Water To Wine

The story of Jesus turning water to wine is well known.

It happened at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.

It's a remarkable miracle that is documented as the first miracle Jesus performed after He started His ministry and it made Jesus's disciples believe in Him.

Miracles point people to God, they are signs.

Miracles validate God and help people believe those God has sent when miracles are worked through them.

Jesus, his disciples, the bridegroom, the chairman of the occasion, Mary the mother of Jesus, and the attendants at the wedding reception are the chief characters of the story.

They all played interesting parts in the story.

The wisest generic advise to us from the Scripture was found in the accounts of the story.

It was made by Mary the mother of Jesus who said "whatever He tells you to do, do it"

That is perhaps the wisest advise you will hear or read.

It applies to us all.

The wise do what Jesus tells them to do. This is a key to miracles!

Jesus's mother gave the advise.

Jesus gave the instruction.

The wedding party ushers carried out the instruction and the miraculous happened!

God's power followed the instruction, and water was turned to wine!

The attendants/ushers  at the event took the water from the six large water pots to the chairman of the occasion as Jesus instructed, by the time the chairman of the event had the water poured into his cup is was sweet wine.

The instruction of God (word of God) can transform anything, anyone, and any situation instantly when God has been obeyed.

Let's imagine how those attendants/ushers felt when they were told to take water from the water pots to the chairman of the occasion, knowing its wine the man wanted and was expecting not water.

Water is not what was needed, wine is what was needed.

All sorts of thoughts must have crossed the minds of those attendants, their emotions must have been all over the place- anxiety, fear, doubt, and confusion about the drama to unfold.

What an embarrassing situation for the host of the celebration who had run out of wine.

These are emotions that are common to many of us in life's journey for there are times we find ourselves in difficult situations that require a miracle.

Just like those attendants/servants at the wedding celebration, we discover God's word/instructions can be difficult to follow.

If following God was easy everyone would be doing so.

Very few truly obey the commands of the Master, that's why very few experience the miracles they should experience.

Act on what Jesus tells you despite fear and natural evidence.

His instructions when acted on will make a way, for power has already followed His instructions.

Thank God the right guest was invited to that wedding celebration.

Thank God the miracle worker was present.

Thank God a last minute miracle occurred which averted what would have been an embarrassing situation for the bride and groom.

If there was any guest that should have been at that wedding celebration it was Jesus and fortunately He was there!

We should always remember to invite the miracle worker in all things about us and that concerns us.

Water and wine are different in their chemical composition.

Water and wine have different effects on the body.

Water is a pure chemical compound.

Wine is a fermented beverage with other contents.

Wine contains about 85% of water.

Without a processing of ethanol, sugars, pigments and other compounds we find in grapes water does not become wine.

Jesus literally changed the chemical composition of the water in the six water pots!

Outside of Jesus Christ, the other heroes in that story are the attendants/servants/ushers.

The ones who carried out the instruction and dared to believe.

Water turning into wine is a remarkable thing, it is not a natural process or order.

Water doesn't just turn to wine, if it did wine sellers will be out of business.

If water turned to wine as a natural process, liquor stores may struggle as there may be less need for what they sell.

If water turned to wine as a natural process wine would almost have no commercial value.

Water and wine are two different kind of liquids/fluids.

That water turned into wine at the rate it did purely by obeying the instruction of Jesus is a miracle!

Grapes were not thrown into the water or processed.

At the word of Jesus, the chemical composition of water was changed!

Such remarkable God-like ability could be found only in a man who was God and Man at the same time.

It was the beginning of miracles, there were many more miracles to come.
 

The Roller Coaster Of Life

 Roller coasters are fun, thrilling and exciting, this is why people go on them.

Those who are adventurous like the experience roller coasters offer- the highs, the lows, and the twists of the ride.

Life can be like a roller coaster ride at times. 

There are seasons of highs, times of lows, and there can be twists and turns.

Very much like going on a roller coaster ride for the first time,  there are times people can feel uncertain about life. 

We may feel uncertain about certain decisions we are making, the future, a person, people, a path we are on or about to take and the list goes on.

With roller coaster rides, there can be fear too- a fear of heights, a fear of not feeling secure in your seat, the fear of not trusting the safety of the roller coaster and the fear the expertise of the engineers and architects who put the roller coaster together just might fail you the day you go on it.

Fear is an emotion that is accepted as part of life, perhaps there is a type of fear that's legitimate, acceptable and part of being human; a fear that can serve as a warning, almost like a sixth sense informing us we shouldn't do a thing because the outcome won't be good.

The fear that robs us of life, joy, progress and taking steps is not positive fear but a fear we need to get rid of. The fear that limits, cages, and paralyzes us is not good or positive fear.

When you summon up courage and take a roller coaster, after the ride you will find that what you feared did not happen, the fear you had turns out unnecessary, and it was more of a false evidence that appeared real.

Journeying through life can be like riding a roller coaster in the sense that courage is required, life requires your being courageous.

Courage makes you do what you should do, go where you should go, take steps you should take despite the odds, despite the fear.

With our lives when our courage pays off, we realize it was worth it being courageous and the fear was a distraction, it is the same thing with going on a roller coaster.

Roller coaster accidents or mishaps are very rare if at all.

Fear will make you think of things that can go wrong before going on a roller coaster, which hardly ever happens.

Roller coasters are safer than cars, buses and airplanes though they are not as enclosed.

You would feel safer in a car, bus, or airplane because they have enclosures, although they have more of an accident rate than a roller coaster.

Life can also be like that- the people, things, jobs, and places we feel most safe and secure with may not always turn out safe and secure for us.

At times we have to 'lose' our lives to find it.

Most roller coasters starts slow and later pick up speed suddenly.

Life can be like that too- one decision, a new chapter opened, one unforeseen situation, and circumstances beyond our control can change the pace our life was moving at for us suddenly.

Roller coasters slow down as we get to the end of the ride before it stops, just like our human lives do; we slow down with age as the end our our life's journey approaches.

The roller coaster of life is one the Savior is willing to go on with us.

What a thrilling ride it turns out to be when you ride with the Savior!

During the highs of life's roller coaster ride He is there with you.

During the lows of the ride He is there with you.

During the uncertain twists and turns of life He is there to strengthen, encourage, support, and assure you that you will make it.

Ride with the Master, you need Him on this ride.

Master Jesus knows everything about the roller coaster life journey, He will help you navigate it and survive it!

He has been there before.

He has taken life rides with many others before you and He will continue to take it with many others after you.

Do not let fear stop you in life.

You have only one life and one chance to live it, so live it courageously, wisely, and don't let fear spoil your journey and timeline.

Who Was Oduduwa?

Oduduwa is a very interesting figure, come to think of it.

 I find his story and the mystique around him as a historical figure worth looking into.

I'm of the view Oduduwa is worth knowing about not just because he has a intriguing story, dynasty and lineage; my being of Yoruba descent by birth and parentage contributes to this.

The Yorubas are spread across about eight core states in modern Nigeria, we are a race of people rich in culture, tradition, philosophies and wisdom. 

With many Yoruba sons and daughters in almost every nation of the world, the influence of the Yorubas continues to be felt with great and positive impact.

There are a number of accounts of the Oduduwa legend, it can be hard to determine what is fact and what is fiction but one thing is sure Oduduwa was a real person.

I believe this because archaeology shows us some evidence.

There are artefacts from the time period he lived in that are still around and can be seen today.

His royal crown (Adé Àrè) for instance which symbolizes divine authority and royal lineage is still worn by his present descendant and custodian today, the king (Oba) of Ile-Ife.

There are ancient art works, wooden sculptures and statues that give us an insight into what he looked like and how he dressed- regal in his outlook, tall, authoritative and royal in his white attire .

These things are hard to make up.

Many people are of the belief that Oduduwa is the father of the Yoruba people, he is credited as being the progenitor of the Yoruba race.

There are different beliefs about how Oduduwa came about.

Some are of the school of thought that Oduduwa is the son of Nimrod the great hunter who was the brainchild of the dream to built a tower that reaches to the heavens where God is, the tower of Babel.

Some historians believe Oduduwa is the son of a man called Lamurudu who was a great hunter and Lamurudu is Nimrod.

I struggle to believe this as my findings show that Oduduwa didn't live during the time of Nimrod.

There are some others who believe  Oduduwa is God's chosen and anointed king which happens to be king David the shepherd from the scriptures. The think Oduduwa is king David.

This is not correct as far as I am concerned.

 As a lover of history and a person who enjoys biographies, my inquisitive and investigative mind has been researching and digging deep for some answers and what is truth, this I do during my spare time.

 I've sought to know- who really was Oduduwa, where did he really come from, did he really descend from heaven on a chain, with a cockerel and a hand full of earth with which he formed the land of Ile-Ife upon waters according to Yoruba myth?

I can't help but wonder if this is the true account, though this is the account most custodians of the Yoruba tradition hold unto.

Oduduwa is presented as a deity, a divine king of some sort.

There are researchers who believe Oduduwa is a migrant who moved to what became Ile-Ife in Nigeria from either Ethiopia, North Sudan, Egypt or Mecca.

I find Oduduwa's migrating from any of those countries to Ile-Ife easier to believe.

I also have an understanding that there are mysteries in this world and life.

I'm aware not everyone on this earth who looks like a human being is a real human being.

The Bible confirms this.

Melchizedek was a priest and king, he was the king of a kingdom called Salem.

Salem means peace.

Melchizedek was the king of peace (a shadow, a type of Jesus Christ to come who hadn't come to the earth at the time)

The Bible says Jesus had been made a priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek was a mystery on the earth who just existed, a divine being who manifested on earth as a being who is a king.

We are informed in the scriptures that Melchizedek had no genealogy- no father, no mother, no family background, no ancestors we can trace or link to him.

Could Oduduwa have been such a person?

I believe divine beings come to the earth disguised as human beings for a reason and a purpose.

Jesus Christ was such a person.

He is God, a part of the heavenly Father come to the earth to set humanity free from sin, death and Satan!

A major difference between Oduduwa and Jesus Christ is that Oduduwa's kingdom is of this earth while Jesus's kingdom is spiritual but has an earthly impact.

Oduduwa had a wife/wives, he has a biological lineage while Jesus didn't get married to start a human lineage, rather He started a spiritual kingdom family through spiritual adoption.

Jesus came into the earth through the right 'door'. He was born of a woman, that is the entrance to being legal on the earth.

Legend tells us Oduduwa descended from heaven with a chain.

If  Oduduwa truly came from the heavens it means he's a spirit, a divine being.

But do divine beings need chains to come to earth, do they need  chains to transport themselves into our physical realm? They don't.

This is why I doubt the legend that he came from heaven with a chain.

Angels are divine beings, they come into our earthly plain but they don't need chains to do so.

The Bible encourages us to be good to people, to show generosity to strangers for some have done so and entertained angels unaware. Abraham experienced this, I have experience it before too.

This is one of the things I love about Yoruba people, our hospitable nature. we fulfill that scripture. No wonder we have been so blessed as a people.

Abraham hosted divine beings in his home. There is no record they came to earth with chains.

If anything, chains are a tool of bondage, limitation and judgement. 

Divine chains are used to tie down evil or disobedient spirits by God as a form of punishment.

The Bible reveals to us that during the days of Noah, a rebellious set of angels came to the earth to take wives, they were punished for it eventually by God because angels are not created to marry.

Those rebellious fallen angels are bound with chain in a realm/compartment beneath the earth called Tartarus.

These angels didn't come with a chain to earth, they came in the form of men in order to marry women.

To function on earth for a long duration of time spirits have to take on the form of human beings to be legal here.

The earth is the home of human beings, given to us. You have to be human to be legal here.

God is the Father of all spirits.

If Oduduwa was truly a spirit who came to the earth from the heavens to start a kingdom here on earth and he married and started a human lineage according to the account of Yoruba custodians then he was an illegitimate authority who lived on the earth and this should make us question the very foundation of what the Yoruba kingdom has been built on.

The Yoruba kingdom, much like all other kingdoms of this world has its imperfections,  it's flaws, and errors in has been built on.

If Jesus Christ, angels, and Melchizedek could appear on earth without the use of a chain to climb down from heaven, that automatically throws the Oduduwa descending from heaven narrative out the window.

Emperor Oduduwa's clothing, as we see from the depictions we have of him, was a man who dressed a certain way people dressed in his time. 

The royals of his day had flowing like garments similar to what he used to have on.

It makes it easy to conclude he was a migrant, a human being who probably lived in certain parts of the world before he journeyed to Ile-Ife to start what is now known as the Yoruba race.

Oduduwa arrived in what is now know as Ile-Ife with knowledge of trade, commerce, agriculture, and community building.

He must have acquired this knowledge from somewhere. 

His knowledge and the way he dressed, very likely was influenced from societies/kingdoms that had been operating and functioning successfully at the time  because he lived in those environments and experienced those cultures.

He may have lived in more than one place before he started out in Ile-Ife.

He might have lived in North Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt at different times where he learned and got lots of exposure. Like a lot of adventurous characters of his time he may have been a journey man looking for a place to settle and build from.

Whatever the real truth is about Oduduwa, God knows.

But I know he is no divine being, he was a human being.

If he was a spirit being like the Yoruba myths and legend claim, the Yoruba people should be a race of hybrids (half human and half spirit) like the offspring of Nephilims (fallen angels) from Genesis 6 in the Bible.

Obviously, that's not the case.

Fallen angel wisdom and technology may have played a role in helping Oduduwa, leading and guiding to Ile-Ife to establish a kingdom.

Men turned to fetish powers in those days for help, strength and conquest.

Oduduwa was not exception to this.

Many people still turn to such powers today, its what they know; its what their 'fathers' passed down to them.

This is what most of the kingdoms of this world have been built on. And it usually requires sacrifices and blood shed.

The present system of this world is no exception.

The only kingdom that is built on love, light, peace and joy is the kingdom of God, the kingdom of God's dear son. The kingdom we come into through Jesus Christ.

The only blood shed that took place for this Kingdom is the blood of Jesus Christ, His blood plays a role in our translation into His kingdom.

This is the kingdom where you should be my dear friend and reader.

Only God knows the real truth about Oduduwa, the case I present and my perspective is that he was simply a human being.

He carved his place in human history.

Oduduwa will always remain an intriguing myth and the wonderful people of the Yoruba race/kingdom with our tales, legends, warriors, kings, politics, wars, culture and history is a beautiful lineage to have.

The Yorubas are a wonderful people.

May we bring the true God glory!

THE STAR IN YOU

 "We have a more sure word of prophecy; to which you do well taking heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until this day shall have dawned and the morning Star shall have risen in your hearts'

The morning Star, also known as the day star in this passage of scripture is the Lord Jesus the Christ!

He is the Star that lights up other stars, the "bright & morning star" who shines by day and by night.

He is the Star the wise follow, He is the Star the wise honor and He is the Star the wise worship!

He is the Star in the believer, who lights us up from within. He is the Star whose light rids our souls of darkness, He is the living Star who lives within us and gives our lives a meaning.

He is the bright and morning Star whose rays heal as the Sun of righteousness. His Light lights up men even unto eternal life!

He is the Star who captains the stars of the churches, He is the Star who light lights up the believer and the churches, He is the source of our visibility and the light in us that cannot be put out despite the odds and the challenges.

This Star is the focus of God's kingdom, creations greatest impact, and the source of light in the kingdom of heaven.

This Star is the reason we can shine for He is our living hope, He is the morning Star that wants to shine in you and through you.

This Star leads even as He lead the Magi of old.

As of old He can still be trusted to lead us in contemporary times.

He leads us to His glory and for our benefit.

He leads us into purpose and destiny.

He leads in truth, with compassion, and mercy.

Jesus Christ is the living Star that can be trusted.

Star gazers of old trusted the leading of this Star for a journey of about two years and they were accounted wise for it.

You will be wise to gaze at Jesus today!

Focus on Him like the Magi of old who were held spell bound by His Star.

Gaze upon Him today through the pages of the scriptures like the Magi of old found Him through the constellations.

O believer, look within; for He is the living Star on the inside of you who wants to rise in you today. He is in you, His kingdom is within you, His Spirit is within you, let His word be within you!

Be free to shine!

#free

Let Your Star Shine!

 

'Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight" is part of the lyrics from an eighties song by Madonna titled Lucky Star..

Long before Madonna sang about stars and lights the Bible has had a lot to say about stars, lights and brightness.
Jesus Christ Himself is the bright & morning Star.

It is in the nature of stars to shine.
A star that doesn't shine is a malfunctioning star.
A star that is free will do what it is created to do, which is to shine!
Stars shine brightest when it is darkest!

"Arise, shine, for your light has come & the glory of the Lord is risen upon you"

May you shine like the star that you are in this 'dark' world'.

If the Bible informs we should arise and shine it is because we are living stars to the glory of God!

It is because there is a star in you.

Stars emit light and the Bible informs believers are the light of the world who cannot be hidden!

The world we live in has entered into rather dark times, my reasons for believing this is not far fetched- read the papers, listen to the news, and pay attention online, it would seem good news is rather scarce to come by.
There seems to be more depression than glad tidings & more to be concerned about than there is to rejoice about.
It is not surprising though for Bible prophecy has to be fulfilled.
It is in the midst of such darkness the Lord will have the children of God, the descendants of Abraham shine!
For they are likened to stars!

'Then the Lord took Abraham outside and said to him, "Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That's how many descendants you will have"
Today the descendants of Abraham cut across every nationality, tribe and tongue for "many will come from the east and the west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven"
Those many who will recline with Abraham, Isaac & Jacob are those who have come into God's kingdom family through Jesus Christ, they are the descendants of Abraham likened to stars.

Stars are most visible when it's dark.
May you become visible in this season.
Stars are seen above not below, for they are in the sky.
May you be above and not beneath, the head & not the tail.
Stars produce light that beautify the sky & our nights, they show the handiwork of God through nature.

May God be glorified through you, His light shinning through you and His beauty and excellence manifesting in you!
May the light of Jesus Christ shine on you & through you! 

Rulers Of The Darkness Of This World

The rulers of the darkness of this present age are the authorities behind the scene controlling many people and responsible for many issues and happenings in this world, they control a lot of the world systems- business, commerce, politics, medicine, technology, media, finances and the banking sectors.

They pull the strings while the institutions and structures we see outwardly are more of a facade. 

Their wisdom is what the systems of this world is built on.

Darkness is a powerful realm, a powerful spiritual dimension.

It is the realm Satan and the gates of hades (his kingdom) operate from.

They are the ones truly ruling this world with a well structured network.

They are illegitimate authorities tampering with the destinies of men.

They are illegitimate authorities controlling men and institutions like puppets.

They are illegitimate authorities working to write the will of Satan across the earth.

They are illegitimate authorities and thrones powered by darkness, by Satan himself.

Their structure and network spread from the land realm to the marine realm and the second heaven.

They are illegitimate authorities because they were not willingly granted the right by God the creator of all to do what they are doing.

Since Adam and Eve sold out to the devil through disobedience to God, their authority over the earth and the three realms of land, sea, and air was passed to Satan, who continues to have men sell their souls to the dark side in exchange for the glories of this world.

Like a master puppeteer, he controls the lives of men and families.

Along with his cohorts they carry out all sorts of manipulation and machinations in the spirit realm.

The whole world is under their influence and darkness.

They were the wicked spirits behind Jesus Christ's crucifixion, an occurrence which they regretted.

The rulers of the darkness of this world are a hierarchy of spirits and men sold out to Satan who intentionally and forcefully do his bidding.

In the area politics they scheme and mastermind to put men in power, especially men who have pledged allegiance to them through the secret societies and the occult- fraternities and societies like the illuminati, and freemasons.

Satan is the head of the rulers of the darkness of this age, this world.

He has fallen angels who are principalities assigned to regions of the world- countries and continents.

He has demons who are powers spread across every nation of the earth.

Rulers of this world are men and spirits operating in darkness and from darkness.

They comprise of men who have pledged their lives to Satan's spirits.

These spirits have chosen individuals who head societies and confraternities for them, leaders of occult groups.

These are men who are regarded as high and mighty by human standards but you will not always find them in the public eye.

Witches and wizards, shamans, warlocks and voodoo priests are all part of the rulers of the darkness of this age.

The influence of this network spreads through religions and faiths, with their faithful in churches, mosques, synagogues  and temples, all across the religions of this world.

Perhaps you have come across some of their agents in churches before, they join departments and are proactive in the ministries they have been planted in. 

They have a mission.

Many have given up on church services because of such people.

They have discouraged many, misrepresented Christ and given churches and ministers of the gospel a bad name.

At best these spirits and men are illegitimate to those who are in Christ Jesus.

The rulers of the darkness of this age keep recruiting, and they have families who are generational adherents, these families see it as their destiny and calling which must be carried on from generation to generation. A family dynasty.

God is over and above them, He has greater power and authority, and a superior kingdom to the empire of darkness which will pass away in time.

In Christ Jesus we are safe, under the shadow of His wings we are protected, and the rays of His wings heal us.

God is still God and He rules in the affairs of men.

God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven!

 

FREEDOM, YOU HAVE RESPONSIBILITY!

 

Some people need to be free from themselves.

Some people have self sabotaging mindsets.
There are people who are the biggest obstacle to their own liberty in God.
They think wrong and see wrong.
They view themselves wrongly and believe wrongly about themselves.
This limits them, it limits their effort & their results.
Some just won't try to get better or fight for their freedom, they'd rather think in an entitled way.

The entitled individual needs to be free from his own faulty thinking. 

Some individuals act as if life owes them and the people they have access to owe them in life.

There are those who abuse access, they think friends and acquaintances who are more privileged than they are owe them.

Except you've used a service you haven't paid for, except you've lent out money the borrower hasn't paid back, or you've not been paid for contracted work or service you've rendered, nobody owes you "diddly-squat"
Whatever you're given by another without being owed is good will and favor from that person.
God doesn't owe us anything, we owe God everything.
He doesn't owe us breath, being alive and breathing is a privilege, He doesn't owe us protection, His protection over us is an act of mercy and a fulfilment of His promise to those who stay in His secret place.

Pride and arrogance are evidence of of an entitled mindset.
You envy another because you want what they have or have earned, which you don't have. 

You're jealous of your neighbor because you feel entitled, you think you should have what another person has and that person should not.
That type of mindset sets us back, its an obstacle to our liberty provided through Christ Jesus..
The responsibility to work on our minds is totally ours. 

That is something no one can really do for us.

"Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus" says the Lord.
Don't stand in the way of your own liberty, embrace the freedom available to you.
We have to consciously work on our minds.
Start today, it will take some time, it will demand your effort.
It's a call to be responsible for yourself, and it is worth it.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will"

Rivalry, jealousy, envy and an entitled attitude are part of the patterns of this world we have to get rid of and renew our minds to overcome.
Be free, be blessed!