We forget!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
I recently observed a friend taking the marriage vow to live with his wife till death do them part. And as if that was not enough, we all danced to a table where they both signed the dotted line with parents from both families to show the seriousness of their decision and vows.
Although, this was not my first time of observing the scenario but it got me thinking and started meditating or how grave the decision we make when we tie the knots with our soul mate to spend the rest of our lives forever. But I quickly woke up from my “thought- travel” to join in the remaining of the celebration and I really enjoyed myself.
I am presently reading two books by T. D Jakes Life Overflowing and his latest title Before You Do. He was trying to give a fatherly advice in the latter book like He did for His first daughter who was getting married but He also talked on the stunning rate of divorce between Christian marriages and unbelievers which is almost at par.
Trying to marry my earlier experience at my friend’s wedding with this revealing truth in the book, I was face-to-face with the question of: What makes people forget the sacred marriage vow that we make before God and a congregation of witnesses and then still file for divorce? Was it that they became disappointed in their ‘choice’ spouse overtime or that the burning love that made them take their once so-called Angel on dates and sight- seeing has dwindled? The questions kept coming and on and on.
As usual I began consulting with the Word of God to get some clarifications because I believe that the bible is the final authority on all issues of life.
We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God. - Dwight L. Moody
I have not really searched for long before He began opening my eyes to fact that what we forget is not just the marriage vows but we forget the key values, confessions, truth and hope in God that has been responsible for taking us to our present position and place in life. God kept emphazing this to His people in all of scriptures to remember the key things that has brought them to where they are. For instance, David recounted where He was bringing Him from ;
He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.
So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.
Psalms 78:70-72(KJV)
David was undoubtedly one of Israel’s greatest king, but God took Him from following sheep to feed God’s people. To me, if we all keep to mind where God is bringing us from, we will never misbehave and see the position and power that God gives us as a privilege and a product of God’s grace.
Men are men; the best sometimes forget. - William Shakespeare
THINGS NOT TO FORGET
I write this title as I reflect on the theme of ‘Thanksgiving’. Can we really thank God enough? The reason why we don’t give thanks is simply because we forget. What do you have that you were not given?
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1- 5 (KJV)
1. That He forgave your sins;
We all know the mess we were in before Christ saved us. He did not just save us from our sins but has promised us eternal life. This is one of the things not to forget. Never forget to thank God sincerely for saving you. He saved us while we were yet sinners. He redeemed us from the path of destruction and set our feet on the rock to stand. Never forget!
2. That He healed you;
Many have been through deadly sicknesses and diseases from which God healed them. The same sickness that others died from, is the same you and I have been through and have been delivered by Jehovah Rapha. He didn’t have to heal you, He just did it for His love and for His name sake. What many pay huge amount for, Christ paid it all on the Cross. Never forget that!
3. That He satisfies your mouth;
There were times you wished you had some things cars, apartment, wife, husband, children and other things. But did you notice some of those things no longer form your prayer request list. God has simply satisfied your desires. Yes, but you still have needs? Giving Him thanks for the ones He has done qualifies you to get more. He has indeed been faithful over the years. The list continues…
Only Those who know how to THINK know how to THANK.
Please, take some time out to recount God’s goodness in your life. See the things that you have and not the things you don’t. And you will know that you are indebted to God. Count your blessings name them one by one.
Also, let this heart of thanksgiving help you never to look down on anyone because situation and circumstances change. Remember, there were some you used to look forward to in the past but God has enabled you to go beyond where they have attained. Our heart of thanksgiving to God should help us to humble our self so that God will lift us in due time.
Never forget you are but clay made in the image of God.
10 Commandments of Living in Recession Pt.2
Friday, May 15, 2009
The first 5 Commandments are;
#1 FEAR NOT
#2 BORROW NOT
#3 BE LED BY THE SPIRIT FOR ALL DECISIONS
#4 BE HOPEFUL
#5 BE MORE COMMITTED IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
#1 FEAR NOT
#2 BORROW NOT
#3 BE LED BY THE SPIRIT FOR ALL DECISIONS
#4 BE HOPEFUL
#5 BE MORE COMMITTED IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
The last 5 Commandments are as follows;
#6 BE A KINGDOM INVESTOR
This simply means promoting the course of God’s kingdom through your giving. It is true that there is recession but that should NOT stop our tithing, for instance. A tithe is ten percent of your income given to God, acknowledging Him as your source. Please note that, in spite of the famine, Elijah told the woman to give him food first before considering her son and even herself. This ordinarily may look mean but that’s the way to keep the flow of blessing. Seek first the kingdom of God. Invest in any course to promote the gospel even at this time and you’ll flourish even in recession. Remember, Christ says we should lay up treasure for ourselves in heaven. It works!
This simply means promoting the course of God’s kingdom through your giving. It is true that there is recession but that should NOT stop our tithing, for instance. A tithe is ten percent of your income given to God, acknowledging Him as your source. Please note that, in spite of the famine, Elijah told the woman to give him food first before considering her son and even herself. This ordinarily may look mean but that’s the way to keep the flow of blessing. Seek first the kingdom of God. Invest in any course to promote the gospel even at this time and you’ll flourish even in recession. Remember, Christ says we should lay up treasure for ourselves in heaven. It works!
God’s commandment is to be obeyed as commanded and not and convenient!
#7 BE CREATIVE
To be creative means to be innovative or to be able to seek ways of solving old problems with new approaches. Crises usually make people more creative. When old ways are still working well, then people may fold their hands, but when they cease to work, then people look for improvement or better ways of meeting their needs. Have you lost your job due to recession? Look within for what you can do for yourself. Most of today’s invention came when people looked within and have a strong desire to solve problems. To me this means there are untapped solutions within us if we can only search with. Try out something new and different from the norm. It’s in you!
Remember, necessity is the mother of invention
To be creative means to be innovative or to be able to seek ways of solving old problems with new approaches. Crises usually make people more creative. When old ways are still working well, then people may fold their hands, but when they cease to work, then people look for improvement or better ways of meeting their needs. Have you lost your job due to recession? Look within for what you can do for yourself. Most of today’s invention came when people looked within and have a strong desire to solve problems. To me this means there are untapped solutions within us if we can only search with. Try out something new and different from the norm. It’s in you!
Remember, necessity is the mother of invention
#8 BE VISIONARY
A vision is having a PICTURE of your FUTURE through the SCRIPTURE. To be visionary means to be able to see yourself from God’s perspective through His word and consciously taking calculative steps towards living in the reality of the future He has for you. He asks Jeremiah when He called him, WHAT DO YOU SEE? God will only bring to pass what we can see. For Abraham, God told him, as far as your eyes can see- this is about vision. But for vision to be meaningful, you must first discover your purpose (your God-given assignment and your very reason for living). Then, catching the glimpse of it in light with the Word of God (that is what is called Vision). You need to see beyond the recession to live above it. What can you see? Don’t be caught suffering from HIV- Having Insufficient Vision.
What You See is What You Get (WYSIWG)
A vision is having a PICTURE of your FUTURE through the SCRIPTURE. To be visionary means to be able to see yourself from God’s perspective through His word and consciously taking calculative steps towards living in the reality of the future He has for you. He asks Jeremiah when He called him, WHAT DO YOU SEE? God will only bring to pass what we can see. For Abraham, God told him, as far as your eyes can see- this is about vision. But for vision to be meaningful, you must first discover your purpose (your God-given assignment and your very reason for living). Then, catching the glimpse of it in light with the Word of God (that is what is called Vision). You need to see beyond the recession to live above it. What can you see? Don’t be caught suffering from HIV- Having Insufficient Vision.
What You See is What You Get (WYSIWG)
#9 BE PRUDENT
It is an obvious fact that above every other thing, one thing to do now is to spend wisely. To be prudent means to have a good sense in dealing with practical matters or to be careful in managing resources so as to provide for the future. This is not best of time to spend on impulse or buy what you want especially at the expense of needs. Needs like food, clothing, shelter and other immediate family needs are to be given full preference above any other thing. But this will also be no excuse not to save. One of my mentors said not matter what you earn save at least 20% of it. It might be hard but it is possible. You can live on the remaining 70% (after 20% savings and 10% tithe). What I do personally is to assume as if my original earning is the 70%.
It is not SAFE not to SAVE!
It is an obvious fact that above every other thing, one thing to do now is to spend wisely. To be prudent means to have a good sense in dealing with practical matters or to be careful in managing resources so as to provide for the future. This is not best of time to spend on impulse or buy what you want especially at the expense of needs. Needs like food, clothing, shelter and other immediate family needs are to be given full preference above any other thing. But this will also be no excuse not to save. One of my mentors said not matter what you earn save at least 20% of it. It might be hard but it is possible. You can live on the remaining 70% (after 20% savings and 10% tithe). What I do personally is to assume as if my original earning is the 70%.
It is not SAFE not to SAVE!
#10 STILL GIVE THANKS
Thanksgiving is not an option for believers, it is a commandment. God word says “Oh, Give Thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercies endures forever.” Thanksgiving can be pre or post. Pre is giving of thanks before God does what you’ve asked for. This is also called Sacrifice of Praise. It is a sacrifice because it will cost you to give up your concerns to do it. There’s nothing visibly present to show but you still choose to give thanks. It may be easy to give thanks when our promises are delivered (which is the Post). But God wants us to offer the sacrifice of praise with our lips. Always praise Him whether things are working or not.
And we know that all things are FITTING TO PLAN for them that love God and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8: 28(AMP)
Thanksgiving is not an option for believers, it is a commandment. God word says “Oh, Give Thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercies endures forever.” Thanksgiving can be pre or post. Pre is giving of thanks before God does what you’ve asked for. This is also called Sacrifice of Praise. It is a sacrifice because it will cost you to give up your concerns to do it. There’s nothing visibly present to show but you still choose to give thanks. It may be easy to give thanks when our promises are delivered (which is the Post). But God wants us to offer the sacrifice of praise with our lips. Always praise Him whether things are working or not.
And we know that all things are FITTING TO PLAN for them that love God and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8: 28(AMP)
God is faithful!
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