Lilly's blog

Hi folks🙌💞 Guess what🙃? Yesterday marked the end of Passover 2020🎊😍🎉😃😍😊. Passover🤔? Wondering what it is? Then you are probably like me who used to skip these ordinances and celebrations in the Bible when I came across them, until recently I repented🙃😅, this is because every word, every event, every stroke in the Bible has a meaning, and if you don't pay attention, you will miss them. Ha, don't worry, just stay with me, I won't scold you, I will just help you repent too😄🤗 But before that, let's do a study about👇: This event was instituted by God in Egypt on the eve of the exodus, to be celebrated on the 14th-21st days of the first month of every year. And per the Jewish calendar (which was ordained by God; Exodus 12:2), the first month, Nisan , usually falls in March-April on the Gregorian calendar So this year, the 14th to 21st day in the month of Nisan, fell on 8th-16th of April 🎉 The Passover feast was to commemorate how th...

Luke 15 is a chapter that strikes me and redefines my definition of love.  “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. ( vv 1 - 3 ) - NIV  Thinking about these parables especially of the lost sheep and coin in which there were remainders of 99 and 9 respectively, I felt that the characters in these parables were being greedy. Isn’t 99 and 9 more than just 1, aren’t they greedy to want an intact 100 and 10?  But then I realized the import of their actions. The woman and man in these parables were not greedy, No, they never were. They could just not afford to lose that one sheep or one coin. In fact, that one sheep and one coin meant as much to them as the 99 and the 9.  The man was probably worrying, “ How can this sheep be alone? How ca...

Yaay, 2018 is almost over😃 God has been good to us, we are still breathing, meaning we are very much alive😅 Thank you Lord😂👐 So how has the year 2018 been? Recounting the year, months, weeks days: will you say it has been a good one😊? It has been more than you expected 😅? You could count more blessings than troubles, losses, hardships😋 ? That's great, I share in your joy, may 2019 be greater 👐 But maybe for you, you can't wait for it to end so you can start afresh in a new year😟. Maybe for you, you wished the year 2018 never happened because you lost more than you gained (i.e. the loved ones who died😢, the dreams and visions that never were, the plans and resolutions that couldn't fall through, the lost jobs, the relationships that got broken💔, the exams you failed or even the health you lost😡). Some of us might have also lost our faith along the way, couldn't grow spiritually as we desired to or even fell heavily into sin. Yeah, a lot was lo...

 ‘ Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones ’. – Proverbs 3:7-8 The Bible, aside spelling out the life accounts of patriarchs and prophets, the redemptive work of Christ for humanity and the dos and don’ts of our faith as does every manual, also makes bare many principles concerning attaining good physical, mental, and spiritual health. This is corroborated by The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia that says the laws Moses received from God, which make up the bulk of all health instructions in the Bible, contain remarkable rules pertaining to public health which concerns us even today, such as how to deal with infectious diseases, food and water hygiene and sewage disposal.  ‘ If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the ...

The ancient Israelites were narrowed as to what to eat by God because God wanted them consecrated for His purpose or perhaps, the animals in the blacklist have a way of life that does not portray cleanliness or holiness. From Leviticus 11:1-23, the ancient Israelites were supposed to eat only terrestrial animals that chew the cud and have completely divided hoofs, unlike camel, coney, hate and swine who do not satisfy this category. They were also supposed to eat only fish with fins and scales, eat a category of insects which include locusts and grasshoppers and eat from a category of birds. In this present generation, the Word of God makes us know that " food does not by any means draw us nearer to God, We will, in terms of our relationship with God, be no better if we eat it or any worse if we do not "(1 Cor 8:8). 1 Tim 4:4-5 also says that " Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is conse...

Weary? Tired from the stressors of life? Tired of your sin and burdened with it? Jesus is still saying Come as He said over 2000 years ago. Come .  Come for rest. Come for a lighter burden and an easier yoke.  Come for relief from your oppression. Come .  Don't look elsewhere for rest, Come . Come to the only one in whom you can find true rest which comprises all dimensions of healing, love and peace. Come . Look, He didn't lie to us to make His offers so attractive. He still said there is another yoke carry.  His yoke. And guess what? This yoke and burden will not be bore by you alone, He will bear it with you. This weight will fall on bigger and stronger shoulders than yours, that is why they will be lighter and easier to carry. Hallelujah, He is our Yoke mate😀😀😀. A relationship with God changes meaningless, wearisome toil into spiritual productivity and purpose.

Though Peter couldn't stay loyal to Christ during those three moments, how he wept bitterly when the rooster crowed and he remembered the sayings of the Lord, revealed that he really loved Jesus. Even for the fact that he was around during Jesus' trial further confirms his love for his Master, because it is not all friends who will be around when you are in trouble, some will leave you to battle with your problems alone. Comparing the aftermath of his and Judas' relationship with Jesus after they betrayed the Lord, is noteworthy. Peter came back to the Lord, he didn't give up because he had sinned, he lived on whilst Judas felt so sinful and ashamed that he committed suicide. When we hurt the Lord in one way or the other, let's remember Peter and not feel so ashamed to come back to Him, for He is Faithful and Just to forgive us when we ask Him to and He will also cleanse us of all our sins. Departing from His presence is never the best solution, rather, d...

One of the reasons why the teachers of the law wanted Jesus to die was because: they were scared that the multitudes that followed Jesus would have been seen by the Romans as an act of rebellion to overthrow their government, which would have precipitated their wrath [Romans] and caused them to raid Israel, therefore it was better if for the sake of Israel, one man dies. - (John 11:49-50) Some were not really thinking about the raid of Israel, but about the fact that that they will lose their high positions should that happen. It was the love for their positions, the comfort and power that comes with it, that prevented them from clearly seeing that Jesus is actually the Messiah they were waiting for. Just because Jesus didn't come as they envisioned, they saw Him as a threat to their stability as a nation, hence a need to get rid of Him. Would they have spearheaded the plot to kill Jesus should He have been a relative to any of them?   Life is valuable. The sanct...

The six-versed 23rd Psalm can be said to be the most widely known Psalm of the Bible, but can It be said to be widely understood? Lemme see if I can help contribute to It being understood. Here It goes: " The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want " In other words, because the Lord is leading Me, I shall not be in want. Because It is the Lord who is leading Me, I shall not lack anything because, He will make sure, as my Shepherd, to provide all that He deems best for me. " He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul " Our Lord gives us the best of everything, if only we will humble ourselves and follow His leading, we will be led to the best of everything we will need for physical and spiritual nourishment. " He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake " Our Shepherd whom we are following leads an exemplary life worthy of emulation, and if we follow Him, He wil...

Ahab was more wicked than any other king of Israel, but when he repented in deep humility, God took notice and reduced his punishment. The same Lord who was merciful to Ahab wants to be merciful to you. No matter how evil you have been, it is never too late to humble yourself, turn to God and ask for forgiveness. ☆ An excerpt from the New Living Translation Life Application Study Bible ☆

It was customary for wedding guests to be given wedding clothes to wear to the banquet. It was unthinkable to refuse to wear these clothes. That would insult the host, who could only assume that the guest was arrogant and thought he didn't need these clothes, or that he did not want to take part in the wedding celebration. In this Parable, the wedding clothes picture the righteousness needed to enter God's Kingdom- the total acceptance in God's eyes that Christ gives every believer . Christ has provided these clothes of righteousness for everyone, but each person must choose to put them on in order to enter the King's Banquet (eternal life). There is an open invitation, but we must be ready. ☆ An excerpt from the New Living Translation Life Application Study Bible ☆

Paul could say this because he walked close to God, spent time in prayer and in reading God's Word, and was aware of God's presence in his life at all times. Can you also tell others to imitate you and they will not be misled? Can your life demonstrate the love, patience, faith and other virtues of Christ that are worthy of emulation? Consider these...

The response of King Jehoshaphat of Judah in this verse is a great lesson to be learnt. Before collaborating with King Ahab of Israel, he wanted to seek the counsel of the Lord first. Do you do likewise? Do you get God involved in your affairs? Do you find out what He says before finalizing your decisions? If not, then let's turn over a new leaf, for without God's say in our lives, homes, academics and decisons, we will fail😟😟. Seeking God's counsel before putting your decisions into action guarantees your success and saves you from making mistakes. This is because He l❤ves you, and will not let you make unwise, unhealthy and deadly decisions if you seek His counsel about them.😊😊😊 " We can make our plans, but it is the Lord who will determine our steps "-☆Proverbs 16:9☆

When the trumpet of the Lord sounds and time is no more, And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair, When the saved of the earth gather, And the roll is called up yonder, will you be there? On the bright and cloudless morning, When the dead in Christ rise, and share in the glory of His resurrection, When His chosen ones gather to their home beyond the skies, And the roll is called up yonder, will you be there? ☆With reference to James Milton Black's When the roll is called up yonder ☆

When Daniel understood Nebuchadnezzar's dream, he was stunned, and he wondered how to break the news. He told the king he wished what the dream foreshadowed would happen to the king's enemies and not to Nebuchadnezzar. How could Daniel be so deeply grieved at the fate of Nebuchadnezzar, the king who was responsible for the destruction of Daniel's home and nation? Daniel had forgiven Nebuchadnezzar, and so God was able to use Daniel. Very often when we have been wronged by someone, We find it difficult to forget the past. We may even be glad when that person suffers. However, forgiveness means putting the past behind you. Can you love someone who has hurt you? Can you serve someone who mistreated you? Ask God to help you forgive, forget, and love. God may use you in an extraordinary way in that person's life ☆An excerpt from the New Living Translation Life Application Study Bible☆

I came across a nice story today and I know you will love it☺. Here it goes... A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said: “Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even one year old, and I’m pregnant again. I don’t want kids so close together.” So the doctor said: “Okay, and what do you want me to do?” She said: “I want you to end my pregnancy, and I’m counting on your help with this.” The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence, he said to the lady: “I think I have a better solution for your problem. It’s less dangerous for you, too.” She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request. Then he continued: “You see, in order for you not to have to take care of two babies at the same time, let’s kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we’re going to kill one of them, it doesn’t matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you...

"And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye not sin." - Exodus 20:18-20 Fear God but do not be afraid of Him such that you're scared to talk to Him or approach Him. He's a loving Father who draws His children to Himself in love. But fear Him! To fear Him means to highly respect Him and to be filled with awe for Him. * Fearing God makes you put Him first, obey His commands and do what is right in His eyes. *

Life does not always offer goodies. Similarly, in our Christian journey, it's not every time that we get the things we desire, sometimes we are hit squarely and badly on the face by misfortunes too. And during such times, it's only our faith in God that keeps us on the journey. But if you want to give up on God and your faith during such downside moments, just remember God's miraculous interventions in your past and believe in Him to turn things around for you and He will☺

When we are recounting the many blessings that come our way, never should we rob God of the glory and honour He deserves by taking credit for them. Moses gave all the glory to God for what He has done for the Israelites when he was recounting to Jethro everything the Lord has done, and as a result, Jethro praised God and exalted Him above all other gods. (v. 10-11) ☆In sum, let's be careful to not attribute the manifold blessings of God upon our lives to our capabilities, for it's even by the grace of God that we are able to do what we do.☆

Trust in God and in God alone. Even if you need to trust man for something, just trust in God to help man keep his word. That's the secret, because man is a frail being who cannot even tell if he will be alive the next second, but not our God. Our God lives and reigns forever. And if you put your faith, hope and trust in Him, never will He let you down. ☆Those who trust in God are as secure as the firm and providence-supported Mount Zion (I Peter 2:6)☆