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Esther Agbi

The Presence Of God

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The Presence of God                Author: Esther Agbi

Psalm 122:1

I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.

In July 2011, Slave Lake in Alberta, Canada was almost razed down by a wild fire. Prince William and his wife Kate came to the city to show their solidarity and concern. This was a very noble and kind gesture. It appeared that all roads at that time led to Slave Lake. Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the ‘would be King’ of England and his bride.

I have visited Slave Lake several times in the past and it has a very large sand beach which could be Canada’s largest sand beach. Aside from this beach, I personally do not see any other tourist attraction in this city. The coming of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was filled with excitement and great anticipation.

Thousands of people lined the streets to welcome them.

This brings to mind the excitement king David must have had when he was asked to go into the presence of God. Coming to our present day, are we as excited to go into the presence of our heavenly king?

The city I live in is usually buzzing with activities from Mondays through Saturdays. Then on Sundays you begin to wonder where all the cars have disappeared to. The roads are virtually empty. You see people jogging along the roads and having different kinds of exercises, while some others are playing golf and Lawn Tennis. I understand that all these activities are genuine and relevant to our everyday living.  It could be that some have had their church service on Saturday or a quick one early on Sunday morning, this still gives room for the question, what are the majority of people doing on Sunday mornings or evenings as the case may be?

The presence of the Lord is sweet to be in. It is like spending time with your earthly father. You want to talk about everyday events, feel loved, comforted and cared for and also to seek for counsel. I know some people may not like to spend time with their earthly father, and there may be genuine reasons for that. it could be that such fathers may have abandoned their own children, being cruel, wicked or for some other reasons. My heart goes to people who are in that category.

What keeps you away from the presence of God? Could it be sin, guilt, fear, lack of confidence, lack of knowledge or understanding of who God is?

Whatever the case may be, the Bible admonishes us in Heb 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (NKJV) .

I pray that you and I would find mercy and grace and not judgment as we take steps in obedience to approach him in his presence.

Prayer

Father Lord, help me to draw closer to you so I may enjoy your presence.

Lord, help me to find the sweetness in your presence.

The Miracle of Five Loaves and Two Fishes

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Bible Text: John 6 : 1-14
                                                                                
Before reading this message, my question to you is, “What do you have to give to Jesus that He would multiply to propagate the work of His kingdom?”

The Bible passage above is about the miracle done by Jesus Christ when he fed 5,000 people by sharing five loaves of bread and two small fishes. The miracle is outstanding because it shows the limitation and helplessness of man when faced with a challenge of immeasurable proportion! Jesus asked one of His disciples, Phillip, of what  should be done to feed the throng of people at His crusade. This was to test Phillip’s faith, but he failed the test like any of his disciples did and we would have done. Phillip answered Jesus, “Two hundred pennies’ (forty dollars) worth of bread is not enough that everyone may receive even a little [John 6:7, Amplified version].” Another disciple of Jesus came close to the answer but receded back to unbelief; Andrew answered, “There is a little boy here, who has [with him] five barley loaves, and two small fish; but what are they among so many people [John 6:9, Amplified version]?” Jesus knew what to do all along, but waited for His disciples to answer first! Thereafter, He performed the miracle using a young boy’s lunch and dinner pack.

I come from one of the developing countries in the world. It is developing because we are not quite there yet, but we are making progress and one day, we would get there. We just celebrated it’s 50th birthday anniversary of independence three years ago. Sometimes the police man pulls you over. They do not always have a reason for pulling you over, but somehow you are pulled over. They begin to ask you all the legitimate questions like your driver’s license,insurance particulars for the car and so on. When the police man sees that you have all of those (particulars)items, he then proceeds to ask for inconsequential things like fire extinguisher, bill of Landing of the vehicle and  broom  or brush with which you use to clean up the car. I am not joking. This is for real because it happened to me. After all said and done, his next question would be “What do you have to grease my palm?” He is indirectly asking for a gift from you or a bribe. This time, forcefully or you will not be released from his presence until he gets something from you. 

 This has never happened to me where I currently reside. This is one of the G-8 countries. It is not that the policemen are perfect, but they pull you over for a reason. It is either you are driving too fast for the speed zone or you beat a traffic light or something else. They have never asked me to pay the fine directly to them, better still, you get the ticket in the mail and you know what to do thereafter. 

Back to our passage: This young lad was going to hear Jesus speak. I would believe his mom put together his lunch so he could stay longer if the program persisted. They say mothers know best, and the program went beyond lunch time. This young lad willingly lent his food to Jesus. Jesus blessed the food and fed the multitude and recovered 12 baskets full of bread. What do you have? This young boy gave all his Lunch and was blessed beyond his greatest imagination. Some bible scholars believe that the 12  baskets recovered after the feeding may have been given to him to take back home.

 In impoverished countries, the police take from you to consume or use for his personal benefit. Jesus is asking you to give to him that he may multiply it and bless you in return. This shall be your portion and mine this Easter period and always in Jesus Name. Peter lent his boat to Jesus and he got a net breaking miracle [Luke 5:1-6], Obededom lent his house to God when the Ark of God was brought back to Jerusalem [2 Samuel 6:11] and blessings never ceased from his home. These are but a few examples in the Bible. Proverbs 11:24 says “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.” What do you have that he has not given to you? All blessings come from God. Jesus gave all that he had for mankind. He left the glory he had with his Father and came to earth to rescue man from sin and death. He died on the cross and resurrected that whoever believes on him might have the hope of resurrection and eternal life. Are you willing to give him your heart so that he could bless you beyond your greatest imagination?

 A friend of mine once told me that she was doing so well in her business in the  late 90’s. I believe it was kind of making her somewhat proud. Then her husband called her and said “My wife, all that you have are mine. Is it the Kerosene business, the elementary school you are trying to start as a business and even the children we have are all mine”(paraphrase). So where is the place for pride? This is so true with us. All we have belong to God. Everyone will give his or her heart to God someday, either willingly or forcefully. Be wise and choose right!  In this Easter season, and always, give to God your very best in your service to Him whatever that service might be.  Stay blessed.

 Prayer Points

1.        Oh Lord, fill my heart with faith in every spiritual challenge I am faced with in the name of Jesus.

 2.      Lord, strengthen my faith that You will miraculously provide as I share what you have freely given to me with others for your Kingdom’s sake in the name of Jesus.

One Word Only

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One Word Only                                   

  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus….Phil 2: 5-8

 If you were to be described by somebody, which one word would best describe you? This looks like an easy question to answer, but with a good thought, it becomes increasingly difficult to choose. This brings to mind the story of some blind men who went to visit an Elephant. One touched the Elephant by the tail and said it looked like a snake, another touched the trunk and said the Elephant looked like a continuous wall and they went on and on with the description.

 Would our description be, Oh! She is so sweet; or Oh! He is so kind; or would it be arrogant, wicked, generous, humble, bitter, proud, caring, wise, gentle, or should I dare say good………. It will be amazing to know which is yours and mine too!

Two renowned politicians where asked a similar question recently by ‘Readers Digest’, but this time, to paraphrase the question, “Which one word is your favourite? One of them answered immediately without much thought and said ‘Indomitable’, that is unconquerable.  This is a very nice word on its own, and I like it very much myself. The second gave a deep thought, paused for a little while before he gave his own answer. He said his favourite word was ‘grace’. I even liked the second answer better because; it is by grace we can even become indomitable.

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it (1Corinthians 10:26). God owns everything, both you and I, and all that we own. Is that not wonderful! With all these information, where is the place for pride or arrogance?

Back to our passage, Jesus Christ is God Himself. He emptied Himself of His heavenly glory and came to earth in the form of man. We know the story does not end there. He sacrificed His life for all by dying, not the regular death, but the type of death meant for criminals even though He was not one of them. Jesus Christ died on the cross to bring man back to God. It is difficult to describe this by just one word! Is it love, compassion, meekness, gentleness, or was He just being good or showing grace to mankind? No little wonder God has so many names. It depends on where He has met your needs, then that name of His becomes more real and personal to you. It is our prayer that the Lord would reveal Himself to us in our daily walk with Him in Jesus name.

If you are a true follower of Christ, that one word should be an attribute that can be used to describe your Lord and master, Jesus Christ. I sincerely pray that the beauty of God be seen in everyone who professes to be a child of his.

Prayer Point

Oh Lord, make me a reflection of your beauty in Jesus Name. Amen.

Author: Esther Agbi

Door Number Two?

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Door Number Two?

 Gen. 13:11

Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

 It is sometimes very difficult to make choices, probably because nobody wants to make mistakes and be in a situation of ‘Buyer’s remorse’. I am so glad to be living in this part of the world where you can return your merchandise even as long as 3 months after purchase if you don’t like it. Well, I will quickly add, not with all items! When you don’t have the option of returning the purchased goods, you have to think real hard and well to make sure that you actually want the item since the sale is final. Some of the Game Shows on TV would give you an idea of what I am talking about, such as those with prices associated with closed doors. You have been shown the different prizes, but which of the doors can you find exactly what you desire? Is it door no.1 or door no. 2 or even door no. 3?

 Lot was Abram’s nephew. Abram took Lot along when he heard the call of God. That was a very brief introduction of Lot. Abram and Lot both prospered to the extent that their herd’s men were frequently having fights over issues, so Abram wanted to stop the conflict by parting ways with Lot.  

 The Bible passage above tells us that Lot chose all the plain of Jordan. Why, you may ask? The preceding verses tell us that it was well watered and that it was like the garden of the Lord, probably like the Garden of Eden!

 Lot chose what he could see. That would have been what most people would choose; greener pasture for his animals. He did not want any ‘Buyer’s remorse’. Lot’s choice was not a bad one anyway, but was it a godly choice? Lot chose for his immediate benefit which most of us do every now and then. He forgot that he was being blessed by association. Tagging along with Abram brought blessings to him. He forgot to ask his uncle who was older than him to choose first.  He probably did not inquire from God if that was what God wanted for him. That was a very big decision, and he was moved by sight and chose hastily. Are you always moved by sight? Do you make hasty decisions in very important issues or do you inquire from the Lord? To inquire is good, but do you wait for the response? You and I have a lot to learn from King David.

 2 Sam.5:19

King David enquired of the Lord, saying, shall I go up to the Philistines? Will thou deliver them unto my hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the philistine into thine hand.

 The Lord will teach us not just to inquire from him but to wait for the response before we set out on things we need to do.

 (To be continued)                                          

 Prayer

Oh Lord, teach me not to make hasty decisions based on my own judgement.

 Oh Lord, grant me the grace to wait and hear from you always in Jesus name.

  Author: Esther Agbi

Lower Than Angels?

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Lower than Angels?

 Author: Esther Agbi

 Heb. 2:7 You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honour, and did set him over the works of your hands.

 Many people have read this Scripture that says God made man a little lower than Angels.

There is another reference to Angels in Heb. 1:14 “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent

forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation? Taking a closer look at both passages of Scripture, one draws the conclusion that they are both inspired words so they are true. Angels are made to minister to those who have been bought with a price, the precious price of the blood of Jesus. Juxtaposing these Scriptures with Gen. 1:27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

The question that borders the mind then is; If God made man in His image, man should not be in any way lower than angels! .Angels were not made in the Image of God. They were just created by Him for a purpose; one of the purposes is to minister to the saints.  How then is Man lower than Angels? Servants are servants, serving the master. The servant does not occupy the same position as his Master in any respect. Jesus Himself testifies in John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. The Redeemed man has been elevated to be friends with Jesus and even co-heirs, and also to be seated in heavenly places with Him.

We know that Jesus who is God Himself came down to earth in the form of man, but

Heb. 2:9 clearly explains that Jesus was also made lower than the angels temporarily. Why?  For the purpose of death! Angels are spirit beings and spirits don’t die. They are immortal beings, living from everlasting to everlasting. So for the purpose of death, man is made lower than angels. Man must die before he can be transformed to an immortal being, except the case of rapture where the living who are in Christ are changed to immortality without passing through death.

This shows how Christians are so special in the sight of God and also crowned with glory and honour. Isn’t that wonderful!

 Prayer

  1. Oh Lord, help me to see myself the way you see me, wonderfully and beautifully made!
  2. Oh Lord, help me to live life that would bring others to Christ.