One Step At A Time

"Nneka stood still with tears gently flowing down her cheeks. The arena was packed full with people from across the country, a characteristic signature of this program tagged 'Unforgettable Encounter.' The presence of the Lord was so strong it was almost tangible and the attendees unabashedly expressed themselves in different attitudes. Many sat down to have an undisturbed communion with Him; many knelt down, overwhelmed by His awesomeness and glory; many positioned themselves on the floor lying facedown at 180 degrees to the Master, in deep contrition and humility; Nneka stood still like many, with outstretched hands giving a wave offering to Him alone who is worthy.

The tears were not of sorrow or of pain. They were tears of worship, of knowing that she had met with God face to face, her life would never be the same again. She blessed God that she attended.
After hours that seemed like minutes, the program came to a close and she went home more sober than she came.

At age 25, she lived in the city with her dad and step mum who had four teenagers to show for their union. This setting did not give Nneka the much needed space to serve God in peace. Home was like a battleground for her faith.

Her sibblings chose this fateful day to sneak into her room and ransack everything, everywhere. They made no point of rearranging anything. The girls tried her clothes and sprawled them on the floor, the boys had it with her books and personal files, then they left the house to visit friends.

Covered with shock at the state of her room and the mess that would take days to clear, Nneka stormed to their mother to report. This one took it really personal and lashed back, raining abuses on Nneka which infuriated her for a woman who was just 3 years older than herself. Before long a nasty fight ensued, leaving both women wounded and bruised. This marked the end of Nneka's stay in the house, she was sent packing to her mother in the village."

"Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron and said to him, 'Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him'." (Ex 32:1)

The children of Israel fell into sin right after they had danced and celebrated, proclaiming they had seen God face to face on the mountain, as seen in previous chapters. The occasion so pleased them that they ate and drank. After such a glorious and historical encounter with God on the mountain, circumstances drove them into sin, Moses was no where to be found. And God said, "They have turned aside quickly out of the way..."

Have you noticed how the enemy's attacks are fiercest right after you have had an encounter with God? Do you remember how you conciously trained yourself not to fall into that temptation that sought to beset you, just after you had fellowshiped with God? It's the devils prime strategy to steal from you the entire package you got from the presence of God. If there was no package, there would be no blinding temptation. This is the time we need to watch it the most. Don't let anybody, or yet anything steal your joy.

Now that we are not ignorant of the devices of the devil, let's enjoy the rest of our days winning in line with God's will.

Shalom

Please let us know what strategies you used to overcome these temptations.

He chose the colors carefully
Though it's combination made no sense to me
He defined the dimensions in detail
Every piece fitted perfectly like a jigsaw puzzle
Materials mixed intricately
Gold, Acacia, Linen, Silver, Onyx, brass
He emphasized to build according to pattern
For beauty and for glory


Reading through the design of the tabernacle and Aaron's apparel, brought to sharp focus Gods style of building according to pattern. I could see that He doesn't jump to action based on impulse or instantaneous need. His methodology followed a pattern: Plan > Execute > Glorify.

For sometime I had missed the sequence in my life, always wanting my plans, wishes and desires to happen now now.
And when it doesn't I would go through a cycle of: Anger > Confusion > Depression
At best, I would go back to God and cry 'FATHER, BUT WHY?'

The picture of the tabernacle reveals how God builds His projects like us. A place where His glory will abide. He takes His time to define the dimensions of our life, making everything fit for purpose.Our challenges become our testimonies. Our experiences become others knowledge base.

There is no monotony in His design. In our lives He displays a huge sense of humor. When he moved me from Nigeria to Angola I clearly saw this part of Him revealed. What a laugh, yet He did it according to pattern...

He combined colors (blue, purple and scarlet) to finish the
centerpiece of His glory. He likewise colors our lives with people, occasions, events, that keep us radiating, continuously making us a spectacle of wonder.

Like Aaron's, His reason for taking you through the pattern of your life, the times, the places, the processes, the events, is all for beauty and for glory.
He does it in our lives so whoever sees us, whoever hears our story, where we are coming from and where we are going to... will have a cause to give God the glory

"Atieke wayanabo boma ba, nume...,
Atieke wayanabo boma ba, su na seki na."

The words of this song in my dialect literally means, "What will i use to bless God... Singing and Dancing."

I know for sure there's that one song in your dialect that raises your spirit to sing and dance to the worthy God. So lets take it home buddies... Are you rocking...? Sing and Dance.

It is very easy to sing and dance when all is good. When you narrowly escaped that accident, when you got that long-awaited breakthrough, when you look back and see your long list of accolades, when you look around you and feel the love in your life... the list is endless. You naturally and sometimes, spontaneously sing and dance. Whoa! I'm so elated, i want to shout, sing and dance.

Have you ever tried to sing and dance when it seems the world is crashing in on you? That point when you are at the brink of tears but wouldn't cry because big boys and girls don't cry.

Have you ever thought to sing and dance when you are so depressed and outright moody?

Have you considered singing and dancing when you are at cross-roads in your life, and tomorrow seems so bleak and uncertain...?

Are these not the best times to sing and dance?

Lets take a closer look at what our live's Standard Operating Procedure(SOP) has to say on singing and dancing.

SING AND DANCE TO CELEBRATE A WIN

- Ex. 15:1 The Israelites are a classic example of singing to celebrate a win. There were so overwhelmed they burst into songs. So we are on track, celebrate that victory!

- 2 Sam 6:14 David couldn't help it. He danced with reckless abandon at the return of the ark, God's presence, alongside playing on all manner of instruments...

People, are we still waiting... In fact, if you have nothing to celebrate, sing and dance because you see this day.

SING AND DANCE TO CONQUER

- Ps 149:5-9 Sing and dance to execute judgement on all your enemies and haters. I mean them demons.
With the tears of pain hanging on your face and your heart so low, at sub-zero, arm yourself with Ps 149:5-9 and burst into songs! This is an honour to us. Sing and Dance.

SING BECAUSE HE IS WORTHY

- Rev 5:9, Ps 96:1-13
Ever tried this before...? Sing and dance with the only reason being that God is worthy. And I'll tell you what He feels about this in Ps 69: 30,31. It pleases Him better than a sacrifice of ox or bull. Buddy, lets keep the millions in our pocket this time around, and lets rock because He is worthy. Sing and Dance...

Hmmmn! There are so many reasons to sing and dance. I'll have to bring the rest in a part 2. Meanwhile, lets hit the dance floor with these few points and praise Him.

"Atieke wayanabo boma ba, nume...,
Atieke wayanabo boma ba, su na seki na."