A LETTER TO MY SISTER

                                                                                                                                                

It's been a while since I've heard from you. How have you been? I was disturbed to hear about the issues you're going through--you rarely socialize these days. What really happened? What changed in your life that you decided to shut the world out? I really care about you and would love to share some things with you.

My dear sister, it is such a pity that you've allowed others define you. You believe the lie they tell you about your physical appearance, abilities, and techniques. They trampled on your self image and left you feeling broken, rejected, and unloved. They say you're not tall, fair, or smart enough to feel among. They make you feel less of who you are because you don't fit into their way of life. Sweetheart you should never have believed that; you're more than who you think you are. You're unique in your own special make-up. There is no second you; you're the only you the world can or will have. Isn't that amazing? 

The sad thing is that you've accepted the definition of folks that do not qualify to define you and neglected the definition of The One who created you. The Bible says that you're wonderfully and fearfully made by God (Psalm 139:14). You must know that you're God's treasure regardless of how you look, talk, walk, sleep, and eat. God was very careful in making you because you're His baby girl and He didn't want anything to go wrong. You're not a mistake, you're very intentional.

I couldn't believe my ears when I read the letter you sent to me last week---that you're willing to compromise your virtues and move in with a man just so he could fully accept you. What! That's not acceptable! Cohabiting is not a criterion for acceptance. I don't know what your perception of love is but I must say that true love has no conditions. Conditional love is no love at all. Never belittle yourself to gain cheap favour. A man that needs something from you to love you is not worthy of you. You also said that he's the only one that has loved you regardless of your flaws and past mistakes--with all due respect sister, I  disagree with you on that. If a man truly loves you regardless of your past mistakes, there won't be a condition to fullly accept you. Don't mistake lust for love dear. I don't care how anyone else defines it, cohabiting is and will always be wrong. You should know that God's love has no conditions.

Now let me tell you a brief story. A young girl was in desperate need of love because she was rejected by family and friends. She would go to any length just to be accepted by family and society, and out of the blues her prince charming (so to speak) came into her life. She felt so loved because the young man gave her 84 missed calls one night(mind you the man was after something). She thought to herself that the guy truly loved her because he was able to call 84 times( a predator also waits patiently to devour it's prey). Her eyes opened up when the guy started demanding for sex and other things she couldn't give. To cut the long story short, the relationship ended in a drastic way leaving the poor girl used and humiliated. I'm sure you're probably wondering where am going with this - I will tell you. It's so disheartening how some ladies perceive certain things as love. You must know that a guy would go to any length to get what he wants and he will sure dump you afterwards. 

My prayer for you is that you'll come to know and experience the genuine love of Jesus. Jesus loves you more than you will ever love yourself. No matter how much a guy proclaims love to you, he won't die on a wooden cross for you (John 15:13). Jesus went through so much pain and suffering just so you could have a better life. The love of Jesus is something the human mind can't fathom, a love that we clearly don't deserve. If you think 84 missed calls from a guy is love, well am pleased to inform you that Jesus has been calling you much longer than that. Every second of your life is a call from God, that means in a year Jesus has given 31,536,000 missed calls and he's has been calling you according to the number of your age. I'm pretty sure you can't even calculate that. No man has or will ever love you like Jesus. His love is patient enough to wait for years just to get your attention. His love is unconditional enough to accept you completely regardless of your past mistakes. His love is pure enough to cleanse you of your filths and faults and make you whole again. Why not accept Jesus' love today and enjoy a sweet relationship beyond your imagination.

In conclusion, be of good cheer. Don't ever forget that you're the apple of God's eyes. You're loved, unique, precious, wonderful, beautiful, whole, awesome, and needed. Be the best of yourself always! I love you sister.

Yours truly,

Ifeyinwa.

WORK AND WAIT

Wait on the Lord: be of good courgage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14.

Patience is manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain; steadfast despite opposition, difficulty or adversity. It is the ability to bear pains or trails calmly or without complaint; having a good attitude while waiting on the Lord.

We sometimes get apprehensive when the expectations of our hearts are not being met. At times the word of God we read contradicts what we experience at some point in time and then we tend to wonder if the word of truth and power is indeed powerful or just a fiction we use to spice up our imaginations. People are tired of suffering and waiting, they feel as though they've been deceived by the preachers of the word. They doubt their faith and existence of God because they don't see their needs being met instantaneously. They want to quit. They're tired of trusting and obeying a God Who is seemingly distant(He's not by the way). They're considering letting go of undiluted truth and embracing falsehood that will eventually ruin their lives. 

The devil is a pro at faking things. He makes Christianity looks stupid, God unreal, and the Bible a book of endless impossible instructions and feigned stories. Don't lose faith dear believer, be vigilant. Remember, every christian must have a "wilderness experience", it's part of our growth process. 

There was a time I doubted my faith because things were really going down the drain around me. I thought my life was over and I won't be able to to get out of the situation. Over time I came to realize that I was being trained to trust Him more than I thought I did. The truth is, God is not silent, He's just not saying what we supposably want to hear so we tend to intentionally ignore His voice. God is not ungenerous, He just won't give you what you don't have the capacity to handle.

 God is preparing us for things to come because the road is getting narrower and tougher. We must learn fast and grow beyond certain levels. We must be well equipped to face what's ahead else we would fail woefully. 

I know it's frustrating to live in this evil and chaotic world. A world where the resident evil seem to be gaining control over the major spheres of the society. A world where love and goodness are almost extinct. Fret not, for there's always light at the end of the tunnel. We are here in this present time for a purpose and that purpose must be achieved. God is never distant, He's just working out all things for our good. Just as we're depending on God for strength, He's also depending on us to spread the love and light we are carrying on the inside to the dieing world that's in desperate need of it. 

This generation must stand for truth and fall for nothing. There are so many distractions but let's not lose focus. We have a hope in Christ. He's coming back again to take us to glory. We must WORK AND WAIT. Shalom!!

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

I'm sure that there are other pilgrims like me who desire to please God always. There is this burning desire in the hearts of some saints for a greater and deeper dimension of God. We want to tap into deep things of the spirit, to decode mysteries of the Word of God, to burn like an unquenchable wildfire, to take cities and nations for our God, to ignite revival everywhere we go, to win souls in thousands and millions, to be a tool for societal, national, and international transformation. The question is, why does it just end with the desire? Why can't we actualize it?

I for one have been a victim of complacency. I was comfortable with the status quo, no need to press further, things will gradually fall in place effortlessly. I've come to realize that that's a wrong ideology. Believe me, life can be frustrating if you're not having any impart anywhere. The Bible says "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" not to sleep over it. No one has attained any major breakthrough without diligence and discipline. We need to wake up from the delusion that God would handle everything and come to the realization that we also have a role to play in destiny. Spiritual growth is not magical but practical.

I have never heard of advancement without the discipline of preparation. If we are not faithful in the little things, the great are sure not going to come our way. It's disheartening how people settle for others praying for them and also feeding them the word. Nothing outweighs a personal revelation you have of God and His Word. The process of spiritual growth cannot be delegated. Learn to feed yourself. Joyce Meyer once said "cast your cares on Him, not your responsibility" selah.

God is sovereign but He won't do all things but He won't pray for you. He won't study the Bible for you, He won't attend seminars and meetings to perfect your talents and skills, He won't start up that business for you. No He won't! We've been so accustomed with the grace of God that we miss its essence. Grace crowns our efforts not our laziness. You can't sleep your way to manifestation. If God has blessed you with a talent, always remember that there's a responsibility that goes along with the blessing. 

May we not be alive and someone else will do that which we ought to have done. The pain of discipline is always better than the pain of regret. Many people have missed divine opportunity because they weren't prepared; do not let your story end that way. Now more than ever we need to put in extra in whatever we are called to do because time is rounding up.

Be responsible!!