Tajhia’s Corner
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Spiritual pieces written from experience or to edify.
Surrendering Our Hearts to God
When we give or surrender our hearts to God, He starts to work in us, like a seed planted and taking roots to start growing a new plant. As a lady said on Religious Hard Talk, many people go after the hand of God and not His heart, meaning, we look for him to give us things or fix things and when we don’t get it we may turn away. Our aim should be to know and love God so that even if He doesn’t give us what we want or change our circumstance right away that we are still loyal to Him.
When Jesus got baptised and prepared to go on the path God had set for Him, God tested him as a part of His preparation. During his testing Satan also tempted him to turn away from God. He was hungry and his body being pushed beyond the limits of what it could bare, but he held on and trusted his heavenly Father to take care of Him and He eventually sent an angel to tend to his need. So it is when we claim we are giving our hearts to God, He will test us to see where our faith lies. So despite our circumstances no matter how hard, will we turn from Him or will we trust in Him? Will we turn back to the bad or spiritually unhealthy things we promised to give up?
I have been a Christian for years and I still struggle. There may be a particular habit we have been trying to give up, but with no success. Sometimes we may feel it is pointless after so many tries, but I keep trying because things that are deeply rooted don’t always change overnight. As you keep trying you will find that you will do a little better or hold out a little longer than the last time and this means progress and eventually you will be able to stop completely or rather, be in better control.
We have to spend time with God if we are to know Him and please Him. If we are for God or represent Him then what we say and do must reflect Him so others can see and follow. We can’t claim to love God and be comfortable doing things contrary to what He expects of us, and we can’t claim to trust him when we give up when things are not happening as we want or as quick as we want. He has His reasons for putting us through rough stuff, whether to teach us, strengthen us or otherwise.
When we give our lives to God He is now going to renew and transform our minds and hearts. Our mind-sets or personalities often determines the length of this process, because there might be things we don’t want to let go of for whatever reason or it might be that we are impatient, whatever the case. I find that the more willing you are and the more faith you have the easier the transition.
When we spend time reading the bible, communing with others, and praying to God, we open doors enabling us to know Him more. You will find that certain bad habits and behaviours that use to entice you don’t anymore or may start to make you feel uncomfortable. You may find that friends that were used to you a certain way may pull away, mock you or try to pull you back when they see the changes, or if they respect you, you may find that they too want to change.
Once we come to know God, and even just to know ourselves and where we stand, we won’t be bothered by what other people say and think of us. Our path becomes clearer and we fear or worry less as we trust that God loves us and is working in our best interest, even if the medicine is bitter. We become more humble, forgiving and caring towards others as God expects of us, even to those who don’t deserve it.
As we go forward in life, I challenge you to trust God more and to spend more time with Him. I challenge you to forgive others AND YOURSELF for the disappointments and heartache incurred to this point. Don’t be afraid to pursue your goals…make the step of faith and leave the rest to God. You may not be able to see all the way to the end but He can, so have faith and take the steps you can until you reach. God doesn’t want you to give up. When it doesn’t make sense, cry out to God, when it is frustrating, when you can’t move, when you want to die, when you can’t take it anymore, when it hurts too much, cry out to God.
-Tajhia Campbell
Christians, Greasecans, and Potential Christians
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Christians,greasecans,and potential christians
What I Have Learnt
Written by Tajhia Campbell
A Christian since, December 2005.
Bible Citations by Bruce Campbell
February 7, 2010
I have learnt that there is a great power in this universe, one that is responsible for many unexplainable wonders. However, many have ceased to acknowledge this, including scientists who try to comprehend, prove and explain; to unlock the secrets of this world, but after presenting their findings will later on discover something else that disproves their theory. So why not tap into the source itself, this greater power often referred to as God (and for others, Jehovah, Yaweh, Father, etc.)? Isaiah 43: 10-13, Matthew 13: 10-17, Phil 2:10, Psalms 90: 2
I have learnt from reading the Bible, my experiences and the experiences of others, that God is the creator of the world, including mankind, good, evil and everything known to man. I wondered, why make evil, why didn’t he kill Lucifer instead of throwing him onto the earth? Because if he did, there wouldn’t have been temptation to Adam and Eve and the world would probably be different. Genesis 1: 1, 1Samuel 16: 15
I have learnt that a part of the package of life that God has given us is Free Will or Choice. Why? You are God, why should these inferior beings be given a choice? Just do what you command or die! Well, if that was the case I know I would be dead already. 1 Corinthians 7:37
I have learnt that there are 3 things that are really important to God: Obedience, Faith and Loyalty. The last 2, Faith and Loyalty cannot be achieved by force, because it comes from the heart. If you threaten someone to love you, they’ll do it out of fear not from their hearts and what would be the sense in that? Where would be the joy or fulfillment in that? Therefore God allows us choice, you either love him or you don’t and there is no in between either. Romans 10:17, 1Samuel 15:22, Habakkuk 2: 4, Hebrews 11:6, Romans 2:22, 2Corinthians 10: 4-6
I have learnt that many people say they love God, but do they really? When you really love another human being, there is nothing you wouldn’t do for them, there is no favor too great to ask, you would stand up for them, try to please or make them happy and if push comes to shove, you would even die for them. Do you think that is the kind of love people have for God? No, not for most. They think just saying it and holding a one or two meditation is all there is to it, but they still live the dirty, sinful lifestyle. Matthew 10:37 – 39, Romans 1:26-32
I have learnt that if you are living a life not pleasing to God, you will suffer dire consequences. There are persons who acknowledge God but they can’t commit because they’re not ready as they have things to fix. Well…time waits for no man, you could die in an instant and then it would be too late, better yet, God is coming for the world when you least expect it. Do you think at that point you can say to God, ‘Please God, I was going to commit to you but I was trying to change certain things first, because I don’t want to mess up’? Well, the minute you delayed was where you messed up. Accept Jesus and let God help you fix your life! You cannot do it on your own and if you think you can, you are foolish, because without Jesus you are vulnerable to evil and it will consume you. God cannot be in full control of your life unless you surrender your soul to him. 2Corinthians 4:3-4, 2Corinthians 5:16-17, Malachi 4:1-3
I have learnt that your body is the temple of the Lord. It belongs to him and your duty is to keep it in order. Your temple (body) may look beautiful on the outside but inside it is filthy, full of darkness and detestable things. Your external environment is what places these things there, so you have to be careful what you see (also things you watch), hear (things you listen to, people or music) or allow to enter your body (whether spiritually or sexually). There are times you cannot control what you see or hear, making it hard to keep clean. Sometimes it is our own lust or desires or unwillingness to let go off certain things. But if you want Jesus in you, you have to let go and let go now, not tomorrow, not next week or next year, but now! Now is what you are sure about, now is when you are still alive and is able to repent and give your life to God! 1Corinthians 3:16 – 17, James 1:14-15
I have learnt that whatever is on the inside will come out through your words and actions. So if you have filthy, impure or evil thoughts or manifestations within you, you will speak it (lies, foul language, harsh hurtful words) or act it (kill, fight, hurt, deceive, fornicate, lust, neglect). You cannot please God unless you purge yourself of these things. Bad habits are the hardest to get rid of, but if you take it one step at a time, eg. trying to avoid doing it daily, then monthly… until it goes away. Unfortunately, if it is something you deeply desire, the devil will use it to tempt you, but you must never give up. Examine yourself and identify the things you know are displeasing to God, even the things you don’t wish to give up and start developing strategies to change these things. Matthew 12:34-36
I have learnt that you cannot be a Christian or follow the way of Christ unless you are convicted in your spirit to do so, otherwise you will fail and also mislead others. If you involve yourself or get attached to someone who does not share your beliefs you will lose your way and even get hurt. Even if they admire your ways, they cannot live their lives as you the believer until they understand and accept the reasons for doing so. Show them the way and wait for them to understand and make the change. 1Corinthians 2: 12, 2Corinthians 6:14-16
I have learnt to accept and trust the bible for what it is and for the truth it can reveal with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is used and known by both good and evil for its power. Various churches, cults or organizations use various excerpts from the bible as it suits their needs. Men do not hold such power only God. If the men who wrote the bible were not under God’s influence then the word would have no power against spiritual beings, whether good or evil. Spiritual beings do not answer to man, but to God and those who walk in the authority of God or His son Jesus Christ. So seek God’s guidance when reading this book (the Bible) so that you may understand its true meaning, especially for things that are hard to digest. 1Corinthians 2:13– 16, John 14:26, 2Timothy 3:16
I have learnt that there is a spiritual realm that is a replica of the world we see and live in. Whatever happens there happens here and vice versa. There are spirits of the air that act on the words from your mouth. You ought to be careful what you say. If you’re the type to criticize, wish bad for others, speak negatively or just talk anything that comes to your mouth, without considering the effects to others and yourself…be careful, the tongue is a very powerful weapon and if used recklessly can cause serious damage. Sounds like crap?…tough luck! Ephesians 2:2, 1Thessalonians 2:18, 1Corinthians 6:16-17
I have learnt that there are evil spirits manifested or recruited by the devil which he commands, whether on his own or in the aid of evil doers. The devil imitates the power of God which often deceives people. He does not have the power to create man but can destroy or impersonate. He also knows the word of God and can twist it around to deceive. That is why each person needs to know and understand the word of God for himself and not depend on pastors, because a pastor is human and can be used by Satan. Put your full trust in no man but in God. Matthew 4:1–10, Psalms 91:11–12, 2Timothy 2:2
I have learnt that in order to change, you may have to change your environment or the people around you. In other words, you have to step out of your comfort zone. How can you prosper if you are surrounded by negativity, bad influence, persons with no ambition, lacks vision and provides no support? You are going to feel restricted. In order to grow and spread your wings, you have to have the space, freedom and support. Take a plant, for example, if it doesn’t have its own space, the other surrounding plants will overshadow it and prevent it from getting the required sunshine for a healthy growth, but on its own plot of land it has its freedom and the farmer providing support by fertilizing and removing weeds, thereby increasing growth. So, do you have your space, do you have the freedom to let the light of God shine upon you, where is your support? A plant cannot fertilize and weed itself, so don’t ever think you can fix all your problems on your own, ask for help! 2Corinthians 6:17-18
I have learnt that God puts people in our lives to help us along but sometimes we do or say things to push them a way and then we wonder why our lives are so miserable. Sometimes God provides us with opportunities but because we have our focus on the wrong things we lose it. However not many people get second chances, so if you see the possibility of one, go for it, and don’t just sit in depression and let things pass by. If you want something, go for it. Don’t give up and say it makes no sense. Discover what you have to do to get it done and with the help of God try your best to get things on track. Philippians 2:12
I have learnt so many things, I could probably write a book. Never-the-less, I ask God to increase my wisdom and faith and to continue to stay on the right path regardless of the sacrifices. For those who don’t have Jesus I pity them and pray God has mercy on their soul, because without Jesus they live recklessly and is headed towards destruction.