One Step At A Time

Some people serve the Lord in a way that makes the whole thing look like a ‘do-me and I-do-you’ thing. It appears to be a business deal, wherein God has to pay for services rendered. At times believers go through some moments of trials and they begin to ask God why such should happen to them despite their unalloyed service to God; devotion to church activities, fasting, evangelism and all other channels through which they feel they have ministered.

It is not usually a good indication of ‘spiritual insight’ for a man to count all his areas of service unto the Lord. There are times when mention can be made about some areas of service unto the Lord as in the case of Obadiah (1 Kings 18:13) but this should not be done with a mind that makes it look as if God is indebted to you and that you have played your own part too well. Elijah in 1 Kings 19:10-18 began to recount how only him was left and all the others had gone astray but God had to show up, declaring that in fact he was number 7001 on the list of His men and thereafter God directed him on an “Elisha” succession plan mission. A man who gets to the point of counting what he’s done for God is volatile and hastens himself on the path to being useless and unfruitful in His service.

Living for the Lord is all for the benefit of man. King Hezekiah in the book of 2 Kings 20 was told by the Prophet Isaiah that he was going to die and should put his house in order. Hezekiah began to count his achievements; making it look like God never knew all of that before sending the prophet to him. So God won’t be perceived as One who makes His own suffer loss, he added 15 more years to Hezekiah and this king messed up in a big way.

Hezekiah, having recounted all he had done for God, got himself into a state of ease in which there was nothing more or nothing new to be done. I could hear Hezekiah mutter to himself – ‘I have done my part and served God well but woe unto those who are at ease in Zion. When a man begins to count thus, it paints a picture of ‘I have done enough’ and so a decline starts to set in just like Hezekiah who in 2 Chr 32:25 rendered not again unto God according to the benefits done unto him. Hezekiah’s extra time was just so different from the years before. It was Hezekiah who lost all his sense of spiritual caution and allowed an enemy into his armoury (2 Kings 20:12); which when God saw, brought about a declaration on Hezekiah’s descendants going into captivity. Rather than stay sober and intercede, that man was happy that in his own days, there would be peace. Hezekiah felt like – yes he deserved peace after all he had worked for God and so let the sons after him face their own music.

It is foolishness to recount before God our prowess when it isn’t as if He knows not. It is equally a warning signal when we don’t feel like there’s a new ground to be conquered; a new understanding to acquire in God; a new landmark to claim for Him. There should be an expectation, a challenge, a stirring within us that goes beyond a ‘trade by barter’ deal with God so that when a promise tarries, we don’t cease to pray and be fervent in spirit.

Men who count never make big strides. We see the elder brother of the prodigal son in Luke 15 also recount to his father saying – ‘all these years I have served you but not even a kid you killed for me’. The prodigal son did not need to count because he understood what was his by right and went demanding for it.

Maybe you have served in various capacities in church and done much service in the house of God but you feel so down because you can’t measure up your services with the ‘rewards’ that you expect. Relax – God has never short changed any man and you will not be the first. Understand God’s timing and you will realize that you have no need for sorrow or anxiety. It is because we don’t understand God’s will and timing, we allow so much pressure get to us and weigh us down.

My dear friend, the time of challenge is not for recounting how macho one has been, but time to go down and desire mercy from the God of heaven. I love Daniel so much – in the face of trial by the death chamber in Dan 2:18 (because of a king who dreamt and wanted to kill all the wise men, as he forgot his dream), he called his 3 brothers aside and instead of claiming rights and saying all they had done for God, sought mercies from the God of heaven…, so that they will not perish with the rest of the wise men.

Nowadays, everyone is a spirit filled, tongues speaking, demon chasing, born-again Christian, ourselves inclusive. Gone are the days when Christians, even without the tag 'born-again' were easily picked out in a crowd. This was possible then because of their different life style, or their enthusiasm for the things of God. Other names had been attributed to these kind of people; 'different', 'S.U.', 'weird', 'fanatic' etc. In present day, this has been watered-down, as there is a fine blend between the Christian and unbeliever that masks a true identity. If there happened to be an argument as to who is a genuine Christian and who is not (not like the argument mattered), but it may be long, fierce and inconclusive.

The people who had the privilege of tasting Christianity in the purer years tend to have a benchmark to struggle towards. The ones who against all odds gave their lives to Christ in the new age, tend to have a lot to grapple with differentiating truth from 'truth'. New versions of doctrine are reeled out daily as though from an avid writer publishing newer editions.

In a time when the world is fast becoming like the church and the church is faster in becoming like the world, how can anyone as an individual stay in conviction that they are truly the sons of God.

Painful Obedience: I call it painful because it's never what we really want to do. It sacrifices our ideals, pleasures and comfort to please a God we do not physically see. We do it only by reason of faith. It is obedience to God that seeks neither approval nor applause from all that we hold dear. It's range varying from saying a simple prayer of love for our enemy to embarking on an uncertain missionary call. It is sacrificial obedience to the quiet voice within 'only for the sake of God!'.

Eat the Word: This is a huge challenge today because of numerous and diverse distractions. Why else would the phone ring with an important call coming through just when we take a seat to meditate on scriptures. How can we blame ourselves when our schedules are so tight and busy while we try to put food on our tables. How can we keep our attention span on the word when there are captivating and time consuming demands around us, with more obvious and immediate gratification, from TV to facebook to friends... and the list goes on. We do not hold ourselves to blame, the times are on us. However, when the going gets tough only the tough gets going. Drastic situations require drastic measures. Eat the word of God regularly with every initiative you can muster; bible recitation, memory verses, reading out loud, giving yourself a reward after every word milestone, anything that makes you eat the word of God, preferably by yourself. You may start off mechanically, until you imbibe the word in your spirit and daily life, like drops of rain that wear out marble out of sheer consistency. Reading several other christian literature does not alternate for reading the bible.

Grow: There's really no state of idleness in the life of a self professed christian. We are either growing, stagnant, dieing or dead. Oftentimes we recount the days of yore with delight and excitement on how we had done exploits, but in life we do not grow backwards like the curious case of Benjamin Burton. We grow forward, with the glory of the latter house being greater than the former. This is not easy but as sin abounds, grace abounds the more. If you have a friend, brother or sister who shares this passion with you, bless God and treasure that relationship. Harness it for maximum yield, it's easier when the effort is shared. If there's no such relationship, seek a person or two who would share this heaven bound desire with you, map out strategies to encourage one another. If you still find no one, and have children, make them your partners for growth. It will surprise you how much motivation you can get from children.

Whatever the case, whatever the time, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?

Stay prepared.

Philippians 1:28 (Amplified Bible) "And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and
seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God." The enemy attacks us to try to get us to lose confidence in the love of God toward us. They try to convince us that God will not come through for us and that we are not going to make it.

The more pressure the enemy places on us the more we should know that our trust in the Word of God is working. Remember that the devil is a liar and cannot tell the truth. So when he says that we are not going to make it, he is trying to counter the truth, he's trying to get us to agree with him so that he uses our power against us to bring things to pass. Don't come down to his level.
Stay at the place of authority that you have been exalted to in Christ Jesus.

Satan tries to be a bully but he is actually a coward and when we stand on the Word of God and not remove ourselves from that stand. We will see his true colors. You and the Word can outlast anything the enemy could ever throw at you.

Go with God (Love), and God (Love) will go with you!

Imagine you are a smallish young genius in the same class with very tall boys who bully you without mercy. You are really scared of them but can't help excelling in every subject. You are an integral genius. One beautiful day you walk down a lonely pathway by yourself as usual and overhear your bullies whispering...

" That chap is very powerful, I fear he will deal with us sometime soon."
" He is connected to people that matter as everyone loves him, we need to watch it."
" My heart's always thumping whenever we accost him."

What will be your action and expression the very next time you meet with them face to face?

Often times we are crippled with the fear of a challenge before us. Most of these appear real big, and indeed they are. Sometimes the challenges last so long, our fears become second nature.

Gideon found himself in this shoe until he was guided to hear what his fears thought about him, (Judges 7:9-14). Boy! How amazed and courageous he became, he could charge at his fear with acutely few and ill-armed resources. He won because of the integral excellence in him, equivalent to the God in you today, the Jesus you call daily.

If we only knew our fears were afraid of us, we'll not spend any sweat pampering them, we'll not for one moment whimper and whine.


"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" Josh 1:9

The effects of a smile are considered so powerful that even when used over the telephone it produces positive results. (Smile not laughter ???). Smiles have been seen to brighten the darkest moments and weaken the hardest vices yet there's something that works more powerfully than a smile...


Neighbor: 'My love, my sweetheart, my darling, how are you doing today? I'll help you fix your bulb sometime in the evening, for now I'm a bit busy.'

Me: 'Thanks for the bulb, I really appreciate your kindness, but please stop calling me all those names I'm not finding it funny. I may have to cause a scene one day if you don't stop.'

Neighbor: '...but my love, I don't mean any harm. You're such a special person and a darling.'

Me: 'I know, but those words have more gravity than that and shouldn't be used flippantly. What do you want the hearer's to think. They'll surely think something is going on between us. Please don't refer to me like that again...'"

So has my disposition been towards such sweet words. Then I got into a work environment where everyone seems to say nothing else but those words; Darling, sweetheart, dearest, love etc etc etc. It didn't stop there. Even on facebook and blogsville, I see these words sprawled everywhere irrespective of which sex it is being addressed to.

I had to stop and ponder this situation very well.

"He who gives a right answer kisses the lips." Prov 24:26

In an attempt to practice, I realized that just saying the words make your heart feel empathy towards the other person. Most people to whom such nice words are said, immediately return the empathy. This may just be the nicest thing they've heard in a very long time. Needless to say how productive the results can be.

Still prodding into the subject I find God's own say.

"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." (Prov 16:24)

What happiness sweet words can instill in another person. So much so that they get healthier. Hmmm. Little wonder destructive words can kill a person, first inside and then outside.

Armed with this knowledge I have changed my orientation. Beware, the next time I meet you or send you an email, you may be overwhelmed with profuse pleasantries.

What better word is there to speak to your friends, colleagues, husband/wife, neighbors or enemies than the word of God itself that gives life.

"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man" (Col. 4:6)

In some form of silent rebellion i had walked away. Minute fears loomed large like they were reality. My faith could not see beyond my not so chubby nose and i figured the best way was to walk away.

Then i walked away from blogging as though to hibernate, wishing some magic would happen and i would switch to auto-blogging mode... but no, seconds turned to days, days to weeks and weeks to months... and i feel bad about it.

In the same vein i quit talking to Him seriously. I figured He would understand, I used 'busy' as an excuse but for how long can I run?

It's called backsliding. I like it or not. When one hour of prayer reduces to 10 minutes, when the day begins and ends without acknowledging His presence or His input, when the word comes to mind with some difficulty and resounds vaguely in the extreme corners of one's mind, when the former seems greater than the latter... Yes, it's called backsliding.

Well, the false calm broke when i traveled through Jo'burg and my box was delayed. I got the box 3 days after with nothing left in it but a pair of jeans and winter jacket, tiny little accessories as toothpaste and tracts (I wondered why the kleptomaniac didn't just clear it all). Every other thing was stolen. All my dear tops and shirts packed into the box, lovely pair of trouser, cosmetics, shoe and slippers... every other item, some I'm still trying to recall.

I sat down in the room staring at this empty box, with several thoughts racing through my mind:

- Be happy the thief has stolen all your problems, it has been exchanged for something worse maybe
- The thief was really in need, so you helped out the person somehow
- The hedge is broken, that is why the serpent could bite...
- My words had just played out. (I had actually said, "I don't care what they steal inside, they should just bring back my box!") Can't believe i actually said that.
- Pray for the person

I didn't know what to pray for person. Vacillating between anger and forgiveness i wondered what to pray. Should the thief be so cursed that they will never steal again? Should the stolen items be tools of evangelism to the person? Should i just forget about this incidence and move on?

Whatever the answer was I knew it was time to drift back to grace. How grace could have prevented this, how grace could have warned ahead of time, how grace could have hidden the box from evil eyes, how grace could have...

"Dear God, all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way. Please restore to me and everyone else in need, your grace to survive in this present world. Father forgive and help with your Holy Spirit for me to stay in the centre of your presence every single day. Thank you Jesus."

Today I stand at a crossroad. I have got before me two projects A and B (permit me to call it so).

Project A was born on the wings of faith, i.e. It was the hope I had during a previous challenge. So systematically I have followed Project A, guiding it also with prayers and praise. The prospects are exceedingly good I tell you. Project A however has attendant challenges, and its results have only been slowly, ever so slowly, forthcoming.

Out of the blues and all of a sudden comes project B, a thought I had nursed sometime back, now a looming reality. Project B shows characteristics that are outright unpleasant however, it offers absolute convenience and speed. To do a project, I must. And the earlier I embark on it the better. Now I have to make a choice.

After the Israelites spied out Canaan, they had two choices. Take the exceedingly good option of Canaan with its daring challenges or the not-so-good but convenient return to Egypt.
And the choice of the majority was... Egypt!

In my case what choice do I now make?

The lone voices of Caleb and Joshua spoke to have faith instead of fear despite the odds. They chose to believe the promise made to them. Faith is a choice, fear is also a choice.

Joshua gave only two reasons why they stood for their choice.

1) The land was exceedingly good
2) The Lord was able to bring them to the land as He had promised them

They guided their choice by holding unto the option that was more excellent and their belief in God's ability to do as He had spoken.

Amidst these opposing and seemingly good choices, what was God's take?

He grew hot in fury against the majority who implied He was incapable of giving them a good thing, the ones who settled for less. He threatened to disinherit them and make another nation for Himself, "How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be before they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?"

He gave His full support to the families of the two who believed that if He was big enough to give the dream, He was also big enough to bring it to pass. Overall, God backs faith, not fear or convenience.

In the light of this analysis, I suppose I'd have to follow up with project A, seeing that it is exceedingly good and God is well able to bring it to pass, though not without a war.

This new year with new beginnings, new projects, new goals and the likes, let our choices be guided by faith and not fear or convenience. And we'd be able to tick-off at the end another testimony.

Welcome!
I have never seen you before
But by God’s appointment I meet you
Previous years have had their ups and downs
All that was to train me to receive you on wings of faith
I embrace you with openness, for in you I am an Eternal Excellency!

The end of last year was somewhat tough for me as I went through a humbling experience. Looking back I count a thousand and one ways in which I was wrong. I saw all the warning signs but ignored them all. I was "faithing" it. As I lay on my bed staring disappointment in the face all my inner police could do was blame me. Guilt sought to punish me for all my mistakes; every careless word, every act of impatience, every prayerlessness, everything true and untrue, so to God I could no longer go.

With so much reluctance that morning, I picked up my 'Open Heavens' for the message of the day. I can't remember the memory verse now, but I would forever remember the words written a few verses ahead. He said, 'For if your heart condemns you, I am greater than the heart and know all things.'

It meant to me not to feel guilty. God sure knows why he allowed the situation, why he allowed me to go through the pain and how he doesn't hold it against me.

This was a great relief to my spirit and with the power of this truth, every feeling of guilt, pain and its cohorts ebbed away. I became free again, and for the first time in a long while, had a clear vision of what the future holds for me in God's will.

Many times our mistakes seek to prevent us from the grace that abounds for us, therefore:

'If your heart condemns you, God is greater than your heart and knows all things"

"Nneka stood still with tears gently flowing down her cheeks. The arena was packed full with people from across the country, a characteristic signature of this program tagged 'Unforgettable Encounter.' The presence of the Lord was so strong it was almost tangible and the attendees unabashedly expressed themselves in different attitudes. Many sat down to have an undisturbed communion with Him; many knelt down, overwhelmed by His awesomeness and glory; many positioned themselves on the floor lying facedown at 180 degrees to the Master, in deep contrition and humility; Nneka stood still like many, with outstretched hands giving a wave offering to Him alone who is worthy.

The tears were not of sorrow or of pain. They were tears of worship, of knowing that she had met with God face to face, her life would never be the same again. She blessed God that she attended.
After hours that seemed like minutes, the program came to a close and she went home more sober than she came.

At age 25, she lived in the city with her dad and step mum who had four teenagers to show for their union. This setting did not give Nneka the much needed space to serve God in peace. Home was like a battleground for her faith.

Her sibblings chose this fateful day to sneak into her room and ransack everything, everywhere. They made no point of rearranging anything. The girls tried her clothes and sprawled them on the floor, the boys had it with her books and personal files, then they left the house to visit friends.

Covered with shock at the state of her room and the mess that would take days to clear, Nneka stormed to their mother to report. This one took it really personal and lashed back, raining abuses on Nneka which infuriated her for a woman who was just 3 years older than herself. Before long a nasty fight ensued, leaving both women wounded and bruised. This marked the end of Nneka's stay in the house, she was sent packing to her mother in the village."

"Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron and said to him, 'Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him'." (Ex 32:1)

The children of Israel fell into sin right after they had danced and celebrated, proclaiming they had seen God face to face on the mountain, as seen in previous chapters. The occasion so pleased them that they ate and drank. After such a glorious and historical encounter with God on the mountain, circumstances drove them into sin, Moses was no where to be found. And God said, "They have turned aside quickly out of the way..."

Have you noticed how the enemy's attacks are fiercest right after you have had an encounter with God? Do you remember how you conciously trained yourself not to fall into that temptation that sought to beset you, just after you had fellowshiped with God? It's the devils prime strategy to steal from you the entire package you got from the presence of God. If there was no package, there would be no blinding temptation. This is the time we need to watch it the most. Don't let anybody, or yet anything steal your joy.

Now that we are not ignorant of the devices of the devil, let's enjoy the rest of our days winning in line with God's will.

Shalom

Please let us know what strategies you used to overcome these temptations.

He chose the colors carefully
Though it's combination made no sense to me
He defined the dimensions in detail
Every piece fitted perfectly like a jigsaw puzzle
Materials mixed intricately
Gold, Acacia, Linen, Silver, Onyx, brass
He emphasized to build according to pattern
For beauty and for glory


Reading through the design of the tabernacle and Aaron's apparel, brought to sharp focus Gods style of building according to pattern. I could see that He doesn't jump to action based on impulse or instantaneous need. His methodology followed a pattern: Plan > Execute > Glorify.

For sometime I had missed the sequence in my life, always wanting my plans, wishes and desires to happen now now.
And when it doesn't I would go through a cycle of: Anger > Confusion > Depression
At best, I would go back to God and cry 'FATHER, BUT WHY?'

The picture of the tabernacle reveals how God builds His projects like us. A place where His glory will abide. He takes His time to define the dimensions of our life, making everything fit for purpose.Our challenges become our testimonies. Our experiences become others knowledge base.

There is no monotony in His design. In our lives He displays a huge sense of humor. When he moved me from Nigeria to Angola I clearly saw this part of Him revealed. What a laugh, yet He did it according to pattern...

He combined colors (blue, purple and scarlet) to finish the
centerpiece of His glory. He likewise colors our lives with people, occasions, events, that keep us radiating, continuously making us a spectacle of wonder.

Like Aaron's, His reason for taking you through the pattern of your life, the times, the places, the processes, the events, is all for beauty and for glory.
He does it in our lives so whoever sees us, whoever hears our story, where we are coming from and where we are going to... will have a cause to give God the glory

"Atieke wayanabo boma ba, nume...,
Atieke wayanabo boma ba, su na seki na."

The words of this song in my dialect literally means, "What will i use to bless God... Singing and Dancing."

I know for sure there's that one song in your dialect that raises your spirit to sing and dance to the worthy God. So lets take it home buddies... Are you rocking...? Sing and Dance.

It is very easy to sing and dance when all is good. When you narrowly escaped that accident, when you got that long-awaited breakthrough, when you look back and see your long list of accolades, when you look around you and feel the love in your life... the list is endless. You naturally and sometimes, spontaneously sing and dance. Whoa! I'm so elated, i want to shout, sing and dance.

Have you ever tried to sing and dance when it seems the world is crashing in on you? That point when you are at the brink of tears but wouldn't cry because big boys and girls don't cry.

Have you ever thought to sing and dance when you are so depressed and outright moody?

Have you considered singing and dancing when you are at cross-roads in your life, and tomorrow seems so bleak and uncertain...?

Are these not the best times to sing and dance?

Lets take a closer look at what our live's Standard Operating Procedure(SOP) has to say on singing and dancing.

SING AND DANCE TO CELEBRATE A WIN

- Ex. 15:1 The Israelites are a classic example of singing to celebrate a win. There were so overwhelmed they burst into songs. So we are on track, celebrate that victory!

- 2 Sam 6:14 David couldn't help it. He danced with reckless abandon at the return of the ark, God's presence, alongside playing on all manner of instruments...

People, are we still waiting... In fact, if you have nothing to celebrate, sing and dance because you see this day.

SING AND DANCE TO CONQUER

- Ps 149:5-9 Sing and dance to execute judgement on all your enemies and haters. I mean them demons.
With the tears of pain hanging on your face and your heart so low, at sub-zero, arm yourself with Ps 149:5-9 and burst into songs! This is an honour to us. Sing and Dance.

SING BECAUSE HE IS WORTHY

- Rev 5:9, Ps 96:1-13
Ever tried this before...? Sing and dance with the only reason being that God is worthy. And I'll tell you what He feels about this in Ps 69: 30,31. It pleases Him better than a sacrifice of ox or bull. Buddy, lets keep the millions in our pocket this time around, and lets rock because He is worthy. Sing and Dance...

Hmmmn! There are so many reasons to sing and dance. I'll have to bring the rest in a part 2. Meanwhile, lets hit the dance floor with these few points and praise Him.

"Atieke wayanabo boma ba, nume...,
Atieke wayanabo boma ba, su na seki na."

Life is Good! Often decorated with flowery moments, and at other times spiced with challenges. It brings to fore the importance of our choices and the gravity of our decisions as we go along its winding path.

We all travel that road alone but ironically need each other in order to be fulfilled. Life engages us actively with a circle of friends whether we are conscious of it or not, and they define the eventual outcome of our lives, our overall output... even though we bear the consequences alone.

Over the years, i have come to terms with the fact that different people evoke different responses from a person; you may have two best friends but never feel the same way with either one.

The Lord has blessed me with exceptional friends, each one adapted to suit a purpose in life's journey...

THE TEACHER

Ama is a person i never get tired of listening to. Every time we talk, it is an insight to wisdom and knowledge. He would draw lessons from his own and others experiences, moderate it with the word of God and together we would deduce practical applications to the present, learning the way forward.

Having teachers amongst your friends relieves you of the burden of thinking your way through life alone. This person can be an older person or a peer who has excelled in areas you aspire to attain.

" Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety."

THE INTERCESSOR

This friend provides you a very strong alliance, such as is required to invite God to ward off enemy states and conquer new lands.

"How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight..."

Mum provided this friendship. She would gather and burden all just to pray for others... lol (pregnant women, poor people, neighbors... unending list). She would constantly speak of testimonies and God's faithfulness. Every conversation with her leaves me believing that God answers prayers... i would run off to pray.

Having intercessor friends gives you people to share your challenges and testimonies with.

THE CELEBRATOR

When i first met Anu, i never thought we would go well together. Her personality appeared too boisterous for my rather reserved self. However, when we worked together on a particular job it became obvious that we had so many things in common. We would cook up unconventional and ingenious ways to simplify and resolve complex issues. Then we would celebrate our victories with rib-cracking, heart warming ventures. The company man wondered, "what high school girls were sent to this job?" It is one of our memorable jobs, even though it was a dry well... another joke to laugh at for us.

These kind of friends make your world go round and supply you with verve to fly.

" A merry heart does good like medicine..."

THE PROMOTER

Hmmm... i have met many! Esuru. These friends drive you to excel. They provoke the best in you.

Such friends are vital to everyone's life. They remind you that you can be your dream no matter the adversity. If you surround yourself with mediocres, over time you would behave like one even when you are not. Find those friends who promote your best and keep them!

" Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul."

THE BROTHER

These friends are so close to your heart, your history and your present. They have become a part of you. With them there is no holding back. There is a constant two-way sacrificing to support each other. Whenever the need arises, you can fall back on this friend... sorry, brother. For so Christday has grown to be amongst others...

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity"

I am now challenged to identify what friendship role i play in the lives of my friends. Do i leave them better-off or worse-off.

When we identify the roles we play, let us cultivate and nurture it consciously. Let us give the best we are to everyone that needs us, that way in our circle of friends the world will keep going round.

" A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother."

Far and above all friends, Jesus has proved a great friend that stays by our side when the world walks away. He's that one person who is willing to travel the solitary journey to the end with you. No matter the past consequences or hurt we bear, no matter the eventual consequences we will meet, carry him along in your boat and you'll find you do not lack a captain.

" Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

Hi friends,

"We will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever. With our mouth's we will make known His faithfulness to all generations"

I desire to speak but don't know what to say . Nevertheless, "...what I have I give to you".

See this: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". It makes me wonder aloud, 'God what meaneth this?'

And He used this example.
I have been hoping and believing God for a project, and I ask myself; 'what is the evidence that i will achieve this project when the future is so uncertain'.
I am convinced the project will materialize but what facts do I have today that tomorrow the project will be. The only fact I realize I have today, is that I BELIEVE.

That belief, that faith is the only evidence. The sure ticket that the project will come to pass. Hmmm.
The process of converting the ticket of faith to reality is a mystery exclusive to God alone. Let's not go there.

I ponder further...

"Without faith it is impossible to please God". In order to make this heaven, we must please God.
What is the evidence we have today that tomorrow we will make heaven (this is a constant question).

Again, the evidence, the fact, the ticket we have today for heaven tomorrow is FAITH. Only faith.

If we can believe today that "The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God", then we can make heaven tomorrow.
If we can believe today that "As many as are led by the spirit of God they are the sons of God", then we can make heaven tomorrow.

I wonder again... Am I really led by the spirit of God? But if not, why am I not a friend of the world. We must not belittle the great work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

As this walk is a continuous process and not a one-off incidence, He says..." The just shall live by faith".

Oh! That means the element of our everyday life is FAITH. We must believe our way through every single process of everyday, as an evidence of justification.

Whoa! Faith is an integral element of our lives! That answers the question ... "Why am I the one going through these challenges (maybe) all the time?"

By and large, this little ticket of faith has yielded great products:

- By faith, Abel gave an excellent offering, that speaks to date
- By faith, Noah condemned the world and saved his household
- By faith, Abraham left his country for an unknown city whose builder and maker was God

- ADD YOUR STORY HERE. The faith you have today is the ticket for that which you hope for tomorrow...

The beginning of a thing is often characterized by creation. It is a period when lofty imaginations are forced into manifestation. The extent of this manifestation defines the foundation on which the rest of the structure will stand.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. He had a ready made idea. He spoke and forced His idea to materialize. He created.

When I started this blog on the eve of my birthday, I spent hours working late into the night ... bringing into existence beautiful ideas of what I wanted my blog to represent. I chose carefully the template, the colors and more sensitively, the words. What a painstaking process it was.

In the beginning sacrifices have to be made. Great investments are required to complete that all important stage. Indeed, God knew no rest until He finished the beginning.

Intrigued by the splendor of creation, I worked hard birthing this blog, inspired by how much I want it to bless every visitor.

Often times in life we find ourselves at the beginning of something. A new job, a new family, a new project, a new phase of life... and so on.
Worry not! It is your opportunity to create the end. Overwhelm the alter of 'the beginning' with sacrifices that will run for you when your legs have become weak. Regard your beginning as the time to create those wonderful ideas that have been locked up too long, then spend the rest of the time watching your dreams come true.

Tips for the beginning:

- Have an idea, dream wild
- Set out. Utilize all your available resources no matter how small
- Sacrifice all, seek no reward for your time, money, energy, self pride, etc
- Be inspired by your vision for the end
- Invite the best beginner to begin with you... God.

Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. (Job 8:7)