₦airaland Forum

Responding Like Jesus

Fri, 15 Jul 2022

‘He did not retaliate.’ 1 Peter 2:23

When someone disappoints or upsets you, what do you do? Pull out your big guns and react? Do you say, ‘You make me so mad!’? When you say that, you’re admitting someone else is controlling your emotions. You’re acknowledging you have given that person the power to determine your feelings and reactions. No one can take control from you—you give it away the moment you start reacting!

The Bible says, ‘Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ (Romans 12:21 NIV) To retaliate is to react. But to forgive is to act. It’s saying, ‘I choose the way I respond.’ Do other people control your emotional state? Do you let them raise your happiness level or plunge you into worry, fear, or anger?

‘Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.’ (Proverbs 16:32 NLT) The person who can control their moods and reactions is stronger than a walled city. But a person who cannot control their own spirit is defenceless, like a city with no walls around it. That person has no defence; they are at the mercy of whatever anyone wants to do to them.

Strength is found in gentleness, and gentleness has the ability to handle hurt without retaliating; it can absorb the blow without needing to strike back. Jesus called it ‘turning the other cheek’ (see Matthew 5:39).

You say, ‘That’s not easy to do.’ No, it’s not; sometimes it’s almost impossible.

You say, ‘To respond that way is not natural.’ You’re right, it is supernatural; it is the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22–23).

You need God’s power to live this way.

Making Wise Decisions

Thu, 14 Jul 2022

‘Listen to the words of the wise.’ Proverbs 22:17

Think about the major decisions we make over our lifetime: choosing a mate, deciding where to live, and what career to pursue. Looking back, can you say you have consistently made the wisest choices?

Jennifer Winquist writes, ‘We make choices based on what feels best, what’s easiest… fastest… makes our kids happy… shuts up the boss… stops our problem for the moment… We buy wants instead of saving for necessities. We marry Mr Right-Now instead of waiting for Mr Right. We eat a bag of chips instead of a bag of carrots… We don’t plan to fail, but unless we plan to win by making wise choices, we can end up getting the short end of the stick… Wise choices aren’t usually quick fixes, selfish, or short-term; they involve planning, hard work, sacrifice, and resilience. But the rewards are huge.’

James says, ‘If any of you lack wisdom… ask… God… and it shall be given.’ (James 1:5 KJV) The world spends billions of dollars seeking wisdom but, as God’s children, we have the wisdom of the Creator of the universe at our disposal. Furthermore, when you develop the patience and maturity to make the wise choice instead of the easy one, you never have to live in fear of the outcome.

John Mason says growing in wisdom means fearing God, pleasing Him, hearing from Him, looking to Him, choosing His way, staying humble before Him, taking His advice, receiving His correction, maintaining a prayer connection with Him, and knowing His Son personally (see Psalm 111:10; Ecclesiastes 2:26; Proverbs 2:6; 3:13; 8:10–11; 11:2; 13:10; 29:15; Ephesians 1:16–17; 1 Corinthians 1:30).

So… how are you doing with that so far?

Duru009:
It be REALLY be tough for PDP in Delta.....

So I heard.
......more like PDP is loosing their grip on Delta State.

Be Strong In The Lord

Wed, 13 Jul 2022

‘Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.’ Ephesians 6:10

The Bible says, ‘Be strong—not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of His boundless resource. Put on God’s complete armour so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s methods of attack. For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organisations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil. Therefore you must wear the whole armour of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and that even when you have fought to a standstill you may still stand your ground. Take your stand then with truth as your belt, righteousness your breastplate, the Gospel of peace firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet and in your hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you. Pray at all times with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you pray for all Christ’s men and women.’ (Ephesians 6:10–18 PHPS)

The way to make a comeback is to get back up and move forward. Winning consists of getting up one more time than you were knocked down. Booker T. Washington said, ‘Success is not measured by the heights one attains, but by the obstacles one overcomes in its attainment.’

The God you serve is bigger than the obstacles you face. The strength He provides is greater than the forces arrayed against you. So be strong in the Lord!

Ah!

AgentGoat:
You just insensitive mediocre. Like you have any reasonable amount in your name. Useless motivational speaker.

..... what's this about?

Humm.......when police & intelligent is not working in Nigeria.

Keep Your Conscience Clear

Tue, 12 Jul 2022

‘I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.’ Acts 24:16

It’s been said that our conscience was given to us after the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. In other words, our desire to know the difference between good and evil was granted through the mechanism God placed within us known as a conscience. So we must not ignore its promptings, silence its voice, or allow it to become calloused, because it’s a built-in warning system that protects us from danger and harm. That means you shouldn’t be troubled when your conscience bothers you; you should be troubled when it doesn’t.

Here are ten principles for keeping your conscience clear:

(1) Always pay attention to the inner nudging that makes you stop and question your decisions.

(2) Think of your conscience as a God-given filter that helps keep your heart pure.

(3) Examine your motives in all ‘giving’ situations.

(4) If you think you may have hurt someone’s feelings, ask for forgiveness.

(5) Invite God to examine your heart and reveal changes that need to be made in your attitudes and actions.

(6) To the best of your ability, don’t knowingly involve yourself in compromising situations.

(7) Consider others first, and honour them with your words and actions.

( Remember that your conscience is your moral compass.

(9) Establish ethical guidelines in all your business dealings.

(10) When a thought leaves you feeling unsettled, take time to pray and talk about it with someone you trust.

The word for today is—always maintain a clear conscience before God.

The Sin Of Omission

Mon, 11 Jul 2022

‘To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.’ James 4:17

We tend to focus on sins of commission—the wrong we do. But what about sins of omission—the good we fail to do? In Christ’s parables, when someone was condemned, it was often over a sin of omission. A man was put out of a wedding because he had no wedding garment (see Matthew 22:12). Five virgins were excluded from the wedding party because they’d no oil in their lamps (see Matthew 25:3–11). A servant who buried his talent in the ground instead of using it, forfeited it (see Matthew 25:25–28). A rich man who failed to care for his neighbour was condemned for it (see Luke 16:19–24). A barren fig tree that failed to produce fruit was cursed and died (see Mark 11:20–24).

You say, ‘But I’m interested in a deeper spiritual life.’ Well, the deepest spiritual life is one spent doing good to others! And it’s the basis on which you’ll be judged and rewarded. ‘Then the King will say… “I was hungry, and you didn’t feed Me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give Me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite Me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give Me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit Me.” Then they will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help You?” And He will answer, “I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these My brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help Me.”’ (Matthew 25:41–45 NLT)

So when you’ve a chance to do good—do it!

.......he should start first.
radarada!

A Key To Answered Prayer

Sun, 10 Jul 2022

‘Don’t refuse to help.’ Isaiah 58:7

Max Lucado writes: ‘Ours is the wealthiest generation of Christians ever. We are bright, educated, and experienced. We can travel around the world in twenty-four hours or send a message in a millisecond. We have the most sophisticated research and medicines at the tips of our fingers. We have ample resources. A mere 2 percent of the world’s grain harvest would be enough, if shared, to erase the problems of hunger and malnutrition around the world. There is enough food on the planet to offer every person twenty-five hundred calories of sustenance a day. We have enough food to feed the hungry… When your grandchildren discover you lived during a day in which 1.75 billion people were poor and 1 billion were hungry, how will they judge your response?’

More importantly, what will God say? When the Israelites complained that God wouldn’t answer their prayer, He told them: ‘Let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke. Share your food with the hungry, take the poor and homeless into your house, and cover them with clothes when you see them naked. Don’t refuse to help your relatives. Then your light will break through like the dawn, and you will heal quickly. Your righteousness will go ahead of you, and the glory of the Lord will guard you from behind. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer. You will cry for help, and He will say, “Here I am!”… The Lord will continually guide you and satisfy you.’ (Isaiah 58:6–11 GWT)

So instead of focusing on your own needs, focus on the needs of others. That’s a key to answered prayer.

God Will Help You To Succeed

Sat, 9 Jul 2022

‘All his companions were astonished at the catch of fish.’ Luke 5:9

‘[Jesus] said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch… Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they… left everything and followed Him.’ (Luke 5:4–11 NIV)

Here are seven life-changing truths you need to learn:

(1) Jesus will come to where you work and help you;

(2) When what you are doing is not working, He will show you a better way;

(3) Even though it may not make sense at the moment, do what He tells you;

(4) The success He has in mind for you is greater than anything you can envision for yourself;

(5) Your existing systems may not be able to handle what He has in mind, so be willing to change how you do things;

(6) When you experience His goodness, you’ll fall at His feet and acknowledge Him as your Lord;

(7) When you realise what He has in mind for you, you’ll leave everything and follow Him.

......more like straight jacket

budaatum:
Is bubu in the UK parliament?

....foolish question?

An Apology That Works

Fri, 8 Jul 2022

‘If you have sinned, you should tell each other what you have done. Then you can pray for one another and be healed.’ James 5:16

A genuine apology can help heal and restore a strained or broken relationship. But as Dr Gary Chapman tells us, it doesn’t end there. Observe these:

(1) Saying ‘I’m sorry’ isn’t enough! It’s a good and necessary start, but it’s not a good finish. For example, ‘I’m sorry you took it that way’ isn’t an apology; it’s a covert attack! You need to specifically confess what you’re remorseful about. ‘I’m so sorry that what I said insulted you’ acknowledges what you did and affirms the wounded person.

(2) Take full responsibility for your behaviour. Without that, there is no healing or reconciliation. ‘I was wrong to speak to you like that’ is honest, humble, concrete, and responsible. It helps the injured party see your apology as genuine. Genuineness diminishes anger and encourages others to trust and accept your words.

(3) Offer to make amends where possible. Ask, ‘Is there anything I can do to make things better?’ Putting yourself on the line to do everything you can do makes your apology heartfelt and sincere. James puts it like this: ‘Tell each other what you have done. Then you can pray for one another and be healed.’

(4) Ask for forgiveness—don’t take it for granted. ‘Will you please forgive me for what I did?’ You need to say it and the other person needs to hear it before healing and restoration can start. When you ask for forgiveness and it’s been granted, you have ‘signed on the dotted line’ together. You’re recording your mutual commitment to move beyond the hurt and work towards a healthier relationship.

budaatum:
Well, he had no choice. His own party had had enough of him, was the circumstances, and he can't face the opposition all by himself.

has APC not had enough of this man call Bubu too nii?

thebosstrevor1:
Our senators still used your tax payer money to go visit another senator on trial in the Uk.

useless senators

O dun ku! (it sweet die)

Control Your Tongue

Thu, 7 Jul 2022

‘My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.’ Proverbs 23:16

Never underestimate the power of a spoken word. Only one man in American history ever resigned from the presidency: Richard Nixon. Have you ever considered what brought President Nixon down? Traditional thinking says it was the tapes of his private conversations. But it wasn’t the tapes, it was his tongue. It wasn’t the tapes but what he said on the tapes that determined his demise.

The words tongue, mouth, lips, and words are mentioned in the book of Proverbs almost 150 times; roughly five times in each of the thirty-one chapters. The fact that so much importance is placed on our words tells us we had better take care of what comes out of our mouths. Stop and consider this: in a period of fifty years, the average person says enough words to create twelve thousand volumes of three hundred pages each. If that’s the average, think about the libraries you’re filling and the legacy you’re leaving behind. And sadly, some of the words you speak will never be forgotten!

William Norris wrote, ‘If your lips would keep from slips, five things observe with care: To whom you speak, of whom you speak, and how, and when, and where.’

Solomon wanted his children to grow up with a heart of wisdom, so he said, ‘My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.’ (Proverbs 23:15–16 NIV) So today, control your tongue.

Is prison a bank nii?
Why can't cash be kept at the bank?
Can someone explain to me?
More like they are running microfinance @ the prison?
Honestly, Nigeria needs overhauling!

treesun:
Femi must be low lifer!

he is..... One don't have to be told.

Before Your Window Of Opportunity Closes

Wed, 6 Jul 2022

‘Come, my children, listen as I teach you.’ Psalm 34:11

Your children will grow up fast, and before you know it, your window of opportunity will close at supersonic speed. What they want from you now is as much time and attention as they can get, and there will come a time when they won’t want it. Here is an eye-opening poem entitled ‘To My Grown-Up Son’ by Alice Chase. You might want to take a deep breath before you read it.

‘My hands were busy through the day. I didn’t have much time to play the little games you asked me to. I didn’t have much time for you. I’d wash your clothes, I’d sew and cook, but when you’d bring your picture book and ask me, please, to share your fun, I’d say, “A little later, son.” I’d tuck you in all safe at night, and hear your prayers, turn out the light, then tiptoe safely to the door. I’d wish I’d stayed a minute more. For life is short, and years rush past, a little boy grows up so fast. No longer is he at your side, his precious secrets to confide. The picture books are put away, there are no children’s games to play, no good night kiss, no prayers to hear. That all belongs to yesteryear. My hands once busy, now lie still, the days are long and hard to fill. I wish I might go back and do the little things you asked me to.’

When Joseph brought his sons to visit his father, Jacob, the old man said, ‘Bring them to me so I may bless them.’ (Genesis 48:9 NIV)

Mum, Dad, get involved before your window of opportunity closes.

Keep Exercising Your Faith (2)

Tue, 5 Jul 2022

‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 2:29

It’s not enough to simply listen to a sermon, you must try to hear what God is saying to you. You can hear something totally different from what the person sitting beside you in church hears. Why? Because God is personalising the message for you. The Bible is called ‘the living Word’ (see Hebrews 4:12) because certain Scriptures suddenly come to life and take root within you. Sometimes you will hear what nobody else hears. You may even miss several of the sermon points and still come home with the answer you need.

Paul says, ‘Faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.’ (Romans 10:17 NLT) When you can say, ‘I get it, it’s mine,’ the faith that comes by hearing is doing its special work within you. Before Israel went into battle, the prophets would consult God to be sure He was leading them. That’s because God honours faith only when it’s based on what He promised. So what you should fight for is what God has promised!

Remember, you can’t say God failed you if He didn’t promise it to you in the first place. And you shouldn’t get upset when your own misguided desires make you reach for what He gave to somebody else. The old-timers used to sing, ‘Every promise in the book is mine, every chapter, every verse, every line,’ and that’s true inasmuch as God loves us all equally. But there are specific promises He wants to fulfil in your life because your calling is different from others. That’s why you must always seek God for clarity and confirmation.

Righteousness2:
Wow! What a rare catch. Looks so beautiful and Golden.

Among everything one can catch or acquire in this life, the Greatest and most Important catch is the catch that will guarantee the Eternal Safety of your soul. That catch is no other than the Lord and Savior of the World, JESUS Christ.

and that's indeed the catch of a life time.

Keep Exercising Your Faith (1)

Mon, 4 Jul 2022

‘If you have faith.’ Matthew 17:20

Paul writes, ‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for.’ (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV) Observe the words ‘now faith’. Thank God for the faith of our fathers, but to move the mountain that stands in your way, you need ‘now faith’.

Jesus said, ‘If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move… and it will move.”’ (Matthew 17:20 NKJV) Your grandmother’s faith may have moved her mountain, but it’s going to take your own faith to move ‘this mountain’.

We all have mountains in our lives, and God is willing to move them. So what’s the problem? Doubt! Other people’s opinions! Failure to understand God’s Word! Even though Jesus gave His disciples power to heal the sick, they were rendered helpless by a demon-possessed boy. ‘Why could we not cast the spirit out of him?’ they asked (see Matthew 17:19).

Notice what Jesus told them:

(1) Be willing to start small. A tiny ‘mustard seed’ can grow into something much bigger. So start where you are and believe God for ordinary, everyday things, and when He honours your faith, thank Him and build on it.

(2) Watch what you say. ‘If you have faith… you will say to this mountain, “Move… and it will move.”’ Your words release the life-giving force of God’s Word. So line up what comes out of your mouth with what’s written in Scripture.

(3) Be willing to do what’s needed. Some mountains need a little extra prayer, or in the case of this demon-possessed boy, the power that comes through fasting. The bottom line is this: when you do what God’s Word says, you will see mountains moved in your

Try To Slow Down (2)

Sun, 3 Jul 2022

‘Whoever believes will not act hastily.’ Isaiah 28:16

Every time you get in a hurry mode, you send a ‘state of emergency’ signal to your body. And it responds by releasing the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol that prepare you to deal with danger. The body cannot distinguish between physical danger, or the danger of losing your job, or any other form of stress and pressure. It only knows that action has to be taken and that it must energise you to deal with it. Now, this is a good thing if you’re indeed physically threatened. But to live with your body constantly on high alert is like fighting a fifteen-round nonstop boxing match. Sooner or later, you pay the price in the form of heart disease, ulcers, forgetfulness, and a multitude of other conditions. What’s the cure?

A-B-C: Awareness, Belief, Change.

Become aware of your continual high-gear mode and what part you play each time you hurry. Ask yourself, ‘How could I have prevented this?’

Believe that the Holy Spirit will give you victory if you ask Him and begin to change your behaviour.

Change—consciously slow down. Talk slower, move slower. ‘Haste makes waste.’ Haste causes duplication of work, accidents, and other things that result in wasted time. Question: are you speed-reading today’s devotion? If so, this is the word for you today: try taking twice as long to read and meditate on what you’re reading, and ask God, ‘What are You saying to me? What changes do You want to bring about in my life? In what ways do You want me to improve?’

God is not in a hurry, so slow down and get in sync with Him.

Try To Slow Down (1)

Saturday 2nd July 2022

‘You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the Lord will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.’ Isaiah 52:12 NLT

Have you heard of ‘hurry sickness’? Those who have it zoom in and out of lanes in congested traffic; try to be the first off the plane, even though they must wait forever at baggage claim; honk at you if you don’t take off like a rocket when the traffic light turns green; tap their fingers against anything they can find when they have to wait; punch the lift button repeatedly in an attempt to move it faster.

They remind us of hummingbirds. These tiny birds can fly forward, then hover in mid-air going nowhere. Their tiny wings can move up to seventy-five times each second! The trouble is, their average life span is only three years compared to an eagle that lives thirty years. What’s the difference? The eagle has learned to conserve its energy by riding the God-given wind currents. The message here is simple: when you draw on the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, you last longer and go higher than you ever dreamed.

One pastor said he was a ‘stress-distributing machine’ when he was younger, and everybody around him felt it. One day one of his kids said to him, ‘Daddy, I’ll try to hurry up and tell you this.’

He replied, ‘It’s okay, honey, you can speak slowly.’

After a long pause, he had an ‘aha’ moment when his child said, ‘Then—listen—slowly!’

Deciding to move at a slower pace will definitely improve the quality of your life and your relationships.

.......what about the man with N80b?

.......more of this news is welcome for them in this month of July. May the Lord put disagreement between them in Jesus name.

kollinskollins:
Please where is the headquarters of MFM?

MFM camp. On Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, before getting to Ibafo, if you are going from Berger, Lagos. Ask anyone along that axis.

God Will Provide ‘All Things’ You Need

Friday 1st July 2022

‘Will He not also with Him freely give us all things?’ Romans 8:32 NASB

The Bible says, ‘He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?’

Author Max Lucado gives this analogy: ‘Suppose a man comes upon a child being beaten by thugs. He dashes into the mob, rescues the boy, and carries him to a hospital. The youngster is nursed to health. The man pays for the child’s treatment. He learns that the child is an orphan and adopts him as his own and gives the boy his name. Then one night, months later, the father hears the son sobbing into his pillow. He goes to him and asks about the tears. “I’m worried, Daddy… about tomorrow. Where will I get food to eat? How am I going to buy clothes to stay warm? And where will I sleep?” The father is rightfully troubled. “Haven’t I shown you? Don’t you understand? I risked my life to save you. I gave my money to treat you. You wear my name. I’ve called you my son. Would I do all that and then not meet your needs?” Honestly, now. Did God save you so you would fret? Would He teach you to walk just to watch you fall? Would He be nailed to the cross for your sins and then disregard your prayers? Come on! Is Scripture teasing us when it says, “He has put His angels in charge of you to watch over you wherever you go”? (Psalm 91:11 NCV)’

You know better, don’t you? So stop worrying, and stand securely on His promise that He will ‘freely give us all things’ you need