Day 10 – My Life to God; My Heart of worship

My Life to God; My Heart of worship

Relinquishing my life to God, total surrender is the heart of worship. This is a natural response to God’s amazing love and mercy. Giving myself over to God is not done out of fear or duty but IN LOVE. 1 John 4 vs. 9-10; 19 – This is Love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Romans 12 vs. 1 – Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God – this your spiritual act of worship.

Therefore true worship – bringing God pleasure only happens when I give myself completely to God. This is my act of surrender, which is what God wants from me. But there are reasons why I don’t completely give myself to God, which includes naming a few, FEAR, PRIDE and CONFUSION, not understanding the reasons why I must give myself totally to Him. That it is for my benefit not His.

When FEAR keeps me from surrendering my total self to God, I’m telling God that I don’t trust Him. Yet God loves me all the same and still continues in show me love in every way possible trying to prove Himself to me to little old me. To show me I’m important - Psalm 145 vs. 9 – The Lord is good to all, He has compassion on all he has made; to show me I’m never out of His sight – Psalm 139 vs. 3 – You discern my going out and my lying down, you are familiar with all my ways.; that He cares for every detail of my life – Matt. 10 vs. 30 – Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered – that He has got good plans for my life [Jer. 29 vs. 11], and how He forgives me – Psalm 86 vs. 5 – you are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in Love to all who call. Greatest of all in proving His Love for me, He sent His son to die for me in my place Rom. 5 vs. 8 – But God demonstrates His own love for us in this; while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

Remembering what Jesus did for me on that cross should be enough proof of how much God loves me, yet my PRIDE still gets in the way. My unwillingness to admit to my limitations. My unwillingness to admit that I’m not in charge of everything. [Gen. 3 vs. 5] always trying to be like God. That the desire to have so much control over my life is the cause of so much stress and unhappiness in my life; struggling with God oblivious to the truth that God will always win. Trying always to interfere with what God is doing in my life, never satisfied, always wanting to be that bit taller, smarter, stronger, more beautiful, having bigger boobs – wanting to have it all and do it all – and then become very upset when it doesn’t work out how I plan it to. And then when I see God gave others characteristics I don’t have, Young 20yrs old getting married, I respond with envy, jealousy and self pity.

Submitting my life to God is not fatalism or an excuse for laziness, but may mean giving up some things in order to change what needs to be changed. Surrendering is not repressing my personality, more than that – it enhances it, and its best demonstrated by obedience. And Jesus cannot be my Lord if I refuse to obey him. To Obey God’s word regardless if it doesn’t make sense. Believing and trusting him totally. Psalm 37 vs. 7 – Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Instead of trying to make my own decisions I should try trusting God more, even with my finances. Matt. 6 vs. 24 – No one can serve two masters. Matt. 6 vs. 21 – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. To see Jesus as my supreme example of surrendering – He surrendered His Will to God, and won.

My total surrender should be about fulfilling God’s purpose and glory. Yes surrender is hard work, and in my case intense warfare against my self-centred nature, but I need to remember that it really is for my benefit. That by surrendering my will to Him that created me:

I will experience peace – Job 22 vs. 21 – submit to God and be at peace with Him in this way prosperity will come to you.

I will experience freedom – Rom. 6 vs. 17 – But thanks be to God that though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. Bearing in mind that surrender doesn’t weaken me, it strengthens me, victory is won when I surrender my life’s decisions over to Jesus [Joshua 5 vs. 13], and must be given totally to God [James 4 vs. 7 – submit yourselves then].

Lessons learnt on Day 10

I was designed to worship God, and if I fail to, I tend to find a replacement. And even though I am free to choose what to surrender my life to, I am not free of the consequences. 2 Corinth. 5 vs. 9 – so we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. To remember that the greatest hindrance to God’s blessing in my life is not others, but myself, my self will, my stubborn pride and personal ambitions. That I cannot fulfil God’s purpose for my life while focusing on my own plans that doesn’t involve Him. To hand over my past regrets, my present problems, my future ambitions, my fear, my dreams, my weakness, my habits, my hurts, my limitations over to God. For nothing under God’s control is ever out of control. Remembering that I am able to do it all and go through it because God is with me. Philippians 4 vs. 13 – I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. That surrendering is a daily thing 1 Corinth. 15 vs. 31 – I die everyday I mean that, brothers – just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. Luke 9 vs. 23 – If any one would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Lord I ask you to help and strengthen me as I surrender, submit, relinquish, yield my life over to you. Have your way in my life so that I may get more out of the life you have given me. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Day 9 - God loves to smile on me

God loves to smile on me

The smile of God on my life should be the goal of my life. Numbers 6 vs. 25 – tells me The Lord make His face shine upon me and be gracious to me. Psalm 119 vs. 135 – make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees. Since pleasing God is the first purpose of my life, then I should make haste to discover how to please Him. Ephesians 5 vs. 10 – urges me to find out what pleases the Lord. Noah was a man who pleased God and so learning from his example will be very fitting. Gen. 6 vs. 8 – But Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord. I want to be like Noah – a man who found favour in the sight of God.

Noah had a CLOSE RELATIONSHIP and fellowship with God and because he loved God, God smiled on him. Gen. 6 vs. 9 – Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time and he walked with God. I know I was created to love God – all God wants me to do is use that Love He has given me and Love Him back. Hosea 6 vs. 6 – For I desire mercy, not sacrifice and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offering. Loving God should also be the greatest objective of my life. Matt. 22 vs. 37-38 – Jesus said – Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.

Noah pleased God because he TRUSTED God completely. Even when it didn’t make sense. Hebrews 11 vs. 7 – By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By Faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by Faith. I have found that the more I realise God truly loves me; the easier it is to surrender my all to him. Noah could have chosen not to believe or trust what God has told him about the flooding [Gen. 2 vs. 5-6] – because I know what I’ll do if placed in that position – but Noah didn’t complain or make excuses, he just got on with it. All because he trusted God completely. Trusting God means I have absolute Faith that God knows what’s best for me. Psalm 147 vs. 11 – The Lord delights in those who fear Him who put their hope in His unfailing Love. Regardless of the discouragement that would have come the 120 yrs it took for Noah to build his ark he still kept on trusting God. So why shouldn’t God smile on him when he pleased Him so. I have also learnt from the previous studies that trusting God is also an act of worship, and my faith and trust in Him will cause Him to smile on me. Hebrews 11 vs. 6 – And without Faith it is impossible to please God.

Noah pleased God and caused God to smile on him because he OBEYED Him wholeheartedly. Noah followed instructions completely. He followed God’s instruction and specification on building of the ark Gen. 6 vs. 22 – Noah did everything just as God commanded him. Noah obeyed God and acted without delay or procrastination. Knowing me I probably would have rebuked the enemy and pleaded the blood, thinking that the enemy is trying to lead me on a fruitless journey. Or better still pretended I misheard and suggest to wait for the 5^th confirmation. And we all know that delayed obedience is disobedience, and only obedience unlocks understanding. But Noah didn't. Psalm 100 vs. 2 – worship the Lord with gladness, come before Him with joyful songs; Psalm 119 vs. 33 – Teach me O Lord to follow your decrees, then I will keep them to the end. John 14 vs. 15 – If you love me you will obey what I command.

Noah pleased God because he PRAISED and THANKED Him continually. God wants me to express my adorations and gratitude to Him Gen. 8 vs. 20 – Noah built an alter to the Lord and taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds he sacrificed burnt offering on it. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus I no longer need to offer animal sacrifice, but I still need to give God sacrifice of Praise [Heb. 13 vs. 15 - ] and thanksgiving [Psalm 116 vs. 17; Psalm 69 vs. 30]. I’ve noticed that when I please God by giving Him an offering of Praise and thanksgiving my heart is filled with unexplainable joy. Psalm 68 vs. 3 – but may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God, may they be happy and joyful.

So like Noah, I can please God by using MY ABILITY. Psalm 37 vs. 23 – If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm. Every human activity [Except sin] can be done for God’s pleasure if I do it with an attitude of praise – all for the glory of God. Therefore my abilities that God gave me can be used to please God. Psalm 33 vs. 15 – He who forms the heart of all who considers everything they do. To know that I will bring enjoyment to God by using what He gave me to use. Even if I were to misuse it, to bear in mind that God loves me regardless. He just wants the best for me. Psalm 103 vs. 4 – He knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

Lessons Learnt on Day 9

Therefore I have made up my mind, I am resolute, unwavering, determined to make pleasing God my life’s goal. 2 Corinth. 5 vs. 9 – My life’s goal to please God in any way I can. I have found that when I move my focus to pleasing God, making it my life’s ultimate goal, my focus changes. To completely loose myself to Him, trust and please Him implicitly MY ULTIMATE GOAL. Dear Lord Help me.

Day 8 – I was planned for God’s pleasure

I was planned for God’s pleasure

From the lessons learnt by the previous days, I now know that my life matters and I was planned for His purpose. However today, the Lord is teaching me that I was planned for His pleasure. God didn’t need to create me, but He chose to create me for His own enjoyment. I exist for His benefit, His glory, His purpose and His delight. Therefore bringing enjoyment to God, living for His pleasure is the first purpose of my life. Understanding this, means I will never feel insignificant. As this proves my worth to Him, for I was that important to Him to be created for eternity. Ephesians 1 vs. 5 – He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will.

By bringing pleasure to God this is a form of worship. Psalm 147 vs. 11 – the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their Hope in His unfailing Love. Anything I do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship not just music. I am made with the desire to worship God – John 4 vs. 23 – Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth – Worship is not for my benefit – this is why if I don’t render my worship to God, I tend to find something else to adore. And only God, the great I AM deserves the Glory.

I have found that when I worship, my goal is to bring pleasure to God, not myself. Isaiah 29 vs. 13 – These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.

That I am not here to give Him half hearted and hypocritical worship – For God doesn’t like this kind of worship – such as stale prayers, insincere praise, empty words and man made rituals without even thinking about the meaning. For God’s heart is only touched by my passion and commitment.

That Worship is not PART of my life, it IS my life, and should be done continually – Psalm 105 vs. 4 – Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always - and from Daybreak till sunset – Psalm 113 vs. 3 – From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Psalm 119 vs. 147 – I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 5 vs. 3 – In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice, in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectations. Psalm 34 vs. 1 – I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.

That in everything I do, I must do it for the glory of God [1 Corinth. 10 vs. 31] and be in constant communication with Jesus. That the work that I do, when dedicated to God, should be performed with an awareness of His presence – Colossians 3 vs. 23 – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord not for men.

Lessons Learnt on Day 8

Falling in Love with Jesus entails thinking about Him continuously continually every moment of my life. Therefore, I am now determined to make a conscious effort to praise and worship God in every area of my life continuously throughout my day.

Day 7 – I Live to show God’s glory

I Live to show God’s glory

Everything and everyone exists for the glory of the Lord – because without God’s glory there would be nothing. Romans 11 vs. 36 – For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things; To Him be the glory forever. Proverbs 16 vs. 4 – The Lord works out everything for His own ends. God’s glory is the expression of His goodness and all his other intrinsic, eternal qualities, because everything created by God reflects His glory in some way. Even Psalm 19 vs. 1 – The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Throughout History the Lord has revealed His glory to people in different ways – In the Garden of Eden [Gen. 3vs. 8]; to Moses [Ex. 33 vs. 18]; in the tabernacle and the temple [Ex. 40 vs. 33-38], through Jesus [John 1 vs. 14]; and now through the church [Ephesians 2 vs. 21-22; 2 Corinth. 4 vs. 6-7 – For God who said let light shine out of the darkness made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Christ. But we have this treasure in Jaws of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us; in heavens God’s glory provides all the light needed. And Revelations 21 vs. 38 – tells us – the city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives us light and the lamb is its lamp. Jesus is the light of the world and because of Him we are no longer in darkness. Hebrews 1 vs. 3 – The son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being – sustaining all things by His powerful word.

Glory is possessed by God; because it is His nature, and I as His creation am commanded to recognize, honour, declare, praise, reflect His glory and also live for His glory. Because I owe it to Him and He deserves it. And as a creator and owner of all things it is therefore His. HE DESERVES IT – Revelation 4 vs. 11 – You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.

I fail to give God His glory in my sins – Loving things more than God. This is a form or rebellion and this is why the devil failed. For I have lived for my own glory and not the Lord’s; Romans 3 vs. 23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God – All of us. And Yet I forget this is the biggest mistake of my life. Therefore giving God His glory should be the greatest achievement of my life and should be my ultimate goal. Isaiah 43 vs. 7 – Everyone who is called by my name who I created for my glory. Whom I formed and made.

So how do I give God His glory? Jesus told God – John 17 vs. 4 – I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. – Jesus honoured God by fulfilling His purpose on earth; I ought to try and do the same – because anything that fulfils its purpose in creation brings God glory.

Therefore I should bring God His glory -

by WORSHIPping Him, this should be motivated by Love, thanksgiving, delight and duty. This should be my lifestyle, giving myself over to be used by His purpose. Romans 6 vs. 13 - …but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.

by LOVING other believers, 1 John 3 vs. 14; Romans 15 vs. 7 – Accept one another, then just as Christ accepted you in order bring Praise to God – As Jesus Did – John 13 vs. 34 -35 – Love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.

by BECOMING like CHRIST – 2 Corinth. 3 vs. 18; God gave me a new life and a new nature when I accepted Christ. Well now He wants to continue the process of making me more like Christ. Philippians 1 vs. 11 – Filled with the fruit of righteousness that come through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. John 15 vs. 8 – This is to my Father’s glory, that you may bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

by SERVING others with my gift. For I was uniquely designed by God with talents, gifts, skills and abilities. And my gifts were not given to me for selfish purpose but to be of benefits to others. 1 Peter 4 vs. 10-11; 2 Corinth. 8 vs. 19.

by TELLING OTHERS about HIM. Because He doesn’t want His love and purpose be kept a secret, for I am expected to share it with others. 2 Corinth. 4 vs. 15 – All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Lessons Learnt on Day 7

Therefore living my life for the glory of God will require a change in my priorities, schedule, relationships and more. That it may require me to even choose a difficult path rather than an easier option. Even Jesus struggled with this [John 12 vs. 27 -28 – For my heart is troubled…Father glorify thy name].

So which will I choose? The self centred comfortable life for my own goals and pleasure or fulfil God’s purpose and bring glory to Him ; John 12 vs. 25 – The man who loves his life will loose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Therefore, I have chosen to LIVE for GOD – 1 Pet. 1 vs. 3 – His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who healed us by His own glory and godliness. John 1 vs. 12 – To those who received him He gave the right to be called children of God. It’s really all for Him.

Day 6 - My Life is an assignment

My Life is an assignment

My Life on earth is a temporary assignment – Job 8 vs. 9 – For we were born only yesterday and know nothing; and our days on earth are but a shadow. I am told that for me to make the best use of my life here on earth I must never forget compared to eternity that life here on earth is extremely brief. And is only a temporary residence. Therefore, I need to ask God to help me see life the way He sees it. Psalm 39 vs. 4 – show me O Lord my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. To show me that I’m only a foreigner; a stranger and my time here is only brief. Psalm 119 vs. 19 – I am a stranger on earth, do not hide your commands from me. Peter also spoke about it in 1 Peter 1 vs. 17 – since you call on the father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. Conditioning me to think differently to the way many do is a necessity. Philippians 3 vs. 20 – that our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly awaits a saviour from there, our Lord Jesus Christ.

In order to make sure my assignment here meets with a positive result, my priorities must be in check, for we are called Christ Ambassadors, as though God were making His appeals through us 2 Corinth. 5 vs. 20. Therefore we need to make a choice whose friend we want to become, as anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes and enemy of God James 4vs. 4. This is because this world is not our home - 1 Peter 2 vs. 11 – Dear Friends, I urge you as aliens, and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires which war against our soul ; and is a temporary set up - 1 Corinth. 7 vs. 31 – For this world in its present form is passing away.

Therefore bearing in mind that my life here on earth is a test, a truth, and a temporary assignment I have therefore decided to fix my eyes on Jesus; 2 Corinth. 4 vs. 18 – so we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. I am then reminded that’s as followers of Jesus, I will experience difficulty, sorrow [John 16 vs. 33, 20] and rejection [John 15 vs. 18, 19] whilst I am in the world, and so explains why I feel some of God’s promises have yet to be fulfilled, or some prayers have yet to be answered. This am told is not the end of my story. Consequently, to preclude me from being attached to this world, discontents and dissatisfactions are allowed to come my way by God, so that my longings is never satisfied even till the end. And it would be a fatal mistake to assume that God’s ultimate goal for my life is material success in this world – And for this reason never to focus on temporary success.

Lessons Learnt on Day 6

My life here on earth is not the complete story of my life. That it takes Faith to live on earth as a foreigner. Hence whenever I’m overwhelmed with doubt for living for Christ, I must remember that I’m not yet home. That this world is not my home, and therefore must live as someone who is but a stranger on a temporary assignment.

Day 5 - What is my view of life?

What is my view of life?

How do I define my life? What is my life? James 1 vs. 14 – says “why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”. The Way I see my Life shapes my Life – one of the best ways to understand others is to find out how they view their life. What is MY View on life – whatever it is? Let God transform it. Romans 12 vs. 2 – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, His good, pleasing and perfect will.

If you asked me what my view on my life was I would have said to suffer, to have trouble and sorrow, to end my life in disgrace. For my Life is a great huge TEST. I realise that in order for God to develop and reveal my character, He continually watches my response to people, problems, success, conflict, illness and disappointments by testing my Faith, obedience, Love, integrity and Loyalty. And they come by the way of major changes, delayed promises, impossible problems, unanswered prayers, undeserved criticism and even senseless tragedies. More importantly, is also how I act when I can’t feel God’s presence in my life. For me, I tend to loose my sense of hope, and be overwhelmed by my sense of hopelessness. This I know is wrong, which subsequently causes me to be overwhelmed with the guilt of not standing firm. I find that God intentionally draws back and I don’t sense his presence [though He is still there] – 2 Chronicles 32 vs. 31 – Like He did to King Hezekiah – But when envoys was sent by rulers of Babylon to ask him, about his miraculous sign that had occurred in the Land; God left him to test him and know everything that was in his heart. Hezekiah had enjoyed a close relationship with God and like me, at a crucial point in His life God allowed him to be alone to test his character. I realise that God does this for me in order to reveal weakness and to prepare me for more responsibility. The realization that my life is a test forces me to understand that nothing that happens to me is insignificant, but compulsory for my development. However I must bear in mind that God intends for me to pass the tests – 1 Corinth. 10 vs. 13 – No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Each time we overcome a test we are rewarded – James 1 vs. 12 – Blessed if the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised those who love him. My Life is also a TRUST thing. Everything we posses on this earth, all our resources are all gifts entrusted to us by God to manage well. For the bible tells us – Psalm 24 vs. 1 – The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. It is God’s property which has been entrusted in our care. 1 Corinth. 4 vs. 7 – For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? – And so with the knowledge that God owns all, I must learn to appreciate the benefits, but also take the best care of it that I can – I Corinth. 4 vs. 2 – Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. And we are reminded the importance of trust and its rewards in Matt. 25 vs. 21 – Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things – I will put you in charge of many things – come and share in your master’s happiness. A reminder that at the end of my time on this earth, my life will be evaluated and rewarded according to what I did with what God entrusted to me.

Now if I then treat all things the Lord has given me in trust well, not only will He give me His affirmation, but I will also receive a promotion – and will have greater responsibility in eternity. Luke 16 vs. 11 – so if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with riches – riches here meaning heavenly eternal riches. Luke 12 vs. 48 - says From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Lessons Learnt on Day 5

That my life is a test and a trust. That unless I can be trusted with the little, I can also be trusted with much – however if I’m dishonest with the little I’m entrusted with, I will also be dishonest in much – Luke 16 vs. 10. After spending this day with Him I realise that I haven’t been handling my tests very well – Have failed woefully – I pray therefore that I will be more like Joseph, Ester, Ruth, Daniel and countless others that passed their tests when they were faced with them.

Ask me again what my view on life is – my response – My test is still ongoing, but my view on it has changed.

Day 4 - The reason for my being

The reason for my being

Ecclesiastes 3 vs. 11 – says “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; Yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end”

The word of God has reminded me that my life on earth is actually a warm up lap, a practice workout, a rehearsal before the main event – LIFE IN ETERNITY; I was made to last forever, For Eternity. That my earthly body is just a temporary residence for my spirit – a tent – 2 Corinth. 5 vs. 1 – Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven. That when I fully comprehend that there is more to life than just the here and now – and that my life is just a preparation for eternity, I will start living in the light of eternity – which will affect how I handle every relationship, task and circumstance that comes my way. With all this in mind many activities, goals, and problems that have seemed so very important become trivial and unworthy of my attention. Philippians 3 vs. 7 – But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

So to make the most of my life, I must keep the vision of eternity continually in my mind and the value of it in my life. 1 Corinth. 2 vs. 9 – No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. Matt. 2 vs. 9 – Then the King will say to those on his right, come, you who are blessed by m father, take your inheritance, my kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world - The words of “before I was conceived I was chosen and an inheritance already prepared for me” has been on replay on my mind –

The purpose God has for my life doesn’t end on earth; His plan involves more than the minuscule time I will spend on this earth. For the word of God says in Psalm 33 vs. 11 – But the plans of the Lord stands Firm for ever. I need to be prepared for eternity. Just as the nine months I spent in my mother’s womb was a preparation for my life on earth, so also is my life on earth a preparation for my life in eternity. Because His words reminds me in Hebrews 13 vs. 14 – For here we do not have an enduring city; but we are looking for the city that is to come. Compared to eternity, my time on earth is but a fleeting moment, but the consequences of it will last forever. The deeds of my life on earth will determine the destiny of my life in the next. 2 Corinth. 5 vs. 6 – therefore we are always confident knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.

Lessons Learnt on Day 4

The reason for my being is to prepare me for eternity. 1 John 2 vs. 17 – The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God Lives Forever.

So now since I was made to last forever, I have decided to stop worrying about my today; because His word tells me that “whatever is has already been, and whatever will be concerning my life has been before, and God will call the past to account” Ecc. 3 vs. 15 – As in, everything about my life has already been processed by God and Done. Now all I need do is worry about preparing my life for eternity.

Day 3 – What has been the driving force of my life?

What has been the driving force of my life?

As I pondered on this question – I recognise that my life has been at one time or the other been driven by things that don’t involve God. Ecclesiastes 4 vs. 4 – And I saw that all labour and all achievement spring from man’s envy of his neighbour.

Such things as:

· guilt - my past mistakes had been controlling my future in terms of manipulating me through my memories. I understood that when I sinned my guilt disconnected me from God’s presence and like Cain – I had been wandering through life without a purpose [Gen. 4 vs. 12 – when you work the ground it will no longer yield its crop for you. You will be a restless wanderer]. We are the products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners of it – God is renowned for giving people a new beginning, a fresh start. Psalm 32 vs. 1 – Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

· resentment or anger; I needed to release those that have hurt me through forgiveness. Job 5 vs. 2 – resentment kills a fool and envy slays the simple – I am reminded here that by the simple act of me holding resentment I am foolish.

· Fear – That my fear regardless of its root will cause me to miss great opportunities. That it’s a self imposed prison that will keep me from becoming what God intends for me to be. 1 John 4 vs. 18 – There is no fear in Love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

· materialism; that my desire to acquire has become the whole goal of my life, which only provides temporary happiness – cause in the end I will always get bored with things and want newer ones. Reminding me that my value is not determined by my valuables – Because Real security can only be found in that which can never be taken from me which is my relationship with God.

· my need for approval – my being controlled by the opinions of others is a sure way to miss God’s purpose for my life. Jesus said in Matt 6 vs. 24 – no one ca serve two masters.. you cannot serve both God and Money.

So why is it important for me to know my purpose –

Knowing my purpose gives meaning to my life – without God life has no purpose, and without purpose life has no meaning. And without meaning life has no significance or hope. In the bible many expressed their despair - Isaiah 49 vs. 4 – I have laboured to no purpose, I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing; Yet what is due to me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with God. Job 7 vs. 6 – my days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope. Job 7 vs. 6 – I despise my life; I would not live forever let alone; my days have no meaning. For the greatest tragedy is not death but LIFE WITHOUT PURPOSE. But thankfully the plans that God has for me He knows, and He has declared it into being; plans to prosper me and not harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future – Jer. 29 vs. 11. Ephesians 3 vs. 20 – To him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask of imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.

Knowing my purpose simplifies my life – Isaiah 26 vs. 3 – you will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Knowing my purpose focuses my life – Philippians 3 vs. 13 - ..but one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead. Ephesians 5 vs. 17 – therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s WILL is. Knowing my purpose motivates my life and prepares me for eternity. Because building an eternal legacy is what matters as living to create an earthly one is a short sighted goal. Romans 14 vs. 10, 12 – For we will all stand before God’s judgement seat;… so then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. John 14 vs. 6 – Jesus answered I am the way and the truth and the life – no one comes to the Father except though me.

Lessons Learnt on Day 3

Living on purpose is the path to peace for God will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in God. Previously my family and friends would have said guilt, resentment or anger, materialism and my need for approval were the driving forces for my life. But I am happy to report that it is no longer the case.

Day 2 - Does my Life Matter?

Does my Life Matter?

Why was I born? was it only to have trouble and sorrow, to end my life in disgrace (Jer. 20 vs. 18). This is the questions many ask themselves - and to be truthful I have also asked such questions. In order to answer these questions I must turn to the word of God. As I read His words I realised that Long before I was conceived by my parents, I was conceived in the mind of God. I was thought of - fate, chance, luck coincidence had nothing to do with it. That I am alive today because God wanted to create me. Isaiah 44 vs. 2 – This is what the Lord says – He who made you, who formed you in the womb and who will help you – Do not be afraid. Psalm 138 vs. 8 – The Lord will fulfill ‘His Purpose for me’; The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me

That He deliberately chose my race, the colour of my skin, my hair and every feature of my body. That I was custom made just the way He wanted me to be. Psalm 139 vs. 15 – My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest part of the earth. Therefore, because God made me for a reason He chose when I will be born, what day, month year e.t.c. Psalm 139 vs. 16 – Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

God planned where I would live for His purpose. For His word tells me in Acts 17 vs. 26 – From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth, and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. Nothing in my life is random, its all for a purpose. Ephesians 1 vs.4 – For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight; In LOVE. And James 1 vs. 18 reminds us – He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.

Isaiah 45 vs 18 – For this is what the Lord says – He who created the heavens, He is God; He who fashioned and made the earth; He founded it; He did not create it to be empty but formed it to be inhabited. The Lord created the world so I can live in it. And why did He do all this, Because God is Love – I John 4 vs. 8 – whoever does not love does not know God; Because God is Love. I am reminded that God made me in order to express His Love – Isaiah 46 vs. 3-4 – You whom I have upheld since you were conceived and have carried since your birth – Even to your old age and grey hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

After studying these verses I finally realise that God made me for a reason and that my life has profound meaning. That when I make God the reference point of my life then I will discover the meaning and purpose of my life. Romans 12 vs.13 – Be Joyful in Hope, Patient in affliction and Faithful in prayer.

Lessons Learnt on Day 2

That I’m not an accident; I was in God’s care before I was born.

Day 1 - Inspiration, Illumination and Revelation

I have been wondering of what to do during this season and those that have been attending the TERC meeting have always heard me complain of my lack of understanding of my purpose.

My church back home in the UK has started 40 days spiritual significant time period and has chosen to study the book by Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life. I have had the book for a while (a present from my best friend in 2004) – but I’ve never managed to finish it as I always head straight to chapter one and try to finish the book all in one read. Obviously I get to chapter 12 stop and always find other things to get in my way of completing the book.

Of late – I’ve lacked motivation and my relationship with God appears to have done a downward spiral - in terms of me allowing my problems be more than a distraction. But I have decided that enough is enough.

I have chosen to believe that my DISTRACTION IS A CONFIRMATION OF MY SUCCESS. That the enemy is fighting dirty because he knows that I have an advantage over him because he knows I have Jesus – so he cant beat me or destroy me so he chose to try and distract me. Well I have news for you. It a’int working!!!. I will elaborate on a later date.

Today is Day 2/3 of my spiritual significant period and I have chosen to call this series – Inspiration, Illumination and Revelation. I will try to do a daily / weekly summary of what I believe God is using the book – especially with the help of the bible to teach me. I pray that it will also bless others and write to me if you’ve been blessed by the series. For His word says in 1 Timothy 2 vs. 7 – reflect on what God is saying, For the Lord will give you insight into all this -

Thank you Jesus.

Day 1 – It is not ABOUT ME

In the search for my purpose in life unbeknown to me I had started the search in the wrong place, position and with the wrong questions. I had asked selfish self centred questions like - what is it I want in life?, what is it I would like to do with my life?, where is it I want to be in life?, what are my goals?, my life’s ambition? and where do I see myself going?. There is nothing wrong with asking such questions but the questions needs to be directed to God. Because focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose, unless we direct them to God – For His words says in the following verses -

Colossians 1 vs. 16 – “For by Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible..”

Job 12 vs. 10 – In His hand is the Live of every creature – and the breath of all mankind

Romans 8 vs. 6 – The mind of a sinful man is death but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace

Matt 16 vs. 25 – For whoever wants to save his life will loose it, but whoever looses his life for me will find it

1 Corinth 2 vs. 7 – NO, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began

Ephesians 1 vs. 11 – In Him we were chosen having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.

God is definitely the source of my life – and I Must Turn to His word. I found that -

1. I can only discover my identity and purpose through a relationship with JESUS Christ

2. That His purpose for me predates my conception. That I may choose my career, my life partner, my house, my hobbies, my friends, But I don’t get to choose my purpose – cause without Him all the other stuff is meaningless

3. That the purpose of my life fits into a larger design of God.

Lesson Learnt

So as I pondered on what I have learnt I come to the realisation that – It really isn’t about me, but All about Him – that all things were created by Him for me and that Life is really about living for God and not for my self.

Day 2 to be continued before the end of the day – and Day three which is today will be posted up before tomorrow morning. I’m so loving this.

Warn her for me - very well!!!!!

Your mind can easily be weighed down if you do not take care not to dwell on situations for longer than a sec. pay attention that you don’t loose yourself in the care of the world. Because by making that situation a master over you – then the battle of your mind has already been lost. We need to remember that in all things that God is more than able. To open that door, to restore that which was lost, or to give you that peace that has no sorrow in it.

You remember her – don’t you all

“her” - The woman who never seems to be happy with How God had delivered, saved and blessed her. She had allowed herself to be ungrateful yet again. Had forgotten all that God did and was still doing for her, and because she was busy looking across the lanes that were occupied by others – she had begun to drift over – to the point where the spirit of heaviness had taken over her thought process. She had forgotten Psalm 37 vs. 7 and had disobeyed vs. 8.

I heard her say the other day_ two month but one ago -:

~ What is it that makes me happy? If life itself no longer makes me happy, how can I ever have an abundant life? ~

~ Each day I get a little withdrawn, ashamed of whom I’ve become. Life itself has lost its zest. I find my mind telling me you need to find a way out. But I have no more desire to look for a way out. Each day I become weaker than before, and the strength to move out of the pit continues to leave me ~.

~ What have I become? How have I gotten here? When did it get so bad? ~

~ Worries of life have begun to take over me and the thought of death no longer saddens me ~

~ They will be better off without me; Many times I've considered making a will. My desire to stay alive has been quenched ~ the only thing I look forward to now is when I’m called home ~

~ I have no more aspiration, and can no longer look forward into the future. What have I done to myself I exclaimed? ~

It is obvious that she has been drinking that mind destructing liquor, again – however she is loved, cause no sooner did the thought cross her mind – the Lord reminded her who she was in Christ Jesus – CHOSEN, HIS, BELOVED, SOUGHT AFTER, FRIEND, Great Woman, woman after God’s own heart, Friend of God..

Sometimes I Life of a stranger gets beleaguered trying to encourage this woman. Encouraging her is a full time job I tell ya. Imagine what the angels are saying in heaven concerning this young lady – that complains about life more than Job (and like Job her latter will be better than her former) – She’s just impatient that’s all. She has picked up Psalm 37 again – and the Lord has been using His word to help her through this process. Jaycee reminded me this morning of Romans 2 vs. 1 – this word has been a humbling experience for “her”.

For all the people in a struggle that think God has forgotten you, He hasn’t. Be encouraged. She is. I have also directed her to go read Jaycees blog – that young lady is anointed, or is it our loveliest Cherub and Miss D. She’s sending a shout out to all you ladies.

TERC really is awesome – come check it out when you have the time. The Spirit of the Lord moved this morning really it was an awesome bible study. Looking forward to Next week Friday’s meeting already – God willing I will be there.

Have a blessed weekend.

Drama in paradise.

So I’m not sure if I had mentioned that my mum is in the country. In fact she is in ATL visiting her elder sister. Now she has other sisters and brothers living around Georgia, but her younger sister has fallen out with her elder sister and brother. They have not spoken in years. The youngest one is very strong willed and can say a few strong words to you that could kill if you are not careful. Her elder sister has never been much of one to be involved in a fight – and doesn’t have the strength to argue with anyone.

Anyways the younger one had accused the elder one of doing many ghastly things to her – ok – and the brother had taken offence over her attitude towards them and her insults + insinuations. So now my mum is heavily involved – because she came to visit – and my mum is one of those that are ever ready to fight. Punches or whatever, she is able and ready - The strongest and fittest mum that I have ever known. She could still chase you around the house even now – and her slippers are still able to fly solo non-stop for longer than a few minutes.

Reports have been sent home to gran ma that I am a terrible daughter. Apparently I had said a few things about my mum’s growing up and they were not pleasant to say the least. My people Life of a stranger is in deep trouble. I have been accused of concocting stories and words have been sent home to gran ma about my behaviour. I have had to wake gran ma in the middle of the night to say I’m sorry for whatever it is I have done – I dare not call my aunt a lair – they might turn against me - biko mma eweliwe. My mum’s elder sister believes there is no smoke without fire – so I must have said something. My mama say na lie – they berra stay off her daughter before she deals with them….come and see drama. And the youngest is saying keep me out of it – I told you don’t get me involved.

Aunty what is it I was supposed to have said to you. Biko tell me. There was me having a seriously well deserved nap before making my way to my papers, before my mum called crying that her mama said that I had upset her. Kai. Luckily after speaking to gran ma – she told me not to worry – that she only wants to hear good news that all she asks is that the sisters live in peace. We spoke about other things then I said my good night. Mum returns to England over the weekend – she said she is really looking forward to going home. She don tire…

I’m glad my mum came – however I have found myself in the middle of warring sisters. Now I know how bijou felt back in the day. This is not a good place to be. I miss my fav aunties. All this sisters – why must they spoil things for us?/ or should I say me.

Why cant he let it go

Or should I say me [she said].

He loves me, he says. I think I know he does, he's made his intetions and his feelings glaringly clear to me. I think I love him too. Its so easy being with him, and talking to him - apart from his fake amerablam accent - Im not sure if he's lived in the US before - infact I know he hasn't - but I think I can go past the accent, and accept him for who he is.

I'm trying to be realistic. I need to make sure I love him for the correct reasons and not because of the way he makes me feel especially when I hear his voice. He still calls even after we'd said our goodbyes. He said he understood and have accepted, and yet he always makes me want to loose control of myself whenever I talk to him. I know its probably my flesh taking, but I should know better.

Darn it, why woun't he just let me go. It would have been alot easier to look forward to the future, but all this taking 10 steps backwards and two steps forward is taking its tool on me. I think Im tired now. My mind is made up and I remain resolute on my decision, but if only he could move on, I know I will be happy. I shan't tell as lie. His words of encouragement, and his remarkable insights into life's problems is very much needed, and just a word from him commands much respect. How can he be so good, but so wrong.

He needs to let her go. Its time she starts to look forward to what plans God has instore for her. I pray he can let it go, and then let her go.

Jabez

The following is an excerpt taken from the message sent to my email box weekly by the pastor of my church in England. And I felt to share it. I believe it will bless someone.

“ye have not, because ye ask not”. James 4.2

To bless means to give favour. Give pleasure. Bring happiness. Bring success. So the man who wants, like Jabez to, be more honourable than his brothers prays, Whatever You do, Lord, please bless me, and bless me a lot! Bless me significantly.

Jabez started, like Jacob, with many odds against him. From childhood, he was a prisoner of a curse of sorrow and pain. Yet what is most memorable about this man is not where He started or what he had to overcome, but where he ended up. Take a few moments to ask yourself what name you or others or circumstances have put on your life. Is your heritage or record stamped with labels like – Disappointment – Not very Smart – Unwanted – Rejection – Failure – Continuous Sickness / illness – Poverty – Servitude?

Your Heavenly Father’s name for you is not any of these; It is – CHOSEN (John 15.19 NIV) – MINE (Psa50.10-1) – BELOVED (Deut 33.12) – SOUGHT AFTER (Isa6212) – FRIEND (James 2.23) – Prosperous – Cedar – Mighty Man of Valour – Great Woman – Burning and shining light – Man after God’s own heart – Friend of God – etc.

Start praying the prayer of Jabez daily from today! Read it in 2 Chronicles 4.9,10. You may want to enlarge it and pray something like this for this week:

Dear Lord,

I want every single blessing that You would love to give me.

Forgive me for not desiring these enough to ask for them.

Please open Your heart, and be gracious to me. So let me experience You today,

In all of Your abundant loving kindness, even though I am in all of my unworthiness.

Touch my life in ways that are very personal so that I don’t miss Your fingerprints.

Bless me, Lord, I pray, bless me, significantly.

And I will praise You from whom all blessings flow.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Hope your week has been good. I have been praying this prayer and I’m expecting something super to happen swiftly soon. Stay blessed all.

Too Fantastic – the story I mean

So when I was in my undergraduate years living in good old south London, I was working for this glazing company as a claims assessor. I loved the job, but hated getting up too early in the morning to get there. I had been working there for some of my university years, so when I decided to take a year out, out of education I continued working for them.

So most morning it was the habitual struggle of getting up and trying to get to work for 8am. Everyday I would be tempted to phone in sick, always thinking of what stories to tell, but alas no joy there.

And yet there was another like me. Every week something always seemed to happen to her that would cause her to take the day off. I was so sure she was making it up, but then again... One day she said she had woken up to a cordoned off road, cause a young boy had been stabbed right in front of her house and the police weren’t letting anyone out. She had to be questioned cause her room was directly opposite where the incident took place and she had to have seen it (yeah I don’t remember seing that on the news). Another day she said she had walked all the way to the local bus stop, and whilst she was standing in front of a huge puddle, the bus driver had driven his huge bus over the water puddle and had soaked her entire clothes in dirty water. So she had to walk all the way back home to change – [house was 20mins from bus stop]. Which she said was the reason why she came to work at 11.00am (yeah but she wasn’t a pedestrian – she had a nice car – hmm maybe car trouble??- I’ll let it go). Another day, she had gone to her car and found it missing. After a couple of hrs, had found it on a different street – (right!!! cause someone had stolen it). Another day she had dressed so stylishly to get to work, on her way there one heel had snapped off, and she had to go back all the way home to change her shoes (right – cause the shoe shop next to our office didn’t sell shoes in her size - right). Another day someone had tried to mug her, and she had fought them off, so she had to spend the morning at the police station. But she didn’t come back with a police report number. Just thinking of her stories made me cringe with envy, always thinking “how does she do it, how does she get away with it – people like me also found it hard to get to work – but I’m here.

Imagine the extent many would go just to get away from work. I even heard that there were some silly people over here that would phone in sick at work and go on television shows, come on, that’s just jokes.

Has anyone ever encountered one of them??!!!!!!!..

Oh by the way - I was sent this video, thought it was interesting - Who said white men can't dance? - They can!!!!



Thanks Diamond for all the help.

From Osi with Love - MINE

I have recently acquired a new friend. I’m truly excited. Except that he lives in England (that’s not so bad) and his phone bill is sky rocketing (this is bad). He truly is a magnificent and wonderful fellow and I’m glad that the Lord sent him my way. He really is quite refreshing, funny, witty and without a doubt sweet. Our outlook on life and the daily struggles of trying to find our purpose was something we scarily had in common. And we’ve decided to encourage each other along. He is very much single, so at least we can be single together (at least for the next 6months – but nothing is guaranteed – right!! He sent me one of the many articles he’s written (oh did I forget to mention that he is also a poet). After reading many of his fine work, I pleaded with him to let me post this one. He has. From Osi with Love - Mine

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Every once in a while my heart wanders to times long gone. Memories sweet and bitter, dreams long abandoned and forgotten back to hunt me. There is a conflict between faded fantasies and new aspirations. The feeling is hard to explain, impossible to place as good or bad. I feel trapped yet free, my heart feels heavy but light. I feel wrapped in a seamless cloud of joy and sadness.

My heart wanders. The one thing on my mind is the beauty and innocence of childhood, the perfect and pure smile of a toddler, his wrinkle free face that neither feels nor understands the pain of this world. Without fear of the days to come, with complete trust he staggers as he explores the world. His world is pure and without selfish motives. No Matter how many times he stumbles he is up again. Failure never holds him back; he knows nothing about selfish motives. Without pride or shame he cries with all his heart. With the same energy he laughs as he rolls in the dust.

How I miss those days. Times when my youthful mind was pure. Back then I was in a hurry to get out of bed because there was work to be done. There was a world to touch. The 14 year old boy could give his whole heart to a course he believed in. Now my mind is dragged away by so many things. The alarm clocks don’t get me out of bed any more. It only tells me how many more hours I can give to sleep. I look in the mirror and I am shocked at the man I have become. The receding hair line and the extra wrinkles I can stand, but the drifted heart tears me apart. How did it come to this? Where did I fail? How have I failed?

Once again I find it hard to get on my feet, so I remain on my knees and ask for help. I know He has not given up on me. He never gives up on us. Time slips but I must hold on. I must fight to keep the dreams of my youth alive. To live life to the full, to experience the reason I am and return to my essence.

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My Brother the Protection Commotion master!!

Good morning Blogpals. My people Ndewo nu.

It feels like I’ve been away for ever but that’s not true. It’s the beginning of the year, and one needs to write their vision statement down and make it known for what it is they are expecting from God this 2007.

As many of you know I went home for the Christmas and New Year break. I was sort of tired of my cooking, and I wanted to go and really be pampered and feast on my mum’s food. She’s one of those that will keep you awake all night chatting and eating at the same time. You end up having 4 meals a day, plus plenty of snacks in between. And later on she will be the first to tell you, “your fine figure has stared to take a turn for the worse. You know you are a beautiful girl and you need to loose some weight – only a little will do”. So to say when I was growing up in my parent’s home, my weight always fluctuated, and would loose weight when I was away from home. Her food was too good not to eat. It was simply belisimo!!!

It was fun catching up with all my sisters and brothers and to hear that my baby brother – let’s call him ebere – was running a protection commotion at school. Yep you heard it correctly.

Let us start from the beginning. Our neighbourhood is an all white neighbourhood and ebere has always been very tall for his age. Year 7 boys in my high school (which is first year of secondary school) always had their own lavatory room, so that they don’t get bullied by older boys, and they would always have teachers and 6^th form prefects monitoring their toilets. When ebere was in year 7, he was never allowed in these toilets unless he had his school book showing his name his year and his form teacher, a form of Id for him, and sometimes he would cry (bless him). All his class mates were significantly shorter than him and the prefects and teachers would never believe ebere was a year 7 student. This carried on throughout year 7.

When they moved to year 8, they were now prime targets to be bullied by older boys, so his friends had a meeting with other boys from the same year and they agreed to ask ebere not only to be their friend but to also protect them. They told him that they would each pay him £2 each day for the honour of standing next to him. Imagine!!! Ebere agreed, he didn’t really care. Every day boys from all over the year would come and pay him money just so that they would hang out with him. The other older boys never came round them whenever they were with ebere, cause not only did he sound like a man, he was built like one too.

My sweet brother would run home every day and give my mum his change to hold for him. Ebere has always had money. I sometimes send him money weekly to charge his cell phone and he has 3 other older sister to give him money apart from me, so my mum never really thought anything of it, because she was ebere savings manager, and at the end of the month, they would go to the bank together and deposit it. So on the second day, my mum felt that the money he was exchanging with her was a little more than normal and felt to ask ebere where the sudden increase in funds was coming from. He subsequently relayed the whole story about how all the boys in his year came to him for protection. After the third day, the sweet boy he was, told them not to pay him anymore for protection and that he would protect them for free. He felt sorry for them and allowed them to hang out with him if they wanted (Imagine – If that was me, I would have made some serious money out of this venture – but that wasn’t his style).

I also think there’s more to the story. Ebere is the only student in his school to have scored top marks consecutively in the years he has been in that school. The school sends out postcards at the end of each semester informing us that he is the top scorer in all of his subjects and that they would like to congratulate him yet again. So I feel that they probably hang out with him to see if there was something they could learn from him (maybe not all of them, but at least some). We as a family have been blessed by him. Not only is he a blessing to his friends and all that know him he is also a delightful and generous Youngman. I think He also gave them back their money (Silly boy!!). He is still growing and acquiring more friends by the day. He is well respected – Imagine that from a young boy.

Your Words for 2007

Greetings all, I would like to apologies to all for my inability to update my blog and do my blog rounds. To say I have been under house arrest in the comforts of my parent’s home is definitely an understatement. I loved every moment of it. And God was right in saying it is not good for life of a stranger to be alone – LOL. This break was much needed and both spiritually and physically refreshing. There is no place like home. I am now back in Virginia (arrived very late last night – and was eager to get back to my experiments – so to say I am now at work).

Before I continue, I felt that seeing as this is my very first post this 2007, it makes sense to start of with words to encourage you this new year. So that at the end of the new year, when you take a stock list - you will know that the Lord Had been good to you this 2007, and that His sweet words did not return to Him empty, and that He is faithful.

You are Destined to Triumph because there shall be a fulfillment of God’s words to you.
In 2007, you are destined to triumph. You are not heading toward defeat, you do not have an appointment with failure and you are not being set up for a disappointment. It does not matter what the natural projections or extrapolations or statistics say about your circumstances. You are heading towards victory. Its waiting for you, it’s been prophesied, foretold and prearranged. In this new year listen to what God is saying to you: Isa 54.4 "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.

Yes I know you have prayed and waited and desired for, and held on to the prophetic words that have been spoken over your life and it looks like your hands are growing weary of holding, whilst the enemy is also busy, tirelessly painting the picture of hopelessness, and you have been reminding God of how old you are and how the time is passing. Nevertheless, take courage. I declare to you that Seven is a number of divine perfection, and God shall perfect that which concerneth you. This year more than ever before, there shall be a performance of that which He spoke into your life. Listen:"Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign LORD.’" Eze 12:28.

For whereas you have said "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me." Isa 49.14 - This is The Lord’s response to you as you move on into 2007: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isa 49.15,16 Hence with confidence proceed into 2007 with the faith of Abraham who -
Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Rom. 4.18-21.

Do not consider the limitations of your human capabilities neither the enormity of the task ahead of you. Do not let the height of the mountain you have to climb daunt you. God is not asking you to do it in YOUR own strength. He asks you to be strong IN THE LORD!

Your need (what you need) to accomplish what you see in front of you this year will not be dependent on, or supplied by the strength of your bank account or your own riches. They can only be and will be supplied according to HIS RICHES IN GLORY, IN CHRIST JESUS! (Phil 4.13) Now, that is exciting. And if you feel overwhelmed by what is ahead, with the enemy parading your goliath before you perpetually to intimidate you, (For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 1Sam 17.16) Remember that:“the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill … Ec 9:11.

No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. Ps 33.16-19

At other times you may look at those who have “made it” both in and out of The Kingdom and you feel inferior because you do not have their administrative skills, neither their business acumen nor their leadership strategies etc. Let me assure you. I agree with God that “It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was God’s right hand, God’s arm, and the light of God’s face, for God loved them. Ps 44.3 - What God has done for them He wants to do for you! He is no respecter of persons.

In closing what I believe God is saying to you to carry you through this glorious New Year, is to listen to these sweet words from The Lord: Behold, … saith the LORD, … I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. Jer 33:14.

Personalise it; memorise it, and say it constantly, declaring it to your spirit “Behold in this year 2007, … The LORD will perform that good thing which He has promised unto me” Hence I can say with confidence to you: “Blessed (are YOU) that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told (YOU) from the Lord. (Lu 1:45).

So what Have I been up to – Will update on a later date. Stay blessed all. And a Blessed new year to you all. I am well.