MEDICO

‘You cannot serve both God and worldly riches.’ Luke 16:13 There is a certain attraction, a certain sway which money can hold over us. Wait, do you think you’re immune? Money tests the hearts of the best of us. I believe that is one of the reasons Jesus felt it necessary to spell it in clear terms: You CANNOT, absolutely CANNOT serve God if the love of mammon is in you. The spirit of mammon is different from those of other things that can distract us from God. Mammon is a master, in its own right but we must never forget, however tempting that God is THE master and money is meant to be just a tool. Would I compromise my walk with God for worldly riches? Wouldn’t I skip (or fast-forward) being in God’s presence for a chance at better payment? Would I choose my Godly routine over my ‘money routine’? Daily pruning of our hearts is needed, if indeed, we would serve God- and not mammon. For if one thing is sure, it is that we cannot serve both!

Blessed trinity; how many times and in how many ways? How convenient it is for me to try to estimate the virtues that the presence of GOD exudes; in ignorance obviously. Can you imagine the power of HIS might? And HE took me through a journey of understanding and I failed HIS test, because my human ability is frail and fails. Only a supernatural understanding of GOD as the three-in-one GOD appearing as: Our help in ages past; Our hope for years to come; and Our very present help in time of need. If you therefore need help, fetch from the fullness thereof; it is inexhaustible yet with a price. Many misconstrue the gifts of GOD as free; I presume, it is cheap and affordable but not free. The difference between HIM and his arch rival is that the latter charges high interests like Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria. GOD pays premium however; if you have to choose; choose LIFE and BLESSING. It is not without challenges that this life we live, that I live, actually.

Despite all of my inadequacies, this strikes me really hard: I have spoken harsh words, cut others down; But he whispers: Still, I long to be gracious to you. I have stepped away from your grace, over and over; Still…I long for you. I’m waiting to be gracious to you. Like Gomer, I have ‘prostituted’ myself, far and wide; Still… I have idolized others, ceaselessly craving for help and affirmation; Still… And so, I run; To the throne of mercy; for 3 important criteria are fulfilled: There’s mercy; There’s help; And I need it.

The other day, I was in an atmosphere so charged with the Spirit that the best way I could describe what I felt was intoxication. I wept, danced, mumbled stuff- not that all of that would have mattered without the accompanying atmosphere but I didn’t care what I did or who else was there, I couldn’t help but ‘display’. At that moment, Eph 5:18 actually dawned on me in its entirety and as one of my favorite versions puts it: ‘Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him.’ And in those moments of intoxication, God’s presence became more obvious and way more palpable; and as a drunk (wo)man, nothing seems too difficult. Thirst brings along with it, the desire to drink. But addiction? It breeds intoxication. I should think this is one of the reasons we are adjourned to be continually filled with the Spirit. I should also think that this is the reason individuals like Paul were able to give all for God. Yes, they were intoxicated; their actions...

Isa 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses and trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they look not to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek and consult the Lord! When God wants to show us that he has much more to offer us than what we can currently visualize, he does what-to us- is considered unimaginable, unthinkable even. And most times without the ‘decency’ of a prior notice! Afterall, he is sending us out of a place we previously considered home, thus, we should be properly notified, right? Most of us would usually grumble, cry or whine (in different combinations), and oft, we forget that God has our back. Because it is so easy to forget that he has our best in mind. And yet, he’s only trying to shift our focus off men/ourselves and towards him. Or to make us stronger and more solid. So, when he shifts our focus, or adjusts our optical lenses, let us try, instead (or even admist the) wh...