Be not deceived!

Hello there!

So today’s Open heavens devotional really spoke to me. It was about covetousness (thou shall not covet). Truth be told, I have come across several teachings, scriptures, words and what have you on covetousness but today’s devotional wasn’t just about covetousness, it certainly had a “do not covet” package but the content (in my opinion) was pregnant with other messages that should serve as a daily reminder to everyone willing to live a life that pleases God.

Anyways, really wanna avoid beating around the bush, so let me get straight to the point. This is the scripture that really spoke to me-ephesians5.3-7, and I will tell you why.

Firstly, let’s look at ephesians5.3-4….

But fornication, and all uncleaness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

I have come to understand that the little things we take for granted or attach little importance to, are gradually killing us as Christians. The bible has made us understand that fornication, covetousness amongst other evil vices shouldn’t be named among Christians.

Talking about fornication (I talked about it extensively in the sexual purity series), it’s the “norm” of the 21st century, and when I talk about the 21st century, it doesn’t exclude the supposedly “Christians” or those meant to be “christ-like” in their doings.  Sex is like a “god” in today’s society. Yes! that’s what it is now. Anything we place above God, the creator of the universe is a “god” in our life. When you choose to let down your biblical standards in the name of sex or in the name of satisfying the want of a man (who is one of the creations of  God by the way), it means you are putting the wants of that man before God in your life. Have you ever thought of it that way???

Talking about covetousness; almost everyone has been guilty of that one time or the other. It might not be covetousness, it might be envy, backbiting, evil talks, foolish talks. I watched a sermon by Heather Lindsey sometime back; she talked about envy and how she used to be really envious of people. She was envious of every little thing. She mentioned that the lord started working on her gradually. The holy spirit instructed her to pray for all those she’s envious of, or jealous of, and that was how she overcame jealousy and envy.

There was a time I was struggling with the same things, envy, and jealousy. It’s really common amongst the female folk. We envy each other, get jealous of insignificant things. I applied Heather’s method and it really worked for me. Jealousy, envy, and covetousness NEVER bear good fruit. It bears wicked thoughts, desperation, hatred and even murder! Covetousness led David to murder Uriah (directly or indirectly). 

Another thing that is really common amongst we women is evil talks and backbiting. Why do we have to backstab one another? why do we have to tear each other down? is there really need for that? the sky is big to accommodate everyone at the top. There is no need to discredit a fellow woman who deserves your credit or deserves to be praised. I am far from being a saint, or completely innocent but I’m definitely a work in progress. I believe Christian living is practical. Why should I claim to be a Christian and my life speaks opposite, or why should I allow people to believe am “perfect” while in reality am the opposite.

Foul language, backbiting, covetousness, jealousy, fornication are so common that we begin to take them for granted.

Looking at vs 5-7,

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience

Be not ye therefore partakers with them

Verse5-7 hit the nail on the head! I always tell myself “Vikky, nothing is worth going to hell for”. I am constantly struggling to be a better person and Christian, at times I get carried away, at times, I fall,I’m in no way perfect. But I always try to remind myself of eternity. I know my stay on earth is limited, it’s not eternal. The only thing that is eternal is heaven or hell. But my life on earth will determine where my eternity will be. Hence, the dire need to live a life that qualifies me for heaven. The struggle is worth it.

I won’t let any man deceive me to do anything not of God, neither should you. A friend once told me “fornication and adultery is a big problem in this 21st century”, I totally agree with him. Let no man deceive you that fornication or adultery doesn’t matter. Let no one tell you that covetousness is just a little thing. Never take these so-called “little things” for granted. Never allow anyone to discourage or hinder you from putting an end to these things. Don’t keep piling up your struggles, start dealing with them one at a time. Abstinence or faithfulness to your husband or wife won’t kill you. It might seem like something you can’t do without but it’s a gradual process. Determination, discipline, and prayer is the key. Trust me, It’s totally worth it.

The time and energy you invest in destroying the life of a fellow woman, why don’t you invest it in yourself. Some of us spend more time monitoring other people’s life. God is trying to lead you on the path he has created for you but you are too busy meddling in someone else’s life, you can’t even see what God is trying to do with you. It’s okay to applaud the success of others but it’s not okay to try bringing them down. I have come to understand that it takes energy (emotionally, physically and otherwise) to pull down others. At times, the more you try, the better they become (and the more draining it becomes for you). Let’s just say you achieve your aim, then what have you gained???

Just as Pst. Adeboye advised in today’s devotional; “think of those things that entice you to acts of covetousness, pray and avoid being possessed by them”. I have a very funny practice. I write down things I’m struggling with which shouldn’t be in the life of a child of God, and I pray about it, asking God for grace to be delivered from them. I also make “physical conscious efforts” cause prayer without work is futile. I occasionally fall back into some of them but am getting to a life without those struggles gradually. Today is definitely better than yesterday, which is a good thing.

I pray God gives us all the grace to live a life that pleases him. Please let me all know what y’all think about this topic, share your experience with us and what you have been doing that works pretty much for you. Living a godly life is a learning process. Will love to hear from you guys.

Stay blessed!

Much Love,

Victoria.

 

Parents, please pay attention!!!

Hello there!

I have read and seen lots of child abuse cases, some close friends I know are victims. I don’t think I can really explain how I feel about child abuse. I am honestly short of words, or how can I explain an uncle forcing himself on his niece or an aunt on her nephew; or how will I explain a father forcing himself on his four years old daughter; or how will I explain a maid having anal sex with a six years old child or a nursery teacher fondling with a four years old little boy.

Y’all see why I can’t really explain it yeah? I can’t wrap my head around it. I can’t even imagine it happening to my nieces or nephews. God forbid! But these things are becoming rampant, hence, the need to be more watchful.

Mothers, please pay close attention to your infants, toddlers, and teenagers. Be free with them and be open minded. The lives of many children have been destroyed due to carelessness and negligence. I recently heard of a lady who was abused by a maid and her boyfriend when she was about three to four years. What amazed me most is the fact that this lady tried telling her mum when she was a bit older but her mum didn’t believe her cause she felt a girl of that age (3-4 years) won’t remember what happened to her or what was done to her. Presently. she is 18 years old and struggles with masturbation. She has tried to put an end to it severally but she couldn’t.

The other day, I read a story on facebook. A mother shared an experience she had with her son. She noticed her son who was about four years or so (not too sure of the age) started touching her inappropriately whenever he sits on her legs. Initially, she felt it was nothing until the situation kept repeating itself. She became bothered and shared her worry with her husband who didn’t attach any relevance to it cause he felt their son was just a little boy who knows nothing. She also noticed that he behaved strangely whenever she bathes him or cleans his groin area. On a particular day, he was having his usual morning bath when the little boy told her- “mummy, it’s your turn to suck my straw”….(I can’t really remember what he said word for word but it was similar to that). She became so curious and questioned her little boy. After much persuasion from his parents, he let the cat out of the bag. His female teacher has been abusing him sexually. Can you just imagine???? Someone who was supposed to teach him and help him learn happens to be the one hurting him.

Kudos to his mother. She paid rapt attention to her son causing her to notice the change in his behaviour. Some women might not have attached any importance or meaning to it. Mothers are always the closest  contact, especially to the younger children. Be careful who you leave your children with especially those little toddlers that can’t express themselves verbally. Be careful of those “big uncles and maids” that live with you.

When your child tells you something, no matter how weird or absurd it is, please always try to listen attentively and investigate. These children are psychologically tortured. The effect might not be visible when they are little but it will surface while growing up. They are exposed prematurely to a sexual feeling they don’t understand or comprehend.

Some of these children turn out to be flirts, sex addicts, masturbation addicts and all sorts. Majority tried o communicate with their parents (especially the mums) but their efforts were futile. Please don’t be a mother that indirectly or directly destroys the future of her child. Don’t destroy your child’s future at the expense of your career. Your children will always be there but career will end one day. Please don’t get me wrong; I 100% support hardworking mums but there should always be a balance.

Gone are those days where children find it really difficult to communicate with their parents. It shouldn’t be so now. Don’t push your children to the wolves out there.Create a strong bond. Scold when necessary and embrace when necessary. Enlighten your children about sex. Sex education should be embraced and not kicked away. My mum never had the “sex talk” with me while growing up but it won’t be like that with my children. I feel sex education is very important. We are in the 21st century; If you don’t teach them these things, they will learn from strangers and most times, they get the wrong information. Tell the little ones to report anybody that touches them inappropriately and be sure to make them aware of the parts termed as “inappropriate”.

Some daughters get scared to talk to their mum about their menarche, just because you have instilled so much fear in her. Stop punishing her every time you see her with a guy. Instead, educate and correct her. If she doesn’t do it in your presence, she will do it in your absence. Children will always be children. Teenagers will always be teenagers. Try as much as possible to be gain their trust. Don’t be quick to attack your children verbally or otherwise, they will stop opening up to you when you. Be a good listener but still, be a disciplinarian. I’m not encouraging any parent to condone rubbish, am only saying every parent should try to “correct wisely” without creating a scenario where the situation worsens (if that makes any sense).

Additionally, it’s very important to be prayerful. Honestly, wisdom is required to bring up a child. It’s also important for all parents to pray that God reveals the perpetrators and pedophiles in the lives of their children

May God give every parent the wisdom to raise their children in the way of the lord.

Much Love,

Victoria.

 

 

Random Thoughts…

Hello there!

Recently, I came across a friend’s page on Instagram. We were colleagues in University back in Nigeria. We were quite close. When I did my internship, I lived with my cousin who was his neighbor (It strengthened the bond). Presently, we rarely communicate; the breach of communication started before we left Nigeria. Oh well, I definitely don’t want to rant about my “once close friend” but I’m getting somewhere.

Coming across his page really brought lots of thoughts to my mind. Life could be really funny. It reminded me that “meeting with people” and “parting with people”  are life’s constants. Moments spent together will always serve as memories, either good or bad. Those memories could be either used in your favor or against you. Most times, we get so engrossed in life to appreciate those around us. At times, we allow our positions in life to get to our heads, thereby looking down on those that ain’t “on your level”. 

So far, life has thought me several lessons, either in a bad way or a good way. I have learned that every stage of life comes with a season. In every season, there are those who will come to stay and those who will go. Some will be there all through the seasons. But no season is permanent. Winter will always give way to spring, spring to summer and summer to autumn. That’s just the way it works.

The childhood friend you grew up with might not be in your life again in the nearest future,

You might never get to see that high school friend of yours again,

The colleague you detest so much today might be who you need tomorrow,

The friend you hate so much today might be your best friend tomorrow,

The teacher you detest today won’t always be your teacher,

The student termed as “dull” today might be the minister of health tomorrow,

The guy you all made jest of today might just be your employer tomorrow,

Likewise, the guy that made jest of you today might be your employee tomorrow….

Here is the point; life is filled with uncertainties. The only person that fully knows what the future holds is God. Learn to make good use of every given opportunity. Learn to appreciate those that are always there for you, they might not be there tomorrow. Learn to let go of those that are supposed to be in your life for a particular season. Learn to tolerate those around you, some of them won’t always be there but they will forever carry on the memories they had of you. Don’t be quick to judge. No one is completely innocent.

Never underestimate anyone. Never look down on people. You don’t know what the future holds. Some are very good at frustrating others, they know how to push people to the wall and over the wall. It can be really annoying but don’t allow them to “unleash the beast” in you. I used to be really choleric but I discovered I did more harm to myself than good. I have learned to treat people according to who they are. You can’t relate equally with everyone.

You will always meet  the “loudmouths”,  the “know-all”,  the “meddlesome” but you have to learn to treat them with wisdom. You don’t have to nurse hate neither do you have to be close to them but you shouldn’t keep malice.

Remember, no one is an Island. You can’t survive alone. You will always be surrounded by people. The big question is this- what memories do they have of you? what part of you did you leave behind?

Oh Well, just as the title says “random thoughts….”. I felt i should share……

Will love to know what y’all think. Be sure to drop your comments.

Much Love,

Victoria.