Not even good works

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*dusts cobwebs off this blog*

I haven’t been here in a while; I’m sorry about that. I have something for you today though and it’s about a certain Roman soldier. We find his story in the Book of Acts, chapter 10. Let’s read a few verses:

Acts 10:1-2 (emphasis added) “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.“

Here we see a Roman that the Bible recorded was a devout man that feared God. When I read this passage, I wondered what “God” he feared. I don’t know about you but I sort of had this notion in my head (from the Old Testament) that only the Israelites knew the True God and every other human being either didn’t know God or knew some other god.

Well, we know from the rest of the chapter that it was the “God God” that this Roman soldier feared and prayed to. But that’s not where I’m going with this article. Moving on: this soldier feared God so much and did good deeds enough that God sent an angel to him in a vision (vs. 3-6). I think seeing an angel is a pretty “divine” thing. (Disclaimer: I’m not saying we should seek visions of angels).

We have gotten to the point I’m trying to make: Even though this man feared God and was devout and did good works, not even all these could “save” him; if they could save him, God would not have asked him to send for Peter who preached salvation through believing Jesus Christ.

Paul puts it this way in Romans 3: 20-22:

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe…“

Food for thought:

There’s no amount of ‘righteousness’ acts/deeds that can bring us salvation. However, when Jesus died for us, His righteousness was imputed to us who believe as 2 Corinthians 5:21 says: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.“

Life nugget:

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Note: This article does not discuss the place of good works after salvation.

Numbers

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He knelt, you said yes. Friends and family are ecstatic.

Then comes the barrage of questions: When is it? What are your colors? Up to Where is honeymoon going to be? My brain goes “Y’all better take a chill pill” 

Little by little each question finds an answer which all points to one of the biggest questions when planning a wedding. The Numbers!!! I have heard in times past that the wedding industry in Nigeria is fertile soil for an entrepreneur but now I know.

So Dee and I started price fishing and no we didn’t do it alone – friends, family all hands were and still are on deck. Very quickly we realized a budget was of the essence. Bless Google spreadsheet and it is free.

So we I started inputting items and more items. Dee puts in 1, I put 5. In my defense I say “a girl’s wedding is the one time she’ll be a princess, you’re allowed to spoil yourself, your opportunity to own the blahniks and the red bottoms”

*pause*

Guys, before you propose…

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In this article, I won’t be talking about choosing the correct ring type/size or about the perfect proposal stunt. Rather, I’d be hinting you on the reality of what to expect AFTER proposal. Guys when I say after, I mean immediately after. Okay, maybe 10 mins after…

So it was, on that beautiful day, that I woke up very early in the morning to make my proposal video and went through the day trying to pull off the perfect geeky proposal. A question was asked that day; an answer was given that day; tears were shed on that day and hugs were given too.

I lay with my face up staring at the ceiling, reminiscing on what had just happened and what the days ahead will hold until my thought process was disturbed when I heard her say beside me:

Marriage Isn’t For You

I’m sure many of you may have seen or heard about this going around and I think it’s really great. It helped me out things into perspective and I hope it helps you also.

Seth Adam Smith

Having been married only a year and a half, I’ve recently come to the conclusion that marriage isn’t for me.

Now before you start making assumptions, keep reading.

I met my wife in high school when we were 15 years old. We were friends for ten years until…until we decided no longer wanted to be just friends. 🙂 I strongly recommend that best friends fall in love. Good times will be had by all.

Nevertheless, falling in love with my best friend did not prevent me from having certain fears and anxieties about getting married. The nearer Kim and I approached the decision to marry, the more I was filled with a paralyzing fear. Was I ready? Was I making the right choice? Was Kim the right person to marry? Would she make me happy?

Then, one fateful night, I shared these thoughts and concerns with my dad.

Perhaps each…

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The seemingly little things…

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I looked back recently and found that I have taken so many things for granted because they are seemingly “normal”. And maybe this post is a wake up call for some of us…

• You think breathing is normal? Ask the asthmatic patient
• You think flying to your destination is normal? Some planes exploded on take-off; some crashed on landing
• Walking on your two legs is not normal…ask the one who’s bed ridden
• Eyes that can see? Hmm, I heard of one who went blind from the side effect of an injection that was to correct another sickness
• You can afford your gas bills in this winter and that’s normal? No sir. Credit ran out on the gas card in my house yesterday and I only found out at 00:00. Thank God for electric heater.

All I’m saying is that those things that seem unimportant are actually a luxury from our Father in Heaven and He deserves all the thanks.

Food for thought:

Ecclesiastes 5:19 “Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.”

Life nugget:

Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”