Quit dwelling on the negatives

You know, there are certain not-so-good things you sometimes remember about your life and/or loved ones that can spoil your mood for the whole day. The worse thing about these negative situations that we're not happy about is that, though we wish we could, we can't help the situation. We're not empowered enough to help the situation. I have come to know what that feels like.

Look up to the One who looks up to no one

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In life, when we get to our wit's end, we seek help from others who are higher, and as such better placed than we are to help us out. That could be in form of a doctor, a mechanic, an electrician, or other professionals (even a pastor) depending on the nature of the problem we're faced with.

What frequency are you tuned in to: the 'what ifs' of fear or faith?

The 'what ifs' of fear...
What if you try and you fail woefully?
What if you invest that money in business and it all goes down the drain?
What if this sickness will lead to death?
What if after studying hard you still fall short?
What if your marriage deteriorates further?
What if something goes horribly wrong on the way?
What if the board thinks your idea is rubbish?
What if you lose this job?
What if your kids never change and continue their wayward living?
What if you are rejected and your business goes bankrupt?
What if it all goes horribly wrong?

These and the likes are the 'what ifs' of fear...this is what you hear when you tune in to The Fear Channel...this frequency plants seeds of doubt, unbelief, depression, worry and complaining in you...

...but scratch all that...let's tune in to a different frequency - The Faith Channel, I particularly like this channel...this frequency plants seeds of hope, belief, desire, inspiration, motivation, confidence; you hear things like...

Make space for grace in your life

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” – Hebrews 4:15-16.
It’s hard trying to help someone who’s hell bent on doing it all by himself/herself.

Picture it, you want to help the person, and he/she goes, “I’ve got this, thank you” ; you try again to help in another situation, and they go, “I’ve got this, thanks for the offer.” Really, how do you help such persons? You try to offer your help, but they don’t make the space for it. It’s frustratingly difficult; especially when it’s apparent the person needs your help.

Give it time

I came across this beautiful piece and thought I should share it here on the blog...it's titled: "Give it time"...and it contains some insightful and thoughtful truths.

Motive is a like the root of a tree, it's the source of a person's behaviour/attitude; but since it's under the ground, it can't be seen. But TIME is indeed a revealer of motive. TIME strips almost everything of its secrecy, of what it's concealing...
Time reveals hearts...
Time tests character...
Time questions your faith and belief...
If you can pass the test of time, you bear the tag, "tested and trusted".
So, GIVE IT TIME

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Relax, God's got 2017 figured out for you

Hi, welcome to 2017! Happy New Year to you and all that are yours!Excited as I am for the New Year? You should, because it's going to be your best year yet.And no, I'm not saying that just to make you feel good. Nah. I mean it and I believe it. It shall be your best year yet. You should believe it too regardless of what you see, or what the news reports say about 2017, or the projections of economic 'experts'. It shall be your best year yet!"...but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it" - Hebrews 4:2.

One last surprise awaits you!

There may only be a few days left to the end of 2016, the remaining few days translating to only some hours (it may seem), which appears to not be much time for something great to happen this year.

But trust me, and I really believe this, there's still, at least, one last surprise left for someone somewhere who is still holding on to God's promises!

There's still, at least, one last surprise for someone somewhere who still believes...for someone who hasn't drawn the curtain on the year, and say, "that's it for 2016"!

For when you feel like giving up || Becky Olorunpomi

It may surprise some, but Jesus actually almost gave up on dying for humanity...
As the time drew near for the fulfilment of His purpose on earth, He must have had a glimpse of the sorrow, suffering, pain and all of the sacrifice...and He almost gave up.
But thank God He did not! God encouraged and strengthened Him, and He went on to pay the ultimate price for us all.
Similarly, sometimes, we can come to a point in life where what lies ahead seems too daunting; we need not fear or dread, all we need is get into "Gethsemane" and draw some strength...Becky shares more insight with us in this wonderful piece...
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"And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground" (Luke 22:41-44).

Whenever I read this verse of Scriptures, I get amazed. And here's why....
If there ever was anyone in life who understood his purpose on earth perfectly, it was Jesus.

Don't draw the curtain just yet, a lot can still happen

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"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" - Genesis 18:14.

As I begin to write this, time check is 6:23 am on Monday, December 12, 2016; and since there are 31 days in the month, it means that there are still 19 more days and about 18 hours remaining before the month and, by extension, the year runs out.

What does this mean? Let me break this down further...

Each of those remaining 19 days in 2016 has 24 hours in them, (including at least 12 hours in today, depending on when you read this)...right?

Now, that's 24 hours multiplied by 19 days, which gives you 456 hours.

Also, each hour in the 456 hours left in the year has 60 minutes, true?...that's 456 multiplied by 60 which gives us 27,360 minutes...

Should I go on breaking it down further?

Each minute in the 27,360 minutes has 60 seconds...that's 27,360 times 60; do the math, what do you get?

A whooping 1,641,600!

That's at least, One Million, Six Hundred and Forty One Thousand, Six Hundred seconds still left in the year...

What's the point of all this?
Who says 2016 is gone and nothing can still happen?
Who says it is over when the Lord hasn't said so?

Who says that thing you've been chasing and asking God for since the beginning of the year cannot happen within the remaining days of this year?



There's still time

If you ask me, there is still a lot of time for something great to happen for you this 2016. So, don't lose your hope just yet...

Don't back down just yet...
Don't give up just yet...
Don't draw the curtain on the year just yet...
Something great...scratch that...A LOT of great things can still happen for you this 2016...you just have to BELIEVE.

How do I know this?
Answer this: Is anything too hard for the Lord?

Zacchaeus was a man that sinned all his life, cheating others to enrich himself...until one day, yes ONE DAY, it all changed for him and his household. One day, HE ENCOUNTERED SALVATION, and EVERYTHING changed....from inside out. Just. One. Day. And we have 19 more days...

The Samaritan woman that Jesus met by the well in John 4 had, for the most of her life, been thirsty, lost, confused, lacking direction; she had had five husbands (that should be a record of some sort!) ...until one day she ENCOUNTERED THE LIVING WATER and EVERYTHING changed for her. ONE DAY. And we have 19 more...

Saul, who later became Paul and went on to write 13 (14 if you count Hebrews) books of the New Testament, was a Pharisee, a hater and great persecutor of Christians, a murderer until one day he ENCOUNTERED THE LIGHT FROM HEAVEN and EVERYTHING changed for him...

I could go on...

One day is enough for God to change EVERYTHING for you and your household... One day - 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400 seconds...that is a lot of time.

And we have 19 more days - 456 hours, 27,360 minutes, over 1.6 million seconds... That, my friends, is a lot of time for God to do a lot for you this year.

Don't draw the curtain on the year just yet...
Don't throw in the towel just yet...
Seek His face again, and draw strength for one final push...push with faith this time, and you'd surely see results.
Don't lose hope just yet, a lot can still happen this year.
I believe it for me. You should believe it for you

Is anything too hard for the Lord?

Running the race of faith (2): With singleness of mind

Hi there and welcome to October! Trust the new month met you well. I can imagine God's consistent faithfulness keeps you and your loved ones shining and winning all round! He never fails! It's by His grace we're still standing and still winning!

I'm so excited about the prospects of this month and beyond; I'm excited because I know God never keeps one for nothing, He has great things in store for us. Such things that eyes haven't seen nor ears heard! I'm sure of it! So regardless of what others say about some recession (by the way, those of us in Eden do not experience the so-called recession!), be hopeful, remain positive, and wear a smile that flows naturally (don't try to force it!) from a heart that is filled by God-birthed peace, joy and love.
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Moving on, we'd be concluding the two-part series on "running the race of faith" (anchor text: Hebrews 12:1-2) in this post by looking at a critical subject.

Running the race of faith (1): Shed the extra weight

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Hi there, I trust God has been consistently #faithful to you as He is to me! I figured; His #love for us is so intense! So deep!
Ok, this is going to be a two-part series of posts on "running the race of faith" (anchor Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2).
We'd be looking at the Scripture to learn what we need (and do not need) to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" (v. 1). This is part one of the series, subtitled: "shed the extra weight". I trust that God will help us as we learn what we need to run this race of faith successfully. Do enjoy...

I've got great news for you

I've got great news for you. Yes, you! Guess what! No matter what's happening to you. No matter how hard things may seem. No matter how tough things are now. No matter how bleak the future looks from where you're standing. No matter what people are saying about you. No matter what you've been through.

Regardless of all these - GOD HAS GOT IT ALL FIGURED OUT FOR YOU! He's completely in control of your life. This I know and believe. God's got your life completely figured out - from start to finish.

How do I know this? Here's how:

Have you cashed your inheritance in Christ?

"For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more THOSE WHO RECEIVE abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness WILL REIGN IN LIFE through the One, Jesus Christ" - Romans 5:17.


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When we surrendered our lives to Christ Jesus by receiving His free gift of salvation, we received more than most people know or can imagine. We did not only receive remission of sins (new birth), but also healing, access to heaven's unlimited resources, authority over dark forces, God's righteousness, victory over sin, freedom from curses, etc...we received a loaded gift pack!

By reason of accepting Jesus into your life (which I hope you have), He credited His finished work into your "account" - including the new God-like life, the divine health, the dominion over evil forces in heavenly places; all that was accomplished by reason of His suffering and death has been ascribed to you in Him, all you need do is cash it.

Let no one despise your youth

"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" - 1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV).


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Though the apostle Paul wrote the foregoing text to his protege, Timothy - a young minister - over 1900 years ago, I believe its message very much applies to young people in Christ today.

Here, Paul (of course, inspired by the Holy Spirit), gives us the recipe for a life of influence, such that is worthy of emulation and admiration, regardless of youth.

From this Scripture, we glean the key to living a life that will not only glorify God our father, but will also make us influential figures in our circles, and thus, effective ministers of the gospel.

Now, we'll take a moment to break up the text to understand what's required of us as young people in Christ. Our text again (1 Timothy 4:12): "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in WORD, in CONDUCT, in LOVE, in SPIRIT, in FAITH, in PURITY".

The one thought that can make a world of difference

Everyday, we are faced with different situations, where we sometimes have to make tough choices and decisions; but I reckon there's one thought that can make a world of difference in our everything we do.

Seeing as God sees

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"For the Lord DOES NOT SEE AS MAN SEES; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at THE HEART" (1 Samuel 16:7).

If only we could see as God sees, things would look a whole lot different. If we could see as God sees, people would look a whole lot different.

How?

#SSVBlogNuggets: Don't make Peter's mistake!

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"Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled saying, "it is a ghost"! And they cried out for fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "be of good cheer! It is I, do not afraid."
And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." So He said, "come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he WALKED ON THE WATER to go to Jesus. BUT WHEN HE SAW that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out saying, "Lord, save me!" - Matthew 14:25-30.

The foregoing Scripture text captures the story of Jesus walking on water to meet up with His disciples who had gone "before Him to the other side" in a boat while He stayed back to disperse the multitude and to pray (v. 22-23).

#SSVBlogNuggets: Whatever you face, Our God is able

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Hi, you're good? Welcome to a beautiful new week! I believe it's one that holds much promise of great things for me and you! Do you believe that? Remember, you become what you believe!

I pray that this week God will reveal Himself afresh to you and grant you grace for ah-mazing exploits! You will soar with the eagles in the skies, not creep on your belly and feed on crumbs! Believe it, for we indeed become what we believe!

As you step out this week and beyond, whatever you face, know that our God is able. He's able. Able to do, not what I ask or think - or what you ask or think - but exceedingly and abundantly more than what we ask and think!

His word reassures us...

I want to be close to Jesus at the Supper Table

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The Supper Table is prepared; Jesus and His disciples will now sit, eat and dine together; how close to Him will you be?

It's a table that takes all, but while some will be close, others will be a little further; how close to Him will you be?

Like John, I want to be close to Jesus at the Supper Table.

What it REALLY means to trust in God

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Please take a moment to reflect on this conversation, focusing on the last question.
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"Do you trust me?"
"Yes, I do, Lord Jesus. I trust you".
"Do you trust that I have the power to do as I say?"
"Yes Lord, I do. I don't doubt it one bit!"
"Will you trust me through it all as I do it my way?" (Selah).
Can you honestly and emphatically answer the last question? Can you trust in God to do it His way?
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This opening conversation captures where most of us may not be getting it right in our walk with God. What do I mean? We may have no reservations trusting in God's power to do as He says, but we may be hesitant to completely trust in the way He chooses to go about doing as He has said. Trusting in God, however, entails doing both.