RELEASED ON 19/ NOVEMBER/ 2019
MOVE ON TO NEW HEIGHTS
Apostle Paul wrote;
"Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead".
Phillippians 3:13
The fear of the unknown has kept many people in one spot for a long time, while complacency has also set in for many other people to the extent that they seem to be so comfortable with the level of progress they have made in life.
Although, the future and what it may bring can be scary and very uncertain.
However, being a child of God, you do not have to allow the uncertainty of the future limit your reach in life.
For God said;
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you".
Psalm 32:8.
I woke up in the early hours of the 18th of November 2019 and the Spirit of God directed me to Deuteronomy 1:6 which says;
"The LORD our God said to us in Horeb, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain".
God was telling the Israelites at that time of the necessity to move forward in their journey to the promise Land.
As I was pondering on the significance of that bible verse, the Spirit of God directed me to I Kings 19 where Elijah, who had just been fed by an Angel with cake and water, went on a journey of forty days and forty night which took him to mount Horeb just as the Israelites did.
Then the bible says concerning Elijah;
"there he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
1 Kings 19:9.
After reading this,I knew it was not a coincidence that Horeb appeared again. Immediately, I was taken over by the curiosity of what Horeb stands for. Then I discovered Horeb means;
dryness, heat, drought, waste; desolation; desert; barren; solitude etc.
Children of God relying on the above bible passages, one can deduce that in our journey of life we might get to "Horeb' just like the Israelites and Elijah did. It's a place where things might be dry or time of famine, loneliness, not producing the desired results etc.
However,judging by the words of God to the Israelites and to Elijah, nothing significant happens in Horeb. It is like a phase or passage in the journey of life. We are not expected to remain where we are not fulfilling the will of God.
God wants us to be brave and take risk knowing that He will be there for us as we proceed in our journey of life.
In other words, you do not need to have everything well figured out ahead of you, all you need to do is to take the next step knowing you have the backing of God.
As someone rightly put;
"Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don't belong".
Brethren, It is better to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you or something that rather that bringing joy to you is making you sorrowful.
The Spirit of God is asking you and I today;
"What are you doing here"?
There are better days and greater things ahead of you and I to accomplish. Therefore, keep moving on.
The popular Hymn says;
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Nobody remains in Horeb and expect to make progress and advance in life. Therefore, as for me;
"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus".
Phillippians 3:14.
Brethren, it is time to move higher in your carrier, business and more importantly in your relationship with God. You have remained on the same level of service and commitment to the work of God for too long.
Come up higher!
The Lord will take you higher and bless the work of your hands in Jesus name.
RELEASED ON 15/ NOVEMBER/ 2019
TRAIN YOUR CHILD!
One of the most popular bible verses is;
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it".
Proverbs 22:6.
The above bible verse has somewhat become part of our regular daily words.
However, many of us; I mean parents in this generation have not really demonstrated much commitment to the obligation of training our children.
Recently, I read a rather unfortunate news of a young boy who was suspended from the university after he was alleged to have touched a female student inappropriately. Subsequently, the boy killed his own mother.
May the Almighty God comfort and support the affected family in Jesus name.
Brethren, since that incident, I just couldn't get my mind off parenting issues. That sad occurrence and other reprehensible acts of children in recent times triggered this message.
If you ask me, I am 'old school' when it comes to raising up children. I often value and always appreciative of the way our parents dedicated time training and praying for us.
Although, if not for the mercy and compassion of God, many of us could have turned out to be something else!
However, the critical roles some of our strict / firm parents, especially mothers played over our lives cannot be over emphasized.
May God bless every disciplinarian mother out there.
To this end, I am laying much emphasis on: training which seems to be missing out of parenting in our own generation.
Permit me to use the words of Moses in admonishing you concerning your obligations towards the children.
"These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. Teach them to your children. Repeat them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working".
Deuteronomy 6:6&7.
Lack of proper training of the children is the bane of this generation.
Prayer alone cannot bring up responsible children! Ask people like Eli and Samuel in the bible. They were prayerful men of God but they fell short in training their children and they both failed as fathers.
1 Samuel chapters 2 & 8.
The advent of mobile phones and social media platforms have further added to issues of parenting in this generation.
The bible says;
"The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother".
Proverbs 29:15.
I remember those eye contacts of instructions and rebuke we used to get from our parents without them having to open their mouth. If you give such to children of this generation they won't understand it.
'You cannot put something on nothing!'. we are not training our children enough.
A popular Yoruba saying says;
"the child that you refused to train will end up selling (house) what you have dedicated your time doing"
Parenting is not about buying good things for the children, neither is it only about giving them good education. It is more about training them in the way they should live in this life.
Realistically,our children need our presences more than our presents.
Therefore, parents should be prayerful and watchful over the children. We need to train our children and guide them continuously with the word of God.
The bible instruct us to;
"bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord".
Ephesians 6:4.
Meanwhile,if you find yourself reading this and you are not yet a parent; I pray for you that;
The Lord will join you together with the bone of your bones, bless you with your own children and that you will be joyful being a parent in Jesus name.
The bottom line of this message is that It is much easier and wiser to train and build up children in the way of the Lord than to repair broken or spoilt grown ups.
I pray we will not bury any of our children and our
children will not turn out like Eli's sons in Jesus name .
RELEASED ON 12/ NOVEMBER/ 2019
SHINE FOR JESUS!
Our Lord Jesus Christ said;
"you are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden".
Matthew 5:14
Without any iota of doubt, some of us are in this world for some specific Kingdom assignments;
"for we are God’s workmanship,(masterpiece) created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life".
Ephesians 2:10.
Unfortunately, many are yet to discover their calling!
In other words, many people have remained hidden for too long, to the extent that the gifts of God upon their lives are yet to be put to use, while some are yet to maximize the potentials they possess: hence their gifts have remained dormant.
Brethren, it is important for you to know what your calling is: I mean what you are mandated to accomplish on earth so as to work in that direction in order to fulfill destiny.
Someone rightly said;
"when surrounded by darkness your only duty is to shine".
It's imperative for children of God to shine
for Jesus by manifesting those gifts of God upon their lives:
"for the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed".
Romans 8:19.
On the other hand, many people are using their God given gifts and talents for the devil both knowingly and unknowingly. Please, don't be enticed by their fame and wealth!
Your shine will only be meaningful when you are using it to glorify the name of Jesus and leading others to God.
That's why Jesus Christ said;
"then the righteous will shine forth like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear".
Matthew 13:24
I therefore beseech you to be a shining star for Jesus in this present perverted world;
"let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven".
Matthew 5:16.
Arise children of God and begin to shine for the king of Glory: this is our primary responsibility on this planet earth.
I leave you with this word of God;
"then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever"
Daniel 12:3.
RELEASED ON 8/ NOVEMBER/ 2019
CALLED TO SHARE
Few days ago, I stumbled upon an article written in connection to the hike in the price of rice in Nigeria as a result of the recent border closure.
While reading the write up, the comment of someone got my attention ;
The fellow said, he is not bothered by the high price because the bag of rice he bought more than 1 year ago is not going to finish any sooner. .
Children of God,
life becomes meaningful when one shares and make impact on others. We are called to share what we have;
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God".
Hebrews 13:16
There is so much greed and self centredness in the world today. That's why our Lord Jesus Christ said;
"Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions."
Luke 12:15
The hallmark of Christianity is about sharing with one another especially with the poor, as heralded in the teachings of the Disciples.
"All who believed were together, and had all things in common,They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need".
Acts 2:44& 45
The bottom line of the teachings of Jesus Christ is on loving God and love to one another. Mark 12:30&31.
He went further to teach that; whatever anyone does to people who are in need is done to Him
Matthew 25: 35-40
Many of us claim to love God but do not share. It is very surprising that people of the other religion share more than Christians do.
Let us take clue from the teachings of Apostle Paul who said;
"Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.
1 Timothy 6:17 &18.
Apparently,when you share things with others as Christians you are literally sharing Jesus!
Matthew 5:16
Therefore,
"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples"!
Psalm 96:3
Make it a point of duty to share with as many people as possible, that is what we are called to do.
"As you share the faith you have in common with others, I pray that you may come to have a complete knowledge of every blessing we have in Christ."
Philemon 1:6
However Jesus said; "When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing".
Matthew 6:3
In other words, when you help someone, you do not need to blow the trumpet. Please leave the camera out of it!
The God that sees what you do in the hidden will reward you openly in Jesus name.
RELEASED ON 5/ NOVEMBER/ 2019
POWER FOR SPEED
God said;
"The days are going to come, declares the LORD, when the one who plows will catch up to the one who harvests, and the one who stomps on grapes will catch up to the one who plants. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills".
Amos 9:13.
To catch up with someone is an indication that the person has left you behind. In order to catch up, one will have to go on a speed faster than the usual.
Some people are in the habit of using successes or achievements of other people to point out the perceived slow rate of progress of another person.
The reality of life is that each individual's path or journey of life is unique.
Unfortunately, the urge to be rich quickly has made many young people to join evil gangs doing "Yahoo Yahoo" business and other illicit activities.
While the quest for power; both Spiritual and Political have made many (young and old) to patronize evil associations and secret cults.
Whereas, the bible says;
"The power of the LORD came on Elijah; he fastened his clothes tight around his waist and ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel".
1 Kings 18:46.
In other words, the power of God upon Elijah enabled him to out run Ahab who had gone ahead of him.
Brethren, obedience to the word of God is a prerequisite to receiving speed;
Concerning Jonah, the first time the word came to him, he disobeyed God. Jonah 1:1-3.
Let us take clue from the teachings of Apostle Paul who said;
"Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.
1 Timothy 6:17 &18.
Apparently,when you share things with others as Christians you are literally sharing Jesus!
Matthew 5:16
Therefore,
"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples"!
Psalm 96:3
Make it a point of duty to share with as many people as possible, that is what we are called to do.
"As you share the faith you have in common with others, I pray that you may come to have a complete knowledge of every blessing we have in Christ."
Philemon 1:6
However Jesus said; "When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing".
Matthew 6:3
In other words, when you help someone, you do not need to blow the trumpet. Please leave the camera out of it!
The God that sees what you do in the hidden will reward you openly in Jesus name.