Her Sides

“ Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord , and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers .” — Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)   To love God’s Word and meditate on it day and night is to live like a tree planted by streams of living water. This is the picture Psalm 1 paints for us—firm roots, steady growth, and fruitfulness in every season. Staying rooted in Scripture keeps you evergreen—full of life, strength, and the ability to withstand whatever storms may come.   Think of a tree by a riverbank. Its roots are not easily shaken, because they draw life from a constant, unfailing source. That is the life God promises to those who delight in His Word: a life nourished from within, not drained by circums...

As a child and an adult, I love animations. My best friend recently reminded me of Disney's classic, The Lion King, and it brought back many memories and a lesson I had forgotten. One of my most memorable scenes from The Lion King is when Mufasa, the main character's father, tells his son Simba, "Remember who you are." This simple phrase holds a powerful message that is relevant not only to the story's plot but also to our everyday lives.    It's important to remember that our circumstances do not define us; our identity in Christ does.   Our days on earth are like trying to navigate a maze blindfolded—you're bound to hit a few walls along the way! Job loss (I can relate), health issues, divorce, financial challenges, all comes with the experience of living. When you get slammed into a wall, it's easy to define yourself based on your circumstances. This is a dangerous path because it can lead you to forget who you truly are. You may start to be...

Someone once told me that the fear of being left alone forever is one of the greatest human fears on earth. It beats the fear of dying, being locked in a room with insects, or any other phobias we may have. The reason is simple: we are made for relationships. From the beginning of time, humankind was made for companionship, so it’s only natural that we seek out the friendship of others. You can see it in the face of the little child who gets left out of the game on the playground, or in the eyes of the young woman who strives to be the centre of attention. People of all ages, races, and creeds have the same need: a deep desire for relationships. Little wonder social media thrives. If you can’t find someone to relate to in person, you can simply connect remotely to others. The danger with that is that people can mask who they really are, and since you can’t judge them by their body language or tone of voice, you need to be extra careful about whom you let into your online...

7  “At least there is hope for a tree:
 If it is cut down, it will sprout again,
 and its new shoots will not fail.
 8  Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil,
 9  yet at the scent of water it will bud
 and put forth shoots like a plant. Job 14:7- 9 (NIV) I have an artificial small tree in my living room and it’s so amazing how every time someone visits me for the first time, they ask about the tree. The intriguing thing about my artificial tree is that it has a dry looking stem and green leaves, which in my mind symbolizes everything Job 14 was trying to say. That even after a bad experience, when you seem down and out, a little ray of hope can revive your spirit like a cut down stump nourished with water. Growing up in sub-Sahara Africa I have seen this over and over again. Trees are cut down, plants are uprooted and many times left in its place to dry out. It begins to dry until the rain comes. Then everything that has seeme...

It’s a New Year and a great time to start over with God.  It’s a good time to set up some moments with God in prayer and in the study of his word. There is no better time to seek the face of your Maker. I can think of a million and one things you may need to ask for – kids, job, spouse, finances and many more. If I could give you one advice in 2017 it will be to seek his favor and help. The bible text above tell of how God has a time when he does answer our request and it’s in a moment of Favor. He also has a day when he sends help our way and it’s the day of salvation. Since our days are all numbered in his book and only his plan stands, you shouldn’t spend your time with God this year asking for stuffs. You need his favor and help and everything else will fall into place. So set some time to pray this month, seek the counsel of the All Wise God, read his word and listen for directions before you jump full speed into the year. You need his favor and help more than a...

Everyone lives by a code of conduct.  Sometimes instilled by society and sometimes by family. The reason we allow our lives be governed by such rules is simply to maintain a sense of order and avoid chaos. Imagine if we didn’t have rules governing how we drive and everyone just drove however they wanted. Unimaginable, right? There will be lots of accidents and deaths so we adjust how we drive by the rules of the road.  For the same reason God has given us a simple rule book to govern our lives and guide us on the best path to success. His word, the bible, isn’t just a book full of rules, it’s a must-read and a must-adhere-to, to avoid accidents and deaths in our lives. Like the signals on the road are there to caution you, the rules in the bible helps you set boundaries and maintain a sense of control on the reins of your life.  The bible isn’t a book to read for storylines, it’s a book to read and apply. The strength you need in times of trials is in his w...

Growing up I remember my parents always telling me to do what’s right. They said to base my decisions on what pleases God and spend some time reading the word of God everyday. As a young child those advice sounded right and easy to follow. But as I grew into a teenager and then a young adult I started to realise why they had spent many nights and days telling me all of that.  I started to see that it was easier to take what doesn’t belong to you than to work hard for yours, that it was easier to live a lie than to stand up for the truth. And though the darkness of this world seemed a shorter path to success, the words of light which I had heard throughout my growing up days always auto corrected me when I attempt to take a short cut.  I had grown up reading the bible, every time I was about to do something wrong, there was a word ringing in my ears, a word from the bible – the book of truths. One bible verse that has guided me through life is Psalm 1: 1 Blessed ...

When my son turned five on Sunday, it made me stop and reflect on the impact he has had on my life during those years. I think back on the day he was born and the moments preceding his delivery, which makes me marvel at God’s graciousness and the miracle of birth. I remember the day he took his first step and I’m intrigued by the intricacies of the brain and the growth process that transforms a baby into a toddler. I think about his first day at playschool, in particular the feeling of loss that engulfed me as I dropped him off and thank God for the little joys we experience that make life worth living. I remember the days he lay sick in the hospital and appreciate God for his gift of health and life and the little things we enjoy because our bodies function well.  I think about his hugs and smiles that brighten my day and encourage me after a stressful week. I look back on the last few years with my boy and I acknowledge his positive influence on me. Now, this makes me wond...

Judges 4:4 -5 The Bible heroine we are looking at today is a popular one – most Bible readers know her story, or have heard about it at some point in their Christian lives. She needs no lengthy introduction; she is none other than the respected judge … drum roll please … Deborah. I love this woman. I’m a big fan and have been since I first read her story as a child. Deborah is known as the great prophetess who stood up and led the children of Israel into battle against Jabin’s army when Barak, the leader at the time, cowered away in fear. Now, that’s the popular side of Deborah everyone has read about – but the side I want to place emphasis on today is her role as a judge. 4 Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. 5 She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided. Deborah was the first female judge ever, even before ...