₦airaland Forum

..... is UK worth dying for?
Why not stopped at Germany or France? Those countries are more better than UK.
RIP to the dead.

Understanding Our Heavenly Father (2)

FRI, 25 OCT 2019

‘He is like a father to us, tender and sympathetic.’ Psalm 103:13 TLB

To see God as your loving Father may not come easily if you carry the scars of an abusive childhood. So many needs that went unmet in your childhood—affection, security, trust, comfort, nurture, and material requirements—can make it hard to believe that God will provide for your needs now. So what to do? Recognise that your internalised father-image is flawed and in no way fits your heavenly Father. Even the best father is a blurred carbon copy of your heavenly Father.

God wants you to see Him as a caring, sensitive, generous, dependable Father. That’s why Jesus taught us to call Him ‘Our Father’, not just ‘Almighty God and Lord’. It’s also why He called God ‘your Father’ and not just ‘My Father’.

Like a good father, God has anticipated your every need and provided for it (see Matthew 6:25–34). Just as good parents understand the individual characteristics of their children, your heavenly Father knows your unique needs, thoughts, and feelings. ‘The Lord has mercy on those who respect Him… He knows how we were made.’ (Psalm 103:13–14 NCV) His care for you is tailor-made to fit your specific requirements and limitations.

Just as a good earthly father accepts and fulfils his responsibility to provide for his children, your heavenly Father holds Himself responsible for meeting your needs, and He wants you to act accordingly by trusting Him. In other words, your role is to act like the child of a trustworthy, generous, permanently loving Father.

Understanding Our Heavenly Father (1)

THU, 24 OCT 2019

‘They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.’ John 8:27 NKJV

Religious people in Jesus’ day found the concept of the Fatherhood of God hard to grasp. Lord, king, judge, they understood—but not Father. Their Old Testament Scriptures barely spoke half a dozen times of God as Father, whereas the New Testament mentions it hundreds of times. Jesus Himself said, ‘No one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.’ (Matthew 11:27 NIV)

The truth is, until Jesus revealed the Father, God remained a mystery to them. And many of us still don’t comprehend His Fatherhood and the rich blessings we have in Him. Father, God’s all-inclusive name, incorporates everything you’ll ever need and discloses exactly how He feels about you. He exemplifies every trait of the best father imaginable. Whatever a loving father would do for his needy child, your heavenly Father will do for you—and then some. Once we recognise God as our Father, our fears dissolve as we start to realise that all our needs will be met.

Jesus said, ‘It gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.’ (Luke 12:32 NLT) It makes God happy to give you the resources of His kingdom. Why? Because He loves you as much as He loves Jesus! In John 17:23, Jesus prayed you’d know with confidence that your heavenly Father loves you in the same way as He loves Jesus Himself. So treat God as your Father, and start acting like His child and enjoying the benefits of family membership (see Ephesians 2:19).

When You Worship, You Win Spiritual Battles

WED, 23 OCT 2019

‘He appointed those who should sing to the Lord.’ 2 Chronicles 20:21 NKJV

Worship is a powerful weapon, one that can turn the battle in your favour. When King Jehoshaphat faced the combined might of three different armies, he knew he was no match for them. So he turned to God, saying, ‘We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.’ (2 Chronicles 20:12 NKJV)

Here’s how God answered him: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.’ (2 Chronicles 20:15 NKJV) Then God gave him an amazing strategy for victory. He told him to put a choir in front of his army and go into battle singing the praises of God. Can you imagine trying to explain that at the Creswell or Duntroon? You’d be sent to a psychiatrist—and that’d be one of the better outcomes!

But Jehoshaphat did it: ‘He appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army.’ And if that blows your mind, read this: ‘When they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.’ (2 Chronicles 20:22 NKJV) Instead of attacking Judah, the three armies attacked one another. Israel never fired a shot, never took a casualty, and it took them three days to gather the spoils. So when you’re in a battle you can’t win, begin to praise God and the forces of Heaven will come to your aid.

.........his life is scattered already.

God Will Take Care Of You

TUE, 22 OCT 2019

‘Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.’ Matthew 6:25 NIV

If God lives within you, shouldn’t it be obvious? How can you say you trust Him and then worry obsessively about your health, your kids, your job, and your finances? Concern is one thing, but worry is an affront to the God who has never let you down.

Paul writes, ‘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.’ (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT) Pray or worry—those are your options. Why did Jesus say, ‘Take no thought for tomorrow’? (See Matthew 6:34.) Because when you take thought you try to take control. And when that happens peace goes out the window!

Worry is like a snowball; it starts small, and as you keep rolling it forward it becomes big enough to bury you. All that’s necessary to keep a stationary train from moving forward are two 15 cm blocks of wood, but once it builds up momentum it will crash through a two-metre-thick wall. So stop the worry train before it leaves the station!

God says, ‘My grace is sufficient for you.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV) God will give you only what you need for today; that way you have to keep trusting Him for tomorrow. The Bible tells us Jesus is the Good Shepherd who ‘calls His own sheep by name and… He walks ahead of them.’ (John 10:3–4 NLT)

How wonderful. He’s already gone ahead of you to arrange everything. Knowing that should help you face tomorrow, confident that God will take care of you.

......minus my one important vote. Can't say I hate the man though because of his selfishness.

Blessed For A Purpose!

MON, 21 OCT 2019

‘Afterwards they will come out with great possessions.’ Genesis 15:14 NIV

When the children of Israel were leaving Egypt, God transferred the wealth from one nation of people to another. And He did it overnight. That’s because His people were called to fulfil His purposes in the earth. After 400 years of making bricks, carting bricks and stacking bricks into treasure houses, God said in essence, ‘It’s payday! All that stuff you’ve been bricking up is going to be yours.’

The greater the affliction, the greater the abundance! Let’s be clear, the Bible teaches that money isn’t offensive to God; the misuse of it is! One pastor says: ‘Money speaks. It says to land, “I can own you.” It says to buildings, “I can build you.” It says to vision, “I can fulfil you.” It says to a missionary, “I can support you.” It says to poverty, “I can feed you.” And it says to opportunity, “I can accept you.”’

Why did Pharaoh pursue the Israelites? To get back the wealth of Egypt. Stop and think about that! The devil doesn’t care who gets the money, as long as it doesn’t go to God’s people or fulfil His purposes. Satan dreads the thought of a generation of prosperous believers committed to reaching the world with the Gospel. And he will keep us enslaved to ignorance if he can. ‘But I’m not a slave,’ you say. How about slavery to debt, or hopelessness, or fear, or old habits? God wants to set you free from anything that keeps you from fulfilling His will. Once you realise that, you’ll start to pray in earnest and believe God for the resources to do it!

Building Healthy, Fulfilling Relationships

SUN, 20 OCT 2019

‘There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.’ Proverbs 18:24 NIV

To fulfil God’s plan for your life, you need relationships with the right people, those who stick by you come what may. Remember Jonathan, who loved David even at the cost of his own life? And Ruth, who loved her mother-in-law Naomi and gave her a reason to live again?

God can introduce you to such people and help you build a relationship with them. Think about it: He wouldn’t say, ‘It is not good that man should be alone,’ (Genesis 2:18 NKJV) then ask you to live in isolation. Sometimes when you’re by yourself, you’re in the worst possible company! But you may need to be healed within before you can build healthy relationships and make healthy choices.

That means learning to differentiate between ‘using’ relationships and ‘heart ties’. Blood ties don’t wear as well as heart ties. Allow God to work on you and when you’re ready, He will facilitate the necessary introductions. In the meantime get to know Him better because He’s the source of true self-esteem. If your last relationship stripped you of self-worth and drained you spiritually, use this time to get back on your feet. You may never have this opportunity again! Begin to love like God loves. He sees our imperfections, handles our rejection, and loves us regardless. Knowing that will help you not to discard a good person because they did a bad thing.

Would you throw your car away because of a faulty part? If God forgave you the way you forgive others, could you stand? (see Psalm 130:3) Ask Him today to show you how to build healthy, fulfilling relationships. He will do it!

ZzZzzzzzzzzzzzz:
To me I believe ishaq akintola and whoever is sponsoring Muric should have been arrested since.
And taken to Yaba Left or Aro
Many are mad but few are roaming

I think Aro will be better for that Akintola. They sure have.a bigger facility that will contain him there.

‘Stress Fractures’

SAT, 19 OCT 2019

‘He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak.’ Isaiah 40:29 TLB

Sports Illustrated magazine says, ‘Stress fractures begin when the shocks and strains of playing game after game create tiny cracks in outer layers of bone. When those cracks become large enough to cause severe pain, they are known as stress fractures.’

If you’ve ever had a stress-fractured mind, you can relate. It eats at you by day and keeps you awake at night. And if you try to ‘medicate’ it with alcohol, or drugs, or an affair, or overeating, or a hyperactive lifestyle, it gets worse. What should you do?

(1) Change your focus. ‘Come to Me… and I will give you rest… Let me teach you… and you will find rest for your souls.’ (Matthew 11:28–29 NLT) ‘He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak… they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.’ (Isaiah 40:29–31 TLB) Instead of struggling alone with the burden, share it with the burden-bearer and let Him strengthen you.

(2) Lighten up! ‘A cheerful heart is good medicine.’ (Proverbs 17:22 NIV) Don’t make such a big deal out of everything! Lighten up and laugh more, especially at yourself! Do you even remember the last time you enjoyed a good laugh? Accept your imperfections. Let some stuff go. Stop trying to be Wonder Woman or Superman. Get away for some fun. Yes, you need fun too! Cancel some of your not-so-important meetings. If you want things to change, you will have to change them. Today talk to God; He knows how to heal stress fractures.

surely, but slowly. You guys need to double up. You only have 3 years and 6 months left.

Try To Learn Something Every Day

FRI, 18 OCT 2019

‘Knowledge will fill you with joy.’ Proverbs 2:10 NLT

One Friday morning an eager young Stanford University student stood before Louis Janin, a well-known mining engineer. He was seeking employment. Janin informed him, ‘All I need right now is a stenographer.’

The young man said eagerly, ‘Fine, I’ll take the job.’ Then he added, ‘But I can’t come back until Tuesday.’

Janin agreed, and the next Tuesday the young man reported for work as scheduled. Janin asked him, ‘Why is it that you couldn’t come back before Tuesday?’

The young man replied, ‘Because I had to rent a typewriter and learn how to use it.’

The young typist was Herbert Hoover, whose can-do attitude eventually led him through the doors of the White House to become one of America’s presidents. By taking shortcuts—you risk short-changing your future. Your unwillingness to learn today will leave you unprepared for tomorrow’s opportunities. No skill you learn will ever be lost. Gleaning knowledge and learning new skills builds confidence and sharpens your mind. Successful people have one thing in common: they never quit learning! Furthermore, God calls prepared people, so prepare yourself.

The Bible says: ‘Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver… Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.’ (Proverbs 2:2–10 NLT)

When You Worship, You’re Taking In God’s Word

THU, 17 OCT 2019

‘Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.’ Ephesians 5:19 NKJV

The truths of God’s Word have been passed down from generation to generation through preaching, teaching, and publishing. But they have also been passed down through hymns of worship we sing in church. When you sing them, you’re proclaiming the truth of God’s Word and simultaneously ingesting it. You grow spiritually through the Word you hear, the Word you study, the Word you speak, and yes, the Word you sing.

Paul writes, ‘Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.’ (Ephesians 5:18–19 NKJV)

Jesus didn’t just preach the Word, He sang it too: ‘And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.’ (Matthew 26:30 KJV) Why does the Bible place such emphasis on speaking God’s Word? Because when you read God’s Word aloud you ingest it in two ways—through the eye-gate and the ear-gate. And the same thing happens when you sing God’s Word. The readers of God’s Word shouldn’t look down on the singers of God’s Word, and the singers shouldn’t feel spiritually inferior to the readers. The important thing is to get into God’s Word and get God’s Word into you. Some of us do that best through a sermon, others through personal Bible study, and others through songs that proclaim the life-changing truths of His Word.

So, when you worship, you’re taking in God’s Word.

Thank God For Your Job

WED, 16 OCT 2019

‘Those who work hard will prosper.’ Proverbs 13:4 NLT

Author and motivational speaker Charlie ‘Tremendous’ Jones tells the story of a man who dreamed he’d inherited a million dollars. In the dream he tried to take a shower, but the shower wouldn’t work. He tried to shave, but his shaver wouldn’t shave. He tried to make breakfast, but the coffee wouldn’t perk and the toaster wouldn’t toast. He went to get a newspaper, but the newspaper box was empty. He went to catch the bus to work, but the bus didn’t come. Finally, after waiting an hour, he saw a few people. ‘What’s going on here?’ he asked. ‘Haven’t you heard?’ they replied. ‘Everybody has inherited a million dollars and nobody’s working anymore.’ Suddenly the man woke up, discovered that it was all a dream, and said, ‘Thank God!’

So he went and had a tremendous shower, a tremendous shave, a tremendous cup of coffee, and a tremendous piece of toast while he was reading a tremendous newspaper. Finally he caught a tremendous bus to a tremendous job! Thank God today for the job He has given you, and put your very best into it. Your position and salary would most likely have been a dream-come-true for some of your ancestors. You may not be called to ‘the ministry’ per se, but if your job affords you the privilege of being a solution to somebody’s problem and offers you the dignity of making a difference in life, be grateful. Imagine what your life would be like without it! ‘Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.’

Make It A Personal Growth Experience

TUE, 15 OCT 2019

‘Speaking the truth in love, we will grow.’ Ephesians 4:15 NIV

Before you confront someone over an issue, stop and examine your motives. Is your goal to help or humiliate them? Jesus was in the business of lifting and restoring people, and you should be in that business too. Ask yourself, would you approach things differently if you weren’t so personally involved? Are you confronting this person to make yourself look better? Cutting someone else down in order to lift yourself up is the lowest form of ego gratification.

Poet Kahlil Gibran said, ‘To belittle, you have to be little.’ Don’t do it! It’s a sign of insecurity. Remember Nehemiah’s response to those who tried to discourage him from rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls? ‘I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?’ (Nehemiah 6:3 KJV) Don’t allow your critics to break your stride. Don’t give more credence to the sentiments of a critic than you would to the encouragement of a friend. Before you put somebody else’s life under the microscope, stop and examine your own. Are you grappling with the same issue, or one just as bad? Have you succeeded where you’re accusing somebody else of failing? In other words, have you earned the right to be heard?

Paul writes, ‘Speaking the truth in love we will grow… in every respect.’ Could it be that the situation you’re dealing with right now is an opportunity to measure your own maturity and make it a spiritual growth experience?

Your Joy Will Return

MON, 14 OCT 2019

‘Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.’ Psalm 30:5 NLT

It’s hard when you work all day then come home to an empty house and sleep with your arms wrapped around a pillow, wishing you had someone to hold. No matter how much you try to cover it up, nothing can hide that kind of loneliness. It’s the pain of having so much to share and nobody to share it with. But God knows your plight, and He cares. It’s why He made Eve for Adam, found Boaz for Ruth, and Rebekah for Isaac. It’s why His Word deals with real-life issues like sexual frustration, loneliness, failure, and lack of self-worth. Natural voids and thirsts exist within all of us, and how we fill them determines our ability to survive and find happiness. If you’re struggling on your own to face the challenges of life, you need to know that you’re not alone! ‘The God of all comfort’ is with you. (2 Corinthians 1:3 KJV)

No one understands like Jesus. His family rejected Him, His disciples abandoned Him, and the world crucified Him. That’s why the Bible says He’s ‘touched with the feeling of our infirmities’ and was ‘in all points tempted… as we are.’ (Hebrews 4:15 KJV) He knows when you feel like nothing you do is ever good enough. He knows that as well as being a parent, you’re a person. He knows, He understands, and He invites you to come to Him.

The season you’re in right now won’t last forever. A new one is coming, with new energy, new relationships, new experiences, and new joy. Until then remember: ‘Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.’ Your joy will return!

The Power Of Your Testimony

SUN, 13 OCT 2019

‘Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you.’ Mark 5:19 NASB

The most powerful testimony of all—is a life that can’t be explained without God! People may dispute your theology, but your testimony, that’s something else! Six different times Paul stood before hostile audiences, and each time he gave his personal testimony. No arguing, no debating—just his story.

Dr David Yonggi Cho built the world’s largest church in South Korea (one million members). He was won to Christ by a lady he met only once. She shared her testimony, moved on, and Cho, a former Buddhist, never found her again. Your testimony is an awesome thing, especially when it’s backed by a consistent lifestyle. People who won’t listen to others will listen to you, relate to you, and respond to you if you’ll share your story. And when you do, keep in mind four things:

(1) Be interesting. Give them the short version and avoid clichés. Jesus is exciting; He came to bring life ‘more abundantly.’ (John 10:10 NKJV)

(2) Be specific. Talk about: (a) how it used to be; (b) how you met Jesus; (c) how it is now.

(3) Be honest. Don’t say, ‘All your problems will disappear when you become a Christian.’ The Christian life is a battlefield, not a playing field. Let people know you still have struggles but something important has changed—you’re no longer alone: ‘Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ (1 John 4:4 KJV)

(4) Be warm. Don’t try to arm-wrestle them into the kingdom. Be gracious, sow the seed, and leave the harvest to God. Now, ‘Go… tell them how much the Lord has done for you.’

.....and the rain ain't stopping yet.

Take ‘The People Of War With You’

SAT, 12 OCT 2019

‘Take all the people of war with you.’ Joshua 8:1 NKJV

When you’re under spiritual attack, you need to surround yourself with ‘the people of war’. They are experienced in spiritual warfare and know how to deal with the enemy. They have proven strategies for victory and a tenacious faith that rises up and says, ‘If God be for us, who can be against us?’ (Romans 8:31 KJV) The truth is, the people of war are the people of the Word. They know how to take the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God, and use it to defeat the enemy (see Ephesians 6:17). They’re not hesitant about marching into the enemy’s camp and taking back everything he has stolen from them (see 1 Samuel 30:.

Anybody can stand with you in the good times, but when you find somebody who can stand with you in the bad times, treasure them and build a relationship with them. The Bible says, ‘A brother is born for adversity.’ (Proverbs 17:17 KJV) Did you get that? They’re born for battle! They’re not just strong in faith, they’re strong in fight. And you won’t necessarily find these people in pulpits and choir lofts; they blow no trumpets, wave no banners, and demand no applause. But they know how to boldly approach the throne of grace and claim the promises of God (see Hebrews 4:16).

After Joshua conquered Jericho, God said to him, ‘Take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king… his people… his city, and his land.’ So if you’re in a battle today, take ‘the people of war with you.’

".....so many committe to look after". Can you imagine, as if all their useless committes has ever been of benefit to Nigerians.

It is well.

How To Experience God’s Peace

FRI, 11 OCT 2019

‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.’ Philippians 4:6 NLT

God’s peace is a wonderful thing. And some of the people around you today are in need of it. It comes when you commit your life to Christ and live by the principles laid out in Scripture. When you ‘commit’ something to the Lord, you transfer every part of it from you to Him (see Psalm 37:5). Peter writes, ‘Casting the whole of your…concerns, once and for all, on Him, for He cares for you.’ (1 Peter 5:7 AMPC) What a privilege. Have you been availing yourself of it lately?

‘How do I cast all my cares on Him?’ you ask. Through prayer! As soon as you become aware that you’re starting to worry and lose your sense of peace, take it to God immediately and leave it with Him. Don’t give the devil time to work you over. The longer you wait, the greater his hold over you becomes. ‘But I can’t help thinking about it,’ you say. ‘What can I do?’ These two things:

(1) Give it to God and then start to focus on other things. It’s a learned response, one you’ll have to practise daily. Paul writes, ‘Whatever is true… honourable and worthy of respect… whatever is lovely and brings peace… think continually on these things.’ (Philippians 4:8 AMP) In other words, redirect your thoughts!

(2) Find out what God says in His Word about your situation. Then line your thoughts, words, and actions up with it. When you do this, then you’ll be able to not ‘worry about anything; instead, pray about everything… You will experience God’s peace.’ (Philippians 4:7 NLT)

budaatum:
Thank God money is no more in the list.

sex is no 1, while money took the 2nd position I think.

You Can Start Again

WED, 9 OCT 2019

‘Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.’ Proverbs 24:16 NIV

On the night of 9 December 1914, Edison Industries was destroyed by fire. The loss exceeded a million dollars, along with the majority of Thomas Edison’s work. He was insured for far less because the buildings were constructed of concrete, which was thought to make a building fireproof. At sixty-seven years of age, the great inventor watched his life’s work go up in flames. The next morning after firefighters had finally brought the inferno under control, he surveyed his charred dreams and crushed hopes. As he looked at the scene, he said, ‘There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew.’

Three weeks after the fire, Edison produced one of his greatest inventions: the first phonograph. Try to imagine the world of music and entertainment without it! The Bible says, ‘For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.’ With God on your side you can begin again because the power to do it resides within you. It’s the same power that raised Christ from the dead (see Romans 8:11). Paul prayed for believers at Ephesus: ‘That out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.’ (Ephesians 3:16 NIV)

Where is your strength? ‘In your inner being.’ He continues: ‘Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.’ (Ephesians 3:20 NIV) So the word for you today is—you can start again.

Pray And Post A Guard

MON, 7 OCT 2019

‘We prayed to our God and posted a guard.’ Nehemiah 4:9 NIV

God’s sovereignty doesn’t negate our responsibility. Just the opposite. It empowers it. When we trust God, we think more clearly and react more decisively. Like Nehemiah, who said, ‘We prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.’ Note the words: ‘We prayed… and posted a guard.’ Nehemiah did two things. He trusted God for success, and acted on what God had told him to do. Prayer invites God to do what you cannot do.

Paul wrote, ‘Pray without ceasing.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV) Why? Because God comes by invitation. Until you’ve sought God’s guidance you’re at the mercy of your own thoughts, and everybody else’s. When you don’t know what you don’t know, you’re in a dangerous place. Why settle for human knowledge when you can have divine input? God says, ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ (Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV)

And when God reveals His will to you, don’t delay and don’t debate—do it! Before God gives you His next set of instructions, He wants to know that you have obeyed His last set of instructions. Why? Because He cannot bless you beyond your last act of disobedience. So stop and take an inventory. If you’ve done the wrong thing, repent, make a course correction, and get back on the right path as quickly as possible. ‘But this is what I commanded them, saying, “Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.”’ (Jeremiah 7:23 NKJV)

Are You A ‘Me First’ Person?

SUN, 6 OCT 2019

‘In humility value others above yourselves.’ Philippians 2:3 NIV

If you’re a ‘me first’ person, here are some verses of Scripture designed to keep you on your toes—and your knees! ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but… to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 2:3–5 NIV) That’s how Jesus treated people, and you have been called to do likewise. Is doing this easy or convenient? No, it runs contrary to everything in our self-centred natures. And because you were gracious yesterday, is no guarantee you’ll treat people the same way today.

Grace is like a garment; you have to put it on each morning and wear it all day. ‘How can I live like that?’ you ask. By drawing daily on God’s grace, and deciding to put others first. By looking for ways to support and encourage them. Everybody you meet is fighting a battle of some kind, and you may be the one person that crosses their path who is able to speak a word of encouragement to them (see Proverbs 16:24). Don’t let them down. Humility is an attitude that determines ahead of time: ‘I care about the people around me. I don’t always have to be first. I’m going to help somebody else win for a change.’ Humility prays, ‘Lord, teach me to curb my competitive nature and turn that energy into loving and lifting others. Show me how You did it, and help me to do it too.’

Friends ‘In The Woods’

SAT, 5 OCT 2019

‘Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God.’ 1 Samuel 23:16 NKJV

The first African American to play major league baseball in the USA was Jackie Robinson. While trying to break through baseball’s colour barrier, he faced insults and abuse in just about every stadium. One day at his home stadium in Brooklyn, he made an error and the fans immediately turned on him. While they jeered, Robinson just stood there at second base, humiliated. At that point shortstop Pee Wee Reese ran over, stood beside him, put his arm around him, and together they faced the crowd. Within seconds the fans grew quiet.

Years later when Robinson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, he said, ‘Reese’s arm around my shoulder that day saved my career.’ Jesus knew Peter would ‘strike out’ and deny Him, yet He extended grace to Peter even before it happened. Here’s what He told him: ‘When you have come back to Me, help the others.’ (Luke 22:32 CEV)

When God restores you, you’ll want to reach out to others with His love. It will be as natural to you as breathing. You’ll live by the Scripture: ‘Strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong… for your God… is coming to save you.”’ (Isaiah 35:3–4 NLT)

‘Jonathan…arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God.’ When you feel lost ‘in the woods’ you need a Jonathan. That’s when you prove the truth of the old adage: ‘In prosperity our friends know us, but in adversity we know our friends.’ They’re the people we turn to in times of trouble. So if you think you’ll ever need such a friend, be one!

Responding To Gossip (2)

FRI, 4 OCT 2019

‘Those who consider themselves religious but do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves.’ James 1:26 NIV

When someone gossips about you, keep this in mind: people tend to accuse in others what they excuse in themselves. The story’s told about a husband who suspected his wife of losing her hearing. One night he positioned himself across the room from her as she sat in her favourite chair with her back to him. Very softly he said, ‘Can you hear me?’ When she didn’t answer he moved a little closer and repeated very softly, ‘Can you hear me?’ Still no answer. Then he moved closer and said, ‘Can you hear me?’ Still no answer. Finally he got up behind her chair and said right into her ear, ‘Can you hear me?’

She looked him in the eye and said, ‘For the fourth time, yes!’

Psychologists call this ‘projection’. We tend to project our fears, feelings, and problems onto others. But you must not let people do this to you. Lady Astor, a member of Parliament, was a constant thorn in the side of Winston Churchill, always criticising him. One day the two of them got into a heated conversation and she said, ‘Winston, I don’t like your politics, and I don’t like your moustache.’

He looked at her and said, ‘Madam, I see no earthly reason why you should ever come into contact with either one.’

Jesus’ critics accused Him of being demon-possessed. Paul’s critics called him a madman, a fool, and a babbler. And you must not expect different treatment at the hands of the same crowd. So the word for you today is: stay focused and don’t get distracted.

Responding To Gossip (1)

THU, 3 OCT 2019

‘It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true.’ Nehemiah 6:6 NIV

The only way to avoid criticism is to say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing. When you attempt anything of value or significance, people are going to talk about you. Nehemiah’s enemies tried to stop him from rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem by using gossip and innuendo: ‘It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true… Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: “There is a king in Judah!”’ (Nehemiah 6:6–7 NIV) Notice, no source was given of the accusations against Nehemiah. ‘It is reported.’ Always be prepared when someone comes to you and says something like this: ‘I heard…’ or ‘somebody said…’ or ‘the word on the street is…’

Never receive a criticism from someone who is bringing it on behalf of someone else, someone they won’t even name, someone who won’t say it to your face. Not even slander could keep Nehemiah from the work he was doing. Note how he responded: ‘I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”’ (Nehemiah 6:8 NIV) In other words: ‘I don’t care what you think, or say, or like. I’m going to keep building this wall until the job is done.’ And that must be your attitude too. Most of the time your friends don’t need an explanation, and your enemies wouldn’t believe one if you held them at gunpoint. So stay focused and get the job done.

God Wants To Tell You Something

TUE, 1 OCT 2019

‘When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush.’ Exodus 3:4 NLT

Never judge a person’s potential by what they appear to be right now. Moses, one of history’s greatest leaders, was tending sheep when God called him. There’s not a corporate head-hunter who would have hired him. But don’t judge him yet—he’s just between jobs. God is about to talk to him and change his life. If you’re tired of listening to everybody else’s opinions, get alone with God. He will show you things that can change your future (see Jeremiah 33:3).

At age sixty-five, after running a restaurant for several years, Colonel Sanders found himself broke. All he had was a Social Security cheque of $105 a month, a recipe for fried chicken, and a vision he refused to give up on. As a result he eventually built the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise, became a multimillionaire and a devoted Christian philanthropist. The point is: it’s not over until God says it’s over!

Moses nearly burned out trying to do things his own way. Then God showed up in a fire that Moses neither started nor maintained. In essence God said, ‘Look at this burning bush; it’s going to be you. In My strength you’ll stand before Pharaoh. The Red Sea will give way before My power at work in you. I’ll give you manna in the wilderness. I’ll strengthen and sustain you all the way to your destiny.’

Whatever you’re doing today, stop! Get alone with God and say, ‘I will now turn aside and listen to You’ (see Exodus 3:3). Once you’ve heard what He wants to tell you, your life will never be the same.

Pull Down That Stronghold!

FRI, 27 SEP 2019

‘The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.’ 2 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV

The story of Joseph the prisoner becoming Joseph the prime minister teaches us that we can rise above the circumstances, overcome the challenges, and live in the fullness of our God-given potential. His journey was a long one, and yours may be too. But if you don’t take the first step, you’ll remain stuck where you are.

Sometimes your ‘stronghold’ was established early in life. Family pain is the deepest pain, because it’s inflicted so early and involves people who should have been trustworthy. You were too young to process the mistreatment. You didn’t know how to defend yourself. Your dad, mum, uncle, big brother—they towered over you, usually in size, always in rank. When they judged you falsely, you believed them. All this time you were operating on faulty data: ‘You’re stupid… slow… dumb like your father… fat like your mother…’ Decades later those voices of defeat still echo in your subconscious. But they don’t have to!

‘For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.’ Use the ‘reject and repeat’ strategy and you’ll win the victory in your thinking. When negative, fearful, guilt-ridden, inferior, condemning thoughts arise, reject them and begin to repeat what God says about you in His Word. As God’s Word comes to life within you, your old thoughts will begin to die and lose their control over you. Today pull down that stronghold and let your healing begin