Today, 10.03.2015, is my Baptism Birthday ( as I like to call it). Whenever I’ve said this to someone, I usually got the same reaction ( a confused & puzzled expression). This day is important to me as it’s a reminder of the decision I made 3 years ago to be BORN AGAIN and start a new life in Christ. I can honestly say my life has been different ever since I decided to accept Jesus as my personal Saviour. I’m obviously not perfect (all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of The Lord), but my personal relationship with Christ has developed and in turn, I have begun to reflect His nature. Thanks be to God! 😄

As a young Christian living in the 21st century, it can be difficult to not get carried away with the ways and customs of our society. We live in a “YOLO” society where life can often be about having fun NOW, living life to the fullest, which initially isn’t wrong but it is very easy to allow the things of the world distract you from a purpose-driven life in Christ. Such things grab our attention and divert us off the journey to our final destination: Heaven.

“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul [life]? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul [life]? (Matthew 16:26) When we don’t know Christ, we make choices as though this life were all we have. In reality, this life is just the introduction to eternity. How we live this brief span determines our eternal state. What we accumulate on earth has no value in purchasing eternal life. Our level of popularity, the highest social or civic honours, the contacts & connections we have cannot earn our way into heaven. I ask you today to evaluate what happens in your daily life with an eternal perspective and hopefully, you will notice that your values and decisions are/ should be changing.

In the ancient world slave markets, a slave had to be redeemed or ransomed in order to be freed. Jesus paid that very price for us, in order to be set free from slavery to sin and to begin living a new life in Him. “No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough— so that they should live on forever and not see decay [never see the grave]” (‭Psalm‬ ‭49‬:‭7-9‬ NIV) From this we know that it’s impossible for a person to buy eternal life with God. Only God can redeem (save us) from sin. If you are relying on wealth and physical comforts to keep you happy, understand that you will never have enough wealth to keep yourself from death.

The Christian rapper Lecrae once said; “If I’m wrong about God then I wasted my life. If you’re wrong about God then you wasted your eternity” wow!!  Food for thought! We don’t have anything to lose if we follow God and abide by his Word. However, if we do the opposite and have no regard or belief in God, we lose the opportunity of an eternity. So how do we ensure that we are living on the right track and accepting God’s redemption? By placing him first place in our lives. The fasting habit is one way I’ve cultivated in placing God first.  When I got baptized in 2012, I abstained from secular music and Eastenders for 40 days through the help of the Holy Spirit.  During that period I was able to restore my “first love” in the Lord, and have a dynamic personal revival in my life. Thanks be to God, ever since then I’ve stopped watching Eastenders and listening to secular music ( with the small exception of afrobeats 🙊). I discovered that when you fast you’ll discover more time to pray and seek God’s face. It’s also a biblical way to humble yourself in the sight of God, King David ssaid: I humble myself by fasting” (Ps 35:14). When you fast, no matter how long, the blessings shall continually be showered upon you. 

By abstaining from certain things that constantly demand your attention, you are ensuring that you do not lose your soul. It is very easy to purse worldly happiness, but the truth is that they will not satisfy you. Only God can give you the satisfaction you want. The answer to the question: What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul [life]? is NOTHING, there’s no good, no profit! Make the right choice to turn your focus from things in this world and have an eternal focus. We can save our souls by having a relationship with God, notice the difference it makes.Lord forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world that fight for our love and our passion. As our eyes open wide on You, grant us the privilege of Your world And may Your kingdom be what wakes us up and lays us down.

Stay blessed,

Dara x