Follow God.

 

I just read through Psalm 23 and the connections between the verses struck me. The psalmist wrote things that were not as clear to me as they are now and I’ll like to share them with you.

To start with, it is important to emphasize the fact that God knows the best places that could ever be. As the creator of the world, he knows more geography than humans could ever discover. So if you are searching for that perfect location, God is the best guide to have by your side. David wrote in the verses below that:

‘He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.’ 
Psalms 23:2-3 (NLT)

One, the Lord leads one to the best places where one can find peace. Two, as one walks with God, one can’t grow weary because he renews one’s strength. Three, for the honour of his name, he guides one along the right paths. Our God doesn’t fail. He can’t be embarrassed. He gets it right all the time because he is perfect. That he guides one along the right paths to bring honour to his name should give us the confidence that God does not lead randomly. He is intentional in his plans for us. And surely his end in sight for us is not disgrace but honour because his name has to be honoured. As he gets honoured, we stay successful and get it right always. Our lives become shining examples for others to follow as we follow God.

Also, following God’s lead gives one the confidence that all is well regardless of what could be happening around one. That Jehovah is with one is more than enough to scare the scariest of terrors. David said here that:

‘Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.’ Psalms 23:4 (NLT) 

When one is sure of God’s presence, a divine peace that mortality can’t explain surrounds one always. David followed God and enjoyed the benefits of God’s presence in a human’s life. We can enjoy these benefits as well if we submit totally to the master’s direction.

My friend, it is not too late to change course and follow God’s route for your life. Let him be the captain while you enjoy the ride with him to untold heights of greatness in life. Don’t worry about the challenges, he will grant you victory ober them. Be reassured that with God leading you, YOU CANNOT FAIL IN LIFE.

Follow God and never stop.

God bless you more.

PLEASE SHARE.

(Photo credit: dearvinae.tumblr.com)

A better tomorrow!

How time flies! 2013 is just a few days from being over. Don’t worry, those goals that couldn’t be met this year could be given a better approach and thus achieved even next year. So, start planning to introduce new strategies and avoid the mistakes you have made this year even as you stay optimistic. Friend, I want to share something very interesting with you. A reason to be excited about life and what tomorrow holds. Today doesn’t have to always determine tomorrow especially if it isn’t good. God can bring about a tomorrow that is entirely alienated from what today might have brought you. Let go of the heartbreaks and failures. With God, there is a better tomorrow!

‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

The same God who said this concerning Israel is still the God who is our father. He made this declaration concerning Israel, and as his beloved, believe him for the same goodness too. All the more why you should search the scriptures is to discover the various promises God has for you as his child, as someone who loves him,promises like the ones in Psalm 91:14-16. God keeps his words. If he says he will, yes he will. So if he says there is a hope and a future, yes there is! I believe that, as his beloved, I have a better tomorrow ahead regardless of what today might look like. I believe that there is an oasis beyond the vast stretch of encroached land that fills the horizon today. Friend, please resonate my optimism. For yourself. For the church. For your country. For your family. Believe that there is a better tomorrow.If you believe it in your heart, it will eventually manifest in the physical too, at the Lord’s time and according to his will.

Be careful of what you think as the Lord sees all that goes on. Do not block your blessings by negative proclamations. Always confess the positives. Your thoughts sometimes birth your words, so in other to forestall any ill utterance, it is better to ponder on the right things  in your mind. Let’s see the Lord’s response to the Israelites as an example of the importance of saying the right things:

‘So tell them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say:’
Numbers 14:28 (NIV)

What are you saying in the ears of God today? Beloved, I believe in God for a better tomorrow, please do too. And as you believe it, begin to confess it in faith.

Think right. Speak right. There is a better tomorrow right ahead.

God bless you more.

Have a plan: Be specific.

As a sequel to the earlier post on planning, I’d like to share an insight with you, my friend. Planning is good,however,to get the best results,one has to be specific in his or her plans. You have to customise that plan to fit the project’s purpose. Conversely, you need a plan that’s tailor-made. Let’s examine this illustration: Supposing a man wants to embark on a journey of 40000 miles and he begins to plan for the trip. He plans to fill his car’s fuel tank to full capacity. Although, at full capacity, the tank can only hold fuel enough to travel for just 500 miles. Now, does he not have a plan? Going forward, would he succeed with his plan? He planned but his plan wasn’t specific to his purpose. He could start smoothly but he will definitely run into some problems because he didn’t have the foresight to customise his plan to suit his purpose.

To plan effectively, you need to understand your purpose. Only then can you make the best plan that suits that purpose. If you know that you would be in a marathon race, your training plans would be specific to that and not for a 100m dash. Don’t etch your plan in a hurry, take time to be sure that you are giving the project the best approach.

As said in the previous post, you must involve God from the start to the end of your planning process. He is the alpha and omega. He has the ultimate say in your affairs. Efforts could be made but success is of the Lord. 

‘So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.’ 
Romans 9:16 (NKJV)

His presence in the process makes the difference. His mercy ensures that one’s plan does not end in futility.

Involve the Lord. Know your purpose. Customise a plan. Proceed with faith. Experience success.

It shall always be well with you.

HAPPY NEW MONTH.

 

His ways.

‘For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ Isaiah 55:9(NLT)

If the Lord tells you to do something that appears very different from what you feel should have been done, please do it. Don’t ask questions or try to connect the dots in your mind, just obey.His is the best approach that could ever be! He spoke what he wanted in existence into being at the beginning, he is that mysterious and powerful. Believe and obey him.

As humans, we make judgements, mostly based on what we see. Whereas, our God sometimes decides based on what we can’t see at that moment and he thus gives us directions on those unseen factors that guarantee victory if we obey him. In 1 Chronicles 20:17, the Lord’s instruction to the people of Judah concerning the impending war was very different from everyday military strategy. Instead of telling them to gear up for war and develop strategies to win, he simply told them to stand still and watch his victory. Thank God they obeyed by not fighting but praising him instead because if they had done otherwise, they would have been fighting God’s battle and surely no one should ever fight God’s battle for him! He’s more than able to crush any opposition, just as he gave Judah victory eventually over their enemies.

Beloved, whatever that problem might be, God’s instruction to you is the best you need to solve it. Humbly go before him, tell him about the problem and surrender to his will as he instructs you on what to do. Don’t go your way, go his. Also,don’t doubt what he says, simply step forward with faith and overcome with him. Remember that you are the clay and he is the potter, you are the branch and he is the vine dresser, you are the living and he is the life, most definitely,his ways are not your ways.

Shalom as you stay victorious in Christ Jesus.

PLEASE SHARE.

Asking right (Part 1)

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans.
Romans 8:26 (MSG)

Only God knows exactly what we need and when the best time is to have them. As a loving father, he has our best interests at heart, that is why he chooses the right time to give us the right things. If our requests at certain times do not match what he has decided that we need at such times, we may not get what we requested for. Rather, the father either gives us what he knows we need at those times or keep the answers to our requests until the right time. So when we pray and answers seem not to be forthcoming, we shouldn’t panic or get discouraged, our father will do the very best for us.

So how do we ask for the right things at the right time?

Only God is perfect and it takes one as perfect as God is to precisely request for the right things. The Holy Spirit is as perfect as God is, so he is the best guide for us in prayer if we are to ask right, as believers and children of the father. As seen in the Romans 8:26 above, the Holy Spirit is our helper, he helps us make perfect requests. The more we yield to him leading us in prayer, the best our prayers become. Let’s not trust in our own understanding, but rely completely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit in prayers.

A practical way of doing this is to ask him to help us pray right and yield to his leading as we feel the urge to speak in tongues while praying. He is God and he knows best! This way, we are sure to always ask right.

Stay blessed.  

PLEASE SHARE.

 

 

Wisdom: Please get it!

”Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” Proverbs 4:7 (KJV)

Christians are top-class by nature; topnotch by design, by virtue of the unique structure we possess in the Lord Jesus Christ. God has put all amazing endowments in place as part of our make-up.
Now, we need to activate these features and start manifesting the divine glory upon our lives. This has to be done by getting wisdom; wisdom needed to function optimally and to utilise every potential the father has blessed us with.
The first place to start searching for wisdom is the Bible; we should endeavour to know as much of God’s words written therein as we can.
Also, we should imbibe the habit of seeking the Lord’s guidance and counsel through prayers and interactions with spiritual leaders. In addition, whatever industry we find ourselves in, we should stay updated and not outdated; know the latest trends and development; innovate and bring our God-given brilliance to life. Thus, through our achievements and success, glory will be given to the father and his most holy name will further be famed!

 

PLEASE SHARE.

ALL FOR GOOD

‘And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.’ Romans 8:28(NLT)

My friend, as long as you’re with Christ,whatever you might be passing through,please don’t give up. No matter how dark it is, the dawn will break. Just believe!

Remember, as believers,we walk by faith and not by sight(reference: 2 Corinthians 5:7), so, no matter what negative messages that the happenings around you seem to be relaying, hold tightly to what the Lord says instead. See it this way, you are on your way to a glorious place and different landscape dot the way, some good, some bad, but whatever appears doesn’t change where you are going to. With God, you will always end up well

Please take note of his words to the exiles in Jeremiah 29:11; as his beloved, see him also as having the best of thoughts towards you and believe him strongly for a glorious hope and a brilliant future!

It is however very important that you stand for him and love with all your heart always, only then will all things work together for good.  In addition, pray in the Holy ghost and study more of his words for motivation. All will be well!

Stay motivated and blessed!

PLEASE SHARE.

PUT YOUR TALENTS TO WORK

Discovering one’s talents might take some time if it were a solo effort. However with God’s guidance and proper mentorship, one can discover more easily the treasure deposit one has been blessed with. Now, when one discovers one’s talents, what does one do with them? Does one just sit and relish the joy of discovery and possession?

No, don’t sit on them! Don’t just have them! Put them to work! Make the most of those gifts and contribute to the growth of the father’s kingdom through your use of them. Sharpen your skills, harness your strength and become an authority in whatever sphere your talent is meant for.

If a person is given an ice-cube and places it on the palm of his/her hand outdoors(in a place other than the very cold regions) and just stands staring at the ice-cube or even walks around smiling with it in hand, sooner or later, the ice-cube will melt and the person will be left with nothing, except with the slightest possibility, a tiny pool of water on the palm. But if that person goes in search of a working freezer to put the ice-cube into, that ice-cube will stay solid and last longer. Using the same analogy, a person with talent who does nothing with it might eventually lose that gift. However, the one who has a talent, discovers it and goes through the process of polishing and using it, first reap benefits from it, then might even get to discover other gifts resident  within him or her.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 25:29(NLT) : ”To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those  who do nothing, even the little they have will be taken away.”

So,my friend, stop doing nothing with your talents and start doing everything to put them to work.

And the best way to put your talents to work is to use  them in the service of the Almighty God. That is a very certain way to get eternal rewards.

Stay blessed.

PLEASE SHARE.

A LOVE SO DEEP

If we could exhaustively comprehend the depth of the love of Christ for us,we would know much more how wonderful,beautiful and forgiving our darling saviour is. There is no hatred whatsoever in him towards us. What he detests is sin,not us. And once sin is off the scene,we’d be able to begin to comprehend how great his love for us is. He left heaven and all the majesty of his throne and came to earth to pay the ultimate price for our sins. Humility was and is still so clearly personified in our role model,Jesus Christ,who chose to serve and save. We couldn’t help ourselves so he came to be our salvation and even now,he still is . He took the pains,the shame and paid off all our debts of sin. Nothing can ever get us the righteousness that Jesus has brought us. Hallelujah!

There is no wickedness in him. He is full of endless love. A major theme of his ministry was and will always be love because he is love himself. He doesn’t want anyone to perish. He is always there,waiting to be allowed in(Revelation 3:20). How glorious!

Romans 8:35-38 contains an amazing and interesting description of the love of Christ for us. A love that made him lay down his life to save us,his friends(Matthew 15:13). That love will never end,as long as we stay true and faithful to him. Even when we err,he does not stop loving us,he loves us still.We only need to retrace our steps in repentance so that we might not lose the life that we have in him.

My friend, always remember that no matter what may be,the love of Christ for us is greater than we know. So continue in him and never stop loving him for loving us first.

I’m writing this short poem to him in appreciation, you could leave yours below too in gratitude.

Mighty and royal,

to the cause of redemption,you were loyal

battered and bruised

to saving me,you remained true

No treasure could buy

what you paid for with your life

And in all of eternity

none could surpass you in humility

You are my all!

PLEASE SHARE.

FOCUS ON THE FUTURE IN CHRIST.

‘No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.’ Philippians 3:13(NLT)

Driving a car northward and alternately making a turn-around southward and then northward again,over the course of a journey will not only slow down one’s progress and but might ultimately result in an accident which might claim one’s life. Also, an athlete partaking in a short distance race or any at all, has less chance of winning if he/she keeps looking forth and back, without a focus on the finish line. The point here is to emphasize the importance of focus. Dear friend, stay focused on the destination ahead. Don’t allow distractions. Let go of the ‘weight’ of your past experiences that do not bless you. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide through your thoughts.

Apostle Paul encouraged the brethren to emulate his example(reference: Philippians 3:17). We should as well. We should forget what had happened in the past that might retard our growth in the present or get in the way of our faith and rather focus on the glorious hope and heritage ahead. The beauty of what awaits us in the future as believers cannot be matched by anything that we have seen or ever experienced here on earth. So, in joyous hope, let’s not lose track of who we are and where we are going to.

Your past is gone, the present is here, rejoice as you move into the future. No matter how terrible your past might be, God is merciful and he can make anything new! 1 John 1:9 establishes that if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us too. Once you’ve confessed your sins, believe him for forgiveness and press on in the joy of your freedom in Christ!