PEACE, Be Still!

* PHILIPPIANS 4:1-9

"...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts..." (verse 7)

Haven't you ever found yourself in a situation in which, normally you would've lost all control and composure, but for some mysterious reason this time you experienced some kind of cool from within? Sometimes you get so lost in trying to figure out where the calm came from that you actually forget the problem itself.

For those who truly know God and walk with Him, that inner strength, calmness and confidence is what Paul described here as 'the peace of God'. And if you've tried figuring it out like I have, you'll agree with me that it is beyond human comprehension.

I remember a song about God's love that I think all kids loved in Sunday School, "...so high can't get over it, so low can't get under it, so wide can't get around it; oh wonderful love!". Well, God's peace is just as unfathomable.

You can be sure of one thing, though - God's peace will keep your heart strong in times of loss, fear, failure, weakness, disappointment, despair and discouragement. When the Bible says this peace will guard your heart, the picture is of a fully armed garrison around your heart. That's what God's peace does for us! It protects our hearts from the blows of life and the many worries that deprive us of our joy.

Where are you, and what's happening in your life right now? What are you battling and dealing with? Or maybe I should have asked, 'what's dealing with you?'. God wants your heart to be safe and free so He can soothe you with His peace.

"You, LORD, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you. So, trust the LORD always, because He is our Rock forever." (Isaiah 26:3 & 4 - New Century Version)

*Feel free to leave a comment. Share your thoughts, experiences and post any questions you may have on this or any other posts. Thanks

BOLDNESS IN OUR DECLARATION OF FAITH

* JOHN 12: 42 & 43

The rulers who believed really did believe in Jesus Christ, but were not bold enough to let it be known that they believed. They were afraid the Pharisees would throw them out of the synagogue. They couldn't declare their faith in the Master.

Just how important is your public image? How does it weigh on the scale in comparison to your public confession of faith? In Mark 8:38, Jesus said if we fail to declare Him before men, He will be ashamed to declare us before His Father, God.

If you are a Christian, then it is most likely that you've surrounded yourself with people of the same creed as you. Among your circle, it is most likely the in-thing to be born-again. But still do you lack the boldness to declare for Christ in the way you relate to new acquaintances, neighbours and friends?

The Pharisees had a reason for hiding their faith. They wanted to retain their exalted places in the synagogue. Today too, we have our reasons for lacking the boldness to live by our faith in the public arena. Sometimes its that 'rep' we feel we have to protect. Or maybe we don't want to lose our boss' favour or perhaps we don't want too many people to know we are Christians so they don't put our lives under the magnifying and scrutinize our every move. We often still want the best of both worlds. Clearly, Jesus said we cannot straddle the line or sit on the fence (Revelation 3:15).

'For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.' GOD'S PRAISE AND PLEASURE IS THE ULTIMATE! (Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 5:9). Dear friend, why not boldly declare your faith in Him today?

I AM YOUR SHEPHERD

“I AM your shepherd;
I make sure you lack no good thing.
It is I who makes you bask in the beautiful green pastures of life;
When you need a break, I lead you to still waters and there refresh your weary soul;
I show you how to walk in righteousness
So that My name can be glorified through you.
Yes, even when you experience life-threatening dangers,
Have not the slightest fear;
Because I AM always with you;
My rod that brings you security and correction, and My staff with which I guide you,
Will in the end bring you comfort and joy.
I celebrate and honour you right in front of your enemies;
I anoint you as My chosen one;
And I bless you with much more than you need.
Rest assured, My favour and mercy and grace will follow you for as long as you live;
And just when you think it is over, I will bring you into My eternal kingdom
To live with me FOREVER.”

Love,
JESUS.

© Ayokunle B. Oyawale (20/01/09)

"GOSPEL BELLS!"

"Don't be afraid!... I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Saviour - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born tonight in Bethlehem." (LUKE 1:10 & 11)

The birth of Jesus Christ was the beginning of the accomplishment of God's eternal plan of redeption. It was so important that the angels announced with great joy that the Messiah had been born. Indeed it was, and still is 'good news'.

Amazing, however, is the way the birth of Jesus has come to be celebrated over the centuries. what should be marked with humble contemplation of His mission on earth, has come to be marked by human alternatives such as Christmas trees, turkey, 'Boxing Day', Mistletoe, etc. And each of these things is steeped in superstition and ritual histories!

What should Christmas mean to you? It should stand for a time of celebration...of grace and Christ's work on the cross. By all means, visit friends, eat and be merry, but more than ever - remember, the only reason He was born was so He could die for you! What does this sacrifice mean in your life? Let his birth and death be a living reality for you, not just on Christmas day, but every single day of your life.

AN ORANGE & IT'S JUICE

Everybody likes fruits these days!
Most can't wait to savour the flavour
But very few know the price of a glass of juice.
The ripe Orange itself is a beauty to behold
Yet if its to yield its best juice
You must squeeze it and squeeze hard
Till the last drop is gone.
Perhaps, when the depleted orange think its done, you turn it inside out
And begin to eat out the fibre one by one
Then its truly over...
That which held so much promise & had such
beautyIs peeled, sucked, and eaten - used and gone.
I'ld have said life is like an Orange.
To get the best out of it, you must peel, suck and eat.
You must squeeze and suck till the last drop is gone.
Then you can truly be said to have lived!
But rather, let me say, YOU ARE THE ORANGE!
Life is not about dreams and roses
You'll be peeled, squeezed, sucked and eaten
Heaven demands that you give your best - to the last drop
And when that's done, life leaves you for dead.
The irony? Life is death; death is life!
"For unless a grain of wheat falls into the
ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it
dies, it produces much grain." (JOHN 12:24)

-AYOKUNLE BABS OYAWALE (19/09/06)

The Word 4 U Via SMS

Hey, guess what?

Ever wanted to have the word at your fingertips? Well, here you go. My friend has this beautiful ministry project that could make all the difference in your day, everyday. You can have scriptures on your phone ready for your use or encouragement in timely situations.

It is really very simple. Just log on to 'www.scripturesms.com' and register. NO FEE, NO RATES...TOTALLY FREE ... ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! This is not business, it's ministry.

Catch you later!

AYOKUNLE BABS.

ALLEGIANCE

With each thrust of the nails
They joyfully hailed
At each drop of His blood
They sneered, cheered and geered
The Saviour they crucified
On Calvary's cross
The earth shook
And tombs brought forth their dead
Sun could not bear to look
As the Son of God breathed His last.

Days later the city in disarray stood
Some men must have been drunk
Speaking all kinds of languages
And those who killed the Lord stood against them
Peter declared the Messiah as the crucified Lord
And they believed.
In all, three thousand men were saved
The Spirit of the Lord came upon them
And their lives were changed forever.

They were beaten in the city
And stoned outside the gates
Bound both hands and feet,
They were led and fed to lions.
With every drop of their blood they paid
For the faith they proclaimed.
Their homes were burnt
Their children dashed on the walls
Yet standing with grace
They smiled and sang in the face of death
Neither to state, nor to man,
Their allegiance was to the Son of God.

Today we stand, having received
The faith for which they died
Varying roots, varying routes
We stand as one in Christ.
We pledge our hearts,
We lay our lives
For the One who laid His life for us.
Whatever the price,
Whatever the cost,
We pledge,
We pledge,
We pledge ALLEGIANCE to the Lamb.

(Originally written: 2002)

ME!

UP IN MY ROOM!

Up in my room one cloudy Monday morning
I ask myself "what is love?"
Jesus answers, 'this is love...'
"That My Father loved you ever so much
He gave My life that you might live."
Oh! What sacrifice that Jesus should lay His life for me!

Still up in my room that cloudy Monday morning
I ask myself "why then is love so scarce?"
Jesus answers me, 'this is why...'
"Because the world even in the face of grace
has refused My one perfect sacrifice."
Oh! That the world would see that Jesus, the love of God is...THE ONLY WAY.

Now, up in my room this cloudy Monday morning, I ask myself, "what must I do to show this love?"
And Jesus answers me 'Do this only...'
"As My Father loves you through Me, you also radiate this love for all the world to see and so believe."
Oh! Now I truly see that...
LOVE IS THE MOST EXCELLENT WAY.

- AYOKUNLE BABS OYAWALE
(Originally written: 1/11/1999)