Friday, August 29, 2008

Amazing God, Amazing King

I woke up this morning with this song in my spirit and kept singing it all the way to work. It really got me thinking what really qualifies God as amazing in ones life. Let me give an example, I returned to Goteborg again this week even though some time ago during the early years of my study I had the opportunity to visit it with my cuz and her colleagues from Harvard. For me it was one of the best cities I had been to, and the roads appeared to be never ending (we were always walking). We stayed in the Hotel Gothia Towers, and on the west end 20th floor having breakfast on the 23rd which was only allowed depending on the floor level you were staying. I spent a little money on an outfit which I wore when I went to pick my sister’s things when she was finally leaving university for the great big wide world. Her friends thought the outfit was amazing and my sister never forgot it.

Fast forward to the present time. The experience was no different with the previous (or so I thought), only that I went with colleagues of mine, who were experts in their field of science and already had a preconceived idea of what they felt was beautiful and what was not. The city is not an old one, so no buildings that date back to the middle ages, and no significant art work that might inspire them. Nevertheless, they were not overly impressed with the city and didn’t think it was a place for them to come back to. When they asked me what my view of the city was, it took me more than a second to answer them. The fact may have been, since the five years I last visited the city, I may have been to other cities each of which I felt may have been more amazing than the other. In any case as disappointed as I was, it got me thinking. I wondered what made this visit any different to the first.

Going back to my topic today, as irrelevant as the example I’ve given may be, it really got me thinking. For some of us, our view of God is the amazing things He’s done or does for us, the memories of the significant breakthroughs that have brought us to where we are today. But, when the opportunity arises for us to face those same situations again which we once overcame in our past, the fact that we didn’t do as well as we did before or did terribly, automatically translates that God is no longer amazing to us. We begin to allow the insignificant become significant. We begin to grumble at God, saying “after all, if He knew we weren’t going to overcome it, then why put us through the whole emotion of being hopeful. Better still, He has the power of taking the situation away completely, so why allow us to face it a second time; why allow us to go through it, when He knew we were going to fail anyway…. Wouldn’t it have been better for us to be of good cheer, while reminiscing about the old memories, instead of allowing our minds to become defiled with the new ones that “kinda ruins” the old.

I remembered telling my colleagues, it would have been better with the old memories, but now I know better. I am not disappointed because this visit was nothing compared to the old visit. I am glad that I had the opportunity to go through this experience again, and know that the city wasn’t beautiful because of what it had to offer, it was beautiful because I choose to believe it was. I choose to believe that whatever comes my way that God is still amazing. I think that ought to be the stance we take in life. God is not just amazing for the things He does for us, He is simply amazing because of who He is. He is God. He was, is and will be forever God. I think that pretty amazing don’t you think?

BREAKING NEWS:

I'm falling inlove with me all over again. He reminded me again what He told me three years ago, that the Life He created me for is larger than the life I'm living. And He also said - "You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you." - Numbers 11:23 - I feel like it's my birthday already.

I don't know what to make of all this, I'm wondering, Is there a "Bently" waiting for me, or am I about to be transformed to a billionaire. I feel like something is about to be birthed in my soul - Transform lives and make a change, He said. Ok here I am. Ready for action. Oh and I'm wearing my purple chequerd top, with silver line and brown tint. Yay.. Loves it.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Jeremiah 1:12

What word has God spoken to you lately that the enemy been contending with. Yesterday the favour of Lord was so magnificent that I went home and woke up feeling too wonderful.

I will be away again for a week on a meeting in Sweden. I'm really looking forward to this trip. Can't wait to visit another country, after my three weeks break.

Remember Jer. 1:12 - The LORD said to me, "You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled."

Once He has spoken, twice have I heard.. it is indeed well with my soul.. Yay.. God has been moving me unto new levels and relms in my relationship with Him. He really has been showing Himself victorous. In not too far, I have a testimony to share. And indeed the Lord has been so good to me.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

What the Lord Has done

Luke 1:25 -

The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favour and taken away my disgrace among the people."

Monday, August 18, 2008

About love, commitment, feelings, relationship, maturity e.t.c.

Love is not just a feeling, it comprises of it. Feelings aren’t the evidence of love. Love is an exercise of ones will—a decision you deliberately and consciously take based on knowledge and understanding to stick with the object of your love (a woman or man) no matter what happens; this decision will eventually open up a flood-gate of strong feelings.

Because of your commitment to someone, when feelings disappear momentarily, you can stay in there till the feelings return. So if someone tells you I don’t have feelings for you again, lets take a break, then he either doesn’t understand what love is or never loved you in the first place or probably thought he really loved you and mistook a fleeting passion for a strong deep undeniable love— one that should come with the strength to stick it out in moments of dryness of feelings.

There is something I always say, Love is the most used word but the scarcest of true experience; most people say I love you or think they love, but in actual fact what they mean by “I love you” is actually, “I love the way you make me feel”, so in other words if you stop making me feel this way, then I will stop being there for you—which is lack of commitment. Now think about it, If your ex has walked out of your life, and tells you he can’t be committed now, really though not deliberately, he causes you pain yet in your heart of heart you still love him. Now! That is true love, commitment no matter what, but sadly Men have a problem acting this way, they are usually “Wonderful Committed Beginners” but never can sustain, so they say I’m afraid of commitment; such men need to Grow up.

Feelings are fickle; they are like fire, if you don’t keep putting wood (fuel) it will go out. What is wood in this case? Doing for the other what he likes and not quarrelling too frequently.
If the feelings are not there or dies, it’s because you have made up your mind not to be committed; you must tell yourself I may not feel like it now but I’ve made a commitment, so we are going to work this out, now my African queens this is very hard work and it takes being unselfishness in the relationship to achieve this. Then you’ll find the feelings will come back, so instead of a crisis breaking you up, it makes you stronger; you work out your issues and in so doing you understand each other better. Love now grows because you now understand your partners sensitivities, you are more like a team, you deal with issues together, not take off when you encounter challenges, BECAUSE YOU HAVE BOTH MADE A COMMITMENT TO STICK TO EACH OTHER, PERIOD!

Love takes a lot of perseverance and patience to grow and be sustained. So when you see couples in-love, understand it wasn’t always like that in the beginning they worked together through the challenges and storms and made it to the other side of a now enviable relationship. So really the key is finding som1 who loves you enough and who you believe in enough to weather the storm together and get to the other side of the storm, which is a Beautiful Enviable Relationship because—once again—of commitment.

Love is not just about feelings; it is actually, about a decision to be committed. It gives the strength to stick with that one person. Love mixed with maturity, which is actually a proper view point of what life or love is makes you have the ability to see the quality and heart of the one you love, beyond their physical appearance. Because even the bible says for this reason a MAN (not a boy) will leave (not a mama’s boy still hanging unto mummy’s apron)—these are two prerequisite for a good husband.

Boys not men chase you out of an initial excitement, but when you as the lady returns that feeling, they get scared because they aren’t ready for a lifelong commitment relationship. They want to keep humping around, living the single life or whatever their individual reasons may be. It means in the beginning he didn’t really think about what he was feeling or wanted before leading the woman on and this a marked trait of Immaturity— a real mature man should think before he jumps.

A relationship where each persons needs are not being met, will die. Also, a relationship where there is constant bickering and quarrelling will kill feelings and may eventually end the relationship, so avoid Quarrelling but by all wisdom please let your feelings be known and agree on the best way to resolve conflicts.

Commitment means I can no longer have space. My life is now shared with another. I’m now accountable to someone else and can’t really make decisions, especially ones that will seriously impact on the relationship e.t.c changing location.

ADVICE: Women, hold your excitements about a man till you’re sure about him, and then let go. (For the Immature man who hasn't grown up, i mean)

ADVICE: Women, if you use the behavior you should have during marriage on a relationship, you’d ruin things. If you act like you’re married to a man while in a relationship, he gets scared and runs away. To know how your partner wants to be loved, watch how he shows you love. (For the Immature man who hasn't grown up, i mean)

A good man will welcome a woman's sincere love, embrace her when she returns affection and holds onto her no matter what; even when the fear (that most men feel when they meet a potential) arises. We men all feel that fear to whatever degree, I did, even couple months to my wedding. One just has to hold on long enough, and let go of the fear of commitment.

So my African queens if a guy doesn’t want you—however he tells you, or makes you know he isn’t ready to commit to you—Let the guy go. He isn’t worth your time and it's most of the time HIS LOSS (which he usually realizes late). If he really wants you, he will come for you when he gets his act together and realizes the mistake he has made.

So say to yourself, NOTHING IS WRONG WITH ME. I’M BEAUTIFUL BY ALL STANDARDS, because what break-ups tend to do is mess up our self-esteem, but refuse to give in to that, get up, pick up the mistakes made, make corrections, move on, because there is someone out looking for you just the way you are.

Above all, Let GOD lead the way. A man without the fear of God in him isn't right for any woman; For he will surely hurt you.

By An Anonymous Ibo Guy (a great friend of nma - my adopted cali chicka friend..)

(Ladies he's married- ain't that something...)

side note
Where there is the Love of God, there is no fear. God is Love, so a man born of God, born of His Spirit has His likeness within him. He has the ability to Forbear, be Kind, forgive, shares the burden of others, thinks less of self but of others, regardless of how difficult it may appear. However, a man who displays none of this, is born of self not of God. Flee from such a man...

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Away not for much longer

I took some much needed time off from work and life in general to spend some serious time with the Lord. And as always He has been faithful. I am refreshed, revived, and godwilling "burning" for the Lord. I hope to update as soon as I get back to base. It is indeed well with my soul.

So how have you all been?

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

When Hope dies

The Oxford dictionary defines hope as: 1 a feeling of expectation and desire for something to happen. 2 a person or thing that gives cause for hope.

What happens when hope dies? I’m sure many have faced this a time in their life, and many may be going through such a familiar situation. I am reminded of this excerpt my brother ugo sent to me once when I too had to deal with such familiarity:

Greater than the death of flesh, is the death of hope, the death of dreams. Against this peril we must never surrender. The future is all around us waiting in moments of transition to be born in moments of revelations. No one knows the shape of that future or where it will take us, we know only it is usually born in pain.

Jesus said "... in this world you will have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world..." So it would seem any fear, doubt and confusion stems from our reliance on our selves and ability. Despair creeps in when the task ahead of us is greater than what we and the resources we can call upon are capable of. Therefore, it seems that if we can empty ourselves of us and fill it with Jesus then our troubles of little consequence. Because we have rest for our souls not just for time but for eternity.

Pain is temporary, Victory is forever. In Christ we have that victory if and if only we trust in him”.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see - tries to define what hope is through faith. But what happens when the certainty is no more or when your hope dies, I am reminded that as children of God, we are blessed to have the knowledge that our lives are in the hands of God and whatever happens to us does not take God by surprise. And so we do not wail like people of the world of whom the death of hope truly is the death of dreams. We are consoled with the fact that every situation we face is a chance for God to be glorified. A chance for God to do the things that make him God. If only we can but see past the death of our dreams, and see the realization of one considerably better than what we had originally hoped for.

The realization that such a monumental disappointment is an opportunity for the greatest dreams we can ever dream of to be manifested. And so even though it may be hard to believe that one could ever get past this stage, I am here to tell you that you will. A man may fall many times, your hopes may die many times, but if you are ever to realize the greatest dream of your life, you may have to choose to keep standing. For as long as we are in Christ, as long as God is on the throne, the death of our Hope is that opportunity we have been waiting for. To always bear in mind, that death of hope is a process of transformation, a transformation tailor made to suit our individuality. I truly believe it. My hope may have died in the physical sense, but like Lazarus whose death was an opportunity for the people to see the wonders of God, to see God transform their hope from death to life is at work even in us right now. And with this in mind, we ought to be eager to see what God would do in such a situation. A chance to get excited again at the power of God. A chance to re-focus our minds, heart and direction towards God.

But I ask you this, was your “hope” a stumbling block between your relationship with God? Was it taking you away from the things of God? Did your hope enslave you when you were supposed to master it? Did your hope in any way bring a gap between you and God? I too have found that in the situation I encountered, that the death of hope was a time for me to find out where I may have missed it, and in so doing try to retrace my steps back to God. That the death of Hope was the only way for me to reconnect myself back to God. Because at the end of the day we need rest for our souls not just for time but for eternity.

Nevertheless, the death of hope is never about a time to throw a pity party, but as children of God a chance to focus our lives and trust in Him, if ever we have lived in doubt. A chance to know without a shadow of doubt that He is, and will forever be in the business of transformations and restorations. A chance to feel like “Job” did (both parts), a chance to feel like the Psalmist in psalm 126: and I quote - When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." 3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Mehn… I’m excited, I don’t know about you, but I just can’t wait to see what God is about to do. I have found myself a very comfortable seat as I watch it all unravel - For I am entitled to hope.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Values!!

What is my worth?

Im I more valuable than rubies?

Does my cost outweigh that of the diamond?

How precious Im I?

Today I am reminded:

Greater than the death of flesh, is the death of hope, the death of dreams. Against this peril we must never surrender. The future is all around us waiting in moments of transition to be born in moments of revelations. No one knows the shape of that future or where it will take us, we know only it is usually born in pain.

Jesus said "... in this world you will have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world..." So it would seem any fear, doubt and confusion stems from our reliance on our selves and ability. Despair creeps in when the task ahead of us is greater than what we and the resources we can call upon are capable of. Therefore, it seems that if we can empty ourselves of us and fill it with Jesus then our troubles of little consequence. Because we have rest for our souls not just for time but for eternity.

Pain is temporary, Victory is forever. In Christ we have that victory if and if only we trust in him.

I will trust you Lord.

...........................

Today I thank God for the life of my younger brother who is now in the states back from his missionary work in south america (mixing medicine with the word of God). I thank God for His ministry, isn't it wonderful to have a doctor who is saved treating you. Im so glad that God is using him in such a powerful way. He consoled my troubled mind with the message above reminding me that I have greater worth even if I were to forget for one second. I miss him, can't wait to have him back on the shores of europe.

Trully it is well with my soul, my God is a God who is Faithful and good. He trully is amazing and his love I am yet to fully digest. Sometimes I worry how it is that He loves me so and favours me. That even though I may walk throught the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Indeed, psalm 23 has come alive to me. It's not just another bible chapter, but the simple truth. Halleluyah, praise God, for all I know is that YOU are God, and trully I am in awe of you. Your peace oh God has always been with me, and will continue to be with me all the days of my life. I love you Lord. You are great..

Friday, August 01, 2008

Never Settle For less

I remember in high school I was pretty rubbish in Physics. Lets just say I was pretty rubbish in most things, but my physics teacher for some reason known only to him believed in me, even with my very poor grade (too ashamed to prefix.. I know ayo, you’d probably try). But he still believed in me. Told me, I was one of his finest, brightest and most inspiring student. Well let’s just say I worked even harder, exhausted my limit, and even though I never got the high grades, he never stopped believing that I could and would. I didn’t make the grade I needed to study the course of my choice at university level, but I still got into uni, and never forgetting the belief “Mr. Bancroft” had in me, I worked like there was no tomorrow. In the end I made a First class honours, but when I went back to my high school to tell Mr. Bancroft that I made it, that I made a First in Pharm. sci, majored in Organic and Medicinal chem., he was no longer working in the school or was he around to see the seed he had sown all those years ago germinate and bloom. He had retired for health reasons. I was never able to tell him, that because of the way he believed that I could soar like an eagle, that the sky was the limit that was attainable to me, that regardless of what circumstance, difficulty, ill equipped as I was, that the light at the end of tunnel was a destination I could get to. I was immediately offered two scholarships (one from Pfizer and the other from BBSRC) to study for my Ph.D immediately after uni, and received my Ph.D by the age of 25. I think this is a pretty good achievement for an “F grade” student..lol..

Today’s topic is not about me or my physics teacher, but about you and your instructor known as Jesus.

The Lord did use Mr. Bancroft to spur me on, but what if there wasn’t a Mr. Bancroft, there will always be God. He is forever by our side willing us to try just that bit harder. The Lord who created us, who has already endowed us, the ability and all the necessary skills to get to the finishing line. The thing is we need to have it always in our fore mind that He is always there encouraging us that we can, and we will get there. Never to forget that if no one believes in you, the fact that God believes in you is all you need. That you have been created for greatness, to be the head, to be rulers, you are royalty, to be able to tell the difference between what’s fake and what’s real. To remember that the people you surround yourself with must agree in your ability to attain greatness. That anybody who tears you down, or talks about your negative qualities, does not deserve to stand with you. If Mr. Bancroft had gone on and on about my “F” status, and how he saw no future in my “F” (Failure) being transformed to “F” (First class) then I doubt I would have believed that I could. I am here to tell you, Never settle for less. Never settle for mediocrity, never settle for ok. Never settle for quitters. You are created in the image of God, and He is not a quitter.

I was not able to thank Mr. Bancroft, but like the Ten lepers healed by Jesus, if no one comes back to thank Jesus for what He’s done for them, I would like to be that one that came back to thank Him. To always be in an attitude of thanks. I know now that the Lord used Mr. Bancroft to will me on to the finishing line of academia, and for this Lord I thank you. If I had believed in my current situation in high school, I probably would not have become a Fellow of science, and an academic working for Microsoft research supervising Masters and Ph.D students within 3 yrs of my graduation. But I stress on believing that I can and will. You might have been called all manner of names, rejected, have had to overcome one hurdle or another on your way to the finishing line, but one thing I know is that you have been called: CHOSEN, HIS, BELOVED, SOUGHT AFTER, FRIEND, Great man/woman, man/woman after God’s own heart, Friend of God. That your life is not in the hands of any ordinary man, but you have been ingrained in the palm of God’s hands. I no longer believe in the FACT, I only know the Truth. And the simple truth is that I have been created for my life to bring Glory to God. And whatever point I am in my life I can only get better, the direction can only be upwards.

So I challenge you all, will you continue to let the shadows of your past failures, shame, unfruitfulness continue to chase you or will you make a stand for it and choose to see past the Fact, and strive on until the Truth manifests in your life. What will your legacy be? The choice is really up to you.

As for me, my mind is made up. I will be a fool to settle for anything less than what God has for me. I am not about to give up now.