The title above is taken from third stanza of the popular carol - O little town of Bethlehem written by Rector Philips Brooks(1835-1905) of Philadelphia following a pilgrimage to the Holy land.
The second stanza of this carol is particularly reminiscent of the current season we are celebrating - Christmas, here are some excerpts of it:
For Christ is born of Mary....
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth
Great lyrics, wouldn't you agree? Certainly.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace(Isaiah 9:6)
It is a blessing to be grateful for the continuous outpouring of God's Love and mercy which can not be merited but given by grace(of which we celebrate on this occasion of Christmas).
Lets get more enlightenment from the hand of Apostle Paul. shall we?
O yes! here we go...
When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His son, made of a woman, under the law to redeem them that were under the law that we may receive the adoption of sons(Gal 4:4)
Man O man! What a great inheritance we have in Christ Jesus! It's immeasurable.
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners(1Timothy 1:5)
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men(Titus 2:11)
Lets stand fast therefore in the liberty where with Christ has made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage(Galatians 5:1). Lets by Love serve each other, bear one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ. For He has given us a new commandment; that we should Love one another as he has loved us. The scriptures say he loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end(John 13:1b)
And in this season of Christmas and indeed at all times and in all places, lets not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, lets do good to all men especially those who are of the household of faith(Galatians 6:9-10)
And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him(Colosians 3:17)
And...
As the new year dawns, may it bring your way joy unspeakable and refreshing and fruitful seasons in your life and family.
May God grant you according to the riches of His glory to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in your inner man, and may you by the abounding grace of God always have all sufficiency in all things that you may abound to every good work.
Merry Christmas to you.
Peace & love
Sterling libs
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Here is how to be an Achiever
What does success mean to you, if I may ask? Whatever it is, soon or later you will realise that if you want success, you have to take action and go for it.
Being action oriented and results focused will do a lot to keep you on track in your path to achieving your well desired and deserved goals.
The bottom line is that, you are responsible for the results you achieve in life. Not the government, not your parents, not your friends, not your mother in law. No, none of them. YOU are responsible. You are the common denominator to both your triumphs and your mess-up’s.
Day in and day out, a lot of people realise their dreams while yet a lot shatter theirs. The gift of 'today' is a great gift. The truth is every day is the perfect day to do the right thing, to pursue your dreams, to take action, to begin.
Brian Tracy truly encapsulates this notion of the achiever in his piece of writing; “10 steps to Success”. I will quote them here for you.
“1. Start by clarifying the dream. Dream it big, dream it often, and always in living colour! Imagine the problems, the benefits, the skills you’ll need the people you’ll meet along the way. Dream often and dream the details.
2. Create a plan. What will your dream cost? How will it work? How long will it take? Who will help you get there? How will you solve the challenges, overcome the obstacles, and become the person you’ll need to become to reach your goal?
3. Reach out. We live in an amazing time. You can write, phone, fax, or email just about anyone on earth! Consult with experts. Talk to people who have achieved whatever you want to achieve. Truly successful people are usually delighted to show others the way. Make the calls.
4 Tell others. There is no substitute for talking about your dreams. Saying the words makes them powerful. Talk about where you want to go, what you want to do, and who you will become. And as a benefit, you will discover people who will help you along the way.
5. Take action. No matter what your dream, there is a step you can take today. If you are serious, there is someone you can call or write to. There is a book you can read, or some action that will start you on the path. Steven Spielberg snuck into movie lots as a teenager, just to look around. What action will you take today?
6. Set deadlines. Set deadlines for each of your small/big, personal/official, long-term/short-term task AND always try to finish the task by that deadline.
7. Eliminate distractions. This is the tough one, and a favourite excuse of the “almost successful”. Successful people eliminate the distractions of life. Combine errands, delegate tasks, hire people to do things you don’t want to do. Simplify your life and never waste time. Turn off the TV (and some time also the computer)
8. Invest wisely. Successful people understand that their dreams will require an investment of time or money or energy and they are prepared to pay the price. Whatever your dream, it will require some risk, and some investment. Make the investment.
9. Create room for success. All of us are doing something every moment of every day, and making your dreams come true will require some adjustments. Whether it’s adjusting your schedule, your finances, or your use of energy, you’ll have to make room for success.
10. Have a mentor/coach. Whether you hire a professional coach or find a local expert, or a cyber friend. Successful people have coaches. There are very few “self made” successes! We all need someone to believe in us, someone to encourage, challenge and applaud us. Develop a close, working relationship with a coach who can show you the way to your dreams!
Success is no accident. Success is always the result of our best efforts. It is the result of investing”.
May I add that, prayer is very, very essential in helping you achieve your goals. The whole of life, in all its manifestations, must be permeated by prayer. But its secret is Love for the Lord.
Peace & Love
Libs
Being action oriented and results focused will do a lot to keep you on track in your path to achieving your well desired and deserved goals.
The bottom line is that, you are responsible for the results you achieve in life. Not the government, not your parents, not your friends, not your mother in law. No, none of them. YOU are responsible. You are the common denominator to both your triumphs and your mess-up’s.
Day in and day out, a lot of people realise their dreams while yet a lot shatter theirs. The gift of 'today' is a great gift. The truth is every day is the perfect day to do the right thing, to pursue your dreams, to take action, to begin.
Brian Tracy truly encapsulates this notion of the achiever in his piece of writing; “10 steps to Success”. I will quote them here for you.
“1. Start by clarifying the dream. Dream it big, dream it often, and always in living colour! Imagine the problems, the benefits, the skills you’ll need the people you’ll meet along the way. Dream often and dream the details.
2. Create a plan. What will your dream cost? How will it work? How long will it take? Who will help you get there? How will you solve the challenges, overcome the obstacles, and become the person you’ll need to become to reach your goal?
3. Reach out. We live in an amazing time. You can write, phone, fax, or email just about anyone on earth! Consult with experts. Talk to people who have achieved whatever you want to achieve. Truly successful people are usually delighted to show others the way. Make the calls.
4 Tell others. There is no substitute for talking about your dreams. Saying the words makes them powerful. Talk about where you want to go, what you want to do, and who you will become. And as a benefit, you will discover people who will help you along the way.
5. Take action. No matter what your dream, there is a step you can take today. If you are serious, there is someone you can call or write to. There is a book you can read, or some action that will start you on the path. Steven Spielberg snuck into movie lots as a teenager, just to look around. What action will you take today?
6. Set deadlines. Set deadlines for each of your small/big, personal/official, long-term/short-term task AND always try to finish the task by that deadline.
7. Eliminate distractions. This is the tough one, and a favourite excuse of the “almost successful”. Successful people eliminate the distractions of life. Combine errands, delegate tasks, hire people to do things you don’t want to do. Simplify your life and never waste time. Turn off the TV (and some time also the computer)
8. Invest wisely. Successful people understand that their dreams will require an investment of time or money or energy and they are prepared to pay the price. Whatever your dream, it will require some risk, and some investment. Make the investment.
9. Create room for success. All of us are doing something every moment of every day, and making your dreams come true will require some adjustments. Whether it’s adjusting your schedule, your finances, or your use of energy, you’ll have to make room for success.
10. Have a mentor/coach. Whether you hire a professional coach or find a local expert, or a cyber friend. Successful people have coaches. There are very few “self made” successes! We all need someone to believe in us, someone to encourage, challenge and applaud us. Develop a close, working relationship with a coach who can show you the way to your dreams!
Success is no accident. Success is always the result of our best efforts. It is the result of investing”.
May I add that, prayer is very, very essential in helping you achieve your goals. The whole of life, in all its manifestations, must be permeated by prayer. But its secret is Love for the Lord.
Peace & Love
Libs
Here is how to improve your Finances
There is an old saying that goes like these: “The only thing easy about money is losing it”
In other words, making money is hard and requires a lot of effort but loosing it, well not much effort is required, just spend , spend & spend some more and in no time, it’s all gone just like that.
You make money by doing more of certain things, less of other things, starting something brand new and stopping doing certain things altogether.
It requires clarity, discipline, tenacity, persistence and resourcefulness. If you are to make more or improve your finances you have to do something different from what you are doing today because:”The more you do of what you are doing, the more you will get of what you’ve got.
One of your financial goals should be to make the best use of your time in all that you do. You should continually think about the value of your time and deploy it in use at those activities that are most resourceful.
And here are four ways to demonstrate that.
1. You can do more of certain things.
What are the things you should do more of? Well, Of course you should do more of those things that are working best for you.
For example, if you are a sole trader or small business owner, you should use more of the marketing and sales methods that are getting you face to face with your best customers, the ones who buy the most readily, pay in time and appreciate the value of your products and services.
Do more of those things that are working for you and keep improving on them. That is the key.
2. You can do less of other things.
Don’t fall into the habit of doing things just because you are comfortable doing them even if these things are not working particularly well for you. This will terribly waste your time and leave you frustrated at the end.
You should do less and less of those things of low value that are giving you few results, so that you can have more time to do more of higher value things that are giving you better results. You can’t do both at the same time.
3. You can start something brand new.
Be creative, innovative and ‘think outside the box’. Don’t be particularly stuck with the same old boring and low value things and activities.
You should try to learn and apply new ideas.
Make up your mind not to be limited by anything. Explore your territory and discover new and better ways to do your work, business, etc.
A simple idea that you might open your mind to through continuous study, creativity, innovation might make all the difference in your finances and especially in your life.
4. You can stop certain things altogether.
Resourceful people are always open to the possibility of, and the need for, doing something completely different. They are willing to stop doing anything that they recognise is not working and is eating up on their time. They don’t get stuck in their “comfort zone” and stay there just because it feels good. No, they are willing and ready to take the risks that go with embarking on a new course of action.
Now, given the above four points, here is a question for you:
Is there anything in your life – right now – that you should do more of, less of, start or stop doing?
I am sure you know the answer. Act on it and keep asking the above question every day if you want to maintain peak performance and improve your finances.
Peace & Love
Libs
In other words, making money is hard and requires a lot of effort but loosing it, well not much effort is required, just spend , spend & spend some more and in no time, it’s all gone just like that.
You make money by doing more of certain things, less of other things, starting something brand new and stopping doing certain things altogether.
It requires clarity, discipline, tenacity, persistence and resourcefulness. If you are to make more or improve your finances you have to do something different from what you are doing today because:”The more you do of what you are doing, the more you will get of what you’ve got.
One of your financial goals should be to make the best use of your time in all that you do. You should continually think about the value of your time and deploy it in use at those activities that are most resourceful.
And here are four ways to demonstrate that.
1. You can do more of certain things.
What are the things you should do more of? Well, Of course you should do more of those things that are working best for you.
For example, if you are a sole trader or small business owner, you should use more of the marketing and sales methods that are getting you face to face with your best customers, the ones who buy the most readily, pay in time and appreciate the value of your products and services.
Do more of those things that are working for you and keep improving on them. That is the key.
2. You can do less of other things.
Don’t fall into the habit of doing things just because you are comfortable doing them even if these things are not working particularly well for you. This will terribly waste your time and leave you frustrated at the end.
You should do less and less of those things of low value that are giving you few results, so that you can have more time to do more of higher value things that are giving you better results. You can’t do both at the same time.
3. You can start something brand new.
Be creative, innovative and ‘think outside the box’. Don’t be particularly stuck with the same old boring and low value things and activities.
You should try to learn and apply new ideas.
Make up your mind not to be limited by anything. Explore your territory and discover new and better ways to do your work, business, etc.
A simple idea that you might open your mind to through continuous study, creativity, innovation might make all the difference in your finances and especially in your life.
4. You can stop certain things altogether.
Resourceful people are always open to the possibility of, and the need for, doing something completely different. They are willing to stop doing anything that they recognise is not working and is eating up on their time. They don’t get stuck in their “comfort zone” and stay there just because it feels good. No, they are willing and ready to take the risks that go with embarking on a new course of action.
Now, given the above four points, here is a question for you:
Is there anything in your life – right now – that you should do more of, less of, start or stop doing?
I am sure you know the answer. Act on it and keep asking the above question every day if you want to maintain peak performance and improve your finances.
Peace & Love
Libs
Saturday, 24 July 2010
What a debt! A blessing in disguise
In today’s culture and economy, debt is something that is almost normal though very disconcerting. Many people especially in the western world have been in it for as long as they can remember, while yet others have almost lost hope of coming out of it.
Money needs to be used with the utmost care & discretion otherwise it will reduce you to a slave if it masters you.
Money needs to be used with the utmost care & discretion otherwise it will reduce you to a slave if it masters you.
Now, whether you are owed or you owe or perhaps are even ‘debt free’, there is ONE debt you will owe for the rest of your life. It does not matter how much you try to pay it or how loaded you are in financial terms, this ONE is here to stay.
Let me say that again, it’s here to stay! You may try to avoid it, but you won't have a fruitful life without it and it’s the only debt that gets more rewarding, the bigger it gets.
Interestingly enough, you will find that nothing really matters in life until and unless you pay this debt and continue paying it.
Let me say that again, it’s here to stay! You may try to avoid it, but you won't have a fruitful life without it and it’s the only debt that gets more rewarding, the bigger it gets.
Interestingly enough, you will find that nothing really matters in life until and unless you pay this debt and continue paying it.
Know what I am talking about?
It is the Debt of Love! – The only debt you are allowed to owe and ironically one that you cannot pay off however much you try to, and the more you pay it the bigger and rewarding it gets. O how convenient!
The scriptures tell us to "owe no man any thing but to love one another" Romans 13:8
Moreover our Lord and master Jesus Christ gave us the great commandments – The Love commandments - St Mathew 22:37 – 39
The debt of Love is a blessing in disguise, a blessing beyond measure and one that requires your honest participation. There are various ways you can participate.
Allow me name a few of this ways to you by the grace of God and I hope you will find them both edifying and uplifting.
The starting point is to never take anything for granted, big or small.
It’s worth noting here that, in life nothing just happens to or for you. There is a purpose to everything including your very existence. The key here is to be very discerning and apt to make a conscious decision to do the right thing.
The other point is to avoid criticizing, complaining, condemning or judging anybody. Instead of pointing fingers and trying to find fault with every body and every thing, being empathetic and lending a helping hand whenever you can to those in need would be more noble.
Yet another one is to show mercy. To forgive and be forgiven is essential if you are to participate in the debt of love. The Lord Jesus Christ in teaching His disciples how to pray said, "…..forgive us our debts, as we forgive those who are indebted to us” St Matthew 6:12 (KJV).
All of us without exception make mistakes and are in need of forgiveness from God and our fellow human beings, and that is done by showing mercy and being loving to one another.
All of us without exception make mistakes and are in need of forgiveness from God and our fellow human beings, and that is done by showing mercy and being loving to one another.
Love is both given and received and you ought to be ready in season and out of season to do both.
Be loving and lovable. I say lovable because you cannot give(in this case Love) what you don’t have and you cannot have without receiving.
So the next time someone is kind to you, compliments you, does something nice to you, trusts you etc, anything they do to show they love you, the least you can do is to receive it! And you receive it by saying thank you from the bottom of your heart. As for long as it is an act of kindness, just receive it and be grateful.
Why?
Because, first of all, you will enlarge your capacity to love when you are open to receive love and secondly, whether the thing being done to or for you is done genuinely or not, as for long as you are grateful for it, your heartfelt gratitude glorifies God and subsequently the act of Kindness genuine or not is then sanctified.
Thus, if any of it was originally meant for evil though it was an act of kindness, it will then because of the sanctifying grace of God, work out for your good. For nothing bad can prevail where God’s glory is manifested.
So, often say thank you at every opportunity and let an attitude of gratitude be your present hour disposition. It works wonders.
Last and by no means least, I implore you to pursue peace with all men as far as it lies in your power to do so. Be humble and acknowledge your mistakes when you screw up at times, there is no harm in saying sorry, in fact it is honourable.
I am confident that if you act on the preceding statements, you will be on your way to owing man nothing but Love. O what a debt!
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit.
Peace & Love
Libs
Monday, 19 July 2010
Take a Leap of Faith
A leap of faith, in its most commonly used meaning, is the act of believing in or accepting something intangible or unprovable, or without empirical evidence
The implication of taking a leap of faith can, depending on the context, carry positive or negative connotations, as some feel it is a virtue to be able to believe in something without evidence while others feel it is foolishness. It is a hotly contested theological and philosophical concept.
The biblical definition of Faith found in Heb 11:1, is the best definition of faith you can ever get.
This article is not an exegesis of what Faith is, it is simply about our day to day lives in light of the fact that, everyday living is living by faith and that Faith is non denominational. In every human being intrinsically in our make up is a measure of Faith.
In all honesty, living by faith is the only way to live.
First of all, without Faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6) & it really doesn't matter whether you believe in God or not, He exists regardless of your belief and more than that, you can only approach Him by Faith.
Success (or lack thereof) is intrinsically linked to your level of Faith (the level to which you have developed it).
If I may ask;
In your life, what do you believe is possible? .....
Your answer to the above question will depend on how developed your Faith is.
It is worth noting at this juncture that the greatest enemies to your life of Faith are the twin fears of failure and rejection.
I have seen, heard and experienced the tragedy that the fear of failure and rejection can wreck on the human spirit and the diabolical effects of their stronghold in any ones life.
Many people have literally been 'paralysed' by the fear of failure & rejection that they make faith of non effect in their lives. its sad, but there you go.
I can clearly identify with the preceding statement, because I have been there before & for years couldn't make meaningful progress in my life and what made it even more frustrating was that, I was acutely aware of the potential in me to make a difference.
My breakthrough as it were, came when I realised that, I am more than a physical body and that my creator endowed me with an excellent spirit and that I can live without fear, full of courage, love and fundamentally I understood that ultimately, the choice of what/who I believe, is the real difference maker because my faith hinged on that. I chose to believe in God and trust in Him.
Since then, it's been an ongoing journey of very humbling experiences that has culminated to my firm conviction that, God is all you need and can ever have and if you don't have Him, what else can you have, - Nothing, absolutely nothing! All else without Him is fleeting vanity.
Back to what we said earlier on about fear of failure and rejection, to live in such fear is not only dysfunctional, it all together limits your potential.
See, you owe it not only to God but also to yourself, to make the most of your life.
On the account of what you do with the great engineering in you, it will be asked of you by your creator God, what you did with your life. What will be your answer?
Will you have maximised your potential or would you have allowed your predisposition to the fear of failure & rejection to erroneously influence the choices & decisions that you make to live a purposeful life
It is inevitable that, occasionally you will feel the fear of failure/rejection when you are engaged in worthwhile projects and in living a life of purpose, and it really does not matter whether you are rich or poor, young or old, this twin fears are around you constantly and will tend to influence you at whatever level in life you are in.
Question is,
what will you do about it?
Answer,
Take a leap of Faith! Dare to go forward even in the face of your greatest fear of failure/rejection.
Act with boldness, courage & fortitude and step out in the face of uncertainty and do your hearts desire with such a conviction that your fears just melt into thin air - just go for it, you will be amazed.
General Douglas MacArthur once said: "There is no security in life, only opportunity"
Reminds me of the creed of Frederick the Great, one of history's greatest leaders, it said, "Audacity, audacity - always Audacity.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" said Apostle Paul
And,
Our Lord Jesus Christ said, " All things are possible to him who believes"
Dear beloved,
In closing, I would like to challenge you to stir up the great potential in you, renew your mind and have the courage of your convictions. Take a leap of Faith and do the extraordinary, you are more than able.
Whatever you need to do today to move forward, go for it, give it a try, you can make it.
Follow the advise of an old man to his grandson, "Act boldly and unseen forces will come to your aid"
Moreover, our LORD hath said that : "I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE NOR FORSAKE THEE
So that 'you' may boldly say: THE LORD IS MY HELPER, AND I WILL NOT FEAR WHAT MAN SHALL DO UNTO ME" (Heb 13: 5-6)
Is there anything you are contemplating to do and are procrastinating for whatever reason? Just do it, take a leap of faith, go for it. Be bold, act with Audacity!
We'll talk again soon. Till then, be sure to take good care of yourself.
Peace & Love
Libs
The implication of taking a leap of faith can, depending on the context, carry positive or negative connotations, as some feel it is a virtue to be able to believe in something without evidence while others feel it is foolishness. It is a hotly contested theological and philosophical concept.
The biblical definition of Faith found in Heb 11:1, is the best definition of faith you can ever get.
This article is not an exegesis of what Faith is, it is simply about our day to day lives in light of the fact that, everyday living is living by faith and that Faith is non denominational. In every human being intrinsically in our make up is a measure of Faith.
In all honesty, living by faith is the only way to live.
First of all, without Faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6) & it really doesn't matter whether you believe in God or not, He exists regardless of your belief and more than that, you can only approach Him by Faith.
Success (or lack thereof) is intrinsically linked to your level of Faith (the level to which you have developed it).
If I may ask;
In your life, what do you believe is possible? .....
Your answer to the above question will depend on how developed your Faith is.
It is worth noting at this juncture that the greatest enemies to your life of Faith are the twin fears of failure and rejection.
I have seen, heard and experienced the tragedy that the fear of failure and rejection can wreck on the human spirit and the diabolical effects of their stronghold in any ones life.
Many people have literally been 'paralysed' by the fear of failure & rejection that they make faith of non effect in their lives. its sad, but there you go.
I can clearly identify with the preceding statement, because I have been there before & for years couldn't make meaningful progress in my life and what made it even more frustrating was that, I was acutely aware of the potential in me to make a difference.
My breakthrough as it were, came when I realised that, I am more than a physical body and that my creator endowed me with an excellent spirit and that I can live without fear, full of courage, love and fundamentally I understood that ultimately, the choice of what/who I believe, is the real difference maker because my faith hinged on that. I chose to believe in God and trust in Him.
Since then, it's been an ongoing journey of very humbling experiences that has culminated to my firm conviction that, God is all you need and can ever have and if you don't have Him, what else can you have, - Nothing, absolutely nothing! All else without Him is fleeting vanity.
Back to what we said earlier on about fear of failure and rejection, to live in such fear is not only dysfunctional, it all together limits your potential.
See, you owe it not only to God but also to yourself, to make the most of your life.
On the account of what you do with the great engineering in you, it will be asked of you by your creator God, what you did with your life. What will be your answer?
Will you have maximised your potential or would you have allowed your predisposition to the fear of failure & rejection to erroneously influence the choices & decisions that you make to live a purposeful life
It is inevitable that, occasionally you will feel the fear of failure/rejection when you are engaged in worthwhile projects and in living a life of purpose, and it really does not matter whether you are rich or poor, young or old, this twin fears are around you constantly and will tend to influence you at whatever level in life you are in.
Question is,
what will you do about it?
Answer,
Take a leap of Faith! Dare to go forward even in the face of your greatest fear of failure/rejection.
Act with boldness, courage & fortitude and step out in the face of uncertainty and do your hearts desire with such a conviction that your fears just melt into thin air - just go for it, you will be amazed.
General Douglas MacArthur once said: "There is no security in life, only opportunity"
Reminds me of the creed of Frederick the Great, one of history's greatest leaders, it said, "Audacity, audacity - always Audacity.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" said Apostle Paul
And,
Our Lord Jesus Christ said, " All things are possible to him who believes"
Dear beloved,
In closing, I would like to challenge you to stir up the great potential in you, renew your mind and have the courage of your convictions. Take a leap of Faith and do the extraordinary, you are more than able.
Whatever you need to do today to move forward, go for it, give it a try, you can make it.
Follow the advise of an old man to his grandson, "Act boldly and unseen forces will come to your aid"
Moreover, our LORD hath said that : "I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE NOR FORSAKE THEE
So that 'you' may boldly say: THE LORD IS MY HELPER, AND I WILL NOT FEAR WHAT MAN SHALL DO UNTO ME" (Heb 13: 5-6)
Is there anything you are contemplating to do and are procrastinating for whatever reason? Just do it, take a leap of faith, go for it. Be bold, act with Audacity!
We'll talk again soon. Till then, be sure to take good care of yourself.
Peace & Love
Libs
Monday, 24 May 2010
Never loose Hope
I hear the story once of a young boy who had cancer. Someone came to pick him up often to go and get chemotherapy. The person driving soon noticed how happy the boy was. Intrigued, the driver asked him, "Why are you so happy. Don't you know you are dying." The boy responded, "If I live like I am dying, that's like dying twice!"
Waw....
That is quite a remarkable statement coming from a very young lad whose life has barely began and yet it is being robbed by cancer and yet he is still able to smile!
It reminds me of what Marian Zimmer Bradley once said "The road that is built in hope is more pleasant to the traveler than the road built in despair, even though they both lead to the same destination"
"Take hope from the heart of man and you make him a beast of prey" Quida.
And Christopher Reeves once said "Once you choose Hope, anything is possible"
In modern times, we consider hope to be so intrinsic to our existence. It's what gets many of us through our worst days. Lingering unemployment, family troubles, marital problems, foreclosures, dwindling retirement funds, businesses folding -- any of these could make a person lose hope.
And,...
"The sudden disappointment of hope leaves a scar which the ultimate fulfilment of that hope never entirely removes" Thomas Hardy
Fortunately, "What is important to remember is that life is not meant to be easy. Life is a trial of sorts. Since life is a 'test', it is meant to really make things difficult for us, confuse us, and make us feel discouraged. This is all part of living life and learning. It is normal to feel alone, afraid, or to get hurt. The important thing is to learn quickly and to be optimistic about what we face. Not everything is as it seems. Bad times pass and so do good ones. Life has its ups and downs and that is what helps us appreciate more the things that are good"
I'm a realist, but I'm also an optimist. And while hope and optimism are not exactly the same, they are intrinsically linked.
For example, I am optimistic that no matter what your background or disposition in life is, you will eventually make it in life, and I am hopeful that we can learn lasting lessons from the mistakes, choices and decisions we make in life. But I can't just wait and hope. I have to help things happen - Take Action.
My optimism and hope are based on my knowledge and ongoing understanding of my 'relationship' with God through Jesus Christ.
When I look back and consider how far I have come and what I believe God has done in me and through me, I can't help but truly be thankful. Hopefully, you will be able to identify with the same in your life as well.
In all honesty, this gives me a sense of optimism and hope no matter what happens in life.
I thank God for:
Salvation, good health, a sound mind, His mercy, Love, Blessings, protection, Favour, Peace, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, His creation, His forgiveness, and Life.
Many of us would be able to identify that God is really good regardless of the trials and tribulations we go through in life and despite His 'apparent' lack of concern (so we say) for our situation or circumstances sometimes.
The biggest lie that the enemy can bring to you especially when you are faced with challenges is the lie that; 'God really doesn't Care' and this lie can cause you to loose the battle before it even really begins.
By the grace of God, allow me remind us of God's faithfulness and love toward us and I hope these will inspire optimism and Hope in you to face challenges that come your way because, like it or not; they will come and it doesn't matter whether you are rich or poor, challenges are no respecters of persons.
That said, let's be reminded that,....
As a child of God;
God has come and taken residence in your heart; you have the Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy immortal living on the inside of you. His Kingdom has come and His will shall be done in your life. He is so mindful of you and has chosen you to be a partaker of His divine nature.
He will enlarge your territory and bless you indeed.
He loves you with an everlasting, unconditional and non judgemental Love, and has blessed you with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. He cuts off your enemies and defeats those who afflict your soul.
He has given you wisdom, understanding, patience and a desire for Him. He watches over you and has strengthened you with might by the Holy ghost in your inner man.
You are strong and courageous with excellent qualities.
God has promised to teach you and instruct you in the way that you should go and to guide you with His eye, He turns away your eyes from beholding vanity and quickens you in His ways.
He has delivered you from the power of satan and has given you everlasting life. He has been gracious and compassionate towards you because His mercy is new every morning and endures forever.
God has protected you from the schemes and plans of the evil one over your life. He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you and He is faithful to His word and moreover, he has given you a spirit of power, Love and a sound mind. You are complete in Him.
God has provided for you even in your darkest hour, He has shown Himself strong on your behalf. Whenever you have been between 'a rock and a hard place' His faithfulness has never failed you.
He has given you courage and strength to patiently endure all that befalls you and never distancing Himself from you at any moment just in case you need help.
God orders your steps, directs your thoughts, actions and speech. Whenever you become negligent and fall, He lifts you up, gives you an opportunity for a fresh start. He gives you the strength to rise up again and again and again. He never gives up on you.
He holds no record of wrongs, he has forgiven you of all your sins and cleansed you from all unrighteousness and He has set you upon a rock.
He has lit your candle and enlightened your darkness, His hand is upon you, He keeps you from evil that it may not grieve you.
God has truly done a lot more than I have said above and He is yet even able to do exceedingly, abundantly above and beyond what you can imagine or think according to the power that is at work in you. For that, I am sure.
And what God has done in the past, He is infinitely able to do it again and again in more and more special ways.
And that is why it is not only right but also our duty to trust and put our HOPE in God.
One should love every man from the soul but one should place one's HOPE only in God and serve Him with all one's strength. As for long as He protects us against harm, all our friends treat us with respect and all our enemies( principalities, powers of darkness, evil spirits) are powerless to injure us. But once He abandons us, all our friends turn a way from us while all our enemies prevail against us.
“A Desire becomes a Hope when we discover a reason for its expectation, and there is no better reason to expect something than a promise given in the Word of God.”
Hope for the best and then trust God to help you make it happen.
Peace & Love
Libs
Waw....
That is quite a remarkable statement coming from a very young lad whose life has barely began and yet it is being robbed by cancer and yet he is still able to smile!
It reminds me of what Marian Zimmer Bradley once said "The road that is built in hope is more pleasant to the traveler than the road built in despair, even though they both lead to the same destination"
"Take hope from the heart of man and you make him a beast of prey" Quida.
And Christopher Reeves once said "Once you choose Hope, anything is possible"
In modern times, we consider hope to be so intrinsic to our existence. It's what gets many of us through our worst days. Lingering unemployment, family troubles, marital problems, foreclosures, dwindling retirement funds, businesses folding -- any of these could make a person lose hope.
And,...
"The sudden disappointment of hope leaves a scar which the ultimate fulfilment of that hope never entirely removes" Thomas Hardy
Fortunately, "What is important to remember is that life is not meant to be easy. Life is a trial of sorts. Since life is a 'test', it is meant to really make things difficult for us, confuse us, and make us feel discouraged. This is all part of living life and learning. It is normal to feel alone, afraid, or to get hurt. The important thing is to learn quickly and to be optimistic about what we face. Not everything is as it seems. Bad times pass and so do good ones. Life has its ups and downs and that is what helps us appreciate more the things that are good"
I'm a realist, but I'm also an optimist. And while hope and optimism are not exactly the same, they are intrinsically linked.
For example, I am optimistic that no matter what your background or disposition in life is, you will eventually make it in life, and I am hopeful that we can learn lasting lessons from the mistakes, choices and decisions we make in life. But I can't just wait and hope. I have to help things happen - Take Action.
My optimism and hope are based on my knowledge and ongoing understanding of my 'relationship' with God through Jesus Christ.
When I look back and consider how far I have come and what I believe God has done in me and through me, I can't help but truly be thankful. Hopefully, you will be able to identify with the same in your life as well.
In all honesty, this gives me a sense of optimism and hope no matter what happens in life.
I thank God for:
Salvation, good health, a sound mind, His mercy, Love, Blessings, protection, Favour, Peace, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, His creation, His forgiveness, and Life.
Many of us would be able to identify that God is really good regardless of the trials and tribulations we go through in life and despite His 'apparent' lack of concern (so we say) for our situation or circumstances sometimes.
The biggest lie that the enemy can bring to you especially when you are faced with challenges is the lie that; 'God really doesn't Care' and this lie can cause you to loose the battle before it even really begins.
By the grace of God, allow me remind us of God's faithfulness and love toward us and I hope these will inspire optimism and Hope in you to face challenges that come your way because, like it or not; they will come and it doesn't matter whether you are rich or poor, challenges are no respecters of persons.
That said, let's be reminded that,....
As a child of God;
God has come and taken residence in your heart; you have the Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy immortal living on the inside of you. His Kingdom has come and His will shall be done in your life. He is so mindful of you and has chosen you to be a partaker of His divine nature.
He will enlarge your territory and bless you indeed.
He loves you with an everlasting, unconditional and non judgemental Love, and has blessed you with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. He cuts off your enemies and defeats those who afflict your soul.
He has given you wisdom, understanding, patience and a desire for Him. He watches over you and has strengthened you with might by the Holy ghost in your inner man.
You are strong and courageous with excellent qualities.
God has promised to teach you and instruct you in the way that you should go and to guide you with His eye, He turns away your eyes from beholding vanity and quickens you in His ways.
He has delivered you from the power of satan and has given you everlasting life. He has been gracious and compassionate towards you because His mercy is new every morning and endures forever.
God has protected you from the schemes and plans of the evil one over your life. He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you and He is faithful to His word and moreover, he has given you a spirit of power, Love and a sound mind. You are complete in Him.
God has provided for you even in your darkest hour, He has shown Himself strong on your behalf. Whenever you have been between 'a rock and a hard place' His faithfulness has never failed you.
He has given you courage and strength to patiently endure all that befalls you and never distancing Himself from you at any moment just in case you need help.
God orders your steps, directs your thoughts, actions and speech. Whenever you become negligent and fall, He lifts you up, gives you an opportunity for a fresh start. He gives you the strength to rise up again and again and again. He never gives up on you.
He holds no record of wrongs, he has forgiven you of all your sins and cleansed you from all unrighteousness and He has set you upon a rock.
He has lit your candle and enlightened your darkness, His hand is upon you, He keeps you from evil that it may not grieve you.
God has truly done a lot more than I have said above and He is yet even able to do exceedingly, abundantly above and beyond what you can imagine or think according to the power that is at work in you. For that, I am sure.
And what God has done in the past, He is infinitely able to do it again and again in more and more special ways.
And that is why it is not only right but also our duty to trust and put our HOPE in God.
One should love every man from the soul but one should place one's HOPE only in God and serve Him with all one's strength. As for long as He protects us against harm, all our friends treat us with respect and all our enemies( principalities, powers of darkness, evil spirits) are powerless to injure us. But once He abandons us, all our friends turn a way from us while all our enemies prevail against us.
“A Desire becomes a Hope when we discover a reason for its expectation, and there is no better reason to expect something than a promise given in the Word of God.”
Hope for the best and then trust God to help you make it happen.
Peace & Love
Libs
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Never be Moved
It's almost like a fairy tale these days to talk about a life of tranquility, stillness, peace, courage, fortitude, blessed Love and harmony.
From the rich to the poor, the bond & the free, the healthy & the sick, the wise & the ignorant; all are moved by one thing or the other: family issues, jobs, relationships, debt, day to day cares to name but a few.
I wonder, does it really have to be so?
I am reminded of a song way back in Sunday school, whose chorus goes like this:
I shall not; I shall not be moved,
I shall not; I shall not be moved,
Just like a tree, that is planted by the water side,
I shall not be moved.
I used to hear the same song in my teens at house fellowships and church at evening services.
Nowadays, well, I hardly hear it. Whatever happened, I don't know, what is clear however is that, a few people will sing that song and really mean it.
Question,....
Should you really be moved by anything at all? Really, should you?
Well, we'll find out shortly.
And we will start here,...
Prophet & King- David, is reckoned to be one of the greatest worshipers of God who ever lived, and doubtless so. His Psalms and hymns are effulgent with divine insight, blessedness and prophesy.
I was led to one of His Psalms and it really contained the answer to NEVER BEING MOVED.
Oh, what a relief!
Here is how King David began this Psalm:
LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
For a moment I paused, and like being there with the great King (in my mind of course), I asked; yeah, LORD, who really can?
Wouldn’t all your creation (created in your image and likeness) want to?
After all, Scripture tells us that in your presence is fullness of Joy and at your right hand are pleasures for ever more! Who wouldn’t want to have fullness of joy and pleasures forever more, Lord? Who?
What followed next in the words of this Psalm were even more awe inspiring, non esoteric and really did get me riveted.
Four verses loaded with insight, wisdom, understanding, blessedness, discretion, diligence, faithfulness, Love, courage, peace, harmony, fortitude, stillness, and fruit of the Spirit; followed next in the Psalm:
Let’s hear them, shall we?
Oh, yeah!
King David said; of him/her who shall abide in the LORD’s tabernacle and dwell in His holy hill and thus not be moved, is;
a. He that walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness and speaketh the truth in his heart.
Pause a bit and read it again…,
Can you identify with that?
To walk uprightly and work righteousness, you will need the pure word of the Lord and trust in Him.
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success” Joshua 1:8
Only be strong and courageous, with patient endurance and “In your patience possess ye your soul” Luke 21:19
About speaking truth; are you one with your word?
Are your words free from guile?
Can you confidently say like the psalmist said; “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee” Psalm 25:21.
Wouldn’t it be fitting and right to heed the words of Apostle Paul who said; “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one with another” Ephesians 4:25, and Apostle Peter who said….
“For he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking no guile” 1Peter 3:10
Then here comes the next verse in the Psalm;
b. He that backbiteth not with his tongue nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up reproach against his neighbour.
Here I am reminded of an old adage- words can build bridges and can also create walls. I wonder what your words have been doing lately.
Are they building people up, or are they destroying them & yourself?
Apostle Paul reminds us to; “Speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men” Titus 3:2 and to “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” Colossians 4:6
And concerning your neighbour…..
The Lord said; Love your neighbour as yourself.
These can be well acted out by embracing meekness, thus having a quiet disposition of spirit, joined with care neither to offend any man, nor be offended at anything one’s self.
And if we are to experience the special effects of meekness, we should never murmer against God, nor even against men, when anything falls out against our wishes, nor give way to anger, nor set ourselves up.
Do unto others what you would have them do unto you – that is the golden rule, isn’t it?
In the next verse of the Psalm, he says….
c. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned, but honoureth them that fear the Lord. He who sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not.
Solomon in his proverbs admonishes us to “Be not envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studieth destruction and their lips talk of mischief” Proverbs 24:1-2 and the…
Psalmist says; “Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: in whose hands is mischief and their right hand is full of bribes” Psalm 26:9-10.
As far as concerns you, live at peace with all men, however, it is your responsibility to ensure that you don’t keep company with the wicked. Always be sober & vigilant.
On the other hand, honouring those who have been appointed to instruct us in our spiritual walk is both a noble and wise thing to do; for they have the due responsibility of feeding the flock of God.
We ought to behave respectfully to them, and do all we can to be obedient to them.
It also serves well to honour our fellow brothers in the Lord who truly fear the Lord, for they too, will be a source of inspiration, guidance and encouragement in the faith.
And when it comes to our personal walk with the LORD, let us with patient endurance hold fast the faith, never relenting nor drawing back, ever increasing in the knowledge of God and run the race to obtain the imperishable crown of glory.
Let’s stick with Jesus; ‘come rain or sunshine’ He is the captain of your Soul, your Benefactor and most loving high priest.
I was challenged by this line that I read from one of the great instructors of the Christian faith; that - we must be ready to take with joy: reproach, persecution, suffering, and even death itself, for the sake of Christ.
That is what I would call swearing to your hurt and changing not!
Let’s not be apt to change our mind at our convenience with regard to our allegiance and union with Christ, we are called to deny ourselves and take up the cross daily and follow Him.
For without Him - Jesus, we can do, absolutely nothing.
Right,
The next verse of the Psalm says…
d. He that putteth not his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent.
In a spiritual sense, usury is really stealing – appropriating to yourself that which belongs to another.
Stealing is manifested in various forms; chief among them are:
Robbery, Theft, Fraud, sacrilege (appropriating to yourself what has been dedicated to God, or belongs to the church), Bribery, Eating bread of idleness (reaping where you have not sowed), and Extortion. Never be party to any of these.
Rather, embrace good faith in performing engagements, justice, mercy to the poor, self restraint, courage and sound judgment.
He then concludes the Psalm by saying: Of him who does the above a, b, c & d shall NEVER BE MOVED
Waw! Glory to God!
Here is the Psalm in its entirety: Psalm 15:1-5
LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh reproach against his neighbour
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent.
He that doeth these things shall NEVER BE MOVED.
I don’t know about you, but this Psalm ‘took my breath away’ pheeew!
More so given the anarchy & restlessness so prevalent in these times in our generation today. The words of this Psalm come as ‘refreshing waters’ to a thirsty soul.
It befits it therefore for our consuming desire to be like that of David when he said; “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His temple.
For in time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock” Psalm 27:4-5
Let’s be diligent to hear & do (ACT) of God’s good pleasure and always set the LORD before us as the Psalmist says: “I have set theLORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” Psalm 16:8
God has inscribed His eternal truth upon the tablets of your heart, and in His ineffable compassion & grace and the boundless sea of His goodness & tender mercies, he will keep you as the apple of the eye, and hide you under the shadow of His wings.
And….
Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life and: you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Grace to you, God bless you and thanks for reading.
I hope you will choose to abide in the LORD’s tabernacle and dwell in His holy hill and stay grounded in there, never to be moved by anything at any time, place or season.
Peace & Love
Libs
From the rich to the poor, the bond & the free, the healthy & the sick, the wise & the ignorant; all are moved by one thing or the other: family issues, jobs, relationships, debt, day to day cares to name but a few.
I wonder, does it really have to be so?
I am reminded of a song way back in Sunday school, whose chorus goes like this:
I shall not; I shall not be moved,
I shall not; I shall not be moved,
Just like a tree, that is planted by the water side,
I shall not be moved.
I used to hear the same song in my teens at house fellowships and church at evening services.
Nowadays, well, I hardly hear it. Whatever happened, I don't know, what is clear however is that, a few people will sing that song and really mean it.
Question,....
Should you really be moved by anything at all? Really, should you?
Well, we'll find out shortly.
And we will start here,...
Prophet & King- David, is reckoned to be one of the greatest worshipers of God who ever lived, and doubtless so. His Psalms and hymns are effulgent with divine insight, blessedness and prophesy.
I was led to one of His Psalms and it really contained the answer to NEVER BEING MOVED.
Oh, what a relief!
Here is how King David began this Psalm:
LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
For a moment I paused, and like being there with the great King (in my mind of course), I asked; yeah, LORD, who really can?
Wouldn’t all your creation (created in your image and likeness) want to?
After all, Scripture tells us that in your presence is fullness of Joy and at your right hand are pleasures for ever more! Who wouldn’t want to have fullness of joy and pleasures forever more, Lord? Who?
What followed next in the words of this Psalm were even more awe inspiring, non esoteric and really did get me riveted.
Four verses loaded with insight, wisdom, understanding, blessedness, discretion, diligence, faithfulness, Love, courage, peace, harmony, fortitude, stillness, and fruit of the Spirit; followed next in the Psalm:
Let’s hear them, shall we?
Oh, yeah!
King David said; of him/her who shall abide in the LORD’s tabernacle and dwell in His holy hill and thus not be moved, is;
a. He that walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness and speaketh the truth in his heart.
Pause a bit and read it again…,
Can you identify with that?
To walk uprightly and work righteousness, you will need the pure word of the Lord and trust in Him.
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success” Joshua 1:8
Only be strong and courageous, with patient endurance and “In your patience possess ye your soul” Luke 21:19
About speaking truth; are you one with your word?
Are your words free from guile?
Can you confidently say like the psalmist said; “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee” Psalm 25:21.
Wouldn’t it be fitting and right to heed the words of Apostle Paul who said; “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one with another” Ephesians 4:25, and Apostle Peter who said….
“For he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking no guile” 1Peter 3:10
Then here comes the next verse in the Psalm;
b. He that backbiteth not with his tongue nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up reproach against his neighbour.
Here I am reminded of an old adage- words can build bridges and can also create walls. I wonder what your words have been doing lately.
Are they building people up, or are they destroying them & yourself?
Apostle Paul reminds us to; “Speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men” Titus 3:2 and to “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” Colossians 4:6
And concerning your neighbour…..
The Lord said; Love your neighbour as yourself.
These can be well acted out by embracing meekness, thus having a quiet disposition of spirit, joined with care neither to offend any man, nor be offended at anything one’s self.
And if we are to experience the special effects of meekness, we should never murmer against God, nor even against men, when anything falls out against our wishes, nor give way to anger, nor set ourselves up.
Do unto others what you would have them do unto you – that is the golden rule, isn’t it?
In the next verse of the Psalm, he says….
c. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned, but honoureth them that fear the Lord. He who sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not.
Solomon in his proverbs admonishes us to “Be not envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studieth destruction and their lips talk of mischief” Proverbs 24:1-2 and the…
Psalmist says; “Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: in whose hands is mischief and their right hand is full of bribes” Psalm 26:9-10.
As far as concerns you, live at peace with all men, however, it is your responsibility to ensure that you don’t keep company with the wicked. Always be sober & vigilant.
On the other hand, honouring those who have been appointed to instruct us in our spiritual walk is both a noble and wise thing to do; for they have the due responsibility of feeding the flock of God.
We ought to behave respectfully to them, and do all we can to be obedient to them.
It also serves well to honour our fellow brothers in the Lord who truly fear the Lord, for they too, will be a source of inspiration, guidance and encouragement in the faith.
And when it comes to our personal walk with the LORD, let us with patient endurance hold fast the faith, never relenting nor drawing back, ever increasing in the knowledge of God and run the race to obtain the imperishable crown of glory.
Let’s stick with Jesus; ‘come rain or sunshine’ He is the captain of your Soul, your Benefactor and most loving high priest.
I was challenged by this line that I read from one of the great instructors of the Christian faith; that - we must be ready to take with joy: reproach, persecution, suffering, and even death itself, for the sake of Christ.
That is what I would call swearing to your hurt and changing not!
Let’s not be apt to change our mind at our convenience with regard to our allegiance and union with Christ, we are called to deny ourselves and take up the cross daily and follow Him.
For without Him - Jesus, we can do, absolutely nothing.
Right,
The next verse of the Psalm says…
d. He that putteth not his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent.
In a spiritual sense, usury is really stealing – appropriating to yourself that which belongs to another.
Stealing is manifested in various forms; chief among them are:
Robbery, Theft, Fraud, sacrilege (appropriating to yourself what has been dedicated to God, or belongs to the church), Bribery, Eating bread of idleness (reaping where you have not sowed), and Extortion. Never be party to any of these.
Rather, embrace good faith in performing engagements, justice, mercy to the poor, self restraint, courage and sound judgment.
He then concludes the Psalm by saying: Of him who does the above a, b, c & d shall NEVER BE MOVED
Waw! Glory to God!
Here is the Psalm in its entirety: Psalm 15:1-5
LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh reproach against his neighbour
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent.
He that doeth these things shall NEVER BE MOVED.
I don’t know about you, but this Psalm ‘took my breath away’ pheeew!
More so given the anarchy & restlessness so prevalent in these times in our generation today. The words of this Psalm come as ‘refreshing waters’ to a thirsty soul.
It befits it therefore for our consuming desire to be like that of David when he said; “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His temple.
For in time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock” Psalm 27:4-5
Let’s be diligent to hear & do (ACT) of God’s good pleasure and always set the LORD before us as the Psalmist says: “I have set theLORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” Psalm 16:8
God has inscribed His eternal truth upon the tablets of your heart, and in His ineffable compassion & grace and the boundless sea of His goodness & tender mercies, he will keep you as the apple of the eye, and hide you under the shadow of His wings.
And….
Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life and: you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Grace to you, God bless you and thanks for reading.
I hope you will choose to abide in the LORD’s tabernacle and dwell in His holy hill and stay grounded in there, never to be moved by anything at any time, place or season.
Peace & Love
Libs
Friday, 5 February 2010
Thought Provoking Anthology
I am seated at Starbucks coffee shop this afternoon, soft music is playing in the background, its quite busy; customers walking in and out, those seated really seem to be having a good time, some are reading, others on their phones, and its sunny outside.
I couldn't help but find myself thinking of how amazing life can be, I had been to church this morning and really heard a very inspirational message that challenged me more in my christian walk and this anthology is just reflections of some of the inspiring things I have learnt , thought and heard over the years.
Hope you find them thought provoking and inspiring.
1. Every positive change in your life begins with a clear unequivocal decision that you are going to either do something or stop doing something. Significant change starts when you decide to either get in or get out, either fish or cut the bait.
2. As your life changes, your priorities change as well. Certain things that were important at one stage in your life or career are no longer as important as you move to another stage of your life or to another level of responsibility.
3.You must continuously ask yourself; "what activities of my life can I cut back on, delegate or discontinue to free up more time for my most important activities.
4.You can not effectively take on something new without deliberately deciding to discontinue something else. What is going to be? If you try to juggle lots of things, you will produce mediocre results and besides, there are only 24 hours in any given day. What are your priorities?
Remember,...
5. Its always best to be thoughtful and decisive.
Why?
Because,...
6.Decisiveness is one of the most important quality of successful and happy men and women and decisiveness is developed through practice and repetition - over and over again until it becomes as natural as breathing in and out.
7. However, don't rush. A wise man says; "only fools rush in"
8. And, be Honest in your dealings,
9. An honest effort is nothing to be ashamed of. In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery.
That said however,....
10. Frankness is not a license to say anything you want, wherever and whenever you want. It is not rudeness. The Bible tells us that there is a right time and aright way to do everything.
Thoughtless words leave lasting wounds.
11. Combine simplicity with self-control, and unite truth with humility, for truth without humility is blind. That is why it becomes contentious: it tries to support itself on something, and finds nothing except rancour.
12. Apostle Paul says; live in harmony with each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all.
When arguments ensue,....
13. There is only one way under high heaven to get the best of an argument - Avoid it. Yes, avoid it like you would avoid rattle snakes and earthquakes and in any case, a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.
14. Always remind yourself regularly that your rewards will always be in direct proportion to your service to others. Our LORD rightly said; to be a master, you have to be a servant. An oxymoron? oh no, so true, servant hood is the pathway to honour, a servant is welcome anywhere and the real genius of true & humble servant hood is that it makes you a king at heart.
15. One of my favourite quotes is: "Sharing is caring". True? I believe so.
When you genuinely share, you care.
16. Caring is the basis of all purpose. It requires an openness to everything around you. To develop care, you need awareness. You should not be burdened by a sense of duty or obligation.
When you care naturally, it is because something has profoundly touched and moved you.
17. Let the heart within confess what the mouth utters, let the soul feel what the voice speaks. Live a life of purpose, Love God, love your neighbour and appreciate life.
Choose to occupy your time and talents with people , commitments, ideas and challenges that feel purposeful.
Finally,...
18. Follow your heart, but first let God reign in it.
Stand tall, square your shoulders, lift your head up, take a deep breath and march forward! You are destined for a great life in Christ the author and finisher of your faith. Confess and believe- Romans 10:9
Peace & Love
Libs
I couldn't help but find myself thinking of how amazing life can be, I had been to church this morning and really heard a very inspirational message that challenged me more in my christian walk and this anthology is just reflections of some of the inspiring things I have learnt , thought and heard over the years.
Hope you find them thought provoking and inspiring.
1. Every positive change in your life begins with a clear unequivocal decision that you are going to either do something or stop doing something. Significant change starts when you decide to either get in or get out, either fish or cut the bait.
2. As your life changes, your priorities change as well. Certain things that were important at one stage in your life or career are no longer as important as you move to another stage of your life or to another level of responsibility.
3.You must continuously ask yourself; "what activities of my life can I cut back on, delegate or discontinue to free up more time for my most important activities.
4.You can not effectively take on something new without deliberately deciding to discontinue something else. What is going to be? If you try to juggle lots of things, you will produce mediocre results and besides, there are only 24 hours in any given day. What are your priorities?
Remember,...
5. Its always best to be thoughtful and decisive.
Why?
Because,...
6.Decisiveness is one of the most important quality of successful and happy men and women and decisiveness is developed through practice and repetition - over and over again until it becomes as natural as breathing in and out.
7. However, don't rush. A wise man says; "only fools rush in"
8. And, be Honest in your dealings,
9. An honest effort is nothing to be ashamed of. In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery.
That said however,....
10. Frankness is not a license to say anything you want, wherever and whenever you want. It is not rudeness. The Bible tells us that there is a right time and aright way to do everything.
Thoughtless words leave lasting wounds.
11. Combine simplicity with self-control, and unite truth with humility, for truth without humility is blind. That is why it becomes contentious: it tries to support itself on something, and finds nothing except rancour.
12. Apostle Paul says; live in harmony with each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all.
When arguments ensue,....
13. There is only one way under high heaven to get the best of an argument - Avoid it. Yes, avoid it like you would avoid rattle snakes and earthquakes and in any case, a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.
14. Always remind yourself regularly that your rewards will always be in direct proportion to your service to others. Our LORD rightly said; to be a master, you have to be a servant. An oxymoron? oh no, so true, servant hood is the pathway to honour, a servant is welcome anywhere and the real genius of true & humble servant hood is that it makes you a king at heart.
15. One of my favourite quotes is: "Sharing is caring". True? I believe so.
When you genuinely share, you care.
16. Caring is the basis of all purpose. It requires an openness to everything around you. To develop care, you need awareness. You should not be burdened by a sense of duty or obligation.
When you care naturally, it is because something has profoundly touched and moved you.
17. Let the heart within confess what the mouth utters, let the soul feel what the voice speaks. Live a life of purpose, Love God, love your neighbour and appreciate life.
Choose to occupy your time and talents with people , commitments, ideas and challenges that feel purposeful.
Finally,...
18. Follow your heart, but first let God reign in it.
Stand tall, square your shoulders, lift your head up, take a deep breath and march forward! You are destined for a great life in Christ the author and finisher of your faith. Confess and believe- Romans 10:9
Peace & Love
Libs
The Choices we have, the Decisions you make
"It has been said that, the gate of history turns on small hinges, and so do peoples lives. The Choices we make determine our destiny" Thomas S Monson.
Life is so full of Choices. These choices are presented to us almost constantly everyday and broadly speaking, life's choices can be categorised into those that will move you forward and those that will move you backwards in your path of life. There is no neutral point.
And because of this lack of neutrality, one ought to be diligent in ensuring that the choices are made deliberately and that they should be consistent with the life one desires to live.
You pretty much CONTROL the course of your destiny by the choices and decisions you make. The question then therefore is how much in CONTROL are you of your destiny right now?
What kind of decisions have you been making lately, what kind of things are you choosing or not choosing to do, listen to, or partner with?
Control as defined by the Oxford English dictionary is the power to influence the course of events, and I have come to believe that this really begins with yourself.
How much in control are you of yourself(Some erroneously believe that this is God's responsibility, no, it is yours), how clear are you of what you want out of life(to different people, this means different things), how clear are you for example of where you are going to spend eternity - just a thought, hmm..
In general, you exercise control of your destiny by the following means; in the books you read, in the friends you keep company with, the person you choose to marry, the jobs you take on, you name it, but most importantly your choice to accept or not to accept Jesus as Lord and personal saviour.
Depending on which decisions you make based on the choices presented to you, some decisions will improve you, and some will damage you. You will always have choices presented to you, the decisions you make are up to you!
There is a wiser way to stay in excellent control of your life; and that is by relinquishing control to the Holy Spirit and then you follow His leadership.
Prior to me fully appreciating this excellent way of taking control of my life, I thought about my own Choices...good or bad, and I noticed that they have the following characteristics:
The Good Choices;
My best experiences tend to be with activities that are intellectually challenging and spiritually enlightening because they demand a lot from me in terms of my focus & meditation.
When I am through with such an activity, I feel good about myself and content with how I've spent my time.
I find that I've learnt something worth knowing or developed a skill worth having, it also helps me understand something I hadn't understood before and or makes me sympathetic to experiences & situations I was closed to.
There is a general consensus that good choices often are:
- Energizing. The experience itself charges you up spiritually, emotionally & intellectually. You have greater strength and endurance because of it,
- They build your confidence because you know that you are improving yourself,
- They leave you happy. During the experience and afterwards; you have a strong sense that you are doing the right thing.
The Bad choices;
When i look back over the years, despite some of my great choices and experiences, I have also done lots of other things that did destroy, reduce or disable my potential.
The interesting thing about bad options is how attractive they can be. Nobody would argue that they are good choices.
We pick them because sometimes we are too weak to pick anything else & we use what little mind we have left to rationalise our self destruction - (things will get better, we tell ourselves)
Bad choices are alluring. There is something about the way the experience takes you out of yourself that you find appealing.
To avoid this, follow what the bible teaches; "Be sober & Vigilant" . At least then you would be able to 'catch' yourself and avoid getting into self destructive behaviours and ways of life.
See, bad choices; attract bad company. Since most wise people won't approve of it, you find yourself doing it with another set of friends.
Eventually, you reject the friends and family members who don't "get it."
They are too strait-laced or lame to understand, so you figure you don't need them in your life.
Bad choices also have a tendency of disabling you intellectually, emotionally, and physically. While engaging in activities of bad choices, you are less capable of performing complex skills or dealing with complex emotional or intellectual issues. If you engage in these activities a lot, you become less capable of peak performance generally.
With the leadership of the Holy Spirit, it is different, you find that you exercise a lot of discernment.
The information you base your decisions on is very important, and you will be so apt to discern the source of the information and its reliability.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 says; “Prove all things, hold fast that which is good”, it goes further to say in verse 22 that “Abstain from all appearance of evil.
If you did what the preceding portions of scripture say, your chances of making excellent decisions is almost guaranteed.
Try it out, don’t just reject or accept anything at face value, there is a purpose for everything, discover it especially if it happens to be around your domain/territory. Nothing comes or happens to you by accident, no.
Resist making decisions based on assumptions. Get the facts right by the help of the Holy Spirit. Never rush. Every decision you make counts.
Remember there is no neutral point; you are either moving forward or backwards with every decision you choose to make.
I am reminded of what Moses told the children of Israel ages ago:"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live" Deuteronomy 30:19
Yet another defining moment for the children of Israel came when Joshua said: "....choose you this day whom ye will serve;.....as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" Joshua 24:15
Today, all that humanity will ever need is found in Christ Jesus, and not only does it make perfect sense to choose Jesus now, it is also the ultimate destiny for glory and a great life in eternity.
Have you Chosen Jesus yet?
You see, every decision you make will be tested. It will be tested by people’s opinions, and even circumstances of life, and at this moment of testing, some people immediately change their mind and drawback, others persist for a while but eventually succumb to the emotional and peer pressure and drawback as well.
The real victors are those who against the odds and seemingly insurmountable opposition, opinions, keep their focus and refuse to back down or give up.
They burn their bridges at the onset and determine to follow through to the very end; failure for them is not an option. Their minds are made up for success and they understand that any setback is only momentary.
Be bold, strong & courageous.
Choose to be one of them who don’t drawback and who stands strong. Keep your focus on Jesus and decide to make your tomorrow better by choosing excellent choices today. You can do it, ask for the help of the Holy Spirit.
With the choices life presents to you, make your decisions count for eternity.
Peace & love
Libs
Friday, 22 January 2010
God at work in You..Oh, really?
God, work? Does God work? Hmm..., you better be kidding.
Actually, no, I am not, quite the contrary! I am very serious. God is at work and at work in you! Not the typical 9-5 job though, it is something infinitely glorious, wonderful, magnificent, it is just simply beyond description.
Listen beloved, Our God neither sleeps nor slumbers, He is the Alfa & the Omega, the beginning and the end, from everlasting to everlasting; He is God.
The unchanging changer, the life giver, the one who rules and reigns in the affairs of men, so gracious, so merciful, so compassionate, flawless, incorruptible, dwells in eternity.
He is sovereign, the righteous judge, the I AM that I AM.
The most Loving Father.
The Almighty God, the Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient God, working in and through you? This is wonderful, really is!
And yes! God is at work in you.
Can you fathom it? Can you dare to believe it? can you walk in that reality? Well, the choice is yours.
I say the choice is yours because, you indeed have that choice. You are so powerful that you can stop God working in you if you choose to, through unbelief.
So, what makes you so sure of what you are talking about Sterling, you may ask.
Well, first of all, I am not just sure, I am fully persuaded of these truths and that is because God's word says so. As a matter of fact, the way God works in your life is through His word. He is one with His word, they are inseparable.
The word of God has inherent power and ability to accomplish anything. However, in your life, it is only able to accomplish anything to the extent that you believe it for yourself or your situation. The question then is not what the word can do but how much you believe. "What so ever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive it and ye shall have it" Mark 11:24
Now, the work of God can be encapsulated in one word - LOVE. That is who God is and that is the modus operandi of His word. He is Love.
The effulgence of this LOVE is manifested in various forms: in His mercy, in His grace, in His compassion, in His chastisement, to mention but a few.
The real deal here is that, God Loves man so much that He desires that none should perish but that all should repent and be reconciled back to Him.
He Loved the world so much that He sent his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life! David one time marvelled at God and said; 'what is man that you(God) are so mindful of him!'
Do you know that God is so mindful of you?
If truth be told,...
Sometimes, we forget that God is so mindful of us and consequently we make His word of none effect in our lives because of unbelief.
I don't know about you, but sometimes I tend take matters to my own hands more like trying to help God, until I am reminded by His word, that God does not need my help. He only wants me to believe, trust and obey.
So, I have to always remember how weak I am and ask the Lord to save me from conceit and self-sufficiency for I am the branch and Jesus is the Vine and without Him, I can absolutely do nothing. This ought to be a daily endeavour
The sad reality of many of us, believers, is that, we shortchange ourselves because of lack of knowledge of the awesomeness of our God & His word.
God is calling us to a place of remembrance. Lets be reminded of what we have in Christ, the glorious inheritance we have received by virtue of being born again, let's be reminded of the everlasting LOVE of our heavenly Father, for He has declared that 'nothing shall be able to separate us from His love, absolutely nothing.
He Loves you with an everlasting love, He desires that you "may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and the length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fullness of God" Ephesians 3:18-19
Be reminded that your God is good and His mercy endureth forever and that His grace is sufficient for you. Nothing that you are going through right now, should overwhelm you.
If you have the word of God in your mouth and Faith in your heart, you will prevail and come come back with a testimony. God's word is true, it faileth not, just believe, trust and obey. Will you? I think you should.
Your God is more than able.
The entrance of God's word gives light and understanding to the simple and His word is life to them that find it and health to their flesh. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart" Hebrews 4:12
If you can see the word of God, and can hear the word of God and can understand the word of God, it will be at work in you and it will make you what it talks about. The glory of the word of God is that, it grows mightily and prevails.
Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field.
Let's therefore,...
Continuously study the word of God and learn it, keep declaring it in faith, grow in it, keep it close to your heart. remember God has chosen you as a place of abode for His office, will you allow Him?
If so, well, get the word on the inside of you, saturate yourself with the word, soak it, drink it, ruminate it, do whatever you do but get the word into your spirit! Don't relent, don't give up, glory & power are in the word.
Just as you feed your natural body with daily food, feed your spirit with the word of God for your recreated human spirit is born of the incorruptible seed of the word of God and can only find nourishment in the word of God. Period.
Embrace the ministry of prayer and continuously minister to the Lord. Pray in the word, pray the word. "...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" James 5:16. "By Him let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name" Hebrews 13:15
My dear,..
Let's be wise, don't be lacking in forethought and common sense. Choose to do the right thing; Feed your spirit! Your spirit is who you really are, don't be a spiritual delinquent.
May the Lord help you to be faithful and firm as a rock in your path of duty in being all that you can be in Christ. Be fruitful, multiply and win souls to the kingdom.
Actually, no, I am not, quite the contrary! I am very serious. God is at work and at work in you! Not the typical 9-5 job though, it is something infinitely glorious, wonderful, magnificent, it is just simply beyond description.
Listen beloved, Our God neither sleeps nor slumbers, He is the Alfa & the Omega, the beginning and the end, from everlasting to everlasting; He is God.
The unchanging changer, the life giver, the one who rules and reigns in the affairs of men, so gracious, so merciful, so compassionate, flawless, incorruptible, dwells in eternity.
He is sovereign, the righteous judge, the I AM that I AM.
The most Loving Father.
The Almighty God, the Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient God, working in and through you? This is wonderful, really is!
And yes! God is at work in you.
Can you fathom it? Can you dare to believe it? can you walk in that reality? Well, the choice is yours.
I say the choice is yours because, you indeed have that choice. You are so powerful that you can stop God working in you if you choose to, through unbelief.
So, what makes you so sure of what you are talking about Sterling, you may ask.
Well, first of all, I am not just sure, I am fully persuaded of these truths and that is because God's word says so. As a matter of fact, the way God works in your life is through His word. He is one with His word, they are inseparable.
The word of God has inherent power and ability to accomplish anything. However, in your life, it is only able to accomplish anything to the extent that you believe it for yourself or your situation. The question then is not what the word can do but how much you believe. "What so ever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive it and ye shall have it" Mark 11:24
Now, the work of God can be encapsulated in one word - LOVE. That is who God is and that is the modus operandi of His word. He is Love.
The effulgence of this LOVE is manifested in various forms: in His mercy, in His grace, in His compassion, in His chastisement, to mention but a few.
The real deal here is that, God Loves man so much that He desires that none should perish but that all should repent and be reconciled back to Him.
He Loved the world so much that He sent his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life! David one time marvelled at God and said; 'what is man that you(God) are so mindful of him!'
Do you know that God is so mindful of you?
If truth be told,...
Sometimes, we forget that God is so mindful of us and consequently we make His word of none effect in our lives because of unbelief.
I don't know about you, but sometimes I tend take matters to my own hands more like trying to help God, until I am reminded by His word, that God does not need my help. He only wants me to believe, trust and obey.
So, I have to always remember how weak I am and ask the Lord to save me from conceit and self-sufficiency for I am the branch and Jesus is the Vine and without Him, I can absolutely do nothing. This ought to be a daily endeavour
The sad reality of many of us, believers, is that, we shortchange ourselves because of lack of knowledge of the awesomeness of our God & His word.
God is calling us to a place of remembrance. Lets be reminded of what we have in Christ, the glorious inheritance we have received by virtue of being born again, let's be reminded of the everlasting LOVE of our heavenly Father, for He has declared that 'nothing shall be able to separate us from His love, absolutely nothing.
He Loves you with an everlasting love, He desires that you "may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and the length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fullness of God" Ephesians 3:18-19
Be reminded that your God is good and His mercy endureth forever and that His grace is sufficient for you. Nothing that you are going through right now, should overwhelm you.
If you have the word of God in your mouth and Faith in your heart, you will prevail and come come back with a testimony. God's word is true, it faileth not, just believe, trust and obey. Will you? I think you should.
Your God is more than able.
The entrance of God's word gives light and understanding to the simple and His word is life to them that find it and health to their flesh. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart" Hebrews 4:12
If you can see the word of God, and can hear the word of God and can understand the word of God, it will be at work in you and it will make you what it talks about. The glory of the word of God is that, it grows mightily and prevails.
Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field.
Let's therefore,...
Continuously study the word of God and learn it, keep declaring it in faith, grow in it, keep it close to your heart. remember God has chosen you as a place of abode for His office, will you allow Him?
If so, well, get the word on the inside of you, saturate yourself with the word, soak it, drink it, ruminate it, do whatever you do but get the word into your spirit! Don't relent, don't give up, glory & power are in the word.
Just as you feed your natural body with daily food, feed your spirit with the word of God for your recreated human spirit is born of the incorruptible seed of the word of God and can only find nourishment in the word of God. Period.
Embrace the ministry of prayer and continuously minister to the Lord. Pray in the word, pray the word. "...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" James 5:16. "By Him let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name" Hebrews 13:15
My dear,..
Let's be wise, don't be lacking in forethought and common sense. Choose to do the right thing; Feed your spirit! Your spirit is who you really are, don't be a spiritual delinquent.
May the Lord help you to be faithful and firm as a rock in your path of duty in being all that you can be in Christ. Be fruitful, multiply and win souls to the kingdom.
Never allow yourself to be discouraged in your work. Resolutely resist all temptation to evil and fit yourself to your utmost to be useful in the kingdom of heaven and to your fellow men.
I like the way Charles Stanley always concludes his teachings, he says: "Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him" (i.e, the consequences of your obedience). Oh, how true.
Till next time, I leave you with this blessing from the pen of Apostle Paul: "And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them which are sanctified" Acts 20:32
Grace & Blessings to you. I say no more.
Peace & Love
Libs.
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Think on these things!
Thoughts.
They are amazing seeds, mighty giants, they can make you or break you. They are so powerful so much so that you are today what what your thinking has been and you will be tomorrow what your thinking currently is: "As a man thinketh, so is he"
Thinking is one of those things that we have no option as humans but to indulge in. And it really doesn't matter whether you like to think or not, you will find yourself thinking, one way or the other. The only choice you have is; what you will think about. You have the power to choose your thoughts!
Question then is, what will you be thinking about or rather, what will you choose to think about?
Your thoughts are very powerful and I think we have established that already. What I believe is really critical, is to be deliberate and purposeful about the content of our thoughts, because, truth be told, you will eventually reflect them. It's that simple.
So,
We shouldn't go about being careless with our thoughts, because ultimately, thoughts being seeds that they are, will eventually grow & manifest themselves and before long you have to 'match up to the music' of your careless thoughts, and sometimes the music might not be very pleasant.
Though our God is so loving, he will not interfere with your thoughts. It is part of the great expanse of your free will He gave to you and guess what, He chooses to honour your thoughts regardless of what they are.
So, really God has given us the power to chart the cause of our lives. Our success or failure is ultimately our own making and the person at the center of everything that happens to and for you is YOU! God provides the guidance, you make the decisions.
This is all too easy to say, but acting it out is where the challenge really lies.
Most of the things we hear on a day to day basis aren't really any new things. Not at all. Its all old stuff and proven things of which those who ACTED them out secured for themselves their desired dreams and ambitions.
The thing is,
Powerful thoughts will compel you to ACT, that is the truth of the matter.
If you lack the initiative to act, then the best place to check is your thoughts.
Is your thinking in line with what you desire according to the will of God?
Remember, it all starts with your thoughts. I am sure that is not news to you.
I said earlier on that our Loving Heavenly Father will always guide us but will leave the option to choose the course of action, to us.
Evidently, with regard to this subject of thinking , God, through Apostle Paul gave us this guidance:
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
Pause a little, Mm, waw! This is beautiful! This is a very generous and fertile ground to plant your thoughts - seeds!
Can we then honestly say we lack anything? Nay, that would be a big lie. But then our experiences of life tell us otherwise, right? Yes.
Why is it so then?
Simple, we take ourselves too seriously so much so that when things don't add up in our lives, (which, often times is inevitable) we start thinking and imagining the worst which eventually leads to the worst happening. It is not rocket science.
And here also is yet another great truth, a better one;
You can change anything at the point of thought.
Just remember to keep that in mind at all times.
What shall we say then?
Let's be kind to ourselves and follow what was revealed through Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8. There is no harm in doing it.
After all, you only live here on earth once, and it is just right that you make the most of it. Change your thinking and change your life. 'Be transformed by the renewing of your mind' - Isn't that what the scriptures tell us? Yes of course.
And that in turn should help you do the will of our Father - Win Souls to the Kingdom.
Yet personally,
I know it is not that easy (I do fall short of my best intentions sometimes), however, I try to keep at it by God's grace & mercy, and therein I find myself always strengthened and encouraged in Christ. So, I encourage you to take advantage of God's grace & mercy as well, and keep at it. The results will be worth it.
'For it is not of him that runneth or willeth, but of God who gives grace & mercy'
Thanks for reading.
Peace & Love
Libs
They are amazing seeds, mighty giants, they can make you or break you. They are so powerful so much so that you are today what what your thinking has been and you will be tomorrow what your thinking currently is: "As a man thinketh, so is he"
Thinking is one of those things that we have no option as humans but to indulge in. And it really doesn't matter whether you like to think or not, you will find yourself thinking, one way or the other. The only choice you have is; what you will think about. You have the power to choose your thoughts!
Question then is, what will you be thinking about or rather, what will you choose to think about?
Your thoughts are very powerful and I think we have established that already. What I believe is really critical, is to be deliberate and purposeful about the content of our thoughts, because, truth be told, you will eventually reflect them. It's that simple.
So,
We shouldn't go about being careless with our thoughts, because ultimately, thoughts being seeds that they are, will eventually grow & manifest themselves and before long you have to 'match up to the music' of your careless thoughts, and sometimes the music might not be very pleasant.
Though our God is so loving, he will not interfere with your thoughts. It is part of the great expanse of your free will He gave to you and guess what, He chooses to honour your thoughts regardless of what they are.
So, really God has given us the power to chart the cause of our lives. Our success or failure is ultimately our own making and the person at the center of everything that happens to and for you is YOU! God provides the guidance, you make the decisions.
This is all too easy to say, but acting it out is where the challenge really lies.
Most of the things we hear on a day to day basis aren't really any new things. Not at all. Its all old stuff and proven things of which those who ACTED them out secured for themselves their desired dreams and ambitions.
The thing is,
Powerful thoughts will compel you to ACT, that is the truth of the matter.
If you lack the initiative to act, then the best place to check is your thoughts.
Is your thinking in line with what you desire according to the will of God?
Remember, it all starts with your thoughts. I am sure that is not news to you.
I said earlier on that our Loving Heavenly Father will always guide us but will leave the option to choose the course of action, to us.
Evidently, with regard to this subject of thinking , God, through Apostle Paul gave us this guidance:
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
Pause a little, Mm, waw! This is beautiful! This is a very generous and fertile ground to plant your thoughts - seeds!
Can we then honestly say we lack anything? Nay, that would be a big lie. But then our experiences of life tell us otherwise, right? Yes.
Why is it so then?
Simple, we take ourselves too seriously so much so that when things don't add up in our lives, (which, often times is inevitable) we start thinking and imagining the worst which eventually leads to the worst happening. It is not rocket science.
And here also is yet another great truth, a better one;
You can change anything at the point of thought.
Just remember to keep that in mind at all times.
What shall we say then?
Let's be kind to ourselves and follow what was revealed through Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8. There is no harm in doing it.
After all, you only live here on earth once, and it is just right that you make the most of it. Change your thinking and change your life. 'Be transformed by the renewing of your mind' - Isn't that what the scriptures tell us? Yes of course.
And that in turn should help you do the will of our Father - Win Souls to the Kingdom.
Yet personally,
I know it is not that easy (I do fall short of my best intentions sometimes), however, I try to keep at it by God's grace & mercy, and therein I find myself always strengthened and encouraged in Christ. So, I encourage you to take advantage of God's grace & mercy as well, and keep at it. The results will be worth it.
'For it is not of him that runneth or willeth, but of God who gives grace & mercy'
Thanks for reading.
Peace & Love
Libs
Friday, 1 January 2010
How do you do it?
I am sure when you read the title of this post on the email, you must have wondered, what is this all about? How do I do what?
Well, our lives are full of things to do, we do that, then do this then go back to that, then the other one, and so on and so forth.
We are constantly doing something.
Even when you are sleeping, that is doing something and it is called sleeping.
So, we can't help but always have something to do.
Even doing nothing is doing something, you could just have taken time to be quiet, silent, resting etc, it is all the same doing something.
Here is the point...,
Wouldn't it be nice to know that whatever we do, works in our favour than against us?
Wouldn't it be very uplifting to know that your life can be so fulfilled many times over, knowing that you did the important things first?
I would think so, wouldn't you?
If I may ask, do you make new years resolutions?
For many people setting resolutions is a great way of kick starting their planning for the new year.
For others, new year resolutions don't quite hit the mark and some don't even last into the second week of January.
For many others more rigorous planning and goal setting is called for.
On the other hand, many people get demoralised when year after year they make resolutions that they keep for only a few weeks.
Happens every year.
Now, regardless as to whether you set new year resolutions or not, one way or the other, you have to do something with your life, right? Yes, you have to make the most of it!
To help illustrate this point, I have here a parable called the parable of the professor and the bucket, I read this parable and it so fits in with what I had in mind while pondering on this article.
Here it is:
A philosophy professor and his student stand in a warehouse. A large tin bucket and several boxes are in front of them.
The professor picks up a box that contains large rocks, each one about four inches in diameter, and pours them into the bucket. The stones reach the top of the bucket, and he asks the student if it is full.
"It is," the student replies.
The professor takes another box, this one containing stones about one inch in diameter, and pours them over the rocks in the bucket.
The smaller stones fill in the spaces between the rocks. Again, he asks the student if the bucket is full.
The student looks and says, "It is."
The professor then pours in the contents of a third box, this one containing small pebbles. Again, the student looks in and agrees that the bucket is full.
Finally, the professor pours a box of sand on top of the rocks, stones, and pebbles. And once more, for the fourth time, the student has to acknowledge that the bucket is full.
"The lesson," the professor tells the student, "is to do the most important thing first, and each lesser thing in order of its priority.
In this way, you will be able to fill up your life four times, instead of just once. If you do the unimportant things first, you'll be filling your bucket with sand... and there won't be room for anything else."
This is absolutely wonderful. I call it having your priorities in order and performing them in such a way that, like the philosophy professor said; you fill it up your life more times instead of just once.
Amazing! Isn't it?
With the the year just started, and with lots of hopes and promises a head and things to accomplish this year, the onus is on you to set your priorities right and ensure that come Dec 2010, you will comfortably say; waw, my life is 4,5,6,...10, times fuller than when this year began.
That is your call, your duty and responsibility to make it happen.
Let me ask you this, wouldn't it be wonderful to have an unshakable Rock, a rock of all ages, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation?
Well,..
That Rock is Jesus Christ.
When you build your life and add everything you ever do on this Rock, your life without a shadow of doubt will be as many times full as you want it.
Upon this Rock, the storms and rains of life can not shake anything built on it. A wise man will build his life on this Rock. Are you or will you be that wise man?
Jesus is the same; yesterday, today and forever. There is no uncertainty in Him, no ambiguity, no disappointments, no hung ups, no buts no ifs, just plain goodness.
He is the everlasting prince of Peace, the all surpassing conqueror, the mighty IAM, The Lord of Hosts, the King of kings the Lord of Lords, and still calls you His friend.
I am deeply humbled to have Him as my Lord and my Rock, as this year Kicks off. How about you?
If you are not sure, here is a good place and way to start your year in an excellent fashion; do what Romans 10:9 says. And if you have already done that, continue building and growing in Him, you have a solid foundation already, the future is bright for you.
There you have it. Priorities!
I hope you will fill your life a lot more and a lot better this year. Start it off with Jesus and let every other thing on after that.
God bless you
Peace & Love,
Libs.
Well, our lives are full of things to do, we do that, then do this then go back to that, then the other one, and so on and so forth.
We are constantly doing something.
Even when you are sleeping, that is doing something and it is called sleeping.
So, we can't help but always have something to do.
Even doing nothing is doing something, you could just have taken time to be quiet, silent, resting etc, it is all the same doing something.
Here is the point...,
Wouldn't it be nice to know that whatever we do, works in our favour than against us?
Wouldn't it be very uplifting to know that your life can be so fulfilled many times over, knowing that you did the important things first?
I would think so, wouldn't you?
If I may ask, do you make new years resolutions?
For many people setting resolutions is a great way of kick starting their planning for the new year.
For others, new year resolutions don't quite hit the mark and some don't even last into the second week of January.
For many others more rigorous planning and goal setting is called for.
On the other hand, many people get demoralised when year after year they make resolutions that they keep for only a few weeks.
Happens every year.
Now, regardless as to whether you set new year resolutions or not, one way or the other, you have to do something with your life, right? Yes, you have to make the most of it!
To help illustrate this point, I have here a parable called the parable of the professor and the bucket, I read this parable and it so fits in with what I had in mind while pondering on this article.
Here it is:
A philosophy professor and his student stand in a warehouse. A large tin bucket and several boxes are in front of them.
The professor picks up a box that contains large rocks, each one about four inches in diameter, and pours them into the bucket. The stones reach the top of the bucket, and he asks the student if it is full.
"It is," the student replies.
The professor takes another box, this one containing stones about one inch in diameter, and pours them over the rocks in the bucket.
The smaller stones fill in the spaces between the rocks. Again, he asks the student if the bucket is full.
The student looks and says, "It is."
The professor then pours in the contents of a third box, this one containing small pebbles. Again, the student looks in and agrees that the bucket is full.
Finally, the professor pours a box of sand on top of the rocks, stones, and pebbles. And once more, for the fourth time, the student has to acknowledge that the bucket is full.
"The lesson," the professor tells the student, "is to do the most important thing first, and each lesser thing in order of its priority.
In this way, you will be able to fill up your life four times, instead of just once. If you do the unimportant things first, you'll be filling your bucket with sand... and there won't be room for anything else."
This is absolutely wonderful. I call it having your priorities in order and performing them in such a way that, like the philosophy professor said; you fill it up your life more times instead of just once.
Amazing! Isn't it?
With the the year just started, and with lots of hopes and promises a head and things to accomplish this year, the onus is on you to set your priorities right and ensure that come Dec 2010, you will comfortably say; waw, my life is 4,5,6,...10, times fuller than when this year began.
That is your call, your duty and responsibility to make it happen.
Let me ask you this, wouldn't it be wonderful to have an unshakable Rock, a rock of all ages, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation?
Well,..
That Rock is Jesus Christ.
When you build your life and add everything you ever do on this Rock, your life without a shadow of doubt will be as many times full as you want it.
Upon this Rock, the storms and rains of life can not shake anything built on it. A wise man will build his life on this Rock. Are you or will you be that wise man?
Jesus is the same; yesterday, today and forever. There is no uncertainty in Him, no ambiguity, no disappointments, no hung ups, no buts no ifs, just plain goodness.
He is the everlasting prince of Peace, the all surpassing conqueror, the mighty IAM, The Lord of Hosts, the King of kings the Lord of Lords, and still calls you His friend.
I am deeply humbled to have Him as my Lord and my Rock, as this year Kicks off. How about you?
If you are not sure, here is a good place and way to start your year in an excellent fashion; do what Romans 10:9 says. And if you have already done that, continue building and growing in Him, you have a solid foundation already, the future is bright for you.
There you have it. Priorities!
I hope you will fill your life a lot more and a lot better this year. Start it off with Jesus and let every other thing on after that.
God bless you
Peace & Love,
Libs.
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