Bless the Lord Oh My Soul

As a new age beckons, I am reminded of the many times God has been faithful to me. There are times I look back on the last decade of my life and indeed it could only have been God. Like a friend of mine and I say “thank God say God dey”. For some reason, as I crossed into the final day before my birthday, the song 10000 reasons by Matt Redman sprung to my mind and inspired this article.

In this last decade, I have known the heights of success and the depths of disappointments and heart break. But despite it all, God saw me through. In the midst of my darkest hours, He was there. In the midst of my success, He was also there. Every experience I went through: be it working as a cleaner or as a newspaper boy in Birmingham City Center, was for a purpose. Each of these experiences molded me into the man I am today and in a way put my character to the test to ensure it was strong enough for the journey ahead. Like the bible said of Joseph, “His feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains of iron and his soul entered into the iron” Ps. 105:18. I remember the first time I ever read that verse, it blew my mind away. Not just because it pointed out the fact that Joseph went through trials and tribulations but that despite it all, he stood on the promises of God and in doing so developed a supernatural strength that couldn’t be taken away by the problems of this world. Regardless of the situations we face in life, remember that whatever the situation it is you’re facing, it is for a purpose and at the end of it will produce perseverance, character and hope (Rom. 5:3-4). Put your trust and hope in God (Jer. 17:7-8).

The charge is simple: Do your best to stand strong on the promises of God (they are yes and amen) and when you feel faint or weary, approach His throne (Heb. 4:16) and remember that He is a very present help (Ps. 46:1). Most of all, remember to bless the Lord (Ps. 103) for He is a great and loving God and His thoughts towards you are thoughts of good, to give you a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11).

Bless the Lord oh my soul! Looking forward to the next decade of my life!

P.S. Thanks to every single person that has supported me and never given up on me. I love you all

Photo cred: YouVersion Bible App

Hope: The Easter Message

This Easter finds us all in a strange place. One that nobody could have predicted as we joyously wished each other a Happy New Year. That was just over 3 months ago, yet it seems like a lifetime. Reminder, it is still the year 2020! In the midst of the doom and gloom of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important to remember that there will always be light at the end of the tunnel. To never give up hope! In the midst of the outbreak, we still see news of people getting married and others giving birth. Through technology, people are using innovative means to stay in touch and keep their lives moving. I’ve seen two weddings that held online (one on IG and another on Zoom), a naming ceremony and two baby dedications. When you see stories like this, it warms the heart and encourages us to remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

This Easter period, we celebrate the death and the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ (Matt. 27 – 28). Just like it was, over 2000 years ago (since I can remember, for some reason, we all use 2000…don’t ask me why), when Jesus was crucified, it seemed all hope was lost. Imagine what went through the minds of His disciples as they watched their teacher, the man who had performed so many miracles, been crucified like a common criminal (Matt. 27:38)! At that moment, it was easy to give up, to lose hope; His disciple, the one we know as The Rock (not Dwayne Johnson) even denied Him three times (Luke 22:54-62). But like every good story, it was not the end (and as we all know, actor no dey die forfilm)! It was not over and on the third day, He rose again.

So as we celebrate this Easter, let us remember why it is worth celebrating, why it is a period of joy all over the world. The charge is simple, take this thought, plant it deep in your heart and make yourself a prisoner of hope: knowing that the thoughts He has towards you are thoughts of good and not of evil, to give you hope and a future (Jer. 29:11); knowing that He shall restore double what you have lost in this period (Zech. 9:12); knowing that the valiant right hand of God shall never fail (Ps. 118:15-16)! Keep living, just like those mentioned at the beginning of the post. After all, this too shall pass.

Happy Easter and remember He is risen!

P.S. This Easter, remember that God can resurrect that thing that looks dead in your life, it’s not over till God says so. God is not finished with you. Whatever it is, there is a resurrection coming! The best is still yet to come- Joel Osteen

P.P.S. Remember to obey all instructions issued by the government (Rom. 13:1-7)

Photo cred: Life goes on