WHY YOU ARE MAD

Without any iota of doubt,the above topic sounds insultive and very odd to the ear.knowing that you'll not hesitate to throw me stones,I'll appeal that you spare me some minutes of your time to read the whole of this piece before you decide my judgement.The simple fact here is that;whether you're mad or not'd be a product of several justification after certain things have been established from the biblical understanding.Filtering this topic through the grids of the bible will help clear your mind so as to gain some altitude.
Let's turn our bible to the book of Acts chapter 26:24 which says 'And as he thus proceed(Paul) with his defense,Festus called out louldly,Paul you're mad! Your great leaning is driving you insane.
Paul's story or trial begins at Acts 23 and runs all the way to the end of the book in Chapter 28.If you're not familiar with paul,it's a story worth reading.But for our purposes,allow me to give a thumbnail sketch of Paul's life in a jiffy.
Before his encounter with Jesus on his way to Damascus, he was a fanatics that takes pleasure in persecuting the church.This life-threatening experience made the apostles to be scattered,yet Paul pursued them.It was on this ministry of persecution that he met Jesus and his life was changed.From that time upward,Paul was suffering from the hands of the Jews that believeth not in Christ becausf of his passion to share the gospel.It's in the course of this he was delivered to Felix,then to Festus,and Festus beseeched Agrippa to hear paul's side of defense for he was dazed.Bro.Paul was able to set his defense straight forward by sharing his old ways of life and then preach christ which he confessed before Agrippa.As he was talking,Festus perceived that Paul was full of biblical knowledge(God's knowledge) that's irrefutable.This made Festus to jump into conclusion, saying ' Paul you're mad!' Can you see the exclamatory mark? That tells you that Paul's cerebral grandstanding is beyond Festus's carrying capacity.Festus should've put it better by saying 'Paul,you're an Emeritus!'
Any which way,Fesus said 'Paul is mad'
However,these questions are worth asking:Why was he not mad when persecuting the church? Why was he not accused of persecuting the church then?
From the above questions,I discovered that by the world standard,believers are tagged to be mad if they're not dancing to the beat of the world that barrels down the express way to hell.You're not mad if you dressed indescently,but you're if you choose to remain descent.You're not mad if you're fornicating,but you're if you keep yourself holy.You're not mad if you're an alcoholic,but you're when your are not.
The above defined the world standard of judging madness.
In this age of ours,choosing to remain holy,descent and godly is being termed as over-spirituality which is equated to 'Christianity Madness' That's when you see people making jest of you by calling you all sorts of name.When you carry your bible going to the church,they shout loudly like Festus 'THE SUs'
This simple fact I want you to know that:anytime you part away with the worldy things and give attention to the firm teaching of the word of God,expect insults that're highly annoying.Expect false accusations,but don't be moved.They'll call you a fanatics because of christ,don't worry.
The undeniable fact is that,a mad man will always see others as mad fellow.Regardless of what is said of you because of your faith,don't drift with the tides.It's better you're a mad man on earth because of Christ than to be turned mad in hell fire.If Festus realised Paul's response in verse 25,he'd know that he is the one being tormented with madness.
No matter how the word 'madness' is being defined by the world's standard,do not join the league of the unholy people.Let your centre of focus be christ.
Festus said that 'great learning is driving you insane' Let people see you learning the way of God.If they see that they'll confess that you're mad for christ because your biblical knowledge is beyond comprehension.
Keep focus in the face of insults and be not discouraged when you're called names that're insultive.

P.S:if you've gained something,kindly share with your friends and drop your comment.
You can follow @TheLAfamily(for daily learning of the scripture) and @isaacsogo on twitter.

BURN THOSE BOOKS

I surmise I heard someone say 'Hey! What do you mean Isaac?' To burn my books? Is like you're having the water and blood of destruction running through your body systems.It's either you're dreaming or out of your mind.Don't you know that 'Readers are Leaders?' That's right! I understand how you feel about this.But for your information,not all books set you on rein and that's why you must burn them.

However,I want you to go with me as we'll be filtering this stuff through the grids of the bible.
As I was studying the scripture for 'TheLAfamily' which was taken from the book of Acts,my attention was drawn to a particular bible verse in Chapter 19 while reading the passage for the second time.Acts 19:19 says, 'A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at Public bonfire.The value of the books was several million dollars-NLT'
Am pretty sure you've no incantation books,but there is a book you're holding in your hands that has been driving you fast for a long time on a freeway of sexual gratification.The unchanged and unblemished truth is that the devil suckered you to buy those books and movies but you knew it not.Straightly,the book is nothing more than 'Porn literatures'.For this purpose,I'd prefer the word 'Porn materials' Can you remember the last time you chose to buy porn materials in the stead of christian/inspiring novels?Thank God you did.These materials are your incantation books as well if you don't know.They're a sort of platform for you to be fully baptised into the school of immoralities.To you it may be alluring because it satisfies your lustful desires,but you've forgotten that; immoralities is like a degenerative eye disease that gradually change your great future into a grim one.Just stop for a minute and think of the psychological and emotional trauma you're confronted with after watching or reading them(porn materials).Don't forget David.He can be used as a classic prototype for the world of today.After David had watched the porn movie satisfactorily,he pressed the action button and he was never the same after the adultery.Sexual immorality shipwrecked him.Steve Farrar put it so well by saying,'Before his shipwreck with Bathseba,David's life was characterised by triumph.After the shipwreck,there is only one word that described the rest of David's life:Trouble'

That's exactly the same result of your voracious appetite for sleazy materials.Unless you burn/delete those things,you're on a long way down the wrong road.Kindly fish them out,destroy them before they send you packing and burning in hell! Fine,you're right Isaac.So,what's the way out.I want to sincerely stop you from this headlong plunge into this disaster.
The truth is that,it may not be easy but it takes determination.Just fish them out,destroy them,mind not how expensive they're.If it's on your phone,delete it but don't destroy yovr phone(lols..).Then,ask for forgiveness from the Jaws of Life (i.e Jesus).Well,to make the memory out completely may not be easy,but by feeding/concentrating your mind on the word of God and godly things.By this,you'll squirm out of it.Remember Colossians 3 vs 2 which says 'Set your affection on things above,not on things on the earth'.The next time the devil throws up that one sin in your face,tell him to take a long walk off a short pier!

To wrap up this piece,Steve Farrar put it succinctly by saying,'You've an accelerator and you've a brake.When it comes to sin,you need to hit the brake.Stop now.Put a bumper sticker that says 'I Brake For Hidden Sin'
The book of wisdom i.e Proverb 20:17 says, "Bread of deceit is sweet to a man;but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Burn it! Destroy it! Confess Your sin! Live a Holy life by renewing your mind that you may prove what is that good,and acceptable and perfect,will of God-Romans 12:2.
BURN THOSE BOOKS TODAY AND SHAME THE DEVIL!
God bless.

You can follow @TheLAfamily and @isaacsogo on twitter.

THE RACE OF LIFE 102

Defeat! He lay there silently,a tear dropped from his eye.
"There's no sense running anymore-three strikes,
I'm out-why try?"
The will to rise had disappeared,all hope had fled away,
so far behind,so error prone,closer all the way
I've lost,so what's the use," he thought,
"I'll live with my disgrace"
But then he thought about his dad who
soon he'd have to face.
"Get up," an echo sounded low,
"Get up and take your place.
You were not meant for failure here,
so get up and win the race"
"you haven't lost all,
For winning is not more than this-to rise each time you fall"
So up he rose to win once more,an with a new commit,
He resolved that win or lose,atleast he wouldn't quit.
So far behind the other now,the most he'd ever been.
still he gave it all he had and ran as though to win.
Three times he'd fallen stumbling
three times he rose again.

Too far behind to hope to win,he still ran as he crossed,
first place,
Head high and proud and happy;no falling,no disgrace.
But when the fallen youngster crossed the line,last place,
The crowd gave him the greater cheer
for finishing the race.
And even thoug he came in last,
with head bowed low,unproud;
You would have thought he won the race to listen to the crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said
" I didn't do so well"
"To me,you won,"his father said
"You rose each time you fell"

And now when things seem dark and difficult to face
The memory of that little boy helps me in my race.For all of life is that race;

with ups and downs and all,
And all you have to do to win -is rise each time you fall
"Quit! Give up,you're beaten," they still shout in my face
But another voice within me says,
" Get up and win that race"-Author unknown
Oooo! How I wish you read and re-read this poem onehundred and one times with a perculiar attention to get some meats on why you don't need give up.Sincerely I understand how you feel;you've failed or you're failing and think that there is nothing to bring out of life again,you're hemmed in the dungeon of failure and you've decided to make it your dwelling home or habitat,but this is the good news:you can still make it by changing your present mental design about failure.Rise up, and move,for you're destined to win.Break out of your cocoon to shine.
All you need to do to win -is to rise each time you fall.
Yes,three strikes! But never get out of the race.
I can't wait to re-echo this into your auditory nerves that 'You haven't lost all.For winning is no more than this to rise each time you fall.So,get up and rise to win once more with a new commit.
When you take the last,you may say that ' I didn't do so well' but 'To me,you won'
'You rose each time you fell'
Am pretty sure you're reay to get back on the track.Don't live with your disgrace!
"Get up and win that race "
You can follow me on twitter (@Isaacsogo)

THE RACE OF LIFE 101

The opportunity of being an athlete atleast for a moment during my secondary school days podded me to pick up the withering tendrils of my pen and spit in verse what the real 'race of life' looks like.The memory of that day is still very bright and will linger in my non-volatile memory.I guess I'd tell my children about this.
Before the race,I was told that I'll only run for 100 $ 200 metre boys,so,I was prepared to give glory to my house masters at all cost.With internally generated force and determination,I came fist and second respectively.Don't ever think I'm Usain Bolt,but I always put my best to anything worthwhile.Oooh! Come and see sounds of irregular frequencies cheering me up,raining claps for me and jumping up and down like a frog.My head swelled up but never bursted(lols..).Well,you're always friends to people when you're succeeding.No wonder,Mother Teresa said 'when you're successful,you'll attract some false friends and true enemies' Everybody wants to be identified with you.At the end of the two races,it's like ending with apostle Paul's words that says 'I've finished my course...I'm now ready to depart!'
However,my own case was diametrically opposed to Bro.Paul's statement.So,what happened next? Out of blue(i.e unexpectedly),I was called upon to run with the 400 metre boys.Hearing this,my heart vibrated to its depth because I'll run a race that I never prepared for.Reason(s) for being the choice was probably because the person that should was missing or dulged it.I'm optionless,but sincerely I know that running with big boys won't be a bread and butter stuff.It's just a kind of David against Goliath contest.The whistle was blown and the speedometer was turned on.I make my veins to steam courage that I may outstand others,for what's worth living for is worth dying for.The race was running legato.The story swiftly changed on reaching more than the half of the race,my joules dropped and speedometer reads so low.Tiredness crept in.At this point,I gathered momentums to atleast make it to the end.Big boys with long legs don leave me for back.Although,I was not the only one lagging behind, yet was still trying to break others,but to no avail.Few of the audience were cheering me up that I can still do it while majority of those that praised me in the last two runs shifted their attentions away from me.I don't need tell you that when failure attendeth your ways like a flow of river,those that do love you'll loathe/disown you instantly.The temptation to quit was pressing and circulating in my body system,but I refused to compromised
Finally,I reached the finishing line not with my two feets standing but collapsed.I was carried like a baby from the ground.chai! I smelled hell that day.
Just like that I reached the destination though very stressful and energy consuming.My Joy was that I losed not the equilibrium-does not quit on the way.
Hmmm.The above illustration defines the race of life in its simplicity.The first two runs were so smooth which turned everybody a friend.Well done messages were sent for making it.Ooops! the second race wasn't easy;you'll be deserted by your bossom friends and those that congratulated you in your previous successes.
However,to keep moving,you must shun all discouraging words and let your spirit encourage you not to lose focus or quit at the middle of the race.Better it's to get there being the last than to quit halfway.
Don't expect the race of life to be so-so-smooth all the time.
Don't expect all to throw words of encouragement to you.Be the number one source of encouragement to yourself.If you'll not quit,you'll not fail.As much as you're determined to reach the finishing line,you'll get there.The race of life calls for determination,endurance,focus and self confidence.If people believe not in you,believe in yourself.In this journey,don't forget God.If you're ready for this race,be prepared to carry your cross yourself.Your parents can't help carry it,but can only encourage you.Your friends can't help run it,you run it yourself.Don't give up no matter how hard it's;you'll certainly get there and overcome the tracherous iceberg of life.Remember 'quitters never win'
Let me wrap up this piece by the word of Myles Munroe which says 'The successful man on earth is not a rich man,but a finished man'
LET YOUR SONG BE 'I'll finish my race' I'll not give up'
See you there.
You can follow me on twitter @(Isaacsogo)

WHY NOT AT THE SAME TIME?

You've come to ask why your friend has gained admission and you've not.Why your childhood friend is now working and you've not gotten any.Reasons why you don't have your own house,why others are building more than a house.Hmmm.Just as you ponder on necessary aspect and impetus ingredients of life missing in your life currently,you feel like committing suicide because you can't just imagine why the nature is working against you.Intimidations from equal colleagues make you look dejected and downcasted.And it seems as if there is no end in sight to your present state of hopelessness.Though,you're laughing,but in a real sense you're not happy.Sitting down alone,you think miles away and tears flow through your cheek to your mouth like a stream of water.Ooh! Your conclusion is that;you can't make it again.You wonder why you're created.Is like your case is worst than that of Job.Now you want to give up.I know how you feel and that's why I've come to bring back your fainting heart from the bottomless pit of hopelessness and to drop dose of encouragement into your mouth.Just stay calm and follow me on this voyage of knowledge.
Few days ago,I was passing through the street that leads to my Alma Mata,as I was going,I looked towards my left hand.Do you know what I saw? A barbing saloon shop.So,what does that needs to do with you? Ooh! You must know it!
As I was going,my spirit told me that;do you know that at a certain time you'll enter into the shop and the time you'll enter will not be the same with that of your friend(s) because the hairs on your heads won't grow at the same time? In the same vein,you may meet some people of your age or below having their hair-cut at the same time with yours.Everyone of you inside the barbing saloon will not cut the same style,isn't it? Yes,it's.After barbing,your friend will see you and feel jealous because you're looking handsomely beautiful(if there exist any english of such) isn't it?Yeah.But mind you,when it's time for your friend to enter the shop to barb also,he'll without any disturbance.Is that true? Absolutely correct! Your friend also came out looking spiffy and you feel jealous as well.Hmmm.Do you now see to it that at different space of time you entered and cut different hair-style?
And so that's how success in life is.You enter the barbing saloon shop with some set of people regardless of age and leave at the same time which shows those that you were able to make it altogether at the same time.Some entered before you,but the same thing is done to your hair but at different time.So,what's your pride?
Well,the above thought-provoking illustrations look somehow primitive but you can try look at it beyond the normal eyes.Obviously,you'll not both enter the place together but your success is pretty sure only that the time differs.As you wait patiently for your own time,you'll be celebrated by those that're ahead of you.So,friends,life is not all about worry since you know that you'll always get there.You may be walking so slow,but don't ever go back.Shake off and move forward regardless of odds of life,wait patiently on God for your own time.However,be ready to pay for the price,knowing fully well that after barbing your hair you'll/must pay.There is always a price for success as well,be ready to pay it.
Don't be ahead of God and don't be behind!
Don't be intimidated!
Don't give up!
Shake off and move on!
Press on to press through!
Wait on God and wait for your time!
See you there!
God bless.
@IscAmao.

ANANAIS & SAPPHIRA:BEYOND THE SUDDEN DEATH 101

I'm pretty sure that you know about these two chaps in the book of Acts,and what led to their instant death is not strange to you.But if you can't remember vividly,just turn your bible into Acts chapter 5 and you'll have a full understanding of the whole scenario.
However,this piece will be discussing about this family beyond the prism of the immediate destruction that fell on them.There may be one thousand and one hypothesis as regard their death.Some may believe that;they're not truly a born again christian,and to some,they're trying to play prank on God.
Well,we're not going towards that direction and so,I'll diffuse into the topic.
Acts 5 vs 1 says 'But a certain man named Ananais and Sapphira his wife sold possession' The possession were sold purposely because of other brethrens,they've their love and interest in their heart because that's the modus operandi in the early church.They were not forced to sell it,but it was sold willingly.
Vs 2 'And kept back part of the price,his wife also being privy to it...' You can be sure that convetousness drove them to do this.The conspiracy between both of them is a product of their unfaithfulness.They may be thinking that the money is too much to give to God in the way you as well do hold back your substances from God or even yourself,not ready to sacrifice for the work of God.
Their death is nothing to me but the etymological meaning of their name sounds interesting and how it relates to christian cycle would be the centre of focus.
It'll surprise you to know that,Ananais and Sapphira mean 'Grace' and 'Beauty'.Wao! What a nice name! However,as good as their name is,their action do not fit their conduct.They were disciples of christ and members of the apostolic church of which no man would belong unless he had a real experience of salvation.This we have to conclude that they're a born again christian because the church was hated and persecuted.Then,what podded 'Grace and Beauty' to deliberate and execute this sinister plan against the Holy spirit,behaving as though they're faithful?
Beyond this I see that their life is applicable to us as well in this age of ours.
Many are christian but not living up to the standard of what christianity is all about.We dwell among the brethren everyday,we sing,pray and perform some spiritual exercise together but our case is a sorry case like that of Grace and Beauty.Both thought that they can bribe God with what seems Okay to them.That connotes the attitude of many,after a sister/brother has fornicated,s/he will then enter the fellowship blowing tongues that is useless and awful to the auditory nerve of God.Thinking that a part and not whole of their being is enough for God.Well,other brethren would think s/he is being used by God not knowing that s/he is making sounds of different frequency.
The mentality here is that,going to church makes you a christian,but obviously that's not all about christianity.If you're not faithful to God,you're not a true christian.On sunday,many dress like an angel,but for the rest of the week,you wonder whether it's that same angel you worshipped with that has turned a masqerade.You may be born again like these two chaps but still having some issues to confront in your life.You may be bearing Phillip,John,Mary,even Jesus but that is not a ticket to heaven.If your ways of life negates the name you be,you need deliverance.
You may camourflage on sunday and for the rest of the days in the week you mingle with the world.You sing 'Holy are you Lord..' on sunday and on monday to saturday,it's 'Caro..' ; You listen to sermon on sunday,and porn films other days;you keep yourself holy today,and mess up on the lap of a lady/boy;you're high on the Holy spirit on sunday,but on entering the world,you're high on alcohol.
Consider all these if they truly show your identity in Christ.Examine yourself if you're not living contrary to what being a christian is all about.
You can't just be flagging the card of being a christian and end up being destroyed like Grace and Beauty.
Take time to evaluate yourself before it's too late.What're those little foxes that negates your christian life? Kow it and confront God with it before the rain of destruction fall on you.
God bless.
@IscAmao.

ARE YOU PRESSED?

Seeing your age mates and bossom friends getting married,your parents pressed on you to do quick.And this is you that's not in any relationship not to talk of counting the number of years of your courtship.What will you do? Will you enter into a relationship with any man and marry ASAP?
Well,you can better answer it yourself.
I used the above thought-provoking illustration to explain a vital aspect of a christian life which will be uncovered as we go on.
Yeah,we've some other areas of life where people are being pressurized to get things done quickly even when what is needed to do so is not available but due to human behaviour,we push people do the right thing at the wrong time by measuring them up with those that have make it.
Then,from which perspective am I seeing this? Let's consider with intense attention the children of Isreal standing at the bank of the red sea when it seems as if their life would be terminated seeing the Egyptians coming behind with furiosity and anger.
The book of Exodus 14:11 says 'And they said to Moses,because there were no graves in Egypt,has thou taken us out to die in the wilderness...'
They(Israelites) were complaining and murmuring against Moses because death is about to drop on them.I wonder how Moses would feel at that hour of their murmuring.
Israelites were murmuring in the same manner your parents lament that; when're we to carry your baby? when're we to enter into your car? When're we to step into your house? When're we to see you doing this and that? They complain bitterly and you feel dejected and downcasted in the same way Moses would be beside the red sea.
Do you know that it,s possible for Moses to use human wisdom because the pressure is becoming much on him? But he never succumbed to his people as they were ready to tear him down.
What was his response in this state of dillema?
Moses voiced out in vs 13 '...Fear ye not,stand still,and see the salvation of the Lord..'
what a courageous word!
With this,I think that should be your response as well as you're being troubled to make decisions which may not be at the ripe hour.You keep your well-wishers calm by telling them that they should not fear about how things are going because it'll not continue ad infinitum.
In vs 14,he says 'the Lord shall fight for you,and ye shall hold your peace' Another words of hope. As at the time you're beside the red sea of life,your words should be 'The Lord shall fight for me,and I shall hold my peace' and see how stable your faith will be.Saying this gives assurance that there is a mighty God that has never lost a battle.
The most interesting part of this scripture is in vs 15 which says 'And the Lord said to Moses...' GOD spoke to him to tell him what is required of him.Moses was not perturbed by the cry of his people to forget the place of God speaking to him on the way out.Assuming he used his own wisdom,nothing meaningful would be recorded of the children of Isreal.
That implies that,when you're pressed,you should be ready to listen to God,the same way Moses does leading to the surprise of all.
Many out of being pressed make untimely decisions and was in haste because others have gone ahead of them without listening to what God's saying and they collapse at the end.
When you're pressed,press the number of God to know how to go about the dillema you're facing.
With faith,He'll see you through.
God Bless.
@IscAmao.