Yes, and 2013 is almost here. Actually in some parts of the world the celebrations have already begun as I type. In Rwanda, we celebrate New Year’s more than Christmas! I’m not entirely sure of the reason, but my best guess would be that many are excited to put the past behind in order to start with fresh beginnings, new hope, dreams and plans. Most church members in Kigali spend hours at church on the New Year’s Eve night through mid night, praying for the new year plans. It’s a big deal!

Many people are busy if not done already, making New Year’s resolutions and plans. We try to examine what worked/didn’t last year, and how can we do better, hopefully! I’m sure there are many phrases like I will do this or that this year etc. Of course it’s important to have a plan for things and strive to meet our good goals, like a proverb that says: “He who fails to plan, plans to fail” by  Winston Churchill. However, in whatever we plan, we have to remember that, our tomorrow is out of our control. Although we pray and hope for many things, it may not go down exactly the way we planned.

Nevertheless, if you believe in God, we should be reminded that there is someone who is far smarter and stronger. The bible says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,  neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth,  so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”, Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV.

But He is also a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

If you don’t believe in the Lord Almighty, it’s probably time you think about searching your life’s purpose. No one is going to live like a mountain, this life has a visual end, we all know it. There are many things we can avoid in this life, perhaps with the money or fame! Nonetheless, death is a fair game for all, whether rich or poor, strong or weak, nice or bad, with plans or none, castle owner or homeless, struggling or have it all figured. On the other hand, the next life after this one is what matters the most.

As you make plans this week, remember to include GOD, He Who holds our future in His hands, and reward the peace makers. In your daily life, remember that even if no one will ever see or know certain things you do, no creature is hidden from God’s sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account. In your daily routine, include at least one “act of kindness”, to someone or a stranger around you! You won’t be sorry. Your reward will be GREAT in heaven.

Enjoy this song throughout 2013. May its lyrics become one of your resolutions!

Be safe and have a terrific year filled with dreams coming true.

Every human being is passionate about something. Sometime, our circle of influence can play a big role in our decision making. Our differences are what make our lives entertaining at time. However, I must admit that, sometime, I tend to lean more toward what many or the majority of people find amusing or interesting. For example, when I say/share something with people and they all laugh or comment, it makes me think that I am funny, or people want to hear what I have to say. We get hang up on it that we sometime feel like when everyone else opposes your idea, hopefully great, it means you should stop it there.

In other words, there are certain good things I want to do it in life but I sometime feel discouraged when my views on it are different from my friends’ or my circle of influence. It makes me feel at time that it is a such a bad idea since no one else is as excited as I am. When I thought about it, a verse came to my mind; this was one day when Jesus’ disciples and followers prayed for people and demons would leave those they prayed for. The disciples really got excited because demons were subject to them. When they returned, they brought their news to Jesus:

“¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” ¹⁸ And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. ²⁰ Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10: 17-20 ESV)

I needed to be reminded about not necessary following the crowd or being led by people’s approval. Just because everyone is agreeing with you, it doesn’t certainly mean you should do it or vice-versa. Find something good you are passionate about and pursue it, even one thing. I have found my passion: people in need. I just have to rely on God, He who alone can sustain weary hearts. I need patience so that I can be able to wait on Him. I pray and hope that I get to be where God wants me to be, and I pray the same for you who reads this. Pursue your ambitions and dreams, do not settle for less. Put your trust in God, even if things go the other way. It’s life, things don’t always go the way we want, bit it is important to listen to God and follow His lead.

God bless you

When things don’t turn out as we expected or when we needed/wanted them, we often rush to say: “why me Lord”, or “where is God” or “is God listening or hearing my prayer?” etc. The little we know, God delays certain things for His Glory and our own good. In John 11, we hear a story of Lazarus, a very good friend of Jesus. One day Lazarus got extremely sick. His sisters Martha and Maria, both knew Jesus’ miracles of healing the sick and raising the dead etc.

“3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it. 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.” (John 11: 3-6 ESV). I highly encourage you to listen to this full sermon (The Disappointed) at: http://sermons.summitrdu.com/

When I read this I wonder why didn’t Jesus rush over to Lazarus’ house. Wasn’t he capable of healing? Didn’t hear or care for Lazarus? The answer to all this is that God comes within His timing, not our own time. Eventually Lazarus died, and Jesus arrived 4 days later. When the sisters saw Jesus, they started reminding him that if he was around, their brother wouldn’t have died. Eventually Jesus raised Lazarus after 4 days in the tomb, opposing to healing him when he was sick.

We often blame God for our misfortune. This causes us sometime to underestimate the power of God. There are so many things that I wonder where God was/is because it’s beyond my imagination. I often ask God why innocent people get killed for no reason and many more things. The truth is that the human nature is selfishness and wanting everything to go our way. Since the sin’s curse is death and on us from day 1 we enter the world because of Adam & Eve’s sin in the Eden Garden, we are sinners by default. In other words, we would have deserved everything that happens to us if Jesus didn’t take all the blame, death, sin and nail it on the cross.  Isaiah 53:4-5 (ESV)  states it very well: “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Thank God for His unconditional & unfailing love. Remember that everything happens to you for a reason.  God is filled with compassion. He cares for the hurting and oppressed, He knows our intentions. The bible tells us to seek the kingdom of God and righteousness, for the rest rest will be added for us. I pray that you find an encouragement in the below verse.

The Righteous Will Never Be Moved (Psalms 112: 1-9 ESV)

“For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17 (NLT)

The Old Testament clearly shows examples on what had to be done if one committed a crime: the golden rule was “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth”. This was the law. The person who shed blood would likely to be killed; adultery was punished by the death sentence through stoning. Or to be forgiven sins, one had to kill an animal as a sacrifice, bring it to the high priest who, in return, would enter the Most Holy Place, once a year. This priest would then offer blood for his own sins and for the sins people had committed in ignorance. What a hassle? Waiting for a year to be forgiven for sins!!!

The symbol for the shed blood that brought forgiveness was completed through Jesus, who became a sacrifice for once and for all to complete the law. Aren’t you glad you no longer need to kill anything to be pardoned?

“Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people; so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant” Hebrews 9:13-15 (NLT).

“There is nothing we can do to make God love us any more, and nothing we ever do will cause Him to love us any less” (Pastor J.D. Grear). His love is unconditional; all we have to do is say “yes Lord, have your way.” He accepts you just the way you are: it’s not how many people you help per day, or how many times you pray, read His word, give, or how eloquent you are at educating people. In fact, God favors repented and obedient hearts. “You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” Psalms 51:16-17 (NLT)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV).

Jesus is the author of salvation. With him, we will not die. Death itself could not contain him. Therefore, death and hell have lost their stings, for the wrath of God was satisfied by Jesus ‘death on the cross in our place. This is my song; this is the truth and hope for the mankind.

God bless you