Personal Discipline: Your Way Forward!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.
Matthew 16:24- 25 (TM)
When I was much younger, I had always seen discipline from the negative perspective, as an instrument of punishment or as an undue imposition of patterned behavior. While these may not be totally wrong, however, I’ve come to realize that we as humans may not attain to greatness until we take responsibility AND MOVE BEYOND externally- imposed discipline and take up self-discipline for our very lives.
It was George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of Virginia Forces that said "Discipline is the soul of an Army." This piece of wisdom is as true today as it was in 1757 because discipline makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all, in his words. Show me a man who is not disciplined in managing time, finances, relationships, career, energy, moods and goals, then you have seen a man that will not attain to much in life.
Every day, the media brings up faces people behind scandals, economic and financial crimes, gross embezzlement of public funds and squandering of resources in the midst of joblessness, poverty and insecurity. But the bottom line is that all these are consequences of personal indiscipline. Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived but indiscipline made him lose it all and eventually turned his back to his source, God. See what he said, “Everything I wanted I took—I never said no to myself. I gave in to every impulse, held back nothing. I sucked the marrow of pleasure out of every task—my reward to myself for a hard day's work! Ecclesiastes 2:10- 11 (TM) And at the end he said, All is vanity.
Before you look too far away, let me ask you a few questions, do you give in to impulse in your appetite, finances and morals? Do you lead a planned life or yours is, “Qui Sera Sera” (What will be will be). Like my mom would always warn, don’t eat with your 10 fingers, save for the rainy days!
What is discipline?
It refers to self-imposed standards and restrictions motivated by a desire greater than the alternatives. To be disciplined is to make decisions dictated by a determined destiny. It is your ability to follow instructions well or living within the boundaries that you have set for yourself. Simply put, look into the future and pattern your life to get there.
A disciplined man doesn’t need to be told when to wake up for instance, he knows when. A discipline lady wouldn’t fall for just any man for money. She’s made up her mind to keep herself till ‘Mr Right’ comes.
A disciplined man learns to say NO to himself – Emmanuel Odedeyi
For Joseph, discipline wouldn’t make him sin against God by lying with his master’s wife when no one was watching. Genesis 39:9
For Daniel, discipline wouldn’t make him defile himself with the Kings meat even when he was a young guy far from home like many of us with student visas in far countries today. Daniel 1: 8
For Paul, he says, “I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself” 1 Corinthians 9: 26- 27 (TM)
For Jesus, this was how He showed discipline, “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.” Hebrews 12:2 (TM)
All these, denied themselves, determined in their heart, made up their mind and they all shined in their pursuits. Oh! How we need to be disciplined.
Areas of Personal Discipline
In the beginning, man was tempted from three points, the eyes (saw that the tree was good), the taste ( the fruit was good for food) and desire for power or pride (eating the fruit would make one to be like God). But the truth is that the devil doesn’t have new tricks as our personal discipline will be assessed in these ways.
1. Your eyes
What do you look at? Do you watch pun videos, visit adult rated websites, and indulge in masturbation or lesbianism thinking no one is watching? Remember Solomon, he got everything that he looked at and eventually married 700 wives and 300 concubines. Can you beat that? But it all started from not being able to caution what you look at.
Without discipline the Army would just be a bunch of guys wearing the same color clothing. - Frank Burns
2. Your taste
Many people literarily have sky scrapers and high-rise buildings in their tummy. They are always chewing something and they can spend any amount at fast-food joints for themselves and their friends. The truth is that we must pass the appetite test to enter the promised land. The children of Israel wanted meat instead of manna, most of them didn’t get to the promised land. Jesus was also tempted to turn stone to bread, appetite. Watch what you put in your mouth, it is the quickest way to early grave! Personally, I have disciplined myself to fast at average of twice every week over the last 3 years till date. It’s medicinal and makes you focus too.
The discipline of desire is the background of character. - John Locke
3. Your desire for Power
We may not to look too far to see what some politicians would do for power. Sacrifices, oaths, killings and other dirty things. What has your desire for fame, position and power made you do? Have you stepped on others’ head to climb to the top? As job seeker, do you forged you age just to get the job? Do you give in to pressure to retain your job? How desperately do you want to “make it” by all means? Eve was deceived that eating the fruit would make them be like God forgetting that they were made in His image and likeness. Lets watch out for deception.
Sincerely, to lead a disciplined life, you need Jesus Christ in your life. Without Him, your struggle with sin and emptiness continues. Please feel free to get to chat with me or send a mail on; emmanuelmailingu@yahoo.com.
I love you.
Shall we pray,
Lord, help us to be discipline our eyes, taste, filthy desires, time, finances, energy and life to please you. Amen.
When God seems silent...
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my warfare and service I will wait, till my change and release shall come. Job 14:14 (AMP)
Before you read any further, let me put it straight to you from the very start; Have you ever felt as if God is slow? Have you ever waited on Him to the point where it seems He may never show up again? Have you ever wondered why it really takes time before God answers your prayers? Have you ever felt lonely, rejected or depressed? If you have answered an unqualified YES to any of these, then this note is for you.
There are times in our lives when all we want is just an answer as simple as YES or NO or even HOLD ON. But what happens when neither of these responses come and shame stares us in the face because people are eagerly expecting us to say something. Let me break it down to you;
Imagine a young man who after 5 – 10 years of completing high school keeps sitting for University entrance examinations without an admission.
If this same guy eventually gets admission and escapes ASUU axe after turning a 4-year course to 7years, he graduates and then goes through the one year “forced labour” of NYSC only to find out that he still needs to struggle for (x) no of years before he gets a meagre-paying job that can only pay his bills, if it can sustain him at all.
On the other side of the coin, imagine a lady who is really good looking and has a nice job to match, but wouldn’t just find the right guy after many years of prayers and waiting. And age is not helping too.
To push a little further, if this lady eventually gets married and then needs to still wait for a few years to have a child..
A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 2 Peter 3: 8(NLT)
The scenarios above may look far-fetched but I tell you that it describes what someone somewhere has or is presently going through. But if indeed a year is like a thousand with God, then what we may claim to have been waiting to get for 10 years (our time) literarily has only been delayed for about 24minutes (His time). So how long have you been waiting on Him? Have you waited for an hour? Jesus told His disciples, Can’t you even watch with me for at least an hour?
Truth about God’s “seeming” Silence;
1. Our Sins
Listen! The Lord is not too weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf. He can hear you when you call. But there is a problem—your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. Isaiah 59:1- 2(NLT)
One of the major reasons why God may not respond to our call is our sinful nature. Even when Christ was on the cross He cried, My father, why hast thou forsaken me? This was because at this time Jesus was bearing our sins and God’s eyes are too pure to look at sin. So, when He refuses to speak, it may be as a result of our sins. And as you may know that sin includes all forms of disobedience. Or shall we continue in sin and ask that grace would continue? God forbid!
God will not give you a new instruction until you have obeyed the last one!
2. Our Impatience
Many are too busy talking. God does not talk when you are busy murmuring and complaining about everything. Even when we are not living in sin, we may be too desperate at times that we tend to brand God as slow. But read this, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake..” 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
God is not slow but He is actually exercising patience because of you. Why? He knows that if He gives you that thing now, you may not be able to properly manage it as much as you think you can. So, he gives more time to watch you mature. Personally, there are issues I thought I could handle so well about 5 years ago, but now with more insight I know I would have fumbled if I had ventured into them with my pre-mature knowledge 5 years earlier.
God is too responsible to mismanage your lives.
3. Our Ingratitude
We quickly forget past victories and deliverances He has wrought. One of the best things to do after checking through of the first two above and have cleared ourselves is to give thanks. Thanksgiving and praises makes God does fearful things.
Waiting on God is not the same as Wasting away.
Is yours admission, thank him that you even have a good result that can be considered for admission in the first place. I wrote my WAEC exams thrice because I couldn’t just pass Maths at my first two attempts but today I’m a Chartered Accountant and a lecturer at that.
Are you a jobseeker, thank God for seeing you through school in the first place because many didn’t survive what you went through, some dropped out, others fell off.
Are you a guy or a lady who is not yet married and you’ve wondering if God still answers prayers, thank God first that you are “marriageable”. Many are deformed or are in such state of ill-health that their only prayer is to be healthy first. Thank God for not being insane!
I can go on and on but I will rather let you THINK so that you can THANK.
When next it seems to you as if God is silent, be assured that He is right at work to give you your heart desires because if He neither slumbers nor sleep, then He must be busy working things out for you.
Smile!
Shall we pray;
Lord, give me a heart of gratitude to trust you even when it seems you are silent. Amen.
Personal but not Private!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
You can't keep your true self hidden forever; before long you'll be exposed. You can't hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can't whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day's coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.
Luke 12: 2 (TM)
Monica Lewinsky! Does that name ring a bell? Of course, you guessed right. She was former President Bill Clinton’s secret lover that almost cost him his presidential seat. But that’s all history.
Opening my e-mail this morning I saw a report on Yahoo! News about the current serving South Carolina Governor in US confessing about his 8-year-long unfaithfulness to his wife by seeing a lady in far away Argentina.
This governor is the head of the Republican Governors Association and has been mentioned in recent months as a possible presidential candidate in 2012. But ironically, this man as a congressman had voted in favor of three of four articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton, citing the need for "moral legitimacy."
This governor is the head of the Republican Governors Association and has been mentioned in recent months as a possible presidential candidate in 2012. But ironically, this man as a congressman had voted in favor of three of four articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton, citing the need for "moral legitimacy."
As if this was not enough, this Governor had always left the country without formally delegating his authority and by leaving the country without formally transferring power, critics said he neglected his gubernatorial authority and put the state at risk because It wasn't clear how his staff could reach him in an emergency. How ridiculous to know that Governor Sanford has four boys for his wife, Jenny Sanford who is literally his financier having come from an influential family herself! She has reportedly thrown him out two weeks ago.
My heart sighs as I write this because I had a totally different thing to talk about before now. But the recurring nature of this high profile unfaithfulness to spouse and family calls for caution among us as moral beings.
What is good is good and what is bad is bad!
It does not matter how much we hide, our secret sins we find us out. To involve ourselves in secret unfaithfulness and publicly pretend as if nothing has happened is the height of promiscuity. Jesus says in the above scripture that the day is coming when those secret whispers will be repeated all over town.
Do you know the word ‘integrity’ is from the word to integrate? Integrity literarily means making private same as public.
Do you know the word ‘integrity’ is from the word to integrate? Integrity literarily means making private same as public.
Is your private life same as public life? Am I just a preacher and not a doer? Is there a part of me that is others must not know about? These are the rhetorical questions that you and I should provide answers to and make amends where necessary because sin actually sinks us.
Only a few months ago we heard about a purported claim by UK Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, that she mistakenly bought two pornographic films while paying for internet connection online. These ‘mistakenly’ purchased adult films, which shamefully cost £5 each, were reportedly viewed on 6 and 8 April 2008, although she claimed not to be at home then. She was made a Member of the Privy Council in 2003. Smith is also the third woman to hold one of the Great Offices of State — after Margaret Thatcher (Prime Minister) and Margaret Beckett (Foreign Secretary).
Whether true or false, only God knows. But the point is that whether high or low, poor or rich, old or young. God doesn’t bend his rules. It applies to all.
Do you know it was the supposed private sins of Adam that still plagues the human race till date?
Whether true or false, only God knows. But the point is that whether high or low, poor or rich, old or young. God doesn’t bend his rules. It applies to all.
Do you know it was the supposed private sins of Adam that still plagues the human race till date?
Your sins may be personal but it is not private.
That is why the scripture says;
But the firm foundation laid by God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it. 2 Timothy 2: 19
But the firm foundation laid by God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it. 2 Timothy 2: 19
There is no little sin, sin is sin!
What to do;
- Never hide your sin.
He that covers his sins shall not prosper but God is always faithful to forgive us when we sincerely confess them. Proverbs 28:13.. Admit it and confess it to the Lord. How foolish! Covering our sins is like hiding behind a single finger.
- Never hide your sin.
He that covers his sins shall not prosper but God is always faithful to forgive us when we sincerely confess them. Proverbs 28:13.. Admit it and confess it to the Lord. How foolish! Covering our sins is like hiding behind a single finger.
-Never go back to your vomit.
Sin is generally pleasurable but its sweetness is only going to be for a while because the shame it brings outweighs its pleasures. Moses chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin for a moment. Hebrews 11: 25
Sin is generally pleasurable but its sweetness is only going to be for a while because the shame it brings outweighs its pleasures. Moses chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin for a moment. Hebrews 11: 25
- Be more sensitive.
Most sins come as a mere thought first. But when these thoughts are entertained they find a place and if not quickly discarded, action follows. We are told in Proverbs 4: 23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do” Watch and pray!
Most sins come as a mere thought first. But when these thoughts are entertained they find a place and if not quickly discarded, action follows. We are told in Proverbs 4: 23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do” Watch and pray!
Shall we pray;
Lord, help us to finish strong.
Lord, help us to finish strong.
Hardwork or Hardlife?!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Go to work in the morning and stick to it until evening without watching the clock. You never know from moment to moment how your work will turn out in the end
Ecclesiastes 11:6 (TM)
I am privileged to have all kinds of fathers, from professional, spiritual to of course, biological. I spent the last Fathers’ Day celebration to call and send gifts to all of them and they all poured out blessings on me. But when I called one of my professional fathers who is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and was recently promoted to the post of a Permanent Secretary, after praying for me, he said Emma, work hard o!
Of course, this fatherly counsel is not new but it hit me this time like thunder strike that I had to pause a bit but when I recovered from the strike in a few seconds, I whispered “I will try more sir.”
When I hung up, I pondered on what he told me particularly because he has risen through the ranks to the peak of his career.When does hard work becomes hard enough? Am I not hard working enough? What new grounds can I break? The question kept coming which eventually led to what the very words of Christ says in John 5: 17.. "My Father has never stopped working, and that is why I keep on working."
God does not like idleness! In fact, God showed us how important it is to Him from the very beginning such that he gave Adam a work to do before He gave him a wife.
It is an error for a man to get married without a work.
Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we should become workaholics but we should work up to the point that work knows we are working it. Many give up too soon. There is no place for the lazy in the world.
As a matter of truth, the lazy person weighs equally as a great waster. Why? Because a lazy man will never fully develop the latent potentials that God has bestowed upon him thereby wasting it. Proverbs 18: 9 puts it this way, “A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things”
Your guaranteed way out of Hardlife is Hardwork.
I try to read a chapter of the book of proverbs per day because it has 31 chapters which goes for the numbers of days in a typical month. Proverb shares so much about the end of the lazy.
Friends, I know you are putting in all your effort. But the truth is that we can do even more. Someone once said the difference between extra-ordinary and ordinary is just the prefix, extra. To be outstanding, we need to do more. So challenge yourself to diligence in adding value to the life of others (this is the greatest of work). As a matter of fact, any work you claim to do that does not make a direct effect on advancing the life of others is not worth doing.But we should also remember to ask for God’s favour on our labour to produce.
Things to note about work
- It is not a curse. Man had work before his fall in Eden
- It is one of the major channels through which God blesses us. (Psalms 1: 3…and whatever he DOES shall prosper)
- It is one of the ways by which our value on earth is measured. We mostly introduce ourselves to others by what we do.
Check out what Proverbs 6: 6- 11(TM)
You lazy fool, look at an ant.
Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two.
Nobody has to tell it what to do.
All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions.
So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing?
How long before you get out of bed?
A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy
—do you know what comes next?Just this:
You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, poverty your permanent houseguest!
Even if you've not gotten what you love to do, do what you have now and then what you love will come. By all means avoid idleness.
Whatever your hands find to do....... do it with all your might.
Shall we pray;
Lord, cause your favor to rest on our labour to bring forth fruitful flavors. Amen
Spot the Difference!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely.
2 Corinthians 10:12 (AMP)
Growing up, I remember always trying to search for the SPOT THE DIFFERENCE column on the pages of magazines and some newspapers where the identical pictures of two sketches or pieces of art are given and readers would be asked to spot the difference by circling the areas and returning by post the answers. I must have spotted many differences but can’t really remember ever sending any by post (since there was no email at that time). May be I would have tried if it were to be by email…
What I intend sharing briefly with you is the foolish “spot the difference” adventures that we at times engage in as individuals which does no good to us than to leave us worse than it met us, leading to jealousy, envy, strife and if not well tamed makes us blame God for everything because it blind-folds us from seeing anything good that God has done in our lives.
When was the last time you wished you were born into a more influential family? Well, we all were not given the opportunity to choose that. If God did, I wonder who will come from impoverished homes!
Whatever form of comparison you may be involved in will be mere folly because there should be no reason why you should want to compare yourself with others. An understanding of you being a creature made in the image and the likeness of God- the creator is enough to make you stand tall in life.
But as crippling and subtle this venture is, we allow it to lord it over our lives and secretly envy others and questioning God and asking the most horrible question of WHY ME?
But as crippling and subtle this venture is, we allow it to lord it over our lives and secretly envy others and questioning God and asking the most horrible question of WHY ME?
Reasons for Comparison
Inferiority Complex
Inferiority Complex
It is an overdeveloped sense of being inferior to other people. In extreme cases it can manifest itself in either withdrawn or aggressive social behavior. Many compare themselves with others just because they feel others are more human than themselves. Come to think of it, no human has two heads. Only monsters do. No man can sleep in two rooms at a time, no matter the mansion.
There is no less human, we are all humans.
So friend, never feel inferior to anyone. See what went into your creation and how important you are to God; King David says
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb.
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out,
You know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Psalms 139:13 -15 (TM)
Lack of Defined Purpose for Living
Lack of Defined Purpose for Living
When purpose is undefined abuse is inevitable. This is another reason why many want to be like another person. It is because they lack the purpose for living or have not well defined their very reason for existence. Those who are so engrossed in fulfilling their God-given purpose have no time for comparison.
If you live like a photocopy, who will live your original?
To save yourself from this comparison syndrome, get busy fulfilling your God purpose and you won’t even notice others who are busy living their dreams. Like the saying that the idle mind is the devil workshop, many are busy analyzing others’ wealth that they are not thinking of their own very life. Have a defined goal for living and get busy pursuing it!
Failure to count your blessings
Yeah, if you fail to count your blessings, the devil will give you something else to count. There is the song I always loved to sing in primary school with all the excitement and vigor because I know we only sing the song when we are about to take lunch. The song in Songs Of Praise (SOP) says,
Some have food, but cannot eat,
Some can eat, but have no food,
We have food and we can eat,
Glory be to thee Oh Lord. (And afterwards, we’ll then say Aunty come and eat….lol)
Failure to count your blessings
Yeah, if you fail to count your blessings, the devil will give you something else to count. There is the song I always loved to sing in primary school with all the excitement and vigor because I know we only sing the song when we are about to take lunch. The song in Songs Of Praise (SOP) says,
Some have food, but cannot eat,
Some can eat, but have no food,
We have food and we can eat,
Glory be to thee Oh Lord. (And afterwards, we’ll then say Aunty come and eat….lol)
This is a soothing reminder for me. We still need to appreciate God no matter what we are faced with because it could have been worse.
If you have lost ANYTHING, God is the reason why you’ve not lost EVERYTHING!
That is why blaming God for our present state is the most unwise thing to do. If you think you have no shoes, how about those who don’t have legs?
Wait a minute, if God forsakes you, who will you run to? But thanks be to God that He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. Everything you are going through are actually fitting to plan and it’s all for your own good. If God never sleeps nor slumber, then He must be busy working things out for my good. Don’t you thing so?
When next you see someone who seems to already have what you desire, rejoice with them and quickly assure yourself that, Mine is on the way.
Wait a minute, if God forsakes you, who will you run to? But thanks be to God that He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. Everything you are going through are actually fitting to plan and it’s all for your own good. If God never sleeps nor slumber, then He must be busy working things out for my good. Don’t you thing so?
When next you see someone who seems to already have what you desire, rejoice with them and quickly assure yourself that, Mine is on the way.
Count your blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!
Shall we pray
Lord, open our eyes to spot the difference between where are coming from and where we are now and the assurance of where you are taking us to, rather than engage in the folly of comparison with others. Amen
Lord, open our eyes to spot the difference between where are coming from and where we are now and the assurance of where you are taking us to, rather than engage in the folly of comparison with others. Amen
The enemy called ALTERNATIVES!
Friday, June 12, 2009
After this a lot of his disciples left. They no longer wanted to be associated with him. Then Jesus gave the Twelve their chance: "Do you also want to leave?"
Peter replied, "Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We've already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God."
John 6: 66- 69 (The Message)
I am particularly excited to be at this phase of my life and I must tell you I’m enjoying everything God is revealing to me every waking moment. Got up this morning with a thought on the word “ALTERNATIVES”. As soon as I started searching my mind for what this would mean, I soon realized that God wanted me to tell someone that “He (God) will still do what He has promised only if we bury our fall backs”. Fall backs here means things we think of falling back on if His promises does not go through as we expect.
Peter replied, "Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We've already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God."
John 6: 66- 69 (The Message)
I am particularly excited to be at this phase of my life and I must tell you I’m enjoying everything God is revealing to me every waking moment. Got up this morning with a thought on the word “ALTERNATIVES”. As soon as I started searching my mind for what this would mean, I soon realized that God wanted me to tell someone that “He (God) will still do what He has promised only if we bury our fall backs”. Fall backs here means things we think of falling back on if His promises does not go through as we expect.
Haa! This word hit me quickly and I realized just as I’m typing this that God was trying to pass across a message to me on a particular issue of my life.
Hmm, An alternative is something different from, and able to serve as a substitute for, something else. It also simply means to be between two opinions. To be here, but still be there with the other eye, JUST IN CASE. To be double-minded. Elijah got fed up with the nonchalant attitude of the people of Israel that he cried in 1 Kings 18:21, And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long will you between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
Friend, I put this question to your face, how long will continue to eye your alternative(s) and at the same time still be praying to God for that breakthrough?
· I mean how long will you continue to threaten God with your backsliding attempt if He does not answer your prayers by the deadline you’ve given Him?
· I mean how long will you keep your eye on breaking your commitment to your spouse because you’ve waited so long for the fruit of the womb and both of you are aging?
· How long will you jobseeker think of doing it the world’s way by reducing your age and getting involved in some other things just to boost your qualification for that job?
· How long have you chosen to enjoy life and live promiscuously at the detriment of losing your own soul and eternity?
· How long will you my professional colleagues do it the crooked way of the world and think you’ll always get away with it?
· I mean how long will you keep your eye on breaking your commitment to your spouse because you’ve waited so long for the fruit of the womb and both of you are aging?
· How long will you jobseeker think of doing it the world’s way by reducing your age and getting involved in some other things just to boost your qualification for that job?
· How long have you chosen to enjoy life and live promiscuously at the detriment of losing your own soul and eternity?
· How long will you my professional colleagues do it the crooked way of the world and think you’ll always get away with it?
How long…….?
Peter answered Jesus when He gave them the blank cheque of leaving Him when many disciples left too. But in the scripture above, Peter said, “Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life. We've already committed ourselves…”
This scripture literally tore my head open this morning as I read this fascinating version of The Message Bible. We’ve already committed ourselves! We’ve already burnt the bridge! We’ve already counted the cost! We’re already made up….and no going back!
I remember that old salvation song, “I have decided to follow Jesus 3ce. No turning back, No turning back…..! Have you?
Until your commitment to Christ reaches the level where you’ll say if I perish, I perish (like Esther) or We rather burn than to bow to other gods (like the 3 Hebrew boys) or Woe is me if I preach not the goepel (like Paul). Then, your faith and trust in Him is still questionable.
Why you must bury your alternatives?
- It makes you unstable and to doubt God. James 1:8
- It makes the devil suggest evil to you because you are not made up when you still have alternatives.
- It makes it impossible to receive from God but you are not acting in faith.
- It “incapacitates” God from helping you.
- It makes you unstable and to doubt God. James 1:8
- It makes the devil suggest evil to you because you are not made up when you still have alternatives.
- It makes it impossible to receive from God but you are not acting in faith.
- It “incapacitates” God from helping you.
What to do;
- Confess boldly your commitment to God.
- Feed yourself with the truth of God’s word ONLY (What is written and the revealed truth on the Bible)
- Still give God the glory no matter what is happening. (What is happening is temporal, what is written is permanent.
- Confess boldly your commitment to God.
- Feed yourself with the truth of God’s word ONLY (What is written and the revealed truth on the Bible)
- Still give God the glory no matter what is happening. (What is happening is temporal, what is written is permanent.
Shall we pray:
Lord, I choose to bury all the alternatives (name them) stopping me from trusting you. Amen
Lord, I choose to bury all the alternatives (name them) stopping me from trusting you. Amen
Remember, He (God) will still do what He has promised only if we bury our fall backs.
Keep STANDING!!!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
O Lord, why do you stand so far away?
Why do you hide when I need you the most?
Psalms 10:1 (NLT)
Why do you hide when I need you the most?
Psalms 10:1 (NLT)
I receive mails, text on my mobile, IMs and talk with all kinds of people everyday especially those to whom I have a special passion for- the Jobseekers. I share in their pains, stress, frustrations, down moments, desperation and the deplorable situations they go through from not being able to live their dreams to even not being able to meet their basic needs. It’s really hard for some, I must confess.
Some tell me they apply to all the available vacancies and have never been called up for once. At the other extreme, those who have been called up for aptitudes and interviews are yet to know their fate even when it seems as if they did well but their good performance have not culminated in the delivery of the much needed job.
Although, I may not be able to fully explain my passion and love for these job seekers but one of the most important things that can happen to me on a typical day is to spend time to encourage them, rekindle their dwindling hope in themselves and their dreams, point them to their Creator and His love for them and bless them spiritually and financially.
Although, I may not be able to fully explain my passion and love for these job seekers but one of the most important things that can happen to me on a typical day is to spend time to encourage them, rekindle their dwindling hope in themselves and their dreams, point them to their Creator and His love for them and bless them spiritually and financially.
The above scripture however, does not only paint the picture of a job seeker with many unfruitful attempts to secure a job but to anyone who has tried all known avenues to get something done. David was in a similar situation. It seemed as if God no longer answers prayers or better still, prayer is gradually becoming unfashionable as it looks like an exercise in futility.
Friend, God’s ears are not deaf, He is nearer to you than the very clothes you put on. But the reason why you need to go through all that you are experiencing is to fortify you and make you to be able to face any other thing that may come. This is the way James puts it;
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. James 1: 2- 4
To me, this means that what God is aiming at is for you to be strong in character and ready for even greater challenges that may come in the future. God means good for you so you must see it as an opportunity for joy. Something to laugh about! Just like a student that will never get promoted without writing an exam, you and I will need to sit and pass the faith test before we can move to the next level.
But why? The reason is simple. There are certain level of blessings or favor that will cause you to lose faith or backslide simply because it will be too much for you so God needs to work on your character before giving you what you can handle. For instance, if God gives some people their dream job, they’ll stop attending church services using the same job as an excuse. For others, the reason why they still pay their tithe now is because their tithe is in hundreds and reasonable (even others are not faithful in tithing the little they have). So when God blesses them with greater, tithing becomes a big challenge to them because their responsibilities will suddenly increase and simply say “God understands”.
To me, this means that what God is aiming at is for you to be strong in character and ready for even greater challenges that may come in the future. God means good for you so you must see it as an opportunity for joy. Something to laugh about! Just like a student that will never get promoted without writing an exam, you and I will need to sit and pass the faith test before we can move to the next level.
But why? The reason is simple. There are certain level of blessings or favor that will cause you to lose faith or backslide simply because it will be too much for you so God needs to work on your character before giving you what you can handle. For instance, if God gives some people their dream job, they’ll stop attending church services using the same job as an excuse. For others, the reason why they still pay their tithe now is because their tithe is in hundreds and reasonable (even others are not faithful in tithing the little they have). So when God blesses them with greater, tithing becomes a big challenge to them because their responsibilities will suddenly increase and simply say “God understands”.
So what do you do when God seems far?
Never pity yourself.
What many people do is to sit down to analyze their perils and start casting aspersions or blame their parents, spouse, the government, or even God. And burst into tears uncontrollably. This act of pity-partying and blame-game can lead to frustration or depression. But never do this. We are told to see the situations we’re faced with as an opportunity for joy. It is a sign that you have something precious inside of you that is being envied by the devil. Laugh it off!
Never pity yourself.
What many people do is to sit down to analyze their perils and start casting aspersions or blame their parents, spouse, the government, or even God. And burst into tears uncontrollably. This act of pity-partying and blame-game can lead to frustration or depression. But never do this. We are told to see the situations we’re faced with as an opportunity for joy. It is a sign that you have something precious inside of you that is being envied by the devil. Laugh it off!
Judge God faithful.
Whatever you’re faced with is coming to you because God knows you have what it takes to handle it. 1 Corinthians 10: 13 has changed my life forever. It reads; But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.
So, you must always remember 3 things;
1. What you’re faced with is common.
2. Judge God faithful and
3. IT’S YOUR SIZE!
Keep standing.
A soldier standing at attention is not bothered whatever happens around him. The reason why I used the cover photo of standing soldier is because that is the position we ought to take because we are to see ourselves as in a battle front. Read this; Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. Ephesians 6:13-14(NLT).
To keep standing, you must put on the belt of truth which is Jesus (He says, I am the way, the TRUTH and life). Hence, Jesus the Word of God- the bible is the belt of truth. Guard yourself with it. Study it so well that you know what it says in all circumstances. Ask yourself, What would Jesus Do (WWJD)? If Jesus was in the same situation, would He screw up and burst into tears or speak straight to the storm or problem. Study the Word and put it to work.
Shall we pray:
Lord, give me the grace not to fall but to keep standing in spite of my circumstances in Jesus name. Amen.
Whatever you’re faced with is coming to you because God knows you have what it takes to handle it. 1 Corinthians 10: 13 has changed my life forever. It reads; But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.
So, you must always remember 3 things;
1. What you’re faced with is common.
2. Judge God faithful and
3. IT’S YOUR SIZE!
Keep standing.
A soldier standing at attention is not bothered whatever happens around him. The reason why I used the cover photo of standing soldier is because that is the position we ought to take because we are to see ourselves as in a battle front. Read this; Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. Ephesians 6:13-14(NLT).
To keep standing, you must put on the belt of truth which is Jesus (He says, I am the way, the TRUTH and life). Hence, Jesus the Word of God- the bible is the belt of truth. Guard yourself with it. Study it so well that you know what it says in all circumstances. Ask yourself, What would Jesus Do (WWJD)? If Jesus was in the same situation, would He screw up and burst into tears or speak straight to the storm or problem. Study the Word and put it to work.
Shall we pray:
Lord, give me the grace not to fall but to keep standing in spite of my circumstances in Jesus name. Amen.
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