₦airaland Forum

Rules of Engagement

Tuesday, 27 February 2018

'A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.' Proverbs 15:1 NLT

Even in the best of marriages arguments will arise from time to time. With two people of differing temperaments, tastes, and ways of thinking, how could it be otherwise? So here are a few rules of engagement:

(1) Think before you speak. Ask yourself if fear, stress, or worry may have provoked your mate’s response. Is it bothering you right now because you are feeling insecure and unappreciated? Could you be misreading or exaggerating the problem? Take time to try and identify what’s really happening.

(2) Ask for what you need. It’s ok to admit that some days you are needier than others. When a woman feels panicked every time her husband comes home late because her father did the same and was having an affair, it’s ok to say, ‘I know it’s irrational, but I’m having a panicky day.’ That kind of honesty strengthens a relationship.

(3) Never threaten. Threats just make your mate defensive and insecure. As a result, they can’t hear what you’re saying and nothing gets resolved.

(4) Ditch the baggage from previous relationships. The Bible says, ‘Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.’ (1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT) It’s wrong to make your mate keep ‘proving’ themselves over and over again. Don’t assume that old relationship problems are destined to keep repeating themselves. They won’t if you’re communicating and growing.

(5) Say something nice to your mate every day. Any time you think something good about your spouse, stop and tell them. And when they reciprocate, respond graciously to what they’re saying. Remember, sharp words can create wounds, but ‘a gentle answer deflects anger’.

Instead of Worrying, Pray

Monday, 26 February 2018

'Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything.' Philippians 4:6 CEV

Chuck Swindoll writes: ‘The pressures of our times have many of us caught in a web of the most acceptable, yet energy-draining sin in the Christian family: worry. Chances are good you woke up this morning, stepped out of bed, and before doing anything, strapped on your well-worn backpack of anxiety. You started the day not with a prayer on your mind, but loaded down by worry. What a dreadful habit! Jesus challenged His followers with the question, “Who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27 NAS) Worry solves nothing. It creates unrest and uneasiness, and if left unchecked it can churn our waves of anxiety into a perfect storm of emotions. Add a little imagination and creativity, and our worst fears come to life in Technicolor brilliance. The stress from worry drains our energy and preoccupies our minds, stripping us of our peace… We fret over big things and little things. Some of us have a laundry list of concerns that feed our addiction to worry. It’s a very unattractive addiction, yet we somehow manage to make a joke out of it. I’ve heard people say with a smile, “If I don’t have something to worry about, I get worried about not having something to worry about.” Anxiety has become a favourite pastime we love to hate. And worse, we’re passing it on to our children. As they see the worry on our faces and hear it from our lips, we’re mentoring them in the art of anxiety.’

So, what’s the answer? ‘Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything.’

Strengthen Your Faith (3)

Sunday, 25 February 2018

'Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.' Psalm 56:3 NKJV

Faith is like a muscle; trouble may strain it, but in the end it grows stronger. David understood this truth. He was continually hounded by his enemies. Even as he was being anointed to sit on the throne of Israel, Saul was still occupying it. But instead of losing faith in God’s promise, David declared: ‘The Lord has chosen everyone who is faithful to be His very own, and He answers my prayers.’ (Psalm 4:3 CEV) When the Philistines captured him, he prayed, ‘There are many who fight against me, O Most High. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.’ (Psalm 56:2–3 NKJV) When he ended up in a cave fleeing from Saul’s jealous rage, he said, ‘I will hide beneath the shadow of Your wings until this storm is past.’ (Psalm 57:1 TLB)

During the third century when Felix of Nola was running from his enemies, he is said to have taken refuge in a cave. A spider began to weave a web across the small opening, sealing it off and making it look like nobody had been inside for months. Consequently, his pursuers passed by. Stepping out into the sunshine, Felix declared, ‘Where God is, a spider’s web is a wall. And where God is not, a wall is a spider’s web.’ Jesus said you’d have problems in life; people will disappoint you, and you’ll even disappoint yourself. Sometimes you’ll end up in a cave because of something you did, or because of circumstances over which you have no control. But with God on your side, you can say, ‘Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.’

Strengthen Your Faith (2)

Saturday, 24 February 2018

'Just take your positions and watch the Lord rescue you from your enemy.' 2 Chronicles 20:17 CEV

When you doubt God, you disappoint Him—because He deserves better. So, you must seek to strengthen your faith, because faith honours God and God honours faith. And He will send opportunities disguised as problems designed to strengthen your faith. When Job lost his health, his wealth, and his children, the Bible says he ‘fell to the ground and worshipped.’ (Job 1:20 NKJV) Job didn’t worship God because of his circumstances, but in spite of them.

Notice the two things he did:

(1) He looked up. He recognised God’s sovereign right to decide all things. He trusted God’s loving character and believed He would ultimately do what was best for him. And you must do that too!

(2) He listened for a word. He realised this testing time was also a teaching time, so he declared, ‘He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.’ (Job 23:10 NKJV) Like gold being processed by the refiner, Job trusted God to bring out the best in him.

Was it easy to do? No. We want to cling to the familiar and return to the safety of yesterday, even though we know it’s not what God wants for us. The fears, surprises, and adversity that lie around the bend make us want to cut and run. But if you do, you’ll short-circuit God’s plan for your life. What should you do instead? Take your stand in faith: ‘Just take your positions and watch the Lord rescue you from your enemy.’ Whatever you are going through right now, remember that God is ‘with you’.

instead of paying 1k to avoid trouble and embarrassment, you now end up been a star on the nairaland.com and yet to pay 50k surety to get bail out.

next time, use your brain.

Strengthen Your Faith (1)

Friday, 23 February 2018

'Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.' Hebrews 11:2 NLT
The Bible says: ‘Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.’ (Hebrews 11:1–2 NLT) The heroes of faith listed in Hebrews chapter eleven were far from perfect. Noah believed God, built the ark, and saved his family. But when he came out of the ark he got drunk.

Abraham was known as a ‘friend of God’, yet he lied to save his own neck and ended up compromising his wife’s safety. When God told Sarah she’d give birth to a child at ninety years old, she laughed—and you’d probably have done the same. And how about Joseph? He was a slave with a prison record who ended up second-in-command when it came to ruling Egypt. Then there’s Rahab the harlot; we wouldn’t let her sing in the church choir, yet God listed her as a woman of great faith. And how about Jacob, who duped his brother and deceived his father-in-law in business in order to enrich himself? Would you do business with him?

Then there was King David, whose womanising led to murder and national scandal. Even Gideon and Samuel, two spiritual giants, raised children who went astray spiritually. Every one of these people was as human as you are. They faltered, fumbled the ball, and went through times of failure. Their only claim to fame is they believed God and He honoured their faith—and He will do the same for you each time you put your trust in Him.

Remember Those Who Have Helped You

Thursday, 22 February 2018

'You sent help more than once.' Philippians 4:16 NLT

Charles Swindoll tells the story of the giving tree: ‘When the boy was young he swung from the tree’s branches, ate her apples, and slept in her shade… But as he grew up he spent less and less time with the tree. “Come on, let’s play,” said the tree. But the young man was only interested in money. “Then take all my apples and sell them,” said the tree. The man did, and the tree was happy. He didn’t return for a long time, but the tree smiled when he passed by one day. “Come on, let’s play!” But the man, older and tired of the world, wanted to get away from it all. “Cut me down. Take my trunk, make a boat, then you can sail away,” said the tree. The man did, and the tree was happy. Many seasons passed—and the tree waited. Finally the man returned, too old to play, or pursue riches, or sail the seas. “I have a pretty good stump left. Sit down here and rest,” said the tree. The man did, and the tree was happy.’ Swindoll continues: ‘I stared into the fire, reviewing my life as I grew older with the tree and the boy. I identified with both—and it hurt. How many giving trees have there been? How many people have given themselves so I might grow, accomplish my goals, and find wholeness and satisfaction? Thank you, Lord, for each one. That night I crawled into bed. I had wept, now I was smiling. “Good night, Lord.” I was a humble man. Thankful I’d taken time to reflect.’

Paul remembered those who helped him—and so should you.

...naa full blooded Fulani man him be.

The pick up among those cars is meant for Nigeria police. But no matter how strong that pick up is..., trust Nigeria police, it will not last more than 3 months.

....closed because of fowl?

Where Are You Living Today?

Wednesday, 21 February 2018

'To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think...be glory...forever and ever.' Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV

Israel’s journey from Egypt to the Promised Land illustrates three different places you can choose to live:

(1) The place of ‘not enough’. As slaves in Egypt they were forced to depend on Pharaoh for everything. And when you have to keep relying on anyone but God, you’re not truly free. Until you understand that God is your provider, you’ll live with a ‘not enough’ mentality. Elijah was living by a stream in the middle of a famine, and ravens brought him meat each day. Then one day the ravens didn’t show up, and the brook dried up. Why? God dried up a temporary source to drive Elijah back to his true source. Understand this: regardless of what or whom He uses—God is your source. He is called ‘Jehovah Jireh’, which means
the Lord will provide.

(2) The place of ‘just enough’. In the wilderness Israel had just enough manna for each day. It’s no fun struggling to just get by. But we appreciate what we have to struggle for, and we learn to trust God more. Plus, living through such seasons builds into us a tenacity to keep moving towards better things.

(3) The place of ‘more than enough’. God’s plan for Israel was ‘a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing.’ (Deuteronomy 8:9 NKJV) And His goal for you is abundance in every area of life (see 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV). Is that so you can hoard it? No, it’s so you can bless others and fulfil your assignment in life. So, stand on this Scripture: ‘To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us… be glory… forever.’

Dana airline again? kilode gan self?

Handling Panic Attacks

Tuesday, 20 February 2018

'Do not be afraid of sudden fear.' Proverbs 3:25 NAS

In the Bible panic attacks are referred to as ‘sudden fear’. You can’t breathe, your palms sweat, your chest gets tight, and you feel weak. If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack, you’ll recognise these symptoms. Doctors estimate that in our stress-filled world, about a third of us experience at least one panic attack a year. If you are one of them, here are some things you can do to help yourself:

(1) Breathe deeply. Panic makes you breathe in short, shallow bursts, whereas breathing deeply helps to calm and relax you. So, when you start to feel overwhelmed, stop and breathe the name of Jesus. Try it; it works!

(2) Talk to yourself. Say, ‘By God’s grace I can handle this’ (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). If you respond with more panic, you’ll just end up in double trouble. Allowing yourself to feel panic without reacting to it may sound difficult at first, but it helps you break the cycle and take control of your thinking.

(3) Do something calming. This may be the last thing you feel like doing, because panic attacks make you instinctively think thoughts that feed your fear. So, take a minute and whisper a prayer, quote a Scripture, listen to inspirational music, or talk to a friend.

And if your panic attacks continue, there’s no shame in getting professional help. After all, it’s God who gives doctors the skills and abilities to intervene. Here’s a Scripture you should write down and keep handy: ‘You can go to bed without fear, you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster… for the Lord is your security.’ (Proverbs 3:24–26 NLT)

ok. noted

Please come again....

What a governor to emulate. Bold and confrontational.

Dealing With Spiritual Depression

Friday, 16 February 2018

'Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart.' Jeremiah 15:16 NAS

People in Bible times dealt with depression too. Consider Elijah. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said, ‘Take my life.’ (1 Kings 19:4 NIV). Job said, ‘I loathe my very life.’ (Job 10:1 NIV) The psalmist wrote, ‘My soul is downcast.’ (Psalm 42:6 NIV) Now, when you’re clinically depressed you should seek professional help. But the kind of depression we’re talking about here is when your motivation is drained, your desire to pursue God is gone, your conversations have turned sour, you’re blind to your blessings, your enthusiasm is forced, and you’re in a daze regarding the future.

Here are some possible causes:

(1) Sin. Sin is like a stone in your shoe; you’ll have no peace until you get it out. No holiday, job change, relationship change, or doctor will heal it. But the blood of Jesus will cleanse it (see 1 John 1:7).

(2) Greed. King Ahab’s obsession with owning Naboth’s vineyard made him miserable and affected his entire family (see 1 Kings 21:4).

(3) Comparisons. Constantly comparing yourself to others will depress you (see 2 Corinthians 10:12).

(4) Speaking negatively. ‘The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.’ (Proverbs 18:21 NLT)

(5) Fatigue. Jesus called His disciples aside to rest. Why? Because He recognised that when fatigue walks in, faith walks out (see Mark 6:31).

(6) Unforgiveness. When you refuse to forgive someone, you carry them like an albatross around your neck. So, what’s the remedy for depression? Often it starts with prayer and Bible reading. Jeremiah, who battled depression, wrote, ‘When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight.’ (Jeremiah 15:16 NIV)

The Importance of Self-Discipline

Thursday, 15 February 2018

'Learn to sense what is vital and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value.' Philippians 1:10 AMPC

To achieve greater self-discipline, you should:

(1) Start your day by doing the hard things first. And when you get side-tracked, make yourself go back and complete them. For example, make your bed, pick up your clothes, and wash the dishes; don’t make extra work for others. And don’t start several projects at once; the feeling of ‘getting something done’ will help you grow in self-respect and self-discipline.

(2) Make a commitment to be punctual. Tardiness is a hard habit to break. To conquer it you must be willing to call it what it often is—inconsiderate, selfish behaviour.

(3) Plan ahead. Everything takes longer than you think, so don’t wait until the last minute and then rush around like a chicken with its head cut off. ‘Living under the gun’ can give you ulcers, whereas allowing extra time is good for your health and peace of mind.

(4) Accept correction from those who care about you, without sulking or retaliating. Until you’re willing to take correction, you’ll never be qualified to give it.

The Bible says, ‘Wisdom is found in those who take advice’ (Proverbs 13:10 NIV), so if you’re wise you’ll welcome feedback and seek counsel. Ask God to help you control your unruly thoughts, feelings, desires, and behaviours. Identify the unmanageable areas in your life, stop making excuses, face the truth even if it hurts, refuse to feel sorry for yourself, and set a few attainable goals. In other words: ‘Learn to sense what is vital and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value.’

What Are Your Strengths?

Wednesday, 14 February 2018

'God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.' Romans 12:6 TLB

Paul writes: ‘Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function… We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.’ (Romans 12:4–6 NLT) Dr John Maxwell recommends that you work where you’re strongest 80 per cent of the time, where you’re learning 15 per cent of the time, and where you’re weakest 5 per cent of the time. So, what are your strengths?

To find the answer to that question, you must:

(1) Be secure. If you allow your insecurities to get the better of you, you’ll become inflexible and resistant to change. And if you don’t change you won’t grow.

(2) Get to know yourself. Spend time exploring your gifts, ask for feedback and receive it, and be honest about your blind spots.

(3) Trust your leader. If you can’t trust the person you’re following, you should look for someone you can trust, or get on another team.

(4) See the big picture. Your place on any team only makes sense in the context of the big picture. If your sole reason for finding your niche is personal gain, your wrong motives will rob you of the very joy, fulfilment, and success you desire.

(5) Rely on your experience. The only way to know you’ve discovered your niche is to try things, take risks, learn from your failures and successes, and discover what God has gifted you to do.

Sound Financial Advice (3)

Tuesday, 13 February 2018

'The godly love to give!' Proverbs 21:26 NLT
The level of financial blessing God will entrust to you depends on three questions:

(1) Are you mature enough to handle it?

(2) Are you hoping to reap but unwilling to sow?

(3) Are you a hoarder or a giver?

God knows we can’t all give the same amount. Jesus honoured a widow for giving her last two coins, saying: ‘they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.’ (Mark 12:44 NLT) On the other hand, businessman Barnabas ‘sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.’ (Acts 4:37 NIV) The more God blesses you with, the more He holds you accountable for. Jesus said, ‘Much is required from those to whom much is given.’ (Luke 12:48 TLB)

At offering time, a pastor told his congregation to reach out and grab the wallet or purse of the person sitting in front of them. ‘Now,’ he said, ‘open it up and give as much as you’ve always wanted to give but felt you couldn’t afford!’ The truth is, we’re not all called to give equally but we’re all called to sacrifice equally. That levels the playing field. Isn’t it interesting how you can go to dinner at the home of somebody who doesn’t have a lot, and leave feeling like royalty because of their hospitality? That’s because the essence of generosity is self-sacrifice. God entrusts financial blessing to people who aren’t controlled by the love of money. How can you tell when you’re controlled by the love of money? Because instead of giving when God tells you to, you withhold. Understand this: when God impresses on you to sow a seed, there’s a harvest coming your way.

...has his father and himself finish cleaning the mess they created with Glo first? swindling people off their money, all in the name of fake data plans they have.

let them fix the problem with Glo network before they will be allow to try another. Bad businessmen they are.

silly.

Fulani herdsmen reject Kano Governor’s land offer •Insist on nationwide operation
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Fulani herdsmen under the aegis of the Gan-Allah Fulani Development Association, a vibrant offshoot of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association (MACBAN) have rejected the grazing land offer by the Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, insisting on nationwide operation.

This is contrary to the position of the mainstream Fulani herders group, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, which has described Ganduje’s offer as a welcome but has yet to commit to accepting it.

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje had said earlier in the week that he is ready to accommodate as many cattle breeders as possible in the Falgore Forest for their business. He made the offer in a bid to help solve the herdsmen-farmers’ crisis which has inflamed passions in several parts of the country as a result of killings blamed on herdsmen.

However, a report this morning in The Nation quoted the Secretary General of Gan-Allah Fulani Development Association, Alhaji Saleh Bayari, as saying that Ganduje’s offer is neither feasible nor acceptable because the Fulani, like other Nigerians, have a right to live and do business in any part of the country.

The paper said it was told by Alhaji Bayari in an interview: “We are quite appreciative of his (Ganduje’s) concern for our people, but if we all continue on that note, we will not have a country.

“We will not have a country, or a nation because it simply means that tomorrow, when you harass some Yoruba who have been living in Jos for generations, or some Igbo living in Kano or Sokoto, their state governors will just tell them to relocate.

“Then, at the end of the day, we would have as many countries as the number of tribes that we have in Nigeria and that would not augur well for us as a country.

“By following Governor Ganduje’s directive, we are going to end up polarising the country on the basis of sentiments rather than nationalistic feelings and callings.”

http://news-af.op-mobile.opera.com/news/detail/8c6729dac171f069785cfe87c750d38d_ng?share=1

Sound Financial Advice (2)

Monday, 12 February 2018

'Gather in all the food produced in the good years... Otherwise this famine will destroy the land.' Genesis 41:35-36 NLT

Joseph gave Pharaoh some sound financial advice that we would all do well to live by: ‘Gather into the royal storehouses all the excess crops of the next seven years, so that there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come. Otherwise, disaster will surely strike.’ (Genesis 41:35–36 TLB) And how did Pharaoh respond? ‘Joseph’s suggestions were well received by Pharaoh.’ (Genesis 41:37 TLB)

You’re making wise choices for your future if you practise these three Scriptural principles:

(1) Tithe. If you’re giving your ‘leftovers’ to God, what are you telling Him about your priorities? That He’s last and least? ‘“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in My Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of Heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put Me to the test!”’ (Malachi 3:10 NLT)

(2) Save. Discipline yourself to save a percentage of your income. Don’t worry if it’s a modest amount, just make it a priority! If you don’t, you’ll spend it on other things and never achieve your long-term goals for college, retirement, or helping the work of the Lord.

(3) Get out of debt. After giving to God and saving for the future, strive to pay off all your financial obligations. Stop paying the bare minimum on your credit cards. By not repaying them in full every month, you end up paying much more than you should. Put as much as you can towards eliminating outstanding debt, even if you have do without a few things for a while. In the long run, you’ll be way ahead.

get well soon.

Sound Financial Advice (1)

Sunday, 11 February 2018

'The wise have wealth... but fools spend whatever they get.' Proverbs 21:20 NLT

It’s foolish to buy things you don’t need and can’t afford, especially when your bills are overdue and you’ve nothing set aside for the future. Your financial security is determined by what you owe, not by what you earn! Having to work for years to repay debt severely limits your options. So, determine your lifestyle by your actual income, not by what you wish it was or hope it will be. And when you get a raise, don’t automatically spend more.

The Bible says, ‘There is precious treasure… in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it.’ (Proverbs 21:20 NKJV) One of the wisest things you can do today is to start saving for the future, and sowing a portion of your income into God’s Kingdom (see 2 Corinthians 9:6). Author John Kennedy writes: ‘Peddling biblically-based financial advice has become a cottage industry. It’s not that the counsel is new, or that people haven’t heard it enough. The fact remains… Christians have racked up debt with no plan for financial accountability… they’re tapped out keeping up with interest payments.’ Is your philosophy in life, ‘Why wait and save, when a credit card will let me have what I want right now?’ If you’re buying things you don’t need with money you don’t have, stop it! Before you purchase anything else, ask yourself if you really need it. And even if you think you do, ask yourself if you can live without it for a while; otherwise you’ll become a slave to credit card debt. Here’s some sound financial advice: pray for God’s guidance before you make any nonessential purchase.

Keep Pressing On

Saturday, 10 February 2018

'Straining towards what is ahead, I press on.' Philippians 3:13-14 NIV

Developing your faith is like taking swimming lessons. Observe:

(1) Fear is like water; if you let it, it will take you under.

(2) You can only tread water for so long before you drown.

(3) When you reach a certain point, there’s no turning back.

(4) Faith is like the air in your lungs; it will sustain you and keep you afloat if you just relax.

Have you ever watched a seasoned swimmer? Stroke after stroke, he takes what’s in front of him and pushes it behind him, letting it propel him towards his goal. He literally takes what stands between him and his goal, and uses it to get there. Sometimes we despair and say, ‘I’m just keeping my head above water,’ and that’s ok as long as you keep ‘stroking’ and pressing on. It’s when you feel backed into a corner with nowhere to turn, that you’ve got to take hold of the faith God has placed within you and keep moving forward. Jesus said, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.’ (Matthew 11:12 ESV) The word ‘violence’ suggests ferocity, passion, and intensity. You must be relentless and fight your way through, confident that God is on your side—because He is (see Psalm 56:9). The waters you’re in don’t determine your destiny; they either carry you over or take you under. It takes faith to keep going. When you quit, God can do nothing more for you! So today whether you’re doing breaststroke, backstroke, or some other kind of stroke that nobody’s ever heard of—keep pressing on.

Absuchat:
Which motor park were you born and bred?

.....the same motor park that you graduated from.

#Ode!

Trust God, and Act!

Wednesday, 7 February 2018

'Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf.' 1 Samuel 14:6 NIV

During the early days of Saul’s kingship, the Philistines controlled much of Israel, and battle lines were drawn at the pass called Michmash. Saul seemed content to sit on the sidelines, but Jonathan wanted to be on the front line. ‘Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.’ (1 Samuel 14:1 NIV) There was only Jonathan and his armour-bearer, so the odds didn’t look good. But when you make a move that is motivated by God’s glory, it moves the heart and hand of God. What it requires is a step of faith. And often it’s the longest, hardest and scariest step you’ve ever taken.

Usually when Israel’s kings went into battle it was because they had received a word from the Lord assuring their victory. Jonathan had received no such word. He simply said, ‘Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf.’ Most people operate out of the opposite mentality: ‘Perhaps the Lord won’t act on our behalf.’ They let fear dictate their decisions instead of faith. So, they end up with Saul, sitting on the sidelines. And how did the battle turn out for Jonathan and his armour bearer? ‘So the Lord saved Israel that day.’ (1 Samuel 14:23 ESV) All it took was one daring decision! That’s all it ever takes. When you move, God will move on your behalf. And if you don’t move, you’ll always wonder ‘what if?’ Often our longest regrets are our inaction regrets—the things we would have, could have, or should have done but did not do. So, the word for you today is: trust God, and act!

Absuchat:
These lazy Yoruba clowns that are bent on terrorizing hardworking Igbos in Lagos. Them go catch all of una soon.

#IgboAmaka

O dabi enipe were waa lori ee.

Omo komo.

A Promise To Praying Parents

Tuesday, 6 February 2018

'They shall come back from the land of the enemy.' Jeremiah 31:16 NKJV

Are you living under a cloud of guilt, feeling like a failure because your child has gone astray? Don’t do it! The Bible teaches that sometimes children simply won’t listen to the counsel of their parents. Solomon was probably giving a word of personal testimony when he wrote, ‘A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.’ (Proverbs 13:1 NKJV) Jesus didn’t hold the father accountable for the fact that his prodigal son went astray (see Luke 15:11). And if you did your best, God doesn’t hold you accountable either. The truth is that bad parents sometimes turn out good children, and good parents sometimes have children who go bad. God’s first two children were placed in a perfect paradise, yet they rebelled.

Ultimately, we’re all given the power to choose. There comes a time when every child is no longer a child, and has to take responsibility for his or her actions. So, if you’ve done your best as a parent, don’t let the devil put a guilt trip on you. And if you’ve failed as a parent, it’s not the unpardonable sin. Not only will God forgive you, but you can also claim this wonderful promise: ‘Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope in your future… that your children shall come back to their own border.’ (Jeremiah 31:16–17 NKJV) Don’t give up on your children, because God hasn’t. Keep praying and believing, and allow Him to work on them.

Be 'Aware' of God in Your Situation

Monday, 5 February 2018

'I was not aware of it.' Genesis 28:16 NIV

One night Jacob had a dream. He saw a ladder with angels on it extending all the way up to Heaven, and God said to him, ‘I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.’ (Genesis 28:15 NIV) The next morning Jacob said, ‘The Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.’ When it comes to recognising God at work in your life, you can be spiritually tuned in, or be like Jacob and not be ‘aware’ of Him. It was business as usual for Moses the day he noticed the burning bush—not an uncommon sight in a hot desert climate. Except this time the bush kept burning, and ‘when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him.’ (Exodus 3:4 NKJV)

You’ll have some of your greatest encounters with God in the everyday experiences of life. But you have to be open and receptive, otherwise you’ll miss Him. Whether we’re aware of Him or not, God is constantly trying to catch our attention—every single moment! He wants to draw us into ever-deeper relationship with Him. And you never know where He’ll appear, or through whom He’ll speak. After the resurrection, Mary Magdalene thought Jesus was just the gardener. Paul writes, ‘Wake up, sleeper.’ (Ephesians 5:14 NIV) You can be awakened by a miraculous healing, a restored relationship, or even a great trial. Don’t just look for God in your triumphs; look for Him in your troubles too. Theologian Frederick Buechner said, ‘There is no event so commonplace but that God is present, leaving you room to recognise or not to recognise Him.’

The Marriage Covenant (4)

Sunday, 4 February 2018

'The wife must respect her husband.' Ephesians 5:33 NLT

Paul writes, ‘The wife must respect her husband.’ Pay close attention to the word ‘must’. This is a command from the Lord, not a suggestion or a topic that’s open to debate (see Ephesians 5:33). Notice, the Bible doesn’t say a woman must ‘love’ her husband, but it does say that she must ‘respect’ him. And guys, before you take the throne and start handing out decrees, that means you must prove yourself worthy of respect! To respect your husband is to hold him in esteem and honour.

What a woman needs from a man is located in her heart, and what a man needs from a woman is located in his head. It’s called his ego. You say, ‘I’m not going to feed his ego!’ That would be like your husband saying, ‘I’m not going to feed your heart.’ Men long to have their egos fed. When you fail to feed your husband’s ego, he may end up vulnerable to somebody else who feeds it for him! As a wife, you were created by God with the ability to feed your husband’s ego in a healthy manner, by respecting and honouring him.

There’s nothing more dangerous in a marriage relationship than disrespect. When a man doesn’t feel respected, he will either rebel against you, remove himself, or become passive. God has given two simple rules for building a successful marriage. The first is for husbands to love their wives, and the second is for wives to respect their husbands. And when you operate by God’s rules you get God’s results. So, if you want God’s best, and His blessing at home, start doing things His way.