The Light that Shines: Merry Christmas

Myss Lafunky is using this medium to wish you a Merry Christmas.

Below is a Poem that I wrote about the season of Christmas. I was opportune to present my write-up as a Spoken-Word at a gathering.

There is a light that shines in darkness.

And it seemed it took a while to spark it.

We had waited long for the light to arrive.
So many prophecies were made about this coming light.
Prophet Isaiah told the House of David that a Virgin would conceive and bear a son and that his name would be Immanuel.

The world was becoming gloomy, many sacrifices were being made. 

Although He was in the world, we did not know him as he had not physically come to the earth.

The Bible says:
“The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:26-27 ESV)

There was a night when God gave the greatest gift to come to the world.
He blessed a woman with the hope of the world.
He chose a young girl to bring the light to this world.
He blessed a girl called Mary to bring hope, peace, salvation and joy to the world.
Mary gave birth to Jesus.
Jesus came to establish his kingdom on earth.
Jesus, the Messiah came to give us hope.

Even when He came, His own did not receive Him.
He came to change us and He would love to change you and I. Are you allowing Him to change you?
For our sake, God came to the world as Jesus, He made himself so low that he was born in a manger.

He came to the world to shine His light.
Not the light on our streets or on our Christmas tree.
But the light in our heart, the light to obey his Word, the Light that leads to eternal life.
The light that removes darkness away.

Jesus came to give us light so that you and I can shine and so that He can shine through us.
Jesus said in John 8:12 that, I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light that leads to life.
Are you walking in darkness or in the light?

Mary was chosen to carry this light into the world. She ensured that she delivered the light.
She didn't damage the light. She followed all the instructions to ensure that the light was born.

Do you carry this light?
Do you rely on this light on a daily basis?
Rely on His light to guide you on your earthly journey. In all that you do, in all that you say and think, rely on God's light to guide you.
Rely on His light to guide you home.


Make a commitment with God that you will share the light of God with your friends and relatives before the end of year 2014.

From all of us (Myss Lafunky's Team), We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Photo credit: http://lampsoil.wordpress.com/

Before I Do Radio Show: A Show For Christian Singles|A Show For All

Hi Readers & Followers,

How is your weekend going?  Are you set for Christmas? What are your plans for Christmas? I'm in the mood to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to share gifts with others.

To my readers and followers, are you having problems commenting on the blog? A lot of people have reported to me that, the comment section of the blog is not working. I really don't know what's going on.  If you continue to have problems with posting a comment, please contact me on trulymakingadifference@gmail.com and I will get the team to look into it.

Back to today's post..

It's all about "Before I Do" -- A Christian radio show. The show is 'buzzing' in London. It's a must to listen to this show as a Youth leader, as a single person, and as a mentor to Christian singles.

Have I also mentioned that the show is extremely informative? In addition, experienced guest speakers (both Christian singles and married guests) are invited to the show.

The Executive Producer is doing a great job, he goes out of his way to ensure that relevant topics that are facing Christian singles in this dispensation are discussed on the show, and he has continued to ensure the he invites experienced guest speakers to be part of the show.

I can still recollect when the Producer told me about the vision that God gave him to start a Christian radio show, fast forward to a month after that he'd informed me, the vision became a reality.

Please, read more about the radio show below and remember to tune in every Monday at 7pm. You just need to download 'Hephzibah radio' app on your phone/laptop/tablet/computer.

“BEFORE I DO” RADIO TALK SHOW INTRODUCTION!

"BEFORE I DO",-BID an online Radio Talk Show, is a God-inspired programme which focuses on singleness and relationships for single Christians, and seeks ways to help them become better individuals and marriage partners.

It is a project founded to help single individuals understand God's plan for this phase, as well as God's expectations from them as they prepare for marriage.

The Radio Talk Show started broadcasting on the 13th of February 2014 and has since been airing weekly till date.

BID, a magazine styled interactive radio talk show hosts men and women of God who are highly graced in the relationship and marriage-counselling field, regularly. Our listeners, who are from different continents in the world are always given the opportunity to call-in on the show, which gives them the opportunity to contribute via live phone call.

Going by the great feedback we receive weekly, we can confidently say that our over 1,000 listeners worldwide are being blessed.

BID airs every Monday 7pm on Hephzibah Radio with a Rebroadcast on Thursdays 7pm – 9pm and also on Saturday 9am. You can tune in by downloading Hephzibah Radio App on your smart phone or download Tunein Radio App on your smart phone, iPads, BlackBerry & Android devices, and then search for Hephzibah Radio.

We encourage you to listen in weekly and be blessed.

For more information contact the Executive Producer, Before I Do on 07507658575 or follow on Twitter (@before_ido), Facebook (Before I Do) or email: mailbeforeido@gmail.com

- Myss Lafunky

Do me a favour this week, tell a friend to tell another friend about Before I Do radio show. We need to ensure that singles are taught the truth about Christian relationships.

Why Seek Ye The Living Among The Dead?

Hi Readers and Followers,

Happy Monday to you all. It's countdown to Christmas, it's literally 10 days to Christmas. Are you ready for Christmas?

I performed a Spoken Word about Christmas to a group of young Christians. I will share a written version of the poetry with you all next week by God's Grace.

Today's post was written by my friend. You should be familiar with my darling Ifeoluwanimi, she's a regular writer on my blog and a big supporter of this blog right from the inception.

Please read and be transformed.

                                 Why Seek Ye The Living Among The Dead?

I went to the store today to get some dry yeast. I knew it was in the baking section but I expected it to come in a small plastic container and not a sachet. So I went through the baking section several times, spoke to many attendants, who kept telling me it will be in the baking section. I was desperate to get some yeast so I kept going back to check but still couldn’t find it. One attendant asked me to go to the store’s bakery to ask. I was given fresh yeast at the bakery. Fresh yeast! The recipe I wanted to follow says dry yeast so I returned the yeast and went one last time to speak to another attendant. He was kind enough to explain that the yeast will be on the top counter on the baking aisle. I looked a little more closely and finally I found the dry yeast. It was in a small sachet, tucked away nicely in a larger box. And to think I had spent almost 30 minutes roaming the store!

The Holy Spirit made me realize that, so many times we want something from God but we don’t recognize the gift because we have a preconceived idea of what the gift should look like. So we keep walking in circles, asking God and He tells us through His Word (The Bible) where we can find what we are looking for. Some people ask the wrong people who give a solution that seems reasonable. Just like I was asked to go to the bakery. Oh yes, the bakery should stock yeast isn’t it? While some people get discouraged and walk out of the store, “if its not in the baking section we don’t have it” just like one attendant said. They agree in their minds that they will get it some other time.

Some others go with the wrong product. Just because it said yeast doesn’t mean the yeast is the right kind of yeast I needed for my baking. Thank God I knew the recipe so I didn’t buy the product. Some of us want certain things from God but we have not checked what God’s Word says about what we are looking for so we go with the wrong product. The disciples were looking for Jesus in the tomb because they didn’t remember what God’s Word said about Jesus’ resurrection. The angel said “Why seek ye the living among the dead?” Some people want a spouse, but they don’t know what God’s word says about the kind of man to marry so they go with just any man. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (Please, open this bible verses) tells us the kind of people to turn away from. If God already says in his word that we should have nothing to do with a certain kind of people, we won’t make a mistake being with such.

I was persistent, desperate. I walked round the store a couple of time before I found attendants to talk to. I ended up leaving the store with the yeast; the right kind of yeast. According to Jeremiah 29:11-13, you need to Know God’s plans, pray and seek God with all your heart before you find Him.

So, what is that thing you are seeking God for? Are you seeking the Lord earnestly? Are you desperate or you have an alternative? Do you know what God’s Word says about what you are seeking? Have you studied the scriptures so that you can recognize the opportunities God brings our way? Do you have a preconceived idea of what you think it should look like according to your wisdom? Remember the wisdom of men is foolishness. Are you asking the wrong people for advice? Are you seeking in the wrong places just like the women sought Jesus in the tomb? Do NOT seek the living among the dead!

- Ifeoluwanimi Adebara

About the writer: Ifeoluwanmi is a daughter of God. A selfless daughter of Grace, who loves helping others. Ifeoluwanimi's desire is for Christians to be True disciples of Jesus, for Christians to live and be directed by the Holy Spirit.

Photo Credit: http://compassionbythebook.com/ & http://ashleytbliss.blogspot.co.uk/
 

Are You A Chronic Grumbler?

Hi readers & followers,

How is your new week going? Can you believe it's less than 5 weeks before it's Year 2015? I want you to take this opportunity to thank God for all He has done for you and your family. You might still be waiting for the manifestation of some of your prayers, nonetheless, still thank God for the gift of life and for all.

As you are aware, God is currently teaching and pruning me about James 5:9 - Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.

I haven't been doing too bad actually. I am speaking less, I consciously change the subject, I am also bold to state that 'I don't want to talk about that issue as it would not glorify God'.

 

As part of God's teaching, God opened my eyes to Romans 2:1-3 which states that:

"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgement on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgement do the same things,

Now we know that God's judgement against those who do such things is based on truth.  So when you, a mere human being, pass judgement on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgement?"

We all need to come to terms with the above scriptures. You need to ask yourself the following questions: 

Why is it tempting for me to be critical of others?

What is the effect?

What situation allows me to be critical and grumble against others?

Are you less tolerant of other people when they fall?

Have you ever thought that grumbling against others and judging others feed your appetite of self-righteousness? 

I recognise that grumbling against others and condemning others is so appealing and this sin is affecting Christians, a lot of us focus only on sexual immoralities as the only sin and we forget about the rest.

Don't be a Grumbler.

 

Characters in the Bible that grumbled

After God miraculously rescued the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and they were free in the wilderness, they started grumbling about everything- the lack of food and water. They didn't like Moses as their leader.

They grumbled against the Lord, not Moses (Exodus 16:6-8). Do you know what God did to them? 

God declared that the adults who left Egypt would not even set foot in the promised land because of their rebellious grumbling (Numbers 14:26-32). This shows us that, God is against grumbling, it can harden our hearts toward God.

Finally, ask yourself, who do I grumble against and why? How can I not grumble against them? Have I asked God to help me?

Next time you are tempted to grumble or complain about others, change it to praise or focus on yourself.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Feel free to leave your comment below or contact trulymakingadifference@gmail.com

- Myss Lafunky

Photo credit: http://simplyoneinmarriage.com/ and http://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/

Are You A Proverbs 31 Man?

Happy Sunday Readers and Followers,

I would like to bring your attention to a new blog that I am following. I would like you to follow it as well. The link is below.

http://gracelifter.weebly.com/grace-lifter/the-proverbs-31-man

There's a post on the blog about being a Proverbs 31 man, although I have a better understanding of the role of a man, particularly Christian men. The below post captured my thought very well. I will recommend Dr Myles Munroe's book- Understanding the purpose and power of men for men and women to read so as to increase your knowledge of this topic and above all, the Bible. The Bible covers everything.

Here is the Post:

Ever wondered if all men qualified to be with the ‘Virtuous Woman’ described in Proverbs 31? This is time to think about it. Who exactly is the Proverbs 31 man?  The Proverbs 31 man is a King; a man of great influence, power and importance.  A man whose priority is the Kingdom he oversees.

His mother, who knew what he would become, constantly spoke wise words of instructions. He paid so much attention to her words that it stuck with him for life and became his personal guide with women and royal duties. The Bible calls believers ‘Kings’ and ‘Priests’ (Revelations 1:6). We are overseers of God’s kingdom here on earth. Before I go further, let me ask you these question: Are you a King?! Do you walk worthy of this calling? Are you born again? How much of your time, money and resources are spent for the Kingdom? If your answers are negative, why do you deserve the ‘Virtuous Woman’? Why do you want to be treated like a King? 

3 Give not your strength to [loose] women, nor your ways to those who and that which ruin and destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink,(Proverbs 31:3-4 AMP)

I believe these words are clear enough. As a young man, where and who does your strength go to? How protective are you of God’s Kingdom? As a married man, are you faithful to your wife? Who are your friends? Are they on the path of life or on the path of destruction? This wise mother taught her son not to drink wine or desire strong drink because it could make him forget the laws in the Kingdom, pervert justice or abuse the decrees in the Kingdom. As believers, we have a far greater alternative to these things – The Holy Spirit. The bible says in Ephesians 5:18 that instead of being drunk with wine let the Holy Spirit fill you continually. 

As a Christian brother (young, single or married), God’s laws encompasses every issue and you have the Holy Spirit to expound any grey areas. The wisdom to handle everything that pertains to you is through Him as well. God’s wisdom is first of all pure (James 3:17). It is not the wisdom of fables, customs, wise sayings, tales or traditions from any village, tribe or ethnic group. You need to soak up God’s word to the point where it guides what to do and say per time. Be bold! Stand up for righteousness and judge rightly. The things around you must not dictate how you operate. God’s word must be your standard at all times. It was after the King’s mother gave these instructions (refer to verses 5-9) that she went ahead to ask in Verse 10 (AMP): “A capable, intelligent, and [b]virtuous woman –WHO IS HE WHO CAN FIND HER? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.” 

In conclusion, in order to find and recognize the Virtuous woman, you must be somebody of worth yourself: You must be a King! It takes a man of worth to recognize the value in any woman. She may be right before you yet you can never know her worth. If you do not meet up with the standard of being king yourself, you don’t qualify to seek or find her. God is calling you up to higher grounds. Take up this challenge, allow God work through you and in you, and evolve to be THE KING. Let the King in you arise!

Enjoy your Sunday!

 Remember to visit the new blog that I'm following and supporting (gracelifter.weebly.com).

-Myss Lafunky

Christians and Excuses

Hi Readers & Followers,

Thank God It's Friday!
 

How is your week going? Hope it hasn't been too stressful.

This week's post was inspired by a friend of mine, she's a regular reader and writer on my blog. We had a discussion about giving excuses and the role of Christians.

In the Bible, Luke 14:15-24, Jesus told a parable of the Great Feast, also known as the Parable of the Banquet.

Jesus was asked by one of the guests sitting at the table that, how happy are those who will sit down at the feast in the Kingdom of God!

Jesus said to the guest, there was once a man who was giving a great feast to which he invited many people.  When it was time for the feast, he sent his servant to tell his guest, 'Come, everything is ready!

But they all began, one after another, to make excuses. 

The first one told the servant, 'I have bought a field and must go and look at it; please accept my apologies.

Another one said, I have just gotten married, and for that reason I cannot come.  The servant went back and told all this to his master. The master was furious and said to his servant, "Hurry out to the streets and alleys of the town, and bring back the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.

Soon the servant said, Your order has been carried out, sir, but there is time for more. So the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the country roads and lanes and make people come in, so that my house will be full.

Jesus told them that, I tell you that none of those who were invited will taste my dinner!".

Are you making excuses for not accepting and welcoming Jesus into your life?

Are you making excuses for the bad habits that you have developed?

Are your excuses justifiable if you think carefully about them?

Are you making excuses for the way you are relating with others?

 

 

Reverend George Adeboye, Rhema Chapel, Ilorin, Nigeria stated the following:

Excuse is an invalid reason for neglect of duty. It is trying to remove blame for something from ourselves. It is said in defense of a particular action but without justification. It is an unwarranted reason given in defense of an action or inaction.

Reasons why people give excuses
1. It is easy to make or give excuses.
2. It is the way they have learnt to live their lives. Psalm 15:4
3. They don't want to be inconvenienced, don't want to make sacrifices. Heb. 13:16, Christianity is a lifestyle of sacrifice.
4. We believe we are the only one in the position in which we are.
5. People give excuses because they think God understands and He has pardoned them for their actions. No excuse is acceptable to God. Luke 14:15-25. Excuses have no weight before God.
6. Because they are only thinking about themselves Philip. 2:4. Excuses are born out of a selfish heart, think about others
7. We believe we will have another opportunity next time. There would not be another opportunity to make a first impression. Deut.33:25


The basic characteristics of excuses
1. Every excuse at the first appearance looks reasonable but a second look shows it isn't reasonable.
2. Though they are made to explain behaviour but they cover the real motives.
3. It puts the blame on something or someone else
4. We simply say certain other things are more important than God.
5. Excuses are about little things and lawful things not in their proper places.
6. Those who make them are the worst for it. At the end of the day, you lose out. 

Bible Quiz:

1) Are you aware of any biblical characters that did not give excuse or blame someone else for his or her actions?

2) Are you aware of a biblical character that gave excuses and faced the consequences?

Enjoy your weekend!

- Myss Lafunky

Photo credit: http://www.keepcalmandposters.com/ and http://ymagazine.com.au/

My Broken Spirit

Hi Readers & Followers,

Hope your week is going alright? Please, take time to pray for me, I have been slacking on posting a blog post every Monday. Ask God to strengthen me and to help me in all that I am doing.

Myss Lafunky welcomes feedback and comments.  Thanks to those that are contacting Myss Lafunky via email (trulymakingadifference@gmail.com) for counsel, offering words of encouragement, and feedback.  I'm extremely grateful for you all. 

Before I write today's post, I would like to state that, Myss Lafunky has not attained everything in my Christian faith, I am still learning more about God every day of my life, I still fall, I usually feel very sad when the Holy Spirit corrects me of my wrong doings. If you are a Born Again Christian, you should never find it fun when you have sinned. 

Last week, I engaged in a grumbling/slandering session. Prior to finishing the grumbling session, the Holy Spirit whispered to me: Whoever does not stumble in his word is a perfect person. I immediately apologised to God and stopped. I stopped because I knew God hates us slandering others, He sees it as if we are persecuting Him. Remember the story of Saul of Tarsus? When Saul was  attacking God's children, God took it personal and said to Saul, why are you persecuting me (Acts 9:5).

 

 

 

Also, during the course of the week, I attended my church Bible Study, we are currently studying the book of James. The Pastor told me to read out James 4:1-12, as I read the verses, and I got to verse 11 & 12- (Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbour? (James 4:11-12 NIV), the Holy Spirit said..I am reminding you of what you need to work on. 

I openly told my fellow Bible Study members that, God wants me to work on this. My lovely Pastor's wife told all of us to discuss how we can stop grumbling and complaining about others. The discussion was very useful.

I am still on the journey of taming my tongue. Myss Lafunky is not ashamed to discuss her weakness, and how God is helping me. Remember, God will not despise a contrite Spirit and a broken heart (Psalm 51:17). 

 

 

 

What about you? What are you working on?

Have you taken time to be honest with yourself about what you need to improve? 

You can ask God to tell you what you need to improve. Once you know the things that you need to improve, you need to discipline yourself, know what the Word of God says about it and start working on yourself. 

 

Remember not to start giving excuses about why you cannot improve yourself.  Start checking yourself for what you need to improve, don't focus on others, focus on yourself, tell God to help you but you must ask yourself, am I ready to give up my weakness? 

 By God's Grace, next week's post is going to be about Christians and Excuses.

- Myss Lafunky

 

Photo Credit: https://amenaccountability.files.wordpress.com and http://dailyjesusnow.blogspot.co.uk/