3 CATEGORIES OF CHRISTIANS

There are 3 categories of Christians I know said Mrs Odujoko as she leaned forward on her seat and stared into Anna’s eyes. The first category are the Christians who have the map to God tied around their neck. The map was given to them by parents, pastors or even friends. This map to God symbolizes Gods word. They just wear the map around their neck like a necklace. They don’t know how to read or use the map. They think having it in their possession is all that is to it. But that is certainly not true. Salvation cannot be inherited from a father to child, the fact you were born a Christian doesn’t mean you are saved and it doesn’t guarantee a close relationship with God.

You see as Christians we need a map to direct us to God and that map is the word of God. The map could also be lessons about God taught to us by our parents or pastors. It could also be pamphlets or writings about Gods word. Having possession of them doesn’t bring God into our heart. “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” Deuteronomy 8:3.

The second category are the Christians who have just half of the map without even knowing it is not complete. They do not know that the knowledge they have isn’t complete and they go searching for God in the wrong places. They see Christianity as a religion with rules and regulations to be adhered to strictly. Christianity is more than just a religion. It is a relationship. It is a religion given to us by our loving father Jesus to be enjoyed, an avenue where we can experience him and partake in the saving grace provided for us. These Christians see God as a Government. A Government where citizens who don’t obey rules and don’t pay taxes are locked up. Their sight of God has been crippled because they do not understand the amazing relationship God wants to have with us. They have not heard and have not seen and so they fall deep into their emptiness everyday out of self-guilt and striving for self-righteousness. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God” Ephesians 6:17.

The third category are the Christians who have the full map to God. They understand the map and they know how to use it. To them, Christianity is more than a religion, it is a relationship. It is a relationship with their heavenly father. Through the scriptures they get closer to God. They talk to him and they listen to him. His amazing love overshadows them daily. They live in this world but they are not of this world and that’s why daily challenges do not get them down. Their Christian life is like a love affair, an affair between them and their maker. Blessed are these Christians for their hearts belong to God. “If you abide in my word then you are true disciple of me, and you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” John 8:31-32.

Which category do you fall under Anna? Mrs Odujoko asked. A startled Anna looked up without a word to utter. Her silence answered the question.

Written by Ikechi Sharon and Edited Adejugba Adeola

A SUDDEN GLORY

….. Having the Glory of God, and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal  (Rev. 21:11)

Anna stood by the door of Mrs Odujoko’s office, she checked the time she was thirty minutes late for her appointment. Anna was a corper in a small towm in Oyo state. She was caught by the pastor sleeping in church during the sermon and her punishment was to visit the church councellor for the next two weeks. This woman will start asking me if I have a boyfriend said Anna, her wahala is too much, with that her scary eyes. Finally she knocked on the door twice and opened it. Good afternoon ma said Anna. Come in and have your sit Anna, I have been expecting you said Mrs Odujoko. You are Thirty minutes late she said. I am sorry ma said Anna, I had to invigilate an exam in school and they finished late. So you can lie like this Anna thought to herself you that you were gisting with Fola in School.

Mrs Odujoko was scribbling some things down on her notepad she didn’t even look at Anna. Five minutes had gone by and the office was still silent. Anna noticed a book on the table written by Sharon Jaynes. Who does Sharon Jaynes do? asked Anna. She didn’t think before asking the question she just wanted to break the silence. She pinched herself for asking a dumb question. Sharon Jaynes equips women to live fully and freely said Mrs Odujoko. The book is about the things Christian women go through she continued. These women have their normal devotions and prayers every day, go to work, church bible studies but they still have this ache for more of Jesus. They feel empty. They feel Jesus wants more from them but they don’t know what's called the Glory ache. There is a reason Christians have the glory ache. Have you experienced it before asked Mrs Odujoko.

Haa, me im just a normal Christian o said Anna. Im not into the bible like that so I've not reached that stage. I don’t even understand what you are talking about said Anna. Mrs Odujoko leaned back in her chair and stared at Anna for some seconds. Have you ever experienced Gods glory asked Mrs Odujoko. I mean have you experienced a personal miracle from God and you just knew God was trying to show you something. Not really said Anna, like I said ma im just a normal Christian and..  Okay Anna I understand Mrs odujoko cut in. She handed the book on the table over to Anna, read this book our next appointment is on Wednesday. Thank you ma said Anna as she got up to leave, ma you haven’t told me why Christians have the glory ache she asked. Mrs odujoko was scribbling something in her notepad again. On Wednesday I will tell you she said.

Anna left the office and boarded a bike to the corpers lodge. Mi o mo be o, said the okada man as he rode off. I will direct you said Anna, take the next turn on your right she said. The okada man slowed donw to turn right without checking the side mirror. Immediately there was a loud horn from behind that almost deafened her. She looked back to see a trailer right behind her. If she had stretched out her hand she could have touched the trailer. The okada man quickly turned right as passers by gave him the insult of his life. Anna had a lump in her throat she could not talk as she got down from the okada to walk into the lodge. I could have died Anna said to herself. That trailer could have crushed us.God saved me today. So God took his time to save an ordinary Christian like me. He has indeed showed me his glory. I have experienced what Mrs odujoko said. I need to read this book she gave me she said as she entered her room. Beaming with smiles for the Glory of God overwhelmed her.

Written by Ikechi Sharon and Edited by Adejugba Adeola. 

REJOICE IN THE LORD.

Anna closed her bible and looked up, she didn’t understand. It was so clear and yet confusing. Why did God make the bible so complex if he wanted us to read to understand, she said to herself. Anna had started studying her bible since her first visit to the church counselor and since her first encounter of Gods glory.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 says “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, the labour off the olives shall fail and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the field and there shall be no herd in the stalls. Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Is it possible for one to go through so many difficulties and challenges and still say “I will rejoice in the Lord”. When there are bills to pay, a dying child, a degree to finish, no money, no food, no love. These challenges could make anyone go crazy. Yet Habakkuk says that even in the midst of these challenges he will rejoice in the Lord and praise the God of his salvation.

Wow! He must have been a tough guy Anna said to herself. She remembered how she lost her aunt to a heart disease and how she grieved. It wouldn’t have been possible for her to rejoice in the Lord and give him the glory during that period. The pain was just too much. The anger was unbearable. She was angry with God and with everyone around her. Angry at God for not saving her aunty who had three children to take care of.

How do these Christians do it? She said aloud. How does God expect us to do it? Doesn’t he know how painful some situations can be? How does he expect us to hold back the tears and praise him. A good example is Mrs odujoko, she has been married for 6 years without a child, yet she still looks very happy. She comes to church early, carries out duties in church and even volunteered to be the church counselor. I wonder how she manages to stay so happy. Anna looked at her phone it was 6pm, she had to fetch water before it got very dark.

Written by Ikechi Sharon and Edited by Adejugba Adeola. 

SOLUTION TO LIFE CHALLENGES

Life is filled with challenges and that is what keeps us alive. You are as good as being dead the moment you stop having challenges. Every single person, rich or poor, successful or struggling, young or old, regardless of their social status, economic conditions, age, gender or education, will face their share of adversities in life. But how we choose to react to them, tackle them, solve them or dodge them lies absolutely in our choice and reaction.
Stressing yourself over a challenge is nothing but a catalyst thst contributes to problems in life. The antidote for solving your challenges in life is not by being inquisitive or being informed and wise but it is by casting all your burdens on HIM(Christ).
He is the pillar that holds our life. We have but one step to life and death. Surrender all to him as long as you live then you will witness transformation and solution to life tragedy.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT?

You yell for a food, you get it, you tire.
You yell for a cloth, you get it, you tire.
You yell for a shelter, you get it, you tire.
You yell for a job, you get it, you tire.
You yell for a car, you get it,you tire.
You yell for promotion, you get it, you tire.
You yell for a company, you get it, you tire.
you yell to be a professional,  you get it, you tire.
you yell for a visa, you get it, you tire.
You yell for an estate, you get it, you tire.
You yell for a marriage, you get it, you tire.
You yell for a boss, you get it, you tire.
You yell for everything, you get it, you tire.

Hmmmmm,
what else do you Need?
Some people no even sabi wetin they need, na anywhere bele face dem they go. Life without a direction leads to destruction. Remember say some people wanna get to where u ar but they no fit. They are in the hospital, mortuary and so on.

Wetin you ask God wey e no give you?
You think say na your effort alone go make u get there. Make you think am again!
Your effort alone is nothing but 2percent out of 100percent.

Always give thanks to God no matter the position or condition you find yourself 4 the wants of man is insatiable. Men will always yell 4 more. Therefore, be contented with what you have and hope for the best.

LEARN AND APPLY YOUR LIFE LESSONS WISELY

Life is a teacher, the more you live the more you learn.

MAKE YOUR LIFE WORTHWHILE BY LIVING A FULFILLING AND A PURPOSEFUL LIFE.

Will you be contented with the life you have lived? On that final day when you start sensing death or probably when you start collating records of your achievements and how you made the best use of your time to impact positively into peoples life. Are you living a fulfilled, motivating, inspiring and a purposeful life? For the greatest lost is not when you are dead but what dies in you when you are alive. When people remember you by the works of your hand, what shall be said of you?

How will you describe your life? Are you achieving what you desire? Are you accomplishing the things that are important to you? Do you consider yourself a success? How do you prospect for your future? Hoping for a good future without investing in today is like a farmer waiting for a crop without planting any seed.

Preparation today gives confidence tomorrow. Make the best use of today for a greater tomorrow. Most people don’t live their own lives, they accept their lives. Now is never too late for you to start living your own life.  Live life as if there won’t be tomorrow because God gave you that precious opportunity to make the change you want to see in the world. 

Albert Einstein lived his life and was content to accept his fate when he was struck down with diabetes. He said this and I quote “It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share, it is time to go. I will do it elegantly." 

Make today counts for your tomorrow achievement starting from NOW. Live a fulfilled life so that you will say what Albert Einstein said confidently and I will tell those who I can reach out to on your behalf that “you came, you saw and you conquer”. Be the best you can be today. I wish you a fulfilled and a great week ahead. Lovezone Magazine welcomes you to the month of June, the beginning of financial breakthrough, greatness, fulfillment, fruitfulness, unmerited favor, achievements, opportunities, success, grace, upliftment and your heart desires shall be granted unto you ijn. If you believe say Amen. Stay blessed.

THE HOPE OF AN ANT: Don't let the sparkle and smooth taste of a wine deceive you unless you die slowly. A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE

The society is a channel either to expose you to destruction or to be visionary minded. We all love good things, luxury things is our aim, sweet life is all men goals and pleasure is what we claim to be our birth right. But I see aim as weapon of death, goals as a dead cops and birth right as wounded spirit. You are not right or having a life, if you make all these a ladder to your destiny. A child that is born today want to be known in the society, ride a good car, flow with money around him and have a swelling life which is called a fake life. if you are not born rich, you may not be willed with silver spoon! you can only get it with your hard work, focus and determination. 

Guys fraud in other to make names, show off, flirt with girls, drink and to have fun but their end is bitter than the beginning. I met three guys couple of years ago, they started their life by eating from their hard work after their secondary school. They were from a poor home trying to have an edge in life and to have brighter future. All turn to be lesson of life because what doesn't break you will only make you stronger; that is if you can learn from his feet. Later they were introduced by a long distance friend, to a job called yahoo yahoo. They started fervently on the job and worked harder in other to have good pasture and happy life. 

The first work they did gave them 400,000 Naira. They were glad and became the happiest person in the world. Life was sweet to them because they earn what their parent have never gathered. Many jobs paid for them and they were flowing in money just like fish in the water. Cars and big life became their strength, women were at their disposal for use, and to them this is just the beginning and taste of a sweet life. They have money and they commanded respect wherever they found themselves, but they lost something tangible in their life which Is where they came from. This reminds me of an adage that says "a river that forget his fountain will dry up". They were rich and they don't remember home any more. They also abandoned the driver of their lives to this world and forgot that the deed of one will one day catch up with him or her just like a thief in the night. They stretched their wings and believe that the end will never come, meanwhile, this was just the beginning.

The three guys were in money for three years without any plan for their future and unborn children. One Wednesday morning, police busted them and that day marked the beginning of their downfall. There was no paying of money and they lost and sold all they have worked for within a year. There is a saying that says "a stone throw to a palm tree is what the palm tree will return", their end became worse than their beginning. WHERE ARE YOU? WHERE ARE YOU COMING FROM? WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? Is a question one should be asking every day in order to have good future. To the guys, it is not all things that glitters are gold! Your friend may arrive today, but you are still working hard with focus and determination. Don't worry, you will fulfil your destiny because opportunities are waiting for you. And to you beautiful and expensive ladies out there don't compared yourself with someone else, you are from a different home and from a different background. Your destiny and your future are different, so life must teach you differently. Many ladies sowed themselves to prostitution because they want to meet up with their fast daily means. Many weren't born from rich home but want to be like her, that hot lady. Your beauty is like a flower, it will fade away and your body like a tree, it will withered. 
BE YOURSELF AND AIM TO BE SPECIAL IN LIFE.

Who is your spouse and prove that you truly know your spouse

Too many spouse are clueless about themselves; do you know your spouse?  Prove it!

Thousands of question people ask about who their spouse is, but millions of people are invalid with the right answer.  You cant be at peace with your love if you don’t know who your lover is, and you are heading nowhere if you don’t have a place you are going to.  I say to you now that "you can’t achieve a dream without vision and you cant complete a goal without dream". 

 It never ceases to amaze me how much people talk about their relationships, think about them,  read about them,  ask about them even get in them  without a clue of how to move forward.

Many will say to their spouse I love you. But the question is what do you love about him or her?  first thing that drives relationship is to know who your spouse is.

Answer these questions within yourself to confirm if you actually know your spouse or you are just deceiving yourself. 

• What do know about your spouse? 

• What is your spouse favorite color? 

• What makes him or her happy? 

• What is your spouse favourite song?

• What is your spouse vision, dream and aspirations?

• What can you do to have your spouse attention?

• What is your spouse favorite food? 

• What does your spouse do at leisure? 

• Can he or she make you happy?

• What does your spouse hate? 

You cant like whom you dont know, and you can't love who you don't like. If a moment with him or her is more than what you have had in a long time, then you need to know who your spouse is.  Try to know him or her more than the physical aspect.

You may have been on this road before and still don’t know what you are doing, you can try again to be the best to your spouse. He or she may not hate you but don’t know you. Get to know your spouse because it is a very important key in a relationship.

Who is your spouse?

Problem of choice

He who look at the seed of a corn will say this does not mount to anything, but the same seed turn to food and source of life for the body to survive. Your physical eyes can deceive you but your inner eyes can give you hope of joy.  Her name is Doyin, She works in a private company and she is in love with a guy called Tunde. The guy who came from a poor home was also in love with Doyin and they work in the same company. Doyin told her parents that she has a man in her life that is ready to marry her.
Being that Doyin came from a rich home, her parents were so sentimental  and they want to know about the man's family and his background. The answer she gave to all their questioning was that he is from a poor home. Doyin father said "NO my daughter will not marry a gold digger". And because they were in love with each other, they made an agreement that they will elope. Doyin got pregnant just to secure their love, but this did not work out. Despite this, her father did not agree with the reunion.

Doyin's father said "he will accept Doyin to give birth to the child but she will never marry that poor boy". Doyin left Tunde as her father's said and she gave birth to a baby girl. Tunde continue to struggle to make a better life for himself while Doyin got married to a rich man son just to fulfil what her father wanted. Within 8 years, Tunde had accomplished so many things like having two standard companies and he also got married to a beautiful wife who gave birth to a son and a daughter. Doyin also had two daughters and their financial life were dropping. 

Due to lack of finance, Doyin and her husband became enemy in the house because she was giving all she had just to support the family while the rich man son was not able to provide for the family.The reason for his lack of finance is because he never aim to stand as a husband, he has no focus to be great in life and to provide for the household but rather he was depending on his father's wealth.

They left the two bedroom flat and went to a room and parlour self contain in a local area. Tunde was increasing in wealth. If you were to be Doyin, what will you do to your father? will you dump your husband and children to get married to Tunde again despite the fact that he is married?

Easter Gift.

It is not him that willeth, nor him that runneth but it is of God that showeth mercy. Romans 9 vs 16. the race of an individual is totally different from others. I pray that God will show you the way and open every closed doors in your life. You wont just struggle or hustle in vain. 

Just seek his presence first and you will testify to his goodness. Be the first to say Amen if you believe that God will do something new in your life..

IF IT WERE TO BE YOU, WHAT WILL BE YOUR REACTION?

There was a girl that was in love with a guy but the family of the guy said that the girl must be pregnant before they can do wedding for them. And the lady was once told in the church that she must not sleep with any man until she gets married.

She heed to the guy's parents by sleeping with their son due to the sincere love she has for him and because the pressure was too much on her.  Not knowing that his parents were using her to test if their son can pregnate a lady or not since he has  diseases on his manhood.

That act led to pregnancy but the family rejected both her and the child. Now she is in a confused state and she needs advice from you. Please save her from taking a drastic step.

WHO IS THE RIGHT MAN?

"I have no background, but I have a future”.

Life is about choice, future is of desires and good life is enveloped in hope. This is a true life story of a 27years old man in 2001. He came from a family of six, family that has no name in the society, family that finds it hard to feed with three square meals a day. Family of no average but poor. This young man was so determined in his heart that he will make it, and he has this saying that “I have no background, but I have a future”.

He met a lady that year even though he just finished from school. He approaches the lady as a guy way of doing things. His name is David and the lady’s name is Juliet. David toasted her and also persuaded her to be his girlfriend for two good years but she refused. David is a born again Christian and the lady also claimed to be born again. David tried for another two years to make Juliet his love, but all trial seems to be in vain.

Juliet mocked David and said “He is not her type of person and what gave him the gut to come to her, that can’t he look for his class among millions of ladies”? The guy David determined to end it there, that he needs a new life. He moved from that area and settled down 10km from his former home. At this time David has secured federal government job.

One evening after some months, he was coming back from work then he saw a lady and said in his heart ‘this is my wife’, even though he has not asked the lady out. He asked the lady out and also asked a friend for help on her. Eventually the lady succumbs to David and they got married and were blessed with three kids, having a duplex and a happy family.

After twelve years, David met Juliet. Lady Juliet still remains single and she is still searching for Mr Right to come after she has left her food for another to eat by looking at his present situation. She was not looking at what the guy is made up (content), his dreams, his visions, aspirations, and the tendency to make it in life and so on rather she was busy looking at the container, his present situation.  Also listening to bitter advices from friends and so called relatives that said she will suffer in David’s house.

The decision she took then, made her to become desolate, her hope of getting marriage was barren.  The decision you take can either break or make you. Are you about to take decision just because he came not from a rich home? Think twice, a servant can turn to be king over night.

WHY?

Why sadness, why pains, why destitute, why hatred, why condemnation and why of all this? I thought it could be a solution to the problem to life, but it imposes shame the more and difficulties exceedingly. Why is not a word of peace neither is it a pronunciation of freedom, but causes sorrow of the heart. 

With tears, heart says why to his desires, and with bowing of the head, head wag to sorrow, weeping has no moment to stop eyes from falling water. But in all, its better to make understanding breath and knowledge an eyes, then making why a body, because it cannot pave to joy but sorrow.

DON'T KILL THAT DREAM!

Dream is not just to sleep and wake up because of anxiety. Dream is the power that dictates tomorrow. You cannot be best and better then the first or people ahead of you without dream. Can earth received rain from above without firmament not been cloudy? The dark cloud is the dream earth have that there will be drop of water. 
Dream of pitcher is to bring water out of well any time it goes in, even if were shattered. Dream of lion is to bring prey to the den whenever he goes to hunt. Dream of cut tree is to sprout again by the scent of water. 
If you are without dream you are dead but not buried, because is only a dead person that have no power to dream. If sun could have a dream to run a race across the earth to make his glory to be known, so what will be your say at the end of your life? People of no dreams closed their eyes to see dark image, but  people with dreams closes their eyes and they see light, ways, ideas, opportunities, vision and greatness others can’t see.