Posts by Ifeoma

Understanding the Essence of Christmas for Maximum Celebration

By Ifeoma, 24 December, 2010, No Comment

There is excitement in the air and the spirit of celebration is moving around! The shops are flooded with new stocks and multitudes are buying and buying. Gifts are being wrapped and sent to the recipients and greeting cards are exchanged. Christmas trees and the decors are out and the lights up with beautiful designs. But then, what is the essence of Christmas?

Every year, we look forward to celebrating Christmas with our family and friends. To some, it is a time to shut down all work and rest or travel. To others, it is a time to visit people and have fun with people they haven’t seen in a long time. For some, it is a time to cook that wonderful meal you never had time for and may be try out new recipes. All these are great and they really make a colourful season. I do enjoy all of that and I do look forward to them every year.

But when I considered all these, I wondered if these are all what Christmas is all about. It is certainly more than these. What then is the main reason for the celebration? Jesus Christ is the complete essence of Christmas. 25th Dec is the accepted birthday celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ and it has been named Christmas. This is a celebration that is honoured mostly by Christians.

The will of God is for the creation to honour and reverence His son Jesus. God showed His love to mankind by sending His son to die for us that we might be reconciled back to God, (John 3:16). Jesus Himself agreed to come and die despising the shame just to fulfil the burning desire of God. He was God, yet He left all to be born and to live like man, (Philip 2: 5-8). Thank God, His mission was successfully accomplished! (John 1:12)

Jesus Christ is the centre of the Church life. God’s definition of His son is totally faith defined. Our faith in God is never complete without a relationship with Jesus, (Heb 12:2). To be completely satisfied and full, we need to receive God’s word (Jesus) into our hearts, (Col 2:10).

Jesus is the essence of Christmas for maximum celebration. So, as we celebrate, we should remember that it is a time to appreciate God for sending His son for us. Also, it’s a time to examine our stand with God and our relationship with Jesus. Furthermore, it is a time to share God’s goodness and the good news with others.

Therefore, as we eat, drink and make merry, let’s not forget the essence of Christmas. An understanding of this reason behind the celebration will make it more fulfilling, peaceful and exciting for us. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

What else can you say about Christmas?


Ifeoma  Nwoke is a teacher and a counselor. She has a passion to teach people how to enjoy peace, God’s love and  christian
living for more fulfilling life. She writes the stepswithgod blog.


Jesus Women-Women Role and Contribution in Jesus Ministry

By Ifeoma, 14 December, 2010, No Comment

And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18, KJV). God created women to be helpers fit for various needs of man. Jesus women were help meets indeed in Jesus Ministry. The women role and contribution in His ministry added to the fulfilment of His assignment on earth.

Jesus visit to earth started with a woman, Mary, who was a virgin and strong believer of God’s words. She believed the seemed impossible case by man’s standard and was used by God to birth His plan for man’s redemption. Not much was mentioned of Jesus father but Mary, the mother of Jesus was totally involved in Jesus ministry. She initiated His first miracle (turning of water into wine) at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, John 2: 1-11 and she followed Him up to His death and resurrection.

Jesus women ministered to His needs. Though Jesus was anointed, He still needed to take care of his flesh to be able to operate on earth. The women took care of His food and I believe His wears also, out of what they had. They used their money to serve Jesus.

Some of these women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Susanna (Luke 8:2-3), were healed of evil spirits and infirmities. They became followers of Christ and showed their appreciation by ministering to His needs.

The women role and contribution in Jesus ministry were more than providing for His physical needs. One Jesus woman, broke a precious alabaster box of ointment and poured it on Jesus feet and wiped His feet with her hair in preparation for Jesus death. Mark 14:3-9

Furthermore, Mary Magdelene and Mary (mother of James), were the people who followed the body of Jesus until they saw where He was laid, Mark 15:47. Also, on the day He rose again, the same women with some other women went to anoint His body and were the first to discover that He had risen as He said, Luke 24:1-10

Again, what a wonderful thing that Jesus after His resurrection first appeared to a Jesus woman, Mary Magdalene. She became the first person to spread the good news that Jesus is alive, Mark 16:9-10.

What do these women have in common? They believed in Jesus Christ and His ministry and were deep followers of Christ. They served Him with their money, time and energy. They were always there for Jesus. They were ever grateful and thankful to Jesus Christ for their salvation and healing.

Many people claim to be Christians but are too busy to serve God. Some do not consider serving God with their money, time and energy as part of their Christian walk with God. God is still looking for men and women who will be available to be used by Him in fulfilling His plan and purpose for man.

The women contribution in Jesus ministry was written for us to learn and do likewise. Women are still playing important roles in the ministry of the gospel of our Lord Jesus. The question is what is your own role or contribution even now, whether you are a man or a woman?

What else can you say about Jesus women?

Ifeoma  Nwoke is a teacher and a counselor. She has a passion to teach people how to enjoy peace, God’s love and  christian
living for more fulfilling life. She writes the stepswithgod blog.

Unforgiveness-A Deadly Force to Resist If You Want a Fulfilling Future

By Ifeoma, 1 December, 2010, No Comment

Everyone often gets the opportunity to be mistreated, hurt, annoyed but what you do afterwards is what matters. Life is too short to allow this deadly force called unforgiveness to ruin it for you. “The hatred you’re carrying is a live coal in your heart – far more damaging to yourself than to them” Lawana Blackwell

To err is human; to forgive is divine, they say. But we have been given the power to forgive. The power of forgiveness is awesome because of the immense benefits to the one who forgives. It is all about what you want in life and how far you want to go. Unforgiveness is a force that has the power to influence, affect or control you and your future negatively.

When a person understands the effect of this deadly force, a red light flashes on the heart when unforgiveness comes knocking on the door. This force is so deadly that it has ruined many relationships, careers, businesses, led many to their sick beds and many to their early graves.

Why you must resist unforgiveness

  • It gives your offender the power to hurt you-Any time you remember the offence or see the person or even hear his/her name mentioned, you will get angry or be emotionally worked up. And if the offender is aware of this effect on you and he is a bad one, he may choose to add to the injury with more offences.
  • Your health is affected-When your anger is boiling; it increases your heartbeat, tightens your muscles, and causes aches and pains. And may lead to more serious medical issues if not checked on time.
  • Reduces your ability to focus-Unforgiveness has the power to disrupt the harmony of the brain waves, making you less able to focus and think clearly. This can lead to poor decision making, which is not good for your future!
  • It impedes your progress in life-When you are holding down someone, you too will go nowhere. This is the case with this deadly force. When you hold someone down in your heart, you are actually imprisoning yourself too.
  • It plants a seed of what you hate-A seed planted will produce fruit after sometime. Unforgiveness harboured within you will grow to produce same in you. You will find yourself doing exactly the very thing that was done to you (that you hated) to someone else.

This deadly force drains your energy, wastes your time for more profitable ventures. Unforgivenes shows you are weak because forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. Embrace the power of forgiveness and avoid the effects of this deadly force. Why give yourself all the stress for something or somebody that is not worth it.

Furthermore, the scriptures tell us to forgive if we want to be forgiven by our heavenly father. Matt 6:15, Matt 18:35, Luke 6:37, etc. Besides we are to be like Christ who forgave us our sins while we yet disobeying the commands of God. Romans 5:8, Act 5:31

“It really doesn’t matter if the person who hurt you deserves to be forgiven. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. You have things to do and you want to move on.” Real Live Preacher

What other reasons do you have for resisting unforgiveness?

Ifeoma  Nwoke is a teacher and a counselor. She has a passion to teach people how to enjoy peace, God’s love and  christian
living for more fulfilling life. She writes the stepswithgod blog.