Love the Tool for an Excellent Spirit

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.  1 Corinthians 13: 1- 2 KJV

Here, Apostle Paul was speaking to the church of God in Corinth but especially more to the leaders of the church and the nation. He says that love is a very important tool in Christianity and leadership.
What is love? We need to research it and it is there in the scripture. Love is the strongest tool that binds man. When we research it we need to constantly compare to the definition of love we have.

The biggest test of our Christianity is not a test of what we do or say but a test of what is in our heart. It is our thoughts, what are we thinking in our hearts towards our brothers, neighbour? We are used to thinking one thing and saying something else. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account. Hebrews 4: 12-13 NET

A man who goes about praising people while they cure those people in their heart does not exemplify love. Love must begin from the heart; it starts with how we relate with people and those things we say and think about them when they are not with us.

Having love in your heart towards all of mankind frees you from pain and the shackles of pain, hate, anger, failure and lack. Today I implore you to open up your heart to love. Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Mathew 22: 37 – 40 KJV. 

A life without regret pt.2

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 

Luke 16: 22-25 KJV

A lot of people might end up with one form of regret or another if we don’t know what we do at the end of life or where we would be when death comes calling.

People generally fall into 4 categories which are;

1. A group of people who never knew what life could be. They live in complete ignorance of what life is or what their life could be. (the lame man at the pool of Bethesda)
2. A group of people who see a bit of possibility but do not have the capability or think they do not have the ability, capacity or right spirit to make the best of it. A lot of people see them themselves as non-achievers
3. A group of people who have opportunity, see the opportunity and have the capacity to make the best of the opportunity but misuse the opportunity. What they use the opportunity for was not what it was designed to be used for. 
4. A group of people who through sacrifice, knowledge and understanding made the best of all opportunities in the best way possible. They can say I have finished the race

A lot of people would look back and say, “if I had known”. In the first part of this topic we spoke about people who were facing death but didn’t want to die as they do not know where they would go after death.

A lot of people don’t understand life and what life should be. We spend so much time building up a future that brings a burden and life of regret. Luke 16: 19- tells of a very rich man who had more than enough to eat; there was a poor beggar who looked to eat of the scrap left to the dogs. According to the rich man he lived a very good life. He sat very respectably over the city but at the end of that life he had regrets.

What kind of life are we living at this time of our life? Are you going to say at the end of your life that it was a great life, a well lived life or will you say it was a life filled with regrets? Will be on your bed and spend the end of your life thinking of all you could have done things differently? Do you care for the ordinary person you see on the street? Do you see a beggar on the road and help them? Do you consider other people and make their life a bit more brilliant? How many of you pick up a child and send them to school? How many of you see your friend going through hard times and help make his life better? How many of you know the name of your staff?

The rich man had wealth but his life was a failure. The other one was poor but the life he lived ended in success.

A life without regret

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12: 1&7 KJV

This morning we look at the subject “a life without regret”. We will start and continue it through a few more posts.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 tells us a little story written by the man who was considered the wisest, most profound and richest man in the world at his time. A man was promised by God that there was none as wise as he was and there shall be known as wise as he is.

He says, ’remember your creator in the time of your youth’. Remember the lord in the days when you have the wisdom and capacity to serve Him. As in time, sooner than we think, the end of life as we know it on earth will come for each of us and our spirit will return to God who has given it. Solomon was saying that in spite of it all, he has a few regrets. We shall not have regrets at the end of our life in Jesus name, Amen
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One of my favourite people is a doctor. He said in his career he has witnessed 3 categories of people that pass through the hospital

1. People who are in a coma with no knowledge of what is going on in life. They are in a vegetative state with no strength or power over their own life. Someone else or a group of people have the say or control over whether they continue to live or the plug be pulled to end their life. A lot of people go through this category of life
2. There are a lot of people struggling with life. They have tears on their face and they are begging the doctor to save them. They are so afraid to die as they have no idea what comes after death. They are neither prepared nor are they ready for life to end. Alas, there is no one on earth who will not die; death will come for each of us at any time. I have seen death leave the poor and take the rich; take the rich and leave the poor, leave the weak and take the strong.
3. Then there are those who are peaceful, comfortable, calmly reassured and seem to know exactly where they are going when they die. They look death in the face and say, “death do your worst for I know where I am going”. 

You need to be prepared for that day so that you don’t look back and have regret. What are those things in your past that when you look back you begin to regret. Today is the time you must make amends because no one knows what tomorrow will bring.

Some of us have wasted time on things that have no value, spent our life in anger and a lot other things that when we look back we would regret and wish we had done things differently.

We don’t want to wait till the time when we have to say I didn’t know that it would end like this, I wish I could tell you I love you, I wish I had not said those words, I didn’t know it would lead to death. Our prayer is that we would not live a life of regret so that in our old age we would be at peace with our past. Billy Graham said there are 3 things that science cannot solve

1. The wickedness of man
2. The suffering of the world 
3. The certainty of death

I don’t know how your life is going now. I don’t know if you are busy with the things of life, planning parties and thinking of how to look better than your neighbor; know this “Life will go on without you when you are gone”.

Jesus was speaking to Mary and Martha and He said Mary has chosen the most important thing “the kingdom of God”. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10: 42 KJV. What part have you chosen?

You must redirect, refocus and reprogram your life and leave all the struggles of life. If you are a living being visit the hospitals and see human beings like yourself who can’t help themselves. The second place you must visit is the mortuary so that you can see one day exactly how you must end. The third place is the grave, go there and see your final resting place.

Talk to Jesus today about your life; God has given us a special gift of life and we must make good of it. If someone like Solomon can look back and regret, then we need to check our life.

If there is something in our life that we have done that we regret or did that we find difficult to tell to anyone else; I implore us today to talk to Jesus about it. If you know you haven’t been close to Jesus as you should be, put your right hand on your heart and ask Jesus into your life so that He can help you and show you His mercy.

Making it through times of difficulties Pt. 2

And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria. 25 And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver. 2 Kings 6: 24-25 KJV

Genesis 22: 21-22 let us know that hard times can repeat itself. Isaac wanted to use the old solution to the problem since it had happened before but God gave him a different solution and he was blessed. We read that Isaac sowed in the same land where there was famine and he yielded a hundredfold so much so that the people of the land where he lived envied him.

In Samaria during the time of famine, the solution came through a man that was not popular or loved by the ruling class of the land. The Lord spoke into the situation and it happened just as the man-of-God, Elisha, said.

Peter was a fisher man and they were at sea the whole night without catching any fish. In the morning a solution came in the form of Jesus using the boat first and when He was done asking them to set out. The fish they caught was more than they could handle.

We need to develop a nothing to lose attitude as seen in Esther 4:16. She was willing to lose her life in other to save her people. We must take a stand for Jesus today and every other day. When we take a stand for Jesus, He will stand for us.

Overcoming opportunities requires that we have faith. Move without expecting everything to be properly aligned. In life nothing is equal unlike the popular saying “all things being equal”.
We should learn to give our way out of our problems. It is when we are faced with challenges that we should give more. We are not only giving our resources or time. However, the most important thing is to give our life to Jesus Christ.

Ask yourself this simple question today as you face those good and hard times; “is Jesus a part of my life, is He in the boat of life with me?” If the answer is no, then you need to invite Him into the boat to help calm the storm.

It is not your business to figure out how God will do it; the solution and how it will come is in God’s hands. It is not our responsibility to figure out how; ours it to take action when He commands or tells us to. In Isaiah God says His words will not return to Him.

Making it through times of difficulties

And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria. 25 And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver. 2 Kings 6: 24-25 KJV

Samaria was besieged by the army of the enemy, subdued and facing starvation. It was so bad that they ate dung of dogs and some women boiled their children to eat. Times were hard in Samaria but whether we like it or not, hard times are part of life.

Never say a man is great until you see his end. The bible is very sure; we live in a fallen world. Hard times can come in different ways; financial, social, marital, emotional. But whatever we are going through now, it is not new. For there is nothing new under the sun.

When written in Chinese the word crises comprise of 2 characters; crises and opportunities. Therefore, each hardship is made of the crises and the opportunity that it brings.

The man Job in the bible tells us that, Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Job 14: 1-2 KJV
However right Job may be, Jesus encourages us with these words; I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.” John 16:33 KJV

If you wake up tomorrow and situations of life change, the world will continue to go on.
What are the reasons for hard times?

1. Lack of adequate preparation
2. Past mistakes based on wrong investments, relationships, choices and friends
3. Lack of understanding of the times (sons of Issachar understood the times)
4. Compromises we have made, cutting corners, bribery
5. Lack of spiritual discipline; no prayers, no fasting, no meditation on God’s words Joshua 1:8
6. We forget that there are opportunities during the hard times

Any situation outside what God ordains as an answer to the hard times will lead to frustration because it is a solution that will not last. In a lot of times the solution to that very great problem may just be a very small solution.

We need God to make it through hard times for He alone can make a way out of difficult situations in life. Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow. Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43 : 16 -19 KJV. 

The Power of Praise 2018

 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3 KJV

And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. 2 Chronicles 20: 20 - 22

The Lord inhabits the praise of His people.

When we gather together to praise God with a heart true and full of gratitude doors begin to open and chains holding us down are broken.

Just as Paul and Silas praised while they were bound in the prison and the chains, gates and all that held them captive broke open, we also gather today to praise God for 24 hours to open up the gates of success, and blessings.

Prayers climb up to God, however, the bible makes us understand that when we praise God comes down Himself to dwell and bask in the praise.

What does it mean to carry your cross daily?

We need to be concerned about the next person. We should exemplify care and comfort, people around us should never be lonely or left on their own. We should endeavour to be the friend that sticks closer than a brother.

People need help, so we should be ready, willing and available to help others. So many people are floundering in their journey through life. So many people are there waiting and all they need is for you to shine that light that would chase the darkness away for them.

God has put you in people’s lives to make a difference. Therefore, certain things are important in our role as the tool for shining the light on the life of the people around us.

1. Give hope to the people around you
2. Be a companion – ready to listen and help
3. Be the bridge that gets people from where they to where they are supposed to be

There are two questions for us today, questions that determine the level of understanding we all have.

1. Why do people look for Jesus?
2. What does it mean to carry your cross daily? 

To carry your cross daily is to take your destiny serious, to take responsibility on a daily basis. To wake up each day to fulfill that thing (purpose) your life is about. Your responsibility is to yourself, to the people in your care, to the nation and community you live in. 

To follow Jesus successfully, we need to be ready to be responsible for our choices and our purpose.
May the Lord give us the power to take up our cross and live up to the purpose for which we are born.

To live up to our purpose we need one key ingredient and that is knowledge. We must seek knowledge and the greatest source of knowledge is God Himself.  Therefore, we should seek the knowledge that God gives. We must ask God to help us and be with us. Every morning when we wake up we must commit our day and life into the hands of God.

We need to make sure we are in constant communication with God. We are to commit our ways into the hands of God always not choosing the day to communicate with Him or doing it alone in times when we are in a jam or in trouble.

Be ready to serve God irrespective of the level we are on the ladder of success. You need God more when you are at the top of the ladder because it is only by His grace that you will be able to stay at the top and use your position well.

What is life all about?

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 

Psalm 90: 10 KJV

Life is God’s idea. Life is short. The bible says the days of a man are 3 score and 10 years. The mountain of age is difficult to climb, in health, wealth and companionship.

The life we live is a loan that is given to us from God. We all will return the spirit to the owner to give account of it before our maker. So we need to treat life very carefully, warmly, considerably, respect, attention and care.

We agree that there will always be a storm in life just as we have it in nature. The storm will come but we will be able to rise above them.

What is life all about? What is the whole purpose of God bringing you to this life?

• The life we live is about serving God
• It is about the achievement and actualization of the purpose of creation

I think that life is just simply an exam and all that we come up with is just ways to pass the exam. It is simply how we work at passing the exam. The spirit is eternal, it doesn’t die and returns to God for our works and thoughts to be judged.

Our life is about how much time we spend with God and the amount of time we spend doing His will and reflecting His image.

Is your life on the wrong trajectory? Pt. 2

And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

Acts 7: 23-25 KJV

During my stay in England, I met this man who was a Nigerian. He spoke with a Nigerian Southwest accent and knew some affluent people in England. He lived in England and paid for his children’s education in one of the best schools in Lagos Nigeria. One day we found out he worked as a cleaner; we were surprised and asked him a question. Sir you dress well and speak well; and with all the people you say you know why is it that this is where you work? His response was very revealing; he told us that he had struggled in life and his life took a wrong trajectory and he found himself where he is.

What are those things that we can do to put our life on the right path again?

1. Moses realized that his life was in the wrong program. We need to know that there is only one way that is right before God. Jesus said that He is the way, truth and life. A lot of us don’t realize in good time that our life is on the wrong path. 
2. You must be determined and be desperate enough to say that your life must have a turn around. We should not be comfortable with the pain, violence, circumstances and challenges of our life. We should not be tolerant of bad things or things not working out for us.
3. You must come to the mountain of God. The bible says Moses kept the flock of his father-in-law but he went to the mountain where he saw the burning bush. What does that mean? He got born again and submitted himself to the will of God.
4. Believe in the one true God and accept the gift of life that He has given through Christ Jesus.
5. You must give your life to Jesus Christ. You must be born again; truly and wholly. 
6. Turn aside, follow a new path and seek a new direction for your life. You cannot do the same thing all the time and expect a new result. 
7. Be ready to hear God and obey Him. When God saw that Moses was ready to hear Him; that Moses was paying attention, that was when God spoke to him and showed him the things that he wants to do in Egypt.

Whatever we are going through today, I want to assure us that God will reprogram our life. Talk to the Almighty King; the only one that can re-program your life and ask him for help. What makes us look most like God is our ability to make the right choice.

God is going to move in your life this season in Jesus name. Whatsoever mistake you have made or your parents have made that has put you in the backside of life the Lord God shall cancel them today.
Ask God today to change the program of your life. That He who has created you should reprogram your life to the original purpose for which you were created and help you to fulfil that purpose in Jesus.

Whatever is wrong in your life ask the Lord to have mercy today and let my life have a turn around.
Remember that it is never too late for God to bring about a turnaround in your life. This Moses whom they refused, saying, ‘Who made thee a ruler and a judge?’ the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. Acts 7: 35 – 36 KJV. Moses was 80 years when his life had the turnaround to the original purpose for which he was born. You can also have that turnaround today.

Is your life on the wrong trajectory? Pt. 1

And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

Acts 7: 23-25 KJV

I was speaking at a wedding yesterday and I spoke on “your life is not your idea”. Basically, the life you live is an idea of the one who created you; the one who created the life you live. Your life is not a mistake; before you were born he already knew you. He created you and decided into which womb you would grow.

Number one is that our life is not our idea; number two, our life has a purpose. God has a program for our life. Moses never thought, neither did he imagine it, that he would still be keeping a small flock at the age of 80 years. At the age of 40 years Moses knew he was born to do great thing; he was born to be the one to deliver his people from slavery. However, the program of his life went wrong the day he decided that he would take law into his own hands and do things his own way. He thought that the Israelis would know that he was their deliverer but when he tried to intervene in a fight between his brothers he got the shock of his life. What he had done a couple of days prior was not hidden, but the Israelis made him realize that what he thought he had done was known.

Moses who was brought up as an Egyptian became the enemy of both the Egyptians and the Israelis. He had nowhere to stand and so he had to flee and run into the desert. Like Moses a lot of us make that one mistake that changes the course of our life. We are like Moses finding ourselves in the desert and not being able to find our way out of the downhill slide our life is moving towards.

At the age of 80 years it had not ended for Moses. Therefore, it has not ended for you. Acts 7:22-36. God’s promise to Abraham was that Israel will be in Egypt 400 years but just at the time that the promise was to be fulfilled Moses made a mistake and the time was delayed another 30 years.
Although Moses saw himself and understood the times, the children of Israel his brethren did not. Therefore, they who Moses was supposed to lead out of captivity turned against him.

David did the same when he committed adultery with Bathsheba the wife of Uriah the Hitite. That one small challenge brought a problem into his family that didn’t depart from it even after his death. Therefore, some of us grow us to inherit the result of the mistakes our parents made.

Nigeria at 58 – The yearning of nation Pt. 2

Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. 

Exodus 1: 8 – 10 KJV

Exodus 1: 1-15

The goal of the Nigerian elitist leaders is to keep the people in the bondage of poverty so that they can rule over them. We have to refuse the paradigm and open our eyes to see the beauty and wonder of the nation called Nigeria.

After hundreds of years of the children of Israel living in the land of Egypt, there was a Pharaoh (leader) who did not know Joseph. When he came into power he decided that they must enslave the Israelis who came into their land as a free people.

In Nigeria, our current crop of leaders who are like the proverbial pharaohs that know no Joseph and they are superintending and ruling over the affairs of Nigeria. They have put task masters and officers over us.

1. There are some kings that do not know Joseph over Nigeria. Whether we believe it or not our colonial masters did not design Nigeria to succeed. They made sure it was almost impossible for Nigeria to survive and its citizens to thrive. 
2. We have task masters and officers. The task masters were Egyptians and the officers are Israelis. The same is happening in Nigeria today. Our leaders are our task masters and the average man are the officers
3. The people who do not mind suffering and smiling. The people have become like the ostrich thinking that things will get better by themselves. Each individual must rise up to say that ‘thus far we go and no more’ and work at the change we want to see in our nation. 
4. We must get for ourselves a visionary leader. Those who are concerned and filled with love and patriotism for Nigeria. We need someone who is learned in all the ways of Nigeria with a vision for Nigeria that will take Nigeria to that promised land. The person must be knowledgeable, well behaved, available for the people of Nigeria, ready to die for this nation, intelligent, filled with wisdom, capable and responsible, must be a nationalist.
5. We must get into a place of knowledge. Without knowledge and education, it is going to be a tough fight to move forward in this nation. 

The trend of rule and leadership over Nigeria makes it difficult for Nigeria to reach its full potential. It is time for us to cry to out and take a stand and say enough is enough.

Nigeria at 58 – The yearning of nation Pt. 1

Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. 

Exodus 1: 8 – 10 KJV

Exodus 1: 1-15

Nigeria is a blessed country; it is an extremely blessed country. There is no part of Nigeria that is not blessed. The bible said that Joseph died and all his generation died, and a ruler came in Egypt who knew not Joseph. During this time the children of Israel grew and they were much and great.
Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa and has the highest number of black population in the world. It is the 4th largest population in Nigeria.

In Nigeria, we are blessed with about 36 mineral resources with much potential than the oil that the country has focused on as a means of revenue generation. Nigeria has extreme resource.
Some Nigerians are some of the most intelligent, most efficient, most knowledgeable and capable people in all parts of the world where they are found; whatever the field or profession.
There is extreme illiteracy even in this nation; about 70% of this great country are poor to the extreme.

Nigerians are known to serve with rigor and hardship under the burden of enslavement to poverty and the rule of bad leadership.

What are the problems of the nation Nigeria?

1. The people enjoy the suffering; they are suffering and smiling and have refused to set their pharaohs aside
2. We don’t know a leader when we see one and we don’t know the kind of leader we want. That is why when anybody shows we accept just anybody
3. We have an entitlement mentality; always thinking only of things that benefit ourselves
4. Nobody wants to give something; everybody wants to receive everything 
5. Not taking responsibility - The problem of Nigeria has to do with the individual citizen of Nigeria; no one wants to take responsibility but would rather put the blame at someone else’s doorstep. 

What can we do to make Nigeria great?

1. Be involved in the life of people at the grassroots level
2. We need to have a working template that is the fundamental things that must run irrespective of who is in position of leadership
3. There is need for individual change, every Nigerian must become a reflection of the kind of leader they need
4. We need to start believing in the nation and speak positively about the nation Nigeria. 
5. Refuse to vote in the leaders that are not competent to be in power. 

God called unto him out of the midst

And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. Exodus 3: 3-4 KJV

A lot of us find ourselves in a position or place that we are not meant to be. Where we are and the situation we are in are not what we expected or anticipated. What we have, where we are and what is happening in our life is nowhere near what we had dreamed about. Our marriage, job or career choice, relationships haven’t turned out like we had planned it. So we find ourselves in a position where we are stuck; not able to go forward or backward.

Why are we stuck? Most of us at one point or the other made a life changing mistake or make some choices that changed the course of our life. The choices we make growing up can change entirely the course of our life and God’s program for our life.

Know this day that God is ready to fight for you and to cause a change in your life. The solution is not to belabor the past and our mistakes but to look forward and seek to reprogram our life to the right path.

I tell you today that you are not going to take the wrong turn. This is why as parents we are to be attentive to our children and the changes in their life. We need to pay attention to our children, we need to be observant to the changes in their life.

He suddenly realized that his life is on the wrong program. The challenge in life is that some people do not know they are in the wrong program. They believe and accept the place where they find themselves. They accept the wrong program for their life and conclude that that is the best they can do and can be. 

A lack of knowledge. Illiteracy in high and low places. People are not able to stand on their own and hold people around them and in position of leadership accountable. They fail to know that where they are is not where they are supposed to be. Hosea 4: 6.

We must be determined and desperate to change where we are. We must not allow our life to go into mediocrity.  As long as we accept the situation of our life as it is we will remain there. God needs our co-operation; He needs our participation to change our life.

We must put our foot down and work towards a change in our life, in where we are. In Genesis 40: 12-15, we read of Joseph working to reprogram his life. As we look to God for a change in our life, God will put us in remembrance of the person who will be used to transform our life.

The good news is that God is able and willing to reprogram your life to be on the right track, on the right path. He will enter into your life (if you allow him and ask Him) and make a U-turn that will put you on the path that allows your life to be filled with goodness, joy and success.

Like Moses we need to turn aside and see why things are the way they are. It is after Moses decided to turn aside that He called him out of the program that his life was in and into the program his life was created to be.

Be a pillar of righteousness

And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Acts 4: 35

Every one of us can get involved in government. How can we do this?

• You as an individual should be a pillar of righteousness
• Let your home be a pillar of righteousness
• Make sure your community is a pillar of righteousness
• Demand righteousness from your leaders

The major challenge we have towards growth and success is ignorance and lack of knowledge. We need to educate our people, let them know right from wrong and good from bad.
Today we have segregation in the world and this has also entered into the church. The church is a place for all, because rich or poor, we are the same in the sight of God.

We have to open our eyes and realize that no condition in life is permanent. We must come together to establish a righteous church and place for all, not leaving anyone out irrespective of who they are or where they are from.

One of the main roles of the church is to redistribute wealth amongst the people. They are to make sure that the wealth in and within the nation should go round with no one or family remaining poor.
A lot of people have a sense of entitlement. We believe that the world and the people around us owe us something. If people are serious and ready to work, then the church should be ready to ensure that they are empowered to succeed.

As Christians we must focus on the people and what the word says about loving our neighbour as ourselves. The love of the world and the money it holds should not be allowed to have sway in the church and among its people.

Christians must wake up to their responsibility. We must begin to rethink, we must stretch forth our hands and be united against the common enemy that wants to fight the church and the spread of the gospel.

Church should be able to identify the serious people and help them to start small and grow into greatness.

Re-programming your life

Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. Exodus 3: 1 KJV

Exodus 3: 1-10; Exodus 7: 9

Moses was 80 years old when he encountered the burning bush. To all intent he would have been considered a failure; he was working for his father in-law and beholden to his wife’s family. A lot of us see ourselves in this light as well.

Why are people considered failures? Some people have their life programed in the wrong way.

• We do not have the right kind of mentors 1 Samuel 2: 22. A lot of us have failed because we do not have the right kind of mentor-ship. If this is your case, you must reprogram your life
• A lot of us did not determine at a young age how we want our future to be. A lot of us did not define for ourselves how we like to see ourselves in the future. Gen 37: 4
• We do not have a vision of how our life’s success should be. What is the idea that you saw or see in your mind of where you think your life is going?
• We fail to dream big and imagine the unimaginable and bring it to life
• A lot of us went into the wrong program because we took the wrong decision. Gen 25: 29-34. With this wrong decision, we find ourselves struggling and fighting to find our way out of the wrong decision

A lot of us has made a mistake at one time or the other in life that has changed the course of our lives. For some it was the first job, the first boyfriend/ girlfriend, the wife/husband, the decision to use drugs, the first investment we made; all this mistakes change the direction of our lives and how we succeed on that journey.

There is space for everyone to be great. There is no big conglomerate today that started big, they all started small and worked hard, with dedication and focus. What God is asking you is what do you have in your hand for Him to bless and multiply for you.

The only thing that can re-program your life and put it on the path of success and fulfillment is to invite God into your life and allow Him to direct your path. Determine in your heart and in your life that things must change! Turn around and link the right path God had ordained for you.

God’s plan for us is not one of failure; for He says that His thought for us are good to give us an expected end. Jeremiah 29: 11. Cry unto God, cry like David, Jesus, Abraham, Isaac, Jabez, the widow of Zarephat cried and they experienced a change in their lives.

God, problems and limitations pt. 2

Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 2 I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Job 42:1-2 KJV

Job going through his problem and his challenges began to question God, began to ask God why he was doing this or that to him. A lot of people question God, argue that there is no God, that God is not answering him/her.

As a result of problems and not seeing a solution to these problems, some of us decide to take drastic decisions. Job concluded that God is limitless. Some of us come to the conclusion that God has let them down, we fail to appreciate all those wonderful things that we enjoy every day we are alive. No matter what we do and no matter how far we run, God will still be God.

The best thing we can do with God is to make sure we are on the same side with God. James 1:17 says, Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father who made the heavenly lights, in whom there is no inconsistency or shifting shadow. (ISV)
This means that there is no limitation, no fluctuation, no holdups, and no stopping. We know that God can do anything and everything. Within a few days, weeks, months or years al that we have lost can be replaced so long as we look to God.

What is your problem? What is your anxiety? What is your limitation? What is that thing that gives you sleepless nights? I want you to know that it is a small thing for God to do.

The God who created man after His likeness, is waiting for you today. We need to be careful what see as impossible or cannot be done. What we see as impossible is just too small for God to work on and He will do it if we believe that He is limitless. 

Never ever think that your problem is impossible for God. Do not think also that some people are beyond deliverance. God can save or deliver anyone or any nation. Romans 10: 9-13.

There is nothing we are going through that God cannot bring you out of it. There is no temptation that you are going through that is common to you alone, other have passed through it. They came out of it and so you can also get out it.

Hear me today that there is nothing you are going through that God does not have an answer for. Every problem has an expiration date.

God, problems and limitations

Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 2 I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.  Job 42:1-2 KJV

What we consider problems are actually opportunities that leads up the ladder of success. Problems that come into our life on its own teaches us about creativity, compassion to help people who experience your kind of problem at a later date, providing solutions and a lot more.

Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father who made the heavenly lights, in whom there is no inconsistency or shifting shadow. James 1:17 (ISV). God can do anything and everything because our God is limitless. I want to assure you that anything you can imagine or think of or God ca do it. If you can just imagine it then it can be possible. You have no hands but have a desire to swim? Yes, you can. Why? You serve a God that has no boundary, one without a beginning or end.

If you can imagine the limitless might of God, you will realize how small your problems are. You need to realize that every challenge you are facing today is because God is already working on it. Therefore, there is no need to worry over the problem but focus on the blessings you have.
You may seem you have lost everything but you have gained life.

1. God is limitless unto salvation and God is ready, waiting and about to save and redeem you this day. 
2. God is limitless in deliverance. There is no situation you are in that God cannot turn around or bring you out of. Whatever crisis you may be in; God can deliver you from them all. Mark 9: 22-23 
3. God is limitless in miracles. Like 1: 36-37. God can perform any kind of thing that you call a miracle. There was no prime minister in Egypt before Joseph. He can do all things and everything, beyond and above everything we can think or imagine
4. God is limitless in prosperity and blessings. There is always something to be grateful about. 

I want to tell you as you read this post today, you are going to laugh because your God is limitless in miracles. Talk to Jesus now, bring your problems before Him, bring your challenges to Jesus. God is limitless in salvation and He is ready to save you and give you the turnaround He has laid out for you. 

God is faithful to save

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 KJV

Let it be known, whether you believe it or not, there is nothing we can do without God. Our life can never be on track without that quotient called God. Faithful is He who will do what he says He will do. There are some areas where God insists on being faithful and one of them is in the fulfillment of His promises. He is also faithful in ensuring that we get solutions to problems as they come so long as we wait on Him and are patient in letting Him lead the way.

God’s desire is not to make things unbearable for you and He is always looking for how He can make a way out of the challenges that you are faced with. Eventually somehow or the other God will open up the door of opportunities for you. He will lead you on that path that leads to fulfillment of destinies.

When God decides to not make a way out of a situation, it is not because He does not love you but because He knows that it is not the right time or He is preventing you from one situation or another.
God is able to save. Save you from difficulty and eventually save your soul. Isaiah 59: 1-2. The only way God does not save is if there is iniquity in your life.  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 KJV

It is God’s desire that everyone of us should make it to heaven, that we all live a good, wonderful and peaceable life. Some people have foundation problems, some have committed so much sins, and some are embroiled in the snare of the enemy, but is always there ready to accept us and shower us in His love and promises of grace.

I want to tell you today; God will be faithful to you this day as you look to Him.

God is faithful to save you from trials and tribulations, from circumstances that are seemingly unbearable. I want to encourage you and reassure you that God is faithful to save you. He will bring you out of that situation that you are going through, so long as you are alive and breathing, that situation shall become history.

Let nothing frighten you, do not be afraid of whom you shouldn’t be afraid of, these gives you the peace to think and do things right.

God is faithful to establish. 2 Tess 3:3; But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Pet 5:10. KJV. God takes us through a period of suffering to make us perfect. God made Joseph perfect through the suffering he went through. In these trials we get experience, strength, immovable, tolerant and powerful with a deep understanding and knowledge that you will use to fulfil your destiny. One of the great things of life is to learn the “experience of pain”. He expects that we settle into the pain, learn from it, pray our way out of it.  There are certain things that we must learn, experience and retain while we go through our hard times. Until we learn the experience of pain we will keep going back into that trial or challenge until we have learned that which we want to learn.

Our prayer is that God brings us out of the trials better, stronger and after it all, that He will settle us.

What is your part in destiny?

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8: 22 KJV

I want to assure you that God will always play His part. However, you also have a part to play in the fulfillment of your destiny. Your problems and that challenges will not just disappear like magic; you have to get involved in making the turning that problem to a success story. God has given you freewill so that you can participate in how your life turns out. In John 11: 39, Jesus told the people to “roll away the stone” so that He can raise Lazarus from the dead.

Sometimes, things don’t move forward because we have refused to play our part. God is waiting for you to play your part because He has already played His part and fulfilled it. The day you decide to play your part, things will start moving forward and everything else will work out like magic.

You may not have to do something and there are some things that you cannot do alone. What are those things we need to do so that God can do what He alone can do? When Joseph’s brothers put him in the it, he begged them not to do so, but he did not beg Pharaoh to make him Governor over all of Egypt. Joseph did not stop moving forward wherever he found himself, whether as a slave in the house of Potiphar or in the prison. Being able to do his part made it possible for him to be promoted to the palace where a new position was created just for him.

What are those things you must do to begin to play your part?

1. You must be born again. Give your life to God 100%, God needs you to accept His gift of salvation
2. You must believe. All things are possible to them who believe
3. Have faith in God. It is one thing to believe that God can do it, but another thing to have faith that God will do it. So we must have faith so that we would move mountains.
4. Confess your what you believe with your mouth and act on your faith in God

Who is the faithful and limitless God? pt 2

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8: 22 KJV

The word faithful means to be steadfast in giving affection or allegiance. It is to be firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty. We therefore say our God is Faithful, firm in adherence to His promises that He made to mankind and in observance of His duty.  It is God that has promised and He will fulfill that which he has promised. He is faithful in covenant keeping. Gen 8: 21-22. Therefore, the place that God’s covenant has put you, no one can take you away from that place; not even you can move yourself from there. Covenant is an agreement; God has an agreement with man and the agreement is sealed with His name and the blood of Jesus Christ.

There are certain things we do not pray for in this earth. You do not need to pray to sow seed or to harvest because there will always be seed time and as long as you able to plant a seed you will always reap the harvest. Once you plant a seed you will doubles reap it, and it will come without fail that harvest will come. If you sow a bad seed the harvest will come.

God is faithful in making a way. A lot of times, certain things overwhelms a lot of us. There are times we think our prayers will not be answered or that God will not fulfill His promises to us. In 1 Corinthian 10:13, God assures us through His words that no matter how hard the temptation and life trials may be, He will make a way out of it for us. All the tension and anxiety, pain and wonder whether we would make it or not. God would always make a way. Whatever it is we are going through, God is faithful who will not make a way of escape for us when we go through temptation and life challenges. I assure you that God will make a way, no matter how bad the situation may seem. As long as you are alive, there is hope for you in the name of Jesus.

We are pressed on all sides, for some it if because we fail to take the right decision at the right time, for some because we missed the way at a point in life, for some it is as a result of external factors, while for others it is as a result of our carelessness. That test that does not kill you will make you stronger.

Who is the faithful and limitless God?

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26 KJV

What does it mean to be faithful? To be steadfast in affection. Our God is faithful. The theme of our celebration this year is the faithful and limitless God. The covenant keeping God. Deuteronomy 7:9 God does not break His covenant.

God made a covenant with Noah and till date this covenant has not ceased. While the earth remaineth, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:22 KJV. He made a covenant with David and till date that covenant still stands firm through Christ who is called the son of David, He who rules over the whole universe.
All the crisis on earth, all the incidents in every region of the world; there is one King over all that can keep us through it all. His name is Jesus.

Our God is faithful in making a way for His people. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinth 10:13. God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which we can bear but He will make a way of escape for you.

God is faithful to establish you, in life, in your business, in your health, in your future. He alone can fill up that which is missing in your life. A lot of us are empty inside and we seek that thing or person that can fill us up. We are held down by fear, anxiety, pain, failure, lack; if we are experiencing any of these know this that God is faithful to make a way of escape for you and to establish you.

So many times we seek to end it all; people look at you and think that you are living the life they desire, but let us know that God is faithful and He is ready to save you from it all. Why? Our God is faithful to save.

In like manner, never for one day will God shut His doors to you. His doors are always open and He is ready to welcome you. There is never and will never be a day that God will not be faithful to mankind.

Our God is limitless. He is without boundary, without limit, with nothing and no one to hold him down. Our God is limitless in salvation. He is ready to save everyone and anyone who comes to Him for help and salvation. With God all things are possible Matthew 19: 26 KJV.

God gives hope to those who are without hope. He restores life, homes, businesses.
God is limitless in miracles. God will work out a miracle for everyone that seeks Him.
God is limitless in prosperity and blessing.

To experience God's faithfulness and limitless power, He wants something from us. What does God want us to do?

1. Give our life to Him
2. Trust him
3. Believe Him 
4. God is waiting for you to surrender to Him

If you are reading this today and there is a limitation in your life or you feel that God has not been faithful in your life, business, family, home; Be encouraged. Talk to God today; open the door of your heart to Him, to Jesus; let God, the faithful and limitless God, enter in and cause a turnaround in your life.

Where do youths stand in leadership? Pt 2 (Youth Anniversary)

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 

Acts 2:17 KJV

So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; 

Numbers 1:45 KJV

A politician is a merchant of hope. That is basically who a politician should be. For every youth that wants to go into politics, you need to make yourself an authority in your immediate environment. You must know how things work and why it works that way. You must be visible to your community and the people in your community. Money is important for everything and people can raise money for you. You will be surprised how people will rally around you when they know who you are and what you can deliver.

Begin to make the change right from where you are. Become an influence that is the start of change that you want to see.

It is high time we have a change of mindset and do things differently. Things can’t move or change unless we take the lead and make it happen. What we need to do is to step things forward and change the understanding currently in vogue among the youth. The first thing that empowers people is education and not economics. If we can provide the right education at an affordable rate, we can begin to see that change. The right education is not primarily the formal educational institutions but more of technical and vocational schools that would empower and build leaders of commerce in various industries.

We should begin to think of a system that encourages the youths to be creative and to live creatively. Leadership does matter without the people and the ability to lead right. We must be ready to ask questions from the current crop of leaders. If we ask questions from the current crop of leaders, they will come prepared to answer questions the next time.

Be ready to play your own part by being that person we want Nigeria (our country) to be. Clean your house, live right and be more involved in your community.

Where do youths stand in leadership? Pt 1 (Youth Anniversary)

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 

Acts 2:17 KJV

So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel; 

Numbers 1:45 KJV

The youth have a place in leadership, there is space in the nation and rule. Our youth doesn’t simply qualify us for the role of leadership. What we want the the young people with character who can show that they are different from the old form of leadership. The realities of leadership today are very different from what is obtainable in the past. We have to lead by example.
There is no way we can advocate for youth leadership without fixing the system from the ground up.

There are 2 categories of youths

1. Those who are educated and have the right back ground
2. The uneducated used and influenced by the corrupt

We must not seat on the fence and expect things to be right. Also, we must not just wake up one day to be a leader. We have to build a flow that takes us to the top where we can become influencers and leaders.
We cannot continue to ascribe our leadership to God, Pastors, Imams and Babalawos. We need to take the lead. Be the vanguard for your course, be ready to sanction and censor things that are not right to ensure that a way for youth leadership can open up.

For the youth to take leadership, they have to be ready and must demonstrate what is right without compromising on it. The youth must learn not to join them when they are doing the wrong thing. Most times leadership becomes a burden to the youth because they have no understanding of the responsibilities attached to it, hence, they become worse than the leaders they complain about.

As a youth going into leadership, ask yourself this question;

• What do I want to achieve as a leader?
• Why do I want to be a leader?
• What do I have to offer to the people I will lead?

The revolution that will change the country will start in the church because it is a place where values and morals are taught.

How seriously do you take your Christianity?

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.  Philippians 2: 12-13 KJV

God says “I am coming and I am coming soon”. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Revelations 22: 12 KJV

It is time to stop playing religion. God is saying to us today, ‘enough is enough’. We have all been sucked into playing religion and a number of us are enjoying it. A number of us have been distracted by religion and the semblance of it.

A lot of us have been Christians for a minimum of 5 years and many for much longer, yet we still play religion. The word of god says that all of us will appear before the judgement seat of God. Why should you be cajoled and begged to serve God? Why must you be pushed or prodded into doing that which would bring you results and rewards?

We serve and fear God because He is God, not because of titles that are attached to roles. Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you. Do you believe the words spoken by Christ? Do you know that there is eternity after death here on earth? Do you believe that you are going somewhere after your time here on earth?

If we fear God, we will reap the reward and there will be no need for us who call ourselves Christians to be prodded into doing that which is right. God has placed the responsibility in our hands because He has told us to work out our salvation.

There is revelation that comes out every day that many Christians will end up in hell. It is in our hands to work out our salvation individually. Is it offense? Then said he unto the disciples, it is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! Luke 17: 1 KJV.  The bible says that offense will come, but instead ask yourself “what will Jesus do”?

We need to wake up! A lot of us are not even thinking about our eternity. A lot have planned 10 years ahead but the fact of it is that our tomorrow is not in our hands. We must come to terms with this, that our tomorrow is in the hands of God. So the questions to ask ourselves when we wake up in the morning and last thing at night is, where will I spend eternity?

The coming of Christ is almost here. There are 2 things here

1. If anybody were to go today, they face their rapture
2. If Jesus were to come today, would you be among those who would go with him?

God is revealing a lot of things today, in dreams, vision, in gatherings because the time is near. The time is here.

Think about it. If you have confessed Jesus Christ as Lord; then you are to be a Christian and not a religious person. Everything we have done good or bad will have its rewards. Christianity is not a joke, not a fad, not a social gathering. We are going somewhere because we are here for a while. Our eternity is most important.

Until we are heavenly focused; there are many things we will not be able to do, many things we will not be able to accomplish.

Where will you spend eternity?

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Revelations 3: 10-12 KJV

Have you contended for this faith that has been entrusted in your care? Are you ready to sacrifice for the faith you have in God? God is saying to us this morning to wake up and contend for the faith. We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling!
It is in our hands but a lot of us want everything to be done for us. Jesus says He is coming soon and we are to hold on to what is in our hands as we would get the reward. It begins with the fear of God; the word says “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom”.

Jesus is coming soon; we need to stop playing religion. The bible says, “wake up Christian”. Today Jesus is showing up to people who are ready and willing. There is eternity in the form of hell and heaven.

Are you heavenly bound? Is your focus on heaven? 2 Corinthians 5: 10 KJV. Nobody is thinking of making it to heaven anymore, we are more concerned about earthly things and the things that are material. Christians today live as though there is no heaven, as though we are not going anywhere. We are in a race and there are only 2 destinations; heaven or hell. Where will you spend your eternity? Your salvation is not in the hands of any man, it is not in the hands of any pastor. It is in your hands.

Do you know God; do you fear God? The bible tells us “let this mind be in you which was in Jesus Christ”. How can we say we know Christ and are Christ-like and still act the way we act; do the things that we do?

A lot of us think we have many more years. Our lives and the length of it is in God’s hands. It is not about how long we live; it is about how well we live. About the quality of life that we live. Not about the gossips and back biting, stealing, fornicating and doing all those things that are not right.
When God spoke to Israel after they left Egypt, the children of Israel became afraid and asked that Moses speak with God and relate to them. We are no longer afraid. The enemy has come up with the last joke, “the gospel of grace” The preaching today is once you have confessed Jesus once, it doesn’t matter how you live your life, you will make heaven. The bible says we cannot say because we have grace then we will remain in sin. A lot of Christians now believe that they can follow Christ and remain in the world. Remain in their sins because they have been told they are covered by grace. Our eternity is not guaranteed because you have confessed Christ and accepted Him as Lord; You must follow up on this by living a life given us by Christ; a life that shuns sin and all the love of the world. The question is; will you be ready? The bible says; “woe unto them that are at ease in Zion”. Amos 6: 1.

Many years ago, an American Pastor talked about it saying; if you listen carefully you will hear the shuffling of the footsteps of Jesus Christ because He is preparing to come. There are many signs that Jesus is coming. Begin to repent today my brothers and sisters. We plan years ahead for family, life, business, marriage, and all the things of the world but not about our eternity.

Repent, move closer to Him; for God searches the heart of men. Ask God for forgiveness, to strengthen you, to keep your focus on him. He is the author and finisher of your faith. Jesus is the way, truth and life; it is through Him that we go to the father; through Him that that we are sure of eternity. You cannot afford to miss your eternity in heaven. Do not spend your time on those things that would perish with this earth. Instead focus on those things that would take you to heaven because after all, heaven is your home.

Run from the frivolities of the world; run from the fleeting things that ends with life here on earth, run from sin. The key to eternity is to be right with God; it is not about how often you go to church. The stage is set for the coming of Christ; for rapture to take place; for the tribulation before the end to start.

Rising above limitations – Faith through the name of Jesus

And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.Acts 3: 1-16

Peter and John went up together into the temple and the encountered a beggar a man weighed down by limitations.
What is begging? Have you ever begged before? Pleading with humility, with embarrassment, ignominy; been down and out, pleading continuously for something. The oxford dictionary defines begging as, “to ask somebody for something especially in an anxious way because you want or need it very much”

Anything that demeans your personality and person is not right. There is something wrong with it, with the situation and the person who is begging or is being begged.
If you are demeaned or feel little when asking for something or doing something it means it is not right.

The man at the beautiful gate was begging for alms but what he needed was healing. Peter looked at him and seeing him instead gave him what his spirit needed for his life to have a turn around, healing. The bible says, ‘he was walking and leaping and praising the Lord’.
What is wrong when you beg all the time

1. Lazy or unimaginative. When a person is able and capable but chose to beg then there is something wrong. Proverb 20: 4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore, shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing KJV. When you cannot think of creative ways to engage your mind and body, then this may result in begging
2. If the person is under a curse. A lot of people are begging because their family is under a curse.  Psalm 109:1
3. It means that we, perhaps, do not know who we really are. 2 Samuel 9: 6 Mephiboseth refers to himself as a servant. We forget where we are coming from and result to begging. 
4. You don’t know what you carry. 2 Kings 4: 1-5 The widow had no idea of the potential she had. If you don’t know who you are or what you carry, then you will beg. 
5. Or you have done something seriously wrong or inappropriate and you need to beg to get out of it. Esther (Haman begging Esther and the king). A lot of people beg only after they have done something wrong. 
6. Some people will beg when parents have done something wrong that has transferred a curse unto their children who begs bread. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psalm 37: 25 KJV

In the text, the bible tells us about the man lame from birth. A beggar has no right, is not able to exercise himself, is not able to do things themselves, is limited is one way or the other.
Begging is not he natural order of life, it is also not the what God has ordained for man at creation. Any time we find ourselves begging it means we are limited in a way.

Living the will of God

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” 

Matthew 26: 39 KJV

Bible passage: Matthew 26: 36 - 42

Gethsemane means a place of pressure. Pressure does not necessarily have to be a bad thing, sometimes pressure is good because it brings out the best in us.
Pressure shows what we ca take and in some people it brings about the capacity to think creatively on our foot. When we are put under pressure by the challenges of life it brings to fore the growth level we are at.

Jesus Christ came to earth to do the will of God and was under pressure to succeed. He took His disciples with Him to Gethsemane for them to pray with Him, help and encourage Him. What is most important here is that Jesus Christ fell on His face and said, “if it be possible that the cup pass him by but not as I will but as you will Matthew 26: 39”. What this tells us is that what we do each and every day must be the will of God for our life.

We may have the opportunity to do other things or do things in other ways that may result in fame, greatness, and a lot more but these ways may not be the will of God. It is important that our ways follow the will of God.

We must find out the will of God for our lives and the truth is this will is not hidden from us. The will of God for us is made visible in His words to us in the bible. The will of God is not pleasant all the way, because it is God’s will does not mean breakthrough all the way. Sometimes there is break down as well. The bible says, “He that endureth to the end will be saved. Matthew 24: 13”, so the most important is enduring to the end and standing firm in doing the will of God irrespective of whatever comes our way.

If you believe that where you are is the place to live under the will of God, then do His will in that place. If not it is important that we make our way back to God. It may not be pleasant at the start but at the end of life it will end well. At the end of the life here on earth we would be assured of eternity.

What is your reaction in the face of adversity?

"So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown."

Job 2 :1-7 KJV

Bible passage: Job 2: 1-10

Sometimes, God allows us to pass through some challenge, because the will of God sometimes takes us through a path full of thorns. God boasted of Job to Satan who told God that the only reason Job served God was because of the hedge that was formed around him.

Satan cannot touch your life and nothing can kill you except God permits it. The devil took Job through a path filled with thorns but even under so much pressure and through a lot of trials not once did Job sin against God.

What is your reaction in the face of adversity? God permitted Job to go through illness. Spiritual illness is manifested as physical illness. Hence, it is important that we take our spiritual life very seriously. A lot of us do not dig deep enough into the spirit and allow the enemy to have its way. All the spiritual exercises that we should engage in, we fail to do it.

The fact that we seem to get away with sin doesn’t mean we are getting away with it. What it means is that God is giving us a wide rope, a wide rope of repentance. No one gets away with sin, every sin has its repercussion. All the corruption that we see around us is a result of sin, spiritual illness. We may think that we have gotten away with the way we live our life, but each and every action of ours is written in a book and recorded.

Know this, that everything here on earth is temporary, at the most we live for 150 years what happens afterwards? How do you ensure that you make it to heaven? Everybody wants to live for now but there is no guarantee of tomorrow. We have become too entrenched in the affairs of this world, not thinking about the things to come and where we would spend eternity.

A lot of people do not want to experience a little pain or pressure. We need to do the right spiritual things, we need to simplify our life and save our soul for eternity.

God is waiting for that time to judge our thoughts and actions. God is going to judge they way we think. What are the things that makes our body weak? The things that makes our body attract sickness?

1. Sin! We cannot continue to sin and expect grace to abound. Romans 6:1
2. Dishonour to parents. The funeral for a dead parent is not more important as the parent. Exodus 20:12
3. A curse that is sent someone’s way. Parents bless your children. Life and death are in the tongue Proverb 18:21
4. God gives permission to Satan to test us
5. Envy, bitterness or the despising of others opens us to illness. Proverbs 14:30 

What foundation are you building on?

What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? Ezekiel 18:2 KJV

What harvest are you sowing? Is the journey of your life that which God has planned for you? For God himself says “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29: 11 KJV. Or is the journey of our life that which our grandfather, and other preceding generation has mapped out for us? Or maybe it is one we have unknowingly choosing for ourselves?

A lot of us are reaping what we did not sow, with lives built on a foundation that we have no idea about. Some of us because of our foundation and lineage, we find ourselves facing challenges that we should have overcome. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalm 11: 3 KJV 

What our forefather sowed has in many ways affected us. If you find out you have been stuck in a rot, everything happening in the same way in spite the effort in prayer and hard work, then we need to find out the reason behind being stuck in one place.

The parents have eaten sour grapes, yet it is the children who are on edge. This is the case for a lot of us. We reap the result of the seeds that generations before us have sown. However, the word tells us that this should not be so. As I live, says the Lord GOD, you shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. Ezekiel 18: 3-4

Accepting that this shouldn’t be so I the first step to freedom, acknowledging and accepting the gift of salvation and freedom that Christ gives is the key.

We must enjoy serving God. While we serve God, things must change in our lives and if they don’t then it is important for us to find out where the problem is and work it out.

Sometimes all that we need to do is to make positive confessions with out mouth. A lot of us have heaped hardships and challenges on ourselves just by the words of our mouth.

How does illness manifest in the physical? pt 2

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. Exodus 15: 26 KJV

Physical carelessness can bring sickness our way. The food we eat and the way we eat result in illness for a lot of people. We are what we eat. Some eat too much without knowing when to not eat and how to not eat. A lot of us we physically mess up ourselves because of what we eat. We are to eat those meals that will benefit our lives and health. A change in diet can result in the change in the physical well being of an individual.
Sometimes illness comes because of bad hygiene.

Lastly some illness are manifested in the physical due to emotional problems that we put ourselves into, most of which can be avoided. The word says, Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Prov 13:12 KJV. Some people are sick not because they have spiritual or physical problems but because they are emotionally down. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4: 23 KJV. A lot of us are bitter, weak, frustrated in our heart. We have allowed the challenges of life to dictate how we see life. Our bad emotional state embitters us and sours our life. This is manifested in physical illness that has no medical solution. This is why we go to the hospital and doctor says they can’t find anything wrong in our life. Emotional illness can also result from trying to living above our means; wanting to have more than what we can afford and pay for. 

There is a reason that people have spiritual illness that leads to physical illness.

1. Living and walking in sin. The word says the soul that sins will die. Death is the ultimate result of living a life of sin. The death is spiritual and when the soul is dead all forms of physical manifestations begun to happen. 
2. Disobedience to or dishonour of parents. Exodus 20: Our days will be shortened when we dishonour our parents. It doesn’t matter who or what your parents are it is only important that we abide by the words and command of God to honour our parents. 

It is more important to go to the one true God who is the source of all life. Life will turn out right for you if you just take things easy. Make a conscious decision to have a change today. Living in spiritual, physical and emotional wellness. When you are connected to God your emotion will be flowing with the joy of God and this will be your strength. This strength will become strength manifested in your physical.

How does illness manifest in the physical? Pt 1

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. Exodus 15: 26 KJV

In the life of the early fathers of the bible, people lived to a very long time. They slept in the Lord and there was no record of any dying as a result of sickness. At the beginnings of time man lived long because they were close to God and lived right, however, as man become distant from Him the length of their days became shorter.

God’s original plan is for us to live in good health. He said, beloved I wish above all things that you prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers. Therefore, God does not desire for us to be ill. It is God’s desire that we are in good health. Now, Elisha was falling sick of the sickness of which he died. 2 Kings 13: 14. 

People fall ill or die for several reasons, but all sin can be from 3 main areas of our lives. These are;

1. The spiritual
2. The physical
3. The emotional

These are the 3 main sources of people’s illnesses. Really, the main source of ailment is the spiritual and this spiritual sickness is manifested in the physical and this may result in the emotional. Sickness is a messenger of death. Every time we are ill we depreciate in body and strength but it is death that is registering its register and it is telling us that we are not immortal..

The spiritual itself is broken down further. Some spiritual illness arises from foundational problems, foundation inheritances and agreements that our parents or their parents have entered into on behalf of the family. So many afflicted with one illness or the other have been appointed to die because their is a family covenant hovering over their life.  Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die. Psalm 79:11 KJV. 

From the day of birth some of us have been marked as a result of things that occurs in the generation and lineage we are born into. Some people have been bound by Satan; Satan has overwhelmed their life and these people have difficulty getting healing. In Luke 8: 43-48 the woman with the issue of blood was bound by Satan and she went through the physical manifestation of the bondage for 12 years until she found release by touching the hem of Christ’s garment.

Sometimes the spiritual illness may be as a result of fresh attack by the enemy. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. Job 1: 9-10 KJV. Satan attacks children of God for no other reason than what he gave to God concerning Job.