MIZPAH HEIGHTS

||The writer couldn't answer the question at the end of this story, can you?|| A preacher and his son set out to reach new lands with the good news of the gospel. On the journey there were lots of reasons to go back but the preacher encouraged his son that they keep going. Finally they saw a city where Christ had not been preached. The city had a strange rule for strangers; they killed them or enslaved them. Along the routes leading to the city were the bodies of strangers who had been brave enough to spy its secrets. The boy urged his father more fervently that they turn back but he refused. Upon entry they were seized. The father was condemned to death and the son imprisoned. The preacher assured his son that no harm would come to them and that his son remember numerous acts of deliverance from the Bible. Alas! The preacher was killed. The son was locked up with the few prisoners in the city, mainly women. His heart sank deep in sorrow as he sang his father's fav...

What you do and/or say before your showing forth determines the quality of your showing forth. Luke 1:8 tells us of the upbringing of John the Baptist, "The child grew and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing forth to Israel." Jesus testified later about John that he was the greatest of all born men yet this man was groomed in the desert before his appointed time. This generation needs to learn about being discreet. A woman learns she is three weeks pregnant and immediately calls her friends, this ought not be! The appointed time is a period of great hope that must not fail. There are many forces that desire to contend with man's appointed time, don't give them a head start in your life. Joseph had a dream of a destined period of appointment that would manifest years later but he couldn't close his mouth. Joseph did not need to be enslaved to be enthroned but he failed to be discreet. It is an error to start blowi...

A rational human being desires to do great things within the limited time given to all of us on earth. There is so much joy in accomplishment that it can make any man forget the sorrows of the past. But what happens when man's desire is delayed? Pain comes, terrible pain that sometimes is unbearable. It is not the joy of God to withhold any good from His children. No matter how much we love ourselves, God loves us more. As much as we desire good for ourselves God does so even more. It grieves the mind of God to see His children cry out under the yoke of under accomplishment. He created us for EXPLOITS not to be exploited. Jesus said in Matthew 7:9-11 " Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!…" ...

The soldiers thought Christians were insane following a Man who died on the cross like a common criminal. Their thinking must have been: If this Jesus were anything special He would definitely have rescued Himself from their shame coated stripes and eventual death on that rugged cross. Their thinking was flawlessly misguided. Jesus showed how special He IS by enduring the shame and pain of their stripes. He showed that He is beyond special by dying on that cross and He proved that He is God by rising on the third day. Today some still think Christians are insane going about preaching the love of God, which is made available for free to the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. What do you think? #Easter

Confirmation is removal of doubt. This comes usually from an authoritative statement, general acceptability or an undeniable fact. In the case of King Saul his confirmation as the chosen king of Israel came primarily by the declaration of prophet Samuel but more importantly by his first victory as king. A band of Ammonites had laid siege on a portion of Israel, they were going to level the city. The only condition for peace was that they gouge out the occupants' right eye and that they become servants. The community was destruct and they wailed. Saul heard of it and went there. And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly. - 1 Samuel 11:6 The rest is victory. The people were so over joyed that they were willing to put to death anyone who disputed the fact that Saul was king. Saul needed no greater confirmation, the kingdom was firmly rooted under him. In fact even Samuel called the people to Gilgal to reaffirm the ki...

There is very little doubt that King Saul came at not the best of times. Just before his coronation Samuel said, "And ye have this day rejected your God, who Himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes, and by your thousands." -1 Samuel 10:19 The tone of Samuel's message showed clearly that whoever the king was he came at a hard time. The people had rejected the Almighty God, the One the nations around them dreaded and had asked for a mortal. Despite the stance of Samuel, God in His grace decided to give Israel a king. A king to be specially anointed and ordained by Him, and He chose Saul. Is there any doubt that God chose Saul or was it purely coincidental that he emerged king? God arranged a series of events to bring Saul to the throne. First, his father's asses went missing and the lot fell upon him to find them ...

The people wanted a king to rule over them. God didn't like, Samuel didn't like it but the people demanded it so God consented. The people would get a king. Since the people of Israel hadn't had a king before they were oblivious as to what a king would do so God asked Samuel to give them a short lecture. "... This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: he will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots." 1 Samuel 8:11 Samuel went on from there to tell them basically that they would be under a yoke to serve the king. The freedom they had over their lives, families, land and other resources was about to disappear if they made the decision for a king. Regardless of how people friendly a king is, he requires the service of his people. The decisions that he would have to make will involve him using people. Under the era of the judges the children of Israel were comp...

After the death of Joshua and the elders of his generation, the children of Israel forgot the wonders, power and love of the Almighty God. They forsook the Living God and worshipped stone dead gods like the nations around them. They got into the anger book of God and were open to attacks by the enemy. They were sorely oppressed and they cried out. God remembered His promise and love towards Israel and He gave them JUDGES to deliver them out of oppression and to lead them back to righteousness. Thus began the era of the judges. Season after season the people returned to sin and God remained faithful in giving them judges. Years passed and the mantle of leadership fell on a prophet - Samuel. Samuel had a good reputation with God and the people. He judged the people in righteousness and wisdom. His tenure saw the Philistines subdued and cities restored to the Israelites. And there was peace in his days. The Demand Samuel grew old and made his sons judges. Unfortunately the sons of S...

She could almost taste the fresh evening breeze  hitting her face. It was her favourite spot in her favourite beach. Few people came to this part of the beach she called it the corner shed. It's one of the bamboo compartments made close to the water front but this one had no electricity. It was also the last in line, the best view it offered were the giant rocks coating the shoreline. She concluded awhile ago that these rocks were placed by man though they seemed to fit naturally. The gentle whistle in the air brought thoughts of her lover to heart. They had met here that fateful evening when the butterflies stayed out late. It was a night of love like no other. She had really hoped to meet someone special that evening and it happened. It was to her a divine arrangement. It has been three years since that evening and he had taught her things she wished she never knew. They did the naughtiest things together; they did all but rob a bank. She calls him her love, her life ...

He didn’t look the least bit sick. He sat on the narrow bed with his back firmly positioned on the slanted rest. His beards were cleanly shaved as it had been every day for the past forty years. He had shaved at 6:00am as he had always done. He was clothed in one of the white robes that he was famous for. His smile was wide concealing his brown teeth. It hides his truth nature, deceptive and concealing. He looked normal; the only thing out of place was the location – Lion Specialist Hospital. He had had regular checkups here since his retirement from active duty. Now he is eighty-three and looking younger than his first son. Baba, as he was fondly called, looked at his children’s faces and smiled. “I am glad that all of you could make it.” It was an awkward moment for all. They hadn’t been in the same room since their mother’s death fifteen years ago. They never visited, never called and never spoke to him. The horrors of her death were best left in the past. They knew he led a dan...

“O my God!! I will be thi rty-three tomorrow.” He blurted out as if he suddenly realized it. He had decided to stay indoors the whole day. It’s 3:05pm and his thoughts were beginning to take the better of him. He eyes were heavy and his head ached on the left side. He had no regard for food though the hunger pangs kept announcing with audible sounds. His mouth wouldn’t dare betray his frame of mind. His silenced phone had been beeping consistently since 11am calling his attention. He had no desire to speak to man, no not today, he would rather petition heaven. Max Olootu was tall, dark and handsome. Many attributed his beauty to the harmony between his flawless white teeth and his dark face. His teeth had an even spread and all seemed to be of same size and width. It was a rare kind. People loved it. He kept a rich full beard will curls all the way to his chin. He was the kind of guy ladies considered to be a good ‘husband material’ when judging by looks. He had had it goo...

All eyes were glued on the flowing gown. Or so it seemed. Its colour: a matchless white with patches gold coloured wool perfectly woven into the Italian lace material. It was floor length and had a slit on the left reaching just above her knees. It was made by the renowned Jigger Bridals. The joy in the auditorium can only be compared with that of heaven, when a sinner comes home. The singing was electric. Every one joined in the singing making a synchronised chorus. Orchard was twenty four. She had graduated top of her class at twenty and is currently the team leader of the Advertising department of Etim International, Africa’s largest cocoa conglomerate. Some found it hard to believe that Orchard was getting married this early but Orchard had always been in time. Her life was perfect. She was beautiful, smart, rich and was about to marry. A joy to behold. The priest asked the groom to raise the veil, he did.   “Marriage is an institution ordained by God…” the priest ...

Roads lead to different places; where are you headed? There was screaming, pulling and tugging. "Driver!" "Hey!" "Ho!" "Ha!" The bus became a whirligig, tires squeaked; body parts came over each other. Before I could think, I shouted, "Jesus! Jesus!" There was silence. Total silence. We stopped. Something, Someone, had calmed the storm. I made the decision that instant. When did you make your own decision? Picture courtesy of Spiritual Growth Keys