“You need to stop serving because you didn’t speak to that lady properly!” These were the harsh words spoken to a young man who has been striving to deepen his relationship with God and allow Him to guide him through life’s challenges, one step at a time.

My thought?

I was so heartbroken when I heard that this man was told he couldn’t serve any more. It made me stop and reflect on my own life and some of the challenges, I’ve learned to empathize with others and understand their emotions without passing any judgments.

For example, “When I saw that sister, they didn’t say hello or acknowledge me.” However, it’s important to consider that the sister may not have seen me due to being preoccupied with their own thoughts or surroundings. It’s best to avoid making assumptions about others and take a moment to pause and reflect before passing judgment.

“^[a]Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged[unfairly]. ² For just as you [hypocritically] judge others [when you are sinful and unrepentant], so will you be judged; and in accordance with your standard of measure [used to pass out judgment], judgment will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the [insignificant] speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice and acknowledge the [egregious] log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me get the speck out of your eye,’ when there is a log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite (play-actor, pretender), first get the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

⁶ “Do not give that which is holy to [b]dogs, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, for they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7:1-6

The scripture above clearly makes us know how important it is for us not to judge as we ourselves do not know what is in our heart.

As I was praying asking The Lord to show me mercy, heal my heart and reveal anything in me here that is not of Him, I found myself repenting and asking God to forgive me of all my sins and iniquities. I then started praying, mentioning the names of people that I have forgiven but if there was still unforgiveness in my heart. Any random name that came to me, I prayed and forgave them.

To my surprise the next time I knew, I was having a conversation with some of these people on separate occasions, sharing some of the things they’ve done, but this time in a joking way. I didn’t realise it at that time. Later, I got to know that it had been a time of confrontation not in a defensive or argumentative way but joking and fun way – there has been forgiveness.

I am sorry to say this, but most Christians like judging others so much. Get to know people!

This is something I have been learning myself. GET TO KNOW PEOPLE! It’s like marriage. Don’t judge people or think you have them all figured out before you know them. ‘Hello’ so what do you do, are you married, do you have children, how many? How old are they? These are some of the questions many people ask when they are meeting people for the first time. If you desire friendship, wait and allow the friendship to grow naturally.

We live in a world where everything is so quick, we feel that we have to know everything now. Get to know people. Take time to know their name and know them well.

Let me share with you the day I went to pick up my child from school and the teacher said that he had gotten into a fight. I asked ‘Are you sure? At this point, he was holding the hand of my child. By the time I asked again, he was so embarrassed because he was holding the hand of the wrong child. The teacher was so sorry and he apologised profusely. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying my child is perfect, I am using this illustration to make a point. The fact that I had taken the time to know my child made me believe that he would not be involved in anything of that sort. But then again, I asked myself, how well does this teacher know my child, what sort of report will he write? Will it be general, or will he give my child someone else report?

Get to know people so you don’t assume. Oh, this person is snobbish oh, she is grumpy oh, he doesn’t say hello to anyone. Do you know this person? Have you taken the time to know them? Do you know what they are going through? Do you pray for them?

• Don’t just go about annoying people and judging them – get to know them
• Pray for the person who didn’t greet you the last time at work or church

• The Bible says in 1 John 1:8-9 ⁸ If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts].

9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].

Psalm 103: 2-3 also says Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul,
And do not forget any of His benefits; Who forgives all your sins,
Who heals all your diseases;

• Bless The Lord and praise His Holy for giving you salvation. He is the one who forgives all of our sins. He sent His only son to die and forgive us of all of our sins. For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favour drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; Ephesians 2:8

Lord help us to be like you. To love and not to judge others or look at others through our own lenses. Give us the grace to know you more and to be like you. Show us mercy Father as we strive to be like you. As Paul says in the book of Galatians 2:20 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me

Ask The Lord to search your heart and reveal to you where you have judged people or harboured unforgiveness and ask Him to forgive you.

We ask this in the name of our dear Lord Jesus Christ – AMEN!

The post GET TO KNOW PEOPLE! DON’T JUDGE! DON’T GET OFFENDED! appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

Have you ever thought of God as your Father?
God loves us. In fact, he loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die
on the cross to forgive our sins, and rose again so we could have eternal
life. We are invited into His family. But have you ever seen God as your
loving Father?
In the story of the prodigal son, a son asks for his inheritance money, which
his father gives him. He then leaves home, to go on his own way. He lived a
life of fun and made lots of friends, but things went wrong when he ran out
of money, lost all his friends and was forced to work feeding pigs for a local
pig farmer. He got little money and was very hungry most of the time.
Eventually, the son realised the error of his ways, and decided to return
home and to ask his father to forgive him and give him some work on the
farm. However, when he returned, his father embraced him and even threw
a party and prepared a feast for him, saying “My son was lost, but he has
now been found.”
The father in the story represents God, our Father who loves us so much.
The son represents us as humans. We often try to go our own way instead
of following God’s plan for our lives. However, if we realise the wrongness
of our actions, come before God and ask him to forgive us, He will forgive
us. He will be there, waiting to embrace and forgive us, just as a loving
Father would. He is our Father and He cares for us. But how can we know
God as our Father?

1. Grow in your relationship with God
   Growing in your relationship with God through reading your Bible, praying
   and more helps us be closer to Him, and to learn how much he loves us,
   and is our loving Father. This is especially hopeful for those who may not
   have an earthly father. God can be their loving Father in spite of the fact
   that they don’t have an earthly father. God is the “father of the fatherless.

(Psalm 68:5). If you know anyone without an early father, you can tell them
about how much God loves them

2. Prayer
Prayer is a great way of being closer to God and personally connecting with
Him. You can pray this prayer:

Dear God, thank you for loving me so much. Please help me to know you
as a Father, and that I am your son/daughter. Amen.
Not only is he your heavenly Father, you are also His son/daughter. Praying
this prayer can help you to also know this. You are a child of God.

By Praise

The post Father God appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

The loyal or reliable or the hard-working fathers who stands as pillars of support and protection, weave an intricate tapestry of memories, teachings, and experiences that shape our lives. They are the silent heroes who tirelessly toil to provide for their families, often sacrificing their desires and dreams. June becomes a time for us to pause, reflect, and express gratitude for these remarkable individuals who have shaped us in countless ways.

It is the month of June, as summer unfolds and nature blossoms, we embark on a heartfelt journey to celebrate the embodiment of love, guidance, and strength—fathers. With Father’s Day nestled within this vibrant month, we embark on a dedicated exploration of:

1.  What it means to be a father, cherishing their invaluable role in our lives.
2. What a father looks like and the expectations
3. The biblical father
4. The role of a father within the family and society

As we delve into the essence of fatherhood, we will uncover a tapestry of qualities that define this noble role. Fathers are the embodiment of strength, exuding a quiet yet unwavering resolve that inspires us to face life’s challenges head-on. They offer us shelter from the storms, instilling in us the belief that no hurdle is insurmountable.

But fatherhood is not just about strength but about tenderness and love. Fathers possess an unparalleled capacity to embrace us with open arms, enveloping us in warmth and security. They teach us the beauty of compassion, empathy, and the importance of nurturing relationships. A father’s love is a beacon that illuminates our path, providing a guiding light that shapes our character and instils in us the values we hold dear.

In this month of June, we will take time to honour the diverse tapestry of fatherhood. We will celebrate biological fathers, spiritual fathers, stepfathers, adoptive fathers, and father figures who have lovingly taken on the role of mentor and guide. We express our appreciation for the countless hours spent playing catch in the backyard, imparting wisdom over shared meals, and lending a listening ear when the world seems overwhelming.

Through acts of gratitude and reflection, we honour the unwavering dedication of fathers. We acknowledge their sacrifices and the profound impact they have on our lives. Let us cherish this month as an opportunity to express our love, admiration, and appreciation for the fathers who have shaped us into the people we are today.

Photo by Liane Metzler on Unsplash

The post Fatherhood appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

By Praise of The Program Kids Praise

As humans, we all worry. It can be for various reasons, for example an upcoming
test or job interview. However, the Bible tells us not to worry: “Therefore do not
worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for
the day is its own trouble.”(Matthew 6:34) We as humans find it hard not to worry,
but God will help us not worry and be confident that He will help us. We can bring
our requests before God: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain
you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”(Psalm 55:22).The Lord
will give us strength to “do all things”(Phillipians 4:13), but we must first bring our
burdens before God and pray, trusting that He will hear our prayers and help us.
Joshua 1:9 says: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage;
do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for Lord your God is with you wherever you
go.” We can trust that no matter what we are going through, we can trust that
God is with us , and that we don’t need to worry because He will help us. God
can help us in various different ways:

1. Prayer
   ● Prayer is a good way to be closer to God, and present your worries or your
   problems to Him, trusting that He will hear you and answer your prayers.
2. Reading the Bible
   ● Reading God’s Word is another way for God to speak to you. When
   reading the Bible, God will lead you to a scripture relevant to what
   challenges you may be facing or your worry. This helps us trust that God
   will help you.
3. Being still
   ● Sometimes, simply being still and listening can help us connect with God
   so He speaks to us, helping us know that He will help us with our
   challenges and our worries.
   Do not worry. God is with you and will help you with whatever challenge you may
   be facing.

By Praise of Kids Praise

The post Don’t Worry appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

By Praise of The Program Kids Praise

God loves us so much. In life, we all make mistakes and sin. It is simply sinful
human nature. However, no matter how much we sin, it is important to know that
He still loves us and won’t stop loving us just because we did something that
doesn’t please Him. ‘Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.’ (Hebrews
13:8). If we come before God, pray and ask God to forgive us of all our sins, and
He will forgive us and give us a second chance. Instead of making excuses for
our sin, we must instead ask God to forgive us. The reason why this is possible is
because God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die for us on the
cross so our sins could be forgiven and rose again so that we could have eternal
life(John 3:16), spending eternity with God in heaven. Because God loves us so
much, we should show that same love to others. We shouldn’t treat others
differently just because they’re different. We are to show love and care to others,
as God also loves them and by showing them love and sharing your faith with
them, you can help them know how much God loves them. To help us know how
much God loves us, we can pray this simple prayer:
Prayer
God, please show me how much you love me; that no matter what you do wrong,
as long as I say I’m sorry and ask for forgiveness, you will forgive and still love
me as much as you ever did. Help me to show that same love to others.
How can we show love to others?

1. Be respectful
   Something as simple as being kind and respectful to others can be a way
   of showing God’s love to others. Open a door for a teacher. Help your mum
   and dad around the house. There are many more simple acts of kindness
   that can be ways of showing love.
2. Speak to people who may be feeling down
   If someone may be feeling down, whether it may be one of your friends or
   someone you don’t really speak to, talk to them. Pray for them. Let them
   know that you care. You can even use it as an opportunity to tell them
   about God’s love for them.
3. Treat others how you would want to be treated, and how God would treat
   them
   We can also show love to others by treating others how you would want to
   be treated. Don’t treat people unfairly just because they are different.
   Remember that God wants us to “love your neighbour as
   yourself”(Matthew 22:39). So before you want to treat others differently,
   think about how God would treat them, so instead, treat them like how God
   would

By Praise of Kids Praise

The post God Loves us appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

By Praise of The Program Kids Praise

Baptism is very important for Christians. Jesus commanded his
disciples to do it in the New Testament: “Repent and be baptised
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness
of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts
2:38)”. We also do it because Jesus did it, although He is perfect.
Baptism is important as it marks our new life of fully following
Jesus.
What happens during the process of Baptism?
During Baptism, a person accepts the Lord Jesus as their
Saviour, and the person baptising says: “I now baptise you in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.

The person is laid in water, and then brought up again.
Why do we do this?
Most people will usually do this not long after they have become
a Christian. Baptism is essentially a public declaration of one’s
faith. Being laid down in the water represents dying to our old
self(not physically), which represents turning our back on our
old way of sinning and doing what does not please God. It also
helps us identify with Jesus’ death on the cross, which was done
to save us from our sins. Being brought up out of the water
represents being alive in Christ, which represents living a life of
doing what pleases God and following His plan and will for our
lives.
Baptism is an important event in our lives, as we make the
decision to follow Jesus- to think like Jesus, talk like Jesus and
act like Jesus. It is also a public declaration of our faith

By Praise of Kids Praise

The post Baptism appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

So I haven’t written any blog since the beginning of the year. During my Bible study today, on The Book of Revelation 14, I paused to meditate on verses 7 to 10. It then clicked. Ah! It is February, the month of love. So i was like Lydia, why don’t you write about love. Before I did, the Lord began to drop these topics in my heart:

What drove him?
He didn’t have to do this!
Was there another way ?
What kind of love is this?
Love without end……………..

I finally settled on the above topic. ‘What drove him to do this?

John 3:16 says For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life’.

I get that! But studying the Book of Revelation has made me realise that yes God is love, He is also a Judge and a Just God. He sent His only son to come and die for us but He will return again but this time to judge the world.

Revelation 14:7a says ….. Fear God and give Him praise. The time has come for God to judge all people”.

Revelation 14:9-11 also says 9 “then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

Yes! for GOD SO LOVE THE WORLD. He gave HIS SON freely to us. He offered him as a sacrificial lamb for us.; yet, He has also given us free will.
To decide if we want to accept, believe and invite his son into our life.

It doesn’t mean there will be no challenges.
It doesn’t mean the road is easy.
It doesn’t mean that our walk with The Lord Jesus Christ or Christianity is an immediate fix to life’s problems or challenges.

You and I are not promised a smooth easy life. In fact, Jesus tells us in John 16:33 “‘… These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

So, if we are promised trouble and get no free pass to avoid challenging times in life, why would we choose to love the one who first loved us? Because The son Himself was persecuted. John 15:20……..‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

We have a choice every day to do things the easy way or to do things God’s way. To obey God’s commands and remain faithful to Jesus requires patient endurance, but the reward is worth the work (Revelation 14:12)

Though we are not promised a life of ease, as Christians, we are promised a life of hope, grace, and mercy.
We are promised an unconditional love from a God who will never leave or forsake us.
Even in our hardest times, we can be sure that God is with us — guiding, teaching, and protecting us. He can use even the toughest situations for His glory and our good. He will turn that situation of feeling unloved for His glory and your favour. You can trust his love. It is not fake! It is not pretence.

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:14

Talking about our dear Lord Jesus Christ and Saviour being led as a lamb to the slaughter. He laid His life down for us because of love. What drove Him? LOVE! His Father’s love for us.

It reminds me of my youngest son’s story he shared last week on TLC Radio. He said Abraham always gave good gifts to God. He loved God and always came before God with his offering of gifts. He gave God his animals. They were called sacrifices.

This was his way of saying I love you God. But there was a time God didn’t want a lamb or goat. God wanted Abraham to give Him his son, his only son, the son he loved – Isaac,

Abraham didn’t understand. But he knew that God was his father who loved him and he trusted him. God later gave Abraham a lamb – just in time in place of his son Isaac for the sacrifice. God wanted Abraham and Isaac to understand something. God wanted His people to live and not die. God wanted to rescue his people, not punish them. But we must believe and trust in Him.

One day someone will be born into Abraham’s family as God promised him who will bring happiness to the whole world. God was getting ready to give the whole world a present because He loves us. It was His way of saying ‘I LOVE YOU!

Who is He? God’s son, His only son- the son He loved.

The Lamb of God

• Have you accepted Jesus’ love for you? If not, what’s keeping you from living in the joyful life He has planned for you?

In this month of love, take some time to reflect on God’s love for you and receive His love.

Remember, For God so loved the world….He loves you and He is giving you an invitation to come to him. Today as you have heard his voice, do not harden your heart. Hebrews 3:15

Receive Him today and escape His wrath to come.

Written by: “@Lydia Speaks Ministries

Photo courtesy: ©Nick Fewings/Unsplash

The post What Drove Him To Do This? appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

Summer is now over and officially autumn ushered in. Here in the UK autumn started today 22nd September and ends on 21st December 2021. There are four seasons in a year. Autumn – Winter – Spring – Summer.

Every season comes with its weather. spring is when thing begin to spring up. New flowers, plants green leaves etc….Autumn – when leaves begin to change colour and fall and so forth and so on.

This means we change the clothes we wear to make sure we are not cold during winter and not too hot during summer. So is our journey and lives. Other interesting facts about this Autumn are: 1. Trees prepare for winter 2. The chemistry of colour and 3. The days get shorter.

WHAT SEASON ARE YOU RIGHT NOW IN YOUR LIFE?

Here in the UK beginning of Autumn, September to be specific is a new academic year. Some children start school for the first Tim – reception. some secondary school, others sixth form, university and other move to a new year group.

Time is in God’s hands and HE is with us in every season. So what is God saying to you at this time? The Bible says….the sons of Isacchar knew the time. They had analysed their times and had perceived correctly what those times were all about. They knew what to do because they understood what was happening. We often get frustrated with God because things are not happening in our timeline. We think that we know better than He and get impatient. This leads to depression and anxiety. But God is perfectly in control of what is happening – including the timing of our seasons in life.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

David also says in Psalm 31:15-16 “My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. 16 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.”

There is a time to plough and a time to sow. A time to wait and a time to harvest. Know what God is saying in each season – trust Him and rest in His word. Do not get yourself frustrated and try to move when it is time to rest and wait. Don’t wait when it is time to get busy. Seek the Lord if you haven’t done so and hear what He is saying to you in this season. The Lord will make all things beautiful in His time.

Written by: Lydia

Photo by Cody Mummau from FreeImages

The post It’s a new season appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

Contentment means to be satisfied or pleased. To be free from care because of satisfaction with what is already one’s own. 

Hebrews 13:5 says  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Contentment as defined by Priscilla Shirer is an inner sense of rest or peace that comes from being right with God and knowing that He is in control of all that happens to us. 

It means having our focus on the kingdom of God and serving Him, not on the love of money and things. If God grants us material comforts, we can thankfully enjoy them, knowing that it all comes from His loving hand. But, also, we seek to use it for His purpose by being generous. If He takes our riches, our joy remains steady, because we are fixed on Him 

Contentment also means not being battered around by difficult circumstances or people, and not being wrongly seduced by prosperity, because our life is centred on a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

So no matter what happens to you or what others do to you, have the steady assurance that the Lord is for with and He will not forsake you.  We live in challenging times – world pandemic, with so many families loosing their lives. Thank the Lord for life and given you the grace to depend on Him. Let us take one day at a time and be content with what you have.

I believe that the Apostle Paul from his books had a policy of not making his financial needs known to anyone except the Lord. Here he was in prison, unable to pursue his tent-making trade, and he was in a tight spot. He wrote a number of letters during this time to various churches and individuals (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon), and he asks for prayer in those letters. But never once does he mention his financial needs. Rather, he asks for prayer for boldness and faithfulness in his witness. He trusted in and submitted to the sovereignty of God to provide for his needs.

1 Peter 5:6-7 says Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Paul learned to be content in all conditions. It didn’t come naturally to him, and it wasn’t an instantaneous transformation. It is a process, something that we learn from walking with God each day. Key to this process is understanding that everything, major and minor, is under God’s sovereignty. He uses all our circumstances to train us in godliness if we submit to Him and trust Him. Our attitude in trials and our deliberate submission to His sovereignty in the trial is crucial. 

On the other hand, in times of abundance, we should not take our focus off God. Money doesn’t provide contentment neither does poverty.

Knowing God’s plan for you, having a conviction to live it and believing that God’s peace is greater than the world’s problems is what will bring you contentment.

Written by: @lydiaspeaks_ministry

Photo courtesy: ©Alex Radelich/Unsplash

The post How to find Contentment appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

This week we publish an article written by one of our listeners .

God is above you in a position of authority over your life. Rejoice with those who rejoice ….. Romans 12:15. 

Never be overwhelmed by time or a season in your life that you begin to stop being Godly. 

It doesn’t matter how many people go ahead of you. In your understanding and ways they are going ahead but the Bible says; my ways are not your ways. As far as the sky is from the earth so are my ways from yours.. 

God is faithful and just and cannot be mocked. He gives everyone according to the fruit of his deeds.  If you remain principled, you will see him faithful. 

I returned and saw under the sun that—The race is not to the swift,
Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise,
Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favour to men of skill;
But time and chance happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11

No one has overtaken you!  Time and chance happen to us all according to the counsel of God’s will not man’s futile efforts. In days of despair just encourage yourself and say for as long as there is breath, I’m one day closer to where God is taking me. 

I want to submit to every discouraged and tired person; or anyone  who is about to throw in the towel. You think everyone has overtaken you.  You have attended baby showers, caught the bride bouquet and gutter a million times. Now you resent going to weddings. You have been told several times – a groom’s man but never the groom.   Don’t be discourage. Keep rejoicing with those who rejoice. Deuteronomy 28:2 says, all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God.

Your life matters to God.  You are not alive by coincidence.  No one can out plan God because He has made everything good in its time. 

Say to yourself : I am not in control of times and seasons!

I am in control of how I respond to the one who created me to go through life governed by principle of time and Seasons. 

It is time to show yourself worthy as a believer. Don’t be governed by arguments, unfounded statements of people, imprisonment of culture and societal pressures.  

As a Christian, remember it is for freedom that Jesus died at the cross: 

“Truly, this only I have found:That God made man upright,But they have sought out many schemes.”Ecclesiastes 7:29

Stop complicating yourself! Scripture continues to teach us in (Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet^[a] no one can fathomwhat God has done from beginning to end.

Salute God and submit all your ways to Him. He will perfect everything concerning you.

Written by: By Nicholas Mogale – TLC Listener

Photo courtesy: ©Alicia Quan/unsplash

The post Who has authority over your life? appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

Have you ever find yourself trying to assemble something you bought – whether is a construction toy, furniture set, or gadget?

I must confess, it is not a delightful thing for me to do. Reading instructions, following the manual follow step by step to assembly anything at all that I have purchase? It is not a fun thing for me at all. I find myself at times, scanning through the pictures, thinking, I’ve got it! ‘I can sort this out! Only to reach half way then realise, I can’t.

A typical example is when we bought a new barbeque set and my husband wasn’t at home. I threw myself the challenge of putting everything together myself. It was very frustrating trying to fit the different bolts and nuts into the right places. I just couldn’t!

What is a manual?

Essentially, an instruction manual is a book or booklet giving detailed information about how something should be done or operated. The instructions can explain how to put together a barbeque set; operate a blender; washing machine, children’s toy and so on.

It is basically, the communication provided by someone who knows how a project should be done or how to assemble a product to someone who needs to know how to do it.

So what is the purpose of a manual?

Why will the manufactures bother to put one in every product they make? It is to help you figure how to put the product together.

For so many people, referring to the manual is thought of as a last resort.  That is how many of us behave. Instead of going to the one who holds the instruction manual to our life consistently, we refer to Him (God) as a last resort or forget sometimes. 

After giving birth to my first child, my perspective on things and life began to change for the good especially after the having my second born. When it was time to go back to work full time after maternity, I felt the Lord wanted me to stay home a bit longer and seek Him.

His promise to me was – I will provide.  Initially, it was not a struggle at all as I knew God had something planned for me.  God had some things to show and say to me and the full picture could only be revealed by me intentionally and consistently seeking Him in my closet without any form of distraction. 

That season of being at home, looking after my children was amazing! I found joy whiles I worked on the things God had committed into my hands.

The question I want to ask is DO YOU EVER PAUSE AND ASK – LORD, WHERE AM I ?  Am I still on course concerning that project you asked me to undertake? Do you get so busy with life and its cares that you don’t have time to pause and check if you are to change direction? You can be frustrated at times if you do not ask.

I have learnt the importance of asking God this question – This new job you’ve given me; how long should I work for the company?  

• Do I continue to stay here so far as am being paid? 

• Is there a purpose for me being here?

• Do I stay in the job even if I am not happy? 

• Or what is your ultimate goal for me? 

When the season comes to leave, could you speak to me or give me a signal?  This will help eliminate any pain and disappointments. Remember, God holds the instruction manual to your life.

Like Joshua, the Israelites and battle of Ai. The Lord had told Joshua, in Joshua 1: 5 “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee”.

It wasn’t until they lost the battle of Ai. Although Ai was a small country in comparison to the many countries Israel had defeated. ‘We don’t need to send all our army’ they thought. Joshua forgot to ask God – the one who has always been leading him in all the battles and given him victory. During the battle, Ai smote about thirty-six men and chased them. Therefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. Joshua 7: 5

After the defeat, Joshua rented his clothes, put dust upon his head and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord from morning till evening. (Joshua 7:6)

Joshua 7:11 says   ^“Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. 

That led to the whole nation of Israel repenting and sanctifying themselves.  Achan who stole the accursed thing was later stoned with his family.  God then gave them victory the second time around with Ai and the neighbouring countries. Why? Because Joshua enquired from the Lord and He led them to victory. 

Let me ask you this question again. Who is in control of your life? Are you so busy on social media that you don’t have time to ask the Lord where you are at with your walk with Him?

Are you so busy with ‘church’ and ‘church programs’ that you don’t have time to spend with God or check that bit in your life that need fixing? Are you so busy with work that you are not even aware which season of your life you are in? 

It is time to PAUSE ! STOP and go to the manufacturer and ask Him to check you out; reveal the missing parts and fix them for you.  

Let me surprise you. God is interested in even the smallest decision you make in your life.

He will show you the way so you don’t miss anything at every stage of your life.  Seek the Lord in prayer and fasting!  He will bring you back on track. Things will begin to function well for you again. You will begin to hear His voice and His clear instructions again. It is beautiful when you do. 

The post The instruction manual appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

Running can be tedious and boring. I would love to say, I enjoy running but I don’t. As someone who loves and enjoy swimming, lockdown has forced me to pick up a new form of exercise – which is jogging and taking regular walks. I must say it has taken me a long time to get here. I remember my husband encouaraging me last year March during the first lockdown and having to work from home. He told me to consider running but I was hesitant until I notice girl, you have gain a bit of weight sitting down and starring at the screen for such a long period of time.

So you can imagine, someone like me trying to jog with a luggage – it will be impossible to do even two metres before dropping it.

Try and picture this! The whole Christian walk is to run a race. It is a race of faith. Not just a normal race but a long distance one. My family and I love watching athletics – during the season, whether indoor or outdoor, we all make time to watch. I must admit that sometimes when it comes to the five and ten thousand long distance races, we will take a break and come back – why? because it is long and can be boring.

 ^{Hebrews 12:1 reads – Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us}

• Maybe you have been a Christian a few days now or for a very long time. Running this race can be boring and lonely at times.

• Or may at times you ask? Why is the race is so hard and feel like giving up. Like running a marathon – you encounter bumpy roads, mountains, and sometimes the speed limit is 5 mph due to pot holes or narrowness of the road.

Let me not lie to you, for this race, you need endurance which comes from the Lord as it can be extremely challenging.

• May be the devil sometimes whispers – why don’t you give up in this race? Enjoy life like everybody else. Remember, the devil is a liar and he always come to steal to kill and destroy as John 10:10 says. He has nothing good to offer.

In the book of Matthew 4:6-8, he says to Jesus the son of God, to fall down and worship him. In exchange he will give him the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them. But the Bible says, Jesus rebuked him. You can do the same to the devil, the deceiver, when he comes to you with lies to discourage you. Rebuke him and reject his lies to distract you.

Competitive long distance runners lay aside everything except what is absolutely necessary. The beautiful thing is the assurance that God is with you. He is ready to take that weight only if you will hand them over to Him. Finishing this race requires a lot of training, being intentional, and focus.

This long distance runners, train for months if not years to be able to run and achieve their desired goals. So child of God, everyday is training day for you; plus there is a prize to be won, so don’t give up!

^{1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says – Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25 Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.}

During this training sessions, it is so important you pay close attention to what you are listening to, reading and even believing. Wrong beliefs can weigh down your heart, entangle your feet, distract your attention, and deplete your energy. These things can take you out of the race if care is not taken.  

1. It is important you identify your weights and resolve to do whatever it takes to lay them aside!
2. You also need to focus. You cannot run aimlessly. Though we all share similarities in our Christian races, the Lord gives each of us a unique race to run. Not everyone’s weights are the same. Remember, each of us will be accountable to God. (Romans 14:12).    

God has assigned to each of us the measure of faith needed for our respective races. What may be a weight for you may not be a weight for someone else. 

Laying aside weights is not a onetime thing. It is a skill acquired through constant practice. So, don’t be discouraged. Don’t give up. Keep at it. Do it again and again and again.

Trusting Jesus can be challenging. It requires following the unseen into an unknown and believing. Jesus’s words are powerful, over and against the threats you see or the fears you feel. In these uncertain times, continue to walk by faith, trusting in God’s promises more than your perceptions.

The way to find rest is in the faithfulness of God!

Written by: Lydia Riley

Photo courtesy: ©Lucas Favre /Unsplash

The post Lay aside every weight appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

This period of covid-19 pandemic has made many people to ask lots of questions. I have heard many ask, ‘if there is God why are people dying’? 

“Why can’t He take away the disease”? At the same time, there has been some turn around. In a Christian nation where now, laws have been passed to satisfy the few minorities and ‘freedom of speech is not freedom of speech anymore. 

Many Christians have been persecuted with some losing their jobs after being invited to disciplinary for praying colleagues or sharing their faith. Some Christians have been fired after being accused of offending others by sharing their faith. 

Now we see such a turn around. Many nurses, doctors and front-line workers, gathering to pray and sing hymns in the same place of work where Christians were not allowed to pray or talk about their faith. This on any other occasion would have cost them their jobs. 

As a child of God, this is the time to stand, allow your faith to grow and trust the Lord as never before.

If you read the account of how the Lord delivered the Israelites from slavery, one may ask how they got there in the first place. 

Recap: Joseph’s brothers have sold him to traders. 

Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.    (Genesis 37: 28)

Joseph ended up a slave in Potiphar’s house to be precise. He was later thrown into prison for a crime he did not commit. But one thing is for certain, he was not just diligent in the tasks given him, but also used the gift that God has given him to help others.

God had given him the gift of interpreting dreams. He…..

•  was always full of faith. 
• kept believing and trusting that God will deliver him not just from prison but to reunite with his family again. 
• believed that his gift could open doors for him. 
• interpreted dreams for his inmates whiles in prison. 
• said to the chief Butler,  “But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house”. (Genesis 40: 14). 

Fast forwarding, it is this same gift that God used for his deliverance and elevation. 

What is that gift or talent that God has given you? This is the best time to put it to use. Use it to help others; your friends, families and those around you. Are you an Encourager, Prayer warrior, Poet, Writer, Worshipper? 

Whatever it is, use it! 

Also believe in that which God has promised you.  If your gift has not fully manifested, do not give up! Do not be sad and do not lose hope. If you are still not sure, keep asking, keep trusting and keep believing. 

Seek counsel! Proverbs 3:5-6 says  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all yourways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

We read later in Exodus 50: 24-25

“And Joseph said to his brethren, “I am dying; but God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.”.

At that time his people were not in slavery, yet he believed that time would come but deliverance will also come. FAITH. That is why his name is mentioned in the book of Hebrews 11 (The Faith of the Patriarchs)

By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones. Hebrews 11:22

Both Simeon and Anna also held on to the promise of God that they will not see death until they saw the saviour. (Luke 2:25-38). They blessed the Lord and gave thanks gave to God and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

He who has promised is faithful. Hold on to God, hold on to His word, hold on to His promises. Never give up on the Lord because He will not give up on you. Have faith; keep trusting and everything He has promised you will come to pass. The time and seasons are in hands. You only need to keep believing and trusting in His infallible word. His word does not return to Him void, but it shall accomplish what He please, and it shall prosper in the thingfor which He sent it. Isaiah 55:11

Written by: Lydia

Photo courtesy: ©ed-leszczynskl /Unsplash

The post Keep Believing. Keep Trusting. appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

…..But he who endures to the end shall be saved. Matthew 24:13

Last year March 23, 2020, was the first lockdown in the UK. It has been almost a year. The restrictions lasted into July. The there was another lockdown in October 2020.

Many businesses were forced to close without knowing whether they will be allowed to open again during the first lockdown. Most people began to work from home due to the pandemic. For some, it was as if nothing has happened; they had to be going to work due to the fact that their organisations were known to be providing essential services other than NHS workers. Schools, shut down. In the midst of it all, a lot of people lost their jobs or were furloughed. Now we are in lock down again all due to the covi-19 pandemic.

This lockdown has forced many families to spend time together probably for the first time in a long time.  Spending time by eating at table together, playing games.

Many Churches are now having to meet virtually or book for a seat to go to church if it is open. On the positive side, most Christians are becoming more creative by meeting regularly with friend and families to pray using various social media platforms. Others have been forced by being at home to spend more time with children praying, studying the Bible together, eating and doing more funs things together.

For some of us, it has been a period of doing a spiritual MOT with God. Going to the master mechanic – Checking our walk with the Him, revisiting abandoned  projects or things He has spoken to us about for the longest period of time. For others, it has been new God given ideas and working on them. Or discovering  talents and gifts God has already placed in us. 

Almost a year now and we are still lockdown having to stay at home keeping everyone safe. Sooner or later, all restrictions may be lifted gradually but one question still remains unanswered. Will the world return to ‘normality’ again? Probably not. 

The world has changed so much. As our Prime Minister sets out roadmap to cautiously ease lockdown restrictions, many are hoping, life, will return to some sort of normality. In the meantime, this is the when you can pause, assesses and ask this question – with everything that is happening all around the world, am I preparing myself for the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? Am I prepared for what is yet to come?

This is the best time to sharpen all the armours God has given us and not come out of this lock down with blunt armours.

The amours to enable you to stand against the wiles of the devil. Loins girt with truth, breastplate of righteousness; your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; taking the shield of faith; the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-18

Ephesians 6:12 says  “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. 

The time is coming when no one will be able to buy or sell without receiving the mark of the beast.

Are you ready? Are you preparing yourself in the word of God and soaking yourself in prayer? Having that intimate relationship with your maker? The children of God will be hated. Christians will be more persecution. Men will be lovers of themselves. Many will be offended, betray and hate one another. (Matthew 24)

Our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ was hated by the world whiles He was on earth.

He was crucified.

He died to save you and me.

After His resurrection and ascension to Heaven, persecution of his disciples and followers began.  This did not stop them from preaching the gospel  even unto death.

All the disciples of Jesus were killed apart from John who didn’t die after they boiled him. Peter was crucified, upside down at his request, since he did not feel he was worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. Andrew was scourged, and then tied rather than nailed to a cross, so that he would suffer for a longer time before dying. And so were the rest of the disciples killed. 

This is not the time to relax. This is the time to prepare for what is to come. Prepare yourself daily in prayer and in the word!

Having done all, to stand so that you will be able to stand the evil day. (Ephesians 6:13) 

Written by: Lydia Photo courtesy: ©Emma Shappley/Unsplash

The post Prepare ! appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

What is an anchor? An anchor is a heavy metal object, usually shaped like a cross with curved arms, on a strong rope or chain, that is dropped from a boat into the water to prevent the boat from moving away:

The main reason a ship needs an anchor is to ride out storms so that it is not blown off course or into the rocks or reefs. Even in a safe harbour, a ship needs an anchor so that it will not drift, hit something or sink.

Whether in the storms of life or in the harbour during the calm times of life, we all need an anchor for our souls so that we do not destroy our lives. There is so much deception in the world at the moment and only those who have a strong anchor will not be drifted. 

Abraham had his storms as he waited on God. In two different moments of weakness, he thought that powerful men would take his wife from him, so he lied that Sarah was his sister. Genesis 20:2                                                   

At another moment of despair, he took Sarah’s maid, Hagar, and conceived Ishmael. In spite of these failures, in hope against hope, he believed until God fulfilled the promise.  

We all face numerous types of storms that threaten to rob us of our hope in Christ. There are storms of false doctrine that can blow some Christians off course.

We must stand by holding firmly to the promise of salvation in Christ alone by grace alone through faith alone. 

1. There will be storms of doubt, storms of persecution, storms of the existence of God and salvation We can weather them by coming back to the truth of the resurrection of Jesus, which is the bedrock of our entire faith. 1 Corinthians. 15:1-19   If Jesus is not risen, our faith is in vain. But if He is risen, then our salvation is certain and our hope can rest confidently in Him.

• There will be storms of difficult trials, where we wonder why God is allowing them and question whether He loves us. We can overcome and have the victory by remembering that God, who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, has promised to bring us through every conceivable difficulty or challenge to ultimate glorification especially at this time.

• There may be storms of defeat, where we fall into sin. We can overcome even these storms if we realise that Jesus our High Priest is sitting at the right hand of the Father praying for us, that our faith may not fail, and that by His grace, we can be restored.

As Christians living in a world that Paul describes as “having no hope and without God, we should stand out as people of hope. The hope is the anchor that God has given to us to hold on, even in the times of storm these times of so much unrest and uncertainty.” Ephesians 2:12-14

We have a high priest within the veil. He has promised to save all who take refuge in Him. Let’s continue to take hold of our hope in Jesus!

Written by:  Lydia

Photo courtesy: ©Lynda Hinton/Unsplash

The post Will your anchor hold? appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

Matthew 19:26“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

This is a scripture we see all over the place. On the walls of people home, used to encourage our children, during job interviews etc… “With God all things are possible!”

This scripture, Matthew 19:26, speaks of God’s omnipotence, His absolute power to what He pleases. It’s a theme that is echoed all throughout Scripture. Through God all things are possible:

1.  When Sarah and Abraham doubted God’s promise to give them a son, God said, in Genesis 18:14.  “Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

• When God displayed his absolute sovereignty to Job in his distress, Job replied, “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You”.Job 42:2.

• Jesus himself, when he prayed to his Father in the garden before he was crucified, cried out, “And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”. Mark 14:36.

This part of scripture, “with God all things are possible,” means the absolute sovereignty and uncontested power of God.

True Meaning: 

“With God all things are possible”. It could be explained like this. Since God is with me, all things are possible for me.” This situation you are in will pass. That which God has promised you will come to pass because with Him nothing is impossible.

In other words, since God is on my side, I can accomplish anything I want to do. Many Christians claims God’s power as something that gives us the ability to chase any dream or accomplish any task we want. 

Although it is true that God is always with his children and gives us strength, He does not guarantee that we will succeed in decisions we make without seeking for His will.  Sometimes, it is God’s will for us to miss out on that job opportunity. Does that mean that God really isn’t all powerful? Does that mean that God somehow failed you? Not at all. 

When we hijack this part of scripture and use it in a wrong context, we set ourselves up for frustration, doubt, and sorrow. God is all powerful and will turn everything the enemy meant for evil for His glory and for our favour. He does not give us the right to claim that power for whatever we want. When Jesus prayed to his Father in the garden before he was taken to the cross, “all things are possible for you,” he concluded by saying, “nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” The reality of the Father’s absolute power compelled Jesus to submit to the Father’s will. If Jesus himself responded to his Father’s power this way, then we should respond in the same way?

God does what He pleases. He acts according to His will, not mine or yours. 

Because all things are possible with God, we must submit to him and yield ourselves to his sovereign plan, trusting him to do what is best for us.  

We don’t know what is best for us, but God does. Even in these challenging times, we might understand it, but believe that God is with us. His ways are not our ways; neither His plans are our plans. We must trust Him to accomplish Hiswill for our lives and can be confident that God will do exactly that because “with God all things are possible. The God who watches over you neither sleep nor slumber. Psalm 121:5-6 says “The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day; Nor the moon by night.

Trust in the Lord, give Him your heart today, because with Him all things are possible. He is the only one that can preserve your soul. All the challenges you are facing will pass only if you can hold on and trust God. Tell Him – God not my will but yours be done!

Written By: Lydia

The post This will pass appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

1 Samuel 30:1-6

David and his men had returned home to Ziklag, anxious to be reunited with their wives and children. They found their city burned to the ground, their homes destroyed, and their children and wives gone. The Amalekites had invaded while they were in Aphek and had taken captive all that was precious to David and his men.  ….. And David was greatly distressed“.   (1 Samuel 30:6) He had just returned from Gath, where King Achish had said to him, “Thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God.” (1 Samuel 29:9a.) With those praises ringing in his ears,

What a horrible day in the life of this anointed man of God. “Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep…”(1 Samuel 30:4) 

The people rose up in anger, and there was talk of stoning David, because of their overwhelming grief. David himself was torn with grief, with not a tear left to shed. “And David was greatly distressed.” They had come to the end of their rope, all hope gone and swallowed up in grief and despair. 

Did all this calamity fall upon David because he was living in sin? Was he running from God? Far from it. If anything, David was running with God. He was said to be a man after God’s own heart, chosen and set apart to lead God’s people.

All of us face challenges in our lives. But we can have victory over them if we keep our eyes on God. As David sat among the ruins of Ziklag and these men spoke of stoning him, he had a choice. David could allow grief and bitterness to conquer him. But before David could fight, he would have to get his strength and courage back. As David looked around him, he saw nothing but discouraged and downcast men. David had no one to encourage him, so he had only one recourse: He “encouraged himself in the Lord his God” He probably took his harp, retreated to a solitary place, and began to sing songs of praise to God. I will not be surprised if David didn’t feel like singing, but he did, anyway.

And he didn’t sing a sad lament bemoaning his situation. Instead, he sang of the majesty and power of God. He sang of the Creator who had spoken the worlds into existence. He sang of the deliverer who had already given him victories; victory over the lion, victory over the bear, and victory over the giant, Goliath.

Through praise and worship, David changed his focus. On the wings of a song his spirit was lifted above his present circumstances into the presence of the One who is high and lifted up. There was nothing about the circumstance that was encouraging, and if David had limited his focus to the present circumstance, he would surely have gone into some sort of deep depression. But David encouraged himself in God.

In times of uncertainty and upheaval, God was David’s constant source of joy. Why? Because God doesn’t change. No matter what the circumstance, God is above it, seated upon the throne of sovereignty.

How did David praise God? Maybe he sang Psalm 34. I can imagine David sitting in the ashes of what was once his home with harp in hand singing these words: “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Ps. 34:1-4 NKJV).                                                                                                                                                                                                                      In the dark night of the soul, God will give you a song that will bring a dawn of faith and encouragement. So, in the dark night of his personal anguish, David sang a song of praise to the God who can make a way where there is no way.

Paul and Silas did the same. They had been arrested for casting a spirit of divination out of a young slave girl. They were beaten with rods and imprisoned in the innermost dungeon with their feet in chains.

How did they respond? In a most remarkable way. At midnight, instead of despairing and crying themselves to sleep, they sang hymns of praise to God. Paul and Silas made the exceptional choice to encourage themselves by praising God. The Bible tells us “the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were loosed” (Acts 16:26).

Encouraging yourself in the Lord is part of how you go about recovering your joy.  

Written by: Lydia

The post Encourage yourself in the Lord appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

When people think about the biggest threat to the Middle East, they immediately think of terrorism. While terrorism undoubtedly undergirds many conflicts, a new threat has surfaced. And it’s even more terrifying and intimidating to people than terrorism. It’s called “change.” 

Change is challenging the Muslim religion, and more specifically, radical expressions of the faith that have physically and spiritually shackled women throughout history. Women are rising up and finding Jesus. So we’re left to wonder: Will women in the Muslim-dominated Middle East ever be given full rights and the ability to worship the Lord?

Jesus has answered that question with an emphatic “yes.” And that may be the reason why Muslim women are flocking to Him like never before. 

For these women, death is the ultimate risk. These heroes of the faith live in Muslim-majority countries that limit their rights simply because they are female. Their strict Muslim families—many of them fundamentalist—diminish their rights even more.

Sex trafficking, forced marriages and child brides, molestation, rape, incest and female genital mutilation are just a few of the horrific abuses women endure within Muslim communities. The most overlooked, marginalized and abused person within the religion of Islam lives behind the veil. 

Certainly, we’re not saying that all Muslims treat women badly or that every Muslim woman experiences this kind of life. But where Sharia law is practiced, Muslim women are second-class citizens, and even non-Muslim women are fair game for forced conversion followed by forced marriage. And Muslim women who give their lives to Jesus and leave Islam altogether? A quick death sentence is always possible. So who would ever accept Christ and then tell anyone about Him? 

Yet today, that’s exactly what an astounding number of women from Muslim communities are doing.

Jesus, of course, has a plan. During His earthly life, Jesus went out of His way to reach the marginalized, ignored and despised. He raised eyebrows wherever He went because He ignored the religious elite and honored the “nobodies”—from the demonized man in the Gadarenes to the woman at the well to the ten lepers to tax collectors. The Messiah not only flipped over the money-changer tables in the temple; He tossed the entire social order out the window, and after our years of working in the Muslim world, we see Jesus doing the same thing with the religion of Islam today. 

Jesus hasn’t forgotten Muslim women, and because of His divine intervention, these new believers are transforming the Middle East. When Muslim women find Jesus and give their lives to Him, they not only enjoy new freedom in Christ but also become an unstoppable force in the Muslim world. Because women are the spiritual gatekeepers of Islam, and because so many are abandoning their posts to follow Jesus, the front door into the religion has been left wide open.

Islam is in crisis. Whole families are jumping ship and now following Jesus. Despite the danger, the women endure, and their slow, simmering influence spreads to their children, extended families and often even their husbands.

Like the women at the empty tomb of Christ, Muslim women are discovering that Jesus is alive, and they aren’t keeping silent. Some are underground, their influence slow and steady, while others have gone public and yet are surviving the onslaught of persecution from their families and friends for defecting from Islam. The story of the modern Middle East has taken a new turn. 

Jesus is setting women free, honoring and elevating them—and they are thriving! His supporting cast of former Muslim women is raising eyebrows and changing hearts all across the region.

For Christians in the West, the thought of being physically persecuted for our faith can be difficult to understand, even seeming like something that only happened centuries ago, and certainly not now. While we should always be thankful for the religious freedom we have here, we have a duty to our sisters in Christ in the Middle East to support them. We may not all be called to go overseas, but we can all spiritually intercede through prayer and petition the Lord to protect, uplift and reveal Himself to those who are searching for the Truth. 

Please remember this: Muslims are searching for a relationship with God that only Jesus can give. Pray for them!

There is no more fitting way to honor the Savior who lifted up “the least of these” and made a way for those who had no way than by joining the spiritual revolution happening in the Middle East and praying for the women continually. 

Adapted from the “Women Who Risk” prologue by Tom and JoAnn Doyle. 

The post Muslim Women Are Rising Up, Choosing to Follow Christ appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

The post He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake – Psalm 23 appeared first on The London Christian Radio.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters – Psalm 23

The post appeared first on The London Christian Radio.