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Congratulations to Fehint'Oluwa

Don’t neglect your faith

Fri, 9 Dec 2022

‘God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.’ Romans 12:3

You can’t sit back and do nothing, believing God will do everything for you. You have a part to play. Apostle Paul says God gives each of us a measure of faith. Jude says you develop spiritually ‘by building yourselves up in your most holy faith.’ (Jude 1:20 NIV) Faith under attack is just faith under construction. It’s in the battles of life that you discover whether you have nurtured faith or neglected faith.

In Biblical times, many Roman soldiers used a scutum, a shield that protected them from head to toe. It was made of wood and upholstered with thick layers of canvas and leather. Its curved shape meant the enemy’s flaming arrows would glance off and fizzle out before they could harm the soldier. Now you understand what Paul meant: ‘Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.’ (Ephesians 6:16 NIV) Satan’s arrows can’t penetrate your heart when it’s pure, saturated in Scripture, and fortified by faith.

That’s why Jesus told Peter, ‘Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.’ (Luke 22:31–32 NKJV) It’s your faith that’s under attack! It’s your faith that needs to be fed! It’s your faith that sustains you in life’s battles! Jesus told us to have faith in God. (Mark 11:22 KJV) It’s the time you spend with God in prayer and the Scriptures that strengthens your faith to win life’s battles.

.....who woke this man up from his slumber?

The importance of sleep

Thu, 8 Dec 2022

‘I awoke and looked around, and my sleep was sweet to me.’ Jeremiah 31:26

Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is get to bed earlier and wake up refreshed and ready to fulfil God’s purposes for the day. When you constantly run on empty, it shows up in your attitudes, relationships, performance, and health. That’s why the Bible talks about the importance of sleep.

(1) ‘It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to His loved ones.’ (Psalm 127:2 NLT)

(2) ‘In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.’ (Psalm 4:8 NLT) Sleep is an act of trust: when you go to sleep, you acknowledge that the world is in God’s hands, not yours. And it will get along very well, even if you’re not awake to control things. And when you awaken tomorrow morning, just like God giving Israel fresh manna, He will provide what you need for the day.

‘I woke up and looked around. My sleep had been very sweet.’ (Jeremiah 31:26 NLT) Have you ever tried to pray when you were suffering from sleep deprivation? It’s hard to do. Before Elijah was able to spend prolonged time in prayer, the angel of the Lord made him take not one but two long naps. Contrast that with the disciples in Gethsemane who couldn’t pray because they kept falling asleep. It’s hard to think, feel, and act like Jesus when you’re lacking sleep.

That’s why the Bible says, ‘God gives rest to His loved ones.’ (Psalm 127:2 NLT)

Iresi.

Seven Scriptures you should stand on

Wed, 7 Dec 2022

‘His faithful love endures forever.’ Psalm 118:2

Do yourself a favour and read the whole of Psalm 118!

(1) ‘In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me.’ (Psalm 118:5 NLT) What are you battling today? A destructive habit? A crippling fear? A sense of worthlessness? God wants to set you free.

(2) ‘The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.’ (Psalm 118:6 NLT) Your future doesn’t rest in the hands of people, but God—a good God who has good plans for you.

(3) ‘He will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me.’ (Psalm 118:7 NLT) God will raise you up when people try to put you down. When they withhold from you, He will supply all your needs.

(4) ‘I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done.’ (Psalm 118:17 NLT) We will all die someday, but you don’t have to die before your assignment is complete and you have brought glory to God.

(5) ‘The Lord has punished me severely, but He did not let me die.’ (Psalm 118:18 NLT) Is God correcting you? Rejoice! His correction is not rejection. It’s protection against future mistakes.

(6) ‘This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Psalm 118:24 NLT) Whether yesterday was a triumph or a tragedy, God is giving you a new day. Seize it. Rejoice in it!

(7) ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.’ (Psalm 118:29 NLT) You will never experience a day without God’s mercy. These seven Scriptures are for you, so stand on them today.

Congratulations to my brothers & sisters from Morocco.

Having the right mindset (3)

Mon, 5 Dec 2022

‘For as he thinks in his heart, so he.’ Proverbs 23:7

Every family struggles with generational issues. These are things our parents and grandparents have passed down to us. Often, we say, ‘It runs in my family, I can’t do anything about it.’ Yes, you can! You may not be able to do anything about your family’s past but, by God’s grace, you can change the future for yourself and your children.

The Bible says, ‘If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.’ (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV) Note the words ‘in Christ.’ You can’t change your family’s dysfunction by yourself, but ‘in Christ’, you receive the power needed to go in a new direction. If your computer can be reprogrammed, your mind can be too.

‘Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’ (Romans 12:2 NKJV) You say, ‘How do I renew my mind?’ By saturating it in the Scriptures! Just like soaking your body in water removes dirt, soaking your mind in the Scriptures cleanses and corrects your thinking. The old saying goes: ‘Watch your thoughts for they become your words. Watch your words for they become your deeds. Watch your deeds because they become your habits. Watch your habits because they become your character. Watch your character because it becomes your destiny.’

God told Gideon, ‘Tear down the altar of Baal that your father has...’ (Judges 6:25 NKJV) In its place, Gideon built a new altar to the Lord, and his life and that of his family were changed forever. You can do the same by programming your mind with God’s Word!

Having the right mindset (2)

Sun, 4 Dec 2022

‘We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’ 2 Corinthians 10:5

How would you describe yourself? Are you naturally positive or negative? Are your decisions driven by faith in God or by fear? Do you feel good about yourself, or do you put yourself down? Whatever your answer, this much is certain: the patterns and attitudes that rule your life were not formed overnight—so don’t expect an overnight cure. But you can make a start by obeying these Scriptures:

(1) ‘Set your minds and keep them set on what is I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.’ (Ephesians 4:1 NKJV)

(2) ‘We walk by faith, not by sight.’ (2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV)

(3) ‘Let us also walk in the Spirit.’ (Galatians 5:25 KJV)

(4) ‘Walk in love.’ (Ephesians 5:2 KJV)

Notice, walking is the slowest mode of transportation there is! God doesn’t invite you to fly with Him but to walk with Him. Just put one foot in front of the other and keep walking day by day. When are we most likely to slip and fall?

(1) When we are learning to walk.

(2) When we are facing circumstances we have no control over.

(3) When we feel drained, tired, and weak.

(4) When we get careless and don’t keep our eyes open and stay focused.

Your challenge is twofold: adopting the right mindset and maintaining it. And if you seek God faithfully, He will help you to do both these things successfully.

Having the right mindset (1)

Sat, 3 Dec 2022

‘Set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things).’ Colossians 3:2

What’s your biggest challenge right now? Breaking a bad habit or putting a new one in place? Launching a new business or turning an old one around? Recovering from a bad marriage or making a good one better? Getting out of depression or keeping yourself from falling into it? Paul gives us two powerful keys:

(1) Set your mind in the right direction.

(2) Keep your mindset in the right direction.

Setting your mind is the easy part, keeping it set calls for a daily commitment. Anybody can make a start, but you need the heart of a finisher. ‘Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.’ (Hebrews 12:2–3 NKJV)

The word souls could be translated as feelings and emotions. That’s where you’re susceptible to ‘become weary and discouraged. What’s controlling your mindset, feelings, impulses, and moods? Here are two life-changing Scriptures:

(a) ‘We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’ (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)

(b) ‘Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things… And the God of peace will be with you.’ (Philippians 4:8–9 NIV)

Weathering the seasons

Fri, 2 Dec 2022

‘For everything there is a season.’ Ecclesiastes 3:1

When God gives you a vision, be prepared because with every vision comes a sacrifice. The road to triumph is full of tests and trials. But God has promised that there will be a harvest: ‘Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.’ (Psalm 126:5–6 NLT) That Scripture teaches us two things:

(1) There is a season for weeping. This is not an excuse for passivity or a posture of weakness that reduces you to tears because life is not fair, and things are tough. Nehemiah was moved to tears over Jerusalem’s ruins. Then he developed a plan, put together a team, and rebuilt it. What moves you? What do you feel passionate about?

(2) There is a season for reaping. Everything in life has a reason and a season (see Ecclesiastes 3:1–. When you understand the reason and maximise the season, you become ‘like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season.’ (Psalm 1:3 NIV) Fruit won’t grow before its time. That’s why you must discern your life’s changing seasons and adjust to them.

That’s particularly true when it’s harvest time. You need to know when it’s time to stop weeping and start reaping; otherwise, you will miss your harvest. Tears are for the sower, but joy is for the reaper. So, when your season changes, harvest your fields with joy. You have paid your dues; now it’s time to enjoy what God has promised you.

Self-control or controlling?

Thu, 1 Dec 2022

‘The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives… self-control.’ Galatians 5:22–23

Are you self-controlled, or controlling? Let’s find out.

Controlling people blame things like the devil, people, or circumstances for their problems and respond by blaming, resenting, or projecting frustration. They manipulate people and circumstances to their advantage. But it doesn’t work—their attempts intensify their pain and turn their relationships into power struggles. The more they try to control, the worse they feel, and the worse they feel, the more they try to control. God doesn’t want you to live that way.

The self-controlled understand that the devil can do nothing to you without your cooperation, and you don’t have to give it (see Luke 10:17). They understand that people and circumstances aren’t the problem either—how we deal with them is. So, they respond by reminding themselves of three things:

(1) The person I need to control is myself.

(2) Sometimes, I must turn people and circumstances over to God and allow Him to deal with them.

(3) I must draw daily on the Holy Spirit’s power in order to control my reactions and follow the sound mind principles of Scripture for staying in charge of my life (see 2 Timothy 1:7).

Self-control helps us avoid blame games, self-inflicted pain, and turning relationships into battle zones. Knowing that the Holy Spirit produces self-control, they understand that the Spirit won’t control them or help them to control others, but He will empower them to control themselves. Spirit-empowered people go from being part of the problem to part of the solution.

Don’t forget to say thank you.

Wed, 30 Nov 2022

‘As they went, they were cleansed.’ Luke 17:14

‘Ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!”’ (Luke 17 12–15 NLT)

We can confidently take our problems to Jesus. He can restore what you have lost and give you back your peace and joy. Cry out to Him. Forget about looking dignified; desperate people do desperate things, and God responds to desperate prayers: ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.’ (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV) Do whatever He tells you to do. Don’t lay down terms to God. And don’t seek an identical experience to somebody else. Jesus told these ten lepers to go and show themselves to the priests. Why didn’t He just heal them immediately like He did to others? Faith doesn’t demand explanations! Be prepared to walk it out as your prayer can be answered in the process.

‘And as they went, they were cleansed.’ Sometimes when God gives you the answer, you have to walk it out in faith, each step bringing you closer to your deliverance. But nothing happens until you take that first step. Most importantly, don’t forget to thank Him. Jesus noticed that only one of the ten lepers returned to give thanks. You can go to Him confidently when you are next in need when you’ve remembered to thank Him for your last request.

illicit:
They are slaves to money

exactly. That is the only characteristics they have in common. Especially Fani Kayode. He will sing praises of you when you throw him money.

Ask God for wisdom

Tue, 29 Nov 2022

‘If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God.’ James 1:5

Solomon said: ‘Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you.’ (Proverbs 4:5–8 NIV) There are many ways to gain wisdom:

(1) Gleaning from the collective knowledge of others. ‘By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.’ (Proverbs 13:10 NKJV)

(2) Thinking outside the box. Statements like, ‘This is the way we have always done things around here,’ warrant scrutiny when they’re used to defend ways that no longer work.

(3) Writing down and reflecting on what you have learned through experience.

(4) Not rushing to closure. Growth is always a work in progress. Creativity is untidy and can be unnerving. The ability to stay focused and faith-filled in the midst of change is a hallmark of growth and maturity. But the ultimate source of wisdom is God’s Word!

‘For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.’ (Proverbs 2:6 NKJV)

‘The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.’ (James 3:17 NKJV)

‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you.’ (Psalm 32:8 NKJV) Refuse to live an unexamined life. Refuse to live an uncommitted life. Refuse to live an unguided life. Today, ask God for wisdom.

Never compromise on God’s Word

Mon, 28 Nov 2022

‘We must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.’ Hebrews 2:1

We must constantly reaffirm our Scriptural foundations. What are these foundational truths on which the church of Jesus Christ is built? The infallibility of the Bible; Christ’s virgin birth; His sinless life; His atoning death; His bodily resurrection and mediatory work on our behalf; our need to be saved, baptised, and filled with the Holy Spirit; and the commission to carry the Gospel to the four corners of the earth and announce the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ to rule and reign. These truths are non-negotiable!

You say, ‘But won’t we come across as being narrow–minded?’ The law of gravity is narrow-minded! The law of mathematics is narrow-minded! Paul was narrow-minded: ‘But even if we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other Gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.’ (Galatians 1:8 NKJV)

Cancer begins with one unidentified, unchecked cell, but it can destroy your whole body. That’s why Jude writes: ‘Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Jude 1:3–4 NKJV) Note the words ‘the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.’ Our methods of reaching the world may change, but our message must never change.

You say, ‘But aren’t we supposed to love everybody?’ Yes, and that’s why we must never compromise on God’s Word.

.....the most useless Central Bank Governor in the history of Nigeria.

Ode!

Are you in an abusive relationship?

Sun, 27 Nov 2022

‘He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.’ Psalm 147:3

Please don’t suffer alone. Take the following steps today.

(1) Get help. Solomon said, ‘A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.’ (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT) Be careful who you seek help from. It’s best to seek professional help, group support or a mediator for an intervention.

(2) Separate. If you or your children are in danger, seek a safe place to stay once you have a safety plan in place and a support group to help you. It’s not your job to change the person. And it’s not a failure on your part if they don’t change when confronted with God’s love and the truth. Hold on to God’s promise that says, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’ (Hebrews 13:5 NLT)

(3) Get prayer support. Have someone pray for you until you are healed enough to begin the process of forgiveness and can pray for your abuser. A study into the theory of a cycle of abuse discovered that approximately 35% of perpetrators had been abuse victims themselves. Often, they’re reacting out of their unhealed wounds and undealt with issues. And while this in no way excuses them, it gives you insight into how to pray for them. Satan loves to use things like alcohol, drugs, anger, pornography, and other counterfeits to destroy relationships. So, pray for your abuser to become the person God intended. ‘For our struggle is not against flesh and blood... but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.’ (Ephesians 6:12 NIV)

You can defeat this giant

Sat, 26 Nov 2022

‘This is the Lord’s battle, and He will give you to us!’ 1 Samuel 17:47

To defeat giants like addiction, resentment, fear, lust, pride, envy, or anger, you must understand these three Scriptures:

(1) ‘The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.’ (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT) Goliath was born a baby, but he grew into a giant. Our giants are often little sins we overlooked and indulged until they assumed a life of their own and came back to haunt us. So, as you begin to say no to small impulses, you will gain the strength to say no to bigger ones.

(2) ‘As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.’ (1 Samuel 17:48 NLT) David faced Goliath head-on. You must force your giant out into the light, and not let him back into your life. Establish boundaries! And if necessary, make yourself accountable to someone who can strengthen and encourage you. Stay out of the wrong company. And above all, don’t view God in the light of your problem, view your problem in the light of God.

(3) ‘This is the Lord’s battle, and He will give you to us!’ You’re not in this fight alone. God wants to help you to overcome old habits and establish new behaviours. His will for you is ‘to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.’ (Ephesians 4:1 NIV) When you repent, which means to do an about-face, turn, and resolve to walk with God, He will give you the strength to conquer the giant you’re facing. God has never lost a battle yet, and when you invite Him to join you, you will win.

Rekindle your love for Jesus

Fri, 25 Nov 2022

‘You have forsaken the love you had at first.’ Revelation 2:4

Jesus told the church at Ephesus three things:

(1) Remember. ‘Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen.’ (Revelation 2:5 NKJV) Instead of focusing on the depth to which you have fallen, think about the height you once knew. Not the worst of times, but the best. Recall when spending time in prayer and reading the Scriptures was the highlight of your day. What were you doing then that you’re not doing now?

(2) Repent. This word means to change your mind, your direction, and your actions. You can’t solve a problem with the same thinking and behaviours that caused it; new thinking and actions are required. When the Prodigal Son reached the pigpen, he realised he had hit the bottom. That’s when he said, ‘I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you.”’ (Luke 15:18 NKJV) And his father forgave and restored him. How does his story end? He exchanged his rags for the robe of sonship and took his rightful place at the family table. And that can happen for you too.

(3) Repeat. ‘Do the things you did at first.’ (Revelation 2:5 NIV) Make a list of the things you did when your relationship with the Lord was great, then prayerfully commit yourself to doing them again each day. And don’t wait until you feel like it. Do it until you feel the joy of your first love reigniting. Do you doubt that God will be gracious to you? Read this: ‘You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful… rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them.’ (Nehemiah 9:17 NLT)Rekindle your love for Jesus
Fri, 25 Nov 2022
‘You have forsaken the love you had at first.’ Revelation 2:4
Jesus told the church at Ephesus three things:

(1) Remember. ‘Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen.’ (Revelation 2:5 NKJV) Instead of focusing on the depth to which you have fallen, think about the height you once knew. Not the worst of times, but the best. Recall when spending time in prayer and reading the Scriptures was the highlight of your day. What were you doing then that you’re not doing now?

(2) Repent. This word means to change your mind, your direction, and your actions. You can’t solve a problem with the same thinking and behaviours that caused it; new thinking and actions are required. When the Prodigal Son reached the pigpen, he realised he had hit the bottom. That’s when he said, ‘I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you.”’ (Luke 15:18 NKJV) And his father forgave and restored him. How does his story end? He exchanged his rags for the robe of sonship and took his rightful place at the family table. And that can happen for you too.

(3) Repeat. ‘Do the things you did at first.’ (Revelation 2:5 NIV) Make a list of the things you did when your relationship with the Lord was great, then prayerfully commit yourself to doing them again each day. And don’t wait until you feel like it. Do it until you feel the joy of your first love reigniting. Do you doubt that God will be gracious to you? Read this: ‘You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful… rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them.’ (Nehemiah 9:17 NLT)

How to know your calling

Thu, 24 Nov 2022

‘He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.’ Ephesians 2:10

When God called Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt, Moses first tried doing it his own way. Killing an Egyptian to save an Israelite’s life, he winds up a fugitive for forty years. After living in the wilderness and learning his lesson, he returns to do God’s will, God’s way. All of us, not just church leaders, are called to do God’s will, God’s way. You say, ‘But how can I know what I’m called to do?’ You begin by answering these questions:

(1) What are your spiritual gifts? ‘God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.’ (1 Peter 4:10 NLT) Let God show you those core competencies where you’re best suited to serve Him.

(2) Do you have a mentor who can train you? That’s part of your pastor’s job. ‘Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ.’ (Ephesians 4:12 NLT). Acknowledge that you need help. You can’t get there by yourself!

(3) Are you involved in your local church? ‘Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.’ (Romans 12:4–5 NLT)

(4) Are you willing to serve wherever there is a need? If you want to know your calling, start serving and God will reveal it to you.

Don’t let go of your vision!

Wed, 23 Nov 2022

‘Where there is no vision, the people perish.’ Proverbs 29:18

God has a plan for your life, one that will help you see what’s truly important. When God gives you a vision, you begin to see things as He sees them. Otherwise, things get blurred, and you end up not knowing where you’re supposed to go. Committing to your vision sometimes means sacrificing relationships, pastimes, and pleasures.

‘Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.’ (Proverbs 29:18 NIV) Moses saw the promised land while everybody around him only saw wilderness and wanted to give up and return to Egypt. (see Numbers 14:1–3). Moses understood that he would get there on God’s schedule, according to God’s plan, one step at a time. Sometimes your vision can feel overwhelming. That’s when you break it down into small steps and visualise yourself taking the next one. You will be surprised at your progress. But until you take the first step, a vision is just a daydream.

What do you see in your future? Do you think God is just going to drop success into your lap? No, you must energise your vision with faith and give it momentum through hard work.

After working all night and catching no fish, Jesus told His disciples, ‘Launch out into the deep.’ (Luke 5:4 NKJV) When they obeyed, they caught their biggest catch ever. Bottom line: the world doesn’t control your supply, God does!

Don’t keep your love in a box!

Tue, 22 Nov 2022

‘She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head.’ Mark 14:3

What will you be remembered for, a life of service or self-centredness? Jesus experienced a kind, selfless act that will always be remembered. ‘A woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume… She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold… and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus… “She has done a beautiful thing to Me. The poor you will always have with you… But you will not always have Me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on My body beforehand to prepare for My burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’’’ (Mark 14:3–9 NIV)

Nicodemus brought about 30 kg of aloes and myrrh to anoint Jesus after He was dead, and not a word of praise is spoken about it in Scripture. This woman brought half a kilogram and poured it on Him while He was still living, and Jesus pointed out two things:

(a) ‘She did what she could.’ Acts of kindness are usually not about doing great things, but about doing small things with great love.

(b) ‘What she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’

How do you show people you care about them? Do you go out of your way to fill their lives with joy while there’s still time. Those expressions of appreciation, those words of forgiveness, that special gift you’ve had in mind, give it while you can. Don’t keep your love in a box!

......he looks so young & healthy to me though?

Obey God, regardless (3)

Mon, 21 Nov 2022

‘So that it might go well with them.’ Deuteronomy 5:29

What God commands you to do, He will give you the grace to do. But that doesn’t mean it will be easy. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were ordered by the king to be burned alive for refusing to worship his golden image. Their faith in God was so strong that they trusted Him to deliver them from being burnt alive. (Daniel 3:17–18) They never doubted God’s ability to deliver them.

How did their story turn out? King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished when instead of seeing three men bound up in the fiery furnace, he saw four. ‘“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”’ (Daniel 3:25 NKJV) When Nebuchadnezzar saw that not even a hair on their head was singed, he acknowledged the mighty power of God and promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Rest assured that when God asks you to do something you don’t want to do or feel you can’t do, He has your best interests in mind. When your children tell you they can’t do something because it’s too hard, instead of letting them off the hook, insist they do it because it’s for their good and will make them stronger. ‘Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear Me and keep all My commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!’ (Deuteronomy 5:29 NIV)

Obey God, regardless (2)

Sun, 20 Nov 2022

‘We thought we would never live through it.’ 2 Corinthians 1:8

Job describes the rewards of obedience: ‘If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity.’ (Job 36:11 NKJV)

John adds, ‘Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.’ (1 John 3:22 NKJV)

But Paul describes the cost of obedience: ‘We think you ought to know… about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And He did rescue us from mortal danger, and He will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us.’ (2 Corinthians 1:8–10 NLT) Notice Paul says, ‘He did rescue us… He will rescue us again… He will continue to rescue us.’ God didn’t lift Paul out of his trouble; He walked with him in it and brought him through it. If you have asked God to help you understand a situation and He hasn’t, understand that God doesn’t owe us an explanation, but He promises us an exit strategy.

‘No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.’ (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV) So, the word for today is: obey God, regardless.

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Obey God, regardless (1)

Sat, 19 Nov 2022

‘Though Jesus was God’s Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered.’ Hebrews 5:8

The rewards of obedience are awesome, but sometimes the process is agonising. ‘Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered. In this way, God qualified Him.’ (Hebrews 5:8–9 NLT) Before God promotes you to a position of usefulness in His service, He qualifies you. We admire the faith of Abraham who took his son Isaac up Mount Moriah and laid him on the altar.

But the story doesn’t make sense until you read the first verse in the chapter: ‘Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith.’ (Genesis 22:1 NLT) After Abraham passed God’s test of his faith and obedience, God told him, ‘I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies.’ (Genesis 22:17 NIV)

Understand this: when you pray and ask God for success, you’re inviting Him to test your faith and obedience. God probably won’t test you at the same level He tested Jesus or Abraham. But it’s the smaller tests that prepare you to handle the bigger assignments in God’s kingdom. In his book, The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis’ senior devil talks to his nephew Wormwood about their mutual enemy, the Lord. ‘Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending to do our Enemy’s will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.’

The obedience God desires from you today is obedience that rises above your feelings and circumstances and says, ‘Yes, Lord!’

Spiritual freedom they want, and spiritual freedom they will get by the grace of God. The deserve to be free to practice whatever freedom of religion they want. Their behavior now is telling the world that everyone no one has the monopoly of violence.

Righteousness2:
That's some mysterious event.
GOD is using them to pass a message about the times we are in .

Folks, This World is at the tip of the edge.
There is about to be a gathering in the skies.
A gathering that will separate the Sheep from the Goats.

Live Ready oooo! JESUS is Coming!!

when Elder Righteousness speak, listen to him. He is the preacher of out time.