by Onovae A. | Nov 2, 2016 | Food for thought, Members Writeup
We sometimes find ourselves in the valley of pain, delay, disappointments, failure, sickness, regrets, poverty, and frustrations but with God on our side it can also be a valley of blessings. Here are some valley that God want to turn to be blessings.
1. A Place of Decision: Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. We should now seek a deep and living experience in the things of God. We have not a moment to lose. (The Faith I Live By, 329). Many are convinced that we have the truth, and yet they are held as with iron bands; they dare not risk the consequences of taking their position on the side of truth. Many are in the valley of decision, (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 646)
2. Valley of Hope: Hosea 2:15 And I will give her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Anchor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. Hosea assures the people that Israel’s affliction will open to them in the future the “door of hope,” the door of restoration from captivity. Likewise the troubles of life that come to us, if accepted and patiently endured in the right spirit of humility and abiding faith in God, are but the “doors of hope” opening to us larger possessions of soul power (SDA Bible Commentary). A symbolic language Hosea set before the ten tribes God’s plan of restoring to every penitent soul who would unite with His church on earth, the blessings granted Israel in the days of their loyalty to Him in the Promised Land. Referring to Israel as one to whom He longed to show mercy, the Lord declared (Prophets and Kings, 298).
3. Valley of Blessings: 2 Chronicles 20:26 and on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the LORD: therefore the name of the same place was called, the valley of Berachah, unto this day. The site in commemoration of the remarkable deliverance God granted His people from their enemies. What might have been a valley of death became a valley of life, and what might have been a place of cursing became a place of blessing. (SDA Commentary)
4. Valley of Confidence: Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Let us never forget, even when we walk in the valley, that Christ is as much with us when we walk trustingly there as when we are on the mountaintop. The voice said to us, “Will you not roll your burden upon the Burden Bearer, the Lord Jesus Christ? Will you not live on the sunny side of the cross? Saying, ‘I know [Him] whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.’(Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, 811). Let us live in the sunlight of the cross of Calvary. Let us no longer dwell in the shadow, complaining of our sorrows, for this only deepens our trouble.
5. Valley of Fruitfulness: Numbers 32:9 for when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them. You can be fruitful in your valley of nothing. In you valley of Eshcol you can behold and experience your promise land.
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6. Valley of Refreshment: Psalms 84:6 who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. God’s blessing rests upon everything that the pilgrims behold because their hearts are full of joy as they make their pilgrimage. (SDA Bible Commentary). While the followers of God are passing through the wilderness of this world, God opens for them fountains in the wilderness, and springs in the dry places. They drink of the well-spring of salvation;
7. Valley of victory: 1 Samuel 17:2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines. Every philistines battling against you and your family, God will give you victory.
by Onovae A. | Jan 10, 2016 | Food for thought, Members Writeup
It is a rear privilege to write on the title “Your home in your hands.” It is important to remember that every action and inaction exhibited in the society today originates from ‘the home.’ It is a true saying that you cannot give out what you done have’. Therefore, whatever a child gives out to the larger society must have been imbibed from the home. Thus it behoves us to take care of our homes.
The larger society is made up of families. And a nation is made up cities, towns and communities where the families live. The impact of families either negative or positive is felt by the larger society (communities and towns) and the nation in general. The prevailing negative penchants among our youths today (kidnapping, drug addiction, smoking, cultism, robbery and rape) and other social vices indicates the rot in our society. This scenario is a signal that we must not rest our oars to making our homes a haven on earth for our families.
What is a home?
The Microsoft Encarta (2009) describes a home as “dwelling place, constructed as a home for one or more persons.” It further noted that “whether crude hut or an elaborate mansion, and whatever its degree of intrinsic architectural interest, a house provides protection from weather and adversaries.” John Clarke, an English scholar who lived in the 17th century stated that “Home is home, though it be never so homely.” Home will be homely if it is comfortable and will never be homely if it becomes a battle ground and frustrating.
A home is the abode of every human being. The home is where we reside, a place of shelter. The home is our dwelling. In St. John 14:1-3, Jesus emphasized what the home should be like. From this passage, Jesus told His disciples that “in My Father’s house are many mansions …, I go to prepare a place for you …” Two critical lessons to be learnt from the conversation between Jesus and His disciples are:
1. A home should be accommodating (without troubles). The home should be the desire of every family member, most especially, the husband and children. The Wife (mother) of the home should be able to make the home like a ‘magnet’ that will always drag the people closer. Nowadays when children tends to be attracted and enraptured by social life and worldly vices, let the teaching and activities from the corridors of the home remain their thoughts. The home should be at the minds of the family members as a place of abode. Ellen White noted that “the woman should have the Spirit of God (should be controlled by the Spirit of God), or we can never have harmony in the home. If the woman has the spirit of Christ, she will be careful of her words; she will control her spirit, she will be submissive (Ephesians 5: 22, 23) and yet will not feel that she is a bondslave, but a companion to her husband.”
2. A home should be well kept (neat and attractive). The home should be receptive. It should be a resemblance of the paradise that Jesus has gone to prepare for us. If you wish to enjoy your family you must make your home neat and attractive for your children and husband, it is part of the duty of the woman.
From the conversation between Jesus and His disciples in the book of John, it is evident that Jesus is preparing a home that would accommodate us that is free of trouble; a home that is beautiful, neat and gorgeous. In fact, an anonymous writer depicts the home prepared by Jesus in the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal number 450 as ‘Beautiful.’
Beautiful Zion, built above,
Beautiful city that I love,
Beautiful gates of pearly white,
Beautiful temple, God its light.
Beautiful trees forever there,
Beautiful fruit they always bear,
Beautiful rivers gliding by,
Beautiful fountains never dry.
Beautiful crowns on every brow,
Beautiful palms the conquerors show,
Beautiful robes the ransomed wear
Beautiful all who enter there.
The description of the home Jesus is preparing by the song writer gives us a sense of how our homes here on earth should be. A critical look at the stanzas shows that the home encompasses everything.
What is the role of a mother at home?
There are several roles of a mother; the Home builder and a model for her children to emulate. The Bible noted that “every wise woman buildeth her house” (Proverbs 14:1a). Your family members should feel your impact through encouragement and support. A wise woman must strive hard to build her home according to the instruction of God’s word.
To make a home conducive, certain factors must be maintained consciously. These include.
1. The relationship between the husband and wife
The husband and wife are duty bound to see each other as partners in the building of their home. Sister White noted that “Jesus looks with pleasure upon the family relationship where sacred and unselfish love bears sway.” The couple is married as one body. Marriage is lawful and honourable (Hebrew 13:4); Jesus in his time attended a marriage ceremony in Cana (John 2:1). Therefore, the couple should work hand in hand to see to the success of their children and progress of their home.
2. Home as a School
Home is the first school of a child. Children learn how to pray, greet, cook, read and write from home. This goes with the saying that “charity begins at home” This is because a child ought to learn virtually everything done in the society from the home where he/she grew up. Undoubtedly, it is the mother that shoulders the responsibility of teaching their children many things. Understanding that this task would be enormous on the women, God created women differently from men using “bone” Genesis 2:22, 23. God from the beginning (Gen. 2:18) knew that the responsibility of women would be greater; He therefore designed women to be special. In fulfilling their role as a teacher, Ellen White wrote that “instead of sinking into a mere household drudge, let the wife and mother take time to read, to keep herself well informed, to be a companion to her husband, and to keep in touch with the developing minds of her children.” Messenger of Hope: Connecting with Jesus; Counsels for the Church, p. 1405.
Understanding the need to educate children from home, many have advocated that home should support schools in training of children. This is because, early training (teaching) of children from home has been found to be rewarding in their upbringing. The Bible further admonish us to teach our children the doctrines of God, (Deut. 4:10; 11:19); and “…the songs of victory shall ye teach it to your children” (31:19). Doing this ensures that children are aware of their origin and brought up in the way and manner so that when they are old, they will never depart nor deviate from it (Prov. 22:6).
3. The Home as a source of spiritual growth
The challenge facing families today is to train their children to become responsible citizens in the society. There are evil vices and bad influences that tend to change the hearts of the young ones. E.G. White admonish women to “use wisely the opportunities now to influence her dear ones for the higher life; let her take time to make the dear Saviour a daily Companion and familiar Friend. Let her take time to study of His word, take time to go with the children into the fields (Church) and learn of God through the beauty of His works.”
4. The home as center of love
Love should pervade the home. Sincere love is to be the ruling principle of the heart that love God and love to the husband can alone be the right ground of action. John H. Mchaughton, the author of the Seventh-day Adventist hymnal, number 652 did not mince words when he wrote the song “Love at Home.” He described the situation of the home when there is love. He went further to say that Jesus who is the strength and Head of every home should make us wholly His own. The song writer also imagined heaven smile at us when love permeates the home. Love is needed at home from the parents to the children and vice versa. When there is constant flow of love from the mother to the father and to the children, it makes every member of the family to think of coming home. Children should also be given responsibility at home. They should be engaged meaningfully, because the idle mind is the devil’s workshop. Engaging them in the activities of the home will make them feel belonged and help them become responsible and yearn for home.
Conclusion
We must remember that your home is in your hands. You should know that God created you as a desire of your family members, and everyone in your family looks up to you. It is very important to build confidence in your family that through you, your family will succeed.
References
Microsoft Encarta Premium (2009). Home.
The Holy Bible, Authorized King James version.
White, E. G. (n. d.). Messenger of Hope, Connecting with Jesus: Counsel for the Church. Everlasting Gospel Publishing Association: Korea, Seoul.
Elder Omeluzor Sat
by Onovae A. | Jul 9, 2015 | My Story
Fire! Fire!” the neighbors shouted, alerting Ado’s mother that her tiny thatched home was on fire. Flames shot from the roof and walls, and smoke filled the hut. Mother managed to escape, but then she realized that her baby boy was still inside the house. Ignoring the flames and thick smoke that billowed out of the doorway, she ran into the house to rescue her baby.
mothers scar
Neighbors held their breath as seconds passed and the flames grew brighter. At last, Mother emerged from the burning hut with her baby held close to her body. The little one was safe, but Mother had been burned on her arms and face. Over time, most of her wounds healed, but her once-beautiful face was forever scarred by the fire.
Ado grew to be a strong boy. He noticed that his mother’s face did not look like other mothers’ faces, but he did not ask why. Someone had told him the story of how his mother had saved him from the fire when he was a baby, but he didn’t realize that the scars on his mother’s face had come because of her love for him.
One day when he was playing with his friends, someone made fun of Ado’s mother’s face. The boys laughed, but Ado ran home so his friends would not see the tears forming in his eyes.
Ado hurried into his hut and sat down. When his mother came in, she could see that her usually happy boy was quiet. “Is something wrong, my son?” she asked.
Ado thought for a moment and then asked, “Mama, what happened to your face?”
“Why do you ask, my son?” his mother questioned, stiffening a bit but trying to be calm.
“The boys—one of them told another boy that he was ugly, like Ado’s mother,” Ado blurted out “What happened to your face?”
Mother was quiet for a moment, then she stood up and walked to her drawer and pulled something out. She gave it to Ado. It was a photograph of a beautiful young woman. Ado studied the picture and then looked at his mother. “Is this you?” he asked.
“Yes. It was taken before the fire.” Ado knew about the fire. He knew that his mother had pulled him from his bed and saved his life. But he had not thought about what her unselfish act had cost her.
Ado stood and hugged his mother. Now he understood. His mother had risked everything for him. Without her unselfish act, he surely would have died in that fire. He looked up into his mother’s face. It was no longer scarred and wrinkled to him. It was beautiful; it was the face of love.
Ado squeezed his mother tightly. “To me, you are beautiful—even more beautiful than your picture.”
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