I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

Here is another song with powerful lyrics.

It's -- I can Only Imagine by MercyMe

1)

I can only imagine

What it will be like

When I walk By Your side

I can only imagine

What my eyes will see

When Your face Is before me

I can only imagine

{Chorus}:

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel

Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still

Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall

Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine

2)

I can only imagine

When that day comes

And I find myself

Standing in the Son

I can only imagine

When all I will do

Is Forever Forever worship You

I can only imagine

*******

Can You Imagine????

Rev 1:12

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,

13

and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.

14

His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;

15

His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;

16

He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

17

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

18

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

AN ARMED ROBBER SEIZED THE MOMENT

There is the story of one man who foolishly bungled his last chance. He was an armed robber and it was clear to everyone that he deserved to die. No one cared that his destiny was to spend his eternal lifetime burning in hell fire. No one cared that he now felt bad about the things he had done and wished for an opportunity to repent and live his life differently. He was being executed slowly and the pain was unbearable. He wished the pain to end, but it was clear that this end would only bring greater pain and unimaginable torment. He was doomed and it seemed there was no way out.

His cohort and friend was going through the same torture but he saw things differently. They were both hanging on their crosses beside the man called Jesus. His friend decided to take a chance.

He would never be baptized, take Holy Communion, attend a church service or witness to a lost soul. He would never be able to give tithes or offerings, read his bible or dress like a Christian. He would not have a chance to obey the Ten Commandments to prove that he loved the Lord.

But then a thought crossed his mind. How many people, at that moment, had the Saviour of the universe so close to them? He saw a divine opportunity, a last chance and he decided to take it. He turned to Jesus and with the knowledge of the fact that this man could actually save his soul, he said…

“Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom….”

He expected to be ignored, rebuked, rejected; but rather the same Jesus who had at one time confided in His disciples “If anyone comes to me, I will in no wise cast him out.”

Also now replied him by saying

“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” Luke 23: 42

A couple of hours later, this man marched boldly with Jesus into heaven for all eternity.

Sadly, His friend was escorted into hell also, for all eternity. He had been at the border of His miracle but he didn’t see it.

Talk about seizing the moment…

2008 is another opportunity, another chance for us to live our purpose, to expand our vision and enlarge the place of our tent. To deepen our relationship with God and become all we are meant to be. Let’s prepare to seize the moment

I wish you all a Happy New Year in Advance….

Gbala's Party

Mr. Gbala heard from the grapevine that his family and friends were planning a surprise birthday party for him. They probably didn't want him to catch on yet but it was quite obvious. They hired a hall for the event, they hired caterers, bought gifts and expensive clothes and shoes for the party.

Everything became clearer when he stumbled on the invitation card; the party was to start at 12noon. He was proud of his friends. Obviously they loved him. He had planned surprise parties himself and so he knew the joy and awe it could bring to the celebrant. He waited patiently for the day to come.

Very early in the morning of the d-day, he went on his knees and thanked God for surrounding him with such wonderful people. And then he waited ... and waited...

No one came for him, no one said anything. When it was about 4p.m. in the evening, he could take it no longer and decided to go to the venue. Something must have gone wrong; who knows, the person they sent to inform him may have taken a wrong turn.

He was surprised to see the party already in full swing. A guard stopped him at the door and told him clearly - No gate crashing please, you are not invited.

But it's my birthday and this is my party, he explained.

The guard was quite cocky as he replied, I know it is your party but the fact is that you are not invited. Please leave ….

Gbala was sad as he turned and walked away with his head down. His friends were not interested in him, they only wanted a good time in his name.

At this point I will like to wish you a Merry Merry Christmas and to remind you not to forget the reason for the season. It is to celebrate Jesus and to thank Him for the burden he bore to secure our salvation

Someone asked me over the weekend about the significance of the colors red and green used as Christmas symbols. I don’t really know for sure, but I think an attempt must be made so that we are not celebrating without knowing the reason for the season. So here goes…

RED – represents the blood that Jesus shed on the Cross of calvary as the price to redeem us from our sins and a sinful life.

Green is the color of life. Therefore, green symbolizes the potential for eternal life that Jesus' sacrifice made possible for all of us.

The lights on the Christmas tree and the star on top are all meant to remind us of the new star that appeared to proclaim the birth of the promised Messiah. The Messiah has come already and it is left for us to be saved

The bells on the Christmas tree are a reminder of the bells worn by sheep. Bells are a means for the shepherd to find the sheep that have wandered from the flock and become lost. If we make fall into sin, there is still a way for us to rise and find our way back to our saviour.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

WHAT YOU WANT IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU NEED

The 40 year old man was quite comfortable in his position. It was no longer a big deal that he was lame and he was no longer ashamed that he was a beggar. He no longer flinched when he sat in the sun and his complexion became increasingly darkened by the day. The heavier the rain, the better because it made up for the times when his people were too busy to help him with a bath.

His finances were improving by the day. Everyone knew God’s commandment to give to the poor. Everyone knew he was a genuine cripple not like some other frauds who pretended they were blind but were somehow able to burst into a sprint whenever there was a riot. His income was good; enough to support his wife’s earnings from her petty trading and enough to take care of their children.

Today, the sun was kind to him. Probably because it was the Sabbath, when men showed their pious side and maybe had greater access to God’s mercy.

He took up his position beside the beautiful gate and as expected the coins began to drop into his plate. He looked up and saw two men walk towards him. What grace, What elegance. There was something different about them. He stared but couldn’t place what it was. Well, all he needed was their money, so he donned his most pitiable voice, “Please, have pity on a poor needy man like me….

He expected Peter to put his hand into his pocket but rather Peter gave a command … “Look at us.” That sounded strange but he gave them his whole attention.

Hear Peter in Acts 3: 6, “Silver and Gold, I have not, but what I have I will give to you, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk…”

The rest is history; the lame man walked. His life could no longer remain the same.

The lame man expected money but received what money can never buy. He wanted a few coins but needed a miracle. He got one.

May we pray that God should daily lead us to find what we need and what will make a difference to our lives

He is Coming

Have you noticed how, when you set a date, the day always arrives promptly and surely. No matter how far away it is, one day, that day you set will be here and it will not miss.

Jesus is coming back again and on that day we will all behold him, surely and certainly. This painting gave me the shivers of deja vu because it's just like a vision of what will be.

Mark 13:26-27 At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

We need to prepare for his coming because He is Coming!