You can visit it at www.rhemalight.com

Thank you

I differ from the notion that you confess everything that you did before you met the person. This commitment to love is one independent of the past but dependent on the present and the future. I don’t expect my spouse to tell me about the escapades she had(if any) because that is not important unless it is to solve a certain problem that may appear in the relationship. This is not an iron clad rule, but it will not profit me to know how one had sex with—-people because we have taught openness. Telling me that hey I messed up before is enough and the reverse is true. Just as the things of the world help us understand the things of the spirit, I believe the reverse is true.

The central theme of this series has been love and if there is any one thing the you should get is this statement, ‘WHAT WOULD LOVE DO?’. Sometimes when we hear the statement, ‘WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?’, we usually brush it off and say Jesus was God personified in the flesh and therefore we can’t do what we did. Let us not debate that and instead ask, what would love do. As believers, we should let this love be the motivating factor for it is the multiplying factor and if it is zero, all product is zero for any number multiplied by zero is zero.

I believe that every couple should look at the past through the eyes of love. Paul, the apostle, said and we usually quote it from Philippians 3;

Php 3:12 Not³⁷⁵⁶ as though³⁷⁵⁴ I had already²²³⁵ attained,²⁹⁸³ either²²²⁸ were already perfect:^{5048, 2235} but¹¹⁶¹ I follow after,¹³⁷⁷ if that¹⁴⁹⁹ I may apprehend²⁶³⁸ that for¹⁹⁰⁹ which³⁷³⁹ also²⁵³² I am apprehended²⁶³⁸ of⁵²⁵⁹ Christ⁵⁵⁴⁷ Jesus.²⁴²⁴

Php 3:13 Brethren,⁸⁰ I¹⁴⁷³ count³⁰⁴⁹ not³⁷⁵⁶ myself¹⁶⁸³ to have apprehended:²⁶³⁸ but¹¹⁶¹ this one thing¹⁵²⁰ I do, forgetting¹⁹⁵⁰ those things which are behind,^{3694, 3303} and¹¹⁶¹ reaching forth¹⁹⁰¹ unto those things which are before,¹⁷¹⁵

Php 3:14 I press¹³⁷⁷ toward²⁵⁹⁶ the mark⁴⁶⁴⁹ for¹⁹⁰⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ prize¹⁰¹⁷ of the³⁵⁸⁸ high⁵⁰⁷ calling²⁸²¹ of God²³¹⁶ in¹⁷²² Christ⁵⁵⁴⁷ Jesus.²⁴²⁴

Php 3:15 Let us therefore,³⁷⁶⁷ as many as³⁷⁴⁵ be perfect,⁵⁰⁴⁶ be thus minded:^{5426, 5124} and²⁵³² if in any thing¹⁵³⁶ ye be otherwise minded,^{5426, 2088} God²³¹⁶ shall reveal⁶⁰¹ even²⁵³² this⁵¹²⁴ unto you.⁵²¹³

Php 3:16 Nevertheless,⁴¹³³ whereto^{1519, 3739} we have already attained,⁵³⁴⁸ let us walk⁴⁷⁴⁸ by the³⁵⁸⁸ same⁸⁴⁶ rule,²⁵⁸³ let us mind⁵⁴²⁶ the³⁵⁸⁸ same thing.⁸⁴⁶

If you look at verse 13, you will realize that the words this and I do are italicized which means they were added by the translators so it should read;

Paul understood this properly. As believers, we should learn to put things behind us walk in love. Love keeps no record of wrong. The bible doesn’t differentiate the wrong whether it is done by others or you. When you repent of them, don’t keep a register of them. When you got saved, did you name all the sins you had done in your life? No, you didn’t? If you did, that beats the record.

Couples should share information necessary for the growth of the relationship and not every junk that one ever did in their lives. If God doesn’t tell on us, why should we talk about all our escapades. I think this is mainly on the mentality that if I share much, I am being open and therefore I will be trusted more. Sometimes, the reverse is true. If something in the past may or will or can affect the relationship, I believe that should be shared. For example, if you can’t have children, it id good to share that but not how many sexual partners one had.

The other problem is the thoughts that result due to this so called opening up. When some of us are told about all the problems, we may look at ourselves as putting up with the person. We are helping them and this is where we have to be careful that we don’t allow self-righteousness to come in. Thoughts like, well he messed up but I decided to put up with him can arise, but we can bring them down in Jesus’ name.

I know I am ploughing across the field so to speak because we have been trained to say as much as we can so that we are transparent. No, there is no scripture in the bible that says people have a right to know everything. Sometimes it is none of our business and we don’t need to ask. This leads me to parties in a relationship. Don’t ask unnecessary questions that are seeking to put the other person to shame. I have realized that we sometimes ask questions so as to justify our wrongdoing i.e we are looking to level the ground. Do you mean you will never share with your wife? I will and it is my prerogative to do so but not just sharing anything about the past. Well anything is better than nothing! No I don’t think so. If any man be in Christ, He is a new creature, the old has gone and the new has come.

Let Christ and the church be the model for our relationships and not so and so. Remember I said at the beginning of these series that I am not setting iron clad rules but acting as a signpost and you must make Jesus and the Church relationship and Love your priorities. Don’t keep a mental record of what was done to you otherwise you are bound to act in manners that will affect your relationship. Let love motivate you.
Next week I will, God willing, start on simple practical ways on how to show your commitment to love. I will concentrate on three areas; Thoughts, Words and Actions. I will deal with each individually. www.rhemalight.com

I get all sorts of answers. Some have told me, “Girls don’t call boys”, “well airtime…” and sometimes I have asked those whose concern was not being taken out-would you go to kikumi kikumi(cheap eating place) and I wish you could see the expressions on their faces.I have realized that books are good but they are just like a signpost and you can’t make an iron clad rule from them. I read a book, “Secrets of an Irresistible Woman” and the author wrote that girls don’t call boys but she qualified the statement. Just getting the 4 words from the whole paragraph can make one miss the authors point. Well, when I call a lot, he/she will think that I miss him/her a lot. Do you miss him/her? Yes! Let the peace of God act as the umpire in our hearts to guide us and not just what so and so said. I am not saying you go on rampage but hey let your commitment show. Love always has the interests of the other person at the back of its mind. God, who is Love, has shed His Love in the depths of our hearts and we can love anybody. The other thing is we should not try to measure what so and so did for his/her spouse with what was done to you or what you did. Walk in the light and ability you have. Sometimes a text message, a rose, a call, an impromptu lunch, a message on their facebook wall, a beep, a stroll together, opening doors etc can do so much good. (Learn your mate’s love language- a good book is “The Five love languages” by Gary Chapman).

This kind of love has never been to a divorce court and will never go. It doesn’t seek its own but is concerned and considerate of the others. It puts them first. Like I said before, love qualifies actions and not vice versa. 1st Cor. 13 talks about actions independent of love as being empty and meaningless. If both parties try to outdo one another in love, relationships will be like heaven on earth. Don’t wait for them to act a certain way so that you walk in love. Take the precedent whether they act like worthy of your love or not. Well, they may take me for granted and they will think I am desperate etc. Do you realize it is about you again? I said you consider them and not what they think of you.Well, you are just concentrating on love, one may say, what about money? The problems in relationships concerning money can be traced back to lack of love or selfishness. A man will tell his mate how he doesn’t have money and then go ahead and buy chromium rims and tell her how he needed them. A woman will withdraw money without her husband’s knowledge to help her friend in need. In both cases, they will end up fighting but what if they had asked themselves before they acted-what would love do? Then there would be no money handling problems. Absence of money can also be a problem but then we should just learn to get the money. But you can still abide in love when there is little. I will tackle money at a later time.

The commitment to love ignores the failures/shortcomings of the other for love covers a multitude of sins. I am not talking about telling lies. You never lie for anybody. No, I am talking about covering. Just don’t bring it up, don’t talk about it. This may sound easy but many times I have caught myself just yapping about something I shouldn’t. We need to check it out before we say anything for Love does no harm. It always covers. (1st Pet 4:8, Prov. 17:9). It doesn’t uncover or expose as we usually do. The way we talk about our mates is as if they are the only ones who fail. All of us have missed it and do miss it such that to broadcast their problems doesn’t benefit you or them. Well, people have a right to know. No scripture supports this.

You may be bumpy and have a million goose bumps for a time and half a time, but when the rubber meets the road, you must make a willing decision to love them irrespective of how they act. When folks start talking negatively about their mates, this is the perfect time to say good bye and hit the road. You shouldn’t always have an opinion about anything. The hardest times in conversations is when I have had an opinion and the lord said shut up. My mouth still wanted to continue and the times when I have ignored that, I have missed it really bad. Let us not make gossip a favorite pastime. I can hear some folks saying, well we are to speak the truth and be open and frank. I have used the same excuse before and this has only dawned on me when I started thinking about love; Eph 4:15 says we are to speak the truth in love.

We usually talk about being open but I have realized that in most cases when we say let us open up, we are asking the other fella to talk about where they have missed it or the problems they have. Statements like “Some people pretend as if they don’t have any problems but we need to open up” have led many of us to just speak so that we are “real”. Usually when we say our problems, people just say let us pray. I am not demeaning prayer but it is just being spooky. I usually pray about my problems (refer to the trouble that trouble article ) or I share with just one other fellow since 2 can pray the prayer of agreement (see my series on prayer). There is also this temptation to start revealing information about your mate when somebody tells you their problems because you feel it is fair to do so. No, it is not! Don’t fall into that trap. It is little wonder that our prayers are not answered because we revisit our problems and talk about them as our own. When you cast your cares unto the lord, let us leave them there and not take them up by speaking. Only share if you feel in your heart, God wants you too but don’t share information about your mate. If God doesn’t do it, why should we that are supposed to be His imitators. I wish it was easy but it is not. We need to work on it and I know we can make it through Christ who strengthens us.

Brethren, we should train ourselves in the agape kind of love (1Cor 13) so that the eros, phileo can flow from it. When the order is changed then it is all about us. Let our expectations of the other person be realistic. I mean, work on yourself and not to try to put such a demand on the other person that they end up succumbing to the pressure. Well, I show love to them but he/she does not respond. Continue doing good for in due season you will reap. I need to revisit my earlier statement that out of love, actions arise and not vice versa. Our expectations must be right. It is little wonder that some sisters in church say brothers are boring and some brothers that sisters are desperate. (Actually I wrote an article that I titled, “Boring Brothers or Desperate Sisters”) Let love be the driving force in our lives.

Even when it comes to the past, we need to look at it in the light of God’s word. Well, are we supposed to tell all our past escapades? Where is the middle line? Do our mates owe us anything? I will deal with these questions and more in my next part in the commitment to love series which I have titled-The Past and the Commitment to Love. www.rhemalight.com

The Hebrew and Greek words for salvation have the implication or meaning “safety”, soundness, healing, preservation and deliverance. Like Scofield states, it is the great inclusive word of the Gospel that gathers into itself all the redemptive acts and processes:

When one gets saved, the bible says, he/she is a new creature and other translations say he is a new species of being. Can I suggest to you that you look at a new born Christian as a new born baby. He has no past but a future that is secure and sure.
When you got saved, you got a new father and hence a new nature. You are now a child of the most high God and the life resident in you is the life of God or a better way to say it is the God kind of life.
We have thought that getting saved is just a small thing but it is not. There is forgiveness, and a total exchange. It is little wonder that some people have called salvation the Great Exchange where you get righteousness and forgiveness of sins.
Scofield made this observation and it is true:
Salvation is in three tenses:

(1) The believer has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin (Luk_7:50); (1Co_1:18); (2Co_2:15); (Eph_2:5); (Eph_2:8); (2Ti_1:9) and is safe.

(2) the believer is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin (Rom_6:14); (Phi_1:19); (Phi_2:12); (Phi_2:13); (2Th_2:13); (Rom_8:2); (Gal_2:19); (Gal_2:20); (2Co_3:18).

(3) The believer is to be saved in the sense of entire conformity to Christ. (Rom_13:11); (Heb_10:36); (1Pe_1:5); (1Jo_3:2).

4. God’s word on Generational Curses
Generational Curses:
Like i defined these curses in part-1, it is important to realise that the phrase above in not in the bible(i checked it out in 11 translations including KJV).
From the little research i have done, it is based on Exodus 20:5
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
That scripture is as true today as it was when God said it then. Let us first note a number of things from this:
1-You must hate God for that to operate
2- He visits the inquity to more than 1 generation as indicated.
Let me also make some clarifications on this issue. A law or charge is in place until it is fulfilled or the charge settled according to he that set the law. Just like the New testament command is the LOVE commandment, there are charges that Jesus fulfilled. Actually Jesus is the end of the law and he fulfilled the law.
We need to now see what God said about these generational curses after Jesus came and died in our stead. We will look at both the old testament and new testament.
Old Testament;
Ezekiel 18:1-32
I will just draw some illumination:
1- God charges Israel to stop using the proverb, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge”. He then states that the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
2- God gives an example of where a righteous man gives birth to a wicked son who in turn gives birth to righteous son. God clearly states that the grandfather and grandson in the case above will live, while the father of the grandson will die. This clearly renders the ideology of our ancestors killing people and their blood being on our heads.
3- God does not cherish or is not pleased by the death of sinner.
Read the whole chapter and more illumination will come your way.
Jeremiah 31:27-35
In this portion of scripture which actually refers to our days, God states clearly that every one shall die for his own iniquity.
Later on in verse 34, He makes a powerful statement that makes theologians look for cover. He says that He will forgive our iniquity and our sin, will He remember no more. I don’t know how much more proof you want but that is evidence enough.
New testament

Galatians 3:13-14
Gal 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal 3:14 that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Christ when he died nullified the effect of the curse on us actually He became a curse that we might receive the blessing. We are blessed and now the lives we live are what we call a blessed life. Curses are in operation but we are live above them.

In Part 3, I will tackle the effect of generational curses on the community, why in some believers the curse operates and how to soar above the curses of life using two powerful laws of the new testament.

What is A Curse?
First let me just say clearly that it is the opposite of blessing. A blessing is the ability to prosper so a curse is the opposite.
Just like a blessing, a curse starts with words. A curse is considered to possess an inherent power of carrying itself into effect. A curse can also be a condemnation just as in Adam’s case.
A curse can also function in one’s life due to some actions. Curses will operate in a life of a person not because God has cursed them but just because they have acted in a manner that evokes a curse.
Duet 28 is a documentation of curses and blessings all as a result of actions.
Curses are never good but every good and perfect gift comes from God, the father of lights. Actions of some places have caused a curse to operate in some countries and even families but I have some good news-JESUS CAME!!

Generational Curses
From the way I have heard people say and the way I understand the way it is defined (I stand to be corrected), this is the definition:
Generational curses are those that are a result of actions of our ancestors e.g. murder, witchcraft or even being consecrated to demons when we were young.
The other aspect I usually hear is that Christians are under generational curses and therefore must seek for deliverance every once in the while so that they get free.
These curses cause among other things; failure to marry, adultery, miscarriages and divorce.
From what I have also heard, whether you get saved or not, it doesn’t matter so you have to continuously repent for your ancestor’s sins.
Next week(29th JUNE) I will analyze the above facts in light of God’s Word and brace yourself for stimulating and enlightening study of this subject.
]]> http://jsonko.wordpress.com/2008/01/13/generational-curses-part-1/feed/ 0 jsonko http://jsonko.wordpress.com/2008/01/13/growing-are-you/ http://jsonko.wordpress.com/2008/01/13/growing-are-you/#comments Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:45:04 +0000 jsonko http://jsonko.wordpress.com/2008/01/13/growing-are-you/ ]]> Well what did you think when you saw the title of my newest article? Whatever you may have thought but I bet you didn’t think about what I am gonna write about?

Follow a common conversation concerning a book.

Mike: What book is that?
John: It is “The Goal” by Eliyahu Goldratt about the theory of constraints
Mike: I have always loved to read that book. I have heard about it. Can I borrow it?
John: True you can.
Mike: Thanks. Actually I can give you the one I am currently reading. It is called Answered Prayer Guaranteed by Fredrick K.C Price. It is good and enlightening about prayer.
John: Thanks, I will read it right away.

Can you testify that you have been involved in such a conversation? Well brace yourself for an enlightening study that will illuminate your mind.

Discipline:
I have realized that one of the factors that hinders our growth is lack of discipline even in good things. I have found that individually this has hindered my growth. I have seen a person with a book on marriage while I was doing my studies on the impact of your words and asked for the book and started reading it.

This has resulted in scanty and limited information on many issues. It is okay to have knowledge about a number of issues (I do) but when it comes to your Christian walk, you got to be consistent and disciplined. If you are studying about marriage, plunge yourself in all materials you can get and do not try to start another series on End times. Information about other things can come in but if you have placed your hands to the plow, don’t turn back. Study to show yourself approved of God. It is okay to allow allowance of reading or studying about other interests you have but be consistent on that which you have purposed to do.

The above is one reason why I rarely visit churches especially on Sunday morning because half information is as dangerous as a lie. One church started a series on demonology and you find the series midway say about who satan is and then leave next Sunday to visit your friend’s church where prayer is being taught. You will end up confused. Be focused on the one right thing and you will benefit. Don’t be moved by emotions and the phrase ‘Where is it Happenning’ or ‘kibaluseewa’.
You will grow if you are consistent in your life.

A clear example is when one is told that God didn’t make them sick and they should stop saying the negative, I have heard them say well I can’t say I am well when I am not and then get offended. I have heard people say such terms,
• I am dying to go
• I laughed to death or that tickles me to death
• Take care and it is a pain in the neck
When they are told to change their words, they get offended just as I did when I was first told by a friend to watch my words. Listen, if you are told the truth, don’t be offended but receive the word spoken. Believe it or not, you are ensnared by your words. You will be defeated if you don’t watch your words.

Taking offense at words or actions results into sin. Love is not touchy and being offended because of the truth will affect your Christian walk. It is better to receive the word and check it and change. We have been fed on a psychology of unbelief so that when our beliefs are challenged, we easily put our guards up and end up offended and resenting the preachers. As Christians, we need to grow and you won’t be able to do so unless you desire and receive the sincere milk of the word (1Pet 2:2). Offense will affect you because you will resent folks and start saying things like, “well they are also like me”, “they are trying to be like God”, “who do you think you are?” and down the trench you will go.

Avoiding offense is a decision that you decide to take before and during the temptation to get offended because of anything. Let me also say this. You may be right to get offended about something (of course never at the word of God) but the word of God says Love is not touchy or resentful. Are you already there-at the point of not being offended? Many of us are not, but thank God that we can grow in Love and get our lives in a better position to receive from God, live healthy lives and be rich. Be watchful of your words and what others say but avoid offense.

]]> http://jsonko.wordpress.com/2008/01/13/what-offends-you/feed/ 0 jsonko http://jsonko.wordpress.com/2008/01/13/the-conforming-church/ http://jsonko.wordpress.com/2008/01/13/the-conforming-church/#comments Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:37:39 +0000 jsonko http://jsonko.wordpress.com/2008/01/13/the-conforming-church/ ]]> The Conforming Church, the Condemning Church
Go ye into the world and preach politics! Involve yourself in the world; conform to their standards so that they become believers. This is what is taking place but that is not bible.

I have had a burden for my nation in the past months especially concerning the leadership and the church as a whole. This has been on my heart for some time and I want to share it.
The Church has never been called to politics but to preach the gospel to all men and make disciples out of them. Interestingly, the church in Uganda has taken to politics to a level where divisions are evident in congregations due to different political affiliations. Listen, God has called us to be witnesses of this gospel to all men and not to campaign for any party in our pulpits. Secondly, we have not been called to join the heathen and say all the nonsense about the economy, forests, etc. Well, I can hear some voices saying that evil prospers when good men keep quiet. I have grown to hate popular sayings because people just quote them without thinking. It is not about talking but standing up for the truth and doing the right thing.

The Church is not praying for the leadership of this nation especially His Excellency the president-Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his cabinet. All we are doing is linking up with the heathen and speaking nonsense. I don’t care whether you support NRM, FDC, CP, JEEMA, or even the independents, you as a believer MUST (mark the word, must) pray for the president and all leadership. I can say boldly that Evil triumphs when the righteous of God ignore their positions. Museveni is not the problem, and if you think that by change of governments, you will get rich, and all will be well, you have another thought coming. The bible gives us ways to become rich and I for one don’t believe that my increase depends on the economy of any state in this world. Well, you may be asking, “now, who is the problem?” The answer is it is you because you are not praying and even when you pray, you undo your prayers with your words.

Recently as I chatted with a friend, she talked about church leaders inviting secular artists into their churches to entertain the congregation. I didn’t pay attention to it until I landed on a paper supporting it. I learnt a long way back that attacking God’s ministers is one of the easiest ways to get sick quick but it is biblical to judge the fruit for by their fruit you will know them. The church is not an entertainment center and it shouldn’t be. Increase in church numbers is important if it is about the word of God and not “Katemba”. As believers, we must be a strong force and not wimps who are fed on unbelief and trash this week and a little snack of the word the other week. Just call a prayer meeting vs a dancing show and see the one that attracts more. This is one reason why we are having many people who just live from miracle to miracle. Whether the heathen sing “gospel” songs, we need to see those save for the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Putting the name Jesus in a song doesn’t make it a gospel song. There is a rally driver called Jesus. We need fruit.

WAY FORWARD: Constructive criticism is okay but dishonoring your president or pastor or Jesus is wrong. The bible says, “Render honor to whom honor is due”. If you think he doesn’t deserve it, then pray for him but I know he deserves it. I have heard Christians say, “omusajja akaddiye”, “Man, the guy has lost it” while another literally said He was stupid. I just knew they were not praying and if they were, they were praying for his dismissal. It is little wonder that we even don’t get answers to our personal needs.
Prayers should be made first of all for those in leadership. Listen and this is what I sense in my heart, the church needs to pray that peace shall continue to prevail that the gospel may be preached. The devil has sought to concern the church with minor issues and by the time it wakes up, it may be too late. I have included an excerpt from the book, “The believer’s Prayer Life”

First Of All
Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-6, 1 Peter 2:13-16

In 1 Timothy 2, we are told to pray first of all for all men but in particular for kings and all who are in authority. Before praying for ourselves or something else, we must first of all pray for our government authorities. Of course if we were going to eat and I asked you to pray for the food, you wouldn’t start praying for kings and all who are in authority. That would be misplaced. All that Paul is telling Timothy is that praying for our leaders should have priority in our prayer life. Why should we put them first in our praying? Why should we give them priority? Verse 2 and 3 say,

“That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and reverence. For [or because] this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

It’s for our benefit: that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life. It is also for the sake of the gospel. You see if there is trouble on the political scene, the Word of God cannot be spread effectively and people will not be reached. So God wants us to pray for our leaders so that the Gospel will have a free course in our nation and there will be peace. The bible says that government authorities are God’s judgement arm on those who do evil.

“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” -Romans 13:3, 4

God’s word says the authorities are God’s ministers sent to execute wrath on him who practices evil. So we can bring God’s word to Him like lawyers believing that our leaders will indeed be what the Word of God says they are – a terror to evil works – a terror to drug abuse, abortion, sexual abuse, child abuse, pornography, crime and anything else that is evil. If we pray for our leaders based on God’s word, these evils will no longer run rampant in our country.