The power of positive thinking

And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: Genesis 37: 5-6

Joseph brothers hated him not because of anything, but because of the love his father had for him. When Joseph dreamed, and shared it to his brothers, they hated him the more. He was just a child of 17 yrs whom his father loved. Yet his brothers who were older than him hated him and envied him. They hated him for 2 reasons; they hated him because his father loved him, they hated him for his dreams.

In Genesis 37, the bible made us to understand that a man had 12 sons. And out of the twelve, only one has the capacity to think. We are what we are by the things we think. A lot of us have issues with our thoughts. We do not have the ability to control our thoughts and what we think about. We are blown whichever way by the power of our thoughts, or the inability of our thoughts

The power of the thinking in the mind of Joseph helped him to have a focus and purpose which he worked towards. It was the power of his thinking that gave him the wisdom to not be derailed when the wife of his boss sought him out. He knew who he was and where he was going, he had the understanding that succumbing to the pleasure she offered would derail his purpose. 

His thoughts and thinking manifested in the benefits of his thought. 

There are three categories of people in life. 

1. The people that think and make things happen
2. The people that watch things happen because they cannot think it through
3. The people that cannot make things happen because they cannot think at all

The bible tells us that Joseph started thinking at the age of 17. The earlier we start thinking about our future, the better. Children at particular age should be left to be adults. We baby ourselves almost to the last, hence, our children remain babies even in adulthood. At the age of 17 Joseph was taking responsibility, he was taking care of his father’s business. We must begin to think of who we are and who we want to become. We need to think, and think well in advance. 

Relating this to our children of this age, what they think about is nicoledeon, soccer, T.v shows. At 17 years you would rarely find a child thinking about his future. Their thoughts do no have a far reaching span. Those that does, do not carry the weight and leading of the spirit. 

Why do our children still remain babies even after they have reached adulthood?

The reason is because as parents, we think for them, and don`t let them do the thinking themselves. 

 Things to do to be able to think effectively

1. We need to know God for ourselves, and not through the eyes of others. 
2. Need to seek knowledge.  As wisdom and knowledge is a critical thing. Proverbs 
3. We need to be a positive thinker.  A lot of us been too negative, and it is really affecting us. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2 KJV
4. We need to enlarge our coast and expand our territories and we do away with negativity. The more Joseph was hated, the greater his dreams became 

                                     Change your thinking.....

What is the solution?

And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. 2 Samuel 4: 4 KJV

Mephiboseth started out his life in affluence, the son of a Prince, the heir apparent to the throne of Israel, until death came knocking. He was not born lame, but at the age of 5 years and occurrence took place that brought a problem into his life (physical challenge). The fear of  the nurse who believed that the death of his father and grand father would open the door to his death decided to flee with the boy. In her haste to save his life, she inadvertently put him in a position that wasn't bargained for. This is the story of a few of us.

However, the God we serve after creating the heavens and the earth, looked at everything and saw that it is good. He alone knows everything and has the solution to every problem. He sees the end from the beginning. And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo–debar. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! 2 Samuel 9: 1, 5-6.. KJV. God knew what the end of Mephiboseth would be right from the day he was born. His end was determined even from the beginning.

There are problems but there are solutions. Before a problem comes into existence, the solution was already created in waiting for you to discover the solution to that problem. The reason why problems linger is because most of us do not seek the solution. We go around sticking our head in the sand and waiting for someone else to proffer a solution to our own problems.

A lot of us magnify our problems because of the fear that we attach to the problems. The maid of King Saul on hearing the King was dead in fear and haste was instrumental in Mephiboseth lame. When we are faced with problems in life, we are not to allow fear to make it worse. The first step towards getting a solution is to remain calm, let the peace of God have sway.

As children of God, and joint heirs with Christ, we have that capacity and power to turn problems to opportunities. Since we are made in God's image we are charged to be a reflection of God's nature. One of God's nature is to solve problems and rise above them.

A lot of us do not even know who we are in Christ. In Christ we are high above problems and born as solution providers. In most cases we are seated beside the solution to our problem. And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. Genesis 21:19 KJV. Hagar had been sent away with her son. They had consumed the little that they had to eat, so she waited for death. But because of fear and the magnification of the problem in her mind, she didn't even see that the solution was beside her. It wasn't until God opened her eyes that she saw the well of water.

How did she come about this solution? And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept. And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. Genesis 21: 16-18. 

1. She lifted up her voice to God
2. She separated herself from the focus of her problem 
3. She had to be calm and not fear

So we have to be able to do this if we want to be the solution to our problems. We are born with the solution to all our problems, even before the problems arise. 

The power of our thought

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Mark 11:23 (KJV)

You need to be significant here in life, or else no one will know your name, or remember you. Sometimes you think and you are not aware, what make one significant is the quality of one's thought. We are a collection of our thoughts, you have to control your mind by your thought. In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. 1 king 3 vs 5, what you think is what your prayer is centered on.

The widow went to Prophet Elisha, she complained about the things going wrong in her life. Her thoughts was focused on what she didn't have, therefore, when she was asked what she had in the house, her response was to that she had nothing save a little oil. The prophet however could see something else.  And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. 2 Kings 4:2 KJV

How does depression start? It comes about as a result of our thoughts. the mind starts to paint pictures that something is wrong with our life, our career, our family, and our relationships. This thoughts keeps painting these pictures in our mind and takes us to a place where we are not supposed to be.

Why do people fail?  People fail because they think of failure, because their thoughts give them millions of reasons why whatever they are about to do or embark on won't work. Once we allow this thought to have sway in our mind it begins to hold ground. At this point anytime we have a thought of growth, the negative thoughts of failing speaks against the growth. Destiny is limited by our thought; destiny and purpose of man can be destroyed by the things we think about limitations and self defeat is first built up by our thoughts. I am not a failure if only I can change the quality of  my thought, you can control your thinking and the things you have thought.

There three categories of people

1. people who don't think at all and ask what happen
2. people who think and make things happen
3. people who think little and wait for things to happen

Ways on how to think

• Thinking with the  good of the next person in mind
• Thinking ahead of situations and circumstances
• You have to think for our people and the good of the land
• You have to influence their thinking of people around us

A lot of us have made mistakes because we don't think. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1: 8. The summation of our thoughts determines how successful we would becomes. Our thoughts are powerful, therefore we re to guard it with our whole heart!

Living a significant life

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: Genesis 12:1

The life of a Christian has to be a reflection of God's nature. It is important to live a significant life because this is what makes life worth living. A lot of us do not live a significant life because we base our existence on acquiring and meeting basic needs.  We base what we achieve on buying cars, building houses, and acquiring things which have no eternal value. To us this is what makes life worth living. But after you are gone no one will remember what type or model of car you used 100 years after, no one wants to know if you lived in a house with 20 bedrooms 50 years from now. What makes generations to come remember you is the impact you made while you were alive, the live you touched, the changes you brought to your generation.


Living a significant life means leaving our footprints in the sands of life. A life that changes lives. People who have lived a significant life live on after they are gone from here. These people are remembered because they leave a legacy behind. Their significance is not based on worldly acquisitions. However, they leave a legacy that many generations to come find important to their existence and of great value. This is the life that we should model and strive for.

As Christians we must be a by-word that people overlook. In all honesty, it doesn't take money to be significant. Example of such a significant person is Mother Teresa. She was not wealthy in money but she lived a life that made kinds and world leaders seek her out.

As children of God to live a significant life we must seek first the kingdom of God, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you Mathew 6:33 KJV. It is our role and responsibility to look for God and be a reflection of heaven hear on earth. Living a significant life also hinges on how we think and what we think about. It is about us thinking right and living right.

How well do you control your thought?

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. Proverbs 23:7 (KJV).  The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. Proverbs 18:4 (KJV). He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. Psalms 10:6 (KJV)

Thinking is a normal and natural part of man. Thinking is an activity of the mind that we engage in to process information, solve problems, with it we make decisions and are able to generate and create ideas. Some people's thoughts are creative, others are analytic, some are critical while others are abstract. We hear said that a lot of people react without thinking it out first, this is however not right because for us to carry out an action our mind must first process it first, Without our mind processing a thing we would not be able to bring it to pass or act on it.

Therefore, as children of the most high God our thought processes must be God centered. For as a man thinks that is who he is and how his paths to greatness or not is formed. Who we are today is a summation and collection of our thoughts. The way we dress, the things we say, how we react to people, how we give, when we give, where we go, how rich or poor we are is a summation of our thoughts, even the career path we follow is as a result of our thoughts. Our thoughts is who we are and how we behave.

Our thought is a reflection of the total person we are. Our thoughts speaks even when we are quiet and do not voice our them. From the thoughts of a person and the voicing of the thoughts, we able to determine a lot about the person. We can read them and even predict how far they would be able to go. The state we are in and category of our life is directed by our thoughts, either positive or negative. If we think consistently and normally on positive things, whatsoever we think about will naturally be directed towards us. As out thoughts also obeys a law of attraction, therefore it in important that we attract positives through our thoughts

And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.Gen 37:5 KJV. This chapter talks about Joseph's dream and His thoughts. His thoughts came to pass 13 years after, because of his thoughts and his believe upon it he did not allow himself to be deterred by the circumstances of his life. What a man says will come to pass, but before he says it, he thinks it. A lot of us do not do much with our thoughts and allows our thoughts to evolve into a negative life. The life we live is controlled by our thoughts. 

The help we get from God is also determined by our thoughts. When we ask God for something, He not only listens to the words we utter from our mouth but he also looks at the sum total of the thoughts of our heart. Every thought we have has to be positive.

Our thoughts are also reflected in the prophesies we receive  and in how the prophesies are fulfilled. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil 4:8 KJV. 
Today the word of God reaching out to us today is to be mindful of our thoughts, we are to bring our thoughts under the control of the holy spirit. Our thoughts, we must be able to control not only because of the effect it has on the immediate but also on the effect it has on our future.

To us, we must realize that our thoughts form part of the building blocks of our future. As Christians we are also to channel our thoughts to aid people around us to think right. Our future and the positive impact it has on the people around us is dependent on how we think today. Guide your thoughts and check it constantly, bring your thoughts under control to help us on that path to greatness that we are meant to have.

When God does something special

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. Genesis 12:1-4 

We are all people of great potential. Every single person under the heavens, are all persons of great potential. Irrespective of who we are, where we come from, or our circumstances we are filled with great potentials.

There is nothing really extra ordinary about people who have done extra ordinary things. Some people have worked their way to be extraordinary, some people have done extraordinary things and some people have been pushed into the extraordinary situation by time and circumstance.
A lot of things would combine or come together to attack the potentials of a man. Example is the brothers of Joseph came together to destroy his potentials. Life is full of difficulties, booby traps and all other things coming together to see we do not get to achieve our full potential

They set booby traps and limitations before Abraham so that he would not reach his potentials

1. He was given a name that was incomplete, not the full potential of what it should be
2. He was born into a family of idol worshipers
3. they were afflicted with barrenness
4. He was still living in his parents house at 75 years

It is a terrible thing not to be able to do the right thing t the right time. As Christians we are to walk circumspect and walk on the right path. As much as the enemy can, they cannot stop your greatness. The combined and tried they didn't stop the progress of Abraham, David, and Joseph.

If God does not put you in their hands they can not slow you down or stop you, You will move according to your time. The wickedness of people cannot stop you from getting to where you are going. The only person that can stop you is yourself. A lot of us are moved by the things that we see with our physical eyes. 

As Christians it is important that we empower ourselves. Living the life we live in Christ one day at a time. Most importantly we are not to be put down by the things we hear and see. When it is time to elect the best among men, the man who is not held down by limitations is the one that is selected. 

After Abram left the familiar in obedience to the word from God, all those limitations that the enemy seemed they had put in place to stop him from reaching his potential were utterly shattered. God changed his name and He became a blessing by which all children of God were called. The shroud of barrenness was removed from his life and he became Lord of his own house. 

Die empty?

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Acts 4:32, 34, 35 KJV

The great commission of Christ to us is to reflect the nature of God in the love we spread through the gospel. This is what the Apostles and early Christians exemplified in what they did and how they lived their lives. 

They came together living a communal life that carried everyone along. There was no rich or poor in the house of God. They had a common voice and shared a common love in Christ. There was no reason for them to be cajoled into giving to God because they realized that all the had would be left here on earth when they died. They wanted to "die empty". 

What is it to die empty?

All of us human beings came to this world with all the resources to make an impact and be who God has created us to be. That is why we can be passionate about those things we like, it is why we say we have gifts or talents. But what is the purpose of this gifts, talents, passion or vision? They are there so that we can be a blessing to the community of people that we come in contact with, irrespective of who they are (colour, race, size, or shape). To die empty means that we are to share and give of that which God has given us, give it all out so that by the time we are going back to God we would have completely emptied ourselves out in readiness of spending eternity with him who filled us up. Share your money with them who do not have, share your talents and gifts to enrich those in need of it, share your skills to bless the life of those who need it to live right, share your time with the people who need it, give a smile always not even thinking about who it is for. 

It is however important to note that how we empty ourselves and the reason behind it matters. As children of God we are to give without expecting anything in return from them that we give to. We are to do it as unto God and believe that our Lord that sees what is done in secret will reward us in the open for what we have done in secret. 

Benefits to dying empty

Everyone of us irrespective of where and how, who chooses to die empty will

• Have a joy in the giving and emptying of ourselves
• As we empty ourselves, we get filled even more than we had Luke 6:38
• When we empty ourselves, God fills us up
• Emptying yourself here on earth, you are building riches up for yourself in heaven
• Dying empty unto Christ and in obedience to Christ, eternity awaits us

The choice as always is ours to make. Whether we die empty or build riches here on earth and not in our eternal home in heaven is a choice we have to make ourselves. 

Receiving Strength

And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.1 King 19:7&8 KJV

The bible said that the angel of the Lord visited Elijah for the second time and he received strength. Strength helps to bring forth and produce. Without physical strength you can do nothing likewise spiritual. We need strength to be born, He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. 1 Samuel 2:9. 

Strength is needed to achieve success,  to survive, to give birth, to endure to the end and to have eternal life. Today, we are thanking God and receiving strength for the journey ahead. In this seventh year while thanking God we are asking him for favor, strength, wisdom to do his will  while changing  and fulfilling destinies, transforming nations  and making the world a better place.

How do we receive strength

1. You must be born again cause unless a man is born again , he'll face crisis, be frustrated and his effort would be futile. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3 KJV
2. You must be filled with the holy spirit to say without the Holy spirit you cannot receive strength.  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8
3. You must be bold for you to receive strength so as to face adversity and challenges. And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed:.............................. shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it. Joshua 8 vs 1-2 KJV
4. The Lord must must be with you. And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. Daniel 11 vs 32 KJV
5. You must live a holy life there must be no fornication, adultery, no drinking of alcohol
6. You must believe in him (God) and you must use His name, and be ready to use His name.
7. Be ready to do his will
8. Be ready to thank him in all situations because it is his will for you. ........believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 2 chronicle 20 vs 20

Turning Your Life Around

I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. Acts 26:2, 13 KJV

As workers in the vineyard and children of God, a lot of us have gone after desires of our heart. Today God speaks to us to turn our life around. The great Apostle Paul, as Saul, was a Pharisee who was zealous for the things of God. In his love for the God of Israel he went after the disciples of Christ and all those who loved Christ in the early days after the death of Christ. On his way to do that which he believed was right he had an encounter with Christ that turned his life around. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. Acts 26: 14&15 KJV

After this encounter with Jesus Christ Saul the Pharisee became Paul the great Apostle. He made a complete turn around to become one of the people he persecuted. Why? He believed that the path he had been walking on initially, even though it seemed like the right path, was actually the wrong one. This was what he explained to King Agrippa when he was arrested and brought before him.

While talking with King Agrippa, he highlighted on the following points as the things he did to turn his life around.

1. Be able to fear God. 
2. Have a vision
3. Full obedience to God and to the vision he has given you
4. Have passion
5. Have the word of God inside of you
6. Be ready to work hard and diligently
7. Do not allow discouragement in your life 

With the seven (7) point Apostle Paul was able to finish his race. He was telling his spiritual son Timothy in a letter "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 6-8.v KJV

For us to be able to say just like Paul, that "we have fought a good fight and finished our race", there is a need to check ourselves and see where we have fallen short of God's purpose for our life and make a complete turn around. We are to turn not to the world but like Paul, turn to Christ and experience that same change that would have our outlook and life completely.

God is waiting for you today and Christ is saying " ..........(put your name here)............., why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Acts 26:14 KJV

The Fear Of GOD

And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. 

Acts 5:11 KJV

It has been observed that in these days and age, a lot of people do not fear God. They rather fear man and those in authorities instead of the Almighty.

From the scripture, it was recorded that the apostles had a common purse, everyone came together and gave of what they had because they feared God. The Apostles and the early Christians knew what it meant to fear God. The fear of God doesn't mean we cower in a corner, hide the talent. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. Mathew 25: 24&25 KJV

The fear of God means to know who God is and what He is capable of. Knowing who God is will help us know who we are in God and in this knowledge we would have a reverence for him that leads us to an obedience that the enemy and life challenges cannot break. 

However for many of us, even "strong" Christians, we do not fear God that is why we behave in a way that is not in line with the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. Ananias and Saphira did not have this knowledge, therefore they could not understand that lying was a sin against God and not against man. What God had given them (in this case their wealth) was theirs to do with as they please, they could sell and give part or give whole. But they lied that they had given the whole. Which was a mockery of the other Christians who had given their all. 

To fear God we must be willing and ready to give our all, at all times not when it pleases us and not in parts. God gave us his all by giving us his son. He expects us to do the same.  It is only a person who do not fear God that would

• Cheat
• Fornicate
• Lie and all sorts, not knowing that each time we do all these things God judges us.

Benefits of Fearing God

1. Fearing God is the beginning of knowledge. As knowledge is very important because if anyone wants to survive in life, he must have knowledge. (Proverbs 1:7) ''The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge''.
2. The fear of the Lord prolong your days.
3. The fear of the Lord is for your own good.
4.  The fear of the Lord brings you to a good place, a place of prosperity.
5. It delivers you out of the hand of the enemy. 

Why should I fear God?

• I must fear God, because that is where my strength lies.
• God has a respect of them who fear him

Before you do anything look up, because God sees everything despite the fact that man can't see. God is seeking those who will fear (revere) him.