MY FRIEND SAW HEAVEN!
I was instructed in the Spirit to do this write-up as a follow up to my earlier post in memory of one of my earliest bosses. He was a superb Medical Practitioner who became born again after some promptings from me. Sadly, he died in a motor accident less than one month afterwards. We mourned him deeply, but we were encouraged in a vision that he attained heaven. You can read the entire post on my website by clicking the link that follows: http://www.mindofchrist.org.uk/2009/08/.
My boss attained heaven so, what is the big deal about that? Well, the big deal is that he accomplished a big feat. And judging by what the bible says about heaven, it is a breath-taking place which every worthy Christian should seek to inhabit in the long run. And to motivate you towards achieving this, I will now corroborate what the bible says about heaven with the testimony of a senior friend of mine, moments before she passed away.
Ruby (not the real name) was 92 years old when I first met her on profession grounds. Though old, she was mentally agile and in total control of her life. At every point in time, she wore the clothes she liked, ate the food she wanted, slept when she desired, met whomever she chose to meet, etc. And no one could mess up with her and get away scot-free but, she loved God and humanity dearly.
As I was leaving her residence one Sunday morning, she noticed that I was singing a Christian hymn and she asked if she could join me and I said yes. Next, she asked if I am a Christian and I also said yes. She then told me that she was a devoted Christian but had stopped hobnobbing with other Christians owing to the rigors of old age. Anyway, we spent a short but memorable time together singing, praying and praising the Lord on that occasion. We met several times thereafter.
One day, I went to her residence as pre-arranged and met some people with gloomy faces at the entrance; the reason being that Ruby was about to die. I quickly ran to her room and discovered that though very weak, she was heartily discussing her imminent transition to heaven with her daughter and son in-law. She also said many things about heaven as revealed to her in the spirit. For instance, she confirmed that it is a very lovely place (Revelation 21:9-21), inhabited by joyful people (Psalm 16:11), who are trouble free (Revelation 7:16-17), just worshipping the Lord (Nehemiah 9:6). She also disclosed that she saw her heavenly mansion waiting for her (John 14:2-3).
At a point, her daughter interjected and said ‘’Mum, you’ve been a very good wife, mother and Christian all your life, please go and enjoy your well-deserved rest in heaven’’ and Ruby said ‘’thank you darling’’. She was later informed that I was around and she opened her eyes, held my hand firmly and with a lovely smile, she said: ‘’Adedayo, thank you for being a part of my journey on earth. I am going home very soon and I hope to see you there someday’’. And not very long after that, she slept and never woke up again.
I believe God gave Ruby a glimpse of heaven (Joel 2:28) to remind us that it is real, stunning and attainable. But we can only get there by becoming born again (John 3:3). If you haven’t, please take this all important step right away. Then, guide your salvation jealously (Philippians 2:12) and stand firmly too (1 Corinthians 10:12). Above all, focus your attention relentlessly on Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:2) and by the grace of God, you will attain heaven in the end just like my boss and my friend, Ruby, did in Jesus name. Amen.
Jesus is Lord!
c Adedayo Stoney Adegbulu, 2012
JESUS BEING WITH YOU!
The disciples of Jesus Christ encountered many difficulties before and after His crucifixion. They were treated very unkindly everywhere they went and they were sore afraid and unsure of what the future had in stock for them. Essentially, they were like sheep without a shepherd. However, reprieve came their way on the third day with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He gladdened their hearts, allayed their fears, encouraged them and gave them the great commission with the assurance of His perpetual presence with them. He said ‘’…lo, I am with you always, even to the end of age’’ (Matthew 28:20). That was the impetus they needed to face challenges, subdue them and become positive role models till now.
To some extent, the situation of the world as it is today can be likened to some of those encountered by the disciples. As a result of our present excruciating Economic, Social and Political climates, a lot of people are battling untold hardship while fear cum uncertainty has become a regular feature of our lives. Governments are panicking, grown-ups are moaning, children are crying, hope is receding and time is going. Without doubt, we need help and Jesus Christ is the only one who can provide it on a platter of gold (Psalm 121:1) and today, He is saying ‘’…lo, I am with you always, even to the end of age’’. So, cheer up!
As we know, Jesus being with people is replete with several benefits some of which I’ll like us to consider for encouragement in this write up. They are:
1. Direction. In his confused state, Apostle Paul, mindful of the presence of Jesus Christ, asked for direction and He gave it to him (Acts 9:1-18). And that marked the beginning of his success story which is the envy of all Christians up to now. It sounds reasonable therefore, that if you desire success in any area of your life and become the envy of all then, you must be prepared to ask Jesus Christ for direction and He’ll give it to you. Prophet Isaiah strengthened this stance when he said: ‘’Your ears shall hear a word behind you saying ‘’this is the way, walk in it’’ (Isaiah 30:21).
2. Peace. Peace is an essential universal commodity and Jesus Christ possesses the ability to give it to you freely if you ask Him. Please note that you don’t need any special prowess before taking this step; all you need is the audacity to do so. Remember that Jesus is the prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6) hence; He is best suited to dish it out and His brand of peace is available for all at all times. He confirmed this in John 14:27 by saying ‘’Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you…’’. So, go for it right now!
3. Security. Jesus Christ is the only person who can guarantee the world a foolproof security and the Psalmist proved this view to be true in Psalm 127:1. He said: ‘’…Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain’’. So, if you want foolproof security in various areas of your life as from now on then, ask Jesus Christ and He’ll organize it for you (John 10:27-28).
4. Salvation. Zacchaeus was a notorious tax collector and a first class sinner but salvation came his way the day Jesus went to his abode. And immediately, his odious past became unimportant and he went on to become a very decent person and an excellent candidate for heaven (Luke 19:1-10). You too can obtain salvation from Jesus Christ today if you ask Him and you’ll be able to enter the Kingdom of God unencumbered at the right time (John 3:3).
How then can Jesus Christ be with you such that you’ll be able to enjoy the abovementioned benefits and more? Well, first, you must seek Him diligently and you’ll find Him (2 Chronicles 15:2). Invite Him to take charge of your life as your personal Lord and Saviour; that is, you must be born again (if you aren’t yet). When you are through with this step then, He’ll dignify you with His presence and shower you with His mind blowing blessings (John 15:4-5). Friend, this is a step that is worth taking and by the grace of God, you will not lose out and your joy will be full in Jesus name. Amen.
Jesus is Lord!
Categories: Mind of Christ Tags: Direction, Encouragement, Jesus, Peace, Salvation, Security
KNOWING GOD, BEING STRONG AND DOING GREAT EXPLOITS
Prophet Daniel, while encouraging the faithful said: ‘’…the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits’’ (Daniel 11:32).
This is a very popular biblical passage and one of my favorites because it proves that knowing God is profitable. And we can appreciate it a lot better by breaking it into three parts and examining each independently. The parts I am suggesting here are Being Strong, Carrying out Great Exploits and Knowing God in that order.
1. Being Strong. On becoming born again, I developed immense strength which propelled me to take part in several Christian activities that I would have been too unconcerned, too irritated or too busy to consider normally. And I took them on with dedication almost round the clock yet; I had ample strength left to attend to my patients the way I should. I later discovered that I was not alone in this state; other Christians are likewise affected and I became interested in knowing why. Soon, I found relief in Nehemiah 8:10 which says ‘’…the joy of the Lord is your strength’’ and straightaway, I knew that it is the joy of the Lord within us that makes us so strong. This intensity of joy and strength awaits you today if you covet them.
2. Carrying out Great Exploits. Great exploits by the way, are stunning feats and there are many of them all around us but I found those captured in Mark 16:17-18 most eye catching i.e. casting out demons, speaking in new tongues, overcoming deadly substances/situations and healing the sick. Imagine how useful you can become to this generation if you are able to carry out such great exploits. It is the aforementioned strength that enables us (Christians) to carry them out through Jesus Christ and Apostle Paul confirmed this position in Philippians 4:13 when he said ‘’I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’’. You too can do all things, including carrying out great exploits, through Christ if you wish.
3. Knowing God. Knowing God leads the way to being strong and being able to carry out great exploits (Daniel 11:32) and it is only possible through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). However, one needs to be born again first. How then can one be born again you may wish to ask? Very simple! To begin with, you must confess your sins and then ask Jesus Christ to forgive you and He will (1 John 1:9). Next, invite Him to take over your life as your personal Lord and Savior and again, He will (John 6:37). When this is over and done with then by faith, you are truly born again and well positioned to know God intimately (John 3:3).
Friend, this is another grand opportunity for you to be born again if you are not up till now-please don’t misuse it! And if you are already born again, I rejoice with you heartily. Without doubt, you do possess enormous strength! Therefore as from this moment, go out and carry out great exploits not only for yourself, but for humanity and for God as well and you can be rest assured that your efforts will be adequately rewarded at some point (2 Chronicles 15:7) in Jesus name. Amen.
Jesus is Lord!
Categories: Mind of Christ Tags: Exploits, God, Knowing God, Salvation, Strength
IN MEMORY OF MY BOSS
I am dedicating this piece, to the memory of one of my earliest Bosses. I used to call him ‘The Boss’. He was a very good man, a first class Medical Doctor and an avid lover of humanity. He treated everyone he met with respect, fairness and compassion. He also made life very easy when I was under his tutelage. But we disagreed on religious grounds. While I was then a newly converted Christian, he had very scanty regards for the God, the Christian faith and Christians. As far as he was concerned and using his own words, ”it makes no sense following a God that doesn’t give a hoot about the suffering of the people”.
Of course, I tried my utmost best to change his religious views nonetheless; my efforts did not move him but I did not give up. Then one day, without preconditions, he accepted to be my guest at a Christian outreach/dinner party. To my delight, he followed the entire proceeding with rapt attention and in the end; he gave his life to Christ. He later told me that he felt truly happy for the first time in his life and that he would serve the Lord from that time on.
And almost immediately, as if in a race against time, he went from person to person and from place to place to preach Jesus. He also flaunted his born again Christian reputation everywhere he went. Regrettably, he lost his life in a fatal motor accident less than a month after he gave his life to Christ and we mourned his painful death deeply. We were however comforted through a vision, that he made it to heaven. To God be the glory for his short but brilliant life.
The account above, brings to the fore again the need for us to review our relationship with Christ if we really want to spend eternity with Him. The minimum requirement is to be born again (John 3:3) and this should be done quickly (2 Corinthians 6:2). ‘The Boss’ gave his life to Christ quickly, not knowing that his life was coasting to an abrupt end. Please learn from him. And perhaps you became born again earlier on, but you are not very happy with your relationship with Jesus Christ, please rededicate your life to Him promptly. But if you are OK with Him, I say bravo! You are definitely on your way to heaven but you must be vigilant so that you don’t derail along the way (1 Corinthians 10:12). May your earthly race make you happy and eventually, may it earn you a place in heaven in Jesus name. Amen.
Jesus is Lord!
c Adedayo Stoney Adegbulu, 2009
Categories: Mind of Christ Tags: Faith, Heaven, Salvation