Category: The Christ

The sun shone with unparalleled brightness while its heat beat on Amara’s bare shoulders and head as she was led on a narrow arid road.

Her guide, Mark, the leader of a group of people who called themselves the Jesus Tribe, was taking her to a place where she would understand why they lived as they did.

They arrived in the desert area, located outside the town, and walked to an undisclosed location. To Amara, who was sweating like the goat they passed in town on their way, it seemed like an eternity. It had only been ten minutes.

She didn’t dare complain though, Mark led the community as its leader, and people held him in high regard. Why? Amara had no idea.

He didn’t appear rich, tall, or handsome. His face and hands showed signs of toughness and a life that was accustomed to it. Whatever the community respected must be inside of the man. His intelligence and skills, perhaps?

Amara wiped her forehead with the sleeves of her t-shirt as she started praying for redemption from the long walk and a tall glass of iced water. She smiled; her mates were praying for better things.

Up ahead, she saw a massive tree in the arid landscape. The tree stood tall and alone, and shock of shocks, it had a full crown of green leaves and branches sprouting everywhere.

“How is that possible?” She asked herself out loud.

Mark turned and smiled at her. “That’s where we are going.”

They walked the short distance to the tree and found relief under its shade. Mark opened his little backpack and removed two bottles of cold water, which they shared. 

They finished their water, and Mark stashed the bottles in his bag as he turned to the tree.

“Amara, you asked me how people can choose to live for God? This tree will help me explain the reason for it. When you look at the tree, what do you see?” He asked, looking at her.

“Well, I noticed that it’s rooted in a dry place, and it has a lot of green leaves. Does it bear fruit?”

“It’s an apple tree. Everything you noticed is correct. The tree is standing tall and strong and deeply rooted in the desert. How is that possible for an apple tree?

“To produce good-quality fruits, trees need lots of feeder roots in the surface soil so they can take up plenty of water and nutrients. The surface soil should be deep, soft, stable, well-structured, well-drained, fertile, and cool in hot weather. The pH level should be between 5.8 and 6.5.

“However, desert soil is mostly loamy sand, derived from granitic rocks and other related rocks. The soil here is deficient in organic matter. It’s high in potassium and has pH’s around 7.5 to 8.0.

“If all that is so, how is it possible for this tree to stand? How is it getting its water and essential nutrients? The soil surface is not soft, nor is it fertile for the tree.”

Amara looked from Mark to the tree as she absorbed all the information he shared and asked herself the same questions he did.

“It is supernatural. The tree is a symbol of truth, proving that the supernatural occurs in this natural plain we all dwell.

“What’s the use of the symbol, you might ask? It helps us remember that in Christ, the Jesus Tribe can live the supernatural life every day of our lives. 

“The most important use of the tree, in my opinion, is that it reminds us that we are all branches in the vine that is Christ.

“Look at this tree, looking healthy in a place where it shouldn’t. It reminds us that in Christ, because He lives, we live, regardless of the circumstances that surround us. The branches living off the tree remind us to draw all we need from God, strength, sustenance, wisdom, etc. Under its shade, we are covered from the elements, just as both of us are now. If you know psalm 91, the first two verses apply. When you hear, in Christ, we stand, this tree paints the picture. 

“Imagine being a branch under this tree. Do you think you would lack anything? But once you are broken off, your sustenance is cut off. You would no longer be protected under its shade, and the most important, you will not be able to bear fruit and fulfill God’s purposes in your life.” 

Mark stopped and waited for questions, and when none came decided to ask one of his own.

“Why were you standing under the bridge at night?”

Amara looked away. Her first instinct was to lie to the man of God, as she now thought of him in her mind, but she hesitated, uncaring of judgment.

“I am a prostitute. I was waiting for a customer before Gbenga picked me up and invited me to your fellowship.” She said, looking at him as she spoke.

Mark smiled. “We all have our history—fraudsters, liars, murderers, adulterers, thieves, etc. I helped a gang scam rich Germans out of their hard-earned money about ten years ago. You would have called me a 419 fraudster.” He said, smiling at the upward movement of her eyebrows.

“We are all standing before God now, and so can you. Gbenga asked me to speak with you before you leave us today. I know what you are going back to, but we invite you to come and join us. Come and live out God’s purpose for your life with our tribe. There is no need to remain in the same situation when help is available. I want you to think about it, please.”

Amara looked down at her shoes. What he asked wasn’t possible.

“What will I be doing for your tribe? I can’t be eating and sleeping forever?”

Mark smiled. “Gbenga was coming back from work when he saw you, and the Holy Spirit asked him to pick you up. You will be taught to seek and to know God for yourself. God will direct you on the life He planned for you. On the side, you can help out in the community once in a while.”

Amara nodded. Mark’s request seemed possible with every word he uttered; however, something else bothered her.

“Will God forgive me?” She asked, looking at him again. Her need for confirmation came from a place of desperation. A change had been presented as a gift, and she wanted it with all her heart. She needed to know that she wouldn’t be turned away in the end.

Mark turned and held her by the shoulders, looking into her eyes. “God sent Gbenga to you because He loves and cares for you, and Gbenga brought you to me. All of it was in God’s plan for you. He makes a way where there are none and rivers in the desert. Let this tree be a reminder when you doubt his love. He will not leave you nor forsake you as long as you live and believe.” 

Amara nodded as possibilities flashed before her: freedom, life, family, a future. 

She smiled at Mark and nodded again. “I want to be part of the tribe.”

Mark nodded, smiling. “Praise God.”

Till next time, be transformed!!

*http://celosangeles.ucanr.edu/Agriculture/High_Desert_Soils/

*https://www.goodfruit.com/six-steps-to-good-orchard-site-preparation/

The church was quiet that afternoon. A slight breeze blew past the two occupants in the building. They were seated next to each other, one contemplating what to say, the other handing her over to God.

“Pastor, things are getting worse. I hear the word, which strengthens me, but once I leave this place, it seems as if all hell breaks loose.” Nkechi said, bending her head with a sigh.

In her heart, she knew the word she received each time in church was undergoing testing, but the tests’ intensity seemed to rise higher and higher as if they raced towards a crescendo.

“Everywhere one turns, there is one bad news or the other. I have come to find out, how do you get through?” She asked, turning to him.

Pastor Debo smiled to himself and shook his head before he looked at her.

“I stand before the Lord at all times, Nkechi, looking up to Jesus, the author, and finisher of my faith.”

“Yes, Pastor,” Nkechi said, nodding as she looked away.

The Pastor smiled again. “Tell me, what does that mean to you?”

“It means we should keep praying at all times and not give up.”

“Yes, in a sense, but not exactly. You see, I’m not standing and praying to God for help at all times, No. I’m standing before my Father, your Father, awaiting His will. If I believe the scriptures I have read and preached, then I should stand confident in who my Father is, shouldn’t I?”

She nodded.

“If God is my refuge, stronghold, and tower, then I shouldn’t be afraid. If I have been chosen and called for His purpose, then all the things I face are working for my good, and I should be thankful in every situation. If His grace is sufficient for me because, in my weakness, His strength is made manifest, shouldn’t I be rejoicing when I’m weak, so God’s strength can show up? In fact, shouldn’t I always stay weak before Him, to ensure my life glorifies Him?”

This time, when she nodded, it was a slow dip in her head as she meditated on what he said.

“Nkechi, you are God’s own and greater is He that is in you; however, except, you start to live out the truth God speaks into your heart, and you stand in your position in Christ, the enemy will use you as mincemeat. Let me borrow from my father, who told me that Christians hear the roar of a lion and quake in fear, but it’s just a roar. He knows the one with you, but do you? Are you aware of who you are in Christ? Our greatest problems are not external but internal. The strongholds, imaginations, and thoughts built and planted in us have to come down, and it’s our task to execute.”

“I understand, Pastor, but a lot is happening all over the world. There are rumors of shakings, and terrible things are happening in and outside the church.”

“Where did scripture ask that we focus our eyes?”

“On God.”

“True. Focus, not on what has happened, is happening or will happen, but on Jesus. Wear the armor of God at all times. Work on bringing down everything that exalts itself over the knowledge of the Lord in your mind, and stay alert.” The Pastor said, patting her on the back. “Nkechi, it is well. The time has come for us to do the battle and possess our possessions by the grace of God. You can no longer rely on others to get you there. The giants were in the land, but Caleb and Joshua alone reported the truth – they knew they could fight them because Israel had God’s backing. You need to choose every second of every minute of every hour, whose report you will believe, and keep at it until the end.”

Nkechi smiled at the Pastor, knowing she had work to do. She turned to leave, and he called her back till she stood before him.

“Father, I pray for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding, so we may know the hope of your calling, the riches of your glorious inheritance, and the exceeding greatness of your power to us who believe. I pray you will strengthen the inner man with might through your Spirit, that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, that having grasped the entirety of the love of Christ, which passes all knowledge, you will fill us with your fullness. Thank you, Father, for this time of pressure. You are taking us into the fullness of your will in Jesus’ name. (Eph 1:17-19, Eph 3:16-19)

“God bless you, Pastor,” Nkechi said, as she left to do battle.

Till next time, be transformed!!!

‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.’ James 1:17-18 

A perfect man once walked this earth. Like all of us, he had a father and a mother, and there were half-siblings in there as well. He grew up and attained height, weight, and wisdom as he aged. His parents also expected certain things from their child as other parents do. He was a carpenter by profession and not the fancy types as we have now, he used his hands. So, what set Him apart? Truth.

Though he was born human, he grew up with a hunger and thirst for God, not rare. In the fullness of time, He received the Holy Spirit, anointed for His calling on earth; others received it too. So, why was He so different? Truth.

What is it about the truth that set Him apart from the others? He lived it out His whole life till He died.

The wisdom of this world and the wisdom from God are different; there is no doubt. The world encourages you to draw strength from yourself and keep hustling because, like all the greats, one day, you will make it. How many have? We receive wisdom from God is received by faith, and it works if you are willing to empty yourself of everything contrary to it. It requires total humility before God because there cannot be any other option to fall back on.

Jesus, the perfect man, lived by the truth of who He was, His calling, and His death. The Holy Spirit guided Him through His life in wisdom, and He excelled before God. His father rewarded Him with a throne at His right hand, a position available for everyone wanting to live out God’s truth.

Does that mean we can attain perfection in Christ? Yes, by continuing in His truth. God’s truth/wisdom is different from ours and affects every aspect of our lives. To live out godly wisdom is to give up all the truth/facts/wisdom that men have taught us. It insists that we apply God’s word alone in everything we do and how we interact with one another. Does it appear difficult? It’s not.

Jesus walked this earth, led by the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit is still available today, waiting on us. He is a friend like no other, one that loves us regardless. He is the only one that cannot lie to us or lead us astray. So, what is stopping us from such a relationship, His invisibility? Well, you relate with air, though you can’t see it. You learn to draw breath as a baby and become perfect the older you get, the same thing with building a relationship with God’s Spirit. It may look complicated at first, but continue in faith and see God at work. Remember, with God, you cannot depend on what you see.

Every journey taken with God leads to destiny, and it’s different from individual to individual. Are you on yours?

Till next time, be transformed!!