Out of the Box
The month of Febuary has been tagged “Empowerment month” in Jesus House.
We got taught on how to make a difference in finances etc. Part of the nuggets I took away were to live within ones means and stop copying or wanting to own what others own especially if it will cost one an arm and leg plus eyes. Pay off debts, invests in people, whatever job you do, do it with excellence (case of Joseph).
One thing also was about seeing an idea from start to completion. Everything around us was someones idea, look around and you may start to see. An idea written down and followed through can go a long way, say a person loves writing songs, one in a month,through 2010,would have written 12 songs,and all that’s needed is 1 hit song and that’s it! Gates open. In a nutshell,ur work is ur calling,find it,invest in it and shine it through Christ. The intention is not for us to be in debt and poverty. There is a place for job and a place for work. As I often say, even the so called celebs one admires and want to mimic did 2 things:worked hard (still do) and are working in their calling. You and I are not exempted because we have the Holy Spirit, tongue talking and mountain moving faith. We too need to work hard, live within our means, be excellent in whatever jobs we do currently, pay off debt, invest wisely, reach out to give, be kingdom wise (tithes,offerings), be a blessing, find our work and walk in it.
Be empowered brethren!
Am I LOVE?
The only person loving genuinely today is God the I AM!
I dare say that no one else is loving unconditionally like HE is.The rest of us are ‘loving’ for one reason or the other (me inclusive) and not loving just because and and I do feel that until we fully grasp Ish 53 and can try to comprehend Jesus’s love, we cannot know what it means to love.
I wonder if the motherless will get a card or cupcakes, if they will get a visit from us just to show love
I wonder if those in prison will get a visit of love from us
I wonder if a parent will be told how grateful we are of their love (no matter how insignificant)
I wonder if some would even stay in the presence of God, just to show how grateful we are for his love
I wonder if we will build an ARK (acts of random kindness) without expecting anything in return, just to show love
I wonder if we would compromise dinners and gifts today and spend that money sowing a seed to Mama Rashida who sells tomatoes down our streets to send her children to school or give a meal to Mr Malam Aboki, who guards our gates from ‘intruders’
I wonder if we will touch by a hospital emergency ward to offer prayers and encouragements to those hanging on dearly for life
I wonder if we will ever rise above the culture and tradition of celebrating love once a year or celebrating Christ once a year to celebrating love every passing moment we get an opportunity to and celebrating Christ every single moment we take a breath
I wonder if we look around us, if we will find love hiden from people and be an example to help finding Love (Christ)
I wonder if I will take a bold step and cause a wave of love in our hearts and I wonder if I’ll start today to love, I mean, real love (not sensual).
God is love, God is in me, so I am LOVE…or am I?
IF.
Growing up (and still growing), I seldom wondered why my parents always rewarded a good behaviour after some sacrifice of obedience to an instruction they have laid down. I remember when the bicycle called ‘Chopper’ was in vogue for children my age at the time. That bicycle was the ish and I felt back then that if I didn’t have this, I would just die!
My dad then said to me that buying me the chopper bic wasn’t a problem at all however IF I wanted the gift, I must come 1st position in my class. With the picture of me riding my bicycle to the stare of my friends and neighbours, I worked very hard to achieve this IF clause.
Pastor Agu Irukwu shared a message which made me reflect on the fact that nothing in this life is actually free. A successful business person, a fulfilling career, an outstanding relationship, a remarkable event, an amazing person all require some level of investment and hardwork to achieve such status and an even harder work to maintain such.
I discover that even God has set IF conditions for us all. Now the bible assures us of so many promises and outcomes and studying his WORD with maturity of mind will show us that obedience is definitely inevitable to an outcome aligned with God’s will however what we find is we ‘name it and claim it’. We like the juicy verses of promises, prosperity, peace, success, fruitfulness with our tongues ever ready to shout ‘AMEN’ without ever considering what we are to do in order to live such lifestyle of special effects.
Those that know their God will be strong and do great exploits is what the book of Daniel assures us. Can you spot the IF clause?
Correct! The IF condition is ‘those that know their God’. So, If we don’t know our GOD, no chance of us doing any exploits through him. If we don’t recognize the TRUE and only GOD in our lives and situations, if he isn’t part of our daily living, there can’t be an assurance of victory.
Every promise in the bible has got a condition of ‘IF’ attached to it, the only FREE gift with no condition is the GIFT OF SALVATION.
I scored the 1st position and my dad got me a blue colour chopper bicycle as promised. I have since recognized that IF conditions are really not that bad and somehow, it works for our good. I went on to be among the top 3 students in the entire 6 arms of that grade which got me a recognition and award from the other branches of the school.
Fast track to date, I recognize and acknowledge the IF conditions in different areas of my life and ask for the Grace to fall in line in other to reap the fruit.
So, the next time we go shouting an ‘AMEN’ to a promise and before we start to tell lies against GOD for not answering our prayers, please check what IF conditions is attached to your request that you have not yet met.
Something is got to give.