₦airaland Forum

Blackdeewhy:
I will try the last paragraph and give you the feedback.
I've been awake since 11:30pm yesterday night...... Money matter will not cut my life short by God's Grace

amen & amen IJN.

Can you be corrected?

Sat, 8 Oct 2022

‘David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”’ 2 Samuel 12:13

God sent the prophet Nathan to confront King David over his affair with Bathsheba. As king, David had the power to have Nathan put to death. But he didn’t. He humbled himself, received correction, repented, and was restored to his throne and God’s favour.

Question: can you be corrected? If you can, your future is bright and your potential is great. But you must be discerning. Not all correction is constructive and therefore does not have to be accepted. Someone may desire to tear you down, diminish your self-esteem, or manipulate you into accepting their way of thinking. You must make it a habit to analyse the motives of the person who is correcting you. Ask yourself these questions:

(1) In the past, has this person shown a genuine concern for my personal well-being and development?

(2) What does he or she gain personally if I accomplish the behaviour they are recommending? What do I gain? What do I lose?

(3) Is their attitude one of kindness, or am I feeling attacked and demeaned? (Be careful; don’t confuse a person’s irritation over your behaviour as a personal attack.)

(4) After they criticise me, do I feel like a hopeless failure, or do they communicate faith in my capacity to change?

(5) Are they dedicated to sticking with me through the change? The Bible says, ‘Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.’ (Proverbs 27:6 KJV) Since God loves you enough to send people into your life to correct you, receive them because they have your best interests at heart.

sirjoggy:
Hmmm she you go get time to scan code for rushing hour

....my thought too

You need adequate sleep

Fri, 7 Oct 2022

‘You will lie down and sleep soundly.’ Proverbs 3:24

How are your sleep habits? Do you go to bed at a certain time and get up at a certain time? Or do you allow events, people, deadlines, or other circumstances to dictate your sleep schedule? It’s wise to allow yourself adequate time to wind down in order to sleep when you go to bed. We think of sleep as some passive process in which we drift off into oblivion and wake up several hours later well-rested. But sleep is an active state. Metabolic and other restorative processes occur during the various stages of sleep. If we don’t sleep long enough for our system to be rejuvenated, we find ourselves irritated by the smallest things, and we tend to overeat. Excess hunger is our body’s cry for the energy that was supposed to be supplied by a good night’s sleep.

David said, ‘I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.’ (Psalm 4:8 NKJV) It’s hard to sleep when you have pressing matters on your mind. So if you want to ‘lie down in peace and sleep’, give your worries to God and trust Him to take care of them.

If you’re unable to, try this: get a small box with a lid, write down what’s bothering you and put it into the box, put the lid on it and set it up on a shelf in your wardrobe. By that simple act of faith, you’re saying, ‘Lord, I’m giving this to You. When I awaken tomorrow, You will give me the strength and wisdom to deal with it.’ Try it; it works!

Fight your fears with God’s Word

Thu, 6 Oct 2022

‘Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.’ Psalm 56:3

Fear and faith are both powerful forces. And the one you surrender to will control you. So here are some Scriptures to fight your fears: ‘Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord…will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.’ (1 Chronicles 28:20 NKJV)

‘The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.’ (Psalm 18:2 NKJV)

‘In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’ (Psalm 56:11 NKJV)

‘He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.’ (Psalm 112:7 NKJV)

‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me.’ (Psalm 23:4 NKJV)

‘My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ (John 14:27 NKJV)

‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT)

‘Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.’ (Romans 8:38 NLT)

Bottom line: fight your fears with God’s Word!

The truth about giving

Wed, 5 Oct 2022

‘He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed.’ 2 Corinthians 9:10

Here is what the Bible teaches about giving:

(1) You cannot outgive God. ‘He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.’ (2 Corinthians 9:10 NIV) When Paul talks here about ‘seed’, he’s talking about resources. Notice, some of the resources God gives you is to be used for your own needs, and some is to create ‘a harvest of righteousness’. What does that mean?

Paul explains: ‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.’ (2 Corinthians 9:9 NIV) In other words, you must show compassion towards those who are hurting and give generously to those who are unable to provide for themselves. The Bible says that when you give to the poor, you actually lend to the Lord, and He will repay you (see Proverbs 19:17).

sus said: ‘Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’ (Luke 6:38 NIV).

(2) You should be a cheerful giver. You say, ‘If I get more, I’ll give more.’ No, you have the cart before the horse. It’s the level of your giving that determines the level of your receiving, not vice versa. So break through your barrier of fear and watch what God does. He won’t disappoint you. Once you have experienced His blessing, you will never want to live any other way.The truth about giving
Wed, 5 Oct 2022
‘He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed.’ 2 Corinthians 9:10
Here is what the Bible teaches about giving:

(1) You cannot outgive God. ‘He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.’ (2 Corinthians 9:10 NIV) When Paul talks here about ‘seed’, he’s talking about resources. Notice, some of the resources God gives you is to be used for your own needs, and some is to create ‘a harvest of righteousness’. What does that mean?

Paul explains: ‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.’ (2 Corinthians 9:9 NIV) In other words, you must show compassion towards those who are hurting and give generously to those who are unable to provide for themselves. The Bible says that when you give to the poor, you actually lend to the Lord, and He will repay you (see Proverbs 19:17).

sus said: ‘Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’ (Luke 6:38 NIV).

(2) You should be a cheerful giver. You say, ‘If I get more, I’ll give more.’ No, you have the cart before the horse. It’s the level of your giving that determines the level of your receiving, not vice versa. So break through your barrier of fear and watch what God does. He won’t disappoint you. Once you have experienced His blessing, you will never want to live any other way.

The benefits of meditating on God’s Word

Tue, 4 Oct 2022

‘I will consider all Your works and meditate on all Your mighty deeds.’ Psalm 77:12

What does the word meditate mean? ‘To engage in contemplation or reflection or to focus one’s thoughts on.’ David said, ‘I will consider all Your works and meditate on all Your mighty deeds.’ Question: until you meditate on God’s Word, what can you say that will make any real difference? All you will be doing is sharing your opinion, which is just one of many. You will not be able to speak convincingly or make any real difference in the life of the person to whom you are speaking. It’s God’s Word that changes people’s lives, not yours! Here are ten benefits of meditating on God’s Word:

(1) It cultivates within you a love for God and His Word.

(2) It gives you new insights and spiritual understanding.

(3) It’s a source of reassurance and strength.

(4) It empowers you to be a genuine witness for Jesus Christ.

(5) It renews your mind.

(6) It protects you from sin.

(7) It restores your soul and your emotions.

( It enables you to trust in the Lord with all your heart.

(9) It causes your spirit to come alive.

(10) It assists you in understanding God, others, and yourself. There is great power in God’s Word, and Bible meditation gives you access to that power.

‘We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’ s own power, when we learned He had invited us to share in His wonderful goodness. God made great and marvellous promises, so His nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.’ (2 Peter 1:3–4 CEV)

The need for connectedness (3)

Mon, 3 Oct 2022

‘For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function.’ Romans 12:4

Paul writes: ‘For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.’ Romans (12:4–13 NIV)

Unhappiness can often begin with the absence of connection. It’s not in having a mobile phone with a lot of numbers in it; it’s in sharing your life with those who live for causes greater than themselves. Where should you start? By visiting a lonely, forgotten person in the nearest nursing home. By volunteering to work in a food bank once a week. By saying to your pastor, ‘Please give me a job that involves helping others.’ These are small steps, but you will be amazed how they enrich your life.

https://fb.watch/fV42uURun2/

Open and watch very well before castigating me.

The need for connectedness (2)

Sun, 2 Oct 2022

‘They shared everything they had.’ Acts 4:32

When you read the story of the New Testament Church, you tend to get caught up in its amazing miracles. But here’s a component you shouldn’t miss: ‘No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had… There were no needy persons among them… those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money… and it was distributed to anyone who had need.’ (Acts 4:32–35 NIV)

You say, ‘If I just had more money I’d be happy.’ You might feel more secure and have fewer worries, but you wouldn’t necessarily be happier. In the Journal of Happiness Studies, researchers looked at what distinguished quite happy people from less happy people. One factor consistently separated those two groups. It’s not about how much money you have; it’s not about your health, security, attractiveness, IQ, or career success. What distinguishes consistently happy people from less happy people is the presence of rich, deep, joy-producing, life-changing, meaningful relationships.

Social researcher Robert Putnam writes: ‘The single most common finding from a half-century’s research on life satisfaction... is that happiness is best predicted by the breadth and depth of one’s social connections.’ But you can know a lot of people without really being known by any of them, and end up lonely. Those people in the New Testament Church got it right: it’s in sharing with one another spiritually, emotionally, financially, and relationally that you achieve your highest level of joy.

The need for connectedness (1)

Sat, 1 Oct 2022

‘It is not good for the man to be alone.’ Genesis 2:18

At creation, God looked at everything He had made and said, ‘That’s good.’ Then there came a time when He realised man was lonely, unfulfilled, and incomplete. That’s when He said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone,’ and He made Eve, the first woman. The fact is, none of us can develop to our highest potential unless we’re plugged into nurturing, life-giving relationships.

Here is an example: in twelve-step recovery programmes, the counsellor only does 10% of the work by offering guidance. 90% of the recovery process takes place because the people in the group challenge, comfort, and strengthen one another. The truth is—we’re shaped by people! The right people help you to become the best version of yourself, and you get to do the same for them. They see a ‘you’ you can’t see at times, they cheer you on as you move towards it, and they ‘get in your face’ when you move away from it.

The highest and best form of this relationship is referred to in Scripture as the ‘fellowship of the Spirit’ (see Philippians 2:1; 2 Corinthians 13:14 and 1 John 1:6). It’s not just a social, relational, or intellectual connection, but a deep spiritual link that causes us to thrive. It’s like the difference between bees and butterflies. Butterflies cover more territory, but bees gather more honey. Why? Because they don’t just land on a flower briefly, they stay there and extract the life-giving nectar. God gave David the gift of a Jonathan, and Naomi the gift of a Ruth. And He has people He would like you to meet. So talk to Him today about it.

The blessing of repentance (2)

Fri, 30 Sep 2022

‘Create in me a clean heart.’ Psalm 51:10

Sometimes believers think that God will get frustrated and impatient with them if they don’t shape up to a model Christian life. They don’t like to excuse their behaviour, because God hasn’t smacked them down, they secretly wonder if He has a tolerance level. And if you go beyond it, you’re in trouble. Is there, they think, a safety limit for impurity, such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration has? Is the standard for purity high like that for homogenised milk, or is the threshold lower like that for meat pies, with lots of room for junk additives?

The danger isn’t that God won’t respond to our honest repentance. The danger is that we might become so trapped in the dangerous thoughts of apathy that sin inevitably produces, we become callous, complacent, and simply unable to repent! It’s because of this that sin must be taken seriously. Missionary Frank Laubach preached the gospel to a tribe that had a lengthy history of bloodshed. The chief was so moved, he repented and accepted Christ on the spot. Then he turned to Laubach in appreciation and said, ‘This is wonderful! Who do you want me to kill for you?’

That was his beginning point. Only God knows what everyone’s beginning point is. What’s yours?

The blessing of repentance (1)

Thu, 29 Sep 2022

‘The kindness of God leads you to repentance.’ Romans 2:4

When you find yourself on the wrong road, repentance allows you to make a U-turn and head back in the right direction. What a blessing. Now, repenting doesn’t increase God’s desire to be with you; it just increases your capacity to be with Him. Sometimes we think we need to repent because God is mad at us and needs time to cool off. Or we think of repenting as a way of punishing ourselves so that God will be less severe with us. That’s not repentance, that’s low self-esteem! Low self-esteem causes you to believe that you have so little worth that your response doesn’t matter. With repentance, however, you understand that because you’re worth so much to God, your response is important.

Paul says, ‘The kindness of God leads you to repentance.’ When you love God, your greatest concern isn’t that God will hurt you, but that your actions will hurt Him. When David murdered Uriah after having slept with his wife, he went a year without repenting. He had to force his mind not to think about it. What a miserable way to live. In his penitential prayer, he said, ‘My sin is always before me.’ (Psalm 51:3 NIV) Then he cried, ‘Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow… Create in me a pure heart, O God… Restore to me the joy ofYour salvation.’ (Psalm 51:7, 10, 12 NIV) As a result, God forgave him and wiped his slate clean. God will do the same for you. You see, repentance isn’t merely for God’s benefit—it’s for yours!

Jesu

TrafficBOOSTERS:
He is a thief and he should be arrested for corruption.

seconded. He should be charge for crime against humanity at The Hague. As in war/inflation criminal.

Oloriburuku nii. And someone here is defending him in his comments.

Family of morons!

alpharoyalty:
Is Emefiele the president of Nigeria?
People talk without sense.
You left the incompetent, docile dullard but put your blames on Emefiele.

Emefiele is a definition of incompetence. He doesn't really need to be there if the system is not working. He can resign to save his name all this embarrassment. Remember Sanusi Lamido, taking on the fight with President Goodluck Jonathan?
So, the man you are trying to defend here is a slowpoke. Quote me, I don't mind.

[quote author=Nigeriafirstlad post=117081312][/quote]even that is not enough to commit suicide. And besides, there's a solution to it if one is deligent to find out.

oz4real83:
When he bought APC's presidential nomination form, I was surprised because he has no acheivements to campaign with since he became the CBN governor, he is the worst CBN governor in the history of Nigeria. Buhari has become role model to failures, if a failure can become the president for 8years, other failures feel they can also become the president even with zero achievement

.....honestly, I feel for the generation coming behind. Because nothing seem to be left for them.

Godwin Emefiele is the worst CBN Governor in the history of Nigeria. Posterity will judge him and all his masters.

Nigerian deserve more than this block heads people.

dmill:
....
Today i don't have much to comment, than to say OK!!

I don't understand what is going on in this forum! How can someone comment "OK" and has up to 400 likes yesterday, i was suprise.

So today i dnt have much to comment than to say OK i want to see how many likes i will got

For those of you that will against my comment or quote me. Please i dnt mention your name ooo and am not talking to you

Thank you

I thought you were simply to say/type OKAY!

Knowing who belongs in your life

Wed, 28 Sep 2022

‘A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.’ Proverbs 17:17

Wherever you live and whatever your profession, ‘butcher, baker, or candlestick maker’, you will have to deal with these three kinds of people:

(1) The critic. Let’s face it, most people are comfortable with the status quo. They not only fear change but will often attack it. So if you dare to be different, prepare to sail through some rough seas. The apostle Paul’s critics referred to him as a madman, a fool, and a babbler. So why would you expect the same crowd to treat you any better?

(2) The cautious. These people won’t point an accusing finger, but neither will they extend a helping hand. When you get into trouble, they will distance themselves from you, fearing they may be tainted by your perceived liabilities. Basically, they will wait to see if you make it through the tunnel and come out the other side. Then they will wait to see who else accepts you and if you can be of benefit to them. Then they may reconnect with you. These people are users. They are not bad; they’re just self-serving. So love them, but don’t lean on them.

(3) The committed. ‘A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.’ Even when they hear the worst about you, the committed still believe the best about you. They value you for your strengths and show grace in handling your weaknesses. These people are priceless because they will love you ‘at all times’. So when God puts such a person into your life, protect and nurture your relationship with them.

Cultivating a taste for God’s Word

Tue, 27 Sep 2022

‘How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!’ Psalm 119:103

The fact that we now enjoy the vegetables we hated as children indicates that, as we mature, we can cultivate a taste for healthy, life-giving food. And since the Bible is soul food, you can cultivate a taste for that too. Scripture nurtures followers of Jesus as food nurtures the body. We don’t simply learn or study it; we assimilate it in ways that energise us into acts of love.

Consumer research indicates the average Bible owner has nine Bibles and is looking for more. What’s wrong with this picture? The unexpressed secret is that many people find the Bible boring. This is quite a recent problem—and a serious one. Ancient Greek, the language of the New Testament, has no word for boredom. The word didn’t acquire its current meaning in English until the last few centuries. When we consider the ancient world—no television, internet, movies, and virtually no books—we’re inclined to think how boring it must have been. But the ancients weren’t bored.

We’re the generation that gets bored, because capacity to focus our attention and delight our minds in prolonged thought has been diminished by dependency on external stimuli. We have too many tempting alternatives. That’s why becoming a faithful Bible reader begins as a discipline, continues as a duty, and finally becomes a delight. ‘How sweet are Your words… sweeter than honey to my mouth!’ And that can be your experience, too, when it comes to reading God’s Word. You just need to get serious about it.

Are you at the end of your rope?

Mon, 26 Sep 2022

‘Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart.’ Psalm 27:14

David said: ‘I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.’ (Psalm 27:13–14 NKJV) The word ‘wait’ originates from a Hebrew word used in making rope. Every rope starts as a thread, and every added strand increases its strength. So each time you wait on the Lord, you add another thread to the rope; you become a little stronger and a little more able to cope.

Are you hanging on by a thread? Spend more time with God and watch Him turn the thread into a rope. Now, waiting is not always passive; sometimes it’s active, like waiting on a customer and seeing that their needs are met. In this case, waiting is not so much a position as it is a focus. The Bible says, ‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.’ (Isaiah 26:3 NIV) Whether it’s sitting prayerfully in God’s presence or actively serving Him, you have the assurance that your strength will be renewed.

If you are at the end of your rope today, grab hold of these promises: ‘Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.’ (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)

‘As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters… so our eyes look to the Lord our God.’ (Psalm 123:2 NKJV)

How to keep a good attitude

Sun, 25 Sep 2022

‘I will praise You seven times a day.’ Psalm 119:164

A bad attitude is like a flat tyre; you won’t get anywhere until you change it. Few things in life are more important than your attitude, and here are four ways to help you keep a good one:

(1) Realise your attitude needs to be constantly adjusted. Anything you don’t maintain eventually deteriorates. The stronger your natural inclination is towards doubt and negativity, the more you will have to work at it. Begin each day with an attitude check, and throughout the day, look for red flags signalling that you’re not doing so well.

(2) Pray because you will need God’s help to maintain a good attitude. The Bible says: ‘Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.’ (Psalm 37:3–5 NLT)

(3) Look for what’s good, and you will find it. Australian author and evangelist Nick Vujicic says, ‘If you can’t get a miracle, become one.’ If God can use a man without arms and legs to be His hands and feet, He can use any willing heart. Including yours!

(4) Look for people with faith and spend time with them. Where are they? You will find them soaring above the doubters like eagles. If you’re having a bad day, get close and ‘draft’ behind them the way racers do. If they’re having difficulty, you be the one to get out in front and make things easier. Seven times a day David paused to praise God. Can you imagine what that would do for your attitude?

Seek God’s approval, not people’s

Sat, 24 Sep 2022

‘Fearing people is a dangerous trap.’ Proverbs 29:25

If your life’s goal is to have the approval of people, you will never really feel secure. Why is that? Because the time will come when you do something they disapprove of; then what? The Bible says, ‘Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.’ (Proverbs 29:25 NLT) A trap is just another word for a prison. If someone other than God can determine your worth as a person, that someone can make you feel like a prisoner anytime they decide to. When a critic’s opinion becomes your own opinion, you’re living in a prison of your own making. Face it: some of the people you’re trying so hard to impress will never be impressed. And you must accept this: from God’s perspective, it doesn’t matter. Knowing that enables you to work alongside people without allowing yourself to be controlled by their moods and governed by their opinions.

Each time Paul went to another town, people were meeting and hearing him for the first time. Some of them liked him, and some didn’t. He writes, ‘For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!”’ (2 Corinthians 10:10 NLT)

So how did Paul handle this? He writes, ‘Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.’ (Galatians 1:10 NLT) In order to feel secure in life and fulfilled in what you’re doing, you must reach the place where you can look in the mirror and say, ‘I’m loved and approved by God, and that’s what matters!’

Feed your mind good stuff

Fri, 23 Sep 2022

‘I have taught you in the way of wisdom.’ Proverbs 4:11

Every day we are bombarded with messages from the media, employers, co-workers, people we meet, books, music—and from our own thoughts. Satan works in two ways.

First, he tries to feed you with stuff like temptation, depression, and worry.

Second, he tries to keep you from noticing what you’re putting into your mind.

A healthy mind feeds on healthy thoughts. Jesus said He came to give us ‘life more abundantly’ (see John 10:10). Instead of constantly striving for self-worth, peace of mind, joy and happiness, your mind can overflow with these things. But first you must pay attention to what your mind is focused on. Jeremiah said, ‘When Your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight.’ (Jeremiah 15:16 NIV)

One of the greatest gifts God has given us is Scripture—but we frequently turn it into a burden. ‘Do I have to read the Bible every day?’ That’s the wrong question. You need to ask, ‘What can I feed my mind on today so that it will flourish?’

The psalmist said that when you delight in God’s Word, you will prosper in whatever you do (see Psalm 1:1–3). In order to have what successful people enjoy, you must first do what successful people do. And according to the psalmist, successful people delight in the Word of God, day and night.

You belong to God

Thu, 22 Sep 2022

‘You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people.’ Ephesians 2:19

’His purpose was to create in Himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.’

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.’ (Ephesians 2:15–21 NIV)

If your children stood outside your house pleading to get in, what would you think? Wouldn’t you say, ‘Come in, you’re my flesh and blood. I love you, you don’t need to beg’? God is building a house, and you’re part of it. You can come before Him at any time with any need, knowing you will be received with love. God is the loving Father you always hoped for, and you’re the child He always wanted. If you have any doubts about that, look at the cross; that’s how much God loves you. Today you belong to God!

God has placed you where He wants you

Wed, 21 Sep 2022

‘You were made queen for just such a time as this.’ Esther 4:14

The story of Esther teaches us two important truths:

(1) You need mentors to guide you. Because she was willing to listen to Mordecai, Esther discovered that her calling wasn’t just to be a queen but a deliverer of her people. So, who is your Mordecai? Who knows you well enough to clarify and confirm your calling in life? Who loves you enough to challenge you when you get off track or strengthen and encourage you when you want to give up and run? Where we have blind spots, we need people with 20/20 vision to speak into our lives. Joshua listened to Moses. Timothy listened to Paul. Ruth listened to Naomi. Who are you listening to?

(2) You need to know you’re in the place God wants you to be. Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, challenged her and changed her life by saying, ‘Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?’ Esther didn’t set out to be queen. But once she was, she had to decide between her comfort and her calling.

It’s a choice you must make too. You say, ‘What’s my calling?’ It could involve your job, your marriage, your tasks as a parent, your friendships. It could involve the neighbourhood where you live or volunteering at your church. One thing is certain: when God calls, it’s your ‘time’. You may be tempted to think you’re just treading water right now, waiting for some other time or more important opportunity. No, you don’t get to choose your time; God does that! The psalmist said, ‘My times are in Your hands.’ (Psalm 31:15 NIV)

.......but this is much .

No wonder there was a prediction that by 2023, there will be a lot of mad youths roaming the streets.

A bi oru wahala wo l'eyi bayi?

Go overboard for the Lord!

Tue, 20 Sep 2022

‘He jumped into the water.’ John 21:7

‘At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who He was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. Then He said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he… jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat.’ (John 21:4–8 NLT) Peter had to decide whether to leave his fish and go to Jesus or stay behind and enjoy what he had worked hard for.

It’s a test we all face when we have accomplished our life’s objectives, when our nets are full and we have finally ‘made it’. Your challenge is, ‘Do I stay and guard my blessings or go overboard for the Lord and commit myself fully to Him?’

Paul refers briefly to his career’s success: ‘I am from the nation of Israel…from the tribe of Benjamin…I strictly obeyed the law of Moses.’ (Philippians 3:4–6 CEV) But listen to him straight after that: ‘Christ has shown me what I once thought valuable is worthless... all I want is Christ.’ (Philippians 3:7–8 CEV). Paul realised his true identity lay not in his accomplishments but in his relationship with Jesus. Do you feel that way too? That night Peter may have felt like he was forfeiting everything, yet when he reached the shore, he found Jesus busy—cooking fish! The point is, whatever you need, God has it. Whatever you give up, He will repay many times over.

Overcoming discouragement (3)

Mon, 19 Sep 2022

‘Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.’ James 1:22

To identify the source of your discouragement, it’s helpful to talk to someone who can offer you insight and guidance. But be careful—you can talk your problems to death and get nowhere! That’s why the Bible says, ‘Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.’ So,

(1) Always do what’s right. Few things increase discouragement like regret or a guilty conscience. It’s tough to apologise, admit your faults, forgive, restrain your temper, bear a deserved blame, or start over. But deciding to do these things when they’re appropriate always pays off. Be willing to view your life realistically, see yourself as you are, and accept what’s true.

(2) Remember, timing is important. Often, we look for relief in the valley instead of waiting for the clarity that comes from standing on the mountaintop. That’s because it takes a lot of effort to get to the top of the mountain! When we’re experiencing the darkness of the valley, it’s tempting to make changes we hope will relieve our discomfort. But as Dr Robert Schuller said: ‘When you are on top of the proverbial mountain… is the time to make decisions. Here’s why: You… see your situation more clearly. You are moving to something, not just from something. You decide using positive data, not negative. You are more likely to move from peak to peak instead of valley to valley.’

On the other hand, if you keep persevering while you’re in the valley, not only will you make it to higher ground where you can make wiser decisions, but you will have developed character, which will serve you well throughout life.

Jesu
Ain't we lucky in Africa, especially in Nigeria?