₦airaland Forum

E don cast patapata now 🤷

Awon ole gbogbo........😥

Take control of the small things

Thu, 14 Mar 2024

‘Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself ...’ Daniel 1:8

Can you imagine being uprooted from your home and taken prisoner to a hostile country? It happened to Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar conquered his homeland and carried him off to slavery in Babylon. He lost his house, his job, his freedom, his culture, his friends, and his status as a member of Israel’s nobility. He had to learn to speak a foreign language and live in a place where he didn’t want to be.

If you had been Daniel, wouldn’t you have been tempted to focus on the things you couldn’t control, like blaming exile for your unhappiness and feeling sorry for yourself? Not Daniel! He took charge of his life in little areas. The Bible says, ‘Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the …king’s [food]delicacies …’ (Daniel 1:8 NKJV). He decided to live by his convictions – even in small things.

That’s important because small battles train you for big ones! If Daniel hadn’t taken control of small things, he wouldn’t have had the strength to say no to big things like worshipping idols or facing the lions’ den without fear or compromise. Maybe you can’t do anything right now about your house, your job or your relationship, but you can change your life by taking control of the little things. Perhaps, like Daniel, it will involve what you eat, what you watch on TV or the internet, what comes out of your mouth, or a refusal to let others dictate your attitude based on how they treat you. When you ‘purpose in your heart’ to honour God in small things, He blesses you and becomes involved in your life in ways you never thought possible.

Four principles for victorious living

Wed, 13 Mar 2024

‘Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.’ 1 Corinthians 16:13

Jesus said: ‘"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”’ (Matthew 5:11-12 ESV). If you’re thin-skinned, you will have a rough time in life because you will be an easy target for the devil. Paul endured desertion by his friends, ugly letters from the Corinthians, disappointment with the Galatians, mistreatment in Philippi, mocking in Athens, and finally imprisonment and beheading in Rome. The Bible gives us these four principles for victorious living:

1) Be on the alert. Why? Because you have an adversary who is out to get you (see 1 Peter 5:. What’s he after? The God-given potential he knows lies within you. You’re a seed capable of producing a harvest of blessings.

2) Stand firm in the faith.
Why? Because you can’t stand on your feelings, your circumstances, or the opinions of others. Those things change constantly, so you must stand firm on the Word of God.

3) Act like an adult.
Why? Because being childish won’t cut it when the battle is raging. It’s time to grow up; if you’re still making the same mistakes twenty-five years later, you’re not learning enough.

4) Be strong.
Why? Because weakness is an invitation to the Enemy. It always precedes surrender – and giving up is not an option for you. God told His people the promised land was theirs – but they would have to fight for it. And you will, too!

Put your heart into your part

Tue, 12 Mar 2024

‘The whole body … builds itself up … as each part does its work.’ Ephesians 4:16

You have probably heard that unless you’re the lead dog, the view seldom changes. The problem is, however, not everybody can be the leading man or woman. And it’s better to be a working actor than an out-of-work star; at least you get to be in the play! Besides, most great achievers, if they are honest, will tell you they couldn’t have done it alone; they needed the contributions of each member of the team.

So if God has placed you in a supporting role today, accept it without complaining. Do your part to make the entire production stronger. Not only will you learn all about team spirit, and that’s important for when you do get to lead, but you will also learn the Christlike virtue of humility. The Bible says, ‘From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.’ (Ephesians 4:15-16 NIV).

So, put your heart into your part. Stop and think about how you’re living your life. Are you giving it everything you’ve got, or are you holding out, hoping somebody else will recognise your talent? It’s not about the greatness of the part you have been given, it’s about how much effort you put into doing it. If God has placed you in a supporting role rather than a starring one, it’s because He recognises that the team needs your particular strengths and talents. Ask Him to help you accept the role He has given you – whatever it is – and learn to fulfil it with gratitude and dignity. Contribute from wherever you are today.

Turning two families into one

Mon, 11 Mar 2024

‘“Who are these with you?” So he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”’ Genesis 33:5

Due to the divorce rate today, both inside the church and outside, couples are falling in love and facing the challenge of blending two families into one. Here are some of those challenges: visiting rights, custodial care, court intervention, and ex-in-law involvement. Add to that a mountain of paperwork and legal specifications. It’s an incredibly stressful time for all involved, especially children, who may be struggling to express their feelings. So, it’s not enough to bring them all together under the same roof and say, ‘Play nice.’ Their world has been turned upside down, and you must allow them time to digest the situation and find their place in the new order of things. ‘Love will solve all our problems’ is a nice sentiment, but it’s not true. You say, ‘But the Bible says, ‘Love never fails…’ (1 Corinthians 13:8 NKJV). Yes, and it also says, ‘Love suffers long and is kind …’ (1 Corinthians 13:4 NKJV). You’re going to need truckloads of patience and kindness to make this work. So:

1) Prepare yourself and your children for the changes that are about to take place.

2) Listen to your child’s fears without saying, ‘Don’t be silly, everything will be okay.’ For as long as they need to talk, that’s how long you need to listen.

3) Pray, pray, pray! Ask God to give you His plan, so that this merger can be as painless and stress-free as possible. Your new mate may meet your personal needs for love and security – but remember that your children have those same needs, too.

Domaining101:
Who knows, this one might be the next to die in helicopter crash like that Wigwe and his wife and son 😂 After all the enjoyment, traveling all over the world, flying jets and helicopter up and down, eating chicken and turkey, drinking juice, shebi e don end? I Heard it was even cardboard they use in bringing their smelling dead bodies back from Ablord 😂 When the fools where alive, you'll never see them doing anything for poor people, there own na to dey send their children go abroad go school, MIT, Cambridge, Oxford, as if na their kind dey go all those kind schools with their empty brain, while our own for here wey sabi book pass them 1000 times dey on strike, let them go and die abeg. How i wish they did open coffin the way they did for tb Joshua, i would have loved to see how their burnt and disfigured bodies would look like, make i laugh small and see weda all the enjoyment and millions go still dey show for their dead body😂 rubbish

How i wish God can take elumelu and that his three daughters next, i go too happy like mad

You are so evil in all your thoughts. No matter what, one mustn't reason the way you are. One shouldn't rejoice in sad events that happens to another. No one is pure or clean in the presence of the Lord. It's only by mercy.

Sangoamadioha1:
This report is not about that. They are trying to address ghost workers in the system so as to create space for the more people.
What you are saying up there is a topic for another day and definitely not on the subject of this thread.

exactly. Truly, you can't eat your cake and still have it.

MiddleDimension:
That'a not the issue at hand. The issue is that it is not only wrong, but ungodly to put aside any of your wives because you claim you are now born again.

The bible never said that, christians ahould aeriously ask themselves where they got that idea from that a man should out aside one of his wives if he become born again.

Is it not a sin to do what God has not tod you to do? why christians accept to teach that falsehood is what is beyond me.

If you disagree with Oyakhilome, then put forward your arguement and show that they are superior to his. That is fair enough, right?

supported

Franking:
Okay. The Bible was written by the same people propagating christianity, right? No surprises there. I'm sorry but to hell with the Bible, Jesus Christ and christianity.

You definitely need Christ. Give your life to him.

Happy Sunday.

Take it easy, Mum

Sun, 10 Mar 2024

‘Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought …’ Romans 12:3

An old, tired-looking dog wandered into a woman’s garden. She could tell from looking at him that he had a good home. He followed her inside, down the hall, and promptly fell asleep. Two hours later, he went to the door, and she let him out. The next day, he came back, resumed his position, and napped for a couple of hours. This went on for a week. Curious, the woman pinned this note to his collar: ‘Every afternoon, your dog comes to my house for a nap.’ The next day, the dog showed up with a note that read: ‘He lives at home with ten children. Apparently, he needs some quiet time. Can I come with him tomorrow?’

If you’re a mother, you can probably relate! Carla Barnhill, author of The Myth of the Perfect Mother, writes: ‘I just can’t do it anymore. I can’t keep trying to be Super Mum. I wasn’t all that good at it, to begin with. I’ve tried to be the perfect combination of devoted mum … loving wife … solid Christian … and have failed miserably … But even if I had been able to pull all of that off, I’m not convinced any of us should … we don’t have to be impressive … or follow some random rules about what motherhood should look like. Grace means we already matter to the One who matters most, our good, loving, and grace-filled God!

So let’s drop our capes, put down our halos, retire our medals, and let ourselves be the sometimes flawed, sometimes awesome mums God made us to be.’ In other words: ‘Try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities.’

Around 1am this morning, I played back the tribute of former CBN Gov and Emir Sanusi Lamido during Herbert Wigwe's night of tribute

It underscored the importance of Loyalty and building a network of good friends

According to Sanusi, he was detroned as Emir by 9am. The plan was to send him on exile for many years. But by 12 noon, his friend Herbert had chattered a plane to pick Sanusi and his family from Kano airport

Instead of moving on exile, Herbert moved Sanusi and Family to Lagos, kept them in a Hotel for fews days and later rented an apartment for him ( all expense paid)

Last nite, a whole Sanusi was weeping on Live TV over the beautiful memories with Herbert.

It was one call to Herbert that saved Sanusi from shame and exile.

For those who do not understand how powerful friendship and network is, keep burning bridges

One day, you will be stranded but your"Saviour" Will be nowhere because you have destroyed the bridge

I am a beneficiary of network. I am a testimony of Loyalty. I have been saved several times by just ONE call. Believe me when I say, you may not be a Rich man but your network of solid friends will work for you.

STOP BURNING BRIDGES!

Franking:
Was Jesus sleeping when the helicopter crashed? Or it wasn't well in Jesus name then? Jesus my hairy nyash!

.....the Bible says in everything we should give thanks.

So, it is well.

The seven-day challenge

Sat, 9 Mar 2024

‘Do everything without grumbling.’ Philippians 2:14

Some cancers, like skin cancer, are more obvious, and you can remove them. Then there is the kind that grows undetected and destroys your body. Complaining is like that; it impacts your health and sabotages your success. Paul says, ‘Do everything without grumbling or arguing.’ (Philippians 2:14 NIV)

Christian Counsellor, Dr Ann Shorb, writes: ‘If you find yourself … feeling negative and down … listen to what’s being said around you. Is there a lot of grumbling and complaining? Are the people you spend time with constantly expressing discouraging thoughts and feelings? … Maybe you are the one … griping and complaining … Many times, we become our own worst enemy, by developing angry or bitter attitudes … Your thoughts and attitudes are your choice. Where you put your mind is up to you! … Follow what the apostle Paul wrote about putting off the negative and putting on the positive (see Colossians 3:1-15 and Ephesians 4:20-32) … Acknowledge that there are problems … but don’t dwell on them … Do what you can to remedy the situation. Remember … you can never change another person, only yourself and your attitudes … Find the positives … Focus on these and be thankful that God promises to be with you … through the hard times … Use Bible verses and inspirational sayings to re-focus when your thinking starts to go downhill … By changing your thinking you change your outlook, and by changing your outlook you change your life.’

To one person the world looks desolate; to another, the same world looks rich and interesting. What you see depends mainly on what you look for. Make up your mind not to complain for a day. Then, challenge yourself not to complain for a week. You will be amazed at how much better you feel.

GistMedia0:
In a deeply emotional moment, the body of Herbert Wigwe, a renowned businessman, philanthropist, and beloved figure, has arrived in his hometown of Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, for his final journey home. The somber event was captured on video as the community gathered to pay their respects to a man who touched many lives


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvaAJ1_gIyI

It is well in Jesus name 🙏

😥

Live the living Word

Fri, 8 Mar 2024

‘I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.’ Psalm 119:100

If someone opened your Bible, would there be any evidence that it is being read daily? Would they find notes on the margins, highlighted text, dog ears or markers on your favourite pages? If someone looked on your social media accounts, would they find evidence that you’re a Christian? Do people at your workplace or in the community know you’re a Christian? How do you behave behind closed doors at home towards your family?

It’s not enough to read God’s Word daily; you must practise its principles consistently. The psalmist writes: ‘Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. …I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your Word. I have not departed from Your judgments, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path’ (Psalm 119:97-105 NKJV). The Bible becomes living words when you decide to live according to its principles and precepts each day.

Congratulations to Sweden. Meanwhile, Turkey is still been sidelined because of their romance with Hamas. 🤔

Do the Word

Thu, 7 Mar 2024

‘Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.’ James 1:22

A pastor writes: ‘The Latin word for ‘listen’ is where we get our word audit. When you audit a class, you take in lots of information, but you don’t do anything with it. You don’t do the homework, or if you do, you don’t turn it in to get it graded. You don’t take the tests. And you don’t get any credit, either. The same is true in our spiritual lives. You don’t get credit for auditing Scripture. You’ve got to put it into practice. Every word of Scripture must be translated via obedience.

In the Western world, we make a distinction between knowing and doing. But there was no such distinction in ancient Jewish thought. Knowing was doing, and doing was knowing. If you didn’t do it, you didn’t really know it. Knowledge isn’t enough. Truth must be translated with your life.’ James writes: ‘Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do’ (James 1:22-25 NIV). God doesn’t bless you because of what you know but because of what you do with what you know. So, each time you come across a verse that tells you to do something, put it into practice that day.

Pull down those strongholds!

Wed, 6 Mar 2024

‘The weapons of our warfare are … mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.’ 2 Corinthians 10:4

When the Bible speaks of a stronghold, it’s referring to an area in your life that’s controlled by wrong thinking. And that stronghold will attract people who think the same way and feed off it. But there is good news. Not only will God reveal to you the strongholds in your life, He will also show you the experiences that caused them. Some of us worry obsessively about money because we grew up in hard times. As a result, we’re inclined to depend more on ourselves than on God. When it comes to money, we hide it, hoard it, or withhold it. And because we’re afraid to sow it, we miss the very harvest that would solve our problem. ‘So, how can I deal with my stronghold?’ you ask. Attack it with the Word of God.

You don’t have to accept whatever comes into your mind; you have a choice! If a thought lines up with the Word of God, accept it – if it doesn’t, reject it. When Satan comes against you, don’t just sit there and say, ‘I wish he would leave me alone. I don’t feel like fighting today.’ If you do, he will ‘devour’ you! (See 1 Peter 5:8.) Paul describes your Bible as ‘… the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God;…’ (Ephesians 6:17 NKJV). Did you get that? The Holy Spirit within you will wield the sword of Scripture for you – provided you have done your job, which is to get the Word of God inside you. Do you want to pull down the strongholds in your life? Reprogram your mind with the truths of God’s Word.

Wow!

Are you tired of living in defeat?

Tue, 5 Mar 2024

‘You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.’ John 15:3

God’s Word is like a prescription from your doctor. You don’t have to understand how the medication works – you just have to faithfully keep taking it. Something amazing happens when you feed regularly on God’s Word. Temptation begins to lose power, and overcoming strength begins to replace it. Each time a Scripture opens up and becomes real to you, your desire for God’s Word increases. But that means reading your Bible even when you don’t feel like it, or think you don’t have time to do it, or you don’t seem to be getting much out of it.

The Bible says: ‘For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it produce and sprout, and providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My Word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.’ (Isaiah 55:10-11 NASB20). Trust that God’s Word is working in you.

Indeed, Bible reading will keep you from sin, and sin will keep you from Bible reading. After his affair with Bathsheba, David wrote, ‘I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.’ (Psalm 119:11 NIV). Jesus said, ‘You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.’ (John 15:3 NIV) Are you tired of living in defeat? Then bathe your mind each day in God’s Word. Let it flow over you until every trace of sin is washed away.

It's a sign of what to expect......😥

meum:
Yearly fight go turn to monthly fight

true 🤔

Nairalander248:
Chanchangi Airlines, Flyaero Airlines I don't see them again

I used Flyaero before paid 5k during their promo book ahead promo. Omo Chanchangi almost kill us one time.

tell me about it
....my experience from PH to Lagos in 2003 was horrible. Since then, I decided not to fly local flight again.

Don’t doubt your salvation

Mon, 4 Mar 2024

‘That you may know that you have eternal life.’ 1 John 5:13

You would be surprised how many people harbour doubts about their salvation. So, let’s open God’s Word and settle the issue once and for all: ‘… God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life … I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life’ (1 John 5:11-13 NIV). Are you trusting Christ to save you instead of depending on your own good works? Then you’re saved! Jesus said, ‘He who believes in Me has everlasting life’ (John 6:47 NKJV).

Doubts always arise when you go by your feelings instead of your Bible. Your feelings are like the weather; they constantly change. The devil will also try to tell you salvation is fine for other people, but it won’t work for you. The Bible says Satan is ‘a liar’ (John 8:44). Paul writes, ‘I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return’ (2 Timothy 1:12 NLT). The old-timers used to testify, ‘I thank God for His saving and keeping power.’ You’re not keeping your salvation; your Saviour is keeping you! So when your faith feels shaky, stop and pray: ‘Lord Jesus, I have placed my trust in You. Your Word says that I can know I have eternal life. It’s not a matter of feeling good enough or worthy but of believing that You are worthy. So, I put my trust in You, choose to believe Your Word, and reject my doubts.’

What you will do in heaven

Sun, 3 Mar 2024

‘Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.’ Revelation 21:1

Perhaps the reason some people are not as excited about heaven as they should be is because they have no idea what to expect heaven to be like. One thing we can look forward to is finally getting to meet Jesus face-to-face and being able to worship Him freely without persecution. How amazing will that be! But worshipping Him will not just consist of singing songs of worship forevermore. Think about it. When the singing and prayers in the average Sunday morning service last longer than fifteen minutes, many get bored. We will also be worshipping God in celebration of His amazing creations, which, as we explore them, will be beyond our imagination.

Astronomers approximate the existence of hundreds of billions of galaxies, more than ten galaxies for each person alive today! So, you won’t run out of things to do in heaven, and it certainly won’t be boring. It has taken thousands of years for billions of humans to explore a single tiny planet, and we have barely scratched the surface. Exploring the marvels of the new heavens and the new earth will keep us intrigued forever. And our love for God will grow infinitely bigger as a result.

So, we will never cease to worship Him. Jesus told the woman at the well that God is looking for those who ‘… worship … in the Spirit and in truth’ (John 4:23 NIV). If you worship out of ignorance, worship is empty. God doesn’t just want you to worship Him; He wants you to know who you are worshipping and why you are worshipping Him. Worship is twofold: ‘in the Spirit and in truth’. So, learning the truth about God will keep you busy, excited, satisfied, and fulfilled for all eternity.

Is your business struggling?

Sat, 2 Mar 2024

‘God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.’ Psalm 46:1

When your business is failing, you can lose your sense of security, your peace of mind, and your ability to sleep. It even affects your family. If that’s where you are today, read these words: ‘God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.’ Clear your mind for a moment and think about this: everything you have belongs to God, including your business, right? He is the owner, and you’re the manager. So when trouble comes, you have the right (and the responsibility) to go to Him for help and expect Him to turn things around for you.

When nobody else was catching fish, Jesus told the disciples where to find a boatload of them. The Bible says that there is nothing too hard for God (see Jeremiah 32:27), and that includes the problem you’re facing and the situation you are in right now. The writer of Proverbs says, ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take’ (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT). And He can guide you through the advice of a friend who is succeeding where you’re failing: ‘Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success’ (Proverbs 15:22 NLT).

Sometimes, this calls for changing your policies, products, or personnel – and that takes courage and commitment. But if you have built your business on a foundation of integrity, fairness, quality products, and good service, you have the right to go to God in times of trouble, ask for His help, and expect to receive it.

Respond with love

Friday 1st March 2024

‘Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.’ 1 Peter 3:9 NIV

Some of the negative people in your life lack intimate relationships. So, they keep others at arm’s length, rarely share their feelings, and are uncomfortable with those who do. They find it easier to condemn than to accept. Their hard-and-fast views make them inflexible. Often, these people can’t handle freedom. They need rules that limit their choices, and they only feel secure within their own boundaries. Understanding that will help you deal with them the right way, which is to ‘take the high road’.

Peter gives us the rules of that road. (Interestingly, this is now the older, mellower, more spiritual Peter, not the one who whipped out his sword and chopped off the ear of the high priest’s servant.) ‘Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”’ (1 Peter 3:8-12 NIV). So, the word for today is – don’t retaliate; respond with love.

Let God remould you

Thu, 29 Feb 2024

‘If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.’ 2 Corinthians 5:17

What would you like to change about yourself? How would you change it? To ask it another way, what would your spouse or your best friend like you to change? Maybe that would be more enlightening. How would you end the sentence, ‘It’s just like me to …’? Always be late? Not stay on a diet? Say the wrong thing? Burst out in anger? Be sad? Jeremiah puts it this way: ‘…Can a leopard take away its spots? Neither can you start doing good, for you have always done evil’ (Jeremiah 13:23 NLT).

You say, ‘I guess it’s hopeless.’ No, this is where God’s life-changing power comes into operation: ‘If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come’ (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV). Once we commit our lives to Christ, we’re not the same any longer; a new life has begun. That’s why the Bible calls it being ‘born again’. We immediately have a new nature, plus the indwelling Holy Spirit. A set of ‘spiritual batteries’ is included to supply the power! That makes all the difference. Just as your first birth was the beginning of your life, so the new birth is the beginning of this new life. And it’s followed by a lifelong process depicted in Romans 12:2: ‘And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.' (NASB20).

Changing how you pray

Wed, 28 Feb 2024

‘I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.’ Ephesians 1:16

Bible prayers are powerful. They put things into perspective. For example, Paul prayed that God would give the Ephesians ‘… the Spirit of wisdom and revelation … that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you … and his incomparably great power’ (Ephesians 1:17-19 NIV). With this model in mind, American author JoHannah Reardon writes this:

1) Make your prayers God- centred. The creator of the universe has given you the privilege of bringing your requests to Him. When you tell God how great He is, you’re filled with an expectancy that something great can happen because you’re talking to the One who can do anything.

2) Make them praise- filled. Paul starts by saying, ‘I have not stopped giving thanks for you .… ’ The key isn’t to focus on your troubles but to thank God and praise Him because He knows what He is doing. Learn to say, ‘I don’t know why I’m having this problem, Lord, and I would love for You to change things. But if You don’t, I know You will use it for good in my life.’

3) Make them life- changing. Most of our prayers are asking God to change our circumstances. But maybe He wants to change you. That doesn’t mean He won’t ever intervene; He supplies needs, opens doors, and heals people in incredible ways every day. But when you spend years praying for something that never happens, it may be a clue you’re not praying the right way. Paul found joy in a prison cell, and when God opens your eyes, you will find joy in your situation, too.

Bloody liar 🤥

Hope for the future

Tue, 27 Feb 2024

‘ There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.’ Proverbs 23:18

Are you surrounded by people whose mission is to inject a dose of reality into your life? They continually point out how tough the economy is, how dismal the job market is, and how the sky is falling down. American author Jon Gordon writes: ‘I remember my high school English teacher telling me not to apply to Cornell University because they wouldn’t accept me, and if they did, I wouldn’t be able to do the work … I almost didn’t apply, but a few days later a former teacher said, ‘If you get in, go. You can do it.’ His words made all the difference. I applied and was accepted … The world needs more optimists, encouragers, and inspirers to speak into the hearts of others and say, “I believe in you. Follow your passion and live your purpose. If you have the desire, you have the power to make it happen. Keep working hard. You’re improving and getting better. The economy is tough, but you can still grow your business. The job market isn’t great, but you’ll find the right job … Even if you fail, it will lead to something better. You’re learning and growing.” The difference between success and failure is belief, and often that belief is instilled in us by someone who encouraged us.’

The Bible says, ‘Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained …’ (Proverbs 29:18 NASB20). Vision is a desire to move ahead; without it, you stay stuck where you are. It doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks; God says, ‘There is … a future … for you,’ (Proverbs 23:18 NIV), and when you look to Him, He will give you the strength to go forward.