Judge Not

This poem really blessed me. No matter how many times i get to read it, i get blessed all over again.
Be blessed.

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I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Bob, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

'And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said,
'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

JUDGE NOT!!

Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE!
Now it's your turn... Please Share this poem if you feel it ok by you.

Word!

THE CENTURION AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS
by Max Lucado

The day began as had a hundred others—dreadfully. It was bad enough to be in Judea, but it was hell to spend hot afternoons on a rocky hill supervising the death of pickpockets and rabble-rousers. Half the crowd taunted, half cried. The soldiers griped. The priests bossed. It was a thankless job in a strange land. He was ready for the day to be over before it began.

He was curious at the attention given to the flatfooted peasant. He smiled as he read the sign that would go on the cross. The condemned looked like anything but a king. His face was lumpy and bruised. His back arched slightly and his eyes faced downward. “Some harmless hick,” mused the centurion. “What could he have done?”

Then Jesus raised his head. He wasn’t angry. He wasn’t uneasy. His eyes were strangely calm as they stared from behind the bloody mask. He looked at those who knew him—moving deliberately from face to face as if he had a word for each.

For just a moment he looked at the centurion—for a second the Roman looked into the purest eyes he’d ever seen. He didn’t know what the look meant. But the look made him swallow and his stomach feel empty. As he watched the soldier grab the Nazarene and yank him to the ground, something told him this was not going to be a normal day.

As the hours wore on, the centurion found himself looking more and more at the one on the center cross. He didn’t know what to do with the Nazarene’s silence. He didn’t know what to do with his kindness.

But most of all, he was perplexed by the darkness. He didn’t know what to do with the black sky in midafternoon. No one could explain it.… No one even tried. One minute the sun, the next the darkness. One minute the heat, the next a chilly breeze. Even the priests were silenced.

For a long while the centurion sat on a rock and stared at the three silhouetted figures. Their heads were limp, occasionally rolling from side to side. The jeering was silent … eerily silent. Those who had wept, now waited.

Suddenly the center head ceased to bob. It yanked itself erect. Its eyes opened in a flash of white. A roar sliced the silence. “It is finished.” (John 19:30 NIV) It wasn’t a yell. It wasn’t a scream. It was a roar … a lion’s roar. From what world that roar came the centurion didn’t know, but he knew it wasn’t this one.

The centurion stood up from the rock and took a few paces toward the Nazarene. As he got closer, he could tell that Jesus was staring into the sky. There was something in his eyes that the soldier had to see. But after only a few steps, he fell. He stood and fell again. The ground was shaking, gently at first and now violently. He tried once more to walk and was able to take a few steps and then fall … at the foot of the cross.

He looked up into the face of this one near death. The King looked down at the crusty old centurion. Jesus’ hands were fastened; they couldn’t reach out. His feet were nailed to timber; they couldn’t walk toward him. His head was heavy with pain; he could scarcely move it. But his eyes … they were afire.

They were unquenchable. They were the eyes of God.

Perhaps that is what made the centurion say what he said. He saw the eyes of God. He saw the same eyes that had been seen by a near-naked adulteress in Jerusalem, a friendless divorcée in Samaria, and a four-day-dead Lazarus in a cemetery. The same eyes that didn’t close upon seeing man’s futility, didn’t turn away at man’s failure, and didn’t wince upon witnessing man’s death.

“It’s all right,” God’s eyes said. “I’ve seen the storms and it’s still all right.”

The centurion’s convictions began to flow together like rivers. “This was no carpenter,” he spoke under his breath. “This was no peasant. This was no normal man.”

He stood and looked around at the rocks that had fallen and the sky that had blackened. He turned and stared at the soldiers as they stared at Jesus with frozen faces. He turned and watched as the eyes of Jesus lifted and looked toward home. He listened as the parched lips parted and the swollen tongue spoke for the last time.

“Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit” (Luke 23:46 NIV).

Had the centurion not said it, the soldiers would have. Had the centurion not said it, the rocks would have—as would have the angels, the stars, even the demons. But he did say it. It fell to a nameless foreigner to state what they all knew.

“Surely this man was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:54 NIV)

Such Love

I wasn’t going to do a post today.

I have not done any all year and I certainly did not think that the Holy Spirit would speak to anyone through this message He spoke to me a few weeks ago. But I feel led to share in the simplest of terms.

Today is valentine’s day. Like last year, I have had no special activity – work. Home. Worship. Clean my bathroom (ok, that’s a special activity) and now I am doing this post. I pray that at least one reader is as blessed as I have been since I discovered the secrets the Holy Spirit showed me in the following passage of scripture:

…And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-- if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister….
Colosians 1:21-23 (NKJV)

The message is simple. To the one who has confessed Jesus as Lord and Saviour, he has reconciled you to God and has personally presented you to Him as HOLY, BLAMELESS and ABOVE REPROACH.

His voice to me was crystal clear – irrespective of what you have done. Of who you think you are. Of the mistakes of the past. The mistakes of the future. Of your evil thoughts. I, Jesus present you not only as Holy but blameless. Not only blameless but beyond reproach in God’s sight!

For me ,this revelation was profound! It meant that it didn’t matter how many times I fell. It didn’t matter how often satan brought my past sins to my mind. It didn’t matter whether I felt worthy or not – I was worthy in His sight!

I speak to someone today.

Someone living with the guilt of an abortion.

Someone living with the guilt of a murder.

Someone living with the guilt of a lie.

I speak to someone whose Spiritual life seems stunted as a result of a vicious circle of sin and repent. I speak to that one who loves God but finds that it is a struggle for Him to stay afloat in the sea of righteousness.

I speak to that man who when he raises up his hands to worship; the accuser shows up with his past. I speak to that one that seems unworthy to approach our worthy God.

My message to you is His message to me (and to you through the scripture): You are worthy. You are worthy to come boldy to the throne of the Master for he has presented you irrespective of your actions; blameless and holy in the sight of His father.

When you show up in God’s presence, all He sees is the blood of the lamb! The precious and spotless blood that was shed for you and for me!

God not only sees you as holy, He sees you as blameless. You are His child that can NEVER be blamed for any of your atrocities – I didn’t write it! Scripture has it!!
You are also above reproach. Above shame. Above disgrace. You are perfect in His sight!!!!

This takes faith to believe. Some real faith….

Shall we then continue to sin that grace may abound? God forbid!!! This perfect love that transcends human understanding is humbling. It makes even the toughest of persons melt when it is deeply understood. Study the scripture and ask God to speak to you through it. Then and only then can you harness the power in the perfect love of God!!!

Happy valentine’s day.

Pray with me. Especially if you want to partake of this love. Give your life to Jesus. Say from your heart:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for today.

Thank you for your love.

Thank you for all you are to me.

I ask today, that you come into my heart.

I ask that you become my Lord and my personal savior.

I desire to enjoy and partake of your love. Come into my heart today.

I acknowledge you as LORD.

Thank you because I am born again!

Alleluia to your name Jesus.

If you said this prayer, please send me an e-mail on ngozilee1325@yahoo.com. I will give you information that will aid you in your new life with GOD!!! Take Charge!!!

Sure secret to victory

8 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
9 And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand."
10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12 But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
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The Lord prompted me to study the book of Exodus a few weeks back. He has been speaking since I started. I have decided to share one of the many things that He brought to my attention. I pray that this blesses you as much as it has blessed me!
As I read the portion of scripture reproduced above, a number of things concerning warfare jumped out at me.

1. Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim - There is a constant battle in the realm of the spirits. This is irrespective of whether you believe in “such things” or not. At this point in scripture, it was the Amalekites. After this victory, there were series of other battles. The battles never ceased. They will not cease. The born again child of God is however guaranteed of something greater than victory in all battles - Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37)

2. And Moses said to Joshua, "Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek - In warfare, the choice of soldiers who will fight alongside with you is probably one of the most important decisions anyone can make. Scripture is replete with instances where only “the best” men were chosen to go to battle against enemies - When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel's best and put them in battle array against the Syrians (1 Chronicles 19:10). When the odds seem up against you. When it looks as though the marriage is over. When it seems as though the wayward child will never give his heart over to God. When it seems that the sickness may take the life of that loved one. When it looks as though that evil pattern is beginning to repeat itself in your life – who do you confide in? Who do you warfare side by side with? Who is your prayer partner? Years ago, the LORD taught me that it was better to warfare alone than to warfare with the wrong people! For effective warfare, you need the BEST people. People who love God and understand deep spiritual strategy!

3. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand – For victory in warfare, we MUST stand on the hill. A hill signifies an ascent. There must be some form of upward mobility. Psalms 15:1, 24:3, 43:3, 99:9 and various others speak about the hill of the LORD. This hill represents a state of holiness! Holiness is a weapon. A very powerful weapon. There are various stages of warfare. The fiercer the battle gets, the more important it is for climb the ladder of holiness. Moses stood on the hill. His victory was certain! What prayer seems un answered in your life today? What battles have you been fighting over and over again for years? What problems seem to defy solutions? Ascend the hill of the Lord today. The Bible records in Psalm 24 that when you do ascend this hill, you will receive a vindication from God!

4. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed - This is the key driver of the victory of any spiritual warfare. The Bible records that when Moses hand was held up, the Children of Israel prevailed. The HS enlightened the eyes of my mind to this scripture. When our hands are lifted up to God in praise, worship and adoration, the battle goes in our favour. When our hands are dropped in murmuring, complaints and whining, the battle goes against us. Simple but powerful principle! Has everything else failed? Try worship. Try praise. Try Adoration. Try Adulation. These can NOT fail! The fastest way to incur the displeasure of God is through murmuring and complaints. The LORD killed a good number of the Israelites because of these two. When next the situation looks bleak and gloomy, resist the urge to complain. Begin to praise and worship – this would be a sacrifice, A sacrifice of praise and I bet you, the situation will turn around – it is only a matter of time!

5. But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun – Because we are but flesh, there may be times, depending on the ferocity of the attack launched out against you, that you might get tired and weary. At this point, it will matter who you have surrounded yourself with. Moses took Aaron and Hur, men he could trust. Men who feared God. Who have you surrounded yourself with? What counsel can they give you when you are weary? Aaron and Hur where a powerful support for Moses. Bible records that they not only put artificial supports in place for his tired arm, but also supported him on each side! Friends that cannot encourage you to praise. Friends that cannot provide spiritual support. Friends that cannot refresh you when you are weary are not friends you should rely on for warfare! Warfare is serious business! You must put aside sentiments! Only the best hands will do!
Say a prayer with me.

Dear Lord,

We come before you in the name of Jesus.
We thank you for who you are to us. We understand that there is a war raging. We also understand that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.
We pray for the strength to engage the weapons of praise and worship when it matters most.
We pray for the grace to praise and bless your name at ALL times and in all situations.
We thank you for the guaranteed victory that we have in you!
Enlighten us! Strengthen us! Give us wisdom that the world cannot give!
Thank you Almighty God because we know that through our praise and worship, chains will be broken. Burdens will be lifted and captives will be set free.
Thank you dear Lord because in you, the victory is sure!
Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!
In the name of Jesus!

September???

i am not entirely sure who this note is to.

it started on friday last week. i saw the man crushed to death.
a human life. squashed. like a fruit.
i don't think i saw life the same after that.

a few days later was the terrible accident on third mainland bridge.
i hear the headless body of a man in suit was pulled out of the wreckage.
he was going to work. the self same way i was.

now, i hear that Gabriel is dead.
cute gabriel. with a nice smile. the one who always admonished me and adviced me
not to respond to the annoying gimmicks of my landlady.
that gabriel. barely 30. is dead.

and for the first time in my life, i really asked God Why.
Why were all these things happening?
Why did Gabriel have to die?
Why did the mans death have to be so bloody
Why?

its barely one week into the month of septemeber....
and all these deaths.
Although i don't know most, i feel as though they were my friends.
my heart goes out to their family members....

as i prayed today, fearing that i may be next to mourn, i heard the word of the LORD:

No evil shall before you,
no plague shall come nigh your dwelling
The destroyer has been restrained,
becuase you have the blood on you!

Don't i just serve an awesome One?

Akukwo nke di m II

Dear you,

I am back again.
I don't know what triggered this feeling. But tonight i miss you like really bad....
God spoke a few months ago. He said you were here NOW!
For some reason, i can't see you yet but i know He never lies.
Thanks for being here.
Thanks for responding to the call of God.
Thanks for everything you are (and will be)
Thanks for letting me be your better half.
Thanks for letting me be your helpmate.
Thanks for loving me - flaws and all!
Thanks for loving me the way only you can.

God says you are here.
so i speak to you as though you are here.
you are blessed.
Your territory is blessed.
You are the seed of Abraham therefore the Lord is your shield and exceeding great reward!
Your finances are blessed!
Your body is blessed.
The children that will come from you are blessed!

i love you so much it hurts that my physical eyes cannot see you.
my prayer is that these days of waiting will serve their purpose.
to refine me. to make me into that woman that God has ordained me to be.
i fall and fail every once and again but He picks me up again and again....

i wish you were home on Friday when i watched a man being crushed to death!
i thought of you for some reason.
I wished you were there.
Just to allow me be weak.
Just to allow me cry in your arms....

God says you are here.
i believe Him.
He never lies.
Thank you. Thank you for being my testimony!
Thank you for being the man of my dreams!
Thank you for not coming until NOW.
Thank you cos when my physical eyes eventually catch up with my spiritual, then i would love you for all eternity!

Hurry!
i miss you!

Love always,
nwunye gi.

...where are your eyes?...

...while i studied this morning, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the importance of where i lift my eyes to. As usual, i thought i should share.

And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD.
Exodus 14:10 NKJV

This passage from scripture is set at the Banks of the Red Sea. The Israelites who had seen miracle after miracle; wonder after wonder and deliverance per excellence only a short while ago came face to face with another obstacle - the Red Sea. The Bible records that the Egyptians were in hot pursuit (There will always be counter attacks by the forces of evil after deliverance). The Bible records that when the Israelites saw the Egyptians marching after them, they were terrified. it was at this point the Holy Spirit began to speak.

In a nutshell, He said to me. What you look at matters. He said, if the Israelites had continually kept before their minds eyes, the faithfulness of God and not looked (and focused) on the enemy, the fear would never have arisen! The only reason why their fear did not cause their return to slavery was the presence of Moses who didn't shift his focus from GOD.

This is not supposed to be a long note.
It is to encourage any one who might need encouragement.

Do not keep your eyes on those symptoms. Focus rather on the healer.
Do not focus on that failed marriage. Keep your eyes rather on the one who instituted marriage.
Do not lift your eyes to the situations around you. Trust rather on the one who has the power to turn every situation around!

Remember the words of the psalmist:

I will lift up my eyes to the hills
from whence cometh my help?
My help cometh from the LORD
the LORD which made the heavens and the earth

It matters what you look at!
It matters where you place your focus!
Remember: Peter began to sink when he took his eyes of the Lord.
Keep your eyes right!

Say a prayer with me

Dear Lord,

We come before you in the name of Jesus.
We thank you for the miracle of our salvation.
We thank you for all you are and will be to us.
Receive all our praise in the name of Jesus.
We come before you today with a knowing that you are LORD over our lives
Many times we take our focus off of you and look at the situations and circumstances that surround us. Forgive us. Help us. Heal us. Teach us.
Give us the grace to look only at you.
Give us the grace to ignore the facts and focus on the truth.
Give us the grace to look at you and you alone!
Take all the glory father,
in Jesus name.
Amen.