LOVE FOR JESUS (Quote)

The closer you become to the Holy Spirit, the more you will love Jesus

Written by: David Diga Hernandez

Picture source: Internet 

REAL JOY (Poem)

There's food on my table
The woman by my side is beautiful
Everything I do people marvel
Wondering why I am always able.

But deep in me is a porthole
It may have been dug by the troll
I wish I could say I know
All I can wish for is to be whole.

Longing to have it filled
I searched the whole field
And then I met Him
In whom my salvation is.

I thought I had all
And love never seen in this world
But when I met my saviour
Then I knew real joy.

***

Written by: O-Lawal Esther

Picture source: Internet 

MY THOUGHTS MY WORDS (Ebunife Notes)

When I want to study the Bible, I prefer those with words spoken by Jesus written in red.
Why?
As I turn the pages of the Bible, those red colours warm my heart as I know they are words spoken directly from Jesus' mouth when He was on earth.
I am actually used to the King James version of the Bible so I'm used to Jesus words in red.

Anyway there's more to this.

There's no fear when Jesus speaks. We sense love, compassion, peace in His words. Then I wonder why should we promote fear?
As children of God, we are to be as He is. The Bible says to let our words be seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6)

When we speak, does the hearer(s) want to hear more or wants to leave?
How can we speak like Jesus?

Our thoughts influence our words, and what we feed our mind influence our thoughts.
We have direction from the Bible on what to feed our minds with.
Please turn with me to Philippians 4:8

    Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.


The word of God is best to think upon.

To talk like Jesus, we need to fill our thoughts with God's word. Meditate on the word of God consistently.


Love you but Christ Jesus loves the most.

***

Written by: O-Lawal Esther


Picture source: Internet

DARLING JESUS (Poem)

As I gaze into Your eyes
It shone so bright
That it touched my heart
And I could not look away.

From the day You saved my life
You also captured my heart
And my life become beautiful
Just because of You.

Darling Jesus,
You are the One I love above all else
My whole world revolves around You
Even if I die, I'll die happy.

(For to me to live is CHRIST, and to die is gain. - Philippians 1:21)


Written by: O-Lawal Esther


Picture source: Internet 

SEE (Quote)

You cannot go beyond what you see.

(By: Pastor Adeboye)


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MATCHLESS LOVE (Poem)

Sometimes I wonder
Why You even bother
About someone like me
Deep in sin
Filled with guilt
Condemned to perish
Not worthy of Your presence.
Still You came to earth
Took on the form of flesh
'cause Your love couldn't permit
To condemn me to perish.
So forever will I cherish
Your gift of love so divine.
Saviour of my soul,
Moment with You is special
I never want it to end.
So I'm gonna take this moment
And I'll always remember it
I'll make it last forever.
You're more than I thought You'll ever be.

***
Thanks for reading

Written by: O-Lawal Esther



Picture source: Internet

Holy Spirit (Quote)

The closer you become to the Holy Spirit, the more you will love Jesus

Written by: David Diga Hernandez



Picture source: Internet

FROM ME TO YOU (Birthday Greeting)

I'm trying to write something special for you
But I seem to have run out of words
My mind feels blank
Getting the right words out
Feels like a difficult task.
I'm trying to pen down here
The words lodging in me
But they refuse to come out.
I hope you're a mind reader
So you could tap into me,
And see it all for yourself.
For the meantime;
Let me say a very happy birthday,
To someone very special.
Love you, bro.

MY LIFE (Story)

She held her breath as the metal touched her neck. No one can foretell how they'll die, but one can make the choice on where he or she will spend eternity. Though she never wished to die so young, she's very happy at the thought of where she'll spend eternity. Oh the joy of seeing Him and spending forever with Him.

"Make your choice." a gruff voice said behind her.

She'd been so overcome by the joy of leaving this dark world for a glorious one, she'd partially forgotten where she was.
She smiled contentedly, the peace in her heart had sealed her choice.

"I can't deny someone who love me and gave His life for me."

"You either deny Him, or lose your life."

Seyi smiled again, "I can't lose my life, Jesus is my life and He's promised He'll never leave me. Whether I remain in this world or not, I still have Jesus - and that's my life. You can't take my life from me because you cannot take Jesus from me. Jesus is my life."

Infuriated by her words, the man with the gruff voice punched her hard across the face. She fell and was pulled up by another person.

"Lock her up."

Seyi was dragged into an empty room. Bound hand and feet, she fell hard on the cold floor as the men pushed her in.

"And she's fine o." one of them said.

"Anyone talking that Jesus rubbish is not fine to me at all. As I'm looking at her, it's like I should skin her alive." the other man said, irritably.

The first man laughed very loudly, "Bully, we all know you're the one that hates them most." he laughed again.

The man called Bully kicked her hard in the stomach, "Wretched bastard." he spat on the floor angrily and walked out.

***

It was very dark when a plate of food was placed in front of her.

"Eat."

Seyi opened her eyes to see who brought it. The man had a gentle expression though he looked scary. His face was hard and had scars.

The chain on her hand was removed to enable her eat. She  picked the small plastic spoon in it and started eating. She had been starved for two days.

"No one knows I brought you food." the man told her.

Seyi looked up at him again, but said nothing.

"I want to talk to you. Don't worry, no one is around. I was left here alone to guard you."

She nodded.

"Are you ready to die?"

She remained silent.

The man shrugged, "I mean, you're too young to die. Do you think this Jesus of yours is worth it?"

She coughed quietly to clear her throat, "He died for me. I'm glad to do same."

He stared at her in shock, "You're glad to die." he stated rather than ask.

There was some shuffling sound outside. He went to check but found nothing. So he came back in.

"She was glad to die too?"

Seyi frowned, not knowing what he meant.

"Who are you talking about?"

"My wife." he paused. His head was bowed.

She wondered what he was thinking.

"She gave her life to this Jesus two years after our marriage. How could she do that? She knows about me and my people, we kill them. Yet, she was glad to die. I hated this Jesus for making her like that? She became different, she smiles even when I hurt that she's a Christian and that infuriated me. I loved her, I didn't want her to die. I begged her to stop but she says she couldn't. What do you people see in this Jesus that you are not afraid to die? What is so special about Him?"

Tears were streaming down his face as he spoke. Seyi saw he was still hurt at his wife's death and held Jesus responsible for it.

Holy Spirit, help me minister to this man. She prayed.

"I was born into a polygamus family. My father had three wives, my mother happens to be the second wife." she paused and sighed, "My immediate elder brother accepted Christ four years before I did. I didn't wanted to, I thought I won't enjoy life if I did. I wanted to explore all life had to offer. I was wild, I was my parents headache. But deep down, I was empty. There was this longing in me that couldn't be satisfied no matter what I did. I partied and I partied hard, I drank, I slept around, I had money from the bad boys I moved with. Yes, I was bad, very bad." She looked into his eyes, he was shocked, probably trying to imagine how she could have done stuff like that. "Then I couldn't take it anymore," she said quietly, "I knew what I was doing was bad but I couldn't stop it, yet the longing in me wouldn't go away. I had this longing that there's was more to life than these. I wanted to die. But something stopped me. My brother has a favorite hymn he loved to sing, I only knew the first part
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued? 
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me! 
Whenever he sang that song, I wonder why God should die. How could God die? So I went home and asked him. My brother explained to me how God so loved us all and didn't want us to perish. So He made a way for everyone to be free from sin and have eternal life. That way is Jesus. Jesus paid the price for our sin, the price for sin is death, He died for all of us. And He arose on the third day and is alive forever...."

"He arose? I always thought that's not true."

"It is."

"So of Jesus had paid for the sin of everyone, then why are some no going to heaven?"

"Only those that believe in Jesus can be saved. He is the only way. Even though He has paid the price, anyone who does not believe in Him will not be saved. You have to believe what He did for you, accept Him as your Lord and Savior, and remain in Him."

He sighed deeply and stood up, turning His back on her.

"Since you accepted Jesus, did that longing stop?" he asked quietly.

"I felt a peace I had never felt before. The longing was for God. I believe everyone has a longing for more, and it's only God that can fill it."

"Will I see my wife in heaven?"

"All of us who believe in Jesus will one day live together and never be separated again."

"I've killed Jesus' people, can I be saved?"

"Jesus says He won't reject anyone who comes to Him. I'm sure that includes you."

He turned back to her and she could see that he'd been weeping the whole time his back was turned to her.

"Please help me." he whispered and sobbed quietly.

Seyi led him in the prayer of salvation.

"I volunteered to guard you tonight because I wanted to talk to you. And see, it turns out to be my night of salvation." he laughed quietly. "Thank you."

"Thank You, Jesus." Seyi said.

"Thank You, Jesus." he repeated after her.

***

Perhaps my reason for being here is so he could be saved. 
Seyi thought to herself throughout the night.

Williams, that was his name. He'd left very early in the morning, promising to find a way of escape for her.
She had expected him to come back sooner but it was getting late in the afternoon and still he hadn't returned.

Later that evening, the door burst open and he was dragged in by the other men. In his hand was a small Bible.

"What are you doing with a Bible?" asked the man with the gruff voice, who happened to be the boss.

Williams kept quiet.

"We shouldn't have left him alone with her! I say this people are pest, anyone left with them becomes one of them." Bully spat out.

The boss stared hard at William, "Have you also been deceived to become a Jesus' person?"

"I'm not deceived. I know the truth now. Yes, Jesus is my Lord." William replied calmly.

Bully pounced on him, hitting him in the face and stomach.

"I will give you one last chance. Stop this nonsense and return to us." the boss told William when Bully stopped.

"No, I will gladly die knowing my life is in Jesus' hand."

This annoyed the boss. "Since you've decided to be one of them, then you'll die like them." he turned to leave, "Kill him, and finish the girl." and then he was gone.

Seyi watched as William was stabbed brutally.

"Thank you, Seyi. I'll see you in heaven." he struggled to say, spluttering blood.

Then he died.

"And then we'll never be separated again." Seyi whispered quietly.

Bully picked up a gun and turned to her. Her chains were removed. He smiled evilly and shot at her. But she stood unharmed.
They looks at one another. He shot again and again but she stood still. Alarmed and scared, they all ran away.

Seyi was surprised. "Thank You, Jesus."

She took one last look at William and then scurreied out of the building. She ran till she saw a road. It looked deserted, but after a few minutes she saw a little car coming. She flagged it down and checked inside carefully.

"Come in." the driver spoke to her warmly.

Thank You Lord for You are my Protector. I am safe in Jesus name. She prayed silently and got in.

It was a vehicle she boarded a few days earlier that had brought her to the killers. Some of the other passengers had been killed while others were taken away to no one knows where.

She calmed a little when he started playing a Christian song, and surprisingly it was the hymn "And can it be".
She couldn't but sing along when he got to the last part,
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head, 
And clothed in righteousness divine, 
Bold I approach the eternal throne, 
And claim the crown, through Christ, my own. 

He drove her to her house bus stop. She turned to him, surprised He knew where she lived.

As she alighted, she saw "Jesus, the same yesterday today and forever" printed on the back door. And then he zoomed off.

Then she blinked, and blinked again. He just took off and he was not on the road again. How could he have sped that much to be off the road so soon.

Who was he? She thought to herself.

*****

Thanks for reading.

Written by: O-Lawal Esther

Love you



Picture source: Internet

GREAT (Poem)

High above stretch the ever wide blue and white sky
The brightness brings the joy of a new day
New hope, new joy
New expectation or strengthened expectation
New strength to face new challenges.


High above is the dark sky
Neatly beautified with diamond twinkling little lights
The calm and serenity relieves the ups and downs of the day's challenges
Just to lie and stare at the beautiful night sky,
The calmness to sleep with renewed hope for another day.


Dear Lord, the day You made
The night You made
And all in its beauty declares Your glory
With which word can You be described?
Though not good enough word,
I say Great.

***

Written by: O-Lawal Esther

Love you

Picture source: Internet

GOD HAS MADE A WAY (Ebunife Notes)

God is aware of everything about us. As children of God, He is with us in any situation whatsoever.

No matter the situation you are going through, God is with you, He has made a way out for you and He will see you through it successfully - if you'll keep your eyes on Him.

When we keep our eyes on Jesus and not on the problem, the problem becomes insignificant and Jesus becomes magnified. Before you know it, you're out of it.


PRAYER:
Father, thank You for You are with me and will never leave me. Thank You because You have made a way for me out of this situation. Help me to never lose sight of You. Help me to recognize the way of escape You've made for me. Thank You Lord. You're a great dad and I love You. In Jesus name, Amen.



Written by: O-Lawal Esther

Love you


Picture source: Internet

MY TRESPASS (Story)

Temidire turned on her bed again and again.

"God please help me. It's Sunday again."

She sat up and pulled her knees to her chest and groaned inwardly.

"Why won't you forgive me please?" she questioned quietly.

"Temi! I hope you're dressed up already. We'll leave for church in ten minutes." her mum called from the living room.

Temi fell back on the bed and covered her face with the pillow.

'I can't do this. I really cannot do this.' she kept saying to herself.

The door of her room flew open.

"Temi!"

She removed the pillow and faced the door, her mother stood at the entrance with her arms folded together, watching her incredulously.

"Have you forgotten today is Sunday?"

Of course she hasn't forgotten.

'That today is Sunday is my dilemma. Again.'

"I can't see him again." she groaned out loud.

"Who?" her mother asked.

Temi's eyes widen, "It's nothing, mum. You can go ahead, I'll meet you in church."

Her mother watched her for sometime, then she shrugged and went out. Soon Temi heard the sound of the car leaving the compound.
She went into the bathroom to bathe, after which she dressed and tooked her Bible. Looking at the bible, she sat on her bed. The tears came rolling down. Temi could not hold it in any longer, she wailed loudly and wept bitterly.

Why did I allow my emotions to control me? She asked herself.

What she dreaded most for the past two Sundays was seeing Tunde again. After the unfortunate incident after the vigil she'd been having a hard time holding in her guilt.

Tunde was the pastor's son and a wild one at that. But how he was able to hide his wildness and present a very charming and cool personality was beyond Temi. She'd fallen for his lies and agreed to date him. Everyone had been happy for them, they thought they were a perfect match. But that night changed everything.

"Temi, I'm dying to be with you." he'd said after the vigil.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

He moved close to her and whispered in her ear, his breath caressing her cheek. Temi stared at him in shock, her palm covering her mouth so as not to let out the scream that lodged in her throat.

"That's a sin." she'd whispers back, harshly.

Immediately she said that, Tunde's face became firm. He dropped her hand unceremoniously and walked out. Temi was dumbfounded and scared. She didn't want to lose him, he was the man of her dreams.
She ran out after him. He was opening his car door when she called his name. His face was far from friendly as he looked back at her.

"Don't leave me, please." she pleaded when she got to him.

"I dislike girls acting the way you do. I mean, what's the sin in it? We're engaged, what law is against what I asked for." he sighed in frustration.

"Okay okay, I'll do it." she said quietly, afraid someone else might hear her.

He'd grinned, opened the door for her to get in the car with him after zoomed off to a nearby hotel.
He treated her like a queen that night but all his endearment did nothing to assuage the guilt she felt when it was over.
Tunde noticed this and was infuriated.

"Don't pin this on me, afterall it wasn't without your consent." he said coldly and began to dress.

She couldn't stop the tears as they fell from her eyes.

'I knew this was wrong and yet I did it', she kept saying to herself.

Tunde picked his car key and faced her, "Listen, we're done. It's over between us."

Temi stood up abruptly and blocked his exit.

"What are you saying, Tunde? After what we've done?"

"Look Temi, I detest guilt-freaks. Look at yourself, guilt is written all over you and I can't stand it." he pushed her from his way but turned when he reached the door, "And you're bad in bed. You just lie there like a log of wood, so boring. I couldn't have imagined a worse way to spend the night." he turned back to the door and opened.

"Tunde," she sobbed, "I have myself to you and you're leaving me like this? How could you even know if I was good in bed or not, it's not like you've been with any lady before."

At that, Tunde laughed so long she felt like a fool. He closed the door and walked back to her. Placing both hands on her shoulders, he looked her straight in the eye and said the words that tore her heart into pieces.

"You're not the first lady I've been with, Temi, and you certainly won't be the last."

The he turned away and swaggered out of the room.

***

Temi threw her bible on the floor, flung her shoes away and cried. No one knew the real reason they broke up. Tunde just said they weren't meant to be. Temi still couldn't fathom how the pastor did not know who his son really is.

Her phone rang, it was her mum calling.

"When will you get here, Temi? We're done with Sunday School already!" her mother said over the phone.

"I'm on my way, mum." She sniffed and dropped the phone.

It was another Sunday of her sitting alone in church, barely heading what the pastor was preaching as her eyes followed Tunde and then back at her fingers which she twisted, counting the seconds and wishing the service was over so she could go back home and into her room to sulk again.

As soon as the service ended, she picked her bag and stood up. Then she collided with a man's chest, almost falling back into the chair but he caught her in his arms and steadied her.
Temi looked up as was surprised to see it was Charles. On impulse, she threw herself at him and hugged him tightly.

"The only man I adore." she whispered to him, laughing and momentarily forgetting her pain.

"I doubt that."

She quirked a brow at him.

"Because if it's true, you won't look so gloomy." he smiled.

"Oh Charles, you have be no idea." she looked sober and fidgetted with her fingers.

"I knew something was wrong, even though you told me you were fine. I was watching you during the service."

"I didn't even know you were around."

"I'm sure you didn't." he paused. She looked so moody. The Temi he knew was very lively.

Both Temi and Charles had been very close before he left for his Masters Degree in another state. They stayed in contact always. There wasn't a day he didn't either call, text or chatted her up. She'd always been eager to hear from him each day until the sorry incident with Tunde. Charles was more than a friend to her. He was someone she look up to, he was a mentor and more like a brother. He was the one who told her about the love of God and led her in the salvation prayer. She hasn't been able to tell him what transpired between herself and Tunde because she felt she'd disappointed him.

Charles brushed the tears off with his thumb, she didn't realise she'd been crying.

"Let's talk tomorrow over lunch." he offered and she nodded, grateful he didn't insist she spill it all.

When they arrived home, she felt a little light hearted. Finally, she'll be able to open up to someone. Her mother noticed this change and commented. Temi only smiled and pecked her on the cheek.

***

The next day.

She sat across from Charles. They were in a restaurant for lunch, but she wasn't able to eat anything as the food couldn't get past the lump in her throat. She'd just told Charles everything but he'd said nothing so far.

"Won't you eat?" he finally said, signalling to her barely touched food while wolfing down his.

Temi shook her head. She couldn't eat. And why was he acting like he'd heard nothing of all she'd said. She watched him finish his food and drain the water in his cup. Then he sighed contentedly and leaned back in his chair.

"Wow, I needed that. I was so famished." he smiled brightly. "Why aren't you eating?"

"I feel bad." she replied, sadly.

"Hmm," he nodded. Then he placed his hands on the table between them and leaned towards her. "Why didn't you kill yourself?"

Temi was shocked, "What?!"

"A lot of girls in a similar situation would have thought to take their lives."

"The thought came to my mind." she said quietly.

"Then why didn't you do it? You could have left this world and freed yourself from the guilt you're feeling."

"And face God's wrath squarely and hell?" she shook her head, "No."

A smile slowly lit up his face, "I'm glad you didn't opt for suicide, Temi. I'm really glad you didn't. Even though some would have thought it to be a better option, it's just like jumping from the frying pan into the fire."

Temi nodded.

"You've confessed to God and ask for forgiveness, right?"

"Yes."

"Then why are you not free? Why do you still feel bad?"

She lifted her head and he saw the tears, "I knew I shouldn't have done it, I know it was bad yet I did it. How could I have seen sin and walked right into it."

"But you've asked for forgiveness, do you think God hasn't forgiven you?"

"I don't know."

"Well I know He has. Remember the word of God says he who confesses his sin will find mercy." he gave his handkerchief to her.

She collected it from him, "But I still feel bad." she cried quietly, "How could I feel bad if God has forgiven me?"

"Forgive yourself. It's true you did it even though you knew it was wrong, but stop punishing yourself. Stop condemning yourself when God doesn't condemn you. It's past now and you've confessed." he paused, "Look at me, Temi."

She sniffed and lifted her gaze to him.

"Do you know what Jesus would say?" he asked, smiling.

She shook her head, already feeling calm by his words.

"He'll say 'Your sins are forgiven, daughter. Go, and sin no more.' "

Temi smiled brightly, "Thank you, Charles. I feel so light." she smiled again.

"Now let me show you something," he opened his pocket Bible and gave it to her, "Check that verse I shaded."

Temi smiled as she read it. Then she looked up, "Thank You, Father, for forgiving me all my sins. Thank You for nailing it all to the cross."

He collected the Bible and opened another place, then he gave it back to her.

"Read that out." he said.

" 'Who then will condemn us? No one... ' "

"Stop there." he interrupted and arched a brow at her, "So Temi, who will condemn you?"

She smiled, "No one."

"Of course no one, not even you. Because Jesus died for you." he smiled and pinched her cheeks playfully.

Temi laughed.

"How do you feel now?"

"I feel right."

"And it's all because of Jesus. But don't base your faith on your feelings, Temi, but on the word of God." he said calmly.

"Thank you, Charles." she sighed happily, "I suddenly feel hungry." she laughed.

"Better eat."


_*_*_*_
(Thanks for reading...)

Written by:   O-Lawal Esther
*****

BIBLE REFERENCE FOR THE STORY
1John 1:9,
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
*****

N.B: Please, this is not a life story. Any semblance it may have with any person or event is not intentional.
Thanks and God bless.
Love you but Christ Jesus loves the most!!


Picture source: Internet