Forgive and Forget...

When God has an area He wants us to address, our thinking, meditation and even exhortation from outside points to that particular topic or issue. In the last week or so, forgiveness has been one area God has been dropping in my heart and I have been doing some soul searching asking God to help me in any area I might be failing as regards this and you as well.

 

A woman who has worked for years alongside her husband, has sacrificed not only time but her entire life to improve a man's lot, build a life for him, assist him in moving forward in life and all of a sudden, the man is all made and the woman no longer befits his status!

 

A man who forms a partnership with his friend and the friend decides to outsmart him and dupe him. A friend you assisted and raised from the dung decides to slander your name and give you away to those who particularly do not like you. The scenarios are endless...

 

You and I know there are so many scenarios where human limitations and weaknesses hurt and break hearts. I used the common examples for fear of touching overly sensitive areas in the lives of people. Whatever the case maybe, God is calling us to forgive and forget. I hear this all the time, when we talk about forgetting can a woman forget the face her rival who 'stole' her husband? Can a man forget the face of his buddy who decided to have an affair with his wife? Can a woman forget the face of a drunk driver who killed her only son? and so on and so forth.

 

Whatever way you and I have been offended or grieved, the Word of God is this:

Proverbs 24:29 KJV

"Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work".

 

God alone is the one who is able to pay everyman the due he deserves and award the right judgement for each one's deed. Beyond what you can imagine or do God is able to give everyman a recompense many years after the fact, when you no longer have the strength or ability to fight back.

 

How you been cheated, hurt, offended and you know without a doubt that you are right? Then whole heartedly turn your hurt over to God. He will heal your heart and restore your joy and when you think its all over, nothing can be done about the injustice you experienced, the righteous JUDGE of the whole earth will rise on your behalf to punish those who have grieved your soul.

For your own good, the year is running to an end, find it in your heart to Forgive and Forget.

Who Speaks?

The weight of a word depends often on who speaks it. When wisdom is displayed in speeches, preaching or verbal communication, audience and respect would be given to the speaker.

 

 A friend of mine told me that her guardian at a time told her that she had never come across a child as dumb as her before. What did she do wrong? She had a grade of 'C' in mathematics... This individual is smart and her children are very brilliant, so she expected my friend to possess the same level of smartness as her children. Since my friend could not, her guardian called a friend and was discussing her 'situation' with the friend. "Auntie" as the friend was called said to my friend; 'you better start having babies because education is not meant for you'. My friend was content with the decision but wanted to work and find the right guy before starting to produce children. She got married and her husband told her "you lack insight to how life works because you are not educated". Her spouse's words confirmed what she had heard before! I love this story because my friend in her own words said from then she saw education as a personal war that she had to win. Today she is a graduate and doing well in her chosen field.

 

A whole lot of times we are hurt by utterances, words that are spoken especially by those who are close to us; parents or those who stand in position of authority or validation; spouses, bosses, siblings, close friends and so on. There are so many people whose lives have been defined by the utterances that were spoken to their lives a long time ago. They just do not know how to go beyond such hurtful and nasty words.

 

When the mean or hurtful words are spoken by those close to us and we tend to see the 'manifestation' perhaps years later, we often times conclude that such words are true and we cannot do anything about them. How many children have been told by their parents or guardians that they cannot amount to anything or that they will only go so far in life. When such children come across 'normal' life challenges, they do not have the determination to forge ahead to overcome obstacles. If a man tell his wife, you can never be productive or you are dumb, lazy or good for nothing, the woman may internalize such words and find herself unable to reach out to pursue any meaningful goal in life. If you are quick to remind your husband where his peers are or how he falls short as a man, then you are hurting and limiting his potentials. Such words do not go away, they play back at times when he is alone! We remember words that some of our siblings said to us when younger or how they compared us to friends or other children around such words make us believe the worst about ourselves when faced with life's challenges.

 

However, all these things do not matter because the word of God is asking a question this morning:

Lamentations 3:37 NKJV

 

"³⁷ Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass,
      When the Lord has not commanded it?"

 

For me when situations present themselves and I seem to have a sentence that is not pleasing in any particular situation, I ask the situation this question and guess what? It does not matter who or what, the answer will always be NO ONE! You do not need any man to validate or discount you, God has the final say because He is the only one who controls times and seasons! So if negativity has been spoken into your destiny, arise and cancel it, reaffirm who you are in God and what He has said concerning you. To answer life's question, you have to know the all knowing God who has all the power and answers. Tell your situation it is lying, tell your limitations that you will forge ahead, be determined to apply violence against anything that want to steal or rubbish your destiny. It is only from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well-being proceed. In other words, when am in favour with God no man can speak negativity to my life and render me captive.  Go into this week with confidence in the word of God and face every man and situation with the right answer; only God has the final say!

 

Shalom!

Too Marvelous?

The streets were deserted and empty, no one lived up to be called aged, the land had been ravaged and hope was all gone. That was the situation of things in Jerusalem and perhaps that describes your present situation - dead end, hopelessness. The report of the doctor, your inability to gain admission or make progress at work. The home you have given up everything to build has collapsed. It seems all is gone especially when you compare notes with your friends, peers and contemporaries. You wonder why you had to be the one married to your spouse who is difficult, impossible as a matter of fact he/she has done nothing but slow you down in life.

 

Hear ye the word of the Lord: Zechariah 8:6 -7

 ⁶ This is what the LORD Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?” declares the LORD Almighty.

 ⁷ This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. ⁸ I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.”

 

God is asking you a question about your situation; "will it seem marvelous (hard, difficult, impossible) for me? He is the God of all flesh and nothing will be impossible for Him. When your situation steers you in face, bombards you with ideas that are ungodly or magnifies itself above your God. Then you need to identify the word of God that answers to that situation and refuse to give up. Take God's word back to him and since He created all things He is able to cause that difficult teenager to be transformed, build you a house regardless of what the economy of the world is saying, make your impossible spouse your hearthrob again and bring that long awaited promotion.

He has the key to unlock the barrier to your breakthrough, success and yes, nothing shall be impossible with Him. What is it that you think is too marvelous? God says not with Him! Take hold of His word, apply it and give Him upfront praise! Solution is here do not give up!.

 

Celebration cometh!

Fragrance of Christ

Fragrances are always refreshing, soothing and welcoming. Whether cologne, perfume, deodorant or air freshner, we all enjoy walking into a clean car, room or area with a fresh smell of flowers or fruits. Have you also noticed how the smell of a nice perfume can change the ambience of a  gathering? When you hug someone wearing a nice perfume, the smell lingers long after they have left. The names of some perfumes are comely that you would like to see or smell them; Beautiful, Pretty,Pleasures and so on.

Even so God has called us to diffuse, exude the sweet fragrance of Christ everywhere we go among Christians and unbelievers alike. It is very easy to be a Christian in church and another person when at work or among our circular friends in order not be considered weird. Every time I plug an airfreshner  into the socket I feel good about my environment because the smell is nice. When we exude the fragrance of Christ among believers, God is glorified, when we attest to our relationship with Christ through our lifestyle and conduct, unbelievers cannot but marvel at how God can be evident in a life. Kindness, good works, selflessness,  righteous living, holiness and contentment make others see God in us and through us. I ask myself just the same way I would love you to ask yourself; what kind of fragrance do I bring into God's nostrils by my lifestyle? The ingenuity of manufacturers is seen in their ability to bring whatever smell you want to perceive to you; lavender, ocean, tropics, strawberry, spices and so on.

2 Corinthians 2:15 NKJV

"For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing".

Have you ever sat close to someone who smells dirty and nasty? Phew! You will choke, puke and your system will be upset for as long as they hang around close to you. That is exactly how we are to God among believers or unbelievers when our lives do not glorify God. Do you give off a sweet smell to God  by the way you treat your spouse? Do you represent God positively to those around you or are you always an offence to others? Pride, ego,cheating, lying, selfishness, greed and violence make us irritating before believers and unbelievers alike. I mixing fragrances so its hard to identify what am wearing. So also we can mix the fruit of the spirit and unbelievers and believers will always sum ourlives up as sweet fragrance. When you mistreat or abuse your spouse you become pungent unto God's nostrils. When your way of life falls short of God's expectations you become a bad odor and not a fragrance! God has deposited in us all it takes to make a difference. So you need to yeild unto God totally in order to be a sweet fragrance.  

Blessings!

Complementing or Competing

Sometime ago, I was thinking about  a couple; the wife is a fast talker, high achiever and self-motivated. The husband is more of a 'home' person, he has his own business and they both are doing well.  He seems to be happy with whatever makes his wife happy and really does not have exceptionally lofty dreams. His wife is ambitious constantly working on one new project or the other. Their lives are fascinating because they just seem to have a high level of understanding. The wife understands her husband's nature and seems to always make time for whatever makes him happy too. It makes me wonder, how come some people find it easy to understand each other while others never seem to speak the same language talkless of understanding what either party is saying.

To complement means to add to, enhance, improve or bring to completion. The question to ask is do you complement your spouse, are you a team player at work or can you function with other people when working on a project at church or in any other group you belong? Is it always your aim to outshine (nothing wrong with that please), win, be the centre of attention at the expense of others? Do you enjoy listening to yourself talk and scarcely tolerate a word or two from others? Evaluation and review bring improvement. So it will only be logical to bring our personal lives under evaluation so as to improve.

 

Competition on the other hand  means; rivalry for supremacy, contest for some prize, honor or advantage. When the Lord dropped this in my heart I said but there are some competitions that are healthy... Yes, perhaps at work for fun or at home. Maybe if you have a business then you do have to engage in competition. However, we are considering this topic from the perspective of our home, work and ministry. A godly home shouls be void of any form of rivalry for supremacy, God is not an author of confusion and such He has given us a pattern of how things should work. The man is the head, the woman the help meet. Every couple should figure out how to form a strong team and war against the enemy not against each other. This means am not allowed to compete with my spouse in terms of: education, possession and material things etc.

Psalms 133:1-3 NKJV

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to

the skirts of his garments;

As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountain of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing,

even life for evermore". 

 

At work, you are required to demonstrate team work, emotional intelligence, hardly does any organization want to hire you just because of what you know these days! You are expected to know how to work with others. If you and I swallow our egos and pride to function outside, why can we not do that at home? Charity begins at home... Husbands and wives, siblings, friends, ministry partners, we get a lot done by complementing(improve, enhance, add to and bring to completion) ourselves than by competition. God expects us to honor one another and if I rival with someone else to attain honor or advantage, I do not advance the kingdom of God. The word of God expects you to prefer another in place of honor. 

A level of humility is required to be able to complement others especially if you think you know better or your are more experienced! Do it anyhow to promote peace. May this new month usher in unspeakable joy, peace, abundance in all areas of your life in Jesus name.

 

Altering the Norm

I come from a culture where people have an explanation for every occurence. However, anytime a situation defers explanation, people will say; that is destiny! It cannot be changed. Premature death, generational curses, failure at the edge of success, barreness and so on are somethings that people link up to destiny, may your destiny not be destoyed or derailed in Jesus name. The story of a man that most of us know encourages us to face any peculiar situation with the boldness that comes from the power of prayer to the God of Israel.

 

I Chronicles 4: 9 - 10 NLT;

"There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez^[c] because his birth had been so painful. ¹⁰ He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.

 

When people look at your situation, to them it seems hopeless and they try to console you in human wisdom, giving examples and talking about how you can cope or manage with an unpleasant situation,you are the one who will have to pray and keep praying to the God of Israel! God has given us access by the blood of Jesus to ask and receive in the name of Jesus. Jabez could have coined a pet name for himself so people will not know his full name... What situation are you battling with and it seems there is no way out, you trace your lineage and the evidence is glaring, you look around you and it seems none of your relations has been able to win this particular battle. You are being told that is how it is, just learn to live with it!

 

Jabez sought a solution to alter what seemed to be the norm. His birth was painful, so he had to bear that  signage of a name that repels people wherever he turned to for the rest of his life as if he caused it! Are you paying for a crime you knew nothing about just by being associated to the perpetrator; parents, spouse, family? Then it is your turn to call on the God of Israel to change  the ugly situation that wants to become normal in your life.

 

Perhaps you are from a polygamous family and when you gave your life to Christ you thought that aspect of my life is over, now I can have a marriage that is planned God's way. The enemy seems to be mocking you by the civil war going on in your home and you seem to have no control over it. The best time to rise in the place of prayer is now and alter the norm.

 

The Lord is a very present help in times of trouble! Keep calling him, he does not ignore or forsake and He will grant your request just as He did Jabez's.

Prisoners of Hope

How many times have we petitioned God over and over about a particular issue and it seems that He just does not want to respond? For some not so pressing, non-time sensitive issues, it is easy to hold on and keep our faith. However, when they are glaring and issues that can bring embarrassment unto us, we tend to lose hope and seek alternatives. Most of the time, our alternatives bring nothing but trouble and guess where we return to? God's presence and often we return with baggages...

When you trust God for a marriage partner and you are well over forty years, your options are limited and you just can't go grab a man/woman on the streets, if you make such move, you are bound to miss it, you are back to square one! Whatever you are hoping for; job, healing, a child, restoration in your marriage or finances, you need to hold on fast to your faith, God does not fail neither does He abandon or ridicule His own. I have seen one too many people who have hastened to help God only to be back asking Him to help them clean up their messes! We have an assurance that cannot fail in the word of God: Zechariah 9:12

 Return to the stronghold,
 You prisoners of hope.
 Even today I declare
 That I will restore double to you.

Prisoners of hope are those who have committed all unto God, so whether alive or dead, they continue to hope in God. These ones do not seek their own ways to make things happen and then return to God to clean up after them. Rather they trust God's faithfulness enough to come through for them.

Psalms 31:24  NKJ Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.

 

Are you a prisoner of hope? Have you given up on your marriage, that seemingly troublesome child or your business? He has the ability to restore all that you have lost as well as your dignity. Does this mean you shouldnt make effort where you need to? No! It means do not allow the anxiety of what tomorrow will bring to waste the strength of today!  Be assured that God will never fail you, as He has said so shall He do regardless of what you see or what humans say. Hold on do not lose faith, God will surely repay you double for your trouble!