Devotionals
The masquerades’
When the Bible referred to the heart of man as deceitful and desperately wicked
(Jeremiah 17:9), there were no classifications or specifics on the said ‘man’. Generally,
the reference to ‘man’ cuts across the broad spectrum of mankind. In other words,
all of man has the tendency for wickedness or evil deeds if by commission or omission
their hearts become a fertile ground for evil to thrive.
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Today the world is replete with sworn enemies masquerading as friends; mask wearers
mimicking a genial host. Wickedness is embellished; adorned with skin-deep cordiality.
Impersonators’ come in the name of God or ‘their gods’ to deceive; many turn away from
the faith, betraying and hating each other; and false prophets perform great signs andÂ
wonders to deceive even the chosen…. This painful reality is evocative of the end time
(Mathew 24:5-24). There are no holds barred to what atrocity man can perpetuate, so
much so that the atheist may wonder at the abominable and atrocious deeds of ‘some’Â
professed people of faith who claim to love light yet live in darkness; lions in sheeps’ clothing. Â
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Be alert and vigilant for the devil lurks around, usually in unexpected places and times.
Whether in the church, mosque, temple, workplace, school or pub, the devil has no first
or surname; it has no identity or fixed address. The devil could be anything or anyone
and can be anywhere at anytime; it is simply the prowling lion looking for someone to
devour. That Jesus Christ admonished his disciples to ‘watch and pray so as not to fall
into temptation’, underscore the need to have our back against the wall when it comes to
fighting off the devil - evident in human form, the absence of knowledge or otherwise.
No spiritual effort must be spared; no physical stone should be left unturned.
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These are dangerous and uncertain times and the masquerades’ are everywhere.
Undoubtedly, we live in the precarious age when evildoers have raised their game.Â
Whether the enemy manifests as man or a destructive indulgence, we contend with a
period of hightened temptation and evil in the world. The antidote is a honest encounter
with God; staying in active fellowship with Him and measuring our actions with His word. Â
Entering the kingdom of God is not about becoming born again, but remaining born again.
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                                                                                    – Victor Sisan Awani (24/04/2010)
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[Translate]Living beyond the moment
What do you see with your eyes; is it of light or darkness? The word of God
teaches us that we cannot pay allegiance to two masters concurrently. Light
and darkness cannot co-exist.
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Do not be swayed by the things of this world. Life is brief and transient and
ultimately we shall go the same way we came – naked and oblivious of the
treasures around us. Everything become immaterial in relation to life; our
earthly possessions or ‘Will’Â if one exits become relevant only to the living,
and only for as long as they have breath as well. A worthy life is notÂ
measured by its length or vain material acquisitions and attainments; but
by the Godly virtues – love and joy that we share and spread, the lives (not
necessarily our friends and family members) that we impact, touch and
change for the good of society.
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Be heaven focused and do not be consumed by the cravings for money and
materialism. In the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, “do not store up for
yourselves treasures on earth…but store up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not
break in and steal.”
Make no mistake, there’s nothing wrong with prosperity or striving byÂ
dint of legitimate effort to prosper. But everything is wrong when greed takes
its toll on our conscience and all we see with our eyes is money; when the love of
money govern and rule our lives, and when nothing is off-limit as we jostle for it.
The word of God refers to the eye as “the lamp of the body”, therefore, if your
eyes are corrupted with the selfish, insatiable and vain cravings for worldliness,Â
“your whole body will be full of darkness” – Matthew 6:19-23.    Â
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We live for the moment when the lamp within us is of darkness; when the
devil become our paymaster and we conform to the world. As children of
God, our lives should and can outlive the moment if our eyes only see and
process light; subservient only to Godly virtues with hearts set no more than
on heaven. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and
love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You
cannot serve both God and money” – Matthew 6:24.
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                               –   In His Grip
                                  Victor Sisan Awani (24/04/2010)
[Translate]God’s kind of love
Also called agape love, this is love from the Godly perspective. True
brotherly, neighbourly and unfailing love as conceived by God. It is love
devoid of worldly desires, greed, and lust of the flesh. The unconditional
affection that transcends the limitation of race, national boundaries,
religion, colour, earthly status or attainments, and physical disposition.
Agape love is the selfless and sacrificial love exemplified by God through
the giving of His only begotten son – Jesus Christ who although sinless died
for the transgressions of mankind; thus guaranteeing our redemption. In 2
Cor. 5:21 the Bible tells us that “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for
us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
The world would be a better place if man could simply love his fellow man
God’s way. Our Lord Jesus christ said to His disciples, “my command is this:
love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that
he lay down his life for his friends” -Â John 15:12-13.
                                       – With agape love, Jolomi O. Awani (24/02/2010)
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[Translate]Grass to grace
Given the seeming tribulations and evil that hold sway in the world today, the tendency is
for us to see, hear and feel nothing but  problems, impossibilities, difficulties or obstacles.
Every twist and turn we make through the pathway of life, is like chewing gravel for
dinner as confusion and discouragement takes centre stage.
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In the midst of this obvious mountains, success stories abound. Victory songs emit even
from the crushing weight of difficulties. Those whose faith has remained aflame seeking
righteousness and doing good have had their steps ordered by the Lord. These ones who
have kept the faith and stayed focused on their plan as handed down from above have seen
difficulties transmit into opportunities; their trials and tribulations taken through God’s
milling process, and refined for His glory.
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Our challenges afford us the opportunity to transform; learning and leaping into greater
and better beings. With every step down the complex road, we grow in wisdom and
experience the power and grace of the Almighty in the face of our trials, failures, pain, or
suffering. Our faith comes alight, aglow and illuminating the dark tunnels of our life. As a
fellow soldier in the Lord’s vineyard puts it, “the devil is not as smart or powerful as he
appears; and we have a great and All-Mighty God who has a way of using our enemy’s silly
tactics for the building up of His Great Kingdom.â€
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To become a beneficiary of His grace of restoration, you must let go of the straws that you
clutch unto and repose your trust solely on God. No challenge is too small to be ignored by
God; no problem is too big for Him to crack. When God steps in, He turns a pressing needÂ
into a great deed; problems beget promises of peace and abundance, and challenges are
altered as vessels of celebration. For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight
for you against your enemies, to save you – Deut.20:4
                                                                                              – With God’s love, Team Lifeseeds.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Victor Awani
[Translate]Giving a lease of life
No man had a choice in his creation by God, therefore, lets show empathy for the down trodden.
Nothing endures the test of time like the testimony of a grateful heart; a man rescued from the clutches of hopelessness and death.
Nothing propels the greatest satisfaction than instilling a smile on the lips of the hungry; giving a reassuring bounce to a weary heart; changing tear drops to showers of joy.
Nothing conveys the love of Christ like standing in the gap; giving a hand and sharing, eating a handful mindful that your neighbour may need a teaspoonful to get by for the day; displaying neighbourly attitude.
Nothing shall separate the fed and unfed, the privileged from the unpriviledged when the trumpet sounds. Therefore, lets proceed doing good; certain that no one is left behind; giving the trampled a lease of life; serving hope on the dinner table.
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