God's Mercy Kept me.

2014 has been a year of the Good, the bad and the ugly for many of us. We all experienced different things in different ways. Some of us lost loved ones, got married, bought a house, got promoted, got laid off in the office and so on. But one thing that is very important is that we are still alive  because of God's mercies.
Lamentations 3:22 says,  It is of the Lord 's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (KJV). We are still  breathing because of the mercies and grace of God. It is time for us to reflect on the mercies of God. We are strong and healthy because of him. We travelled to many places this year and came back in peace. Was it your ability or your connections that brought you out of all the issues you had in the year 2014? It was the grace of God that did it.
Many people died this year but you are still alive. Many also had issues, challenges, problems and they didn't come out of it. This is a time to be thankful to God, the Maker of the heavens and the earth. We need to reflect on his love towards us this year.
The rebukes, corrections, discipline, pruning, breaking, etc, we got this year are part of the package of the grace God gave and showed us. We all should be grateful to Him for it. Many were not corrected because they didn't have any one to correct them. Some got rebuked but didn't take to the rebukes and corrections. All the rebukes and corrections were to bring us back to the part of truth, the visions and purposes we derailed from. They were sent to build us and not to kill and destroy us.
I saw the mercy, grace, presence, protection, love, wonders, glory, favour in the Year, 2014. There were increase, growth and promotion in my life. There were also challenges, failures, pain, grief, etc, in my life. There were times I felt like throwing in the towel. There were times I also gave up on myself and even on God  concerning his promises towards me, but God's Mercy said no. His mercies brought me back when I derailed from the part he called me to walk in. I am very grateful to him for his love towards me.
Daily, we woke up and went out. We fell sick and he healed us. He also made his provisions available to us when we were in need. He also fought battles for us that we were aware of and many we were not aware of. The battles he fought for us that we were not aware of were more than the ones we were aware of.
All of these things were done through the mercies of God. No man can say that it was his money or wealth that has brought him this far. His mercies have done all this for us and we should be grateful for it. God's mercies have really fought for us and kept us. He is really a faithful and merciful father. Glory be to his name forever. Halleluyah. Wilson Ileogben

I am a PRINCE with GOD.

At naming ceremonies, whatever name you give to a child is what that child will bear for the rest of his life. I have heard many funny names like Bell, Hazard, etc. Names are very important but people give names to their children based on the sound, beauty, popularity and their feelings about the name. This is not supposed to be. In some cultures, names mean a lot and it is assumed that people live according to the names they are given. Some people name their children based on their traditions, beliefs and culture. It is also believed that names affect and determine people's destinies.  This means that people become the names they are called.
 Some people call their children big head, idiots, block head, goats, fools, good for nothing, Dullards,etc, when they are angry. No wonder some children behave like goats and fools, and some parents wonder why. Also, some people have been given nicknames like Bully, Badoo, womanizer, etc and they are comfortable with it.
We all should learn from God, the creator of the heavens and the earth. Judges 6:12&15 says, (12 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”. 15 So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house). He called Gideon a mighty man of valour though he was the least important in his family and his clan was the weakest in the tribe of Mannasseh in Israel (Read Judges 6:11-16). Guess what! He became that which God called him.
Names are very important and we need to know the gravity of the names we bear and give to our children. Gen 32:28 says, ( And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed). Jacob was called a PRINCE though he was not from a royal family.
How could God call a normal person a Prince when he was not? This was because God sees the end from the beginning and he alone knows what we are. Whatever He calls you, that is what you will become. The name Prince stuck in his head of Jacob (Israel) and his children. Since then, an average Israelite carries himself like a Prince. They live, walk, and behave like royals. They don't see themselves as second fiddle or inferior to any man. Instead, they see themselves as  Princes and the first born of God.
 We all as Christians are the spiritual Jews or Isrealites. As spiritual Israelites, we are all "PRINCES" with God. So, we should behave, think, dress, like  Princes and Royals hence forth, because, that is what we are. Take a clue from the way Prince Charles and Williams live and conduct themselves in public. This will give you an insight into who you really are and the way you should live. Their royalty is from this world and it is transient but ours is from heaven and it is permanent. Remember who you are at all times. You are the King's (God's) kid. So, the way you conduct yourself determines the way people will relate with you. Lastly, don't let people's opinion become a reality in your life because you are a Prince. Wilson Ileogben.

The Transforming Power of The Word Of God.

The scripture can save any one, any nation and people if the Bible is their foundation and their source. Psalm 119:165 says; Great peace have they which love thy law:
and nothing shall offend them. (KJV). Any one who wants to have peace in his life, must love the word of God. This is also applicable to nations  and  families.

This is exactly what a city named Filipino City of Tagbilaran  in the Philippines is doing which has brought great news to them. Taxi drivers working in the small Filipino City are required by Law to have and paste Bible Verse on Taxis. Officials have credited the peace and low rate of crime to it. It is required by law that a Bible verse be painted on the back of their three-wheeled motorcycle cabs, and any driver that is caught without a scripture is liable to be fined or have their license revoked.

CBN News reports that in an attempt to reduce crime rate in the island of Bohol's provincial capital city, the Bohol provincial government passed into law, over 22 years ago, the requirement for drivers of the city's most efficient mode of public transportation, that is, the three-wheeled motorized tricycle taxis that seat as many as four to seven riders, to have scripture verses on the back.

Although the Tagbilaran City Hall only gives out 3,000 commercial tricycle licenses every year, the government requires each driver to have a scripture verse in tricycle that is completely their own and  in another that is not being used by any other tricycles operating in the city. This law was passed over two decades ago and Tagbilaran is the only city in the Philippines with this requirement for their taxis. The City Counselor, Lucille Langunay, told CBN that the "Bible of wheels" campaign has resulted in lower crime rates in the city and has produced stronger families.

Most operators, when they get their license are assigned a Bible verse and then have to take their tricycle to get the verse painted on the back by one local auto painter who has painted the town's tricycles for the past 20 years. With a Biblical message at the back of the units, commuters get to see the message every day and it helps in way to preserve the peace in our city," Langunay said. "Everyday commuters get to see the biblical messages on the tricycles and, who want to think of crime when they see biblical passages everywhere?  The back of one tricycle in the city reads: "Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of Triumph! Ps. 47:1." Below is a picture of a tricycle with the above scripture as Painted on The Back of a three-wheeled motor taxi in the Filipino city of Tagbilaran.

Another tricycle scripture reads: "There is a God and one Mediator between God and man. 1 Tim 2:5". Tricycle operator Crisinel Escudero said that riders love the Bible verses and he is often complimented on his bible verse. "People thank me all the time for my scriptural verses," Escudero said. "They said it touched them. It is always a good reminder that there is a God."Buala Siongiex, who has been responsible for painting the scriptures on the tricycles for the past 20 years, said that he loves his job because it inspires him everyday. "I love the scriptures," Siongiex said. "As I paint them on the tricycles, I also get inspired by them. This is the Word of God and it gives us guidance."
The word of God has power to transform any one.if it can change a city, it can change people, countries and families.

LISTENING

Information is very important to every one of us. If you want to go into a business, you need information. Also, if you want to choose a school, you need information. Any body who wants to succeed in life must seek information. It can be obtained via the internet (google, ask me), newspaper, when communicating with some one, etc.
Communication and information go together. You can't talk about communication without talking about information. Communication is said to be complete when the intended party understands the information being communicated. People communicate via sign language, words, dressing, singing, etc. However, most times people end up not understanding what is being communicated because they do not understand the language, gesture, being used to communicate information. Another barrier to communication and information is LISTENING. Most times people don't listen when information is being communicated even when they are paying serious attention because their mind is some where else or occupied with other things.
James 1:19 says, (19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry). Many of us have had problems in our offices, business, marriages, career, etc because we don't listen. We speak faster than we listen. One major problem in marriages and relationships is communication because people don't listen and this results in misinterpreting ourselves, fighting and quarrelling. If we listen more than we speak, issues we have in life will be reduced.
Also, when information is past from one person to another, it becomes distorted by the time it gets to the seventh or ninth person. It is either the message is not communcated properly from one person to the other or the other person is not listening. My sister in law told me that she went for an official training recently and the resource person whispered something to the first person on a row and asked that person to relay it the next person and he to the next person until it gets to the last person on the row. By the time the information got to the last person on the row, the message had been distorted. It was either the persons didn't listen to the message being communicated or the resource person communicated wrong information, or they did not understand the message. Please, we need to take this seriously by developing listening skills if we want to become better persons than what we are today. Wilson Ileogben.

Who is a Judge?

Judges should be people with integrity who judge rightly. But today people no longer believe in our justice systems because there are judges who give wrong verdict based on fear of their lives and that of their families'. Also, some Judges judge cases based on the gains and some favour they will get. This is why people hardly get justice in our world today.
A judge is supposed to preside over court proceedings, either alone or as a part of a panel of judges. He is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open court. The judge hears all the witnesses and any other evidence presented by the parties of the case, assesses the credibility and arguments of the parties, and then issues a ruling on the matter at hand based on his or her interpretation of the law and his or her own personal judgment.
 However, I like the way 2 chronicles 9:5-7 defines who and what a judge should be. It says, (5 He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, "Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. 7 Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes).
From the above verses, a judge is a person who judges for the lord. In other words, he is the representative of God in the case at hand. He should judge the case as though it was God judging and also as God would judge a case. God is a righteous God, so righteousness should guide a judge in judging any case. Also, the verses show that a Judge has been given the authority to judge righteous judgement and he should not be afraid of the right verdict he gives because God is with him. A judge should Judge the way God would judge because there is no injustice and partiality with him and he does not take bride.
All these things stated in the verses should be the guide for all judges and any one who is called to judge any matter or case. If this is done, people will get justice when there is a case and the society will be better for it. Also, People will start believing in the justice system.
 In luke 18:1-8, the Bible says there was a judge who did not fear God nor cared about men and he also knew that as well. This could mean (relating it to 2 Chro 19:5-7) that the unjust judge didn't  judge cases the way God would have. He did not judge as a representative of God in the cases he judged. Being an unjust Judge, it could mean he was partial, he took bribe and he didn't give justice to those it was due. Also, the judge not fearing God could mean that he didn't realise he was judging for God. This is related to what is happening in our society today. Many Judges and people do not know that they are judging for God when they judge over a matter or case. We all should learn from this and see our selves as representatives before God when judging any case or issue. Wilson Ileogben.

Speaking One Language

When I was in secondary or high school, I was told that language was one of the barriers to foreign trade. This is very true because if one does not know the language of a country, communication becomes difficult and there may be suspicion of one party trying to play fast one on the other.

Every country has its own language and some even have several languages within the same country.
Language has been defined as a form of communication using words either spoken or gestured with the hands and structured with grammar, often with a writing system. The people who speak the same language tend to understand themselves better and it makes things much easier. But most times the people who speak the same language don't get things done easily amongst themselves  and are not united because language is not synonymous with unity.
 Many people speak the same language but they are not united. Speaking yoruba, spanish, italian, hausa, dutch, french, chinese, English, etc in a community, family, country, etc, does not mean the people speaking the languages are united and have one purpose of mind.
But Gen 11:1,4&6 says, (1.Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 4.Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth. 6. The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them). The people at that point in time built the tower because they spoke one language. God affirmed it by saying "if as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them".
This is shows that language goes beyond words spoken and gestures made. It also includes the unity of mind and purpose of mind. If a group of people are united and have one purpose, then they are speaking one language. The disciples of Jesus achieved a lot because they had unity of purpose and mind. Companies, families,  churches, countries can achieve a lot if they have one mind and purpose. Nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them if they speak the same language of unity and purpose. This reminds me of a football team. If they play like a team, they will do well but if they play individually, they may lose. ( Gen11:1-6,Amos 3:3, Matt 18:19&20).    Wilson Ileogben

Just Like Jabez.

 

      Where did I go wrong? Who did I offend? What is wrong with me? These are questions many people ask themselves when they get to a position of confusion, a fix and depression. The thought of Jabez easily comes to mind in regards to those questions. If you have experienced or you are experiencing pain, failure, defeat, stagnation, denial, rejection, demotion, etc, please I would like you to consider Jabez.
      He experienced what many of us are going through today including me. His name meant pain and he experienced pain in full measure. But l love how the Bible puts it in 1 chron 4:9,10 ("9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain. 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request).
     Go to God like Jabez did. Stop running to men for help because they will keep disappointing you. The arm of flesh will fail you and the help of man is worthless. Stop depending on friends, wealth, jobs,etc and start believing in God. Please stop complaining so that you will not break the hedge. One good reason many people are always in pain is because they are always complaining. The Isrealites complained and they were bitten by snakes. Many of them died of the bites of the snakes. (Read Numbers 21:4-9). So, when you complain, you break the hedge and the serpent (the devil) will definitely bite. Instead of complaining, go to God for he is a faithful father. If we cannot believe God when we are faced with circumstances, we do not believe in him at all. Wilson Ileogben

Judging Righteously

Many people judge others by their actions while they want others to judge them by their intention. This is not a righteous judgement. It is common amongst us and I have been guilty of this several times. It has affected and impaired my judgement about many issues I have had. Many relationships that could have enhanced our course in destiny have been destroyed because of this. We have also thrown meaningful relationships even marriages away because we don't see with the eyes of others and God instead we see from our selfish side called "I". Uhm, this sounds familiar.  This is also known as selective morality. Selective Morality is when a person affirms, sees and identifies the wrongness, mistakes, attitude in other people but when it comes to him, his mind shuts down all thoughts when he does the same wrong, mistakes or put up the same attitude.  This is a major problem many people have. We also need to understand that when there is a quarrel or misunderstanding, the parties involved have there own faults and that the other person might not have annoyed us deliberately. You might have started it but the reactions of the other could have added fuel to the fire. However, we should realise that the things others did that got us annoyed may not be intentional. If there are issues between two people and a third party who is not myopic and partial comes to judge, he will see that the parties involved had reasonable intentions which they never saw. Many of us are guilty of it. If we all judge others by their intentions, quarrelling, rancour, bitterness, enmity, malice will be reduced in our homes, offices,  churches, families, neighbourhood and country. Righteous Judgement is when you judge based on righteousness, God's ways and standard and you are not partial. You also make righteous judgement by seeing from the other person's point of view and intentions. To judge righteously, the two people involved in any misunderstanding should learn to face the issues head on because if they don't and they delay, the devil will expand the issue in their heart and it will be blown out of proportion. The purpose of righteous judgement is to bring peace, unity, forgiveness, understanding and to let the will and love of God manifest,to shut out the devil in a relationship/marriage and to make love and peace continue to grow amongst the parties involved in a quarrel. Lastly, the parties involved should accept their wrongs, repent of whatever they have done and tell the other that they are sorry. Wilson Ileogben

Don't Be Moved By What People Say.

Look at him. He behaves as if this company is owned by his father. Look at the way she walks. Wow, that Guy is very short and ugly. The shirt she is wearing is fake. Girl, look at that lady's shoes, etc" are ways at which people say things or speak ill of others. Nothing you do or say that will stop people from talking. As long as you are on earth, people will always speak of you.
 But you should not be worried because the Bible says in Luke 6:26(26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets). If nobody says any thing about you, that means you are not alive. People will say things, conspire and speak ill of you both at home, office, church, neighbourhood,etc. If you were not important they would not speak about you. Jesus Christ did a lot for mankind when he was on earth. He healed the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, got people saved. Did you know that  they said he healed and cast out demons by the Belzebul and called him a friend of sinners. They called him  all sorts of  names inspite of what he did. They will also call you names as long as you still have breath in your nostril.
 If all people say about you is good, wonderful, great, great, etc then examine yourself because some thing is wrong and the bible says woe unto you if all they say about you is good. In other words, rejoice when people speak ill of you because the bible says in matt 5:11&12 (11 God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way).
 Some times when people speak ill of us and try to tarnish our image, they are actually promoting and advertising us for good. A man did not like his colleague in his office. He hated the man's guts. So he tried to tarnish his image before the MD of the company. Guess what. The man ended up promoting that other man in front of the MD without knowing it because  at that point in time, the MD was looking for some one with that attitude  to occupy a senior management position. The reported man ended up having a position he was not aware of and he didn't apply for.
 Other times when people speak ill of us, we should take it constructively because they may be telling the truth. Instead of taking every thing you hear people say about you to heart, check and ask yourself if what they are saying is true and try to use it constructively  to change any thing wrong about you. Wilson Ileogben.

SELFIE

Selfie is a word being used today world wide and it shows and defines the trend and nature of this generation. A generation who loves and shows the outward appearance more than their real selves. A selfie is a self-portrait photograph, typically taken with a hand-held digital camera or camera phone. Selfies are often shared on social networking services such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, facebook and Tumblr. They are often casual, and are typically taken either with a camera held at arm's length or in a mirror.

My concern is how many people will sincerely post a selfie of themselves when they are broke, when they are not having a job, suffering, in lack, sick, diseased ,etc, on instagram, facebook, etc?  Please don't get me wrong. I take selfie of myself

at home, office , church, etc with my phone but this does not really show and tell me who I really am. It only shows me how miserable I am without God. Every one should take a selfie of themselves with the word of God.

The word of God is the only mirror and camera which shows us (our true selfie)who and what we are, what we will be like and where we are going. Psalm 119:97-100(read psalm 119) says, (97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 98 Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.100 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts).

One word from God can change your life, situations, your looks, etc. No wonder Pharoah king of Egypt and Abimelek king of Gerar wooed SARAH when she was 65 and 90 years old respectively (Gen 12:10-20, 20:1-2)because the word of God had transformed her. This same word can make you beautiful and transform you even younger than your age when you fellowship with it daily. WILSON ILEOGBEN.

Don't Pay Evil With Evil.

  Romans12:17-18 says,"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone". It is man's nature to retaliate but the scripture says otherwise.
 Recently, I saw a fight that thought me a big lesson. A bus pulled over behind my house and a fight eschewed between the passengers and the bus conductor. The conductor was the first person to attack one of the passengers. Later another passenger joined in the fight. Before long, the conductor was on the ground shouting. His leg had got broken. I saw his bone shooting out because it had broken.
At this time, all the passengers came out with their hands on their head and shouting, "his leg is broken". The conductor was still on the ground shouting, "my leg, my leg" is broken. Don't let them go.
The lesson here is whatever any body does to you, don't retaliate or pay evil with evil. The conductor was the person who attacked the passenger first but got a broken leg. The passengers will end up spending money they didn't plan for to treat the conductor in the hospital and get the leg fixed.
If they got to the police station to report the case, the passengers will be held responsible no matter who started the fight. They may end up sleeping in police cell for retaliating. I know offence will come, but let's do what Jesus would do by forgiving men who upset us. This is applicable to marriages, friends, people, employees, ministers, family members, countries, etc. WILSON ILEOGBEN

DISTRACTIONS

     

Distractions are every where.When people get distracted, unexpected things happen.  A good example of distraction is a student who gets distracted in class. He will definitely miss out on vital points the teacher said. Also, a woman who gets distracted in the kitchen will get the food burnt and any driver who gets distracted will get the passengers killed. What is distracting you?
      Acts 20:7-9 NCV says (7 On the first day of the week,8 We were all together in a room upstairs,and there were many lamps in the room.9 A young man named Eutychus was sitting in the window.As Paul continued talking, Eutychus was falling into a deep sleep. Finally, he went sound asleep and fell to the ground from the third floor.When they picked him up, he was dead). Eutychus got distracted by sleeping in the course the message. Sleep did not only distract him, it also led to his death though he was resuscitated later. He was a christian who was attending a believers' meeting (church) and he got distracted. Uhm, this must be familiar to us. If Usain Bolt gets distracted in the course of a race, he will lose the gold though he is the fastest man on earth today.
     Are you a christian, pastor, lady, man, student, boy, husband, wife, etc who is being distracted? You need to call yourself to order now. For those married people who are having emotional affair with someone outside other than your husband, you will end up destroying your home and yourself. You can't put fire on your lap and not get burnt. You just have to be focused on the goal, the prize and the journey and let your eyes become one.
     Being focused is what is needful in the race of life. luke 10:40-42 says, (40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked,"Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered,"you are worried and upset about many things,42 but few things are needed or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her"). Wilson Ileogben

Fighting Battles The Lord's Way.

My greatest movie of all time is "The Gladiator". I love that movie so much, more so it is an epic movie. I am into epic films because of the settings, story lines and battles. In most of them, battles are fought for family,love, country, royalty sake,etc. These movies remind me of how people battle for freedom and survival of their families and country. We fight battles daily in our lives, neighbourhoods, schools, offices,etc. Before any body fights a battle, he counts the cost and strategizes based on information, resources and goal. How do you fight your battles? People fight their battles with weapons, their mouth, information, on the internet, media, etc. They do it to destroy and kill others but Christians should do it to bring men to Christ.

However, the Bible says that the battle belongs to God and also that He will fight for you and you will hold peace (Exodus 14:14). Whatever battle we have in life, we should do it God's way and not our way. God's ways are funny but are the best. 2 cor 10:3&4a NCV says,(3 We do live in the world, but we do not fight in the same way the world fights.4a. We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses). God could tell you to show love to a person who hates you and he could also tell you to apologise to someone who has offended you. Some times, He can tell you to confront the issue or person head on.

Furthermore, he could also tell you to bless and pray for someone who is planning evil against you. Other times, He will tell you to praise him in some cases like he told the Israelites. The wall of Jericho came down just by the Israelites matching round Jericho once each day for 6 days,7 times on the 7th day and then shouting as God instructed them (Joshua 6). This shows that God's instruction and leading are very important in every thing we do.

 Other times, God will tell you to live at peace with the men who oppose and plan evil against you. Rom 12:17-21 says, (17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.20 On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good). God's ways are not our ways.  2 Chronicles 14: 1-15, 2 chronicles 13: 1-22).Wilson Ileogben.

Jesus Christ versus Santa Claus.

  It is the time of the year when people celebrate with family, friends, colleagues because it is Christmas time and a new year is appraoching. Many celebrate it in many ways like partying, giving of gifts, visiting, etc. This is very good but the essence and purpose of Christmas has been destroyed because it has become a time when all sorts of evil and sins are committed.



Also, Santa Claus has become the main focus of it instead of Christ Jesus. I have seen the Red, Blue and Black Santas although, the RED SANTA has been generally accepted. In this season, people are usually told tob and some do it of their own volution to dress in red or touch of red clothes in some offices, schools and churches to celebrate Christmas. Dressing in red in this season is just pointing in one direction. The dression it is pointing at is the celebration of Santa other than Jesus Christ, the reason for the season. Now if I may ask, is SANTA the one we are celebrating?

This is a time to celebrate Jesus Christ and not Santa Claus and Sin. I really feel for this generation because we don't know the original purpose of Christmas. If you ask most people, the impression they will give you is that it is the season of giving, eating, visiting, etc, no thanks to HOLLY WOOD. Many things have been said about Christmas but the simple truth is that it is a time mankind has agreed to remember and celebrate the BIRTH of our lord JESUS CHRIST.
 Thousands of years before he was born, people prophesied about his birth. But when the time came for him to be born, an angel met his mother who was a virgin and engaged to Joseph. The angel told both of them separately about his birth. She became pregnant by the power from on high and gave birth to him later.



Matthew 1: 21-23 says:
21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).



He was born to save and deliver us from our sins. So, we should be celebrating that he came to save us from our sins instead of committing more sins and celebrating Santa. A very good way to celebrate his birth is to accept him as your lord and saviour. Also, you can reach out to sinners, people, orphans, widows, etc. Santa Claus can't save you from your sins. He is just a man who gives toys and perishable things that may not add value to you. The Bible says that a thief comes to steal, kill and destroy but Jesus Christ came to give you life in abundance. He is the only one who can save you and give you life because he is God. He loves you and today, he is knocking on your door to accept him as your lord and saviour. Accept him today and you will be happy you did. Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year In Advance> Wilson Ileogben

Dont Cross That Line.

 

Some time ago, someone said to my friends and i that we should work on ourselves because sexual temptation would get worse when we got married and that you would start noticing and seeing people you could have loved all around you. I was shocked by the statement because I thought that when you are married, sexual temptation will cease.
I thought this was wrong because since you are married and your spouse is always with you when you need him or her to perform their conjugal right.
This feeling of seeing other men or ladies that you could have loved is a trick from the pit of hell for you to compromise your marriage. The devil is so tricky that he brings in that person when there are issues in your marriage. At that point in time,you will start noticing that person though he or she may not be much better or beautiful than your spouse. It also comes as a result of close proximity to that person in the office, school, neighbourhood, etc.
The devil will make you see the good things about the person which will make you think that he or she is better than your spouse. This will result in you comparing the person with your spouse. There is a tendency for you to long for the person's presence, hearing the person's voice and name daily more than that of your spouse. It may also result in emotional attachment that may end up destroying your home and life.
When I got married, I started noticing ladies around me that I could have loved. I was surprised because I was a christian and I asked some people around who were Christians if they too experience it as well and they said, "YES". At this point in time I remembered what that mentor figure had told us. I later saw a scripture in Proverbs 5, that has been helping me when that thought and feeling comes to mind. Proverbs 5:15-20 says:
( 15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. 16 Should your springs overflow in the streets,your streams of water in the public squares?
17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers.
18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always,may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
20 Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man's wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman?).
Your wife's breast should satisfy you at all times. The word breast could also mean love, personality, shape, etc. Although, it may not be easy, you should make deliberate efforts to be satisfied by  your spouse's breast. Your home and life are more important that a fling that will just last for 5 or 10 minutes.  At times,we think that the grass at the other end is greener which is not true. We also think that the other person is more lovely, understanding and caring than our spouse, until we know who he or she really is. We think so because we don't really know him or her.
If you do know them, you will understand that your spouse is unique and you are blessed to have him or her. Remember we do not fight against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers in the heavenly realm( Ephesians 6:12). The devil will do every thing for you to fall and destroy your marital vows. Please be careful and hold on. Wilson Ileogben

What is eating you up?

My best food many years ago was fried egg and fried plantain. But my taste has changed lately and I can't say that this or that is my best food. Food is very important to the building and the growth of the body.The things we eat should contain, vitamins, mineral, fat, protein, etc for our bodies to be nourished. 
Today, many people are eating junk foods that contain chemicals because many don't have time to prepare and cook for themselves. People eat things which are important and as well as dangerous to the body. We have been told that what we eat is actually destroying us. You have to be careful of the things you eat because what you eat determines much of your health. You are also what you eat. 
However, there is an aspect of life that could be more harmful than what we eat. It is called "what is eating you?'' This is more dangerous than what we eat because it could be physical, spiritual, mental and emotional. Some people are being eaten up by sicknesses and diseases like Cancer, Ebola, aids,etc. Others are being eaten up by their vision. When the thought of one's vision has taken over one's mind, thought and actions, it is a good thing. But when one is consumed with lust, jealousy, hatred, bitterness, unforgiveness, Guilt, sin, disappointment, issues of life, etc, it becomes a dangerous and life threatening issue.
2 Samuel 13:1&2, says:
"In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David. 2 Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he made himself ill. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her".
Amnon was eaten up by lust for his own sister. The thought alone is annoying let alone the act he committed with her later. Whatever  negative thing that is eating you up today has a cure, solution, answer and remedy. The remedy is God, the creator of the heavens and the earth. Nothing is bigger than Him. The things eating you up are in this world and this world is like a ball before God. If it is sin,the bible says that if we confess our sins before God, he is able and just to forgive us. If it is guilt, condemnation, and so on, i would advise that you confess to God and probably talk a trusted person about what you have done.
Rom 8:1&2 says:
"1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death''. 
Also, if  what is eating you up is related to the issues and challenges of life, the bible says in Matthew 11: 28-30:
"28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light".
If it is envy or Jealousy, just think about what happened to Cain. Jealousy made him kill his brother. So, call on God to help you. If it is sickness, the bible says that God desires you to be in good health and that by the wounds, you are healed. God is bigger than whatever is eating you up. So, don't get eaten up by that thing because you have Him by your side.

YOU ARE WORK IN PROGRESS (W.I.P).

  
Most people on earth love chocolate. It symbolizes different things to different people. Some people give it to their loved ones like their kids, wives, friends, etc as gifts and for enjoyment. Chocolates are made majorly from cocoa. 
Every product we use and see today has its raw materials. For example, Fuel and kerosene are produced from crude oil. There is a process each material goes through before it gets to the finished goods. In manufacturing accounting, we were told that in production, there is raw material, work in progress and finished goods. Everything and people on earth go through the above process. Man was made by God but we all are still work in progress in his hands. 
The place and position you are in right now is not your final destination. All the trials, temptations, issues are part of the tools God is using to shape your life. The best of you is yet to be seen. The Bible says in 1 Cor 2:9 &10 that;
9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God). Furthermore, at this point in time, we all are at the quarry site in our lives. The quarry site is a place where stones that will be used for construction are prepared. Tools , chisels, equipment and machines are used to prepare the stones at the site.  We are like those stones and the tools used to prepare the stones are problems, challenges, difficulties, successes, failures, victories. God also uses his word, ways and the Holy Spirit to make and prepare us for our destiny. 
Don't give up because God is aware of whatever you are going through. 2 cor 4:17&18 says, ''17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.''
The above scriptures say the troubles we are having today are light, momentary, temporary and they are achieving better things for us that exceed all our troubles and trials. 
Also, Romans 8: 18 says, ''18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.''
Also, the scripture above says that our present suffering cannot be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us. So, keep the hope alive.

Anger is a choice.

  On the first day of October, 2014, on my way back from  a wedding function, the bus conductor was blabbing and irritating every body in the bus. A woman seated in front turned and said to him, I am sure you can't live with a woman the way you get annoyed easily. The statement struck me and I saw myself in the statement. I flashed back to the times I got angry from my child hood to date. I remembered as a boy in primary school I tore most of my under wears because I was angry. Also, i almost flogged someone with kpako (plank) who wanted to disrupt my elder sister's wedding ten (10) years ago. Later in the evening of that day, these thoughts went through my mind along with the most recent outburst of anger I had. I became ashamed of myself because of what I saw in the scriptures. Ecc 7: 9 says,(Do not be quick in spirit to be angry or vexed, for anger and vexation lodge in the bosom of fools). I realised I have been a fool all along. Any time I exhibit anger, I am being foolish. Now, the question is how do I avoid being foolish? I realised I needed the wisdom of God not to be angry because being angry is a choice. Pro 19:11 says,(11 A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offence). This shows that i need wisdom to be patient and not to react in the face of offence. Wisdom makes you overlook an offence. This is what I need because if I refuse to be angry, it will bring glory to me instead of shame. Furthermore, as a christian,  I need to realise that the anger of man does not show the righteousness of God (James 1:19&20). I became more ashamed of myself seeing these scriptures because all the times I exhibited anger, I didn't  represent God. Pro29: 22 says NCV, ( An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin). Anger and hot tempered nature make you do all sorts of things. It could make you fight, kill, curse, destroy things,etc. Furthermore, pro 25:28 NCV says,(28 Those who do not control themselves are like a city whose walls are broken down). A man who is hot tempered and angry man is like a wall without walls or a country without boarders or a football team without the defence line. Imagine a country without border. Every body can move in or out easily from and to that country. Robbery, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, encroachment, etc will be high. Many terrible things will happen to that country without walls and also a man without self control. He will be exposed to all sorts of terrible things that may destroy him.  But Pro 16:32 says,(Better a patient person than a warrior,one with self-control than one who takes a city). This shows me who a patient man is because any one who controls his anger is a patient man. We all need the wisdom and patience of God to overcome anger. Furthermore, Pro 12:16 says, (16 Fools quickly show that they are upset, but the wise ignore insults). We all should also learn how to ignore and overlook insult. It only takes wisdom to ignore insults and anger. Pro 29:11 says, (11 Foolish people lose their tempers, but wise people control theirs). This scripture buttresses the point that it takes wisdom to control anger and temper. Please, let us work on ourselves. Wilson Ileogben

CAN ANY GOOD THING COME OUT OF YOU?

Many people are familiar with this statement: "You will never amount to any thing in life". Parents, teachers, uncles, Guardians, friends, Bosses (Ogas), family members have made that statement to people in different ways and times. They felt those people were too foolish, dull, useless to become any thing good in life. Some said it as a result of Jealousy, hatred, bitterness while others said it as a curse. Many took this to heart and have never forgiven those people who made that statement to them and wrote them off. 

You don't need to harbour grudges against that person because man does not decide your destiny but God and you. John1:46 says (Nazareth! Can anything good come from there? Nathanael asked."Come and see," said Philip). Our lord experienced it even from a would be disciple, Natanael. This did not affect his destiny. The world has not recovered from the work Jesus did over 2000 years ago and will never recover from it. Nazareth could represent a slump, a poor background, illiteracy, poverty, terrible personality. Many people had this same experience and today they are blessed. Some of them used it as a spring board to become somebody in life while others cried out to God like Jabez did and today they far exceed the expectations of those people who made those statements to them deliberately and unconsciously. 

We can emulate Jesus our lord and those people who changed that situation. Jer 29:11 says: (For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future). It is what God says that will stand and not what man has pronounced over your life. 

KNOWING THE LORD YOURSELF

The greatest thing to ever happen to mankind is Jesus Christ. Knowing him has changed my life and it will also change yours. He is the way, the truth and the life. You can't come to God without him. He is the link to God and knowing him means knowing God. Jer 31:33-34(ESV) says(33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbour and each his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more"). 

God wants us to know him for ourselves and he wants us to come directly to him instead of through people. we can only know him through Jesus Christ. He has given us direct access to him instead of coming through intermediaries. Many people depend on their pastors for "word" from the lord. They hardly seek God for any thing but run to men of God for prophecies forgetting that the veil got torn from the top to the bottom giving us direct access to God. I believe in Pastors but they should not be your access to God because this access has been given to all.The pastors are to perfect and mature us as Christians(read Eph 4:11-13).Many people have been deceived by some pastors because they depend on them so much instead growing up and knowing God for themselves. God can speak to them about us and use them to speak to us. If God speaks to a person or pastor concerning you, he will definitely confirm it to you one way or the other. But how will he confirm it to you if you don't like seeking him and you don't know him. 

When you know God's voice no one can deceive you. If you know God, when a person or pastor comes to say something contrary to what God has told you, you will not be moved. A prophet was deceived and later killed by a lion because he listened to what an older prophet who told him what was contrary to what God had told him (1 kings13:1-34).You need to know God and his voice for yourselves. 

BEING WITH JESUS

A friend of mine once told me that she was having a chat with a friend of hers and a toddler came around and misbehaved. She shouted at the boy and her friend said to her," you just spoke like your dad". She was surprised but it was the truth. She had displayed her father's mannerism or idiosyncrasy. It is called rob off. This is what happens when you live, relate and walk with someone for a long time. Being with someone for a long time makes you rob off on them. You will start working, talking behaving, and even look like them. Being with someone also makes you know the person very well like his likes, dislikes, secrets that no other person is privy to unless they are "being with him". 

This is applicable to our relationship with Jesus. When we stay with him through the word, prayer and staying in his presence, etc we will start talking, behaving and thinking like him. He will  reveal things about you like your future and direct, correct, even rebuke you when you go wrong. He will teach you the ways of the kingdom and his doctrine. Acts 4:13 says NIV(13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus). When you stay with Jesus, you will become bold. All forms of timidity will leave you. If you are unschooled and ordinary, he will school, polish and refine you. Peter and John were unlearned but by being with Jesus, they became trained, schooled and spoke boldly. 

You don't need to be a professor, lawyer, banker, pastor, business man, educated or uneducated to "being" with Jesus. Come the way you are and he will gladly accept you. He will never reject you. He will teach you through the Holy Ghost because the Bible says in matt 14:26 that the Spirit will teach you all things and remind you of every thing Jesus has taught them. He can teach you how to read, dress, cook, talk, etc. Mary stayed with Jesus while her sister was distracted by the preparations of food. If you stay with Jesus, you will know his ways. No wonder the bible says in Psalm103:7 that Moses knew his ways but the Israelites knew his acts.

BECOMING A VOICE

There is a foreign musical competition  named THE VOICE that my wife and I like watching every saturday and Sunday on TV. This competition is similar to Project Fame West Africa and Nigerian Idol but it is out of this world musically. The contestants' voices are unique and no one sings like any other person no matter how much they try. This shows that every body's voice is unique and different on earth. 

If our voices are different, then why are we jealous of others? Your voice is your identity.People are identified by the way they walk, dress, their voice, etc.Your voice could be your accent, the way you talk, sound uttered by your mouth, language, speech, word, YOU(your personality) and work. My pastor once preached a message titled, "Finding your voice". You need to find your voice wherever you are in life eg your office, school and any where. The disciples of John the Baptist came to him ( John 3:26-30)and said that Jesus christ was baptizing at the other end. His response was: (27 A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him. 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's VOICE. That joy is mine, and it is now complete).  Jesus was in a different location and John said he had complete joy hearing Jesus' voice. The VOICE John was talking about is the work(preaching and baptizing) Jesus was doing. 

You need to find your voice in this life. If you find and manifest  your voice(work, ministry, purpose), people will look for and come to you whether you are in the desert like John the Baptist or not. In your voice, your provisions will find you. So, stop being jealous of and competing with others because you and your voice are unique. Remember, the whole world is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God.

WINNING BY RIGHTEOUSNESS

Yesterday, I was at a barber's shop to have my hair cut. The barber and I got talking and the barber said, "It is not possible not to sin". I kept mum for some seconds and later said to him that it is possible to live without sinning and to win in life by righteousness. This statement, "Body no be firewood" is another statement people make regularly because they can't control themselves and because they want to justify their failures, weaknesses.They also say this so that others can encourage others to indulge in whatever sin that has taken them captive. As an unbeliever, it is impossible for you not to sin but as a christian, it is possible to live without sinning.  

However, a believer can sin if he is not yielding to the leading of the spirit. Gal 5:16 NIV says "16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh". The NLT puts it this way "16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.". Enoch walked with God in his time and he was not because God took him (Gen 5:21-24, Heb 11:5&6). Noah was called a righteous and blameless man in his time when God was not happy with man because the wickedness of man had become great and the inclination of their heart was always evil and it pained God that he had made man. This was a period God said his spirit would not continue to struggle with the spirit of men. Lot refused to sin like the people of Sodom and Gomorrah and the Bible also called him a righteous man. He was in a place where sinning is a way of life and he didn't sin. 

This means you can be in Egypt and Egypt can't be in you.  You can be in a place, office, house where sinning is common place and still be a Holy and righteous person. Many people are trying to overcome sin but they don't know no one can overcome sin by wilful power. No wonder people keep falling to sin despite the fact that they want to please God in all ways. The other reason why people even christians sin is because they don't obey the word of God to the later. Psalm 119:11 says "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you". Sin makes one dirty and stink but you can overcome it by walking in the ways of God and by the law of the spirit of life in christ Jesus. We can win by righteousness.

GROWING UP

Have you ever thought about it that when things happen in a neighbourhood, people always say it is the "Area Boys or the Gangsters" who did it. Why do they say they are the ones when bad things happen? What is so particular about them? These area boys are not kids but adults and some even have families with kids. I have asked myself, why are they not called Area Men instead of Area Boys? I realised the reason is because they are still childish. The Bible says in 1 Cor 13:11 NIV (11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me).

They talk, reason and think like kids which is exhibited in their actions when they destroy, bully, attack, steal and take things by force from people. Please, don't get me wrong. Children are a blessing from the lord. Matt 18:2-3 NCV says, (2.Jesus called a little child to him and stood the child before his followers.3.Then he said,“I tell you the truth, you must change and become like little children. Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven). Children are great to be and relate with. They are not like Adults who hardly forgive. Children forgive easily no matter who offends them. No wonder the Bible says that in regards to sin, we should be like children. But their thinking and reasoning are funny.

A child may see fire and puts his hand in it. Many times when a child is talking, adults don't really understand them. We just play along so that they can feel loved. If a child has not destroyed a thing like toys, television, their eyes will not be clear. A child will climb a table, a fence, or high place not thinking they are endangering their lives. A child can emotionally blackmail you to buy something. He can also defecate or pee on his body at any place or time and he can walk away from you if not firmly held. These are some characteristics of children most parents don't like. This is the same thoughts pattern and reasoning those guys(Area Boys) exhibit. Many of us exhibit these qualities without knowing it. If you forcefully take things from people, if you bully and destroy people and things, extort things from people, are you not exhibiting the same qualities as those boys?

We all need to grow up. If you do things that endangers lives and deliberately ignore your responsibilities, your reasoning and thoughts pattern are like that of a child. We all need to GROW UP and take up RESPONSIBILITY in the areas we have been childish.

THE DANGER OF SMOKING CIGARETTES AND DRINKING ALCOHOL

The tobacco and alcoholic industry world wide is making billion of dollars year upon year. I remember that at the end of each advert then, they would say, "Tobacco smoking is dangerous to your health". They later changed it to "Smokers are liable to die young". Wow, this is strange because these companies know that cigarettes can kill and destroy people but they keep producing them because of financial gains. This is an irony because what brings death, decay and deterioration is what people are killing themselves over. Both the young, old, fat, think, rich, poor, men, women, adults and youths are hooked up on them. 

If you ask them what pleasure do they get from cigars and alcoholic drinks, some will tell you it makes them high and feel cool. Some will tell you that they take it to calm their depression. Whatever reasons they give, these things cut short their lives. Some of them have moved from cigarettes to marijuana, cocaine and other substances. They have also moved from beer to spirit, alomo, "ogogoro","shekpe", vodka and to mixing of harmful drinks. Many of them go berserk and crazy when they take these substances. They become high and misbehave on the streets and some end up sleeping in gutters. It has become a serious addition to others and some now steal and rob just to buy these substances and become high. 

My concern is how could a person go to a vendor to buy some thing that will kill, destroy and bring shame to them? These things destroy kidneys, liver and cause cancer. I ran into an old friend of mine in primary and secondary school who now looks like my grand father. Though we are age mates,he looked much older than me because he was into those substances. I flashed back to who he was and what he has become and i felt pity for him. I was told that as they get older, their movements become unstable. Some will argue with you that soft drinks also kill because of the sugar contents and also that the Bible says take a little wine. I pity them because they are trying to justify why they are destroying themselves. Pro 31:6&7 NCV says,(6 Give beer to people who are dying and wine to those who are sad.7 Let them drink and forget their need and remember their misery no more). The way you lay your bed, is the way you will lie on it

KEEPING THE FIRE BURNING

Fire is some thing that people don't play with. As dangerous as it is, it is very important to man. It is used for cooking and other things. Nobody will see fire and put his hand deliberately on it. If they do, they will get burnt. Many lives, businesses, documents, properties have been destroyed by fire. Every one should be careful about fire when they cook and when they use it as a source of light at home. 

However, Fire reminds me of what the Bible says in Luke 3:16 that,(16 John answered everyone, “I baptize you with water, but there is one coming who is greater than I am. I am not good enough to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire). This fire is different from the physical fire because it is spiritual and unique. However, they have similarities. For a Christian born of God and the word, anyone who tries to touch him gets burnt. Flies can't perch on a very hot pot let alone fire. Demons can't perch on you because you are hot. If you are sizzling hot, demons run away from you unless you become cold.

Are you hot today and cold tomorrow? Then check your life. Leviticus 6:12 says, 
( But the fire must be kept burning on the altar; it must not be allowed to go out.The priest must put more firewood on the altar every morning, place the whole burnt offering on the fire, and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings). 
Every Christian is a Priest and he is to put firewood on the altar of his life daily. This fire must not go out.The kind of firewood (word, prayer, books you read, friends) you put determines how well the fire will burn. If you put dry firewood, the fire will burn well and vice versa if you put wet firewood. If you are burning for God, you don't need to shout "Holy Ghost Fire" because that fire is in you. When evil people see you from afar, they will  flee from. They will try to keep you from burning by bringing sin into your life. 
This fire also purifies and seasons you. Mark 9:49 says,( Everyone will be salted with fire). Salt gives taste, preserves, seasons and purifies food and things. This is what the fire within you does. So, don't put it out but keep  it burning. Are you still burning for God or have you become a den for demons?

COMING OUT OF MISTAKES

A lady went for an interview with a multi-national Company. She was to meet with the MD (a white man) for the position of a PA. He came out of his office with a file of documents and told the lady to walk with him. When they got outside, he deliberately dropped the file to see if the lady would pick it but she didn't. He picked it up himself and continued walking with her. They later ran into a group of people and he exchanged pleasantries with them but the lady didn't do that. When they left the people, the MD said to her, "that is all, the interview is over". Those mistakes cost her the job. She was really angry with herself for making those mistakes. 

Have you made a mistake like the lady above and you have not yet come out of it? Has some one taken decision or made a mistake that has impaired your career, life, marriage, relationships, job, etc? Are there mistakes you make often that cost you good things, friends, people, jobs, contracts that come your way. This message is for you. I have had my share of this in life. I have lost opportunities, jobs and taken some wrong decisions that I wish I could change. People have taken decisions and made mistakes which have affections me negatively. I have also felt like throwing in the tower several times but I can't. 

Giving up on life is worse than the mistakes and failures you have had. A friend once said, don't waste your pain but learn from it. I have learnt from them and I would like you to learn from yours as well. David made a big mistake(sin) by sleeping with Bathseba and also killed her husband Uriah. The son that came from the sinful act died and he was also told that the one closer to him will sleep with his life (1 Sam 11&12). His mistake brought shame to his family and God. But David did something that was great. He repented before God and moved on after the son died. We also need to trust God for help and rely on the Holy Spirit for direction. Remember that Rom 8:28 says,(28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose). Above all, you need to forgive yourself and that person as well.