GUESS WHAT? YOU’RE GONG TO OVERTAKE!!!

Sometimes in life, the problem is not that we don’t have plans or clearly laid down goals but it just consistently seem that those goals are far from our reach.Yet, we are not getting younger and the seasons of our lives is constantly changing.

We seem to be at a standstill and everything around is stagnated. One evidence of things being stagnated is when you begin to see everyday alike and don’t even want to get out of the bed early in the morning. Afterall you say... what is going to be new and challenging in the day.
Some might seem to have everything working for them but sincerely, some aspects of our lives might seem to move while others are just the way they are.

Where is that area of your life where it seems that your mates or friends have gone ahead of you? It could be your career, ministry, relationship or marriage, child bearing and raising, spiritual development, finances and a host of others....

RELAX!

Sometime ago, I was walking on a straight long road and the Holy Spiit said to me that someone coming on a bike now will no doubt overtake me. So also when it comes to my life, he said my mates might have gone ahead of me in a car, but He’s going to take me on A FLIGHT!
And so he did and is still doing!

THAT IS WHAT I CALL THE OVERTAKING SPIRIT!

You might be the one attending all the marriage ceremonies and even being best lady and best man to countless of your friends...

You might be receiving a number of invitations for the launching of your friends companies and even offered employment there...

You might be invited to a number of naming ceremonies while you are still yet to have a child of your own...

Your friends might be inviting you to their houses for housewarming while you still live in a rented room or flat with your Parents.

You are still jumping from one bike to another while your mates have their own cars and are probably driven by their company’s driver...

The List is endless...

Now, here’s what the overtaking Spirit will do which is the Spirit of God according to Amos 9:13... Behold the days are coming says the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper,and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine and all the hills shall melt (that is everything heretofore barren and unfruitful shall overflow with spiritual blessings)

SO WHAT IS HAPPENING TO YOU?

Have you ever witnessed a race? When the participants are about starting, they place one leg behind while the other stays in front. You know why, the leg at the back acts as a propeller and generator of the force needed to gain speed for the race altogether!

So, what am I saying? Your staying back and seemingly not advancing is only a set up to ensure that you gain adequate force and power for the race still ahead of you.

SO WHAT DO YOU DO WHILE WAITING?

This is a question on the minds of most people. Your time of waiting is not a time to remain physically stagnant doing nothing! It’s not the time for you to visit friends endlessly, wish time away and complain of boredom (that’s the language of those going nowhere).

It’s the time to keep accessing and re-accessing your strengths and giftings while working on shedding away your excesses.

It’s the time for you to attend quality seminars and conferences.

It’s the time to read and study voraciously ( because you don’t get to read all that you need to; on the field. You only put into action what you have read.)

Another area people miss it is not doing anything at all. God says that whatever your hands find to do, DO IT! That is why I’ld like you to go through the particular issue confronting you presently, and take the action part of it while you see God perfect all in his own time. Always remember that God is never late.

For instance, do you believe God for a baby? The action part is for you to start buying your baby things and reading books on preganancy and motherhood.

Is it for a job? Start out with anything no matter how menial. You can also take a daring step further by offering to work for free in any place there’s no vacancy.

Is it for a marriage? Take the action path by getting to window shop, ask for prices, fix a date, start hard!
Bottom line, whatever the challenge before you.... TAKE THE ACTION PATH OF IT! That is what you do while ‘’waiting’’ and watch God breathe on your efforts!

In conclusion, keep your eyes focused on your desires. PRAY and PRAY, Refuse to reason with the devil and his suggestions. Rather reason with God! He might seem to take time from our own level of human reasoning but trust him... he knows what He’s doing.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Because I see you overtaking. You know why? He did it and is still doing it in an undeniable way for me and because we are heirs together of the same promise and God is not a respecter of persons, your’s will not be an exception.

Love you.

TIPS TO MINIMISE SPENDING SO MUCH ON YOUR HAIR.

From a level of deep thinking, I’ve found out that our hair as ladies consumes even more than our tuition fees, feeding and even investmtents as the case may be. Is our hair a worthy investment? In as much as we are expected to be neat from the crown of her heads, there are ways we can minimise the amount of money we spend on our hair while we channel most of our resources into worthy investments that can yield reasonable dividends for us.


The funny thing is that some ladies that claim to lack one thing or the other are carrying the capital of what will make them financially independent once and for all, on their heads.

Really, if you don’t sit down to deliberately calculate, you might not realise the fortune you are spending on your hair which can be cut down if you must be a good investor and not a terrific spender.

Let’s see how the money goes, using Tope, a university undergraduate and Victoria side by side as case studies. Mind you, Tope relies on her Parents, older friends, Uncles and Aunt’s for her upkeep. She’s got nothing doing that brings in money for her but she no doubts looks smashing day in day out while spending a fortune on her hair, while Victoria’s story is the same but has plans on starting a business of her own by May.



JANUARY

Retouching...(2nd week)Tope: with Kit and service... 2,500
Vivian: With Ozone relaxer and service....350
After retouching, Vivian leaves her hair for two weeks, while combing and using accessories to dress it.
Tope fixes immediately after retouching... 1,400(weavon)+1,000(service)= 2,400
NOTE: If the same amount is at their disposal for hair purposes, at the end of January, Tope has spent 4,900 while Vivian has spent 350 thereby saving 4,550.



FEBRUARY
Tope loosens her weavon, washes her hair, and then braids it, all summing up to 4,500
Vivian washes her hair and fixes for 2,000 and then does a simple hausa weaving by the end of the month for 400, all summing up to 2,400.
By the end of February, Tope spent 4,500 while Vivian spent 2,500. Vivian has succeeded in saving 2,000.



MARCH
Tope saves up some money including the ones she had sourced for, from various quarters which she claimed to need for her ongoing project to buy a brazillian human hair for 60,000( you know, she needs to level up with her clique) She fixes for 1,500.
Wow! With the same amount of money at vivian’s disposal, she buys a standard and smashing wig for 5,000( At least she don step up small)which she used all through the month of March, while keeping her hair neatly woven (500)



At the end of March,Tope had spent 61,500 while Vivian spent 5,500 thus saving the sum of 56,000.


TOTAL ANALYSIS: By the end of March, Tope has spent a total sum of 70,900 on her hair while Vivian spent 8,350 while saving 62,550.
Now, please note that the Salons and products they use for their hair is different. It is not that Vivian wouldn’t mind a good kit but could still make do with another at least for the moment.


In as much as I’m not advocating that we should treat our hair anyhow and use poor quality products, I’m trying to say that we should live our level per time while making sure we have good investments that can produce more thus being less of a burden but a blessing to others in need.


At the end of this analysis, Vivian has a whole 62,550 to invest into a long standing idea while Tope is still in square one. Sooner, Tope will still have to borrow money from Vivian while Vivian has traded the days of pleasure and high standard for a worthy investment and could afford to make any kinda hair she wants later! Note that this still does not mean that we should spend unreasonably on our hair.


For instance, it’s not everytime we must have something glued to our hair. Our hair needs Air and we should cultivate the habit of leaving our hair for some time without attaching anything to it. It is healthy as well as economical.


We should also try to buy wigs that can be used at various times and for various reasons. At times, you might not have much and you need to appear good, your wig comes in handy. However these days, most weavons are thrown away after the first use! At least, you can’t throw your wig away after the first use.


Also, we should try as much a s possible to be content with what we have on per time and not covetous! Ladies go as much as loosening a kind of hair that is being carried for just a week because they just found out a new kind of hairdo on another.


In conclusion ladies, let’s be wise and take a stock of how much we spend on our hair and then, adjust where necessary. Always remember that it pays to be prudent and to go through the pain of discipline than the pain of regret.


It’s not money we need in actual sense but wisdom to manage and harness the little that comes to us per time. Soon, you’ld be a distributor and not a borrower. Watch it! Hope the Capital you’ve been looking for all the while is not on your head!


Please, feel free to add your comments and further suggestions or adjustments. We really need to rub our minds together.

DEAR GIRLFRIEND,...you must be an asset and not a Liability!!! (1)

There are no effects in life without causes. Sure you know that. Also, from observations and mostly experience, you must have come to the conclusion like I have, that the need for MONEY is the root cause of most problems and complications we have in the soceity today. Just in case you are doubting, If you were given 50 million right now (see it truly), am I right to say that at least, 50% of your current challenges will be over in a sweep. Let’s see... • You want to pursue your academics in a very good institution, probably abroad. • You need a good accomodation as a family and the rent is getting higher by the day. • Your siblings all need to go to school and pay for everything payable. • Looking for a good paying job so badly. • Someone is down with one sickness or the other that requires money for quality and adequate treatment. • Your Parents are complaining about the upkeep of family • Your Fiance is not able to settle down with you for marriage because he is not financially empowered. • You can’t dress well, eat well, travel to places you’ld have loved to, buy books or Cds you’ld have loved to read or hear, register and attend seminars or conferences, participate in some church activities and even service groups(that require money in one way or the other) The List is endless................................................................................................ If money has so much influence, then why can’t we put good and conscious measures into place to ensure that we do not lack it. The truth is that Lack makes a Man so uncomfortable and the absence of money is like cancer because it affects every other aspect of your life. Agreed, there are problems or issues in life that money cannot solve. There are people that have the money for whatever they want yet they lack peace and even have diseases that are beyond medical solution. However, you’ld agree with me that with the availablity of Money, the problems are brought down to the minimum. Now, let’s narrow this down to ladies. Most ladies have found themselves compromising their precious lives for the benefit they would receive in monetary terms or... • How else can you explain a young lady of 25 years old having affairs with married Men old enough to be her father? • How can you explain a lady getting married to a Man she does not Love but because he is financially empowered. • Or a lady that will stand on the streets to exchange her body for money... • Or a lady that will betray her friend(like Judas did to Jesus for 30 pieces of silver which he ended up not spending) into the hands of ritual killers because of the money that is going to be given to her? The list remains endless.... LADIES VIEWS Ladies and Women in general tend to view money and finances differently from Men though mindsets are being changed drastically these days because we now have ladies going all the way into their various fields of interest and making great impact there, thus getting empowered financially. However. Some women still think that the development of a viable financial life plan majorly rest on Men and the best they can do is to find such Men that have made it big! Ladies and women in general need to be reminded that a Man is not a financial plan! WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN ASSET? An asset in simple terms, means anything useful or valuable. As a woman, you can bring yourself under the light of any or all of the following if you’re to consider yourself as an asset. Remember, it has little or nothing to do with the number of clothes, bags or shoes you have in your wardrobe though they can be converted into cash if they still retain their value. The assets I’m addressing here lies mainly in the education and thus, skills you have acquired as a result of it. To be educated simply means to be trained or taught either within the confines of a school environment or outside. This involves either getting a Diploma, Degree, Masters or PH.D in a desired course and other Professional courses. Your desired course of study or career can be JUST ANYTHING ranging from Hairdressing, Tailoring, Designing, Medicine, Law, Engineering, Journalism, Fine Arts, e.t.c and I must tell you, none is more lucrative than the other. It’s your attitude to work that matters. The above can be learnt in either ways.The list is endless. Getting trained or educated formally and informally is the KEY! There is nothing like being FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT as a single and even as a married Woman. Even when you operate joint accounts, you still need to keep an account in your own name because of so many reasons part of which is for you to be able to contribute your own quota into the relationship,not having to depend on your partner for every single need, the fact that some Men are not that good with managing money, to be able to readily expand your career e.t.c WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A LIABILITY? Simply put, having to rely on another person or people for almost all your needs frequently such that you are considered a PEST even if you are not told to your face. Instead of just sitting down and being idle as regards financial matters,having to be burdened with anything that involves money, I would like to share some business ideas that you could set up.Some of these businesses may require that you acquire new skills while there might be some that you already possess the skills needed to set up. Above all start a business that defines you as an individual and gives you satisfaction. Below are some business Ideas that you can start. 1.Beauty Services – Salon, Spa 2.Child care provider – Creche 4.Children’s party Planner 5.Caterer 6.Computer Services 7.Direct selling – Mary Kay, Avon, Mark, clothes, shoes, bags (JUST ANYTHING) 8.Dry cleaning services 9. Event planning 10.Writing 11.Fashion designing 12 .Fitness Instructor 13.Home Tutoring 14.House cleaning 15.Interior designing services 16.Jewelry designing 17.Liquid soap production 18.Consultant 19.Multi level marketing e.g Ardyss, Forever Living products, FM perfumes 20.Make-up Artist 21.Motivational speaker 22.Nanny services 23.Photography 24.Party rentals services 25.Web designer 26.Wedding Planner 27. Art works. 28. Private Lessons/ Tutorial centre. Remember having a business idea is the first stage to starting a business .Until you consciously take the decision and act on it, there will be no business! SO HOW DO I GET STARTED? Erase the notion that you need hundreds of thousands or millions of Naira to make it on your own. If you can start smart, then you’re on your way to a liberating experience. 1. Develop Skills and Confidence. Once you’ve created your business model you’ll have to develop the skills necessary to make it in this competitive environment. Being smart is not enough to be successful. You need to rely on determination, guts, tough skin and confidence. You are sure to encounter many roadblocks along the way and you have to be ready to face these head on. 2. Gather What You Have On Ground. You have to assess how long you can get by with little or no income. Try to take a stock of what you have and what you can gather from mature friends or family. If possible, sell some of your stuffs( it depends on how convincing you are of your business idea and the amount of risks you are willing to take) You might even have to put up your Blackberry for sale(Funny)? 3. Delay Being So Official Delay the normal business starting activities like incorporating, hiring, renting an office e.t.c until after your business has started earning money. Avoid the temptation of having to start big thus procrastinating and eventually, not starting at all. 4. Take Substantial Responsibility Try to do most things yourself (at least for a start) without having to hire and pay an expert. I hope this helps. It will save you a lot of compromises that characterises lack of money. I’ld get to share with you my personal experiences in the world of business and being financially independent from scratch till present. Watch out for the concluding part.

YOUR TIME.

Beautiful things abound around you The young and innocent alike, Get their desires in the twinkle of an eye. The seemingly undeserving The wicked and hard-hearted Celebrating everyday A new award called fOrth Why is mine different you ask Joining others as they celebrate Being the bride’s maid The driver to the venue of the award The photographer at the convocation day The Samaritan that helps the Pregnant to the hospital A witness to all of life’s celebrations Yet, you’re an unlooker A spectator it seems and not a player Wondering if ever life will be fair To look upon you for mercy But here your lesson note dear friend Study to show yourself approved It's not in education It's not in Eloquences It's in a Relationship It's in his time Which he turns around to be your time Hold on! If you indeed know him He’d make all things beautiful for you In his Time.

IN YOU...

The Lord said to me early that morning...Resource! I wondered what it meant beyond the dictionary’s definition and few hours later, I came across a Rhapsody edition which was not current.In it, Pst Chris said.. Resource is the invisible greatness inside of you.I was overwhelmed! So, this was what God was communicating to me in just one single word. That was 8 years ago. And ever since, I’ve always lived with the conciousness of the fact that there is an invisible greatness inside of me even if I can’t feel it, sense it, understand it or it’s not being materialised. Have you ever felt so empty, useless, dejected, lonely or worthless? Have you ever thought of the fact that you just need to associate or rather attach yourself with someone or a group so as to feel a measure of worth or acceptance? Or rather, you’re so full of the knowledge of what you’re worth, yet you’re unable to close up the gap between what you know is on the inside and it’s manifestation on the outside. (Because, im aware of the influx of knowledge as regards what we are worth that has been preached so much in our churches and by motivational speakers) Then, let’s look into this on two sides. WHAT WE HAVE ON THE INSIDE. Philemon 1: 6... That the communication of thy Faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. This scripture is pregnant with meaning. The second part says clearly translates that: 1. There are good thing(s) in you. 2. These good things are only in you because they are in Christ Jesus and you are in him.(so,a life without without Christ cannot successfully claim good things being resident on the inside). SO, HOW DO YOU BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN WHAT’S ON THE INSIDE AND THE MANIFESTAION? The first part of the scripture says that the communication of thy Faith may become effectual by the acknowledging... So, what does this suggest? To bridge the gap: 1. You must admit as being fact that there are good things in you which is what makes your faith successful in producing the desired results. 2. You must receive it . 3. You must give thanks for it. 4. You must say it. 5. You must walk in faith which does not just mean believing,because the word of God in James 2:19 says ... Thou believest that there is one God,thou doest well;the devils also believe and tremble. So, just staying in the realm of believing makes no difference! - You must have an evidence that you believe in what you carry according to Hebrews11:1.. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence(title deed) of things not seen. - What doth it profit, my brethren though a man say he has faith and have not works? Can faith save him? - Vs17... Even so faith,if it hath not works, is dead being alone. - Vs 18... yea a man may say, thou hast faith and I have works; show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show you my faith by my works(faith is shown by your works) - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. So, what is the conclusion, it’s time to bridge the gap between what we have on the inside lest it seems as if the word of God is not true. The word of God is the absolute truth and cannot lie but we must take the responsiblity of acting in faith towards the execution of clearly received instructions and goals. How do you feel when you see people that are not even as gifted and loaded as you are, yet recording giant strides in their fields? The difference between you and them MIGHT just be ACTION! Take a stock of what you can do, present it to God and ask for clear instructions, then step out in faith and act on those goals. That is the only way you can find relevance, fulfilment and a sense of worth. Manifest!!! Yes you Can. Take steps. Faith is not speaking alone, but acting. You might look or sound stupid but at the end, your little and large steps of faith will be rewarded. We have read enough! We have attended enough seminars! We ave received enough counsels! We have been prayed for and laid hands on enough! We have gone for enough deliverance sessions! It’s time to move!!! Waiting to read about your exploits!!! ACTION PLAN As a result of reading this piece, I have decided to: 1. 2. 3........Please, fill your ACTION STEPS in.

FROM THE BOSS TO GOD!

How many times have you screeched at the sound of his car or his appearance? How many times has your heart skipped just because he called your name? Note that it could be your Boss or anyone in position of authority over you... Its time to let go of that fear and lifestyle! The book of Proverbs twenty-nine and verse twenty-six reads... “ Many seek the rulers favour; but every Man’s judgement comes from the Lord” Our judgement is from the Lord and not from any Man or any Boss. So, we are not supposed to go about seeking the rulers favour or whoever is in authority. The favour comes directly from God and so, whether you’re accepted in the sight of the Boss or not, he likes your face or not, once the command comes from God’s throne that it’s time for you to be favoured, the Boss has no choice but to favour you by heeding to God’s command. So, what’s the action plan? It’s time to shift focus from the Man to God. (who can curse whom God has blessed or bless who God has cursed)? Do all that you know is good and is in your power to do regardless of how you are appreciated on the outside, enduring even the critisms that comes with your doing good, believing, waiting and looking up to God who is your true rewarder and source! It all originates from God! No wonder His word says that promotion comes neither from the east or the west but from the Lord. That a kings heart is in the hands of the Lord and he turns it where he wills. So, you must shift your focus from the Boss because the favour is coming directly from God and not from the Boss. He or she is just the channel. Have we ever wondered sometimes that our Boss does not notice us despite all that we do to please him such that frustration almost sets in? It shows that in as much as we look at the Boss as the one to favour us or where the promotion or favour is coming from, we cannot get anything. No wonder God says that a man will receive the reward of any good thing he does whether he is bond or free! Let’s read Ephesians 6: 5-8 ... 5: Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6: Not with eye service as Men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7: With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to Men: 8: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any Man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.(SELAH ALL!) So, we must do all that is assigned to us or expected of us with the mindset that we are doing it as unto God and that our reward or acknowledgement will come from Him. With that, we won’t be weary or be as men pleasers or engaging in eye service. God will reward! He will not tarry! Wait for him because at the appointed time, your works will speak so dont be weary in well doing as God said in His word. God sees you even when no Man sees you. So many times, people complain of not being promoted at the work place not understanding that if you’re promoted on God’s calendar, nobody can stop your promotion on the earth. So also, those promoted on the earth by an act of flesh might be promoted as seen by Men as such but not approved by God! Such promotion ends up not bringing any form of lasting benefit because it was either not merited or gotten by lobbying. Can we remember at anytime where we probably swept the floor,cleared the table or files, did the dishes or just something and we actually stood by it or engineered some things to make it known that we actually did it? That way, we have recieved our stereotyped reward but God says that whatsoever good any man does in secret will be revealed in the open! Why not let’s be patient and wait for God’s reward which is far far better and lasting. I mean both earthly and heavenly rewards. God bless you real good as you shift your focus from the Boss to God.

DON'T BE QUIET!!!

It’s about the people of Laish. Have you ever heard or read about them? Incase you have not, you might have to do so very soon. The children of Dan desperately needed some people or individuals to subdue and exploit.They were ready to take their jobs, promotions, health, money, spouses and the very land they dwelt in. These people they were ready to exploit were no other than the peope of Laish. And so what did they do? they pretended to be their friends and studied their going out and coming in. With time, they were able to discover their weak points, values and believes and the next agenda on their list was TO STRIKE! And strike they did. They did not just get to fulfill all their intentions and plans, but it was after they had found out that the people of Laish lived carelessly, had no relationship with other people and lived a life of mediocrity and fear of taking risks and fear of being vulnerable to the betrayals of Men. One thing I must make you aware of before I conclude this story is the fact that the people of Dan were not slothful. They were so deliberate in their actions, planned very well and engaged the weapon of hardwork in actualising their dreams of displacing another! They were also positively minded that God had given them the desires of their heart and every good thing the people had because from the account, the people of Laish possessed a land that was not in want of any thing that is in the earth! WAOH.... they were so so rich and blessed. Worthy of note is the fact that while the people of Dan were desperately preparing and putting adequate plans into place to take over,with every kind of strategies and tactics put in place, the people of Laish never suspected a thing. Rather, they were secure in dwelling safely and in quietness. On the appointed day they had planned to strike, they burnt down the whole land without pity... the lands of the quiet and secure! However, the people of Laish would have been helped but their place was far from where other people lived and previously, they had no relationship with any man or people so, they were on their own! And so,when the people of Dan struck, it was kind of easy. The most important thing at the conclusion of this story, is to see how it relates to our lives. The truth is that as you are reading, there are people willing to take your place. There are people consistently working and ready to overthrow you and access the land that has been prepared and preserved for you, willing to take your job or career, health, finances, spouse, joy, just name it! Every good thing that will make life enjoyable and pleasurable for you is being eyed and contested , though you might not see it. Whether you are aware or not, it has always been like that and would forever be, as long as Jesus tarries, so it’s an ongoing battle. That is the reason you will see people living in affluence today and in a matter of years, it’s just as if they’ve never tasted wealth before. Be sure that the enemy does not want you to enjoy any good thing and that’s why he’s fighting tooth and nail. That is why we don’t have to offend anyone to be attacked or what have you done to have experienced all the challenges you’ve faced so far in life? Two major things I want you to hold on to in this story are: 1. DON’T BE QUIET: The poeople of Laish were so quiet and secure, yet they were subdued! How many times have we had the impulse and urge to embark on worthy projects and things that can be beneficial to our fellow men but we kill the voice within us because we don’t want risks, we don’t want to die, we don’t want threats and so, we continually live in our comfort zones. Remember, whether we are quiet or not, we are still going to be attacked. Mediocrity has never been known to be the way out. Quietnesss is not to be embraced in the raging battles of life. If we are on the offensive, we’ld be engaged in the battle, if we are quiet, we’ld still be attacked. Whichever way, WE MUST FIGHT but we are only going to win if we are on the offensiive and not quiet! We really must pay attention to our attitudes and the way we run or handle our lives. Like my status reads today...Our fears is not in that God cannot keep or save us in times of trouble but our fears is in our experience of evil things happening to good people. Looking at the people of Laish, we can get a good lesson from them. They were quiet and ‘’secure’’ people. This could mean that they were good people. So, why should they still be attacked and subdued? They were attacked and sudued as seemingly good people because THEY WERE QUIET! That is why you can see that the issue of being quiet is not something that should be taken lightly. We need to speak out and be violent in accessing our blessings. However,after God has given us what belongs to us, we still have to fight to keep it. To be noted again is that the account of this story says that the peope were careless. Relating this to us, what does it mean to be careless? We can be careless when we don’t pray, and we continually live in sin. Embracing and working out a quality prayer life involves being diligent and not slothful. Making sure we have close fellowship and communion with God in prayer and study everyday and going further to pray without ceasing. Nothing good comes easy and even the enemy is working so hard. If you continue to watch your life go the way it wantts to go, don’t complain when things turn out for the worst. Every good thing is conciously worked at. Weeds don’t need to be cultivated but fruits must be conciously cultivated. When we live a prayerless, non studious, compromising and sinful lives,both our physical and spiritual walls of defense is broken and the enemy will have free access to torture our lives regardless of how long we have been born again. But that will not be our portion in Jesus name because I know we are all going to take the required responsibilities after reading this. 2. EMBRACE FELLOWSHIP: I’ld look into the aspect of fellowship from two angles considering the fact that every relationship we enter into can either make us or mar us. That is why we need the grace for wisdom and the spirit of discernment to be able to recognise relationships worth clinging on to, those to be kept at a distance and those to be discarded outrighty. Being ‘’secure’’ by keeping away from asssociating with people does not guarantee our security and it is well portrayed in the story of the Laishites. There’s no doubt that we have to be vulnerable enough to allow fellowship. (a) Good Fellowship: Have you ever felt the need just to be alone and not associate with anyone, just because of the dissapointments you got from them? Have you ever felt there was no reason to go to church again because of those you’ve held up in high esteem but who ended up dissapointing you because of their ungodly character? (your pastor inclusive) Then,you’re not alone. However, that is not enough reason to be without fellowship. The dangers of being without it are more! The people of Laish had nobody to deliver them when their day of trouble came because they were far from Zidon(a community of people) and moreso, they had no business with ANY MAN. Simply put, they were far from fellowship. Who says it’s just enough to be a christian without going to church as long as you’re living right? NEVER! It’s beyond living right because the people of Laish probably lived right too. Who says there’s no value in church or fellowships? Not to go to church or fellowship with people because of the atrocities we discover they commited, is a deception of the devil. You know why? At the end of the day, we would not be judged as a church but as an individual. Infact, the devil intentionally makes those you look up to in terms of character and values to fall flat thus bringing down your faith alongside. Every wise man or woman should better know that it’s every man for himself. Be quick to understand that it is your people, your fellowship and your church that will stand for you in the times of your greatest attack. It’s not a prophecy of doom. Times of adverse challenges will always come up in every life. Times when you might not even be able to pray again but rely on the prayers of others. I might hear you say, what of those that are nowhere to be found during these challenges. The truth is that if your church is not there, your fellowship will be there. God will always provide a way for you when he knows your strength is small. If everyone ends up discarding you, then that means God knows that you have been equipped with the required strength. Remember he has said that you’ld not be faced with situations more than what you can bear. I remember a time when I was terribly ill to the point of death. I ended up not being able to sum up the strength to pray again. I could only mutter few words while I looked up to God in my lying state for his mercies to prevail. At that time, my fellowship was contacted(Winners Campus Fellowship, University of Ibadan) and they continued in prayer for me. I want to use this oppoutunity to say a big thank you to them again. They are my families for life! One striking thing that happened to confirm the reality of the power in their prayers was a revelation that was given to one of my friends. In that dream, a course mate of mine who had died earlier in reality came with some loads in his hands, telling my friend that he was ready to come and take me on the journey. However, I was in the bus with my friend and she told him I was not going and for what? Looking at the sides of the bus we were both in,was the inscription... ‘’WINNERS CAMPUS FELLOWSHIP’’ I was held secure from death under that umbrella! Friends, the benefits of fellowship is real and far outweighs our non inclusion because a sister gossiped about us or a brother is sleeping with your girlfriend.... give me worst scenarios.... Pray... ‘’Lord, let not my fears of the betrayals of Men, keep me from the benefits of fellowship’’ (b)Wrong Fellowship: Like I use to say, when God wants to bless or change a life, he sends someone. So also the devil sends someone when he wants to destroy a life. Our wisdom is in being able to differentiate between the two. Though some might start out with us so well, they end up being a memory we don’t ever want to remember. That is why it is very important for us to also ask God for the spirit of discernment. A person might look so perfect, yet we have this uneasiness in our spirit! Watchout!!! It might be that the person is not in our lives for good. Please, forget about the handsome face or pretty looks. It’s quite disturbing that we seem to be carried away with the physical happenings and interpretations around us, forgetting the fact that there are spiritual undertones to everything in life. If you like, you might continue to join the train of those that claim not to want to ‘’overspiritualise’’things. There’s nothing like that. We are all spirit beings, simple! And we should walk by the spirit and not by the flesh. The people of Laish were not aware that the very people that seemed to be their friends were spies who were going to end up destroying their entirety! Have you seen the movie... Apocalypses? They allowed the spies to pass across their territory thinking they were friends. They were even given a gift! What a deception. The end was agony unlimited. Be careful of those hanging around your life too. Do a sincere and prayerful appraisal while you let go of those that need to be away from your life. Wisdom cannot be traded for anything in the journey of life. In conclusion, DON’T BE QUIET, BE AT ALERT AND EMBRACE FELLOWHIP WITH GOD AND MAN! It’s your security in this world. You can read about the people of Laish in the book of Judges, chapter eighteen. Meanwhile, if you are not a born again christian, I can assure you that you have no lasting security anywhere else outside the blood of Jesus.Worthy to note is that regardless of the success on earth, we’d be of all men most miserable if we spend eternity in hell.So why not accept Jesus into your life right away, he ensures your safety here and in the world to come. Say this prayer if you’re ready for him. Dear Jesus, I accept you as my Lord and personal saviour. I believe you died for my sins and rose again on the third day that I might be justified. I confess that I’m a sinner. Right now I pray, come into my life and wash me with your blood .I believe I’m saved and born again, thank you Father for saving me. Now that you’re saved, congratulations because I see you fulfilling destiny, go forward there’s nothing stopping you now. It’s a whole new start.ALSO, KEEP THIS… “KNOWLEDGE ONLY QUALIFIES YOU TO BE ON TRACK FOR THE RACE. THE RACE BEGINS ONLY WHEN YOU ACT ON WHAT YOU’VE LEARNT, AND THEN YOU GO TOWARDS THE FINISHING LINE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PRIZE” Gird your heart with all diligence, and make sure as often times as possible you go over what you’ve read, not just for the purpose of this write up, but also for other materials and books you’d get to read. Thanks and God bless you for reading. I commend you to the grace of God to enable you to put into practice everything you’ve read in Jesus Name. Also, you can write down at least three things you’ve decided to do as a result of the insight you’ve gotten from this write up, that way you can be determined to change and measure your progress. I Love you.

TWO KINDS OF DISSAPOINTMENTS.

At one time or the other, we must have been faced with one "dissapointment" or the other and actually, the way we interprete it puts a seal on what it actually is. Let me give you some scenarios... Sometime ago, an Aunt of mine consistently went to the embassy for a visa and was turned down time after time. She was determined to travel out and after several attempts, she was finally given the visa! Is that a miracle, fight of faith or a testimony worth giving in church? Well, the rest of the story will answer that. Few months, into her stay abroad, she and her fiance were going out in his car and they had an accident. She died while the guy survived! The question is, was God trying to prevent this from happening all the while she was being rejected or could the same event have occured if she was in Nigeria? Another scenario... A man gave a testimony sometime in church that he was sacked. He was so furious that he went back home and started supplication and prayers. He never kept quiet and consistently demanded for God's intervention. Few days after,he was called back and even promoted with extra pay. Now, my question is this... How do you recognise a dissapointment worth fighting for and the one that should be allowed to just pass? Share your comments and experiences with me while I respond. Waiting to read from you...

WHAT ARE YOU LIVING FOR???

What am I living for, if all I think about is myself or family? What am I living for if all I do is to watch movies that gulp more than 8hours of my life everyday? What am I living for If I can't boast of winning souls into God's kingdom? Can someone tell me what I'm living for if all I think of is the number of clothes and shoes I possess? What am I living for, if all I think of is how to make friends with people for the benefit I can receive? Of what worth is my life if it's entirety is lived in complaining about Nigeria without taking my place? What value is my life if i'm not working on my talents to develop and maximise it? What am I living for, If no one can point a finger to me, saying... I'm blessed because of you? What am I living for, If I can't forgive? What am I living for if all I think about is status, fame, gain and how to be loved by Men? What else am I living for If I can't genuinely feel the pain of others but rather tell every man to carry his own cross? What am I living for without a fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ? Or worst still, claiming to be a christian while I do every other wrong thing without a sign of remorse? It' time to wake up to the reality of what we are actually living for, Bearing in mind that our lives on earth is given to us to invest in, and then determine how our eternity will be! WHAT ARE YOU LIVING FOR????????????????

FOREVER TOGETHER.

It’s the talk of the World A desire for most souls Young and old alike It’s a wish common to man. Some step in fast and get out fast Others fast to go in and slow to come out The truth is that its an experience you must abide with Not just as long as its sweet But for life. Some watch from afar With envy they look on at the fortunate They pray daily to be locked in it Yet some seemingly fortunate ones being envied can’t wait to run out. Here the news Its forever together And no option for quitting. So with all that is in man, Patience must be his companion Ability to discern warning Before you decide forever To be together forever Whether sweet or sour. A handshake for those outside A smile of warning A hug for caution An advice for priorities A handshake for opportunities Never say I didn’t tell you Its sweet IF YOU'RE GUIDED BY THE RIGHT THINGS.

WHEN A MAN CRIES!!!

It’s the most unlikely of occurrence Like a rock that never brings out water A man full of strength and vigour Facing challenges and overcoming A solace in times of trials. When the chips, are down Looking up to him, you’re bright again A model of stamina A statue of hope Man is looked upon As a brave and courageous son But some times do come With challenges of some sort Some rare and visible days do come When a man cries. Then, you can’t help but conclude That God is the true source Of our strength.