For everyone who has ever received an offer letter for a job, you are
congratulated, told the terms of employment and then given a start date
as well as orientation date. Every serious corporation knows the
importance of training and investing in their employees, for those who
take short cuts, they end up paying for their mistakes big time.
As
I was writing this morning I wondered what the correlation is between
choosing a way of life and getting equipped for it. It is not enough to
choose a way of life,you have to know how to work and function where you
are. For as many as work in the corporate world, once you get employed,
you are 'programmed' to reason,dress and relate in a certain way. The
expectation is that you will become 'refined' and be able to grow within
the organization. You are expected to go through orientation to know
what the
organization stands for, understand the corporate vision, know where to
go if there is an issue, understand the purpose of every department,
become trained and mature as an asset within the company. You can relate
this to any area of life.
We have also been called to a way of life, a way of life of love. Here is what the scripture says: Colossians 3: 12 - 14 MSG
"So, chosen by God for this new life of love,
dress in the wardrobe God picked out fr you:
Compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.
Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense.
Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.
And regardless of what else you put on, wear love.
It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it."
When
you work in the corporate world or any organization that has structure
and order, you are expected to behave in a civil manner, when you have
an issue,
you are expected to call the other party, try to sort things amicably.
The story is no different when we choose to follow Christ. Our thinking,
perception, orientation and disposition is expected to change and fit
into God's own way of doing things.
As God's own children, He
has chosen the kind of garment we ought to wear for us, let us adorn our
lives with each item. It is no easy feat to forgive an offense quickly
or be even-tempered when you think you are being walked all over,
however, God is able to give you quiet strength to overcome challenges.
As
you go into a new week, try and list the items in the scripture above
and choose to wear each one at home, when dealing with a difficult
relationship, at work, school or wherever you need to "dress"
appropriately this week. May the joy of the Lord be multiplied in your
life in Jesus name. Everything God has given you to make you happy will
not
become a source of sorrow to you in Jesus name.
Shalom!
Sunday, 10 June 2012
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Falling In Love Is Easy...
Falling in love is easy, wedding is thrilling and exciting,however, marriage is hard work! It is daunting, boring and sometimes unfair to put up with some inconveniences. Effort,commitment,loyalty and a development plan needs to be put in place for you to grow and handle some tough calls.
It gets better...when you have studied the other party, you are able to apply wisdom to avoid confrontations and ultercations but you learn to reason one with another. Your backgrounds are different and your views about life are likely to stem from your value system or upbringing. Do not force your views and ways on the other person.
I have noticed that when couples decide to see things from the lens of the other party, they enjoy their differences! A man who grew up playing soccer with children from the streets and a woman who grew up within high walls and manned gate will differ in opinion about how their own children should play or interact other children.
Your spouse is not the problem, seeking a way out by flirting outside will not end the issue at hand. Prayerfully tackling issues will give you peace and you will fall in love again. When you fall in love, it happens to you, but to stay in love you consciously work at it, you have to decide to ignore all the distractions and focus on what you have decided to do that is, STAY in love.
Do not be too mature to play, share a joke, do not be too busy to remember what is important to the other party. You were stealing kisses before you got married, now you are married and you have forgotten how to be romantic. You were dying to have sex before marriage, now you have to schedule and plan towards making love, you could never have enough of each other's company, now you are married and your spouse is a bore. Remember what brought you together and preserve the love.
Do your friends tell you they have a perfect relationship with no issues? They are telling you a lie! Every relationship has an area where there is need for improvement. You have a choice over how you react to any situation even though you do not have a say over other people's actions. Keep working hard on your relationship and the day of promotion will come.Value your partner and keep the fire glowing.
Blessings.
It gets better...when you have studied the other party, you are able to apply wisdom to avoid confrontations and ultercations but you learn to reason one with another. Your backgrounds are different and your views about life are likely to stem from your value system or upbringing. Do not force your views and ways on the other person.
I have noticed that when couples decide to see things from the lens of the other party, they enjoy their differences! A man who grew up playing soccer with children from the streets and a woman who grew up within high walls and manned gate will differ in opinion about how their own children should play or interact other children.
Your spouse is not the problem, seeking a way out by flirting outside will not end the issue at hand. Prayerfully tackling issues will give you peace and you will fall in love again. When you fall in love, it happens to you, but to stay in love you consciously work at it, you have to decide to ignore all the distractions and focus on what you have decided to do that is, STAY in love.
Do not be too mature to play, share a joke, do not be too busy to remember what is important to the other party. You were stealing kisses before you got married, now you are married and you have forgotten how to be romantic. You were dying to have sex before marriage, now you have to schedule and plan towards making love, you could never have enough of each other's company, now you are married and your spouse is a bore. Remember what brought you together and preserve the love.
Do your friends tell you they have a perfect relationship with no issues? They are telling you a lie! Every relationship has an area where there is need for improvement. You have a choice over how you react to any situation even though you do not have a say over other people's actions. Keep working hard on your relationship and the day of promotion will come.Value your partner and keep the fire glowing.
Blessings.
Saturday, 2 June 2012
The Seed of Karma
I observed a couple this past week and I knew I had to share what I saw. The setting was a vulnerable one, far from everyday expectations or romance. The woman was ill, she was attempting to get up but could not. She turned to me and said "am not making this up", her husband jokingly said, yeah, you are pretending. I said to the lady; "do you want me to send this man out"?teasingly. She said, "oh, no! please". He is my angel, we marry for 52years, he take care of me, he loves me". Well, I became interested in both of them...
The man reported to the hospital promptly at breakfast time to feed his wife, bathe her and keep her company. When he confirmed that she wasnt going to be discharged as planned on a Friday afternoon, he said, "please I come back, I need to extend television for her". Their television service was going to run out that evening, he had an errand to run and he said he would return later to pay for television service so his wife would not be bored. The woman told me she had become totally dependent on her husband for everything because her illness was beginnng to take a toll on her ability to function independently. She said, "my husband a good man, I was 17years and he was 21years when we got married, he loves me, he takes care of me, good,good man".
Later that day I pondered on every word the woman said and how the husband was all over her... then I remembered another couple, the man was sick and dying. I could tell that the man was going to pass away within a few hours, his family was called in so that they could have their last moments together. The whole day, the man held on, his breathing became weaker but you could tell that he was holding on, struggling to stay alive. The wife went home and came back, she saw that the man was still breathing, well her next action gave me the shock of my life; she slapped the man real hard on his shoulder and said; "you are still here, go!go!go!". The staff members present exchanged glances and we were all dumbfounded. I wondered what the Lord was saying when he brought back the memory of that man and his wife...
As a husband, you are the breadwinner in every sense of it, ask for grace to be a kind and compassionate leader. What you sow now will speak for you later especially at a period when neither money or possessions can speak. I see husbands who are abandoned and checked on as time permits when they lay critically sick in the hospital. I also see husbands whose wives literally move into the hospital to take care of them.
Well, your action towards your spouse now, will determine what type of affection is shown to you when you are no longer in charge. Whatever you sow you will reap. If you are a wife and you have no time for your family, husband or children, a time will come when you will no longer be as strong as you are now and you will need help and company. The friends you run after and "honor with your presence" at functios to the detriment of your family will not be there for you. Be careful so you do not spend the rest of your days in loneliness and depression. Blessings!
The man reported to the hospital promptly at breakfast time to feed his wife, bathe her and keep her company. When he confirmed that she wasnt going to be discharged as planned on a Friday afternoon, he said, "please I come back, I need to extend television for her". Their television service was going to run out that evening, he had an errand to run and he said he would return later to pay for television service so his wife would not be bored. The woman told me she had become totally dependent on her husband for everything because her illness was beginnng to take a toll on her ability to function independently. She said, "my husband a good man, I was 17years and he was 21years when we got married, he loves me, he takes care of me, good,good man".
Later that day I pondered on every word the woman said and how the husband was all over her... then I remembered another couple, the man was sick and dying. I could tell that the man was going to pass away within a few hours, his family was called in so that they could have their last moments together. The whole day, the man held on, his breathing became weaker but you could tell that he was holding on, struggling to stay alive. The wife went home and came back, she saw that the man was still breathing, well her next action gave me the shock of my life; she slapped the man real hard on his shoulder and said; "you are still here, go!go!go!". The staff members present exchanged glances and we were all dumbfounded. I wondered what the Lord was saying when he brought back the memory of that man and his wife...
As a husband, you are the breadwinner in every sense of it, ask for grace to be a kind and compassionate leader. What you sow now will speak for you later especially at a period when neither money or possessions can speak. I see husbands who are abandoned and checked on as time permits when they lay critically sick in the hospital. I also see husbands whose wives literally move into the hospital to take care of them.
Well, your action towards your spouse now, will determine what type of affection is shown to you when you are no longer in charge. Whatever you sow you will reap. If you are a wife and you have no time for your family, husband or children, a time will come when you will no longer be as strong as you are now and you will need help and company. The friends you run after and "honor with your presence" at functios to the detriment of your family will not be there for you. Be careful so you do not spend the rest of your days in loneliness and depression. Blessings!
Friday, 1 June 2012
Path Cleansing
Youths/Singles: The Lord is still very much into the business of Holiness, that is His nature. Does that sound old-fashioned? God is the Ancient of days...
There are no two ways to put it, it is challenging emotionally to be single, your body speaks to you, makes demands, tells you to give what it what does not righfully belong to it - SEX. For a Christian youth, the only solution is in the word of God! It only makes you appreciate marriage when you find the right person...
Psalms 119:9 The Message:
"How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word".
KJV: Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word".
May you find joy and fulfillment as you cleanse your way through His word.
There are no two ways to put it, it is challenging emotionally to be single, your body speaks to you, makes demands, tells you to give what it what does not righfully belong to it - SEX. For a Christian youth, the only solution is in the word of God! It only makes you appreciate marriage when you find the right person...
Psalms 119:9 The Message:
"How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word".
KJV: Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word".
May you find joy and fulfillment as you cleanse your way through His word.
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Heavy Hearts
Emotional wounds are the most difficult to heal. However, there is a balm in Gilead!
Ps.
126:6 NKJV says; "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious
seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves
with him".
Ps.126:6 The Message puts it like this; "So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing".
What
are you working on, toiling and labouring at and it seems you are
constantly weeping? Is your marriage making you weep? Do you keep
sowing, making efforts, planting seeds of love, submission and virtue
and it seems you have nothing to show for it? Is your situation tempting
you to go the way of the world and do what others do? Have you been
disappointed in relationships and you are afraid to venture into any new
one even when you are sure God is in it? If you have been disappointed
know this that God has better plans for you. Do not give yourself away
to someone who does not appreciate you and will only tolerate or manage
you for life.
Hold
on to the word of God and do not loose heart or faith. The seeds you
are planting will doubtless germinate because God is the one watering
them. Your time to bring in your “sheaves” is near; sheaves of joy,
effortless triumph, productivity and peace within your home. Yes, you
will bring them in loads with joy in your heart and others will use your
situation as a point of contact. For you to “bring in your sheaves” you
have to allow God to fight your battle and plead your case. The understanding of the following will guide your conduct:
=>You
are limited in your ability, therefore, do not take on the fight
physically, go into your closet and commune with God. Since He is the
Judge of the whole earth, He can never be unjust, so He will rule in
your favour this week and an end will come to your sorrow.
=>
If your spouse has changed overnight or someone else is contending with
you over his heart, you will waste your time by fighting, arguing and
nagging. The best solution is to go to the source and control things
from that realm. God has given us so much power to affect
our situation and circumstance from the realm of the spirit, so prayer
is the key. We are like our Father, the decree of the tower of Babel
operates with accuracy!(Gen. 11:6-7)
=>
Stop talking to man (human beings). All they can offer you is pity, God
alone is the one who can offer you peace and what you desire, do not be
too busy to commune with Him.
=>Patience is a virtue, required for every situation, ask God for patience and you will see your desire over your enemy.
=>
If your friends know how to ‘deal with such situation’ by confronting,
harassing and organizing fights they will only offer bandage solution
that will lead to your own loss, can their effort yield a lasting solution? God is able to turn around the heart of the king in your favour.
Go into this week assured of the word of God and weep no more, for you will yet rejoice!
Friday, 4 May 2012
What Angle?
"We do not see things the way they are, we see them the way we are" - Rick Warren. Isnt it so true? If you are optimistic and trust in God, things are likely to work out regardless of stress and pressure. However, if the glass is always half empty, you may always whine and complain. Your perception will determine your attitude and disposition, these ultimately affect the outcome of what you do.
As husbands, fathers, wives, mothers, single and successful individuals(thats how you should perceive yourself regardless of what you see now) what is your perception about your home? "Marriage does not really work anymore, we just have to keep at it, struggle and patch it". If you have that attitude towards your circular job is that likely to bring success or promotion?
The same way you desire promotion, increase and improvement at work should be the same way you work at improving the home front. We take courses to improve our knowledge, we exhibit team work, people skills, emotional intelligence and focus to rise through the ranks at work... there is the primary work God has given us, what is our perception about it?
Marriage is God's idea, he wants you to find joy, promotion and fulfilment within it but it is work too!!! What areas can you improve yourself in order to improve your home; self control, perseverance, initiative, selflessness, kind words, smiles, ability to listen to someone else's view point, ability to overlook faults and generosity are a few courses we can take In God's school to improve in our marriage relationship.
If you get a job through networking, you will require personal focus, improvement and determination to sustain it. It does not matter how you got into marriage; make the best of it and make it work. If you are planning or hoping to get married, you have to start sowing the seed of prayers NOW! There are people who will not have it any other way; they will still marry their spouses if there is another life! What angle are you looking at things from? A warped angle can never produce a straight view. Align your view with God's angle.
Blessings!
As husbands, fathers, wives, mothers, single and successful individuals(thats how you should perceive yourself regardless of what you see now) what is your perception about your home? "Marriage does not really work anymore, we just have to keep at it, struggle and patch it". If you have that attitude towards your circular job is that likely to bring success or promotion?
The same way you desire promotion, increase and improvement at work should be the same way you work at improving the home front. We take courses to improve our knowledge, we exhibit team work, people skills, emotional intelligence and focus to rise through the ranks at work... there is the primary work God has given us, what is our perception about it?
Marriage is God's idea, he wants you to find joy, promotion and fulfilment within it but it is work too!!! What areas can you improve yourself in order to improve your home; self control, perseverance, initiative, selflessness, kind words, smiles, ability to listen to someone else's view point, ability to overlook faults and generosity are a few courses we can take In God's school to improve in our marriage relationship.
If you get a job through networking, you will require personal focus, improvement and determination to sustain it. It does not matter how you got into marriage; make the best of it and make it work. If you are planning or hoping to get married, you have to start sowing the seed of prayers NOW! There are people who will not have it any other way; they will still marry their spouses if there is another life! What angle are you looking at things from? A warped angle can never produce a straight view. Align your view with God's angle.
Blessings!
Monday, 30 April 2012
Unwavering Love
I love attending weddings; I guess because you see a lot of
beautiful things and you feel good, church and hall decorations, beautiful
dresses, colorful attires and of course every bride looks beautiful on their
wedding day. I attended a wedding recently and during the church service we
listened as the beautiful bride struggle with tears to get her feelings across
through her personal vow. The couple had written their own vows which they said
after the regular wedding vows were exchanged. The girl just found ways to say
“I love you”, she mentioned how her world revolves around the guy and so on.
The guy was more realistic in the words he said, “for the things we are yet to
go through” paraphrasing now. I watched people’s reactions and I could not help
but notice the single girls among their friends, they were all “awwww. Oooh”
and I smiled.
16May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].
7May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,
18That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];
19[That you may really come] to know [practically, [e]through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses [f]mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] [g]unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and [h]become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
It takes more than
cuteness to walk the work of marriage! It also takes more than the wedding ,
glamour and fanfare of the day to succeed in a marriage relationship. Do you have an idea of what you are getting
into? Is it all about showing off your “rock” (ring) and telling the stories of
the beautiful honeymoon you had. When you look at a woman who says “I will rather
go back to my parents’ or become a single mother than live with this man” she
too probably made a beautiful bride at a fairytale wedding... There are way too
many sad stories today about marriage that makes the younger ones wonder if it
is worth going into at all.
Before you go into marriage, realise that the other party is
human, prone to error and would not always be “whom you want them to be”. The
guy who says he is willing to go to the
end of the world for you may not be able to do that once he gets promoted at
work and becomes a lot busier than he is right now. That does not mean he loves
you any less, the lady who says you are everything will soon have children
taking all her time and attention, don’t fret you are still her world...
Marriage is the oldest and most beautiful institution on
earth! God’s intent is that it will be full of His blessings and like most
stories we read when we were young, “and they lived happily ever after” is the
intended end God has for marriage. For us to end the way He planned, we must be
willing to live or go through marriage the way He conceptualized it not our own
way. Maybe you have forgotten the
picture you had in mind when you got married, are things as rosy as they were
or you thought they were going to be at the beginning? You do not have to
engage the devil’s attention in order to enjoy his momentary “blessing” filled
with poison. You can recreate your dream with God’s help.
God is our first love and should be for those who are yet to
know Him. God has the heart of every man in His hand and He is able to redirect
wondering hearts back to him. You can not loose your own faith because someone
else is not following right. I would
like to encourage you to deepen your relationship with the Lord and see how
that impacts your relationship with your spouse. Eph3: 16-19 Amplified
16May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].
7May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,
18That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];
19[That you may really come] to know [practically, [e]through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses [f]mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] [g]unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and [h]become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
I pray that you will be rooted and grounded in God’s love. The
love of God deepens in your heart when you take the bold step to seek him. His
love is unconditional and does not depend on what you do for him now, neither
is it selfish. The love of God is a tough love that loved us when we were not
worthy of being loved. It is forgiving, unconditional, and eternal. Perhaps
situations have made you to question God’s love, His eternal arms are always
stretched out forever and all you need to do is reach out to Him. How you may
ask? Through His word fellowship and prayers! Make sure you do not give in to
the suggestions of the devil, God is not done with you yet.
Indeed God’s love is
unwavering. May we find strength and may our focus not waver as we seek God
anew this week.
Agape!
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