the radical revelation of the Cross this easter.

Dear friend,

It has been a long while since we spoke. I am sorry about this, it has been a long period of exams and the anticipation somewhat anxiety as well of completing my studies. God has been my Ebenezer I must say. I have just learnt something i would like to share with you. It has been the fruit of a series of prayers and yearnings I’m pretty sure will soon culminate in something great.

The lion of Judah…does this ring a bell? I know you seem to think it is the cliché term used in the bible to refer to our God. Well I agree it is both of those things. However I would also desire that you know that it is more; overwhelmingly/superbly more. I hope that now your brow is raised and your curiosity aroused; if not do it now. What I will share is mind-blowing- all about God is mind-blowing anywayJ.

The lion is a symbol representing the Tribe of Judah. Apparently, all the tribes had distinguishing symbols: Benjamin’s was a wolf, Dan’s a snake, Zevulum’s a ship. Now Judah’s was a Lion. This is how the term the Lion of the Tribe of Judah came to be. if you look at the accounts of wars that Judah engaged in; for everyone that they relied on God, they won. The lion of God that is always victorious. The reason why it is peculiar to this account, is a small seemingly insignificant action of Judah in the book of Genesis.

In the beginning Cain killed Abel, and upon being questioned by God he answers [not quite] with a question: Am I my brother’s keeper? This was asked out the sheer desire God had for Cain to take responsibility for his brother. Now throughout the book [Genesis] we see God trying to get brothers to own up and take responsibility and care for their siblings, only the man Judah does this. He desires that Benjamin would not be sold into slavery but he himself in his stead. Though they had failed once with their brother Joseph, the culmination of Genesis is seen when Judah takes care to protect his brother, care for him and desire good and not harm and to give his life in Benjamin’s stead. So finally the question was answered, you and I are our brother’s keeper. The Lord's purposes were fulfilled.

I learnt about this from a blog by Rabbi Shoshana Gefald and was perplexed. I know you are still wondering about it and going like ...ok bring it home son...the man Jesus was birthed in this lineage; even better referred to by the term Lion of Judah a lot of things. Firstly, there were lions in the Israelite territory. Secondly, they were quite a sight to behold in terms of muscle and sheer might! So next time you hear only guys likes David and Samson killed Lions should puzzle you how many more failed. That put into context is to allow you see the mightiest among beasts, in its majesty, very peaceful and unperturbed. Why? Because it is on top of the food chain, nothing can harm it. Its roar is greater than the African Lion's, it is fierce more aggressive and alarming. Its thudding steps are unmistakable. With that you have picture in mind let’s consider the true Lion of the tribe of Judah; God.

He is the all-sufficient God, excellent and mighty, glorious above all of creation! When He graces the earth with His presence the mountains smoke and clouds are summoned to His feet, the earth quakes in fear and trembles at His worth. In heaven, every time the Cherubim sing of His worth, the elders and the angels bow down and say worthy IS OUR GOD FOREVER, worthy to receive the highest praise, now and forever, Amen. He is highly and forever to be praised! Nobody can challenge His throne He is and always will be. This is a fraction of who He is. The Lion of God that consumes His enemies by the fire of His glory that is ever before Him.

Something marvelous happened, He laid aside His majesty, and He came down. The true Lion of Judah embraced Humility even unto death, unto death on a cross (Philippians 2:8 NIV). He braced shame and rejection. He said yes I know this Benjamin has taken your silver Challis but take me, let the wrath due to Him lay on me, break and obliterate me. Unlike Benjamin though, you and I both have stolen the silver Challis abused the King’s kindness Romans 5:7(NIV):

…very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die…

The Lion took on the attitude of a lamb, saying I will be sacrificed for you. For Jesus it meant everything to die on that cross and pay the penalty for you and for me. When his body lie weak on the crossbar held on by the nails on his hands he said it is finished. King Jesus however took it all! I will be my brother’s keeper and own up to his mistakes.

He was brutally murdered a thousand times over before His penultimate death. And again God’s purposes were fulfilled: the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH took on the iniquity of us and died on the cross in our stead. This is how we know we are his brothers: Romans 8:17(NIV) calls us co-heirs with Jesus Christ. Further is the hymn how deep the father’s love for us:

“Why should I gain from his reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom”

We gain from his reward from our brother’s sacrifice. 

I had been praying for a radical revelation of the cross that will totally obliterate my inadequacies [Louis Giglio’s words] and so far this is the amazing truth I have picked up: That Jesus the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the lamb said YES, BE MY BROTHER’S KEEPER, THOUGH HE GENUINELY STOLE THE SILVER CHALLIS AND ABUSED THE KING’S GENEROSITY I will be the sacrificial lamb. Now the Lion lives in me VICTORIOUS over sin and death. He is my banner! Jehovah Nissi the Lion that reigns in majesty.

Again the Lord’s purposes are fulfilled. The Lion, the lamb, my brother and King! Happy Easter everyone!

the knocking

Dear friend,

How you holding up, I hope it is indeed all good with you!! I have something small to share:

Revelations 3:20(NIV) says: behold I stand at the door and knock; he who hears the door and opens I will come in and eat with him and he with me! I ask you a question: did you ever wonder what the knocks sound like, feel like? You and I are easily mistaken to think it is just any ordinary knock, but no, far be it…

Listen! listen in the silent night, as the sound of a door is bolted behind Judas when he sits to count the money He sold Jesus for;

Hear! hear the sound of the blows, kicks and slaps that rattled the night landing on Jesus as he is led off;

Listen! Listen to the voice of the crowd as they sentence Jesus to death;

Hear! Hear the sound of every single one of the forty minus one lashes as they latch on to his back bones: Flesh already lacerated and giving way;

Listen! Listen to the sound of the hammer as it drives the nails into the body of Jesus and he wails and mourns…

And he cries out when he should be cursing “…Father forgive them…!”

That is the sound of his knock; the blot, the blow, the whip and mourn crying not bloodguilt but his utter love for you!!!

Now he knocks on, His knuckles may be lacerated beyond recognition but he knocks ever so empathetic and in love with you and so he knocks on unperturbed. Will you hear him and open the door? Listen and hear him knock and please by God’s mercies answer the door, let him in!!

Yours,

                                                                 MIGUUBEAUTIFUL.

the truth about the cross

dear reader,
hi there its been what, two weeks now? I am sorry. I have longed to write to you but it has been such a hectic time. I stole a few moments to share with you a lesson I picked up.
it is titled: the truth about The cross.
I am sure that you may have known this all along, but just as a quick reminder I will share it again. What are your thoughts about the cross. What do you think was the symbolism behind it? Some say, and rightly so, that Jesus took on the wrath of God, however few understand that it was we who did all that to Jesus. Jesus was not crucified for me he was crucified by me.
the shouting that he be crucified was you and I saying, Lord I don't care for your love, the crown of thorns was you and I mocking his place as Lord and King of our lives- every time you belittle the time spent with him, the striking across his face is a daring trampling underfoot of his gracious love, the flogged back is the manipulation we put him to every time we say with our hearts how we need him and soon as he meets our needs we ditch him, the piercing on his hands is the spitting onto his hands after he held us when we cried. My dear friend, it is you and I who participated in the crucifixion of our Lord. That is why, we lift our hands bow our heads, cry out to him and plead to wrap our heads around his mercy and love. That though we slay him he saved us by that very act, and holds it not against us. What a great mystery?
let us turn from our sins and ask him to forgive us and yearn to live for him. Don't you know everytime you sin you crucify Jesus all over again? Hebrews 6:6. Dear reader please take this to heart.
yours
miguubeautiful.

Resolutions

Dear Reader,

Hello there, how are you doing? Well? I sincerely pray so. I feel like calling you ‘reader’ is kind of getting old. I should try spice it up or something. If you have any ideas I’m open to them. So, I’m writing to you this time concerning a topic most people fancy to talk about but few follow it up with action and implementation. That word ‘resolutions’. That term has been used countless times over the months of December and January. It is interesting the kind of approach people would give it especially you and I. It for sure has been for the longest time a petty one. Question is: what is ever meant to be taken seriously?

Often times we say stuff, do stuff and even think stuff and especially as Christians and never desire the Berean approach of things-to also infer if at all it is biblical. Let us set ground rules ok? What is the Bible? I presume your answer to be the word of God (1^st timothy 3:16). What is following commands of the Lord therein referred to as? Again my presumption is Obedience. What is the opposite of this? Disobedience which is also known as Sin, ok? So failure to do what God requires of us-it is agreed is Sin.

I will delve into a few scriptural references and state the truth and leave the rest to the leading of the Holy Spirit to conviction and repentance. A while back I came across the verse in scripture:

Lord teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom

-Psalm 90:12

It was quoted under slightly different circumstances but as I was praying it came to me as one of my petitions to God-when setting out my plan for this year. In the life of any professing Christian this reality should have hit home already. That very few are the days under this side of the sun as Solomon puts it. As such what would wisdom dictate? That our lives are made meaningful giving vain pleasures and pursuits a back seat and that we purpose to be good stewards living this life strategically. It is said as well that the hand of the diligent will always rule- I am convinced that this would mean that to succeed in life is to have a well thought out plan for where you are going. Only then will you fulfill the command of the Lord to be wise in living this life as is espoused in the words of “… the Teacher, son of David, King of Jerusalem…” in the book of Proverbs.

It is wisdom to come up with plans desiring something of this year than to have a vague if no idea at all where you are going. Matt Chandler says in one sermon that “he has never seen the sight people going like ‘we got problems; blind people have it easy…” in the same vein to have a plan is wise and I dare say Godly, not having one is not wise and sinful.

Another argument is in line with the verse:

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

-Proverbs 16:3

 Here also you see a precondition: you have to have a plan, otherwise what will you commit to God. My argument is this if you have nothing on your plate even the little you had will be taken away and given to him who has plenty (parable of the talents). If you have no plans how will God establish your purpose?

On another footing based on the same scriptural reference often times I, you and your friends may want to argue aren’t those plans man inspired, hence I would be leaning on my own understanding(Proverbs 3:5-6)? We would even want to throw in the verse that:

Many are plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails

-Proverbs 19:21

. It brings me to one thought alone: do you believe in the truth in Galatians 2:20 that Christ lives you…that you have a new life your mind and heart ordered by God? This effectively means that all that you do whether in thought or speech -when committed to God- is the purpose and will of God. Hence there is no excuse why not to set out your resolutions my friend.

Lastly I would like to talk to we who think that it doesn’t have to be put in writing simply because “I know them I can have them at the back of my mind”. There is a lot of power when you write things down. Much like the way you are wiser to utter prayers in a physical audible voice than to merely think them. My point is this: when they are written down they become much more than mere thoughts and or conjecture they become action, and we both agree that faith without action is dead. Have a nice and blessed time thinking up those resolutions but be wise to write them down as the Lord has commanded you to. The hardest part will be living them out but Christ says that His grace is sufficient for EVERY kind of need.

Yours,

Miguubeautiful.

   

My white handkerchief

My white handkerchief

Dear Reader,

                I am back and true to my word I have a message to share with you. It is fascinating the circumstances upon which I came across this revelation but I am glad I did and even happier God allowed me to share this:

                As you my dear reader would know coming down with a cold is the worst thing that can happen to you; well maybe not quite there but I hope you share my sentiments that it is nobody’s cup of tea. It is interesting that your voice gets deeper, nose gets pink (hehehe!!) worse off is the runny nose. For a runny nose you get to always snort, and have watery eyes, and tissue and handkerchiefs make for your incessant basic needs. And how could I forget, you are always seeking God’s face (your face is always looking upwards, you know why). Now this gets even worse when you are in a hot place like the Coast. It is tedious, and very irritating you feel like the day cannot get worse than it is, reduced Joy, irritability is off to the roof and need I mention the withdrawal it comes with. You just pretty much have a pathetic time dealing with a cold.

                When you catch a cold, you have your handkerchiefs as your best friend. It gets troublesome when there’s just one handkerchief. Things get really messy. This happens mainly because your hanky soils pretty fast. It is wet, and so full. With a runny nose you know that it does not get better; you keep using it until you feel inspired to wash it. The problem escalates here. You have to keep cleaning up but because your hanky is itself soiled you have to look for a clean patch to clean up on. The fact that this hanky is potentially smelly on top of looking so dirty means you now have to use it ‘carefully’. This entails you having to cup it into your hand every time you use it, and always excuse yourself when you are in need not because of any etiquette impressed upon your heart, no. it is inspired by your desire to keep this dirty piece of clothe from the view of everyone of everyone. As if this is not enough, when you get done with it successfully the mode with which you treat it is just telling. It tells of a clear distaste. You make every effort to ensure that none of the dirt on it is left on your nose, face or even your hand. This is done so properly-in the secluded space- that most often your skill pays off. What of the times that you inadvertently miss a spot. It takes a pal to point it out, or worse off a person who delights much to shame you and give you a hard time on any level? It’s the most embarrassing, uncomfortable two seconds of your life. It’s plain just bad and I’m sure for some of us it qualifies as a low point in the day.

                Let us think about this white handkerchief for a moment. It was once white but we can now hardly tell, reason being it took on so much dirt, it is wet, clearly not a reflection of what most of us view to be part of us,. So in embarrassment we use it in secret, and stuff it as far as possible in our pockets and even there it is such a menace (the wetness gets to us). We are for sure quite displeasured at just having it and look for every opportunity to get rid of it on good days we wash it and use it again. On ordinary days we just throw it away. The scriptures describe you and I as very filthy persons, worse off than the hanky. Using the handkerchief illustration is a euphemism for the depth of wickedness, ungodliness we are given to. In Jeremiah 13:1-11, God describes us as linen clothes used and not washed- at this point you ought to agree the handkerchief is much better. In Jeremiah 17:9, God equally describes the thoughts and attitudes of the heart as deeply rotten; so much so that we will create wickedness where there is none. Better still Mark 7:21 gives a detailed expression of all the evil that resides in a man’s heart. I now we get the picture of where we fit into this analogy.

                Jesus Christ’s place in this tale is the better version of you and I; the people with the cold. He is the man who caught the cold of such a great and deep love. He loved us so much that even in our depravity of mind, and our consensual sinfulness, He cared. He stands at the door and knocks calling out to you and says:

“Come now let us reason together Though your sins are red as Scarlet they shall be white as

Snow; though they are red as Crimson they shall be like wool.”

-Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)

                Let us not harden our hearts to this already complete work on the cross. Jesus Christ suffered for you and I taking on the shame of the soiled white handkerchief. He walked with this shame to the cross not hiding one bit of it to ensure that our shaming acts of sin were wiped clean. He could easily have determined we the handkerchiefs were dirty and deserved to be thrown away but he did not. He took us and said:

“…take off his filthy clothes…see I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you”

-Zechariah 3:2

.               He secured for us eternal life for us who believe in His name and who received Him. Please look to Christ now and run as fast as you can to Him he will not refuse you. He will clean you up and pin you to his side like we did when in pre-school, so let him clean you up beloved. Be blessed as you commit yourself to God, to the Truth of His word, to a deeper relationship with Him.

Yours truly,

Miguubeautiful.

the beginning :))

Dear reader,
I am a young bloke with a passion to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in line with the exhortation in Philemon 6(NIV). It is Paul's prayer for Philemon, he urges Philemon to be active in sharing his faith so that he might have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. hence with this simple verse illustration you do get what my aim is: to cause you to know Christ Jesus as He is set out in the Scriptures, to give you an good understanding of Jesus as I am coming to know Him all the more. This I will do by sharing the various devotional insights that I get when having my Quiet Time, and as well any other material that I come across that would help share effectively.
I know this is the start of a beautiful unveiling of our wonderful saviour and friend. Keep me in your prayers that I may effectively share this Gospel and do it o so clearly.
ps: I am currently working on a piece titled my white handkerchief. watch out for it in a short while.

yours,

Miguu Beautiful.