GET UP AND GET MOVING - Tuesday, April 5.

We live in a society that gives excuse. You may have valid reasons for feeling the way you do; you may have gone through many times that nobody deserves to experience in life.

But if you want to live a victorious life, you cannot use your past emotional wounds as an excuse for making poor choices today. Instead, take what God has given you and make good use of it.

Today can be a turning point in your life, a time of new beginning, don't waste another minute trying to figure out why certain evil things have happened to you or to your loved ones.

Your adversity either make you bitter or better, the two is yours to choose from. You've got to pick up your bed and get going, your past doesn't have to determine your future.

Sometimes, we go through what we just don't understand and we wonder why bad things happen to good people. Instead, talk to God and tell Him "I Don't Understand".

If you will stay in an attitude of faith and victory, God has promised that He will turn those emotional wounds around.

For we know that, all things work together for our good. (Romans. 8:28)

He will use them to your advantage and you'll come out better than you would have, had they not happen to you.

SHALOM!!!

BALANCE SHEET OF LIFE - Wednesday, April 6th.

The World's most incredible computer - The Brain.

The worst thing to be without - Hope.

The deadly weapon - The Tongue.

The two most power filled words - I can.

The greatest asset - Faith.

The most worthless emulsion - Self pay.

The most beautiful attire - Smile.

The most prized possession - Integrity.

The most powerful line of communication - Prayer.

The most contagious spirit - Enthusiasm.

The most important thing in life - God.

Life end, when you stop dreaming. Hope end, when you stop believing. Watch your Life.

SHALOM!

PRAYER THAT COMES FROM THE HEART - Thursday, April 7th.

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16)

It is not the time you spend doing an assignment that really matters, rather it is your ability to do it right. Compliance with the guidelines is very important to the outcome of any work done.

In life, especially in Christianity, it is often believed that prayer is the master key we have to use to possess our possession. As a child of God, you need prayer because without God, you can do nothing. Not only that, there are forces of darkness to contend with, that is whoever will never want you to succeed.

However, you need to know that there is a prayer that provokes the release of favour, signs and wonders. It is not necessarily long drawn, or how you spend praying that matters but the content of your prayers. Esther prayed and fasted for favour and God moved on her behalf. Hannah was specific in her prayer when she poured out her heart to God. She got what she demanded.

You can say something to God from your heart that can change your destiny. All that is required is for it to emanate from your heart.

SHALOM!

SUPERNATURAL WISDOM 2 - Friday, April 8th.

"Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding." (Prov 4:9)

Supernatural wisdom stimulates inventions (innovations): It makes one to be creative. A lot of inventions today are products of the wisdom of God; as so many of the inventors are christians. Michael Faraday, Isaac Newton and so many others were christians.
In essence, the wisdom of God makes you not run out of ideas. Although, doing the same work over and over again could be monotonous but by the wisdom of God you can become innovative in your area of endeavor.

Supernatural wisdom makes you to be witty: It makes you to know what to say per time. You are never cornered, you always have an answer to every question of life.
Furthermore, the wisdom of God guarantees longevity. King Solomon in Prov 3:16-18, wrote about supernatural wisdom that, "Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is everyone that retaineth her."

When the wisdom of God is in place in your life, long life becomes your portion automatically (Prov 9:11). The wisdom of God keeps you alive by directing and instructing you on every issue of life. It tells you what to do and what not to do, who to marry and who not to marry, when to travel and when not to travel, etc. In effect, many deaths are so as a result of lack of the wisdom of God.
Therefore, in order to live long, impart your world and fulfil destiny in a grand style, wisdom is the principal thing; let everyone embrace it.

SHALOM!

FROM GLORY TO GLORY - Monday, April 11th.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The name of the Lord be praised for bringing us into a new month, the beginning of one of the fearful months for many people, but I will like to assure you that this is not going to be so for you because the word of God says "when men are cast down then thou shall say there is a lifting up" (Job 22:19)

The plan of God for you in this month is to move you from glory to glory i.e promotion. And one key instrument that God will use to bring you into this new higher level of promotion is a key of "CHANGE".

Moving from one level to another demands your decision to want a change and also to be ready to do that which can bring you a change (i.e prodigal son). An English adage says, if wishes were horses beggars will also ride.

How far are you ready to change in your relationship with God, in your thinking, in your attitude, are you ready to turn from your sinful ways. And another key that activate glory is VISION. You will only be what you see, whatever level you are today represents the extent of your sight.

I pray that God will open your eyes of understanding that you may behold the glory ordained for you.

God is presently working a change around you, I exhort you to cooperate with God. I with all expectation await the manifestation of your glory in Jesus name.

SHALOM!!!!

REIGNING IN LIFE THROUGH CHRIST - Wednesday, April 13th.

For if by one man's offence death reigned through the one; much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through one, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17)

The Lord wants us to grow in the magnificent blessing of living victoriously through Him. Having a triumphant Christian walk can only be realized from a developing acquaintanceship with the Lord, because we are only able to reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

Significant spiritual issues are set against a victorious life: "By the one man's offense death reigned through the one." Because of Adam's sin, spiritual deadness ruled over the family of man.
The enemy of men's souls uses this deadness to dominate and destroy lives. Elsewhere, Jesus likened him to a thief.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10). This is why lives, households and nations experience such deadly defeats and crushing failure.

A tyrant dictator, "death," dominates all lives that are only born once in Adam. They can only draw upon Adam's fallen, sinful, inadequate life source.
A new and greater source is needed and is found in Christ. "Much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."

One of these two is possessed by every believer in Christ: "the gift of righteousness." This is the righteousness of the Lord Jesus, given to us by faith.

SHALOM!!!

THE GIVER'S HAND - Thursday, April 14th.

"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give ; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." (2 Cor. 9:7).

The richest hand in the world is the hand of a giver. Givers never lack. If you truly have a heart of love, your hand will show it. Until you start giving richly and promptly at every opportunity; you will never be able to enjoy the best of all that God has in store for you. Hear Harvey S. Firestone: "You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself." I love what our Basic Scripture says: "God loves a cheerful giver."

Remember that love is an action word. When God sees someone giving cheerfully, it moves Him because He is the number one CHAMPION GIVER. Giving is one of those few things that move God to act on behalf of His people. And there is one thing that God always does in response to the giving spirit displayed by His children. He gives to them back in return.

You can never out give God. I think I need to say that again: You can never out give God. The more you give to God, the more you receive. That is why the Giver's Hand is always richer than the Receiver's Hand. Jesus said it this way: "it is more blessed to give than to receive." In other words, when you give, you are positioned to enjoy more of God’s blessings than you are when you receive.

Unfortunately, many want to wait until they have enough before they can give. If you are like that, you will never enjoy the blessing and bliss that givers know. There is something powerful and thrilling about giving from the little you have! No man is ever too poor that he has nothing to give. There is always something to give. Even if it's just a helping hand, give it. God will bless you in return abundantly.

Give and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give unto your bosom. Turn your hand into a giving hand today and you will NEVER lack help in your season of need.

SHALOM!

WHEN HE LEADS YOU ROUND - ABOUT - Monday, April 18th.

"They spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?" (Numbers 21:5)

In life, your destination determines how your journey will look like. And the celebration and accolades that accompany a gold medalist is always higher than that of a bronze medalist.

Many times, when we lose patience and give up over our dream, we often forget that our throne is nearer than when we first began the journey. You will even discover that most people give up when they are almost at the verge of breakthrough - Lack of patience.

In Exodus 32, the Israelites had barely finished celebrating their new god when Moses that would not come for forty days appeared. The same was true of Saul. He was yet to be through with the sacrifices when the much awaited Samuel arrived.

When God chooses to lead us round about "Edom", it is not because His thoughts towards us are evil. He wants us to be patient, to be humbled.

Apostle Paul counseled us in Philippians 4:6-7 not to worry about anything, but in all prayers, ask God for what you need; always ask Him with a thankful heart. And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding will keep your hearts and minds. It is this peace, which is a function of the revelation knowledge of God's faithfulness that makes a man ready to go an extra mile even when he thinks the "appointed" time is long past.

Humble yourself, be patient under God's mighty hand, so that God will lift you up in His own good time.

SHALOM!

FAMILY MATTERS 1 - Monday, April 25th.

"Bearing with one another in love...Keep the unity of the Spirit." Ephesians 4:2-3 NKJV

When it's easier to talk to outsiders than it is to your own family, something's wrong. Your family should be a support system, a safety net to catch you when you fall. We like to envision "family" as a hardworking dad, a stay at home mom, two children, a dog, and a house with a white picket fence. But for many people family means money problems, troubled kids and warring spouses.

That's why Paul writes: 'Walk...with...long-suffering, bearing with one another in love...keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.' It takes a big dose of grace to make it all work! So start praying for your kids, instead of just setting boundaries that create distance between you when you don't see eye to eye. You won't always agree, but you must learn to respect each other.

When God said, 'Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it' (Prov. 22:6 NIV), He didn't say what qualifies as 'old,' or when your investment would start paying off.

Every family has its ups and downs. And every family tree produces a few nuts! In fact, sometimes the best part is underground! But if you bail out when things get tough you'll miss the rewards you'd have gotten by hanging on. Often the child that blesses you most is the one who didn't reflect your views, married someone you don't like, and doesn't invite you over for dinner! In the long run, none of that matters because your family is a life-long investment.
What's important is to love and support one another unconditionally right now.

SHALOM!

FAMILY MATTERS 2 - Monday, May 2nd.

"Bearing with one another in love... Keep the unity of the Spirit." Ephesians 4:2-3 NKJV

Nearing the end of his life when he should have been preparing to bless his sons, Simone and Levi, Jacob told them: "I...curse...you because of your anger" (Gen. 49:7 CEV). But their behavior should have been no surprise; after all, the apple never falls far from the tree! The fact is, Jacob had already shaped them by his own example when he deceived his father (See Gen. 27) and his father in law (See Gen. 30), and his mother facilitated the deception.

Behavioral patterns are passed from generation to generation, and "a house divided against itself will fall" (Luke 11:17 NIV). Mum, Dad, your actions and attitudes will either bless or blight your children. So "Teach [them]... the right path" (Prov. 22:6 TLB). Otherwise they'll inherit more than just your eye color, they'll end up with your emotional disposition and volatility!

Don't involve your children in your marital disputes. Solomon warned, "Anger rests in the bosom of fools" (Eccles. 7:9 TLB). Your kids are an easy target for your misdirected rage. Even when your emotional outbursts aren't aimed towards them, they still suffer the effects. For example, your boss reprimands you at work, and because you can't retaliate you come home like a bear with a headache and make everybody walk on eggshells.

Even if that's what you experience growing up, you're not a child anymore. Lower the decibel level! Don't let your anger run amok. David prayed, "Watch over...my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to...evil" (Ps. 141:3-4 NIV). And James says, "Submit...to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7). That's the only way you'll ever change the steps in your family dance.

Shalom!

FAMILY MATTERS 3 - Tuesday, May 3rd.

"No one can come to me, unless the Father...make them want to." John 6:44 CEV

Coming home from a bar late one night a young man got on a bus where he encountered his very self-righteous aunt. Caustically she said, "Do you know you're headed straight to hell?" "Oh dear," he said, "Don't tell me I'm on the wrong bus tonight again!" Seriously, we all want our families to share our faith, but it can't be forced. Jesus said, "You're not in charge...The Father...draws people that's the only way they'll ever come" (Jn 6:44 TM).

Does that mean you should stop praying for them? Of course not! But despite your prayers and best efforts there may still be family members who decide not to follow Jesus, and some of those who do join other denominations. Throughout history countless wars have been fought over religion; don't turn your home into a combat zone as well.
As former French First Lady Yvonne de Gaulle once said, "Even the presidency is temporary, but family is permanent!"

You don't have to condone somebody's lifestyle in order to let them know you love them and are committed to them. But don't with hold acceptance from those who've been good to you just because they don't worship God the way you do. Maybe they haven't always made the wisest choices, but when the chips are down, chances are, they are the ones who'll be there for you. Don't beat them over the head with the Bible; just live it by setting an example they'll want to follow. Jesus said, "If I am lifted up...I will draw all people" (John 12:32 NCV) Instead of tearing your family apart, make your faith the glue that holds it together.

Shalom!

LOVE YOUR PASTOR - Monday, May 8th.

"He...gave some to be...pastors." Ephesians 4:11 NKJV

Pastors have a tough job. They get more kicks than kisses. If a pastor is young he lacks experience; if he's grey-haired he's too old. If he has five kids, he has too many; if he has none, he's setting a bad example. If his wife sings in the choir she's being forward; if not, she's not dedicated enough. If he preaches from notes he's dry; if he's extemporaneous he's too shallow. If he spends too much in his study he's neglecting his people; if he makes home visit he's not a good time manager. If he's attentive to the poor he's after public approval; if he attends to the wealthy he's ingratiating. If he suggests improvements he's a dictator, if he doesn't he has no vision. If he uses too many illustrations he neglects the Bible; if he doesn't use enough stories, he's unclear. If he speaks against wrong, he's legalistic; if he doesn't he's a compromiser. If he preaches for an hour he's windy; less than that, he has nothing to say. If he preaches the truth, he's offensive; if he doesn't he's wishy-washy. If he fails to please everybody, he's hurting the church; if he tries to please everybody he has no convictions. If he preaches tithing, he's a money-grabber; if not, he's failing to develop his people. If he receives a large salary, he's a mercenary; if he doesn't it proves he's not worth much. If he preaches on a regular basis, people get tired of hearing the same person; if he invites guest preachers, he's shirking his responsibility.
Wow! And you thought your pastor had an easy life!
How'd you like to change places?
Bottom line: love your pastor.

SHALOM!

SUCCESS THROUGH PURSUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

"Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows" (Heb.1:9)

I prophesy that in this month of May, you shall have good success, you shall be preferred for promotion among many of your colleagues in Jesus' name.
This is the favour God wants to bestow on His children, I mean we that are the citizens of kingdom of God. Life in the kingdom of God is different from life in any other kingdom. In the kingdom of God, you are not called to stress yourselves to succeed, labour or toil is unnecessary, life in the kingdom is very simple. Jesus simplified what the lifestyle of we the citizens of the kingdom should be in Mathew 6:35 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you". In this text, Jesus gave us a divine mandate of first seeking the kingdom of God, then His righteousness, then we can enjoy the corollary promise attached to it i.e. All the things shall be added.

All these things, the world strive for will be given or added to us. Think about this, anything you work for was not added. Added means you received something you did not work for.
If our priority is focused on the kingdom and righteousness of God, He will add all the rest to us. He will give us many things that we do not and even cannot work for.

But the key to this life of favour and blessing is to seek, to pursue, to walk in the righteousness of God corporatively as a church and individually in our lives.

SHALOM!

OFFERING THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE - Monday, June 13th.

"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Heb. 13:15)"

WHAT IS THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE?
There is a distinct difference between praising God and offering the sacrifice of praise.
For a child of God in right relationship to the Father, praise is usually something which flows easily. We have so much to praise God for, that whenever we think about Him, there should be a spontaneous flow of praise from our hearts.
Our praise usually involves thanksgiving too and we minister to God in praise for all the blessings and benefits He has brought into our lives.

The sacrifice of praise is somewhat different, it does not usually flow easily and spontaneously. It is not the praise we offer because everything is going nicely and we are happy and blessed.
The sacrifice of praise is something we offer to God when we do not feel like praising Him. When everything seems to be going wrong, our world seems to be falling apart. In these circumstances but despite them, our praise is not ascending because we feel great to want to give expression to our good feeling. In this situation, we are praising God by faith, we are praising God particularly for who He is and not particularly for what He has done.

This kind of praise bring special delight to the heart of the Father and He loves to receive the sacrifice of praise. You can start praising Him now despite your situation.

SHALOM!

CHARACTERISTICS OF SACRIFICE OF PRAISE - Tuesday, June 14th.

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: [18] Yet I will rejoice in the Lord , I will joy in the God of my salvation". Habakkuk 3:17-18 KJV

The above scripture is a practical demonstration of what it means to offer sacrifice of praise.

As a child of God, you are not designed to function by what you see or what is happening to you, that is why the scripture says "the Just shall live by faith". Faith is totally trust in God even though everything around you look negative and contrary. In our text, Prophet Habakkuk stated the likely things that can happen to us, that may make it difficult to praise God, but in spite of this, we should offer this sacrifice, by remaining joyful.

To be able to help you understand sacrifice of praise the more. Below are it's characteristics;
(i) It is continual praise (Ps. 34:1). It is not spasmodic nor erratic, it is not fair weather praise. It is not cheap, easy praise which costs nothing.
(ii) It is Audible praise - It is something we speak out, Satan can hear it, people can hear it, we can hear it ourselves, it is the fruit of our lips.
(iii) It can be done only through Jesus - "By Him therefore, let us offer". Only Jesus can make this kind of offering possible.
(iv) It is the giving of thanks to His name. (Eph. 5:20)

SHALOM!

THE BENEFITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - Tuesday, June 21st.

Have you ever wondered, what is the use of being righteous. What good does it try to live right and do the right thing. After all, it often seems as though the people who live only for themselves get along better than anybody else.
They lie and cheat, they follow dishonest and unscrupulous business practice, yet they always seem to prosper. In the mean time, honest, hard-working people labour day after day just for the food on their table. If righteousness is so important, why do the wicked prosper?
The people of old too have asked this question, for instance, the Psalmist named Asaph in (Ps. 73:2-5, 12-14) asked the same thing, when he saw evil men do well, it made him question why he tried so hard to live right. He was also troubled over this that he almost gave up, he almost abandoned his attempt to live righteously until the day he received a revelation from God (Ps. 73:16-20), when he began to see things from the vantage point of the Kingdom of heaven, his entire perspective changed.

Things look different when viewed from a kingdom perspective. Unrighteous people who so often appear to us to be stable, successful, healthy, wealthy and trouble-free are actually on a slippery slope towards destruction. The stability is only apparent, not real, as it says in Ps. 1:4b. The wicked are like chaff that the wind blows away. They are here one day and gone next. It is a different story with the righteous in Ps. 1:2-3,6.

So righteousness has advantages - it gives us true stability, success, health, wealth that last and position us to overcome all the troubles the life throws our way and access to the life beyond i.e Life after death.
Keep on pursuing righteousness, it pays.

SHALOM!