BAKED BEANS

Once upon a time, I had a maddening passion for baked beans. I loved them, but they always had a very embarrassing and somewhat odious reaction on me. Then one day I met a girl and fell in love. When it was apparent we would marry, I thought to myself, she is such a sweet girl, she will never go for this kind of carrying on. So I made the supreme sacrifice and gave up beans. We were married shortly thereafter.
Some months later, my car broke down on the way home from work. Since we lived in the country, I called my wife and told her I would be late because I had to walk home. On my way home, I passed a small cafe' and the odor of freshly baked beans was overwhelming, I had several miles to walk so I figured that the effects of the beans would wear off before I got home. So I stopped at the cafe' and had three orders of baked beans.
All the way home I putt-putted and after arriving, felt reasonably safe that I had putted my last putt. My wife seemed somewhat excited to see me and exclaimed delightedly. "Darling, I have the most wonderful surprise for dinner tonight." Then she blindfolded me and led me to my chair at the head of the table. I seated myself and just as she was ready to remove the blindfold, phone rang. She told me not to remove the blindfold until she returned, then went to answer the phone. I seized the opportunity, shifted my weight to one leg and let one go. It was not only loud, but as ripe as a rotten egg. I took the napkin and fanned vigorously the air about me.
Things had just returned to normal when I felt another urge coming on me, so I shifted my weight to the other leg and let go again. This was a true prize winner. While keeping my ear on the conversation in the hall, I went on like this for almost ten minutes until I knew the farewell meant the end of my loneliness and freedom. I placed the napkin on my lap and folded my hands on top of it and smiled contentedly to myself. I was the picture of innocence. When my wife returned, apologizing for taking so long, she asked if I had removed the blindfold. When convinced that I hadn't removed the blindfold, she removed the blindfold, and there sitting around the dining room table were twelve dinner guests for my surprise birthday dinner.

MANFESTING KINGSHIP

  A BELIEVER’S GUIDE FOR IDENTITY REDISCOVERY

According to the book of Genesis, God created the heaven and the earth. And to give form and content to the earth, Jehovah spoke the elements of the earth into existence. This was crowned with the creation of Adam who was put in the earth typified by Eden as his kingdom of influence (Gen1:28).

In Eden, God created a kingdom of ‘deathless’ life and ‘decayless’ environment. Adam and Eve were bequeathed with the authority over everything in the world. However, when they fell to the deceit of Satan by disobeying God, Satan the serpent became the king of the world. As a result of this, sin and death reigned with dominion over the earth Rom 5:12, 6:12.

With the fall of man, the redemption plan which was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world was unfolded. This was mirrored with Noah’s Ark, Abraham’s circumcision, crossing of the Red Sea, Moses tabernacle and Solomon’s temple. Finally, Jesus Christ was revealed and He paid the ultimate price for the redemption of man.

The birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ restored the lost dominion to man. Everyone that believes and receive Him should reign with the restored dominion. Knowing that Satan is the king of the world, what then does it mean for a believer to manifest kingship? This presupposes that it is only a king that manifests kingship.

What does a king look like? Let’s look at some kingly traits that we should strive to manifest: kings have authority (rule, reign), kings walk nobly, kings use justice and righteousness to establish their kingdoms. Kings need wisdom to govern the people. Kings fight battles to protect their territories. In a nutshell, kings have kingdoms, glory and power.

Kingdom- 1 Tim 1:15, Heb 1:8, Col 1:13, Rev 5:9-10. What kingdom do you belong to?

Glory- Prov 25:2, 1 Cor 2:7, Eph 3:3, Haggai 2:7, 2 Cor 10:17. What are you searching for?

Power- Act1:8, 1 Cor 2:7, Rom15:13, Zech 4:6, Luke 4:36. Which power do you trust on?

Christian kingship is our authority in Christ to exert leadership on the earth. It means reigning over the 4s - sin, self, Satan and spiritual death in our life. We have divine rights and privilege to apply Christ’s Lordship to our own life, gaining personal victory and ruling over anything unchristlike in us. It begins with Christ and me co-ruling over me (2 Cor 4:11).

Every born again Christian is a king. We are not just ordinary kings. We are priestly kings, that is, we have a high priest by whom we have access to the holiest of holies (Heb 10:19). What we do with this kingship is in our hands. It may be beyond understanding. But by faith, we must say ‘’Amen, Lord I am a king’’. We should rule and reign as kings on this Earth, over Satan, over the curse and circumstances and situations in our lives (Ps 81:1-9).

When we became born again, God imparted His nature of righteousness on us (2 Pet 1:4). We manifest kingship in this world by the empowerment we get when we walk in righteousness. Again, God has not planned to kill the devil now but the truth is that the devil flees when we show up in any situation in the world (Jn 1:5). God has given the dominion of the earth to believers.

We must know who we are. By the grace of God, we are no longer conformed to the world. This means our mind; decisions and actions are no longer the same as that of the world. The consciousness of our righteousness causes us to walk in dominion and speak with authority. Thoughts of fear, failure and defeat become alien to us as we function in the kingly office God has appointed us to occupy.

No wonder the Apostle Paul declares in Rom 8:37 ‘’… we are more than conquerors through Him’’. It is not ourselves. We have been made kings by the royal and effective blood of the Lamb. Fore-example, a foot soldier is vital to an army’s conquest yet his responsibility ends after victory has been won. To be more than a conqueror is to be a ruler of what is conquered- a king (Col 2:15).

It is a misnomer that so many believers do not know their identity in Christ. But thanks to Jehovah who is increasingly illuminating the lives of believers by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 4:17). As we yield to the move of the Holy Spirit, the Lion of the tribe of Judah causes the lion in us to awake to the truth pertaining to identity, co-heir and kingship.

As this happens, the ruler of the world fidgets and squirms in threatened agitation. When believers are not manifesting kingship, Satan has free reign-he plunders the domain of the king while the king sits oblivious on his throne.

At creation, Elohim spoke and things came into existence. It is this authority that God the Son gave to believers when He reconciled us to the Father (Jn 20:21). The King of kings speaks and he expects believers who are kingly- priests to speak like Him. ‘’… the word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach’’ (Rom 10:8).

From the foregoing, it is clear that kingship goes with authority and power. Kings are often authoritarian. They rule by decrees which go into effect as they say them. That is how God want us to reign as well (Job22:28). If our kingdom is the kingdom of light, then our pattern of kingship would be that of God (1 Pet 2:9, Is 32:1). Eph 6:10-20 illustrates God’s template for manifesting kingship in the earth.

Vs 10   SOURCE OF POWER

Do you know who you are? You have a place in God’s agenda. He has given you authority and power by the Holy Spirit that dwells in you (Luke4:36, Micah 3:8).

Vs 11-13DEFENCE STRATEGY

You must be battle ready. Kings stock their armouries even when there is peace. Go for the right weapons (1 Sam 17:38-40). Unmask the enemy. Satan and his demons continually want to encroach into your kingdom. Your strategy must be word based. He flees when believers stand their ground. ‘’Nothing missing, nothing broken’’.

Vs 14   VALUE SYSTEM

What is in your loins? Is it the truth? (Jn 8:32, Jn 7:38). Your loins carry your future (Heb 7:9-10). The breastplate is a covering for vital organs-lungs and heart during battles. What do you take into your heart? ‘’Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life’’ (Ps 4:23). If righteousness is your breastplate (Prov 14:34), then you will be exalted and everyone the Lord has put in your care will rejoice (Prov 29:2).

Vs 15   KINGDOM INTEREST

Readiness to move as led by the Holy Spirit (Acts 26:16). Where do your feet enter? Mk 16:15-18. We must be carriers of the gospel of peace. Acknowledge your freedom as a citizen of heaven and your duty to pursue the interest of the kingdom.

Vs 16   TERRITOTIAL INTEGRITY

With faith the believer is able to stop every attack of the enemy (1 Pet 5:8). Taking the shield of faith means walking in the Spirit (2 Cor 5:7).  What do you do in the face of difficulty? Do you blab or run from one man to another? Kings react with dignity. They exude confidence and nobility.

Vs 17   RIGHTS AND PRIVILEDGES

Are you saved? You must be born of the Spirit to have life. The assurance of your salvation is the right to eternal life. This brings you under the shadow of the Almighty. The sword of the spirit is the offensive weapon in the kingdom of light.

Vs 18   CHAIN OF COMMAND

When kings make declarations of war, their armies go to war. Likewise, when we pray in the Spirit the sword of the Spirit is released. Every kingdom has a command structure and unknown tongue is the language of the kingdom of light. Angels are the armies God has given to us (Heb 12:22, Ps 78:25, 2 Cor 2:14). Angels swing into action (Heb 1:14) when we speak in unknown tongues because it is their language (1 Cor 13:1). Infact, it is on this basis that believers will judge angels (1 Cor 6:3). Als

Vs 19-20 ROYALTY

Kings are sovereign in their domains. Their source of authority is sacrosanct. They are bold to speak concerning any issue in their kingdom. We must b bold in professing our faith (Heb 10:23). We are ambassadors of Christ and our kingly authority is from Him (2 Cor 5:20).

 

Regards

Sokore Collins Erebi

Founder/CKO

Scholars Without Borders

Warri, Nigeria

Email:scholarswithoutborders@yahoo.com

Phone: +234(0)8060488800

TO BE A MAN

When you can rise above your
fears to conquer every challenge
that comes to those who dare
to climb the highest heights;
When you can keep on getting up each
time you've failed or been knocked down;
When you can see your greatest strength
lies in your faith and gentleness,
your greatest courage in admitting
your faults, and with God's help
strive to overcome them;
When you can accept responsibility
for resolving all your hurts and break
the chain from generations past;
When you can know and show a father's
love and feel with all your heart;
When you can love yourself, others
and God more than earthly gain,
or fame and recognition, you will,
my son, be then a man –
and indeed a great man at that.

– Dick Innes    © Copyright

The Color of Love

For some folks the color of love is
Red ... fiery and hot,
For others the color is
Blue ... placid and calm,
For some it's
Yellow... caring but cautious,
For others it's
Orange ... rich and fruitful,
For some the color is
Lavender... gentle and kind,
For others it's
Purple... sacrificing and giving,
For some it's
Green ... with its go, go, go,
For others the color is
White ... pure and undefiled.
But for me the color is
Rainbow ... Red and Blue,
Yellow and Orange,
Lavender and Purple,
Green and White.
The Rainbow painted by God
is a symbol of forever-love,
And as long as there is
sunshine and rain
there will always be Rainbows,
And as long as there are Rainbows
there will always be
forever-love for you.

CHRISTMAS

Christmas Is for Love
 

Christmas is for love. It is for joy, for giving and sharing, for laughter, for reuniting with family and friends, for tinsel and brightly decorated packages. But mostly, Christmas is for love. I had not believed this until a small elf-like student with wide-eyed innocent eyes and soft rosy cheeks gave me a wondrous gift one Christmas. Mark was an 11 year old orphan who lived with his aunt, a bitter middle aged woman greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sister's son. She never failed to remind young Mark, if it hadn't been for her generosity, he would be a vagrant, homeless waif. Still, with all the scolding and chilliness at home, he was a sweet and gentle child. I had not noticed Mark particularly until he began staying after class each day (at the risk of arousing his aunt's anger, I later found) to help me straighten up the room. We did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude of that hour of the day. When we did talk, Mark spoke mostly of his mother. Though he was quite small when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman, who always spent much time with him. As Christmas drew near however, Mark failed to stay after school each day. I looked forward to his coming, and when the days passed and he continued to scamper hurriedly from the room after class, I stopped him one afternoon and asked why he no longer helped me in the room. I told him how I had missed him, and his large gray eyes lit up eagerly as he replied, "Did you really miss me?" I explained how he had been my best helper. "I was making you a surprise," he whispered confidentially. "It's for Christmas." With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from the room. He didn't stay after school any more after that. Finally came the last school day before Christmas. Mark crept slowly into the room late that afternoon with his hands concealing something behind his back. "I have your present," he said timidly when I looked up. "I hope you like it." He held out his hands, and there lying in his small palms was a tiny wooden box. "Its beautiful, Mark. Is there something in it?" I asked opening the top to look inside. " "Oh you can't see what's in it," He replied, "and you can't touch it, or taste it or feel it, but mother always said it makes you feel good all the time, warm on cold nights, and safe when you're all alone." I gazed into the empty box. "What is it Mark," I asked gently, "that will make me feel so good?" "It's love," he whispered softly, "and mother always said it's best when you give it away." And he turned and quietly left the room. So now I keep a small box crudely made of scraps of wood on the piano in my living room and only smile as inquiring friends raise quizzical eyebrows when I explain to them that there is love in it. Yes, Christmas is for gaiety, mirth and song, for good and wondrous gifts. But mostly, Christmas is for love.

HIV AND AIDS! Alert

HIV: Living positively

In 1986, when the first HIV case was reported, being told that one was infected with HIV was like handing out a death sentence to that individual. Not only was there barely enough information, there was no preventive medicine and we were told there was no cure. Fifteen years down the line, there is still no cure but infected persons don’t have to die anymore as the introduction of anti-retro-viral (ARV) drugs have helped to keep infected persons alive. Do you know your HIV status?

Diet defense against HIV and AIDS

AIDS is thought to be caused by the human immune deficiency virus HIV. The virus destroys the body’s infection fighting T-cells. After exposure to the virus, 3 to 6 months will elapse before tests show evidence that anti-bodies to the virus have or have not developed in the blood. Until then, test reads HIV negative. Early symptoms appear as flu and may take 7 to 11 years to develop.