Yum...but might be hard to swallow.

A lot of us, based on rhetoric, claim that the Abrahamic covenant was conditional, but it absolutely was not, at least not in the sense, as we understand conditions.

I might tell a child, “If you do all your chores, I will give you a biscuit (cookie).” The reward is conditional-based on reciprocal actions. And if the child does his chores, he gets the biscuit (cookie), and if he doesn’t do them, he doesn’t get the biscuit (cookie). This is what we understand to be fair, just, and a “conditional covenant”.

But with God, it isn’t that way. If God says, “I will make you great so that my glory will be made known; you just have to walk in my precepts”, even if you don’t, he will still use you according to His purpose. That doesn’t sound like our style of justice or our idea of fairness does it? But His word is based on his sovereignty, glory, purpose, and grace. Condition comes in when you talk about the different consequences He will allow you to face depending on your willingness to submit to His will as you learn to trust Him. If you don’t agree, which many will not, just look at the life of Jacob. There are other examples but his life provides a very clear one.

When God reaffirms his covenant with Abraham just before the birth of Isaac in chapter 17 of Genesis, he tells him that he must walk before him blamelessly, and in verse nine explicitly adds that not only HE must walk blamelessly but also his descendants, which includes JACOB. Now, you should re-read chapters 25 to 35 in Genesis and if you thoroughly examine Jacob’s life, as recorded, you will see that he did more things contrary to God’s standard than according to it, however, despite Jacob taking advantage of his brother, deceiving his father, hating his first wife, running away from his father-in-law, again deceiving his brother, and playing favourites with his children, God keeps his end of the bargain to bless him, to make him great, to protect him and to increase him in everything. In other words, the age of grace and the “blessings” we receive due to that grace, did NOT begin with the Christ event, it began with God in the beginning.

So for those of us who cling to the slogan, “obedience brings blessing” we might need to reevaluate. The blessing obedience ACTUALLY brings isn’t worldly success or even the guarantee that your problems will go away or that you won’t fail from time to time, especially if those things don’t have anything to do with fulfilling the purpose for which God created you; but what obedience IS responsible for is cultivating a closer relationship with the Father, and no matter what career, ministry, destiny, etc. God has in mind for you, having a close relationship with him is ALWAYS his purpose for you. In fact, the things you think are a blessing will really be a curse if you don’t have an intimate relationship with Him. For example, think about the life of Samson, he was the man in charge, incredibly strong, the “it” guy, yet because he didn’t have an intimate relationship with God his blessings ended up cursing him and ending his life.

An intimate relationship with Him THAT is the blessing, which honestly, should be motivation enough if we are in fact growing into mature Christians no longer depending on “spiritual milk” as Paul describes. Because once we understand the love of the Father (or at least start to get an idea of it) that is what inspires obedience; we cling to the Father, and as we understand Him and His love, we are

inspired to quit our selfish habits and live for Him, including even when we fail it is that understanding and love which inspires us to return to the Father.

Please, let us stop “doing what is right”, because of what we can get. God is NOT a slot machine. If we are going to do what is right, do it because of the realization that nothing you have, nothing you could gain, nothing you could offer will ever come close to a relationship with Him. The blessings and success we think we have earned because of obedience is not for you alone, it is first for HIS glory to fulfill HIS purpose. For Paul writes in Romans 4, that it wasn’t Abraham’s good works-or anybody else’s-that merited favour with God; it was his trust in and his relationship with God. If God had waited on Jacob (and those who followed him, including you and ME) to get it right, we could still be waiting for Christ’s first coming. His sovereignty, grace, and purpose far surpass our level of obedience, that’s why Paul writes in Romans 5 (and Jesus also repeatedly pointed out all though his ministry) that we were enemies of God when He sent His son reminding us that it was not because we were worthy, but because we couldn’t do it for ourselves. God’s ultimate desire for us to be reconciled back to Him was more important than even the stipulations of the Ten Commandments. Abstaining from sin makes an intimate relationship possible and it is easier for God to bless you. But the reason it is “easier” is still not based on your own merit; it’s based on knowing Him and His will, knowing how to responsibly employ what God gives you so that those blessings promote you instead of destroy you as you move in line with his purpose for your life, as well, you have fewer hurdles and negative consequences to face due to sinful behaviour.

But why should this be a surprise to any of us, for Paul reminds us that we have nothing to boast in except the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is our reconciliation to God (our relationship!).

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: this is not an excuse to behave however you want. Just because God will fulfill His purposes despite our imperfections does NOT justify reveling in sin. If we revel in our sin so that “grace will abound more”, you are still an enemy of God, taking wrongful advantage of His grace, thereby completely missing it; and I would beg, if we continue to enjoy sinning, we have yet to encounter His love, because it is that love which inspires us to walk in His ways.

The one thing that is clear, if you want an intimate relationship with Him, which is your ultimate blessing, cling to Him, receive His love and grace, walk in his precepts, let your light shine, be a city on a hill that cannot be hidden, be the salt of the earth, and allow your life to be a reflection of Him for His glory, reveling in the gift of His love and grace, which he freely gives to you and me.

Yum...but might be hard to swallow.

What you may or may not have heard...

Yes, Jos experienced her second crisis in 14 months.

The uprising began in Jos North Local Government Area (my area of
residence is Jos Central).

After the mayhem broke out in Nasarawa area on Sunday, January 17th,
the battle raged on for an addition 3days with Muslim youths
pillaging, looting, and burning the homes, businesses, and churches of
Christians, as well as, murdering anyone who crossed their path. To
add fuel to the fire, not only were the Muslim youths instigating
chaos and purely sadistic maneuvers against the Christians, but Muslim
soldiers sympathizing with their brethren also opened fire on
defenseless civilians.

Unfortunately for the Muslims, the Christians who had so recently
experienced the loss of lives and properties just a few months ago
would not sit by and watch any longer. They had to stand and fight,
however, the unprepared Christians didn't find it easy being taken
unaware and having little to zero support or protection by the those
who had been sent to serve and preserve.

Myself, the staff, and the students of St. John's College physically
were perfectly fine all throughout the crisis. The struggle many
faced was having peace of mind. Thankfully, the battle has ended, but
we remember that the war still rages on. Just because we aren't
hearing artillery firing throughout the day and night or seeing smoke
rise from the roof tops turning the blue sky black doesn't mean we are
out of the woods yet.

I believe that this year in particular needs to be one spent on our
knees in continuous prayer for peace on the plateau. God wants to
move from this city in a mighty way through mission and ministry, and
it begins with us on our knees seeking the face of God, standing in
the way of corruption, speaking the truth, exercising the fruit of the
Spirit, and claiming the land for the one true God, his kingdom and
his purposes.

--
He will cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you will find refuge.
Psalm 91:4

Your prayer for me...

Your prayer for me for this Christmas season and for the new year.

1Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
²but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

³He is like a tree

planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.In all that he does, he prospers.

Thank you and God bless you and yours this and every season.

Kampala aka Kampish

I think Kampala, my cat, ran away to have kittens...

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!I

I get turkey today...that is all.

Haha, just kidding. The reason I get turkey today is because another missionary here (a traveling missionary who makes frequent visits) came by my school today and gave me an ENTIRE TURKEY.

If you don't know--that is a HUGE deal.

God is so cool.

Enjoy; I will.

(pictures coming soon--I hope.)

So...

So I was unable to keep up with a blog throughout the last year, however, our internet seems to be better and stronger.

The last 14 months have been a whirlwind with plenty of ups and downs--I had no idea that God was so faithful. I mean we say, "God is always faithful (which, by the way, is quite redundant)." But when you are taken to places you've never been, doing things and TEACHING other people to do things that you've never or barely ever done yourself, stepping into roles and jobs that are so much bigger than yourself, being brought low (depths you didn't know existed), being taken up high--then you will really know whether or not your just saying words or experiencing truth.

My students still think I'm crazy for preferring Nigeria to the USA...but I try to explain that living in a card board box in the middle of rainy season if it's God's will can't be compared to anything else.

Next time you are hesitating on which direction to take...just ask. For "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" as we..."cling to (His) testimonies, O LORD; (we will) not be put to shame!"

My travels through Boston...

My travels...

Well, I made things harder on myself, but I wouldn't skip my stops for anything. I got to see one of my best friends from college in Boston. We talked, laughed a bunch, saw the city, ate good food, and were blessed by each other's presences.

Thursday morning, I woke up to reorganize my belongings...they were in disarray, and of course a few things had exploded along the way. After doing the necessary, I walked from her apartment to Fenway Park where Amanda works for the Red Sox. I took a tour of the oldest ball park in the US (built in 1912) compliments of Amanda's boss. By the time is it was over, I not only had a head full of Red Sox trivia, but Amanda was able to take off from work.

We then made our way to Cambridge (which is just on the other side of the river) home of Harvard University. We walked through the main center of the campus, and then proceeded on to dinner.

Food and conversation can you find a better combination--it certainly is difficult.

We then made our way to Crema Cafe where we enjoyed a good cup of joe, and then headed back towards the subway after a detour into a shop or two.

We got off in the theatre district to find a desserts only place, however, we were coming up short and decided to ask a bellhop for some direction (good thing neither of us are a guy, right? Asking for directions...). He gingerly directed us to (turn on thick Boston accent here) Fin-all-ees. When we found the place, we discovered it was simply called Finale, you know, like the end of a theatre production.

Anyway, it was incredible. We split the Dessert Sampler, nine different miniature desserts-so delicious.

As I lay in bed, excited about what the next morning would hold, I was reflecting just how good God is. I know it is easy to be in love with Him when everything is going so well, your having a great time, and the best reunion with a friend you haven't seen in over a year, but I asked for the gift of love to be unconditional. I asked that He would gift me with a love that when things were going south in a flash flood sort of way that I not only would have that same love for Him but I would be able to recognize it even when the same blissful "feeling" wasn't there.