Downtime?!
Friday, February 13, 2009
When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.
Job 22: 29 (KJV)
It is a known fact that everything that works (man or machine) should have a time to recuperate or regain used up strength. Some banks go temporarily out of service due to system down time or for them to simply tell their customers that the system is down. For some of the internet service providers (ISP) or telecoms service providers, they simply say “no service" or "no network”.
Similarly, as humans, there are times when you know you’re not ill due to sickness but at the same time you know you’re not just well. You know something is not right about you…you simply feel down. For some, they don’t feel like rising up from the bed, for others, they prefer to be left alone. These experiences could be said to be periods of downtime.
Wikipedia defines downtime as periods when a system is unavailable. Downtime or outage duration refers to a period of time that a system fails to provide or perform its primary function.
If machines that are lifeless equipments could experience downtime and just stop working in order to rest and start working again. We may not be totally exempted from downtimes but we can live above it.
However, God has made certain provisions in His word to help get through those periods of downtime in our lives. Some of the things that help us get through these times and make us get back on track is what I intend to share with you.
It is Normal
It is good for you to know that when you continually stress yourself or go through a series of emotional torture overtime, you are most likely to breakdown in tears or inaction. But note that it is not where God intends you to remain. The above scripture says “when men are cast down” which means it is a matter of time- ‘when’ not ’if’. It is however not an excuse for you to be down at every instance, many have learnt to live above it- you too can.
Watch Your Mouth
What you say when you’re going through your downtime matters. Many have spoken themselves into the grave. Telling everyone you’re going through hell or that you can’t get out of this mess… you know those stuffs you say when you are down. It will not help you. Please speak POSITIVE words always. When David lost everything in 1Samuel 30, the bible says he encouraged himself in the Lord. Nobody will encourage you for you! Encourage yourself.
The same scripture above says ” I will say there is lifting up” I will say there is breakthrough, there’s favor, there’s advancement… Go ahead and say what you want because what you SAY is what you SEE.
Give a sacrifice of Praise
Hebrews 13: 15 (KJV) says ”By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name”
A sacrifice is something that is not convenient to do. This simply means we should use our lips to give praise to His name even when we seem down. Really, there may not be any reason to give Him thanks at that moment but it says you should sacrifice… what a mystery. The best time to give thanks is when things are not really going the way you want it. Praise calls for God’s presence and when God comes, all fears disappear. Give Him praise today. I’ve done mine this morning and I’ll still do it again and again…It works.
Restart
Technical persons have recommended that at times when system goes through downtime or malfunctions, simply restarting it can make it start working properly again. I have personally seen this happen several times. What you need during a downtime after doing the above might just be to revisit the issue or take the pains to start all over again. Don’t always forget to push the Restart button.
Rejoice
The initial intention of the devil is to get at your joy, to make you depressed and make you say negative things and blame God. God is not the one behind your downtime. Job’s wife told him to curse God and die, but Job never yielded, the end was that God gave him double of everything he had before except the wife and number of children. Don’t let the devil get at your joy. Rejoice always, again I say rejoice.
IF GOD HAS BROUGHT YOU TO IT, HE CAN TAKE YOU TRHOUGH IT.
I LOVE YOU!
Just Do it!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you.
Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful.
God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important, so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God
I Corinthians 1: 25 – 29(NLT)
The poem below is put together to encourage as many people as God has instructed to do certain things but have refused to take steps because what God has told them doesn’t make natural sense- it just looks “foolish” or too simple to be true. I wrote these words out on 16th of December, 2003 when He was leading in a direction that seems will never lead to the right path, but 5 years later when I looked at my poem note yesterday and saw these words, I now understand better why He is called the Alpha and the Omega, hence the inscription above, which represents the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet.
I can boldly say He is faithful to every jot of His word. Trust Him enough to commit your life to His hands.
Just do whatever He is leading you to do and leave the remaining with Him, He is ever faithful… digest it.
Do it!
It may not be sensible,
It may not be right,
It may not be clear,
It may not be wise but,
Whatever He tells you to do, do it!
How can water be turned to wine?
How can a rod path the sea?
How can I ever get any fish after toiling all night?
How can my skin be made whole from this leprosy?
Whatever He tells you to do, do it!
Make me know,
Make me understand,
Make me comprehend,
Make me realise but,
Whatever You tell me to do, I will do.
Why should I wait any longer?
Why should I wash in Jordan?
Why should I ever be saved again? But
Nevertheless at thy word, I will do whatever You ask me to do.
Remain blessed.
Growing and Harvest Seasons of Life
Friday, February 6, 2009
Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride
Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NLT)
So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
I should have finished this series last week but I got busy with some things-meetings, field audit and reading some interesting books. So, in order to quickly get done with this and talk about some other things which promises to be impactful, that's why I decided to combine the last two Seasons- Growing and Harvest Seasons of Life.
I'm just writing this with excitement and I know God has something positive in mind for the reader. Be expectant!
I also want to urge you to always drop a comment on your observations, thoughts or criticism after reading any post on this blog either by clicking on the 'Comment' link below this post or 'Contact Me' up there. It makes me know how much I connect to you.
Yes, growing and harvest seasons of our lives. Being the last in the series of Understanding of Times, let me attempt a very short recap of what we've discussed so far. We first discussed Planning and Planting Seasons of Life (you can scroll down to the previous posts). I want to share with you what to do after you have set your goals and have consciously started sowing seeds, there are certain things to do in order to experience your harvest. Just like no farmer plants and goes to sleep, so also you and I cannot just sow seeds or register for a school/ professional exam or start a relationship or start a business and then go to sleep. Those who do so do not get the required harvest, if they get any at all.
The scripture above says better is the end of a matter than the beginning. God is not just interested in you starting up something and then it giving up half way or not getting the full harvest. What are the things to do to get your desired harvest? They are in no way exhaustive but I've decided to summarize then below;
Diligence
Nothing WORKS until you WORK it. Many are simply complacent. They get contented with average living. They don't see any need to push further. Diligence is one of the most important attitude needed for growth. A child who is lazy to crawl or always wants to remain at the back of the mother may never walk. It is only the diligent hand that will bear rule. God's word says a man diligent in his business will stand before kings and not with mere men. The reason why you are moving around men with people of no repute or ordinary people is because you are not diligent! I told myself sometimes ago that I will not live an ordinary life and I gave myself up to give it all takes and the results are evident already. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. A lazy man has no future. Be consciously diligent!
Perseverance
Perseverance is another attitude needed for harvest. Diligence is hardwork but perseverance is dogged, persistent and relentless hardwork. It is a steady and continued action or belief, usually over a long period and especially despite difficulties or setbacks (Thesaurus). Every successful farmer must persevere in order to harvest. It means you keeping doing what you believe in spite of the obstacles. Even if what you planted have been uprooted, replant! Isaac dug a couple of wells and continued digging until he got to his Rehoboth. Many people keep too soon. If you've done all you know to do and you don't seem to see result, persevere- keep at it. It will speak at the end. Be tenacious!
Self discipline
When the harvest eventually comes, you need to be disciplined not to allow it to get into your head. Plenty can get into one's head. It may shock you to hear that the reason why God has not answered some people is because they will backslide if He gives them what they are praying for. God will not give you what will make Him lose you. Some people can just be very undisciplined with money- they buy at impulse, no budget, no investments, just buy what they want and not what they really need. I'm not against giving yourself a treat once in a while, but don't make God see you as a prodigal son because of what He has blessed you with. Be sensitive!
Re-sow part of the harvest
This is an interesting principle. Every fruit carries its seed within it. Orange has orange seed within it, guava, mango, yam…name it. If you decide to eat all your fruit, there will be nothing to sow again which implies no future harvest. Always plough back part of your harvest back to investment. It is crucial. Also, remember to give a tenth of it to God- this is known as tithing to acknowledge Him as the source. Don't eat all, be wise!
Give Thanks
We cannot overemphasize the need to give thanks to the God who made your seed to grow in the first place. Paul plants and Apollo waters but it is God that gives the increase. Always remember, there's a hand behind everything that is moving. Consciously remember to give Him thanks to preserve the blessings. In Malachi 2:1-2, God says that those who fail to give Him glory stand the risk of being cursed even with the blessings.
When last have you taken time to give Him quality thanks. Take some time out to sincerely thank Him for your life today.
Remember, maximize this one life you have to live. The world is waiting for what you have to offer!
You are blessed!
Planting Season of Life
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Don’t be misled. Remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow.
Galatians 6:7 (NLT)
What is planting?
Planting is the process of sowing seeds. It is the process of investing (time, energy, resources) in anticipation for future harvest or rewards.
PLANTING IS TAKING RISKS FOR FUTURE RETURNS
It implies therefore, that the kind of result that we want in the future should determine the kind of seeds that we sow today.
STOP SPENDING TIME, START INVESTING TIME.
Tips to note about Planting or Sowing
It is not for now.
It requires determination and focus
It is a time of labour and diligence
It cannot be done just at anytime- It has timing
It requires patience
The seed to plant usually comes from past success
HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR PLANTING SEASON
Take responsibility for your life
Responsibility is the mark of maturity. Sowing requires taking responsibility. To be responsible means to be accountable for the outcomes of our actions. Enough of blaming our parents for probably not giving us quality education or not giving us proper moral guidance! Enough of regretting our family background or wishing we came from a more influential family or background. The reality is that we are now here, the best we can do is to take positive steps to ensure that we advance in spite of our negative circumstances.
Don’t continue giving excuses or explaining the reason why you failed!
You should not allow anyone to think for you or tell you the right thing for your life. Be responsible!
Sow the seed now
One thing about planting of seed is that it has timing. You cannot plant certain seeds at particular times of the year. Why? It has timing. So also with our lives, there are certain things we cannot do at a particular time or age. Why? It would be considered as late. Procrastination is the greatest thief of time and the fastest route to mediocrity. Avoid postponing what you can do now! Never be afraid to take risk.
DON’T EAT UP THE WHOLE OF YOUR TODAY- EAT TO LIVE, DON’T LIVE TO EAT!
Sow in faith
It is not just enough to sow at the right time, our sowing has to be done in faith. Faith says, although I can’t see the harvest yet, but I believe the seed will germinate and grow. That’s why the scripture says Paul may plant and Appolos can water the seed, but it is God that ultimately gives the increase or makes it to grow. I Corinthians 3:6
The God-factor cannot be over-emphasized. Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? He is the only one that can help you to achieve your dreams and He loves you.
Remember, whether you fail or succeed, it’s your fault! Be blessed.
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Planning Season of Life
Monday, January 26, 2009
Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of
They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and ran
“Or what king would ever dream of going to war without first sitting down
If he is not able, then while the enemy is still far away, he will send a
Luke 14:28- 32 (NLT)
It is tragic to note that many people spend more time planning trivial matters of life than planning for the most important matters of their very life.
What are your life goals? How big is your dream(s) for the future?
Answers to these questions, however, may not come handy unless you have a working knowledge of the time of your life that you are in. Jesus said in the scripture above that those who build or go to war or who wsih to become His disciples must first need to count the cost before setting out if they don’t want to see shame. Many are faced with shame or find themselves in a fix today because they fail to plan.
WHATEVER TIME IS SPENT PLANNING IS NOT A WASTE BUT AN INVESTMENT.
What is planning?
Simply, it is deciding ahead of time what to do and how to achieve it. Someone defined it as “using your HEAD to go AHEAD”.
Two key factors in planning are ENDS (goals or objectives) and MEANS (strategies or methods). It is believed that the reason why many people refuse to plan is because they do not have any goal for living.
LIVING WITHOUT A GOAL IS LIVNG LIKE A GOAT!
How to maximize you Planning Season
Discover your purpose for living
Every human being created in God’s image is meant to fulfil a particular purpose, but we have a duty to discover from the Creator why He has created us. No product determines its purpose. A television set or laptop does not decide on its own what it wants to do, the manufacturer does. It is the same with us humans, WE DON’T DETERMINE WHAT WE WANT TO DO, WE ARE TO DISCOVER IT. I believe this where many are failing.
Set achievable goals for living
It is a common saying that “Rome was not built in a day” and that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. If purpose is the reason for our living, then we need to set achievable short-term, medium-term and long-term goals towards its realization and to write it down. This is planning. Ask yourself, “What do I want to achieve this year or in the next 5 years and so on but it is crucial to set only achievable goals. For instance, if you earn just N20,000 and you set a goal of buying a car within a year. If you ever get to buy one you may not be the one to ride it because you may have starved yourself to death. The point is that the goals to be set must be achievable ones.
Commit your plans to God
God’s word says we can make plans but only what God intends will come to pass. Hence, there’s a lot of wisdom in making plans and placing them before Good for His sanction. It is the God factor in the plans that we make that makes the journey of life great. Only the counsel of God will stand.
In conclusion, planning is so important that living without a set goal is like playing a football game without a goal post… Can you imagine how frustrating and tiring that can be?
You have only this one life to live, maximize your living!
Understanding of Times
Monday, January 19, 2009
Genesis 8:22 (NLT)
There is a time for everything,
a season for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to rebuild.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to lose.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NLT)
While I was in church last Sunday, I had a nudging to start a series on the Understanding of Times and I strongly believe God has someone in mind to further brighten our knowledge on the importance of following Divine Timing in actualizing God’s purpose for our living. For many, it is not that they do not have a purpose for living, but they lack the understanding of knowing when to launch out to start the business or register for the course or to start the relationship.
It is a known fact that a clear understanding of God’s purpose for our life is the most important discovery we could make as humans, which is why my mentor Dr Munroe says that “When purpose is not defined, abuse is inevitable”. In simple terms, we cannot avoid abnormal living if we do not have a clearly defined reason for living.
Having said this, I want to submit that while understanding of purpose is crucial, setting out for its fulfillment requires proper timing.
“WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING OF TIMES, LIFE WILL BE LIVED IN FRUSTRATION AND REDUCED TO MERE GUESSWORK”
What is Time?
Perhaps, this may be the most tasking question to ask anyone. However, I would to define simply as the occasion or duration of an event. It is said to be the appointed season for a happening or event to take place. The second scriptural passage above shows that there is time for everything. Although, God created time, He lives outside time. That is, God cannot be limited by time- the day and night that we experience. No wonder the bible says a thousand years (of humans) is like a day with the Lord. It says in another place that He neither sleeps nor slumber.
Characteristics of Time
It is impartial
It cannot be stored
It is nobody’s enemy
It can be invested or wasted or used up
It is reliable or definite or predictable
It is a measure of life
It is continuous/ does not wait or stop
It carries with it opportunities
Understanding of Times
Our entire life is measured in second, minutes, hours, days, months and years. By implication, what I do with my seconds eventually affects the years I live. Until we understand the times we are in, we will not be able to maximize our living. One of the tribes of Israel known as the tribe of Issachar, were said to understand the temper of times and knew what Israel ought to do at the right time, therefore all their brethren were at their command. Hence, those who clearly understand the times we are will take the lead.
In life, there are four seasons known as WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER and the AUTUMN. In this series, I will be taking these seasons as follows;
WINTER - PLANNING SEASON
SPRING – PLANTING or INVESTING SEASON
SUMMER – CULTIVATING or GROWING SEASON
AUTUMN – HARVEST or YIELDING SEASON
To break it down according to Dr. Dennis Watley in his book Timing is Everything, these four seasons happen does not follow a sequence but an individual may be at different seasons in varying areas of life like career, marriage, academics or relationship. What this means in simply terms is that you could have gotten married, thus being in your harvest season in your marriage and then decide to take up an additional degree from school, which means you will probably be in your planting season as regards academics. But which way it goes, Timing is crucial to its fulfillment.
WHEN A FARMER MISSES HIS PLANTING SEASON, HE WILL HAVE NOTHING TO HARVEST DURING THE HARVEST SEASON. WHAT ARE YOU PLANTING NOW?
IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING OF TIMES
To maximize the moments or opportunities that comes our way.
To be able to rise up early for the fulfillment of purpose
To help in overcoming anxiety
To give focus and direction for living
To be able to gain speed and eliminate guesswork.
In the next post, I will explain the Planning Season of our lives and what to do to take advantage of it.
Starting the Year with the Lord
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Trust him, and he will help you.
Psalms 37:5 (NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn your back on evil.
Then you will gain renewed health and vitality.
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything your land produces.
Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with the finest wine.
Proverbs 3:5-10 (NLT)
Whether we are conscious of it or not, one whole week is gone in this brand new 2009. What have you been able to do within this 168 hours? Are you still basking in the euphoria of the celebration of this year that is so pregnant with possibilities that will only bring forth to those who are really ready for it?
I believe strongly that among other things needed to get things right this year is to Start the Year with the Lord. Yes, I know you prayed to usher-in this New Year and you probably join several millions all over the world who go to church for the Crossover Service but prayer is just one of the several things to do. The 1st scriptural verse above admonishes us not to assume that God already knows our ways but that we should commit our ways to the Lord.
I have a few thoughts here on how you can actually Start on a clean slate with the Lord in this new year.
Have a set goal
What are your goals for the New Year? What are the ways you intend to take? What are the plans you have set for yourself? We have quoted several times the saying that “Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail”. Not just having it in mind but to have it document on paper. The scriptures says write the vision down, make it plain. Habakkuk 2:2. What is that professional designation you want as a prefix or suffix after your name by the end of 2009? Is it ACA, MBBS, ACCA, CCNA, CISA, Dr, PhD, B. Sc, MCSE…? The list is endless, however, all these can only come by knowing what you really want from the early hours of the year that we are in.
Are there terrible habits you displayed last year, set goals on dropping them this year? The need for us not just to have set goals but have them clearly documented for continuous review cannot be overemphasized.
Forget the Past
Imagine a driver driving at top speed and then looking back. Such a driver will be heading for a crash. For you to move forward in the New Year, you will have to forget the past. I am not just referring to the negative things that happened last year but also the positive successes and breakthroughs as both the positives and the negatives have the potentials of limiting our level of attainment in the New Year. Apostle Paul, one of the most accomplished Apostles says in spite of all his achievements that one thing that makes him to keep moving on is to forget the past and reach forward to things that are ahead. If you don’t forget the past, God forbid that you pass with it. Yes, you had plans last year too that did not materialize, you lost so much in form of shares and investments, you were highly celebrated and attained heights that is rarely attained by anyone. Many others did too, but to move forward in this year forget all of it but endeavour to learn from it whether good or bad.
Disregard Distractions
No doubt, anytime a goal is set there will be competing forces primarily aimed at making you not to achieve the goals you have set. They do not come with bold plaques bearing DISTRACTIONS on them, in other words they usually come unnoticed and unannounced. Which ever way they come, what to do with them is simple, Disregard them. If Ruth had regarded the pressure from her mother-in-law, she wouldn’t have become Jesus’ great grand-mother, if Noah had listened to the people, he would have perished with them when the flood came. Peter regarded the wind and he began to sink. Sin (disobedience to God) is the greatest distraction from attaining your goals
Kingdom Investments
Although you may not believe in this but there is a place for kingdom investments. What do I mean? The bible says we should lay up treasures for ourselves in heaven. By this, it implies that we need to give the course of God’s kingdom- those things that makes God’s kingdom to flourish. Tithing (which is, giving one-tenth of your income to God), giving of alms to the needy and giving to every other thing that betters humanity. It says in the second passage above that we should honour God with our substance (that is everything you’ve got) acknowledging that it came from God in the first instance. It helps to preserve the remaining and remove the devourers.
Be wise
Wisdom is said to be the principal thing. It is wisdom to know what to do and to do it. To know the right way to go is Knowledge but actually going there is Wisdom. By being wise I mean, always remember to give the glory back to the Doer. Someone has said, God has no problem blessing us if there’s no one stealing His glory. As the increases begin to come in in the year 2009, always remember to give the glory to God.
I know you’ll be a thousand times better than where you are now by year end.
