In the Potter's Hand

"You are such a disgrace, I will rather go childless than have you as my daughter" Craig said in disgust. Helen had been his only child, due to the complications Dorcas, his wife had during her birth, she had been unable to conceive. After so many years of waiting and trusting God for a miracle, they gave up trying for another child and were grateful for what they had. Helen had been a delight to them, she had always made them proud and she had been an example to the youths in the church. She was brought up in the ways of the Lord and she was receptive to such teaching, over the years she had shown her consistent zeal for the things of God. Apart, from her love and zeal for the Lord, Helen was an outstanding student of one of the prestigious universities in the country, he was looking forward to her graduation which was in a few months.

When she informed him about her engagement to Charles, he was so excited, knowing that he was a spirit filled child of God and had done great exploits for the Lord, despite his age. He thought his daughter was in safe hands and he will eventually handle the mantle of the ministry to him when he is no more. But he was wrong after all.

He looked at his daughter with disgust. "Helen, I raised you in the way of the Lord, sent you to the best schools and ensured you never lacked anything but all you could do in return is to bring shame to this family and to my ministry. Now listen, I can't bear this shame, I can't stand and watch you destroy the reputation I have built over the years and I wont allow you to make mockery of me. I want you to leave my house this minute" said Craig.

Immediately, his wife knelt before him holding his feet crying "Craig, please she's all we've got, she is our only child, please Craig, please". He was moved by his wife's tears, she was right, she is all that they have got but what will the members of his church say, he has been known for not condoning sin among his members, now his daughter has fallen to the act of fornication and now she is pregnant, pregnant out of wedlock. He never thought this could happen to him.

Helen walked down the road, with tears rolling down her eyes. She had failed all those that loved her, she had failed God, her parents, her church members, her friends and herself. She remembered the look on her father's face, all through her life she had never seen her Dad cry, he wished he never had her as a daughter and she can never forget the wailing of her mother as her father sent her packing, she cried as she though she had just lost her daughter, this brought tears to her eyes. She really wished she was never born, she had brought so much sorrow and pain to her parents. And Charles, the thought of him brought sorrow to her heart. She was shocked at his response, after she broke the news of her pregnancy to him, he called her so many names, he said she was an agent from the kingdom of darkness who had been sent to make him fall and destroy his life and ministry. Charles blamed her for what happened to them. She can remember that day vividly when they both fell into sin. She had traveled to Lagos from school after her final exams to give him a surprise visit. He was "surprised" to see her at his office and he couldn't hide his excitement, he introduced her to everyone at his office as his fiancee and she received a warm welcome from everyone. After the close of work, they headed for his place, where he made dinner for both of them. They talked about their future over dinner, after which Helen informed him that she was returning back to school. Charles advised against this and pleaded with her to stay behind since it was late already. At first she was hesitant, but after checking her wrist watch and discovered it was 8:30pm, she decided to stay behind. Everything, went well at first until when their emotions got a better part of their discussion and they where both in each other's arms and "alas" the deed was done. They both cried and asked God for mercy and promised God it will never happen again. She left early the next day, but she noticed Charles was withdrawn after the incidence, he stopped calling her and sometimes won't pick her calls and if he did, he gave excuses of how busy he was at work. She was shocked at his response, after she informed him that she was pregnant, he blamed her for the incidence. She felt so betrayed, Charles was her first love, she was never into the teenage "puppy love", she believed in waiting on the Lord's timing and seeking His face before entering any relationship. When Charles proposed to her she sought the Lord about him and He gave her a go ahead. But now she has destroyed everything, the Lord had promised them a great future together but they had allowed sin to destroy the home the Lord intended to build.

Hannah was awoken by the knock on the door, she wandered who that could be at that time of the night. Suddenly, she heard her grand daughter's voice calling out to her to open the door. Hurriedly she rushed to open the door. "Helen, what are you doing here at this time of the night, did you come alone, where are your parents and why are you crying?" she asked in fear. Helen sobbed as her grandma, asked those questions, she didn't know what to expect from her, she wasn't sure if she will send her away, like others did. Realizing they were both still at the door, Hannah asked her to come in but yet she was full of fear, she hoped the worst had not happened. Suddenly, Helen went on her knees crying "Grandma, Please don't send me away, if you send me away there is no where to go, everyone has left me, my Dad has deserted me because I brought shame to him, please don't leave me too". Hannah was startled by what she said "Craig disowned you, what happened?" Helen told her grandma all that happened.

After Helen told her all that happened, she lost her sleep the best she could do was toss on her bed, She was her first Grandchild and she loved her, of a truth she had disappointed everyone by getting pregnant but that doesn't mean she should be left alone to bear the consequences of her actions. "Lord, I need you to give me wisdom to handle this matter, use me as your instrument of your love for Helen" Hannah said. She kept praying till she fell asleep. Suddenly she woke up, looked around but no one was knocking this time, but she could hear footsteps, she knew it was Helen but she had a nudging in her spirit to check on her. At first, she wanted to ignore the nudge but she decided against it and went to check on her. Hannah, wanted to check her in her room but she felt led to go to the kitchen first. "Helen!!" Hannah screamed when she saw her grand daughter"

To be continued 

Oh! Not Again!! 2

I am sure you are surprised, said Tanye's Pastor. After taking a deep breath, he spoke again.I know exactly how you feel, Tanye. I have been there before but God gave me total victory, I have good news for you, as the Lord delivered me from masturbation and other ungodly habits, you also will be delivered in Jesus name.

Amen! said Tanye 

Scriptures says in the book of Romans 6:14a "Sin shall no longer have dominion over you"  and that is the truth and you can experience it. Infact, that is your inheritance in Christ Jesus, because you have the seed of God in you. But you need to cooperate with God to experience total victory.

Let me share with you what the Lord taught me.

1. The Word of God: Scriptures says "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free". Tanye, the Word of God has the power to transform the life of a man. Romans 12:2a says "Do not be conformed to world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind". Psalms 119:9 says "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to your word" Also verse 11 of that same chapter says "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you" I know you said you study the Word of God but there is a need for you to continually meditate or ponder on his word too, so that his word gets rooted in your heart and forms your thoughts.
2. Guard your heart:  Sin starts from the heart of a man, the root of every habit  is a thought.That is why, scriptures says "Guard your heart with all dilligence,for out of it comes the issues of life" What do you think about, what are the things that occupy your mind, what do you feed  your mind with, I mean what books do you read or movies do you watch,what music do you listen to. Galatians 6:7 says "Be not deceived God is not mocked:for whatsoever a man soweth , that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting".  Avoid things that stir up this ungodly desire.You can never outgrow guarding your heart, this is very essential.
3. Prayer: Tanye, we don't only get our needs met when we pray but we also get empowered to live godly lives. Hebrews 4:16 says "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need" Grace not only means divine favour but it also means divine help. We need the help of God to overcome every ungodly habits and live holy lives, we can't do it by our own strength or setting up rules for ourselves. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says "My grace is sufficient for you and in your weakness is my strength made perfect"
4. Walk in the Spirit: Scripture says "Walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh"  There is a need for us to continually yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit, so that Christ's character might be formed in us. Do not be deceived  Tanye, you will be tempted but God requires you to yield yourself to his Spirit and he will surely help you.
5. Do not stay idle: Avoid idleness,a wise man once said an "Idle man is the devil's workshop" When we are idle the devil begins to bring different suggestions. Give no room to the enemy, always engage in an activity during your free time.
6. Maintain your deliverance: Tanye, your deliverance is a continuous process. You have to consistently study God's word, meditate upon it, give yourself to prayer including fasting, keep walking in the Spirit and giving no room to the enemy. This will enable you to have constant victory over sin.

Finally, as I said earlier, sin shall no longer have dominion over you. This is the will of God for you, stand fast therefore in this liberty and you will see the salvation of the Lord.

Whaoh! exclaimed Tanye. I have seen where I have missed it.

Let us pray, said his Pastor.

Are you like Tanye struggling with an ungodly habit, it might not be masturbation and you have given up or about to. I have a good news for you, Christ has purchased your victory on the cross and you can experience total liberty from every ungodly habit. "For whosoever the son of man has set free, is free indeed"

Oh! Not Again!!

Oh God, I have disappointed you again....Oh, no. cried Tanye. I know, I promised you, it will never happen again, but I can't just help myself anymore, Lord. I know it's a sin but I just keep falling into it, again and again. Oh, how i wish I can experience total freedom from this sexual act that has become an hindrance to my walk with God, it's a torment to my soul, Lord. sobbed Tanye.

Tanye had been involved in masturbation as a teenager, he thought since he was too young to be in a relationship with any girl, the only way he could satisfy his sexual urge was through masturbation and most of his friends were doing it too. Years has passed and what seemed to be a means of pleasure as become a great "monster" he can't conquer.

Three years ago, Tanye gave his life to Christ during a youth convention in his church and he has been committed to his relationship with God and he has also been active in church but this "monster' seems to be an hindrance to his christian testimony. He seems to be experiencing temporary victory over this sinful habit. Now, should he give up the fight and allow himself to be devoured by this sin or should he keep fighting till he experiences total freedom. He took a stock of his life, he is baptized with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues, he studies the Word of God and also gives himself to prayers. In addition to these, he ensures he never misses church services and he's also a member of the worship team. He had prayed and fasted for total deliverance from masturbation but his freedom had always been temporal,after a few temptations he falls right back on the floor.

There must definitely be a way out of this.Tanye said to himself. There must be something,i am not doing or should be doing,he said. Suddenly it dawned on him, he has never confided in anyone about his struggle. But to who? he asked. Everyone sees me as a spiritual brother, alot of my peers and even the teenagers look up to me, wont they think I have been an hypocrite all this while....Oh God, please help me, teach me what to do Lord. cried Tanye. Then James 5:16, flashed across his heart, he hurriedly looked through his Bible and read...."Confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed". He pondered on this bible verse for a while. But who do I confess this sinful act to, who can I trust, Lord? he asked again. After awhile, he decided to speak to his Pastor about it, he wore his shirt and hurriedly went to church hoping to see his Pastor, since it wasn't a church service day.

Good day Sir, greeted Tanye.

Hello Tanye, how are you today, you came in just in time, I was about leaving for a meeting. his pastor said.

His Pastor took a close look at Tanye and he noticed he had been crying. Have you been crying? What is wrong, Tanye? Tanye was a bit hesitant and he finally found his voice. He told his Pastor about his hidden sin and was expecting his Pastor to rebuke him and tell him how disappointed he was. But he was taken aback when his  Pastor smiled, after he had finished pouring out his heart.

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To be continued next week