An African proverb says “an enemy that you know can no longer harm you”. This however, does not hold true for some of us who know our weaknesses and still suffer because of their poor management. It is commendable that we are sometime able to frankly identify our weaknesses. It is a different ball game to see to the proper management of such weaknesses. What then is a weakness?
Weakness is a character or possession that one is so much attached to even if it prevents the fulfillment of one’s purpose. There was a time in my life when laziness dealt with me. I knew I was lazy and often time blame laziness for my misfortune. But, I was not determined enough to request for God’s backing in order to combat laziness and instill hard work in myself. Thank God for His timely help when I later asked for it.
I was discussing with a young man of about 24, 25 years old. He told me that he should have been a graduate considering when he finished his secondary school education but for stubbornness. Later that same day, he annoyingly left home and decided to leave for the village the next morning just because of his sister’s negligible provocation. He was able to identify his weakness but could not tame it.
The rich young man in the New Testament was too proud to do away with his weakness and was unable to fulfill his vision of having eternal life. When you sincerely do not know your weakness, prayerfully ask God and He will point it out to you. Honest people can also tell you but do not behave like that young rich man who got angry when told to get rid of his riches –which was his weakness. Rather, acknowledge it and start the process of checkmating it.
When you know your weakness, you have conquered it twenty percent. Your determination and work towards putting it under control increases the percent to sixty. God’s introduction into the plan makes it hundred percent. Just as the knowledge of your weakness alone cannot put it under control, so can your determination and work do little or nothing about it. Everything must go together.
Peter knew he cannot do anything without Jesus. He was therefore determined to do anything to stop him from been taken away. Unfortunately for him, Jesus was taken away and he had to face his weakness squarely. With determination and God’s backing through Holy Spirit, he overcame after all. Three thousand men gave their lives to Jesus after his first sermon.
That is to prove to you that your determination and work without God is nothing. Identify your weakness(es) today and start the process of combating it. Read relevant books, take advice from experienced individuals and live under the influence of the Holy Spirit. This may be a life long process!
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Sunday, 20 May 2012
WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING
A preacher once woke a man sleeping on the decking of his house with his bell early in the morning. The man was challenged seeing someone go about, doing God’s work. After sometime, he (the man) saw a woman who was carrying what he assumed to be valuable goods. The woman got to a junction and dropped the load so as to take the remnant.
Before she came, the preacher was already on his way back. When he (the preacher) got to where the woman kept her goods, he stopped jingling his bell and checked to make sure no one is around. Being convinced that no one is watching, he took the goods and attempted to go away with them. Unknown to him was the fact that someone was up there watching.
This is a very sad funny story but we all at one point or the other, find ourselves in this kind of situation. We often look right, left, front and back to be sure no one is watching. Unfortunately, we do not remember to look up or down. Looking down might at least remind us of our death. It might remind us the fact that everything is vanity and nothing more. It could also bring to mind that men are from ground and there will they return.
Up there is an eye that never blinks. An eye that never miss one out of the eighty-six thousand, four hundred(86, 400) seconds in a day. The eye sees, analyzes and record every action of each individual human, simultaneously. It is capable of playing back what had been recorded several millenniums back. Is the fear of such an awesome eye not worth it? When no one is watching…God is!
Before she came, the preacher was already on his way back. When he (the preacher) got to where the woman kept her goods, he stopped jingling his bell and checked to make sure no one is around. Being convinced that no one is watching, he took the goods and attempted to go away with them. Unknown to him was the fact that someone was up there watching.
This is a very sad funny story but we all at one point or the other, find ourselves in this kind of situation. We often look right, left, front and back to be sure no one is watching. Unfortunately, we do not remember to look up or down. Looking down might at least remind us of our death. It might remind us the fact that everything is vanity and nothing more. It could also bring to mind that men are from ground and there will they return.
Up there is an eye that never blinks. An eye that never miss one out of the eighty-six thousand, four hundred(86, 400) seconds in a day. The eye sees, analyzes and record every action of each individual human, simultaneously. It is capable of playing back what had been recorded several millenniums back. Is the fear of such an awesome eye not worth it? When no one is watching…God is!
Saturday, 19 May 2012
THERMOSTATIC AND THERMOMETRIC BEINGS
Thermometer is an instrument that measures the temperature of a body. It does this by adjusting its own temperature to that of the body it comes in contact with. Thermostat on the other hand, is an instrument used for keeping the temperature of a place constant. It does this by constantly supplying heat until the environmental temperature equals the one it gives out.
Human beings can be grouped either as 'thermometric being' or 'thermostatic being'. Don't even try looking up these grouping in any Science textbook neither should you 'Google' it -you won't find them anywhere else!
Some people are just like the chameleon. They adjust their attitude to suite that of those living wherever they find themselves. They care so much about what people will say if seen doing the right thing as against the wrong thing in vogue. These people are those I call the 'thermometric beings'! They are easily influenced.
When a 'thermostatic being' gets to a gathering, boredom becomes a past experience. They cannot be in a place without everyone noticing. Everybody in the street soon start doing whatever they do. They influence!
Where do you belong? For me, I'm a 'thermometstatic being'! (That's a joke). Seriously, let's ask ourselves these seemingly negligible questions: Do I really have to follow multitude to do evil? Do I have to take or give bribe because people do it? Do I have to have sex before marriage because my friends do it? Do I have to drop an empty sachet of 'pure water' because there are thousands of it lying of the floor? Do I have to cheat before I can pass an exam? Do I have to dress indecently just because it's the trendy fashion? Do I have to rain abuses on policemen because of...(no comment)? Do I have to chant curses on PHCN officials each time there's power cut? I can go on and on... We must learn to do the right things not minding what others do. Let others be positively influenced by you!
Human beings can be grouped either as 'thermometric being' or 'thermostatic being'. Don't even try looking up these grouping in any Science textbook neither should you 'Google' it -you won't find them anywhere else!
Some people are just like the chameleon. They adjust their attitude to suite that of those living wherever they find themselves. They care so much about what people will say if seen doing the right thing as against the wrong thing in vogue. These people are those I call the 'thermometric beings'! They are easily influenced.
When a 'thermostatic being' gets to a gathering, boredom becomes a past experience. They cannot be in a place without everyone noticing. Everybody in the street soon start doing whatever they do. They influence!
Where do you belong? For me, I'm a 'thermometstatic being'! (That's a joke). Seriously, let's ask ourselves these seemingly negligible questions: Do I really have to follow multitude to do evil? Do I have to take or give bribe because people do it? Do I have to have sex before marriage because my friends do it? Do I have to drop an empty sachet of 'pure water' because there are thousands of it lying of the floor? Do I have to cheat before I can pass an exam? Do I have to dress indecently just because it's the trendy fashion? Do I have to rain abuses on policemen because of...(no comment)? Do I have to chant curses on PHCN officials each time there's power cut? I can go on and on... We must learn to do the right things not minding what others do. Let others be positively influenced by you!
WHY DESTROY?
It takes a minimum of seven days to build an average house but it won't take up to seven seconds to demolish the tallest skyscraper. You won't ask me how if you are technology inclined. Destroying things seems to be a lot easier than creating them.
Some people derive a kind of devilish joy when they destroy things. They are not satisfied until whatever comes to their hands is spoilt. Some catch fun when others are crying... The sponsors of this dreaded 'Boko Haram' sect belong to this group of people.
Another form of disastrous destruction is the one that's done with the tongue. Tongue, they say is the smallest sense organ but as small as it is, it can destroy the whole body. In it lies the power of life and death -so says the Bible.
Yes, you may not be destructive when it comes to physical destruction, what about those scars you've left in the hearts of people through careless use of tongue? What about the verbal abuse you've constantly engaged in? Have you ever had a second thought on those comments you made when you were angry? Remember that we all will give account of every single word that we utter someday.
Watch what you say and how you say it...your life depends on them. By 'them' I mean your statements, comments, phrases, words! Always think twice before talking. Don't let your mind be on your lips! ...don't destroy what you can or cannot create cos you are a creative being! You are created to (pro)create!!
Some people derive a kind of devilish joy when they destroy things. They are not satisfied until whatever comes to their hands is spoilt. Some catch fun when others are crying... The sponsors of this dreaded 'Boko Haram' sect belong to this group of people.
Another form of disastrous destruction is the one that's done with the tongue. Tongue, they say is the smallest sense organ but as small as it is, it can destroy the whole body. In it lies the power of life and death -so says the Bible.
Yes, you may not be destructive when it comes to physical destruction, what about those scars you've left in the hearts of people through careless use of tongue? What about the verbal abuse you've constantly engaged in? Have you ever had a second thought on those comments you made when you were angry? Remember that we all will give account of every single word that we utter someday.
Watch what you say and how you say it...your life depends on them. By 'them' I mean your statements, comments, phrases, words! Always think twice before talking. Don't let your mind be on your lips! ...don't destroy what you can or cannot create cos you are a creative being! You are created to (pro)create!!
THE COCOON
I once read a story of a man who saw a young butterfly that was struggling to get out of its cocoon. After sometimes, he thought of helping the poor little creature. This he did by tearing the cocoon apart thereby freeing the butterfly.
It was after he tore the cocoon that he noticed that the butterfly has an extra-large abdomen that prevented it from flying. The cocoon was actually there to shape it to size by expelling some of the body fluid. This man unfortunately did more harm than good to the butterfly.
That's why I'll like you to see those difficulties, those challenges, those hard times, those financial constraints, those delays, those disappointments, those pains, those frustrations of yours as 'cocoon'. They are there to shape you!!
There is certainly no glory without a story. If you don't know, I'm telling you now that that gold that shines so bright went through fire of some thousand degree Celsius. Whatever you're going through now is a process. Trust me; you're coming out glorious and like the eagle, you'll soar so high!!!
It was after he tore the cocoon that he noticed that the butterfly has an extra-large abdomen that prevented it from flying. The cocoon was actually there to shape it to size by expelling some of the body fluid. This man unfortunately did more harm than good to the butterfly.
That's why I'll like you to see those difficulties, those challenges, those hard times, those financial constraints, those delays, those disappointments, those pains, those frustrations of yours as 'cocoon'. They are there to shape you!!
There is certainly no glory without a story. If you don't know, I'm telling you now that that gold that shines so bright went through fire of some thousand degree Celsius. Whatever you're going through now is a process. Trust me; you're coming out glorious and like the eagle, you'll soar so high!!!
Saturday, 24 December 2011
PROPHECY FOR THE YEAR 2012
2012 shall be our year of:
Amazing Achievements,
Bountiful Blessings,
Contagious Connection,
Double Dividends,
Enormous Enlargement,
Fabulous Favour,
Generational Goodness,
HEROIC Honour,
Idylic Identity,
Joint Jubilation,
Kickstarted Kingship,
Long-lasting Liberty,
Mind-blowing Miracles,
Necessitated Nobility,
Overwhelming Outcome,
Perfect Peace,
Quadrupled Quantum-leap,
Resounding Recognition,
Salient Success,
Terrific Transformation,
Unequalled Uplift,
Vast Victory
Well-earned Wealth
and Xtremely Yielding Zenith!
These are not just brilliant arrangement of words, they are what you and I should look out for in the year to come! Endeavour to claim every single word and see God swing into action...
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR IN ADVANCE!!!
Amazing Achievements,
Bountiful Blessings,
Contagious Connection,
Double Dividends,
Enormous Enlargement,
Fabulous Favour,
Generational Goodness,
HEROIC Honour,
Idylic Identity,
Joint Jubilation,
Kickstarted Kingship,
Long-lasting Liberty,
Mind-blowing Miracles,
Necessitated Nobility,
Overwhelming Outcome,
Perfect Peace,
Quadrupled Quantum-leap,
Resounding Recognition,
Salient Success,
Terrific Transformation,
Unequalled Uplift,
Vast Victory
Well-earned Wealth
and Xtremely Yielding Zenith!
These are not just brilliant arrangement of words, they are what you and I should look out for in the year to come! Endeavour to claim every single word and see God swing into action...
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR IN ADVANCE!!!
Friday, 23 September 2011
The Unique You!
A zebra once said “How I wish am a lion” after escaping from a hungry lion. “Had I been a lion, I will walk around the jungle fearless. I will never be hungry as there are many animals to feed on. Other animals will take to their heels as soon as they sight me”
The hungry lion on his part shouted “God, you should have made me a zebra” in his heart. “Had I been a zebra, I will not have to run after other animals for food. I can always eat the green plants all around me. Had I been a zebra, I will majestically walk around the jungle to show other animals how beautiful you have made me. Had I been a zebra, I will outrun all lion who tries to catch me for food. Oh God, I sincerely wish I was I zebra!”
Many people are like the zebra! They wish to be someone else. Funnily, those they want to be like secretly appreciate and admire their qualities. You may try to be someone else but note that every individual is the only type of himself. No exact replica had been before, none exists presently and none will be born after. You are the unique you!
Udeh Caleb Ifeanyi KOH
The hungry lion on his part shouted “God, you should have made me a zebra” in his heart. “Had I been a zebra, I will not have to run after other animals for food. I can always eat the green plants all around me. Had I been a zebra, I will majestically walk around the jungle to show other animals how beautiful you have made me. Had I been a zebra, I will outrun all lion who tries to catch me for food. Oh God, I sincerely wish I was I zebra!”
Many people are like the zebra! They wish to be someone else. Funnily, those they want to be like secretly appreciate and admire their qualities. You may try to be someone else but note that every individual is the only type of himself. No exact replica had been before, none exists presently and none will be born after. You are the unique you!
Udeh Caleb Ifeanyi KOH
Monday, 5 September 2011
Let it go!
Lepers are as good as dead! The discrimination and stigma they get are far more than that of those with HIV/AIDS. They live behind the gate of cities in Bible time and are regarded as cast outs. They live at the mercy of freewill givers who throw food and other basic necessities to them. Anyone who suffers leprosy automatically gets his/her glorious destiny thwarted as he/she is thrown out of town. The supposed four lepers in II Kings 7 are no exception to these.
After a long famine that abruptly stopped the few supply of food they normally have persisted in their country home, they decided to go to the nearest country. Not minding the deadly rivalry that existed between the two countries at that time and with the assumption that the neighbouring country might not be as callous as their country after all, they decided to decamp.
For people at a cross road as such four lepers to make a decision like this, it means much more than just being hungry. One, it means a complete loss of trust in their country. “If we …enter into the city …we shall die” II Kings 7:4. The rich held on to their wealth ad are more unwilling to share with the poor not to talk of poor outcast lepers. Secondly, there is a law forbidden the presence of lepers in the city. Hence, any offending leper may have to pay with his/her life. Considering this, their decision is more than just being logical. It is the best decision anyone will make especially when their chances of survival look brighter with their neighbor –no strict law against lepers, people are considerably willing to share their resources among themselves.
When they eventually got to the camp (not forgetting to raise their hands to show that they mean no harm), they were struck with the grave silence that existed in the camp. They chanted some words of greeting only to be answered by bleating, neighing, mooing, chuckling, sheep, horses, cattle, hens respectively. After a convincing search of sign of human being, they settled down and ate like people having a feast that only come once in fifty years. After wining and dining to their fill, they took as many spoil as they could and hid them. They came back and took some more and again hid them. They no reasoned among themselves that though they have been largely uncared for by their own people, it will be a matter of paying evil with good by inviting their country people to share in the spoil they got through unfought but won war.
This set of four lepers showed a good example of letting go of hurt. If they still forgave after all the unfair treatment meted on them by their own people, we should do same no matter how hard it seems. So let it go and you will be glad you did!
After a long famine that abruptly stopped the few supply of food they normally have persisted in their country home, they decided to go to the nearest country. Not minding the deadly rivalry that existed between the two countries at that time and with the assumption that the neighbouring country might not be as callous as their country after all, they decided to decamp.
For people at a cross road as such four lepers to make a decision like this, it means much more than just being hungry. One, it means a complete loss of trust in their country. “If we …enter into the city …we shall die” II Kings 7:4. The rich held on to their wealth ad are more unwilling to share with the poor not to talk of poor outcast lepers. Secondly, there is a law forbidden the presence of lepers in the city. Hence, any offending leper may have to pay with his/her life. Considering this, their decision is more than just being logical. It is the best decision anyone will make especially when their chances of survival look brighter with their neighbor –no strict law against lepers, people are considerably willing to share their resources among themselves.
When they eventually got to the camp (not forgetting to raise their hands to show that they mean no harm), they were struck with the grave silence that existed in the camp. They chanted some words of greeting only to be answered by bleating, neighing, mooing, chuckling, sheep, horses, cattle, hens respectively. After a convincing search of sign of human being, they settled down and ate like people having a feast that only come once in fifty years. After wining and dining to their fill, they took as many spoil as they could and hid them. They came back and took some more and again hid them. They no reasoned among themselves that though they have been largely uncared for by their own people, it will be a matter of paying evil with good by inviting their country people to share in the spoil they got through unfought but won war.
This set of four lepers showed a good example of letting go of hurt. If they still forgave after all the unfair treatment meted on them by their own people, we should do same no matter how hard it seems. So let it go and you will be glad you did!
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
HIS BANNER OVER ME IS LOVE!!!
I might not be sleeping on water bed but I am not on a hospital bed;
I might not be eating the best food but I am not eating swine’s feed;
I might not be drinking expensive wine but I’m not been rehydrated with drip;
I might not be driving the latest car but I’m not been driven in a wheelchair;
I might not be living in the best residence but the grave is not housing me;
I might not have money to buy my basic needs but I am not carrying a sickness that money cannot cure;
I might not own a piece of land but I have peace of mind;
I might not be able to tour distant countries but I am not been led to wherever I want to go;
I might not be heard all over the world but I do not have to gesticulate my statements;
I might not be the richest but I am assured of a golden mansion in Heaven.
All thanks to God, the giver of life! He who can kill or make alive at will! To some, he gives riches and to some, wishes! His judgement, no one can fault! Present everywhere but never seen! The most merciful yet, the fieriest! He whose smile brings about the dawning of the day! But for the sacrifice of His son, who are we to stand before his throne! Reaching out to mankind for fellowship even when we are His creatures! Watching over us through the night is His pleasure! In the safe hollow of His hand do we have our existence! HIS BANNER OVER US IS …LOVE!!!
I might not be eating the best food but I am not eating swine’s feed;
I might not be drinking expensive wine but I’m not been rehydrated with drip;
I might not be driving the latest car but I’m not been driven in a wheelchair;
I might not be living in the best residence but the grave is not housing me;
I might not have money to buy my basic needs but I am not carrying a sickness that money cannot cure;
I might not own a piece of land but I have peace of mind;
I might not be able to tour distant countries but I am not been led to wherever I want to go;
I might not be heard all over the world but I do not have to gesticulate my statements;
I might not be the richest but I am assured of a golden mansion in Heaven.
All thanks to God, the giver of life! He who can kill or make alive at will! To some, he gives riches and to some, wishes! His judgement, no one can fault! Present everywhere but never seen! The most merciful yet, the fieriest! He whose smile brings about the dawning of the day! But for the sacrifice of His son, who are we to stand before his throne! Reaching out to mankind for fellowship even when we are His creatures! Watching over us through the night is His pleasure! In the safe hollow of His hand do we have our existence! HIS BANNER OVER US IS …LOVE!!!
Friday, 5 August 2011
'LIFETIME' Series 1 (FIRST FAVOURED ONE!)
It is scientifically proven that at conception, only one or two (in the case of fraternal twins) sperm(s) fertilize(s) one or two ovary(ies) out of several millions of sperm that aspired. Get it straight that each of these sperms has the ability and all it takes to fertilize the ovary. The first one therefore, do the job. That is to say expressly that you are the favoured one because you could have been among the several millions who never made it. Can you just say aloud “thank you Lord for making me the first favoured one!”
There is a purpose for your creation, have you discovered it? If you have not, try to by asking that person who created you (God). If you have discovered yours, what are you doing to see to its fulfillment? Know this for sure that when you are not fulfilling the purpose of your creation; you are sick for no sane man will prefer living in the dungeon when house is made for that purpose.
So, if you are currently doing nothing towards fulfilling that purpose, start now by asking God where to start and be rest assured that He will tell you through his words (Bible). The Holy Spirit will go a long way in helping you. Those who are already fulfilling their own purpose can also give you advises on how to go about fulfilling yours. If you are fulfilling yours, what efforts are making to help others fulfil theirs? THANK GOD, I AM THE FIRST FAVOURED ONE!!!
There is a purpose for your creation, have you discovered it? If you have not, try to by asking that person who created you (God). If you have discovered yours, what are you doing to see to its fulfillment? Know this for sure that when you are not fulfilling the purpose of your creation; you are sick for no sane man will prefer living in the dungeon when house is made for that purpose.
So, if you are currently doing nothing towards fulfilling that purpose, start now by asking God where to start and be rest assured that He will tell you through his words (Bible). The Holy Spirit will go a long way in helping you. Those who are already fulfilling their own purpose can also give you advises on how to go about fulfilling yours. If you are fulfilling yours, what efforts are making to help others fulfil theirs? THANK GOD, I AM THE FIRST FAVOURED ONE!!!
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