DECRYSTALIFE

Have you. ever wondered what the "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song means? Believe me, I have. It turns out the lyrics were used as a 'code song' or catechism song to teach young Roman Catholics about their faith. A time when practicing Roman Catholicism was banned in England from 1558 until 1829. The number Twelve (12) in the song represents The Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit. True Love signifies Jesus Christ because love came to us on Christmas day. 'The Partridge in a Pear Tree' represents Jesus Christ because He was willing to sacrifice His life. The two Turtle Doves stand for the Old and New Testament. The three French hens represent Faith, Hope, and Love. The four calling birds are the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Five golden rings stand for the first five books of the Old Testament that describe man's fall and the chosen nation of Israel.  The six geese a-laying are the Six Days of Creation. Seven sw

Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime: Then looking in, I saw upon the floor Old hammers, worn with beating years of time. “How many anvils have you had,” said I, “To wear and batter all these hammers so?” “Just one,” said he, and then, with twinkling eye, “The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.” And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s word, For ages skeptic blows have beat upon; Yet though the noise of falling blows was heard, The anvil is unharmed . . . the hammer’s gone. AUTHOR OF THIS POEM HAS BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN CLIFFORD , 1836-1923.

The saying goes "be comforting in your skin" And I say, be comfortable in your clothes. 💁 Let your clothes, style and hair reflex the woman in you; the beautiful creature of God. (Guys, don't be jealous).😁😀😂😃😃 So, ladies! Here are some styles to go for this Sunday. I choose Ankara. (There will be a different styles for you;not just Ankara) Men's fashion/style coming soon. Picture credit: Google search

When i was 8 or 9 years as of the time of this story i want to share with you. My siblings and i got back from school and informed our mother of payment of fees. That the deadline was set for the next day and failure to pay our fees will lead to us being sent out of school. My widowed mother with five children calmly said she has heard us but first we should go and inform our Father. Our father here did not mean our biological father but our heavenly Father. We went into our room and knelt and told God that we needed our fees to be paid. And we said Amen with so much faith believing He has heard us. And we came and told my mum that we have informed Him. She asked us what God said when we told Him. And we said "nothing". And she said lets wait and hear from Him. My mother had no money to pay our fees.  That night, i heard her crying and praying and praising God for the money He is going to send the next day for our fees. Morning came. She dress

One night I dreamed a dream. I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene, I noticed footprints in the sand, Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,  other times there were one set of footprints. This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, When I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints. So I said to the Lord, "You promised me Lord, that if I follow You You would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during  the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, You have not been there me? " The Lord replied, "The times when you have  seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you. BY MARY STEVENSON. Copyright © 1984 Mary Stevenson, from original 1936 text, All rights reserve

PSALMS 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times; he people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. (KJV) "O my people, trust him all the time. Pour out your longings before him, for he can help! " (TLB) "Trust God, my friends, and always tell him each one of your concerns. God is our place of safety." (CONTEMPORARY BIBLE) You can't open up to someone you don't trust. Likewise, you can't pray to a God you don't trust. Many of us only pray and trust God only when things are going well and when things aren't so well, we lose our trust and become shaken. We even wonder if God will hear you if you tell Him what's bothering you. But, God is telling us to "trust in Him at all times"  . "Just trust me in the good and in the bad time"s.  Did He not say He will be with you in times of trouble? ; all He needs from you is trust. WHAT IS THIS TRUST? *  Absolute dependency on God.

Your breakthrough should never take your place of service to God. Be blessed by God in what ever capacity He has blessed you with. But, be humble before Him because your achievements mean nothing to Him; instead, your constant service to Him with all you have achieved in life means so much to God. Ask yourself, what is my place of service in the house of God? What is my contribution towards the advancement of God's kingdom? Some of us forget about God when He has blessed us but when things where not so rosy, we where found in His house constantly serving Him. Some of us even take our place of service for our own selfish interest. Remember Moses, he was the meekest man on earth. God gave him the ministry to lead his people and he was still meek. He would have been puffed up and forget why he was called to lead and begin doing what he pleased. In this life we are living, don't allow your position in the society hinder, stop or become an excuse of you not serving G

Music connects people. It brings the world together. True! Imagine singing one of Don Moen's songs, "I am the Lord that healeth thee..." Dah dah dah dah... And you sing away. Then a total stranger taps you and asked: "Who is the singer of that song?" "And you answered "oh! Don Moen" "Really?! Have heard of him. I didn't know he sang a song sounding so beautiful; spirit lifting." And before you know it, you are chatting away with someone you haven't met before. Believe me, it has happened to me on several occasions. In the same way, we can connect to God with music. The Psalmist said "...O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel" (Psalms 22:3). God enjoys our singing praises and worship to Him. It connects  us to Him spiritually. His presence overshadows us and He dwells in our praise. In 2 chronicle 20:1-24, God instructed King Jehoshaphat to tell the people to only praise Him and watch Him f

The spectacular rock-hewn churches in Lalibela, Ethiopia were constructed by King Lalibela in the 12th century. It was a quest to create a new Jerusalem when the Muslim conquest paused the christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Eleven churches are assembled into three groupings; namely, the Northern, Eastern, and Western groups. What's more intriguing is that the churches were not constructed with blocks but chiseled out from rock of monolithic blocks. Wow! Imagine all the hours of hard labour and chiseling with bare hands. And something this beautiful was created.  This is a tourist destination in Africa to visit. See more pictures below:

Do you know the story of Apostle Mathew? One of the men called by Jesus Christ to be one of His disciples. If no. Here is his story. Life after Jesus ascended into heaven. Apostle Matthew and the angel. Matthew was not the first to be called by Jesus to be his disciple; instead it was Simon Peter. Though his book is the first book of the new testament. Mathew was a tax collector when Jesus saw and asked him to follow him (Mathew 9:9). His fathers name is Alphaeus. As of the time Jesus met him, he was living in Capernaum. Matthew followed Jesus for His preaching to the people and he witnessed the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Mathew wrote the first book of the Gospels in the New Testament. Making references to the prophecies about Jesus from the old Testament. He went on to Persia and Ethiopia preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. About his death, some reports say he was murdered in Ethiopia while some say he was not martyred. Picture source: Wikiped

Mrs Belinda sat at her daughter's graduation with tears rolling down her cheeks. Her friend, Bukky, who sat beside her noticed and asked "Belinda, why are you shedding tears on Joyce graduation? You should be smiling instead" Mrs Belinda replied: "Bukky you don't understand. Am shedding tears of joy and gratitude. I was supposed to die 'five months ago'. "What?!" Bukky exclaimed. And you are telling me now? "I didn't want to disturb you with my troubles" replied Mrs Belinda. "Ok ; but, can you at least tell me what really happened? Asked Bukky. Mrs Belinda took in a deep breath like one that climbed the stairs of a tower and began her story. "I was diagnosed of having brain tumors multiplying rapidly. The doctor said I had five months to live. FIVE MONTHS AGO... Mrs Belinda sat at the doctors office looking nervous. The door opened and a young man about the age of 33 years stepped in. "Mrs B

Grace is sufficient for all, but just like Paul asked "should we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!". As a believer, you have the power to overcome sin. The Holy Spirit in you will always tell you that you are doing or about to do something that is wrong. Sin is enjoyable for a moment but its after effect is like the aftershocks of an earthquake; which is more disastrous. Have you ever meditated and imagined these scriptures? Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So  a fool repeats his folly. 2 Peter 2:22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb:  “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” Imagine a dog eating food that is not good for its stomach and it vomits it out. And stands to still eat up the vomit.  Unbelievable! Shocking!!  Don't you think it will fall sick because of the bad food? Eating its own vomit again?  As born-again believers we said NO

Chief Edet tapped the container of snuff with his right thumb starring at Okon with a stern look, his eyes darkened out of anger. “My son you are blabbing, we have not heard anything” Chief Edet yelled. Take the list given to you by Chief Okuko and return after four market days with the requirements, and then we will talk. Okon left Ikot Ndueeh with a heavy heart. What have I gotten myself into? He kept asking himself. The distance between Ikot Ndue and Anueki was just a stone throw, but Okon walked through the paths lost in his thoughts. He took a decision to sell his only land close to the akam hill to raise some money. The day of the Marriage was set. The entire village gathered at Chief Asam’s compound to witness a one of a kind traditional marriage. Music drinks and food kept some people merry, while others were worried and lost in heated debate. Okon held Alice. He looked at her lifeless body, she was made to sit close to him and tears welled up in his sunken ey

Sitting here in a banking hall, waiting to carry out my transaction. A word was dropped in my spirit: "Everything happens for a reason; agreed. But you can make things happens in your own reason according to His will for your life. " How? I asked. Through: Prayer + Praise + Determination + Focus + Thanksgiving = things happening in your own reason. Psalm 37:5 ESV Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. That's it!!! Committ your way to God and let Him act in your favour. Let Him make things happen in your life for your own reason according to His will for your life. Am so blessed by this word; I believe you too. Amen.!!!