Intimacy with Him

When Christians meet, they talk to each other about their Christian work and Christian interest, their christian acquaintances, the state of the churches and the problems of theology but rarely of their experiences of God. Modern Christian books and magazines contain much about Christian doctrine, Christian standards, problems of Christian conduct, techniques of Christian services but little about the inner realities of fellowship with God. Our sermons contain much sound doctrine-but little relating to the converse between the soul and the Savior. We do not spend much time, alone or together, in dwelling on the wonder of the fact that God and sinners have communion at all: no, we just take that for granted and give our minds to other matters. Thus we make it plain that communion with God is a small thing to us. 

I  love the quote above by J.I Packer that describes what we often do when we hang around each other. We always seem to update each other on the usual: work, family, bills, politics etc. Whether its over the phone or over a cup of coffee that pretty much summarizes our conversations. Please don't get me wrong, there is certainly nothing wrong with the mentioned above. However we often don't  delve deeper and find out the state of our communion with the Savior of our soul. 

But then, we cant share what we do not have, what we have not experienced, what we have not spent time on and certainly not about Whom we have not known. Do we take time away away from the books, magazines, to-do list of our service to God and spend time with Him. 

Is the longings of our soul to have a close familiarity with Him?  Like Moses are we brave enough to utter the words "Let me know your ways so that i may know you, becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with you, recognizing and understanding your ways more clearly" 

Picture courtesy of Summitdrive.com

Another beautiful part of this process is that when Christ becomes the agenda of the meet-up then we become vulnerable. As we practice the discipline of confession, we find healing as we pray for each other and we find ourselves strengthened to do life together. 

My prayer is that the reality of a Holy God who has made a way to commune with sinners be what excites us. May this reality become an everyday agenda in our fellowship.

To better fellowships!

Joy Kimani-Njau 

Dry Season: Trusting God with Unmet Longings

Have you ever wanted something so badly your heart ached with each thought of it? It seems life would be so much better if you had that. Maybe you think there would be more happiness, more contentment, more fulfillment, more satisfaction or more peace.

We sometimes wrestle with the unmet longings and in the process we somehow get the idea that if we had that job, that car, that person, that child, that house……. (fill in the blanks) life would be so perfect and joy would be constant in our lives.

So why does it seem that God doesn’t give us those things that our hearts constantly long for?

Because He wants us to willingly release it to Him. If we are not careful slowly and slowly we begin to slip into a feeling that we are distant from God because we feel hurt. We all know how crazy that cycle can get. BUT you can make a choice, you could either be consumed with your unmet longing or trust the plans of our loving God. As an offering of trust, we must give up that which could so easily bring us down.

Not give up as in a discouraged surrender but giving up as in placing this desire in the hand of god and saying, "either way, i will see your answer as the good answer and walk in trust."

"And without faith is it impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

Does that mean things will be peachy perfect? Sadly no. But here is one thing I know for sure, once you make a decision to walk in trust...today will be much better than yesterday. Not easy but good.

Don’t get so consumed with unmet longings, earnestly seek Him. His rewards are the only thing that will fill the voids in your heart :) 

Why I Said No To Salvation

Ten years ago I had the opportunity to meet one of the most incredible people I know to date. What was particularly interesting about this friend was how peaceful always she seemed to be even in the worst of times.

We instantly hit it off as friends. She was the peaceful, cool, calm and collected one and I was the complete opposite, lets just say I wasn't one of the nicest people in the planet. If Mean Girls the movie was hold auditions for their lead role I would get it instantaneously - i was a natural. I was the most negative, judgmental, annoying person on the planet.

During one of our regular hangouts, she suddenly looked at me with fiery eyes and asked “Would you like to know about the Lord”, she asked. At first I was quite shocked and deliberately wanted to walk away from her.  

Photo courtesy of Patheos.com

"Not this again", i said as i rolled my eyes preparing to leave. I had heard of these same lines before and I wasn't ready to go through the whole you-need-to-get-saved talk. In all honesty I was familiar with all the reasons as to why I should get saved (they were constantly sold to me all the time)  however I had all the answers as to why it didn't make sense to me.

1. Come to Jesus, being a Christian is fun

 My answer would be Paul the apostle never seemed like he had fun(I went to a Catholic School and hence reading the bible was a must).What about the persecuted saints in the bible and those dying around the whole because of the religion?

2. Come to Jesus and you will never sin again

 Have you seen the news we have daytime evangelist splashed all over the media because of their sins. If he/she can sin what chances do I have.

3. Come to Jesus and you wont be miserable

 Well, I am happy and I really like my life thank you very much

4. Come to Jesus, you wont have problems

Well everybody got problems, ask Oprah!

Ladies and gentlemen I had heard it all and so far it wasn't something I wanted to sign up for. I would put on my widest smile and sweetly say “Thank you, I will pass”

 However my friend took another approach. She explained to me the consequences of my then decision and what it really meant  and boy oh boy did that get my attention.

We all need to make a realistic presentation of the gospel.Salvation is not a-shallow-give me-prosperity-now idea. Sadly if that’s the idea sold to people soon the poor souls may buy it and later get disillusioned by it. It is likely to fade away in the heat of reality, persecution and doubt.

The answer to this problem would be to look at the bigger picture which is you are saved, whether you get a promotion or not, you get a spouse or not, whether you become rich or not, whether your 5 year plan comes to pass or not, whether you get your wish list or not…….all those things are irrelevant (they really are)

 For God did not send his son to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son- John 3:17-18

The idea that should be hammered in is that your eternal destiny is at stake and it is sorely determined by whether you believe in the person of Jesus. The truth of the matter is that if you receive him, you will gain eternal life . However if you choose not to, that choice has its own consequence-hell.

It has been now 10 years since I made the decision to be a follower Christ and so far i have no regrets. Life still happens but God is amazingly good. Kindly note I said God is good and not life. He makes life good.

Make your decision today J

I Didn't Sign Up For This

“I now pronounce you husband and wife”, the Pastor declared in front of family and friends. I had never been to such a colourful yet simple and beautiful wedding. I was deeply fighting the urge to shed some tears (yes, I cry at weddings i find them beautiful). As I looked around I could feel the warmth and love oozing from the smiles of those around us. I couldn't believe it…I had finally gotten married.

“If I knew it would get to this point, I would have thought twice before marrying you”, I yelled angrily as I walked out slamming the door. This was just a month and a half after the wedding of my dreams.

“Lord, this wasn't what I signed up for”, I whispered desperately trying to cool off. I was troubled by the fact our marriage wasn't turning out the way I intended it to be or worse it wasn't fitting according to my plans.

The Lord began to deal with me over this issue slowly and yet painfully. I wasn't readily willing to let go of my expectations of my husband and of myself. It took a while to surrender these expectations I had created unfairly for my husband and myself included.

Jeremiah 29: 11 “ For I know the plans for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give hope  and a future.

This means that God has a plan over this marriage and He declares it is good. I slowly began to realise that indeed marriage comes with its own unique problems but even with the unexpected surprises new dreams and delights can be birthed. 

Till this very day I am amazed at how God uses a union of two sinners to sand off those rough edges that we have (and boy oh boy do I have many). You may have to give up a lot but the joy that comes with complete surrender is worth it.

Challenges in marriage, relationships and also friendships can be handled from the teachings from God’s word. How?  Making a commitment and willingly allowing God to sand off those rough edges off.  It means choosing to see your husband/wife through the eyes of God. It also means treating that person with the same regard that God has for each person. 

So the next time you find yourself with unmet expectations, turn to the Lord and allow Him to work in your mind and heart to see what He sees.

P.S After the argument, i went back and apologized to John and they lived happily ever after :)

                                                      THE END

Why I Am Not Marrying A Christian Man

Just to quickly clear things up, i am definitely getting married to an amazing man who truly loves me like Christ loves His church. He might not be perfect but he is working to becoming a better man daily as i am too. He is a leader and all other good stuff. He constantly puts God before me and for that I am truly blessed.

So why am i not marrying a Christian?

Photo courtesy of Jay Muia Photography

In the past few weeks, i have had the pleasure of sitting at the feet of many women and got to learn from their past experiences and insights on the ‘M’ word….Marriage. One of my most memorable advice was......."Joy, don’t get married to a Christian man. Marry a man who loves the Lord and put Him first above you. Marry a man who doesn't just sit at the church pew on Sunday but one who serves the Lord with the gifts endowed to him. Let him have his eyes fixed on Christ and constantly aims to bring glory to the Lord”

At first I was a bit sceptical. This sounded like one of those definition of a ‘busy’ Christian. Then it later dawned to me, my friend was right. Why?

A man who is in constant communion with the Lord has taken that first step to know him intimately and love on him. I realised that I wanted a man who has a relationship with the Lord and not just based on the name Christian but rather someone who has an active relationship with Him.

If I marry a man based on a job-it can fade, on money-it can leave, on looks-they actually fade away however if I marry him based on His love for Jesus, then Nothing is Impossible.

Lord work on me as i pray for him

Kindly note that as I expect this of him it should also be the same of me. Am i just a ‘pew’ Christian or am I using what God gave me to serve Him and bring Him glory. Does my relationship-my first ministry, embody the expectations that Christ has of me.

The Big 'IF'

Everything is possible for one who believes. Immediately the boys father exclaimed,  "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief! - Mark 9:23

A certain man had a demoniac son, who was afflicted with a dumb spirit. The father, having seen the futility of the endeavors of the disciples to heal his child, had little or no faith in Christ, and therefore, when he was bidden to bring his son to him, he said to Jesus, "If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us." Now there was an "if" in the question, but the poor trembling father had put the "if" in the wrong place: Jesus Christ, therefore, without commanding him to retract the "if," kindly puts it in its legitimate position.

How many times have we put the 'if' in our prayers? How many times have we wondered whether Jesus was sovereign enough to do the thing we desperately need him to do? In this particular passage Jesus seems to say there should be no if' about His power, nor concerning His willingness, the if' lies somewhere else.

 I have wrestled with this truth one too many  times. I have whispered in those silent prayers... If" Jesus can help me--"if" he can give me grace to overcome temptation--"if" he can give me pardon--"if" he can make me successful? Slowly i have come to realize "if" you can believe, He both can and will.If you can confidently trust, even as all things are possible to Christ, so shall all things be possible to you. 

So the next time you feel things are a bit chaotic and you need a Texas sized miracle, believe in Him who is sufficient and sovereign enough to do it all ( yes, despite your minute self), especially when you cant feel or see it.

Then you will quietly calm those storms with a quiet answer......i do believe Lord; help me overcome my unbelief 

Have a faith-filled day :)

That Rock!

We all have felt overwhelmed at one point or another. Maybe its the responsibility at home, work, friend or even family(traffic also tops the list). I remember at one point i felt so overwhelmed that i kept asking myself what is the point to all this.

Life has a way of sometimes pulling a first one on us. One minute we are totally fine and the next our world crumbles around. Disappointment and heartbreaks are just a few of those 'life' moments.Billow after billow we feel it rolls over us and we feel like a broken shell hurled to and fro by the surf.

BUT despite this, we have an all-sufficient solace around us. He is the harbour of our weather beaten sails, a refuge to the lonely pilgrim and a shelter.

......lead me to the Rock that is higher than I Psalm 61:2

 He is the rock that is higher than us. His mercy is higher than our sins, His love higher than our thoughts. He is that impenetrable Rock, the unchanging One. I am encouraged to know that no matter what happens to us, there is nothing to overwhelming for Him. He is not disturbed by them but He rules them at His own will.

Only when you understand that because He is great, you can be great. Because He is love, you will love others and yourself. Because He is all powerful, you can live without limit. Because He is unshakable, you can endure the most trying times and remain unshattered.

picture courtesy of todayschristianwoman.com

It gives me great comfort to understand that no matter what i face in this life - Expected or unexpected- God is sovereign enough to change is all for my God and the best thing is......Nothing is too difficult for Him.So the next time you feel overwhelmed, ask him to lead you to the Rock that is definitely higher than you.

So as promised, here is a one of my favourite songs for those 'overwhelming ' moments :)