The fact that we do not freely talk about some realities of life does not mean that we are not confronted by them. This site focuses on the realities of life and the impact of the words of God on people's life; faith, marriages, hope, health, etc. Sometimes, the challenges of life cloud our vision and weaken our hope, but the words of God restores hope and guides us through the path of truth and freedom.
Viruses operate in 2 phases: The Lysogenic & Lytic phase.
When some people are infected by viruses, some of the viruses may remain dormant in the cells of their victims (the host cell), causing no obvious symptoms or sicknesses. This phase is the Lysogenic phase
But when these dormant viruses are triggered, the dormant viruses enter the Lytic phase. This is an active phase where new viruses are formed, assembled, kill the host cell and go infecting other cells.
So, not every untested healthy-looking people are free of the coronavirus.
Asymptomatic coronavirus carriers can infect healthy people and stimulate the active phase of that virus.
Those with compromised immune systems, diabetics Mellitus, smoked lungs, lung disease, obesity, heart disease, cancer, are more liable to get the worse part of the corona virus infection.
This period could be so frustrating, but let us endeavor to hang in there, maintaining the social distancing. We must keep hope alive.
This will soon pass, and it shall be well in Jesus’ Name.
“I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.”
By now almost every household in the world knows the name corona virus or Covid-19. This is a virus that emerged out of nowhere and established its fortress in an Asian country from where it would multiply and travel all over the world to cause havoc.
This virus took the whole world by surprise and confused the kingdoms and nations. It took sleep away from the scientists, health workers and confronted the brains of the world. It all started as a joke but not long after death and sorrow were set loose, the world that was full of boasting on what it had achieved in the earth began to crumble right before the Virus.
Some wise Presidents of the world suddenly began to remember God whom many of them have kicked out of their temporarily assigned territory. How wise that the president and leaders of United State of America whose foundation rests in “IN GOD WE TRUST” declared a national day of prayers unto God. The president of Italy could do nothing more when all efforts failed, but look up unto God for mercy and interventions. Even the Pope instructed people to confess their sins to God.
Long ago, the world had technically declared war against God when they went into God’s words, pulled out His instructions and commandments, twisted them and threw them back at His face.
The world declared war against the God of creation when they made attempts to kick Him out of His creations.
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:And he is before all things, and by him, all things consist
Colossians 1:16, 17 (KJV)
The world declared war against God when they littered the streets of various Nations with the blood of the innocent and took the lives of those calling upon His name mercilessly.
Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, And the earth will be shaken from its place At the fury of the LORD of hosts In the day of His burning anger
Isaiah 13:13 (KJV)
The world declared war against God when they enthroned what God has dethroned and enforced what He hates.
For they provoked Him with their high places and aroused His jealousy with their graven images.
Psalms 78:58 (KJV)
The world declared war against God when ordinary men and women embarked on twisting the commandments of God and occupying the place of God in the heart of people.
I am the LORD, that is My name, And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.
Isaiah 42:8 (KJV)
The World declared war against God when groups of people in power demanded that some verses of the scriptures be taken out of the Bible because it is offensive to some groups of people.
Even if we don’t believe in God and the involvement of Christ (as at present) why shouldn’t we respect history? No one has ever stood boldly to declare himself as the sole owner of this world. Not even the other acclaimed gods or shrines of the world. This ancient and old earth has been in existence long before anyone could imagine. So also, is the Bible that brings to us the guidelines on how to live in this world. We disregarded the divine Atlas and began to produce ours. Different theories have come and gone but this knowledge about God abides till now.
“Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes(inventions)”
Ecclesiastes 7: 29 (KJV)
If God could have wiped out the inhabitants of the earth with the flood during Noah’s period, destroyed the land of Sodom and Gomorrah with brimstone and fire, dealt with the land of Egypt to the extent that every house was busy burying their dead, what give us impressions that He can’t do it again, especially when we deliberately cross His paths?
So when the world declared war against God, it made a grievous mistake. Because no one has ever fought against God and won. Not even Satan, the prince of this world.
However, out of the love of God for His creations He sent His only begotten Son; the Lord Jesus Christ, as the atonement for our sins, to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 (KJV). In His compassion, God made a way of escape for the world to turn to Him and be saved. But even then the choice is still ours.
Does the fact that God’s wrath was satisfied in Christ allow us to continue in sin, wickedness, and disobedience because grace will continue to abide? The Bible is very clear about it!
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God
Hebrews 10: 26-31 (NKJV)
But the amazing news is that when we return to God in sincere repentance, we will see God’s side of mercy and enjoy His forgiveness and cleansing.
Do we lose anything by calling upon God for mercy? I don’t think so.
“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee”
Psalms 86:5 (KJV)
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth (pardons) iniquity, and passeth (passes) by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth (retains) not his anger forever, because he delighteth (delights) in mercy
Micah 7:18 (KJV)
God delights in mercy and He is first the God of love before the God of Judgment. He however, requires that we turn to Him first in repentance and reverence, and steer clear of what He frowns at.
If God is not directly responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic, he has the capacity to stop or prevent it. If He chooses not to, then there must be a reason(s) for it. If God made heaven and earth, He is the only one that can fix it.
The Doctor: Dr. Li Wenliang who sounded an alarm about the potential new virus outbreak and advised people to warn others was reprimanded for doing so. His message was simple:
“A new coronavirus infection has been confirmed and its type is being identified. Inform all family and relatives to be on guard”
Dr. Li Wenliang
This whistleblower message was not appreciated. Dr. Li was persecuted and defamed. What were the charges against him? He was “making untrue comments” and “severely disturbing social order”.
Eventually, the reality surfaced, but then it was too late. The monster virus had grown wings. While authorities were busy saving face by covering up the truth, the virus had built its army and strategically dispatched them across the globe. What followed is the history that the whole world is writing today. The history that has never been written before. There have been pandemics in the time past, but none has ever taken this course.
Who could have imagined that a problem that would disorient the whole world to the extent that schools of all levels, meeting places, workplaces, etc., are frozen up at the ruling of the virus kingdom would ever happen? Various airports, national and international flights were shut down. Home arrest is no longer about the offenders but the music everyone must dance to. People are being imprisoned in their various homes. Fears, worry and anxiety are boldly written all over the faces of people.
These Covid19 viruses are no respecter of anyone. They have no regard for any authority nor certificate. Boundaries and borders have no place in their operations. Not even the offices and homes of the powerful Presidents of the world were spared in their invasion. The countries of the world went on lockdown as these viruses ravage the globe.
It is unimaginable seeing how vulnerable our world is. With all the world’s technologies, artificial intelligence, the seasoned scientists, the pride of power and sophisticated weapons of war, a virus could simply trigger its kingdom and take over the nations of the world with ease.
Our leaders are so stressed and bombarded with the burdens of their people. Scientists are working hard to find a solution to the problems. Unfortunately, this war is not about Nuclear weapons but Nucleic power. This war is not about plane or knowledge hijackers but human cells hijackers. Unto whom shall we turn? Who can single-handedly deliver the earth from this Covid19 siege?
Maybe a stitch in time would probably have saved nine. Who knows the real reasons why the decisions to mask the truth about the newly emerged virus were made, and the conclusion was drawn? Before we point accusing fingers, in what ways have we been allowing similar traits in our lives? Isn’t with this same attitude people treat God today? Isn’t it the same today how many are not taking a call to repentance seriously? Isn’t it the same today how the message of Christ and warning about the pending danger looming over the world is being attacked and defamed? Isn’t it the same today how the whistleblowers are being ridiculed, shut down and resisted? Isn’t it the same today how the truth is being covered and battered? Isn’t it the same today how the truths are falling in the street?
That man cried out in his little unpopular way just as God’s servants are crying out today everywhere through various means, telling people about the love of God that saves from sins and iniquity. They said his message was “untrue comments” and “severely disturbing social order”. Just as some people would say these days that the words and ways of God are “untrue” and talking about them are “disturbing social orders”. Now, the world is forced to learn in a bitter way. We don’t have to go through this path again friends. We must be proactive. We must find out the truth and stand with it. No more assumption about the things of God. We must take time to seek His ways. The power that designed this world is the only one that can fix it appropriately.
At least, the whole world has just witnessed the fact that the brain can freeze, power can become powerless, knowledge can be messed up, science can be taken a hostage, wisdom can be subjective. Now the world has learned its limit. Now some wise Presidents are giving God His place in their parliaments, rebuilding the broken relationship, destroying the walls of partition between nations and God, and bring God back into the temples. It is wise not to be left out in this awakening. This is time to return to our Marker and our God, seeking His face continually.
Dear reader, please let us take a moment to think about this. It may sound foolish and unreasonable to some people, but remember how the initial, gentle warning about Covid19 met with a negative response until it was too late to handle without the loss of life. There is Danger in Delaying.
STAY ALIVE Do you know that one of the factors that predispose people to viral attack is weak immunity?
Stress, depression, anxiety, loneliness, worry weaken the immune system. These agents kill faster than just being infected with the monster Covid19. Probably they are contributing to the disturbing death rate in Italy, as Covid19 ravage the globe.
Find a way of connecting or talking to someone on the phone. The viruses have not discovered means of transmission through phone communication yet.
Show love, share hope, hold the heart and spend time with God. There is peace, an abundance of it in Christ.
You need to stay alive while the battle rages. It will soon be over. The world is almost there!
A friend of mine recently went on a mission trip with her mother. They usually visit remote and dangerous islands with the gospel and gifts. On every trip, they must travel on a small open boat. In one of their trips, they had a 6-month baby on board and ran into bad weather. They were soaked by the pouring rain. My friend sacrificed her raincoat to wrap the baby. Due to this exposure, she needed to get medical treatment for cold and cough. However, the remnant of the cough decided to travel with her as she boarded the plane back home.
As my friend settled down in the plane, full of joy for the work done and the joy of returning to her ever-supportive husband, her cough let loose. My friend told me “Margaret, you need to see how people sitting in my row picked race”. Unfortunately, they couldn’t run past the tail end of the plane. My friend said, “Margaret, I had the whole row to myself”. An unsolicited, royal and free first-class treatment right in the economy class! My friend was able to stretch herself on the abandoned seats undisturbed. It wasn’t until the plane landed that she saw people wearing all kinds of facial masks and realized why her fellow passengers had willingly sacrificed their seats. She was gone for 2 months and was deeply buried in the Master’s business.
Why is the whole world suspicious and in panic? It’s because humanity is in danger of the coronavirus pandemic. It must have started with just one virus whose epidemic nature quickly grew into pandemic panic: prompting the world to declare war against this unseen culprit, a species of Coronavirus.
Within a short period, the virus became more significant than any Nexus global traveler. It travels without visa or ticket and respects no country’s customs border. It deprives scientists of sleep and floods men’s heart with fear of uncertainty. No wonder the whole world is so afraid and busy getting ready for the “World War V (virus)”.
This reminds me of the historical plagues ancient Egypt had to deal with due to their wickedness and Godlessness. I couldn’t help but remember a preacher stressing the point that it is only God who can restore order in this chaotic world. Unfortunately, the prince of this World has blinded the eyes of many, keeping them as wanderers in the World. Something must keep the drifted world busy.
This is another wake-up call. It is time to awake from our slumber and give attention to things that truly count. It is time to seek God and His righteousness. It is time to hold tight to the Master of life. Time is running out. Expiration day is drawing closer faster than usual. We are helpless without the God. We cannot be so indifferent to the point of forgetting the origin of life and the Power behind it.
A God-fearing pilot recently got me thinking. He said in our conversations, quoting from someone that “no one will escape this earth alive”. It honestly sank deeper into my heart. Not even a pilot would be able to run away on his plane alive. Then what is the purpose of life? What is worth living for? What is the counsel of the scripture on this?
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Does this mean we should all abandon our secular duties and simply face God? I don’t think so. Part of God’s commandment is to be responsible and live a complete and fulfilled life, in the fear of God and obedience to His words.
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” 2 Peter 1:3-4 (KJV)
How do we describe our relationship with God? Do we completely rely on the messages and prayers of our pastors? Or do we take the time to personally study God’s words, meditate on them, and spend quality time talking to God in prayers?
God would like to have a direct relationship with us also. He desires to have one on one fellowship with His children always.
The pastors will do their job preaching, the real genuine pastor will put their best into teaching us the ways of the Lord, however, it is our responsibility to apply our life to God’s words.
So, our fellowship with God must be deeply rooted in our personal devotion to the words of God and in prayers. We assess daily how our life is matching up with God’s words. We ask for help through prayers if we notice any deficiency. Seek for counsels and prayers as well with our pastors as necessary.
These will help us grow in the Lord, become a matured Christian, and one of the disciples of Christ.
May God keep us growing in Him in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
God’s Silence is Worth the Trust if You are Truly His.
Weeping may endure for the night someone said, but joy will come in the morning.
However, remember there are time differences across the globe. So, your ‘morning’ may be different from that of the others. But the good news is that it will surely come in its appointed time.
God counselled that even if the expectations and answers to prayers appear delay, you should patiently wait for them to show up.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Habakkuk 2:3 (KJV)
Although waiting period has never been easy but always challenging, he that believes and trusts in God would not make haste. Your ‘morning of joy & testimonies’ will surely come and will not go beyond its schedule.
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
I was reading the news when a headline on a crashed jet and the connected names popped up. Within a few minutes, almost all media were flooded with reactions about the death of a very popular basketball icon Kobe Bryant, and his daughter. The icon’s Fans span the globe
It is still unimaginable thinking about the pain and the agony the Kobe’s family is going through right now. How I pray for God’s comfort, grace and strength for the entire family as they go through this difficult time.
But then, it won’t be out of context for us remaining alive to pause and reflect on our own life. We can only boast of this very moment while the next minute is unpredictable.
Money, affluence, celebrity status, popularities, power, beauty, certificate, intelligence, you name them. Neither of these is capable of saving anyone’s life when death struck. That is the reason we can’t afford to let those things get into our heads. Once the caretaker comes knocking, no excuse(s) is tenable.
We can only hope that Kobe had time to reflect on life and think through the reality of God in real sense.
No one ever bid for their life or purchased it. We gradually grew into finding out what life is. So, we can’t claim total ownership of it. A wise person would prioritize the Creator of that ‘life’ while there is still ‘life’.
Life is short and it has no regard for anyone; rich or poor, educated or illiterate, well known or unknown… As students adhere to teacher notes and textbooks to succeed, anything call human beings must find out the real Author of their life and adhere to His guiding principles.
Connecting or recollecting to God is simple, very simple. Surprisingly, it is not judgemental but rather packed with mercy and love.
We just need to acknowledge our faults and helplessness.
Reach out to God in humility; we can never know better than Him.
Settle those faults and failures with Him through repentance.
Open our heart for God to come in; He is always available in His regalia of mercy for the living (not the dead).
Accept Him, accept His forgiveness, and make Him the pilot of our life; He never crashes.
Know Him more by studying His ancient guideline/textbook; the Bible.
Kobe Byrant has done his parts and is gone. The ball is now in our court.
Known as “King David; David Jesse” in the Middle East many years ago, this man was a man of destiny and greatness. However, he battled all kinds of challenges during his life time.
He was driven away from his people and his land into a strange land. Even his son sought to kill him to have his place. At a point, he felt forgotten by God.
God never forgot any of His children. He remains faithful to His words and promises. David Jesse still succeeded and fulfilled his destiny despite his challenges.
How did he do that and what could have been the secret of his survival and achievement? David testified in one of his documentations:
“But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.”
Psalm 13:5
Simply put: David Jesse constantly believed in the faithfulness of his God whom he worships and was committed to. He never allowed the situations to swallow up his hope and potentials. He endured the humiliation, conspiracy, disappointment, envy, loneliness, rejection, hunger etc. Eventually, David Jesse made it.
If David survived his predicaments then, we also can overcome whatever the enemies may throw at us. In any situations we may find ourselves this year, we should always remember that thousands of others had gone through it and came out in different ways.
Our actions and reactions to situations would determine the level of our success. With faith in God and in His unfailing words, victory and success are guaranteed. We must always endeavor to continually trust in the mercy of God and surround ourselves with songs of praises and thanksgiving knowing God is ever faithful.
BITTER-SWEET WATER
There was a period in the life and journey of children of Israel when they ran into bitter water. There is no doubt that God led them into the wilderness and gave them His words and promises. But then, they had issues to deal with at different time.
“22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them”
Exodus 15: 22-25
Sometimes, in the journey of life, we run into bitter water while in desperate need of water. This is not the time to pass blame or point accusing fingers on anyone or God. But rather, take the situation to God in prayers with humility and faith. take time to wait on God. Seek counsel from the God-fearing children of God.
Prior to this bitter situation, these children of Israel had just sang a new worship song, praising God for the victory they had just witnessed. That God of verse 21 couldn’t have died nor gone into hibernation before verse 23. He is God. He got plans and agenda for every soul. God takes great interest in the peace and joy of His children for sure.
Sometimes, God may decide to tarry a bit in His response to our requests to weigh our faith in Him when the goings are getting tough and tougher. Remember, delay doesn’t imply denial. The light will eventually breakthrough the cloud.
We must always exercise faith in God. We must learn to take God by His words. Faith in God’s Faithfulness does not only give us peace of mind, it also strengthens our relationship with Him. He that put up with God must believe in His ability to save and deliver.
If peradventure we run into any unpalatable water this year, we should give it to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is able to make bitter water sweet in His way and in His time. He has done it thousands of time and he would do it again if we simply trust His words and obey His commands.
God didn’t promise a challenge free life, but He promised to be with His own in such situations. Challenges of life toughen us like fire does to the gold and diamonds in the mining industry. In the long run, the hidden beauty buried in the mud of life surfaces. So, in time of “deep discouragement” still hold on with God and trust His faithfulness. He knows the way out all the time.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you”.
Isiah 43:2
God is a Father and is ever truthful to His words.
LIVING WORDS OF LIFE 