SIX THINGS TO OFFER UNTO GOD IN THE NEW YEAR PT 3

My first time in the city of Jos was in 2010 during the heat of religious and inter tribal killings on the Plateau. I entered the city of Jos very late.

There was curfew and darkness at the same time. I did not know where I was going. I only relied on the driver to take me there. I boarded the only taxi going my route at the park.

On the way, other passengers alighted leaving only me in the vehicle with an unknown driver whose face I could barely see. I engaged him asking why they were killing Christians.

I was bitter about the several churches razed, bomb explosions in worship centres and the massacre going on. I noticed he was silent through the journey. I kept talking but he remained silent all through.

All of a sudden, I was prompted to ask If he was a Christian. His response shocked me. I became silent till we got to the place I was going, a place I haven't been to prior to that time. What if he drove me to where i'll be slaughtered? I learnt a big lesson that day.

Another thing that requires fresh consecration is our voice and lips. Fruit of our lips must be edifying and glorifying to God.

James says, "Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way" ( James 3:2 NLT).

Some still curse and use their lips wrongly. Some still use their lips to sing vulgar songs and worship the devil through ungodly music. What about coarse jokes?

Paul says, "Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God" (Eph 5:4 NLT).

Today, I want you to cry out to God to take your lips like Frances Ridely Havergal prayed in her hymn.

Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.