BORN SO YOU WILL LIVE

The Christmas season has always been a festive one. Regardless of all the different schools of thought regarding the actual date on which Jesus Christ was born, it is an indisputable fact that once in this world, a child was born named Jesus, who was as powerful as he was controversial. And many centuries after his death, he is still celebrated by billions worldwide.

A great number of people celebrate Christmas, they celebrate the birth of a hero they have never personally known or associated with. Many do not even know what this hero's life assignment was about and why he is hailed as a hero. To a lot of people, Christmas is mere tradition where turkeys are roasted, decorated trees are put up, with parcels underneath. To a good number of companies, it's time for socializing. Whilst commercial entities see it as a profit accruing time.But is this all Christmas stands for?

Jesus Christ was born so you and I would not perish. You may ask - " are you trying to say Jesus was born so we may live forever?" It sounds hogwash, doesn't it? Which human being can live on forever? But dear one, as foolish as this may sound in your ears, it is very crucial that it is discussed. What is life about? Are we only born to live and die, and are forgotten? Or is there more to who we are?

From the Christian perspective,human beings are tripartite. They have a body, soul and spirit. The body may die and decompose. But what Jesus taught us was that the soul and spirit do still exist after death. We can refresh our memories with the Story Jesus told about Lazarus and the rich man to support this - Luke 16:19-31. Jesus also taught us in John 3:16 that "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

What is eternal life all about as we know that every man is born and at a point in time do die. Again Jesus taught in John 11:25 that "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies" From this scripture, Jesus I believe was alluding to the fact that He could render one to live eternally, even after the human phase of death. One may just dismiss Jesus' words as sheepish and with a magic snarl.

Supposing that Jesus really died and was actually raised up on the third day, could his very life and after life confirm his teaching that there is existence after death? Are we simply going to sit on the fence and allow whatever the afterlife entails to take us by surprise? "What if there isn't an afterlife?" you may ask. But then what if there really is an afterlife?

As a Christian, I believe without a shadow of a doubt that there is existence after death. Jesus was born for us to live. John 3:36 reads "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." Also 1 John 4:9 says "By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him."

1 John 5:13 adds to the above -These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. And in John 6:40 Jesus said -"For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." He also emphatically declared that "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus therefore is the way to eternal life.

If we do not believe in Jesus and in His Father and do not accept His teachings, we stand condemned. These scriptures confirm this : John 5:24 - Truly, truly, I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life.

2Thessalonians 1:8 describes the judgment awaiting those who do not believe in Jesus Christ -"in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Christmas is a merry season, and even more it represents Good News. The Gospel of Jesus Christ whom we celebrate during Christmas is a package of joy, freedom and life everlasting. As you enjoy this season, take time to ponder on the arrangements you are making towards your after life. We consider irresponsible anyone that does not plan for tomorrow, for retirement for instance. In the same vein, it would be reckless on anyone's part not to prepare for eternal existence.

Think on the above! Think of the end of your life's journey , and plan for your after life. Make a wise decision today. Choose Jesus, choose eternal life!

ABUNDANCE IN FAMINE

A story is told of old about how Isaac, son of Abraham was told by God to dwell in a land of famine as He(God) would be with him and bless him. Genesis 26:1-6

True to God's promise, Isaac gained favour in the eyes of the King of the land (Abimelech of Philistine). In spite of Isaac's mistakes, the King charged everyone not to harm him lest they face the death penalty. Isaac proceeded to sow in a time of famine and did reap a hundredfold harvest. He continued to wax great in the land, grew and became exceedingly great, that the Philistines envied him.

The Philistines felt intimidated by Isaac's wealth, it was so bad that Isaac was sacked from the land as they feared he was mightier than them. We can easily brush aside this story without looking at its salient economic implications. The famine that was in Isaac's days can be likened to an economic recession or the modern day credit crunch. It was a season of lay offs and redundancies. Prices were escalating, businesses were going downhill. Losses made were huge, and prices of food were dear.

However, God spoke at such a time to His own that He was going to bless him in the land of famine. Isaac went ahead to sow and was blessed beyond measure that men begun to fear and oppose him. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He defies intricate economic policies and human barriers to show His glory. As children of God, it is easy for us to allow what we see to guide our emotions and wrongly rule our steps. It is humanly reasonable to think you may not be promoted at a time when many are being laid off. Forgetting that we are expatriates in this land, and rather belong to Heaven. We are governed by the economic standards of Heaven.

There is no famine in Heaven, so we can never be victims of famine. In Heaven, once you sow you must reap, so your seeds shall never die!The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day-Proverbs 4:18. Hence we can never retrogress, we can only progress. I will entreat that we take our eyes off human and worldly limitations, and focus on Heavenly principles.

Isaac obeyed God's voice and direction to stay in the land of famine. We must likewise be obedient to God's leading through His word and teachings, and via the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We must endeavour to be prompt in our obedience, and to learn and practice the principle of obedience being better than sacrifice. Do not jump on any bandwagon because of money.Do not sacrifice your time of worship to chase after wealth, with the intention of simply sending in your offerings and tithes. God needs you and your devotion to Him, not merely your money. He owns the silver and the gold, and lacks nothing.

The next thing Isaac did was to sow. We must sow in order to reap. God needs your seed to multiply, bless and increase you. You must sow your strength , talents, skills, knowledge, money and time in a venture. Then alone can God bless you. I once read a joke about a lady that prayed constantly for God to bless her with the jackpot as she had lost her job and was in dire need of money. She prayed and prayed but never won the jackpot. Angry with God, she sought answers - God simply implored - " you must buy a ticket, dear." Of course she needed a ticket to win the jackpot. This joke simply teaches us to do first things first.

Jesus first of all needed five loaves of bread and two fish before he could multiply it miraculously. In 2Kings 4: 1-7, Elisha helped a widow in debt by using what she already had in her house - oil. God is going to bless and increase what you already have. Gird up your loins and lift what you have to God in prayer(like what Jesus did with the loaves of bread and fish), and He shall greatly increase it. God has promised abundance in this season, position yourself aright for the great blessing coming your way!