OUT OF LOVE

OUT OF LOVE

  April 02, 2019    The Ambassador

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He walked up to me and said, "Eugene! Where is it? Why did you take it?" Take what, I asked him. 

My friend/neighbour, Mike, could not find his money anymore and according to him, I was the only visitor he has had for two days.

I have never taken anything that doesn't belong to me in my life...except when I was very young, I took a little snack but that's all.

He threatened to report me to the local security if I don't get his money for him as soon as possible. I love my name, I don't want want it to be associated with anything like that. I pleaded to him to wait a while, I'm going to get back to him.

A day later he found the money in his wardrobe among a pile of clothes. He apologized and explained to me why he acted that way.

A lot of us have been accused wrongly in one way or the other...most times we react with anger or sadness and try to prove our innocence. Take a moment to think about Christ...He was accused and condemned for things he didn't do and He never complained but took it all for us out of love.

Jesus loves you.

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LOVE IS BLIND

LOVE IS BLIND

  December 24, 2017    The Ambassador

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For a long time I've had the concept of love all wrong. I was born into a world where "I love you" requires the "you" to do something for the 'I".

Apostle Paul pointed out that love is blind....not literally
though but it does chooses to be blind. Love chooses to be kind
when you are not. Love chooses to hold on when it's not
reciprocated. Love isn't proud neither does it segregate. Love
isn't about "I" but about "You". Love harbours no vengeful
thought. Love endures all things, believes all things, hope on
all things and it never fails. (1st Cor. 13:4-8)

Christmas reminds us that God loved us first and sacrificed
for us regardless of our actions. We too can show love to our
neighbours regardless of how they've treated us.

Merry Christmas to you all.

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WALKING IN LOVE

WALKING IN LOVE

  September 10, 2017    The Ambassador

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For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision or uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love - Galatians 5:6

 We are known by the strength of our love; our love defines us. Love causes us to act in faith; when love is not there, our faith becomes powerless. It is only through love we respond to God and to others. Some of us have suppressed our faith by failing to walk in love.

The master said, "Love your neighbour..." Your neighbour can be anyone - someone from a different denomination or with different beliefs. Love them all as you love yourself.

Faith works together with love. If i love you as much as i love myself, i ought to know what you need... that's love. Because God loves us, He knew we needed a permanent solution for our sins - Jesus Christ.

Love is very important because it is the force which sets faith in motion. Have faith in God, all things shall become possible, and faith works by love.

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WHY SHOULD I LOVE HIM/HER NOW?

WHY SHOULD I LOVE HIM/HER NOW?

  August 12, 2017    The Ambassador

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Why should I be the one to sacrifice more? Why should I give him/her more of time when I can make more money with my time? Why is now the best time to show love? Probably it is because you don't know how long you are going to have the opportunity to do it. Circumstances change. People die. Children grow up and leave home. You are not guaranteed a tomorrow.

The Bible says, "Withhold not good (love) from them to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Say not to your neighbor, Go, and come again, tomorrow i will give; when you have it by you." (Pro. 3:27-28).

McGovern wrote a book about his daughter Terry, who died of alcoholism in 1994. After the tragedy, McGovern went through Terry's diaries and discovered that he was not as good a father as he had thought he'd been. While he was spending his time fighting for political offices, Terry was at home writing in her diary that she missed her daddy, but he probably didn't miss her because he probably didn't care about her and that’s why he isn’t spending time with her.

McGovern wrote in his advice to parents, "show more love to your kids by spending more time with them, especially during the adolescent years - no matter what it costs your career. That way neither of you will have regrets.

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EFFECT OF SPOKEN WORDS

EFFECT OF SPOKEN WORDS

  August 09, 2017    The Ambassador

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Have you ever sent a message to the wrong person? I have. Especially when the message contains some private information i do not wish to share with anyone. If only I can press a key that will delete it from getting to that person. Blackberry messenger has got some interesting features that allow you to retract a sent message or delete it from your chat if you don't want to see it again.

What about spoken words, hurtful words said to a friend or a colleague in the heat of an argument? Oh how i wish i could make him/her forget! I wish i could take it back. A lot of us have been in this particular situation and we do wish we could erase that moment from history. But once it is out of our lips, it is out there in the open and can not be taken back.

Spoken words are not easily forgotten and their effects can be disastrous as well as beautiful. There's a way to prevent the hurtful words from ever materializing.

David wrote, "Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; Keep watch over the doors of my lips" (Psalm 14:13). This is a great prayer to start each day with because at every opportunity we want to strike back with words, hurtful words. 

Peter cautioned that we should not repay evil with evil but with good. . . For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongues from evil and their speech from deceit (1 Peter 3:9-11). 

Say a short prayer each morning and prevent that awkward feeling. Words spoken go a long way in defining the success of your relationship.

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SEARCHING FOR INNER PEACE

SEARCHING FOR INNER PEACE

  August 03, 2017    The Ambassador

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I bought goodies on my way back home; one for my little boy and the other for my little girl. The girl is a younger than the boy so i gave her more goodies. My boy felt cheated, and decided to correct the situation – he took some biscuits from his sister forcefully.

When I entered the room to check on them, I realized that my presence made him uncomfortable. My girl walked up to me and told me all that happened.

A preacher once said, “The only thing that will give you peace is when you consider your neighbor 

when looking for your solution.” When you consider your neighbor, you are considering Christ.

Love thy neighbor as thy self.

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LOVE SEES NO EVIL

LOVE SEES NO EVIL

  July 11, 2017    The Ambassador

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Have you ever been betrayed, cheated, or heartbroken? Every one of us at one point in time has been heart broken by those closest to us. A lot of us have resolved not to let anyone get close enough to hurt us.

The Bible made us to understand that love will last forever… i.e. love will outlive heartbreak, cheat, lies and even hate. Love know there’s evil in this world but it doesn’t care. Love knows there are cheats but chooses to bear the burden. Love knows there are dishonest people but it will keep on hoping for the best out of everyone. Love gives all and expects nothing.

Love is simply kind and without envy, it's not proud and thinks no evil, it bears all things, hope on all things, endures all things and it never fails.

Read Corinthians 13:4-8

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WHAT IS WRONG WITH LOVE

WHAT IS WRONG WITH LOVE

  May 24, 2017    The Ambassador

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Apostle Paul described love as being patient, kind, trusting, without envy or arrogance (I Cor. 13:4), and it is very different from the kind of love we see today.

Today we find people ready to go the extra mile just to prove their affection to their love interest; after getting married, something goes wrong... he/she cannot wait to get out of the marriage. Is it possible that something is wrong with love?

Everybody has a picture of an ideal partner – the features, personalities etc. that he/she ought to have. When a boy likes a girl, there’s usually something that attracts him to her. He begins to think highly of her, his mind also begin to fill in the blanks (the things he’s yet to know about her). After a while, the girl becomes a living personification of his ideal partner. This is the reason why most people would find themselves deeply in love in all the relationships they’ve had.

When a relationship is built on this false idea, it will gradually die when you begin to know the person i.e. their flaws and shortcomings. The love which seems so strong and unbreakable begins to fade.

One beauty of love is its ability to accept imperfection. God created us with flaws; these flaws are what make us unique, and perfect for his plan. Love sees the uniqueness in our flaws and embraces it.

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WHERE DOES FORGIVENESS START FROM

WHERE DOES FORGIVENESS START FROM

  April 23, 2017    The Ambassador

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When a friend betrayed me, I knew I would need to forgive her, but I wasn’t sure when I’d get over it. Her words pierced deeply inside me, and I felt stunned with pain. Although I had resolved to let everything fade away, for a long time whenever I’d see her I felt tinges of hurt, so I knew I still had bitterness within me towards her. One day, however, God answered my prayers and gave me the ability to let go completely. I was finally free.

Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith, with our Savior extending forgiveness even when He was dying on the cross. Jesus loved those who had nailed Him there, uttering a prayer asking His Father to forgive them. He didn’t hang on to bitterness or anger, but showed grace and love to those who had wronged Him.

This is the perfect time to consider any person we might need to forgive as we follow Jesus’s example in extending His love to those who hurt us. When we ask God through His Spirit to help us forgive, He will come to our aid—even if we take what we think is a long time to forgive. When we do, we are freed from the prison of unforgiveness.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant me the grace to forgive, that your love will set me free.

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RESPONDING WITH COMPASSION

RESPONDING WITH COMPASSION

  April 22, 2017    The Ambassador

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A particular man with a baby of about a year old, carrying a nursing bag was trying to get into the bus, but was finding it difficult to carry everything  at once. He began to complain of how tightly arranged the seats were. A lady closer to the door assisted him with his luggage. His face lit up. Maybe he had been there for a while waiting for the right vehicle that would be spacious enough for him, his child and luggage. Though the first words that came out from his mouth were complaints but it is easy to understand and sympathize with him.

Wherever we go, we will encounter people who need compassion. Apostle Paul pointed out that as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Col. 3:12). He also urge us to bear with each other and forgive one another (Col. 3:13).

Compassion is understanding the troubles of others.

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I LOVE YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE

I LOVE YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE

  April 02, 2017    The Ambassador

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Sarah was not the prettiest girl around. Most of her colleagues at school mock her because of her looks. She finds it very difficult to go out because of fear of rejection. She grew up always seeking acceptance from those around, which led her to indulge in things she isn’t proud of today. Her entire life has been based on different people’s perspective of what she ought to look like.

Like Sarah, most of us sought the opinions of others before we can feel good about our self – whether of success, godliness, beauty, relationship or strength. We can go to great lengths to acquire the approval of those we hold at high esteem. Probably because we feel we cannot do anything special or they are better than us.

In Isaiah 43:1 – 10, God told the Israelites how precious they are in His sight, though they. He knew them by their name, and He was with them in every humiliating trial; they should fear not because He was with them. Though they’ve gone astray, He still loved them.

We will find ourselves less motivated to seek the approval of others when we realize that God knows us deeply and loves us just the way we are. 

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HOW TO LOVE PERFECTLY

HOW TO LOVE PERFECTLY

  March 11, 2017    The Ambassador

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A lot of parents do love their children. They desire the best for every one of their child. Many a time while expressing this love, they take it too far. A girl ones said, “I love my mum but she suffocates me. She doesn’t trust me. I can’t wait to get to college where I will be free”. Parents go as far as snooping around their children’s phone especially their daughters. Second guessing every friend they make and questioning every judgement they come to without proper conversation about the reason they arrived at that decision. This kind of love parents express is suffocating and often leads to more harm than good.

We all struggle in our relationships. Whether we are a parent or child, husband or wife, single or married, we find it very difficult to express love the right way. We let our fears and doubts to corrupt the love in our heart which pushes us to act in contrast to what loves says.

Apostle Paul described love in 1 Corinthians 13:7-8, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hope on all things, endures all things, and it never fails”. His words sound amazing and inspiring. Practicing it may be difficult but it will definitely bear good fruits. During my five years stay in college I didn’t get involved in drugs, alcoholism, cult or anything that will daunt my image. This wasn’t because I was perfect but i have this feeling that my guardian trusted me to always make the right choice. I didn’t want to break that trust, hence I composed myself.

When we walk with Jesus, keeping ourselves in His love and allowing His word to abide in us, we will reflect more and more of His likeness. We might still make mistakes, but God will cause good to come out of every situation. His love always protects and it never fails.  

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WHAT IS LOVE ALL ABOUT

WHAT IS LOVE ALL ABOUT

  February 17, 2017    The Ambassador

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McGovern wrote a book about his daughter Terry, who died of alcoholism in 1994. After the tragedy, Mcgovern went through Terry's diaries and discovered that he was not as good a father as he had thought he'd been. While he was spending his time fighting for political offices. Terry was at home writing in her diary that she missed her daddy, but he probably didn't miss her because he probably didn't care about her. McGovern wrote in his advice to parents, "show more love to your kids by spending more time with them, especially during the adolescent years - no matter what it costs your career. That way neither of you will have regrets. “I’d give everything i have for one more afternoon with Terry, just to tell her how much i love her"- McGovern. 

"Though i bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though i give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing" - 1 Cor 13:3. It is amazing that we no longer want to invest our time in relationships. We no longer have time for the people in our lives because of tight schedule. We no longer have time because we are so concerned about acquiring wealth and comfort for the people that needs our attention. 

Why is "spending time" very important when it comes to love? The Bible says in 1 John 3:18, "my little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but indeed and in truth". The most desired gift of love is focused attention. I want to see your eyes. i want to talk. I want to listen. I want to fellowship. The greatest gift you can give anybody is your time. It's the most precious and desired gift because life is time. Most relationships are time-starved. A lot of things do rob our relationships of time such as work, hobbies, activities or too much church involvement can rob a relationship. To save a dying relationship, invest more of your time.

Why is now the best time to show love? Because you don't know how long you are going to have the opportunity to do it. Circumstances change. People die. Children grow up and leave home. You are not guaranteed a tomorrow. The Bible says, "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Say not to your neighbour, Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you." - Pro. 3:27-28. 

Life is love. Love is forever. The secret to a lasting legacy is love. "Three things will last forever - faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is LOVE" 1 Cor. 13:13.

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DIFFICULTY LOVING OTHERS

DIFFICULTY LOVING OTHERS

  February 08, 2017    The Ambassador

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Is it really possible to love others? I find that loving others can be a very difficult assignment. Especially when the "others" have treated us badly . . . for example an unfaithful partner, abusive parent, troublesome neighbor etc. Loving such people may seem impossible.

According to Matt. 22:39 (You shall love your neighbor as yourself), loving others is a command and not an option. Because it is a command, we have to CHOOSE to love that person that hurts us, from that choice the love will grow. Loving someone is a choice.

Finally, we are only able to love others base on God's love towards us. He is the source of love, we are only channels.

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