I thank You

The month of August is significant for me because it is my birth month.  When I look around me I see a lot to be thankful for, including but not limited to the list below.

a)     The gift of life -  Many babies were born on the same day I was, not all survived, some didn’t get to celebrate their 5^th birthday, others didn’t make it to their 10^th birthday, etc, I have fallen sick severally, admitted in the hospital for illness, His power has healed and quickened me and last week I celebrated my 40^th birthday, I bless God for the privilege of reaching this milestone

b)     Provision -  The Lord has supernaturally supplied all my needs, like the Psalmist says: The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. From ensuring that I had food (breast milk) on the day I was born to breakfast (an orange 😊) this morning as I write. He has also provided for my family and beyond that which I even know. I cant quantify the number of fishes, plants, rice, beans, yam, spices etc I have consumed from the day I was born, but He alone has provided through various means

c)      Protection – The Lord has been my protection, I have been in several journeys, beginning from being transported from the hospital after I was born to my parents’ house, night journeys, day journeys, in the air, across continents, on motor bikes, in a boat across a lake, in ferries around the coastal areas of Nigeria, many more than I can mention here, His mercy has kept me, never encountered robbers, twice I was involved in a motor bike accident, but not one limb is broken. Praise be to the Lord most High!

d)     Salvation – I got saved sometime in 1985, the Lord extended His grace to me through my mother and I accepted Him as my Lord and Saviour at the age of 7. Why He chose me I still can’t comprehend, but I’m forever grateful to Him for catching me that young. I thank Him for sending Jesus to die for me, the precious blood that was shed for me on the cross

e)     The Holy Spirit - Shortly after I got saved I was baptized with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. The Holy Spirit has never left me. I have failed severally in my walk with Him, yet He keeps strengthening, chastening and encouraging me in this walk of faith!

f)       Family and Friends – The Lord has surrounded me with beautiful and wonderful people for which I am grateful, my husband, my children, parents, lovely siblings, in-laws and colleagues at work. I bless His Holy Name and do not take it for granted

g)     Destiny Path - I’m grateful for the great destiny He has ahead of me, opening my eyes and ears to heed him, an understanding heart to begin to walk on the path of destiny, I’m not at my destination yet! He who began a good work in me, would be faithful to complete it

Photocredit:https://www.tlnt.com/

h)     Opportunities/Privileges – I’m grateful for opportunities and privileges He has given me to be a blessing to my generation through intercessory prayers (I have indeed seen results - God answers prayers); being a blessing financially to family and friends and to His work; blogging about my walk with Him; the privilege of a unique voice to be a music minister – it’s sometimes overwhelming being used as a vessel to lead people in worship unto our God. He is magnificent! Our little minds can’t comprehend His greatness, I stand/bow/prostrate in awe of Him. What is Constance that thou art mindful of her? I’m yet to get the answer to this question

i)       His Word – The availability of the Bible, I understand there are some countries where the Bible is banned and so Christians in these countries do not have access to the Bible, but here I am, I have access to as many translations as I desire to explore/study… I seriously need to study hard.

j)       Ongoing Transformation – I’m still on this journey of transformation to become more and more like Him, it’s a life-long goal, I trust Him his able hands, I’m not where I used to be. I bless the everlasting God, for His work in me and through me

k)     Church/Choir – I thank God for planting me in a living church where I am fed with the Word of God, I thank God for the Serving Overseer and all the members, I also thank Him for New Dawn choir and for prompting me to join this wonderful group and serve Him, the best choir in the whole world!

l)       Battles and Trials– I thank God for battles He has won on my behalf without me knowing, for protecting me from the arrows of the wicked, for preparing a table before me in the presence of my enemies, I thank Him for the trials I have gone through, going through and will go through. It’s all working out for my good and I know lives would be blessed by them too.

m)   Last but not the least, I thank God for the opportunity and mental soundness to publish my thoughts on this blog and for the lives that would be stirred up to thank Him more and more for who He is and what He has done, is doing and will do. Hallelujah!

Preparation Time is not Wasted Time

Today I will be sharing with you on what I title, “Preparation Time Is Not Wasted Time”.  The post below is one of my hubby's devotionals, which he writes and issues out on Mondays. Read and be blessed...

In life, personal growth is a decision. No one will grow for you. Nobody eats on your behalf when you are hungry. There is a saying that a hungry man is an angry man. No hungry man will pick up a loaf of bread and put it on someone else’s mouth. It is your duty to do what necessitates growth and maturity in life. Meaning, in life you must be prepared to do the needful. Really, greatness in life is not for the unprepared. Someone once said that, “Success occurs when preparation meets opportunity. Those who get prepared are always ready for every opportunity that presents itself before them.

Photo credit: https://www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

That reminds me of David. While at the back side of desert watching over the family flock in his care, he was busy acquiring skills and preparing himself. As a shepherd boy, he encountered a lion and bear which came after his flock, he killed them both. He became skilled in the art of war at a very tender age. While also watching over the flock, he was not idling away time, but also busy sharpening his musical talents. Now when the opportunity presented itself by Goliath degrading and insulting the army of Israel, David was so mad at the Philistine warlord. While his brothers tried stopping him, he looked at them and said, “Is there not a cause” (1 Samuel 17:29). This uncircumcised Philistine stands here insulting the God of Israel, and you are here hiding and afraid. God forbid! 

But what really gave the inexperienced David the impetus to face Goliath, when all the experienced warlords of Israel were afraid? It’s just one simple word: Preparation! David allowed God to prepare him by staying in God’s presence. He knew what and what not to be doing per time. He got prepared both physically and spiritually which most armies of Israel never had. By his relationship with God, David became so confident in His maker. No wonder when he stood before Goliath, he looked at him and said: “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Samuel 17:45). We all know the end of the story. The question is: How prepared are you in the things that God has committed to your hands. If opportunity suddenly presents itself – are you ready – will you be able to handle it? 

Like the unjust steward who buried his talent (Matt.25:18), many people today have allowed their talents to lie fallow without cultivation. Listen, the seed of greatness is in you, and until you plant it, and nurture it, it will not germinate. If you know you have a gift and talent in music, drawing, teaching, writing, cooking, or whatsoever, do not leave it lying dormant. It is your route to greatness. Just maximize it by putting it to use, learning all you can in that area. Remember, “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men” (Proverbs 18:16). Why? “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men” (Proverbs 22:29). Like David in the back of desert, you should just keep practicing and sharpening your talents. Yes, it calls for diligence. You may not be known or recognized by anyone at the moment. But as you remain faithful in working at it, the Almighty God will showcase you to the world like He did to David. Never forget, “Preparation time is not wasted time”. Have a fantastic week. With love, Elvis!

You can read more here:
www.changemakersforchrist.org

Ye know not what manner of Spirit ye are of...

Some days ago, my daughter complained to me about an issue she had in school with a school mate, I calmly asked the Holy Spirit for wisdom on how to address it and promptly He directed me on what to say and how to counsel her. Shortly after she left for bed, I went to my room and relived the issue again, and then I became angry and started praying “fire and brimstone” prayers. Well the Holy Spirit faithfully interrupted my prayers and told me I wasn’t responding rightly as I had counselled my daughter to.

He reminded me of the sons of Zebedee James and John who asked Jesus to call down fire from heaven and consume a community that had rejected Jesus in their city. And Jesus replied them saying… Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

Photo credit:https://www.lcg.org

Luke 9:54 -56 (NKJV)

And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” 55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village

I repented and asked God for mercy, the flesh always goes contrary to the spirit, I’m learning everyday to walk in the spirit and not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit Who is ever near to convict, correct and help us in our journey to becoming more and more like Him.

No one is panicky in Heaven

As a final year student in the University I was entitled to school accommodation, but in my set, there were limited bed spaces available, so the school management decided that students would have to ballot for the available spaces. Before then I had always desired to stay in a Lecturer’s BQ (Boys Quarters’) in my final year, BQ which was like the GRA of school accommodation then 😊. I prayed about it and specifically asked God for 2 roommates He would use me to reach out to.


I didn’t want to sell my allotted bed space as the norm was, if I succeed in getting a bed space from the school. So, on the day of the balloting I picked a “No”. The next step was to get the accommodation I was believing God for. I didn’t know any lecturer to approach. I asked friends for help but it looked like it was not going to happen.

Photo credit: https://elmercurio.com.mx

School had resumed and I was going to school from my cousin’s house which was far from school and stressful also. I was beginning to get worried about the situation. One morning before I left for school, I was getting ready to “PRAY THROUGH” but the Holy Spirit interrupted my thoughts and said to me “in heaven no one was worried or panicky about my accommodation because it had already been provided for.” It suddenly dawned on me that indeed there’s no place for worry in heaven. Through His abundant supply of grace I began to thank God and magnify Him, I was overwhelmed with joy. Then I began to ask God to lead me to where the provision was.


A few days later, I went to school for lectures and met a friend who told me she was looking for a room mate to share accommodation with in a Lecturer’s BQ. I couldn’t believe my ears. She told me there was a clause though – there was another lady she had told about the accommodation who was interested, but she was not moving in till second semester. Long story cut short, we agreed to share, but just before I moved in, the lady said she didn’t want a third person in the room for some personal reasons.


She was adamant about it, I felt like all I had hoped for was crashing before my eyes and I didn’t have another alternative. Lectures were already in full swing and I wouldn’t have the time to start scouting for another place to stay. I began to pray for favour, and trusted God to change the situation. Eventually she changed her mind and accepted. We even became very good friends before we graduated. The Lord indeed used me to minister to her when she was having some marital challenges. 


The Lord who did it for me is still in the business of helping His own. When all hope is lost, hang in there, NO ONE IS WORRIED OR PANICKY IN HEAVEN ABOUT YOUR SITUATION! 😊


The just shall live by faith!

We are co-creators with God

According to the freedictionary.com to co-create means to create jointly.

1 Corinthians 3:9 (NKJV)
9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

God created the heavens and the earth, vegetation, animals by speaking them into existence. It is the nature of God to create and everything He created was beautiful and good before the fall of man.
We are partakers of His divine nature which includes His creative ability.

To effectively co-create with God, we should come into alignment with Him so that we do not work at cross-purposes with His plan for our lives, families and spheres of influence.
We co-create by the words of our mouth, the choice of words we speak over our lives, families and nation. Let the weak say I am strong, let the poor say I am rich, declare His word over your life, family and nation

Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
As we begin to speak His word concerning us, our families, etc, things will begin to line up. 

James 3:5-6 (NKJV)
5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 

Photocredit: wvchurch.org

We get our words to come into alignment with Gods words through 

Prayer 
Asking God and desiring earnestly for our tongues to come into alignment with His words, He shall grant us the desires of our heart. Ask and ye shall receive. When Isaiah had an encounter with God, his tongue was changed:

Isaiah 6:5-7 (NKJV)
5 So I said:
“Woe is me, for I am undone!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King,
The Lord of hosts.”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said:
“Behold, this has touched your lips;
Your iniquity is taken away,
And your sin purged.”

Study and meditating on God’s words 
Thoughts produce words, and therefore we guard our hearts with all diligence!

Luke 6:45 (NKJV) 
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart[a] brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) 
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) 
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Note
Proverbs 15:4 (KJV) 
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Prayer
Father bring my tongue, the words of my mouth to align with your word, that instead of creating chaos, You will bring order through my tongue

Keep the main thing the main thing

Happy New year! 

It’s that time of the year again when we make new year resolutions, decisions to improve on ourselves, family relationships, work, etc.

However, for me this year, I trust God to keep the main thing the main thing.

Jesus visited Mary and Martha, Martha was busy serving (there is nothing wrong in serving though) but Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to Him, Martha was upset that Jesus did not ask Mary to help her, Jesus answered her saying. “But one thing is needful …

Luke 10:42 (KJV)

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

What is that one thing that the Lord will have you focus on this year? When He reveals this to you, keep it in focus all the time. Thank God for the Holy Spirit who is always with us to guide us into all truth and to bring all things to our remembrance. 

John 14:26 (KJV)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Our relationship with God is so important that Jesus prayed for us shortly before His crucifixion in John 17. It is His desire for us to become united with Him and this comes by regularly spending time with Him in His Word and obeying Him, Prayer, singing His praises and giving Him thanks. 

John 17:21 (KJV) 

that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Ministry should be the outflow of our personal walk with the Father, we come to Him not because of what He wants to do through us but because of who He is and we have been bought with a price – the precious blood of Jesus.

Before the fall, God used to come down to fellowship with Adam, this relationship was restored after Jesus died and resurrected. He is a God that longs to fellowship with His own – Man. So many times we get caught up with the busyness of the day and even “ministry” and neglect the place of intimacy with the Father.

It is in the place of intimacy that the Lord deposits His substance in us. Proverbs 8:17,21.

Proverbs 8:17, 21 (KJV)

17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

This year, let us endeavor to keep the main thing the main thing – Fellowship with the Father.

Song/Prayer

Draw me close to you

Never let me go

I lay it all down again

To hear you say that I’m your friend

You are my desire

And no one else will do

'Cause nothing else can take Your place

To feel the warmth of Your embrace

Help me find a way

Bring me back to You

You're all I want

You're all I've ever needed

You're all I want

Help me know You are near

Knowing God Intimately

My post today is from my hubby’s Monday Devotional. I trust you will be blessed by this article, which can also be found here: www.changemakersforchrist.org

Friends, greetings in Jesus Name! Today I will be sharing with you on what I title, “Knowing God Intimately”. As a believer, your endurance and perseverance in your walk with God can only come by your depth of knowledge and understanding of His ways – knowing who He is, what He stands for, what He hates, what He loves, and how He operates. This clear knowledge of His personality enables you to clear the fog off your eyes from any wrong perception about His person. I know some people who fell out of the way just by a slight trial of life. Unfortunately, many of such people have made God their enemy. Simply because certain things did not work out as expected, they blame God as the cause. Remember, our God is loving, tenderhearted, caring, and kind. He cannot tempt you with evil, and neither does He tempt any man (James 1:13). He is never the cause of our problems as some thinks. He is the one who tries every possible means to save you from your problems. The real enemy of your destiny is the devil. He hates you with passion!

The bible declares in John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Why? It is in knowing God and His son Jesus Christ, that you can truly live and lead a successful life. Apostle Paul said, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10). Listen, what distinguished Moses from the rest of Israelites was his knowledge of God. Psalm 103:7 says, “He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the people of Israel.” There are certain things others don’t know but you know when God makes His ways known to you. Unfortunately, God cannot make His ways known to you when you do not thirst after Him. Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are they that thirst and long after righteousness for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). What is righteousness? It is having right standing with God. This occurs when you constantly desire to fellowship with God, walking intimately with Him, and learning His ways like Moses did.

Many years ago, when I was learning to drive a car using the manual gear system, I remember starting out with gear one, then I move a while and change to gear two, and to gear three, and to gear four, and finally to gear five depending on my speed or traffic on the road. Really, you don’t start out with gear one and quickly change to gear four. If you do so, the car will stall and malfunction. The general rule is to understand the law of “gradual process”. Likewise, walking with God requires a process. You do not start with God from gear three. No! You have to start from the basics, and learn through the ranks. Jesus said in Matthew 11:29, “Learn of Me”. Therefore, as the year draws to a close, seek to know God, learn of Him, and walk closely with Him through the power of the Holy Spirit. Do not carry-over your mistakes, failures, disappointment, and setbacks of 2017 into the year 2018. You must desire to cross-over to take-over in the New Year. Have a fantastic week. With love, Elvis!