many have been fulfilled, even those we hadn’t fully recollected. What we lack now may still be a response in disguise. Remembering God’s past faithfulness reassures us that He can act again this year. Our responsibility is to trust Him and patiently await His timing – Psalm 40:1.

Derek Kidner wrote as related by the preacher: “The past is full of God’s wondrous deeds. The future is full of God’s plans.”

Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered – Psalm 40:5

God is faithful!

Abominations in the Temple

Once, during a fervent sermon, a man of God abruptly halted his preaching, fixed his gaze upon a woman seated before him, and exclaimed, “Get out!” Ushers swiftly escorted the woman out of the church, allowing the preacher to resume his message. You see, she sat directly in my line of sight, and I couldn’t help but see her underwear. As she sat directly in front of me, no matter where I looked, I was confronted with everything she was wearing under.

Given the fixed position of the microphone at that time, movement was restricted, leaving the preacher no escape from the distraction. The enemy knows that once the integrity of the preacher is compromised, the entire congregation’s spiritual assignment is disrupted.

Imagine you were invited to a church, and you expected so much from God but as soon as the choir took on the stage, the sight of a choir member clads in provocative attire with the contours of the body clearly visible beneath sheer fabric, were thrown on your face.

Think of someone who had struggled so much with pornography, beaten over the night, and his only hope was in God who abides in His temple. Then, with his broken pieces, he got himself to the church, but right in front of him was another form of pornography in style. Shouldn’t it be concerning when the line between worldly fashion and Christ-like modesty blurs?

Outside the sanctuary of Christ, the world embraces many styles and expressions, often celebrating the flaunting of one’s body as a symbol of freedom and pride. Our generation seems bewitched with revealing attire, with garments designed to accentuate cleavage or feature what’s informally termed “boob windows”. Should such practices be condoned within the sacred space of God’s temple?

The deep love for Christ and great respect for His words will prevent true believers from doing some certain things. ‘Others may, but we cannot’. As believers in Christ who had renounced the former sinful ways, our outward appearance should never serve as a stumbling block to others; to do so is akin to offering profane sacrifices in the temple—an abomination. Our purpose in life is to glorify God in whatever we do. We no longer dress to kill but to keep.

Can music and dancing also be deemed inappropriate within the temple?

Regardless of one’s theological stance on the role of music and dancing in worship, their power and scriptural significance are undeniable. “Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow” (Jeremiah 31:13). “Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!” (Psalm 105:4). The examples are endless.

However, when our dancing becomes a tool of seduction, shifting the focus away from God unto ourselves, it becomes an insult to God’s holiness. If our movements evoke memories of past sinful revelries for those who have found redemption from nightclubs and parties, it constitutes sacrilege within the temple. When we dance so hard that we begin to sleep during the message, then we have come to satisfy our emotions and passion in the name of the church fellowship.

We need to constantly remind ourselves that hundreds of people flock to church seeking God’s guidance. When our conduct leads any of them astray, it is parallel to spiritual sabotage. Jesus cautioned in Mark 9:42, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.”

Let us not forget that there are professional dancers and celebrities who excel in their craft. Yet, as believers in Christ, our approach must differ. We no longer dance for impression; our dance is an offering of praise to the holy God who dwells amid His worshipers.

The absence of God’s presence in many church gatherings these days is a cause for concern. Perhaps we’ve allowed our desires to supersede God’s will. It was like Jesus saying: “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate” (Matthew 23:38). Good thing is that it is not too late to restore God to His rightful place in our temples.

2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

God’s Word declares us to be a chosen priesthood, a people set apart to reflect His glory. Our lives should serve as living testimonies, declaring His righteousness and grace to the world. A truly transformed believer would feel the spirit of the Bible and of the church and flow with it with ease.

A song writer, Evie Karlsson, wrote:

Let my life be a picture of you,
Let my life be a picture of you,
Let me be a letter written by your hand,
For the world to read,
And to see,
And to feel,
And to know you live, live in me.

Another songwriter, Lenny LeBlanc, wrote:

Lord, make me pure in heart
Make my life faithful and true
So, when You look at me
It’s Your righteousness you’ll see
Lord, make me pure in heart

When our hearts are purified, our actions and appearances will reflect this transformation, drawing others closer to our loving Creator—the Alpha and Omega, the Great I Am, who reigns supreme over all creation.

Re: Gala Banquet & Silent Auction – Transformation Power Through Christ

Sometimes, you ponder whether sharing the message of Christ with certain individuals is worthwhile, uncertain of its effectiveness.

However, during the Gala banquet and silent auction last night at Ellerslie Road Baptist Church, hearing powerful testimonies of transformed lives was profoundly impactful and uplifting.

Witnessing broken people who came across the gospel and silently striving for redemption and secretly relying on God in their struggles, even praying for their loved ones stuck in similar situations, was deeply touching and encouraging.

It’s a reminder that we may never fully understand God’s ways and what He is working on, as humans. He owns every life and will not cast away those who come to Him for help. So, we must continue sowing seeds of love and hope through the gospel, entrusting the growth and harvest to God.

A heartfelt thank you to faith-based Teen Challenge Canada for their dedicated efforts. Gratitude also extends to the Hathaway family, who facilitated my attendance. We grow by learning from others.

What a blessed conclusion to the week.

Coffee in the Temple

Yesterday, as I revisited a post, I had shared a few days earlier, I felt compelled to add comments. As I started to write down the comments some kinds of heaviness came over me and some points started flowing incessantly, and I found myself jotting down those thoughts one after another. Unexpectedly, Bible verses began surfacing in my mind. Although I thought I had captured most of these thoughts last night, doubts crept in about whether I should share them, fearing controversy. I deliberated and entrusted the decision to God through prayer.

Upon attending church, I was struck by the alignment between the sermon, the songs, and the concerns articulated in the article. The scripture from Matthew 21:13 resurfaced: “And He said to them, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer,” but you have made it a “den of thieves.”‘” It became evident that when God desires to bring about revival or communicate with His people, He does so in diverse ways— we just need to be attentive.

As the pastor preached, the message echoed the need for believers to restore the altar and reinstate God to His rightful place. Drawing insights from the book of Luke, the lesson underscored that acknowledging Jesus as Lord is insufficient; the essence lies in surrendering to His lordship and letting Him rule over us. For God to rule over us there are things we must let go. The preacher poignantly posed the question: while we profess belief in God, are we genuinely willing to submit to His rule and authority over our lives?

Coffee in the Sanctuary

I invited a friend to a fellowship, and everything was going smoothly until she suddenly started coughing. To worsen matters, it was during the COVID pandemic, even though I was confident it wasn’t anything contagious, possibly just due to dry air or some other factor. I promptly got up to get her a hot drink to soothe her throat while the service continued. This is one Peculiarity. But when this becomes a regular practice, it is worth giving attention to. The enemy will build up anything from nothing to distract the true worshippers.

I recently posted a question on some platforms on whether you would rather finish your coffee before entering the church or sipping it during the service. I got some different interesting responses. This type of topic is not for everyone. It will make no sense to people who have nothing to do with God or the church. Some babes in Christ might still need some milk for their growth.

But for the people like Mary who would prefer to sit at Jesus’s feet soaking in the words, rather than be with Martha her sister in the kitchen cumbered with entertainment and food- (Luke 10), they understood and valued their faith. We are talking about people like David who will say I will not give anything to God that cost me nothing – 2Samuel 24:24. People like Jacob who wrestled with Angel saying “I will not let you go unless you bless me” – Genesis 32:26. We can’t do such thing with drink in our hand. Even if we are so addicted to coffee, we don’t drink it 24/7. We should be able to give God the essential rapt attention during 1 or 2 hours of service.

Sing a little, sip a little, listen to the sermon a little, sip a little. This might not only distract us from getting the best but could also distract the people around us. The concerning aspect is that if it is encouraged it will spread like wildfire, it’s a matter of time. Walking with King requires some levels of discipline, and our attitude toward God’s things will determine how far we can go with Him.

We wonder why revival tarries, and why it seems that God is far away in some situations. How much respect do we have for God? How much do we sincerely value His words and the company of His fellowship? Does God care about what we do in the church and fellowship? Is He so gentle and accommodating that He will take whatever we offer before Him or to Him? Is God a God of standard or everything-goes-God? Do we treat our work, bosses, and meetings better than we treat God? God said in His words while addressing some things like this, if I am your Father and Master, where is my honor and reference.

“A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence?…”
Malachi 1:6

I remember attending a meeting where the prime minister of Germany then, Angela Merkel, was to give a speech, and some groups of people were invited. We were all spoiled with drinks, snacks, and all kinds of foods, but you can’t take any drink or food inside the meeting place. There were guards at each entrance door who stopped people right away. You want to go in, you get to finish your drink and drop the cup or stay outside. In some stores, buses, and meetings, it is not allowed to eat or drink inside. Why can’t we give much more respect to our God, just for 1 or 2 hours?

We see our world breaking apart to our faces and the generation to come is being hijacked strategically by the people who meant business, but for some Christians, we can’t part with our phones, drink, or our comfort for a few hours. If revival must come, we need to individually repair our altar of worship and begin to take God more seriously.

As outlined by the preacher as we await the Easter period, and studying from the book of Luke 19, the preacher outlined: On Sunday, Jesus gloriously and triumphantly entered Jerusalem, on Monday, He cleared and cleansed the temple, and on Tuesday, reaction and controversy. God has expectations.

Many Bible passages were read during the service but one stood out uniquely:

“Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of the highest quality. How then have you turned before Me into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?”.
Jeremiah 2:21 NKJV

How is our vine doing as individuals, family, church, etc?

For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” Hebrew 12:6

Why the Burdens, Lord?

Imagine a world where all our needs are instantly met. With the unpredictable nature of men, many will simply wander away from God.

Our ongoing needs and challenges not only make us reliant on God but also nurture a relationship with Him, ultimately shielding us from the deceptive traps set by adversaries.

The purpose of burdens and needs isn’t to break us but to mold us into a dynamic faith in Christ

Remember, the scripture says: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22). God is ever faithful to bring you out of any situation and give you the needed daily strength. Just like any other previous challenges, this shall also pass. God will bring you out, and testimonies will back things up. Just trust in Christ’s everlasting arms.

God, the Game Changer

He changed Haman’s game of death and granted victory to His own. Nebuchadnezzar’s game of fire became a conference room for the three Hebrew men and the Son of God. Lions’ den became a habitation of peace and favour with Daniel. Red sea parted for the chosen to walk across. The powerful magnificent wall of Jericho did not need any missile launcher before crashing down, it was just the sound hallelujah. Rock suddenly spewed water to quench the thirst of His people, and on and on…

Lord Jesus, help us to trust You more.

The Touch of Love and Kindness

We successfully completed the first phase of our mission, reaching out to the homeless, especially in this winter. Some may have faced challenges or taken wrong turns in life, but regardless of the source of their struggles, everyone deserves love and kindness. No life is beyond transformation, as countless testimonies attest. After all, if God was to mark iniquity, who among us can stand?

As we were sandwiched among those our new friends in interaction, we shared the gifts we brought for them and also shared the love of Christ and messages of hope through God’s words. Certainly, there is no life that God can not change. Testimonies abound of several broken lives that got fixed by God.

It was a great day with some sense of fulfillment on that day of the outreach. Surely, the touch of kindness is medicinal and can not be underestimated. Even the dried trees that characterised this season of winter, though empty of their green fresh leaves, still look so beautiful that we couldn’t but posed for pictures around them. Seasons change, and hope exists for every soul. In one of the parables of Jesus, the street people were also invited to the great wedding:

Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. Matthew 22:9, 10

Ordinarily, the sight of the different locations was so disturbing and scary. But until we carefully break the barrier and draw closer, we would never know what love can do and achieve in the life of others. While embracing this, it’s crucial to remain cautious of our surroundings.

Life generally is complicated except the life in Christ. Although many strayed from this fact or just simply ignored the way of salvation, the door of mercy is still widely open to as many as willing to enter.

Why do we share this on social media? We were also inspired by what we saw others did. Hopefully, this account will also encourage someone to take on the responsibility or join the wagon.

Run Free

Throughout history, burdens have been inherent to human existence. They manifest diversely in type, intensity, and timing, often underpinning many of life’s trials. Whether health, marriage, family, finance, career, spirituality, relationships, business, future, or personal struggles, these burdens profoundly shape our challenges. Conversely, positive burdens exist, aiming to refine us or aid others.

Achieving absolute freedom from certain burdens might elude us as humans. Yet, our focus should lie in how we handle these burdens. Well-managed burdens foster peace, joy, growth, and unique skills. Conversely, mishandled burdens can lead to destruction, stunted growth, or the erosion of hope.

Burden weights vary; some are light, others crushingly heavy. Some are transient while others seem to embed permanently. Our attitudes toward these burdens define our character and fulfillment in life. How we manage them shapes our quality of life, relationships, career, success, and future.

The impact of burdens on health is profound. Symptoms of a burdened heart span tears, depression, discomfort, discouragement, and stress-induced ailments, affecting mental and physical well-being. Quality sleep, essential for health, is often disrupted by heavy emotional loads. As published by NIH, “research shows that getting enough quality sleep at the right times is vital for mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety”.

Prioritizing the proper disposal of burdens is paramount. Resolving not to let them overwhelm us is crucial this New Year. We must consciously entrust our burdens to the great Burden-Bearer, as Jesus beckons: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’

The enduring solution lies in relinquishing our burdens to Christ, as countless individuals have experienced. Instead of letting burdens drain us, yielding to Christ’s invitation exchanges our pain for rest, fulfilling His promise of finding solace for our souls.

This year, drawing closer to God through prayer and His Word, unloading our burdens at Calvary, is vital. We must leave them at Christ’s feet in faith, resisting the urge to reclaim them after prayer.

Some may perceive faith in Christ as an added burden, yet Jesus assures us it is light. Carrying it with humility, obedience, and divine wisdom reveals its insignificance compared to burdens outside of Christ.

As Charles Albert Tindley aptly penned,
“Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there. …if you trust and never doubt, God will surely bring you out…take your burdens to the Lord and leave it there”
So must we bring our burdens to the Lord and leave them all with Him. We must keep the cap of our faith on, for God seeks our unwavering faith. He said in His words that ‘without faith, it is impossible to please Him – Hebrew 11:6. Let us, therefore, approach God this New Year with steadfast belief, acknowledging His nature as a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Remember!!!

* Burdens are lifted at Calvary

* “But on Mount Zion, there shall be deliverance, And there shall be holiness; The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions” Obadiah 1:17

Happy New Year!!

Whose Report Do You Believe?

Cindy, adopted at birth, always sensed an unshakable feeling of not belonging, despite the love and care of her adoptive parents. Growing up without knowledge of her biological roots, she longed to discover her appearance and heritage. These sentiments lingered into adulthood, even through marriage and motherhood. The persistent question of identity haunted her, feeling akin to a stray dog briefly entering a farmyard and then disappearing.

Inner Battle

“She grew up not knowing her biological roots. She longed to know if she looked like someone. She always felt she shouldn’t be here, that she was an accident, that she didn’t belong”.

The search

Her quest for her biological family commenced, leading her to her successful businessman biological father, who callously denied any knowledge of her. Undeterred, she reached out to her biological mother, who confirmed the relationship but deemed it an accident, expressing no desire for a connection and bidding farewell. “Yes, you are my daughter, said the woman. But it was an accident, it should not have happened”.

Dealing with Rejection

Confronting the deep sense of rejection, Cindy turned to God, seeking guidance on handling the overwhelming emotions and thoughts. In a divine revelation, God presented a balance scale, weighing the lies implanted in her before birth against His truth and promises:

God’s Truth

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you – Jeremiah 1:4. Do not fear, for I have redeemed you – Isaiah 43:1. I know the plans that I have for you – Jeremiah 29:11. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb – Psalm 31:15. My times are in your hands.

The Enemy’s Lies

You are a mistake. You should not be here. You don’t belong. You are an accident. You have no real family name. Abandon not wanted. You are a burden, a disappointment…an intrusion.

The underlying question for us all is: What beliefs govern our lives? Have we ever wondered which belief truly governs our life? It’s a question worth pondering. Understanding the belief that shapes our thoughts and actions and knowing which to permit a stay and which to evict is crucial to living a victorious life.

So, God posed a crucial question to her: where do you stand? Do you believe in the enemy’s lies or embrace God’s truth? Cindy chose the Word of God, and the doubts that plagued her for years vanished, along with the profound sense of abandonment.

It is greatly rewarding to stay with God who spoke into our existence. To find meaning, direction, and fulfillment in life, we must reject every silent killer voice and embrace God’s spoken truths.

As of this moment, God still cares about our souls. And for His plan and purpose to come to pass in our lives, we must be on the same page with Him, believing His faithfulness above all