That on Sunday, October 19th 2008, I rededicated my life to Christ? I went to House of Praise’s dedication of their new church, and their General Overseer, Pastor Adeboye was there. Boy, am I glad I went! Pastor Adeboye preached about uncommon favor and uncommon success, and he talked about how one will flourish and succeed extraordinarily when God is with him. On the flip side, when God isn’t with you…well, you know the rest. One passage from the bible resonated with me. Ps 127:1-2 “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for He grants sleep to those He loves.”
Now, let me explain why I said I rededicated my life to Christ (instead of just saying I dedicated it). It is because I don dedicate my life tire!! Honestly, almost each chance I get, I rededicate my life to Christ. Sometimes, it’s face to face (in church, or @ a revival/vigil type thing), sometimes it’s while watching a pastor (like Pastor Joel Osteen preaching), sometimes, it’s on the radio while listening to 95.1. I think I have even considered doing it after reading a letter from Franklin Graham!! One thing has been constant in all my attempts: I keep going back to the same ol’ me.
So why do I keep trying? Twice in my life, I was very serious with God, and honestly, those were the best times of my life. When I was about 13, I gave my life to Christ. I used to attend revivals and everything with my cousin. It was great! I even used to sing some solo songs for them, and they used to praise my voice. By the way, my cousin was in the university then, so this Christian community was pretty much her fellow students, but they were on fire for God. They loved the Man passionately. Anyway, looking back on it now, I see they lied to me! I cannot carry a note to save my life, yet every Friday night, they let me belch out those lyrics with beautiful smiles plastered across their faces. They even talked of me releasing an album. Kai. Those uni students no do me well @ all. I remember one guy (can’t remember his name now) who told me God wanted to use me in my generation. I never forgot that. I have often wondered when, where, how, and WHY God will wanna use me.
But then I fell off the wagon. And when I was about 16, I became close to Him again. It was great. I used to read my Bible, pray every night and morning, and it was just great. I don’t know what happened, when it happened, or why it happened, but I was right back to square one. Since then, I have been playing catch-me-if-you-can with God, deceiving myself really. I keep going back because I am never truly happy or complete or satisfied when I am not where He is. So I am back again, but this time, with more determination. A lady in church said a good place to start reading the Bible is in the book of John. Phew! I wish someone woulda told me that sooner!! No offense to you, oh dear Father, but that book of Genesis ehn, e get as e be oh. I have read from the book of Genesis to the book of Deuteronomy, and so far, all I remember is that God made the world in seven days, Adam was the first man, Eve was the first woman, and they ate the forbidden fruit. Ko easy @ all to read it.
I started reading the book of John, and the feeling has been different. It was a pleasure reading it. I’m not gonna overwhelm myself. I’m gonna take it one day @ a time. I’m making this public, because when you make such public comittments, it usually makes you less likely or more afraid of breaking them off. Of course, as we have come to find out, this does not apply to marriage. People are usually happier at the time of their divorce than they are at their wedding. On a side note: how come no1 gets cold feet for divorces?? Anyway…
I shouted so many ‘Amens’ in church that my voice is now suffering a little. Naija people sabi claim blessing oh. Na so so blessing Pastor Adeboye take dey slap our face that day. The thing nyafu nyafu everywhere, but I was not complaining. I kuku claimed them all in Jesus’ name. Why shall I shy? I thought Pastor Adeboye would say, “There is a girl in this room who has been dreaming of a black, semi tinted 2010 range rover. The Lord wants you to know that when you go home today, that range rover will be parked outside, waiting for you – all expenses paid!” I for just run go dance naked outside. Ah, I am serving a living God…the God that answereth by black, semi tinted 2010 Range Rovers!!
Needless to say, I didn’t get my range rover. My corolla was not mysteriously replaced by a range rover. And no disturbingly handsome man was sitting on my hood waiting for me. However, Ireti did blatantly refuse to follow her family home; she wanted to follow me instead. Could this have been part of the uncommon favor? I said thank you, Jesus, but how I fit manage this kin favor…especially in this time of austerity? Mba o. Na so I just package the girl go give am back to her people. She cried her cute, little eyes out. On a serious note, I really did rededicate my life back to Christ, and I have begged Him to not let me go. I have begged Him to hold me tight because I really, really, really wanna walk this walk with Him.
Now that you’re done reading this and congratulating and encouraging me (aka commenting), go over to Standtall’s blog, and read my interview. Happy reading!!! And thanks again for the interview, Babe.
I AM FIRST. I WILL JUBILATE PROPERLY IN A MINUTE!
I AM FIRST!!! Temite singing majorly off key – God is good he has done me well, o my soul rise up and praise the Lud. VERA I LOVE YOU! I GAT MAD LOVE FOR YOU BOO!!! PLease let me hear 10 GBOSAS FOR TEMITE. GBOSA! GBOSA! GBOSA! GBOSA! GBOSA! GBOSA! GBOSA! GBOSA! GBOSA! GBOSA! I shall go read now.
I am second tooo
I am third too. Damn I am on her role. Infact I am going to be the only person in top ten today.
The only rat under my bed, the only bone in my fish, the only butter on my bread!
Do you think I can take this up to top 20…
Are you daring me, I will do it o. watch me, top 20 here i come.
Go read the standtall interview! Vera was verastic as usuall!
Now, let me explain why I said I rededicated my life to Christ (instead of just saying I dedicated it). It is because I don dedicate my life tire!!
I am still laughing.
Temite hope it is well?
@Doll – I dey fine o, my love for Vera just dey do me something o. Vera I am so glad you have found something that makes you happy and that fulfills you. It is truly beautiful! Although I am personally still searching, I am still very glad for you. and I will say hold on to your bliss!
lol, major spamming oo!
Well done, is all I can say I guessl
I love Joel osteen, he’s the only preacher i can stand to listen to at the moment.
You got home late. The range rover sport was there, got there before you!
How are you my love. Running over to read ur interview.
I am just beefing all the blogs that you love. TEMITE, i am beefing o!!!!!!!!
Gehl am proud of you jare…
Reading your post took me down memory lane when I used to rededicate my life like no man’s business(lol)!
truth is:no be easy road o…and no one promised that it’ll be easy but I can guarantee you that it is worth it!
Just take it one step at a time and let God do His thing!
COBGRATS BABES!!!
when i read about ur rededication on standtall’s blog i actually thot u were being ur goofy sef..but i am glad to hear and joining u in thanking God…
Christianity, as i am sure u know, is a personal journey with God so just keep taking it one day at a time with Jesus
halleluyah somebody!
Congratulations and well done!!!!
and making it public is having victory over the devil for when we make ourselves accountable, we are concious to be deligent in whatever it is. I pray God orders your footsteps daily… Amen..
Congrats. x Rems
I swear someone needs to tie that Temite girl up, really! jeez!
vera jare, I’m happy for you, and very proud of you.
I remember one time when i was much younger, i used to give my life like every sunday, until some preacher was like if you’ve done it once, you only need to rededicate your life.
Bumight i’m with u on tying Temite up!
As for vera, u totally crack me up, but i’m glad u’re back on track with God.
As for u and this ur Range Rover ehn……
P.S i commented on one of ur fb pics, hehehehe
i am so glad i am not the only one that used to answer every altar call…hehe.
another way to read the bible is by book. i personally love the epistles..so full of insight and they are shorter too lol.
Temite: LOL. Walahi, this your luff for me ehn…. e just dey do my body jijiji. lol. E get as e dey do me, do me. If you keep showing me so much love, I might force you to marry me oooo. Be very, very careful! lol.
Doja: My dear, na true oh. I really have dedicated my life sooo many times. Thank God there is no limit, or else I would have definitely passed it by now.
Zena: Thanks, love. lol @ the spaming comment.
Sting: Mad woman, I see you changed your name again. I love Joel Osteen too. He’s the bomb!!
Temmy Tayo: You took my range rover??? No wonder!!! When I came home, I recognized the tire marks. So it was you ehn? Oya, return my God-given car. No need 2 beef the blogs. lol. U know I gat nothing but luff 4 u.
NoLimit: So are you still close to Him? Please don’t say no. I need all the support I can get. I’m definitely taking it one step @ a time.
Aloted: LOL @ thinking I was being goofy. Una no dey take me seriously, that’s why. Thanks for the congratulatory message, boo. But can you send me a range rover as a real congratulatory message?
Remi: Thank you, love. I’m praying for Him to order my footsteps too. I cannot do this alone. What I do know is that I really do not wanna backslide to the bad ol me.
Bumight: LOL @ giving ur life every Sunday. Hahahaha. I don see person wey I better pass. Mine was not every Sunday ooo….just @ those special events. And stay off Temite. No vex me ooo!!! How dare you?!
Mizchif: You left a comment on one of my pics??? Oya I’m off to see it. I’ll try and figure you out. I’m guessing you’re not gonna tell me which one you are abi? U wanna tie my Temite up?? Respect urself ooo
Reverence: Well, So far, I am enjoying the book of John anyway. The lady said it’s a wonderful way to get to know a lot about Christ and she didn’t lie. lol @ answering the call to the altar.
All it takes is one powerful preaching and I give my life to Christ all over again…until I was told you do it only once…
One of the words someone said to me that gave me hope in this Christian walk is “It’s like rededicating my life to God everyday because by default man has a sinful nature…” coming from a STRONG man of God, I said, who am I not to run to God everyday?
You really said it well with “I’m gonna take it one day @ a time…”
I wish you all the best, dear Vera… and I enjoyed your interview thoroughly.
Vera I am very proud of you o. May you remain rededicated. Amen.
Temite i just tire for you did you set alarm for all these posts? You are always first. Anyhoos norrin do you.
Am happy for you and i sincerely pray that you will walk this walk with Him. It is a good thing to be in love with the Lord because as you busy yourself in His work, he does the same for you.
And that uncommon, unmerited, jaw opening favour will be ours soon In Jesus name.
May you continuoulsy remain rededicated o in Jesus name.
that’s great for you babe. i know exactly what you mean – when i was in secondary sch i also did the whole dedicated praying thing – as far as i understood – for a while, then uni came and it all fizzled down to the trickle it is now.
but i know what caused it – no, not blogging oh! – it was the acquisition of a boyfriend. that thing messed up my conscience. i still dont know how to handle having both, and i refuse to give them both up, even tho it can be argued that by so doing i have chosen to give the more significant one up.
it’s hard!
good luck with it tho, i pray you are able to keep your relationship with God, and grow stronger and stronger in His love.
PS: that includes sanctifying the jazz-ified make-up you used to decorate poor ireti’s face. ah ahn, that she doesnt even want to go home again. that one strong oh!
My take on ….u know what…..Churches and Penti ones is pretty well know, so no comments, but I did enjoy the post.
I have to respectfully disagree with your Pastor on this one.
It is perpetrating the notion that bad things don’t happen to Christians (real believers) which is simply not true. This is the kind of thinking and mindset that draws people away from God or make them think they don’t have enough faith and that is why they have major disappointments in their lives. Similar to the preaching (lies) that if you give a certain amount, God blesses you even more.
We are meant to go through tough times as Christians for character building. How else is one supposed to be more generous if they don’t have enough practice at it, I mean being broke all the time but still giving in spite of. OR how is one supposed to love more if they aren’t around people who push their buttons which enables them to show more restraint. Many times is not that people are testing you in the name of Jesus, it’s simply that YOU have to work on your attitude.
You can also apply this to everyday life, how is a child who was raised by parents who gave him/her everything supposed to learn the value of hard work? I don’t mean to be long winded but I’m speaking from experience, we are made by Christ and for him therefore we aren’t entitled to anything from him just because we are believers. If it’s anything we owe him plenty for his free grace. Nothing we did could have earned us his grace. Therefore we have to deveop the mindset of servitude and avoid the give me-I deserve-I’m a child of God so it’s mine, type of mindset.
Not saying God doesn’t bless his people but I believe his blessings comes in all forms whether bad or good situations in our lives. He sees the bigger picture as we has Christians almost always miss these kinds of blessings (the ones in less than ideal circumstances) because we are not directly benefiting from it. We just need to redefine what blessings mean…And I cannot stand seeing Pastors preach that because one is not being “blessed” means God is not with him. That is a very dangerous message-….Paul spent over half of his ministry in Jail, poor and beaten, yet he wrote most of the books in the new Testament we all read today, according to your Pastor God “wasn’t with him”? Sorry Vera, I adore you girl but I STRONGLY disagree with your pastor on this one.
congrats gal…
it isnt usually easy walking the narrow path especially cos u’ll be in the minority …but its always worth it..
…i mean for all d times i’ve strayed, i’ve fallen flat on my face..
abeg..not anymore oo..i’ve learnt to respect myself and stay with Jesus cos…. on my own???all i make is a biiig mess!
temiloluwa
Rita: lol @ rededicating because of one powerful preaching. Yea, it does have that effect, doesn’t it? I’m sure people were like, how many times will this girl give her life to Christ? Abi she wan keep Jesus for herself alone??? *hiss** lol. Anywayz, I’m definitely taking it one day @ a time. If (more like WHEN) I slip up, I’ll beg for forgiveness and keep striving 2 be better.
Lusciousron: LOL @ Temite setting alarm for her comments. Hahahahaha. That will be very funny…in a disturbing way. Hahahaha. Amen to remaining rededicated.
Laughter: Amen! Amen! Amen!!!! I love blessings like this your own. My jaw-opening favor is on its way…any day now, lol. Seriously, I do wanna walk this walk. I can’t begin to imagine how hard it will be, but I definitely wanna walk the walk.
Geisha.Song: Babe, I soooooo understand where you’re coming from with that whole boyfriend acquisition thing. I’ll be lying if I said I didn’t fall into the same trap. Do you find yourself trying to make God understand that you “love” this boyfriend, and that He (God) should just understand that this sin you’re committing is technically not a full sin because it was done for the sake of love??? Oh, my foolish days!! LOL
Ababoy: LOL. I personally do not care about the denomination of a church (penti/catholic/protest…). I just want to go to a church where I can feel God, that’s all.
Abbie: Phew! Ur comment long pass my post oh! The pastor wasn’t saying that if things r not going well for you, it means God has left you. But it was too much preaching for me to put on my blog. What I wrote about was only in the context of that passage in the book of Psalm. Of course, you’ll go thru tough times as a Christian…look @ Job! The pastor even talked about Job. The theme of the service was uncommon favor/divine favor from God – wayyyyyy too much for me to go into on my blog.
d double post is in error oo…
not pulling a temite here! lol!!
temiloluwa
verastizzleeeeeee! congrats… xx i went and joined flicker abi shutterfly just so i could post on your pics. kai. joblessness
lol girl…sorry o..I get all carried away at the hint that bad things happen because we are out of favor with God or good things happen because we are in favor with God which is simply not that black and white.
Next time I have something to say, I’ll carry my butt to my own blog and not hijack yours lol
Read the interview and thought it was a very refreshing look at a very refreshing person.
You are indeed Verastic, no other words come close.
Please keep being you.