Blinded by Desire

Joe is a business man, who actually was doing well in his business career. He owns a lots of shop outlet in different states of the country. Then comes this misfortune that befall him. He lost everything he has in a business virtue that leaves him with no shop outlet to call his own and even no house to call his in the city. He has to relocate to the village where his parent lives. His parent and relatives tried their best in consoling him and letting him know that the downfall of a man is not the end of his life.

Surely son you will rise again. After the tides the sea calms down. And after rainfall comes the sunshine. With many adages this elderly man and also a relative tried to let Joe know that there is still hope for the hopeless and for his situation. Joe paid no attention to all that, but decided to kill himself by hanging. He then left, to the forest where he wants to kill himself. But also under the tree where he has successful tide the rope and was about to hang himself, was a man who was abandoned by his relative. He was chased into the forest to die there. While Joe was about to hang himself, the sick man said “see me, don’t fall on me and kill me”. On hearing this, the young Joe withdrew from his intention and started thinking about the sick man. Then he said if this sick man, who was chased out of the village and abandoned in the forest to die, still wants to live what about me who the people still accepts and also foresee a future that is filled with hope. He cried and went to his father’s house where he began a new life.

This is true of us all. We are always blinded by our immediate desires. And most times we forget what the lord had been doing in our lives. To give thanks to him in all situations; that his plan for us is good   not evil; that he call us by name; and that human wants are unsearchable. The more we have, the more will still want to have.

 So learn to see beyond your desires and hold onto God for the fulfilment of your desires even as you work towards achieving your desires,  that is  because God is faithful.

Learn to be Grateful

Despite our very busy schedules and numerous desires of human, is very important that we learn to be grateful to our creator and even to our follow human for any act of kindness shown to us. The truth is that at every point of our life there are things that we want, and want to do; something that we have and we are doing; and those that we have and done with. Most often we forget the success of the past and present and complain about an expectant future.

This distracts us from been grateful to God who lives both yesterday, today and forever. Let us learn to be grateful – if not for any other thing else, for the good moments we have had in our life. Below are tips that will help you to be more grateful in life:

Be thankful for any little action:

Learn to be grateful to any one who shows you kindness no matter how small it may  be. Just be thankful.

Remember all the Gods blessing in your life:

God has blessed you immensely in so many ways. Think of the life you are living and the gift of resurrection He gave to humanity by dying on the cross and resurrecting on the third day. All is enough to thank him.

Remember unimaginable victories:

Situations that stares at you and had bring about fears in your life in the past. But you gained victories over such situations.

Remember to be thankful for any little action from people:

Learn how to say thank you no matter how small the favor shown to you is. Always say thank you.

Remember those that you are better than:

Many people are asking God and working so hard to reach the level that you are now, when you think of them you thank God for yourself.

Create daily blessing diary:

Make list of all the blessings both small and big blessings of God as they happen. It will help you to look back and have a course to be grateful.

Check out the other side of life:

 If you think that you are not loved try and view it from another perceptive.

Recognize that people are important in your everyday:

 No man is island, appreciate the presence of people and know that they are part of the whole.

Prayer of Gratitude

The bible told us about this very story; the story of ten lepers. One day, that day must be a good one. Yes, somehow it might be a coincidence, that they meet each other somewhere and was going somewhere together; or normally, they were staying at their point of meeting or begging. And the bible says “and it came to pass, as He went to Jerusalem that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered into a certain village, there met Him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus master, have mercy on us. And when He saw them He said unto them go show yourselves unto the priest. And it came to pass, that as they went they were cleansed”

“And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God”

Ten of the lepers were healed. All ten of them were healed but one glorified God. The bible says that he with a loud voice and glorified God. This is the spirit of gratitude; the mind of giving thanks. Yes, it is an attitude –it didn’t just start there, he has the spirit of gratitude and he expressed it whole heartedly without reserve. Yeah it was nice he did what he did, because later-on, he left the other 9 and went to Jesus  “And fall down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks; and he was a Samaritan” “And Jesus answering said, were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” “There are not found that returned to give glory to God save this stranger.”

In the modern time, with many situations bordering us, we find it difficult to even thank God in our praying time. Been grateful for everything, for our family, for our friends, for that person you are better than, for the person that is better than you, for the sick, for the saints and for sinners, all of them makes the universe and thank God for His universe.

 Find time to be grateful, dear friend, for it pays. When you praise him for what he had done, he will do more. 

Attitude that Changes Everything (Two)

Liola is an eleventh grade student who is not only lousy about her academics but also gallivants around the town. On this very day one of the instructors, Miss Esther, in her college spotted her and took her to be one of those students that in one way or the other missed their track and needs help to get back to track. So she invited her over to her office. That very day marks the beginning of her change. Truly her salvation began on that very good day.

Liola, Miss Esther called her, “In one sentence can you tell me who Liola is?” For a very long time Liola didn’t say a word. She smiled, frowned, and then smiled again. “Honestly, you don’t know who you are, because if you do, you will not be doing what you are doing and sure wouldn’t be where you are.”  Miss Esther replied and she continues; what was your last session result like? How many A’s and B’s do you have? Liola reluctantly said, the result was just there. I had E’s and F’s and they don’t disturb me at all.  They don’t! Screamed, Miss Esther. Yeah they don’t Liola replied. It was at that moment that Miss Esther knew that the work she needs to do on Liola is not just what she was thinking, because there is need to work on her attitude to her academics as well on her whole life style at large. Miss Esther booked another appointment with her and let her go.

Hi, Miss Esther, Liola greeted on their next appointment. Hi Liola replied Miss Esther. Then, they talked for hours with their whole story revolving round Liola’s life, family and successful people in the world. Miss Esther tried to let her know that she is an intelligent person with enough potential that is capable of changing the society. Liola you can be the best student in the class, you can be an inventor and even greater thing, if only you put in the;  right attitude to things around you;  Right attitude to your education; right attitude to any skill that you want to learn and so on and so forth. How I am going to put in that right attitude? How will I start? Liola now asked soberly. By bringing together your energy and use them to think and do the right thing, replied Miss Esther.

What is the right thing to do Liola asked.

For you Liola, considering your age and time, the right thing for you is to learn. Sit-up, start studying your books. Try and bring up your grades.  I will help you do that if it’s becoming too hard for you. By the Grace of God together, you and I will put in our very best for you to be academically sound. Go home, think it, dream it and come tomorrow with your decision. Miss Esther replied.

That night was not a very easy one for Liola, who kept on thinking, crying and trying hard to make the right decision of her life.

I have decided to work with you, Miss Esther, said Liola the next morning. This was how Liola changed her attitude to her academics; changed her sitting position in the class, organized all her books, do all class work, stop gallivanting about on the street and study her book earnestly. By the end of the session she made it up to 5^th position with A’s  and B’s. That is the end of it all but actually the beginning of career success story for Liola, because she never again went back to her old life style. She changed for good because of the right attitude she developed through the help of Miss Esther.

Everyone can actually help someone to become better and best of him/her.

Comment and Share this story with all those who have younger ones around them.

Leave That Comfort Zone

Miracle happens, things can easily come your way and you can get what you did not even work for. Yes, these things are possible occurrence on earth but must not always be. Their might still be situation where you need to put in effort. I mean work hard before a tangible result can come out of that situation. Those situations demand, that we search; that we learn and that we use our experience, wisdom and knowledge in handling such.

Some modern Christians, somehow have develop that attitude of laziness in doing work. Some Christians  now think that success is a luck, just a luck that comes to whoever she wishes. They forgot that even in the time of Prophet Moses that manna did fell for some time and then seize to fall and God allowed the Israelite to work for their well-being. We can’t not over emphasize the need to work in the modern time. It encompasses a lot of thing, starting from financial to spiritual. Chapels of various churches are now empty, longing for the presence of humanity. The prophet of the old do leave their various homes to the bush/mountain for prayers. That even in the time of Moses, the story says that his whole body was glorious and shining into the eyes of the people that they cover their faces with clothes because of the intensity of the glory. Esther left her comfort and luxury that is due to queen and went on sackcloth, fasting and praying for the victory that she latter gain over Harman who wants to kill the Israelite  in that town. Starting from Daniel even to Nuh all denied themselves one thing or the other.

 In our own time Jesus came and taught everyone who cares to learn the need of having a separate time with oneself. The need of going up to the mountain, the need of knowing that which is more important . the bible says that He was like us in all thing.

Jesus story is a success story. Many times the bible recorded of Him praying in a separate place. Is on the occasion of Him ending His fasting and praying that He was tempted by satan; while He was praying in the mountain He transfigured and the prophet were with him; yet again while He was praying that His sweat turned to blood.

So today try leaving that crew and go into the chapel, to a lone  place; pray your way out. You don’t know the power you have in you until you begin to use it. More over been able to live that comfort zone tell a lot about your ability to have control over things that concerns you, the ability to stripe away all unnecessary thing and work on that which of eternal benefit; your ability to master things around you. That when a student begins to read not lazing about, the student will begin to excel. That when a business man  knows the secret of his business success and practices it, he will begin to succeed. That when a Christian recognizes the importance of good work, fasting and praying in a Christian life, he will not relent in doing good, fasting and praying in season and out of season. You can do it, it is a matter of decision and sticking to it, no matter what the flesh or anybody is sayings about it. Just be focus and continue moving forward. 

Seasons of Life

Just like weather changes from winter to summer such is the path of life on earth. Life is filled with various seasons; seasons when there is laughter;  seasons when there is so much pain to endure. Whatever condition you find yourself it is always better to look ahead of the condition. If things are working well for you give thanks to God; and when things are not working out the way you want, also remember to give thanks. May be that things went well for you in the past and now you are experiencing what you don’t like and somehow can do nothing about but to live it out, believing that it will come to pass. I want you to know that times of trouble in your life make you stronger and even wiser. It is like an edge that sharpens your mind.

Don’t doubt whether you will come out of  it or not, for you will surely come out of it ; for at the end of every tunnel there is light and light cometh and darkness comprehends not.

Think about human life, a child is born yesterday- joy to the world, yet helpless as an individual, today the child becomes a vibrant youth and can do all things, believes in possibilities even when it seems impossible, but tomorrow this very youth becomes a full blown adult or even aged person with different capabilities, that is nature for you. What about the season of your life today,  is it pleasant or harsh? Whichever it is, don’ t ever think it will never change. Remember change is the only constant in the equation of life. 

Unspeakable Happiness

Unspeakable, inexpressible, beyond description can be ones happiness when it overflows and becomes immeasurable. In the beginning, man was created to be in perfect harmony with God-sharing all His attributes with His happiness inclusive. Then man strayed from the original plan of God for Him. Ever since then, man have been relying on his own power of reasoning, which always lead him to extreme behavior that is unacceptable, at which he regrets afterwards. In our own time, we seek happiness in everything around us both human and non-human, yet total happiness comes from God.

Definitely, somehow, our will have strayed from the will of God and we need to bring it back in conformity to His will and also to love  God above all things. Just like the scripture mentioned in Roman 7:22 that “ I am delighted with the law of God, according to the inward man; but I see another law in my members, fighting against the law of my mind, and captivating me under the law of sin that is in my member”. That is why in our everyday life we find ourselves fighting certain task that we must accomplish in our life and when we get tired, we then give in to it. This attitude costs us much, our happiness, and such like, but if we can like Jesus Christ give in to the will of God and pray;  “father let thy will be done” and then move ahead the burden of life-if difficult will be lesser and easier for us .  

Situations are Smoke of Life

In reality, smokes around us blur our visions. We can’t even see clearly through smokes, that is true. In our everyday life, situations around us most times, weigh us down and we continue to fight those situations, winning some and losing some. Yet they are things that come along man’s way every day. People have a way of dealing with difficult situations in life; people use different method for different situations of life.

Often times situations block our vision, of the real thing, we only see our present state, forgetting our destination. However, if only you can hold on, and hold out, the smoke will clear and gradually or suddenly disappear in the air and your visions will be clear once again. Situations of life can be very discouraging, steal your happiness, kill your attitude to life and destroy your God given life. your are encouraged to look above the situation to be able to conquer it. You must stay above it. Yes above it. Operate above , cling on He who is above for He is above all things. Believe me, you have the solution, the very perfect solution to that problem in you. So try your best to solve it and leave the rest for God, you know patience and time have a lot to do during the period of difficulty.

Pressing situation can even make one doubt himself, society and God. Questions like why am abandoned; why am I rejected; and why me.  You not abandoned nor rejected rather you are passing through some challenge that will make you a wiser and better person for real. Just try to look beyond the smoke and their a brighter view.

DOES GOD NEED MAN TO EXIST

Definitely not, Supreme God doesn’t need any human for him to exist in his universe. In the beginning was God and he made all things thus he existed before man and was not complaining of lesser comfort or anything at all. Effortlessly he existed before mankind and will continue to exist whether or not mankind stays around or not. He is ageless and undying, because he is beginning less, endless, omnipotent, ever- living, supernatural and beyond space and time. He had existed before the creation and by his power created the universe the time and the way he wanted. So, more or less we are part of his creation. The bible says that, we are the branch; cut off from me you can do nothing. He is the tree; we are the branch. He is the main we are part of the main.

Man should understand that he is only the part of God’s creation and not the entirety of His creation. For crying aloud, he created other things that he can drive love and worship from, that is if man should stray from the essence of his creation (that is to love and worship God). Remember what the bible says that if man does not worship me I will make life out of stone and they will.

Therefore, God’s existence is independent of the existence or opinion of man. He is not limited neither to any belief nor to religion (but all takes us to greater knowledge of him in various ways). Thus to realize that we are man is to realize our limitations. That God is the creator of all things, man a simple creature and off course a last addition to his creation show. 

See Him That Sent Me

When Jesus came to redeem the world; the priest, the Pharisees, the scribe and even his relatives were busy looking at him as the son of Joseph and Mary not as the Christ or prophet who have come to save the world. Our Lord publicly proclaimed that every one who believed in him, as his true disciple, did not believe in him only, but also believes in the father who sent him. Beholding in Jesus the glory of the father, we learn to obey, love and trust him. By daily looking unto him, who came as light into the world, we are more and more freed from the darkness of ignorance, error, sin and misery. We learn  that the commands of our Lord Jesus lead to everlasting life. But the same commands will seal the condemnation of all who despises it, or neglects it. Yes, because the word of God says “believe in me, believe also in him who sent me”. Again another place said, that for him that does not believes in me and in him who sent me is condemned already. For my father’s will is that everyone who looks to the son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. Such applies to the way that we look at our fellow man. Do you still see that person as the son of that carpenter, the daughter of that teacher or more still that person that cleans the church. If that is how you still see others, that is, by considering their background, intelligence or either still their financial strength. You need to put on a new attitude and begin to see the Christ in them. See him of whom they are made in his image and likeness, who without his spirit they will all die. Then you will realize that you are more human, natural and above all you will begin to love your neighbor and God the way you love yourself too. Peace

Always Remember the Poor

Have you ever asked yourself why God allows his children to be poor? Because, definitely we all know that he can do all things and He can provide for all our needs according to his reaches in glory. Yes, he could make them all rich if he wish; He could lay bags of diamond at their doors; He could send them a large annual income; maximum wage at that, least of them all is providing them with abundant food as he did for his people of Israel. But that is really not happening, then you keep asking, why is it so, because I know that the word of God says that, “The cattle upon a thousand hills are His” and in another passage He says that “if He can provide for the birds of the air, what of us his lovely people”.

 

 Our God can provide for us even beyond our expectation. Because, the poor are also the sheep of his flock, we are advised to remember the poor in our society. The poor are loved by Christ, we should also love them too. Therefore, let us not look at helping the poor as a duty but rather as a privilege to relieve the poor of the Lord’s flock. As the saying goes, that him who helps the poor builds for himself house in heaven let us also not forget His words that says that we should be our brother’s keeper.

 Make therefore decision today to always help the poor in your society. For Galatians 2:10 says that we should always remember the poor.