IT IS NOT SO BAD

April 30, 2014

I have discovered that humans find it more interesting to focus on what is wrong in their life, what they do not have and the troubles and frustrations they are experiencing. It is not a bad thing to desire a better life, but the best thing is to be grateful for what you have or where you are.

Someone said he was crying he had no shoes, until he met a man without feet. From that day, his attitude changed. Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” King David made a choice to always praise God no matter what was going on because he understood that his life wasn’t so bad after all. I understand that you are going through a tough and trying time, but believe you me, it is not so bad. Some other set of people would gladly trade places with you if you would agree.

1 Thess 5:18 says, “In everything, give thanks.” I understand you do not live in a duplex or a well-furnished bungalow, but sir/ma, you are neither homeless nor having a permanent suite in the hospital or prison yard. If you would think very well, things are not so bad actually, it is just that you haven’t been looking at life from the angle of appreciation. You may not be able to walk, but you can see. You may not have a car, but someone isn’t wheeling you about begging for alms. You might not have the best of job, but you have a source of income.

Phil 4:8c says, “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.” Stop wasting your time and energy thinking about what you don’t have, appreciate God for what you have because, of a truth, if you think well, you will realize things aren’t so bad.

Remember, to be raised, praise God.

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FAITH VS. SENSES

April 29, 2014

In the book of 1Kings18:41, Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. It was a time that Israel was going through drought for over a period of three years in a row. Crops were not germinating. Thirst was not uncommon. Rivers dried up. Then suddenly, a man came and said that he heard the abundance of rain.

“C’mon Mr. Man, no lightning, no thunder, no slightest sign of rain in the skyline and you are here saying you hear the abundance of rain. Come off it.” Someone would have said. A lot of us are moved by sight which is why they can never receive what the ordinary eyes cannot see. I love what Ahab the king did, despite the fact that he didn’t see the gathering of the cloud or lightning, he went ahead to eat and drink in expectation of abundant rain.

Maybe the angel in charge of rain was off duty on the day the man of God spoke that word, but because Ahab took that step of faith, the angel had to quickly resume for duty. Bible says there was no small rain, but a heavy one. That there’s economic depression does not mean you cannot prosper; after all, the promise for you is that while others are saying there’s a casting down, you shall be saying there is a lifting up.

Faith plays down the physical sense and embraces the supernatural – the word of God. For the supernatural to take place, the natural needs to be done away with. I tell people that sometimes and most of the times, faith doesn’t make sense because it sees the end of a matter from the beginning. It is just like a woman with no womb buying baby things, if she would not doubt in her mind, I tell you she would have her heart desire.

Always remember that to activate your miracle, activate your faith.

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STAY CONNECTED

April 28, 2014

Years back, I had one desktop-like laptop. The battery life could only last like five minutes, so I was always looking for source of electricity before I could work. As long as I was connected to electricity source, I was able to work, but the moment disconnection happened, my laptop became a load. It was hard for me to convince people that I had a laptop.

In John 15:5, Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” In order words, I am your source, he that stays connected to me shall be very fruitful. This was what Apostle Peter understood when he preached a sermon in Acts 2 and about three thousand souls were added to the church. When the man at the temple gate got healed, Apostle Peter also made it clear to the people that it was his connection to the same Jesus that they crucified that brought about that man’s healing.

The best connection any man must have is connection to Jesus. John 15:16 says “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” In order words, when you are connected to Jesus; you can bear good fruit and you can have answers to your prayers. When you are connected to Jesus, you labor less because you enjoy favor on a per second basis.

As long as a subscriber is connected to a telecom service provider’s network, he can enjoy their facilities anytime. In order to enjoy the benefits that God daily loads us with, you must stay connected to Him 24/7/365 without fail. Don’t let sin disconnect you from your Source. To stay connected, embrace holiness and wear righteousness like a garment.

Have a fantastic day!

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COMPETENCY

April 27, 2014

It is one thing to be talented, it is another thing to be competently talented. There are many talented footballers, but only the competent ones find their ways to the top. To be competent is to be skillful, knowledgeable, capable or proficient. I have seen that it takes competence to be relevant in life.

In 1 Samuel 16, because the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, Bible says an evil spirit troubled him. To relief Saul of the distress of the evil spirit, a skillful harp player was needed. I am sure someone would have thought of staging an audition to select the harp player but Saul’s servant remembered one skillful harp player he once saw – David. That was how David found his way to the palace in preparation for taking over the throne. Bible says the gift of a man bringeth him before kings and not before mean men.

Believers were created to be the most competent set of people on earth because of the gene of the Creator of heaven and earth on the inside of us. However, I see many of us trying to substitute spirituality for competency. Isaac, David, Joseph, Solomon and even Jesus were not just spiritual, they were competent. There is what you need to do and there is what God will do. He has given you the talent, it is your job to refine it. It takes talent to just talk, it takes competence to speak. Someone said, talent is never enough.

God gave us the crude oil, it is our job to refine it; He gave us the raw gold, it is our job to mine it. He has given you the talent needed to make your world and the world around you a better place; your job is to refine it. Get competent at what you do. Read books, attend conferences and seminars. Most importantly, be an unrepentant reader of God’s word. Keep learning because the day you stop learning, you start dying.

Keep Shining!

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BE DILIGENT

April 26, 2014

I was having a review with one of my mentors and he rephrased a Bible verse that if a thief is diligent enough, he shall rob palaces. In that series 24HOURS, some terrorists were able to break in to the Whitehouse because they were very diligent. To be diligent means to be hardworking; thorough; attentive or industrious. I have discovered that the people making history happen are not just the schooled ones, but also the unschooled but diligent ones.

Prov 22:29 that says, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” Did it say seest thou a man with a university degree or with a Harvard degree? NO! Academic intelligence without diligence will only lead to frustration and emotional breakdown. As a matter of fact, it doesn’t take academic power to become diligent. To be diligent means to be persistent in achieving the completion of a particular task.

When I came across Prov 12:24 that says, “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute,” I knew why it was quite easy for King David to become very wealthy and great during his time. You would agree with me that King David was a typical example of a diligent man. Before he got anointed as king, he was always found taking care of his father’s flocks. The Bible says the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

The lazy person wants to have but he’s not willing to work at it, while the diligent does not just want to have, he goes for it, he works at it. God is not interested in laziness, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Elisha, Peter, James and John, even Jesus had occupations they were doing, and they were diligent. Whatsoever thine hand findeth to do, do it diligently well. You can become anything you want to be if only you will diligently work at it.

In all thy getting, get diligent. Enjoy!

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BE NICE

April 25, 2014

Have you ever noticed that no matter how nice or kind you treat some people (friends, coworkers, church members, family members, etc,) that doesn’t stop them from hating you or hurting you?  Sometimes because of the way we feel, we try to change those people to become nicer and friendlier but I have discovered no man has the capability of changing a fellow man, only God does. Your responsibility is just to play your own part which is to be friendly and nice.

While Jesus was here on earth, He loved everyone and anyone. Bible says He went about doing good, healing the sick, delivering the oppressed, blessing lives and saving souls. There was absolutely no fault found in Him, yet people hated Him. When they handed Him over to Pilate, he examined Jesus and found no fault in Him. Bible says in Matt 27:18, that Pilate knew the people were only envious of Jesus. He loved His enemies even to the point of death. In Luke 23:34, He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

If someone’s attitude towards you changes for no just cause, that’s no excuse for you to feel bad and say, “I will never speak to that person again,” just be nice and friendly. I tell people that feeling bad makes you stay sad which leads to malice, which is one of the sins that takes to hell. Jesus even commanded us in Matt 5:44 that, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”  

Don’t try to get even. Don’t repay evil for evil. Let your attitude be like that of a little child, he is friendly even when playing with an enemy. Remember you can never make anyone like you no matter how hard you try, your job is to like everyone as much as you can.

Have a nice day!

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IT’S ALL FOR GOOD

April 24, 2014

Once upon a time, in a small town, a young man had an accident and he lost his right arm. Every single day was a day of bitterness for him as he was the only one with one arm in that town. Suddenly, some people invaded this young man’s town looking for men to use for rituals. After gathering all the men together, they were about taking them away when they noticed the young man with one arm. “He’s of no use to us,” said those people. That was how the young man was spared. His attitude changed from that day.

Many of us complain of things happening to us as not good, but I have observed that things do not happen to us, they happen for us. Rom 8:28a says, “All things work together for good.” I am sure David was not always happy having to go to the bush alone to shepherd his father’s sheep while his elder brothers would sit at home. But, while shepherding in the bush, David had the opportunity of fighting a bear and a lion, and must have thought to himself, “This is not good for my life.”

However, he kept going day by day not minding what was happening to him. Suddenly, Prophet Samuel surfaced and he didn’t see no other person to anoint king over Israel except the young man in the bush – David. If David had complained and stopped going to care for the sheep, maybe he would have missed that opportunity of becoming a king.

Wherever you are, please know that God has put you there for a reason. When you understand that, your mood won’t be dependent on your circumstances or on how someone treats you. So when next someone is treating you bad or you have to do extra time at work with no pay or you are going through a trying time, just tell yourself, “It’s all working together for my good.”

Have a better than good day!

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DEAL WITH IT

April 23, 2014

Humans were wired to give excuses for failure. This wiring system was installed by Adam and Eve. As a result of that, it is very cheap and easy for a man to tell you one million and one reasons why he failed at something or to do something. It started with Adam saying it was the woman that gave him the fruit; the woman said it was the serpent. Maybe if they had asked for forgiveness and stopped giving excuses, the Garden of Eden experience would not have been cut off.

There was a man named Jabez who according to the word of God was more honorable than his brothers yet he was decorated with sorrow. There was no single achievement. He had no success story. However, one thing I like about the man is that he didn’t let his limitation limit him, rather he took the limit off and went to God and prayed. He knew what he needed and he dealt with it. Bible says in 1 Chr 4:10 that granted his request.

Many people would say, if not that I don’t have a university degree, I would have gone far in life, sorry you don’t have it – deal with it. Some would say if only I was born white or in America my life would have been sweeter than this, sorry that didn’t happen – deal with it. If only I was married to Bill Gates, sorry ma, that didn’t happen – deal with it. Stop worrying about what you do not have and start working with what you have.

Jabez knew that he could go on and on and on dishing out various reasons why he couldn’t make it but he refused to do that, instead he went to God in prayer. No matter your situation, deal with it by going to God in prayer. Pray out your limitation and promotion would surface easily. I tell people, the more you pray, the better your pay (from God and man).

Stay blessed.

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INVOLVE GOD

April 22, 2014

Some of us have selected topics that we discuss with our parents – we feel there are some issues we can handle by ourselves. The same way, many of us have selected issues we take to God. We only involve Him when it comes to cases of life and death. However, while studying the life of great people in the Bible, I realized that they involve God in every little details of their lives.

In 2 Sam 2, David asked God, “I want to travel to any cities of Judah, should I go?” God answered and said, “Go!” As if that was not enough, he came back and asked, “I know you have asked me to go, but where in particular should I go to?” God told him Hebron. I am sure if Hebron was a strange land for David, he would have asked God which house to go to.

My point is that there is nothing too small for God to be involved in. The scripture says commit your ways (not just the big and terrible one, but all your ways) to the Lord, and He shall direct your path. In your going out and coming in, involve God. People who involve God in all their affairs are the ones who have the world revolving around them – they are the happening/reigning people. Saul stopped reigning because he felt he was self-sufficient.

When you involve God in your affairs, you can never go wrong. Sometimes, I would have had an idea of what to write as a topic for this devotional, but it has become an attitude for me to ask God, “What do you want me to write about?” Honestly, He is always on point. Involve God when eating or drinking (not alcohol though). Involve Him when writing that proposal or application. Involve God before you make that important sales call. Involve Him all the time in all your affairs.

You won’t need to worry when God is involved. Enjoy your day!

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TIME OF REFRESHING

April 21, 2014

I am sure at one point or the other, you have felt very thirsty, but the moment you lay your hands on very chilled water or mineral drink, you feel like you are already in paradise. No man that I know likes to experience discomfort. Discomfort is painful, hurtful and damaging, whereas a time of refreshing brings out your real stature and color because you are in a relaxed mode.

The truth is, God’s intention for man from creation is to enjoy and stay refreshed. Everything that man needed was already provided for in the Garden of Eden, but the moment man disobeyed God, instead of enjoying, toiling became the order of the day. Man had to sweat to eat bread and work day and night just to make ends meet.

However, the moment Jesus came, He said it clearly that, “I am come that humans might have life and even have it more abundantly.” In order words, God is not interested in your pains or distress or discomfort – that is not His plan for you. He died so you will live; He became poor so you might be rich; He was beaten so you might be healed. Sin, however, created an open heaven for lack, want, distress and discomfort to rain down on man.

The more the children of Israel disobeyed and sinned against God, the more they suffered defeat. Even King David suffered discomfort and loss of a child because of sin. Why don’t you just make up your mind that you won’t let sin sink you into the pit of stress? Acts 3:19 says, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Psa 1:1-3 says the righteous shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water – always refreshed.

Be wise. Have a refreshing week!

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HE KNOWS MY NAME

April 19, 2014

Someone said that in Nigeria, when old friends meet especially men, and they cannot remember each other’s name, that’s when they call each other, “Chairman.” Naturally, humans are wired to forget, and some are good at forgetting names (I think I am in that category too). However, I have seen that no matter who you are, God knows your name.

In Acts 9, Saul was a very deadly man. He was always going about seeking whom he may devour – he was devils incarnate. On his way to Damascus, he heard someone call out his name from out of nowhere. With some element of pride in him, he must have asked, “Who is that?” Bible says the moment he heard it was Jesus, he was trembling and astonished. Even though, he was not born again, God knew his name because He said in Jer 1:5a that, “before you were formed, He knew thee.”

A songwriter said, “He knows my name, He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls, and He hears me when I call.” Maybe you are feeling forgotten all because things are not working out the way you want them to, please relax, His name is Omniscient – the All Knowing God. He knows your beginning and your ending. He knew your names even before your parents thought of them.

Our God is a God that knows, sees and cares. He knows exactly where you are, what you are going through, what you need and He is monitoring every of your step. Jesus died not because it was fanciful but because of you. He became poor so that you might be rich. He allowed them beat Him so you can be sickness-free. He rose up just to go to the Father and prepare a place for you. The governor of your city might not know you by name, but be glad and rejoice because the one that can take the life of a governor anytime knows your name.

Happy Easter.

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DELAY COULD BE DANGEROUS

April 19, 2014

Some days ago, I laid my hand on a book I named - my goal book, written thirteen years ago. While flipping through the book, tears came out of my eyes because I saw things I wrote back then and I never did execute. Unfortunately, some of things written in that book had been done by some other smart people while few are yet undone. Does that mean God is unfair? No! However, God is interested in those who have adopted the NIKE motto of “Just Do It.”

When God wanted to make man, it was out of an idea and that idea became their main goal in heaven, which was why God told His employees up there, “Let us make man in our own image and likeness.” God didn’t delay in executing that idea, He went into action immediately. Someone said the biggest businessmen make decisions with the speed of light and they do not dare delay or dally. One elderly friend of mine would always say, “Delay could be dangerous.”

In 1 Samuel 21:8, David said he forgot to travel with his spear because of the urgency. He said, “for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.” Sir, the King of kings desires to change the world day by day and this He would do through people like you and I, but the moment one person somewhere is delaying the execution of that idea, God gives the idea to another person which is why most times, you hear people say, “And I have that same idea.” God’s business requires haste.

Stop delaying the execution of that wonderful idea. Step out in faith and all the necessary resources needed would surface. Always remember that delay could be dangerous. Isaac sowed in that same year of serious famine without no delay and he enjoyed hundred fold harvest. Enjoy your weekend.

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MEEKNESS

April 19, 2014

One of the secrets of happiness that Jesus taught us is to be meek and lowly. However, some of us take meekness for weakness, without realizing that it is a virtue possessed by very strong set of people. Meekness means strength under control. A very wild dog would quiver at the sight of the owner not because the dog is weak but the dog has realized that she has to control her strength.

When the crucifiers came to arrest Jesus, He told them, “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” In order words, I have the power to save myself but I choose not to bother myself about you, I am an eagle and you are chickens, so go ahead and do your chicken business. When you are meek, you don’t go out trying to prove to everyone you don’t take nonsense.

A man said many humans are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of anger, frustration, depression, worry, disappointment and fear. As their garbage piles up, they look for a place to dump it. Which is why someone who has had a bad day at work would almost make everyone that comes his way throughout that day feel very bad because he is looking for where to dump the garbage inside of him.

When next someone steps on your toes (I wonder why you would also put your toes out where someone can easily step on it), don’t take it personal, it not abnormal, you just clean it off and walk away. It doesn’t mean you are weak, it means you have better things to do. Some are experts at picking quarrels, but always remember that Heb 12:14 says, “Follow peace with all men, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

Happy Good Friday!

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SEE RIGHT

April 17, 2014

Luk 11:34 says “The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.” Our eyes play a very vital role in our journey through life. Most of us miss out in life because we do not see that which we ought to see.

In Gen 13:14-15, Bible says “And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever.” Thank God Abram had seeing eyes, if not he would have limited himself by what he saw that day and maybe that would have affected all of human race till today.

What you see is what you get. The seeing eyes see the end of a matter from the beginning by the help of the Holy Ghost. If all you see is sickness, poverty, lack, want, disappointment and all, and you expect to experience wealth, health, abundance and favor, then you must be joking. Your eyes determine how far you go in life.

Have you ever watched a scary movie before going to bed and suddenly in the middle of the night, you start having terrible nightmares? I once read a book before going to bed about how dangerous pigs could be. In the middle of the night, I saw that same pig running after me and I started screaming until I woke up. When I woke up, I gave the book out. What the eyes see, the mind broods over and that is what the spirit feeds on and in turn becomes what the soul experiences.

Friends, the truth is this, if your eyes are not seeing well, your journey in life might not go well.

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STEP OF FAITH

April 16, 2014

So many times, many of us get frustrated when what we are believing God for is taking ages to surface. However, I have seen that to believe God for a thing is good, but you must take a further step which is what we religiously call the step of faith. When you believe God for a thing, it is like loading a gun with bullets and aiming the gun at a wild animal, the animal will not die automatically if you refuse to pull the trigger.

The trigger of faith is works. Faith without works is dead. Faith is that which that causes the engine of your car to rev. Going through the story of a blind man named Bartimaeus, Bible says the moment he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was in town, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.”

When Jesus called him to His side, he asked him what he wanted. In verse 52, Bible says And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.” Bible says and immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. If Bartimaeus had not gone his way, he would have remained a blind man for the rest of his life.

Faith is more than believing. Faith is more than thinking, talking, or having convictions about Jesus. Faith is action. It is movement; it is activity. Faith is something you do. In fact, the Bible says in James 2:14, “If people say they have faith, but do nothing, their faith is worth nothing” (NCV).  Before water came out of the rock, Moses believed but he still had to hit the rock with his rod. The woman with the twelve years issue of blood believed but she still had to touch.

What are you trusting God for, take a step of faith along that line because what God needs from you to release your miracle is your act of faith.

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THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE

April 15, 2014

There is a story of two bricklayers. One of them was never happy while the other was always seen singing and rejoicing while working. One day, someone came to the site where they were working and asked them separately what they were doing. The negative one said, “We are just laying bricks. It’s such a boring job and you can’t imagine we have been doing this for close to twenty years.”

On the other hand, the second bricklayer said, “I am so excited to be one of the people who would walk by this building in years to come and say – I built that. What a great honor!” I am sure you have heard or at one time or the other said, “TGIF – Thank God Its Friday.” A recent survey shows that many people are happier on Fridays than they are on Mondays. Another survey says that there are more cases of heart attack on Mondays than on Fridays. People just make up their minds to be happy

The truth is we are the creators of our experience – happiness or unhappiness. Psa 118:24 says, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” In order words, whether it is Monday or Tuesday or Saturday – it is the day the Lord has made. I understand that some days could appear hectic, but program your own mind never to have a hectic or a hell of a day, because it is the day the Lord has made.

Every day is a gift from God and remember that He only gives good and perfect gifts, so, every day is a good and perfect day. Don’t waste the gift of today by staying unhappy, unleash your happiness. You might not be happy going to the office today because of the task ahead, but you will be unhappier if you lose that job, so be happy you even have a job.

Thank God Its Tuesday!

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MIND YOUR ASSOCIATION

April 14, 2014

It is an overheard statement that, “show me your friend, and I will show you the kind of person you are.” Humans are relational beings, however, one has to be cautious of who you associate with because who you associate with determines what the society associates with you. If the friends of a young virgin are big time whores, then no matter what the virgin says, no one would ever believe she is a virgin.

In 2 Sam 13, the life of very promising young prince – Amnon was terminated brutally because of the kind of friend he had. Amnon loved his sister and didn’t know how to go about it. However, the moment Jonadab (Amnon’s friend) was brought into the discussion, he immediately cooked up a scheme for Amnon to use in achieving his plan. The plan worked and Amnon succeeded in raping Tamar, which later earned him death.

Your association determines your orientation and in turn your position. A Nigerian adage says, a lamb that associates with a dog will also eat feces. Many people are on their way to the land of destruction and humiliation because of the kind of people they have chosen to associate with while some are billionaires today because of the friends they have. Sir, one of the things you should not have difficulty in doing is identifying if an association would make your better or bitter.

Another Nigerian adage says, “It is better to have ten set of good teeth than having thirty two bad ones.” Sir/ma, it is better for you to have one sensible and impactful friend than having one hundred non-value adding ones. Jesus had just twelve disciples, yet one of them sold Him, isn’t that a pointer to the fact that you don’t need too many friends to make it in life. Mind who you associate with because they would rub off on you. Associate with smart and creative believers who would challenge you into becoming a better person in life.

Be wise!

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SUCCESS IS DELIBERATE

April 13, 2014

I am sure at one time or the other, you have heard the saying that if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. I have never had the opportunity and I am not sure I would ever have that opportunity to come in contact with someone who doesn’t desire success. The student wants to be successful; the entrepreneur wants to succeed; the career man/woman wants to also succeed.

However, one thing about success that I have seen is that it is not a product of your wish, it is a product of your actions and inactions. I tell people that, if you can show me your daily routine, I would be 90% correct in predicting if you would ever be successful or not. One of the things that successful people do is that they have their days planned.

Our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ, knew where to be at every point in time. In Matt 12, Jesus was preaching when His mother showed up to see Him. Ordinarily, one would have thought He would stop preaching and go see them, but He didn’t because He understood that there might not be a second chance to talk to that same set of people ever again.

Do you want to be successful? Check what you do every day? If you like hanging out with friends’ more than taking time out with the word of God and discussing with the Holy Ghost, may you not die wishing you were successful. There is what to do at every point in time; a time to play and a time to work; a time to gist and time to think.

Sir, there are many distractions; TV; Blackberry; friends; Phones; Games; etc. The thing is these distractions are living their lives, so why allow them stop you from living yours? Deliberately eradicate all distractions even if it means losing friends. Bible says let every man run the race before him. It is your destiny and not our destiny.

Enjoy your Sunday service.

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JESUS LOVES YOU

April 12, 2014

In a family, sometimes we notice that a particular child is more loved that the others. This is not peculiar to any tribe or race, it is a common occurrence. This then makes the other children start thinking maybe they have done something wrong at a particular point in time and that is why their parents do not love them.

Personally, I have realized that humans love conditionally; as long as you are an obedient child, I will always love you; as long as you remain a faithful spouse, my love for you would never shake. However, the love of Jesus for us is unconditional. That popular part of the scripture says for God so loved the world, in order words, even when the world was living in unrighteousness, God loved the world.

In John 8, a certain woman was brought to Jesus said to be caught in the middle of adultery. Ordinarily, one would expect that Jesus would ask her to be flogged considering what He did to those selling in the tabernacle. Instead, he told the people that brought her to him for judgment, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” After the accusers have all left, He told the woman, I am not condemning you, but please go and sin no more.

Sometimes we feel we are so dirty as a result of our sins that the love of God for us might be uncertain but I have come to tell you that it doesn’t matter what you have done in the past or you are doing right now, God still loves you which is why you are alive. With the kind of rebellious lifestyle the children of Israel lived, at a point, I felt God would just forsake them but His word in Psalm 27:10 says He is not a God that forsakes.

Jesus loves you for who you are, remember you are the handiwork of his father.

Enjoy your weekend.

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