WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL TO THE LORD FOR TODAY

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed

When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings name them one by one

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done

Count your blessings, name them one by one:

Count your blessings; see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done

The hymn above is something I go back a lot of times to. It reminds of God’s faithfulness especially when the devil is throwing different battles my way. Believe me recently I have been fighting different battles in various areas of my life. Maybe for you things have not worked out the way you expected, maybe you are still single a long time after you taught you will be married, or your own case is a case of barrenness., maybe your spouse has refused to change even after all your prayers or that child is going astray and you are wondering why, or even the fact that your prayers are not been answered despite your faithfulness to God. The hymn above usually reminds me that though I am going through a storm at the moment that God almighty has and is still faithful.

A lot of times as humans when we are going through a storm we are so angry at God and we forget to thank him for what He has done for us in the past. Personally I am learning to have a heart of thanksgiving irrespective of what battles I am fighting at the moment. The second thing I have discovered recently that makes it easy when things are not working out to thank the Lord, can best be described in the words of Heather Lindsey “Yes things aren’t working out physically but that doesn’t mean that things aren’t working out spiritually. Just because you cannot see what God is doing behind the scenes doesn’t mean that He isn’t working on your behalf”. Behind the scenes God is arranging things in your favour all we need is to stay in thanksgiving and praise. Joel Osteen said “Don’t be so focused on what you want that you take for granted what you have’’. One scriptures that readily comes to mind is Jeremiah 29 vs 11

                                 Amplified Bible

11.  For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

                                    Message Bible 
 11.  I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out — plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

Expressing our emotions when we are going through  challenges is not wrong but if we sincerely look back at where God has brought us from even in that present  situation we would know that God has truly been faithful to us irrespective of the battles we are fighting. Recently I discovered that whenever you are going through any battle looking back at where God has brought you from makes it easy to have a heart of praise and Gratitude. And if you look back sincerely you will be amazed that you have so many things to be thankful to the Lord for. Today if you sincerely search your heart even in your present situation you will be amazed at all the things you have to be thankful for.
 

Personally I want to thank the Lord for the gift of life irrespective of all the devices of the devil ,I want to thank the Lord for the gift of salvation, I want to thank the Lord for the gift of family, I want  to thank the Lord for the gift of friends. Most importantly I want to thank the Lord for the gift of my Son Onimisi and all the joy he brings into our lives daily. I want to thank the Lord that He is growing in grace, I want to thank the Lord because irrespective of the battles the devil threw his way, God preserved him. I want to thank the Lord because he came into our lives as an answer to prayer after three years and seven months of marriage. Why don’t you sincerely search your heart I am sure there must be something you are thankful for even in the midst of your present challenge. God is faithful, He sees your prayers, He sees your fasting, He sees your secret tears and if He did it before he will do it again all you need is to have a heart of praise and gratitude.

Until our next post  

 I leave you with this line from a song ‘OVERCOMING EVERY STRONGHOLD IT BEGINS WITH A THANKFUL HEART’.

Reference

Heather Lindsey : Silently Mad at God.

IS BITTERNESS WORTH IT

A lot of times as humans’, people hurt us and before we know it bitterness sets in. The dictionary defines bitterness as a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill will. Simply put bitterness is anger and resentment embedded in malice, jealousy and all the other things that slow us down. I believe every single person deals with bitterness in some way because that’s just our flesh screaming out that we have been wronged. Especially among couples in marriage it can be so easy to breed bitterness and resentment, unfortunately the end result of bitterness generally and especially in marriage is disrespect.

Bitterness can be as a result of unfulfilled desire, a demand not meet, an insult poured out, an unfulfilled expectation and many more. Bitterness and resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. The more anger and resentment you hold on towards the past in your heart, the less likely you are of loving in the future and making progress. Holding unto anger, bitterness, and resentment only makes life more difficult for the one holding unto it. More importantly bitterness, resentment and anger only hurt one person, and it’s not the person we are resenting it’s us. Personally I have discovered that bitterness makes it difficult for one to differentiate between good and bad and also makes you over react even to the smallest offense. Bitterness also will affect our physical and mental health. One scripture that readily comes to mind is Ephesians 4 vs 31
                                KING JAMES VERSION
 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice

                           AMPLIFIED BIBLE
Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind).

Personally I have discovered that the first step in dealing with bitterness is to find out the state of your heart and what is really happening there. Sometimes our bitterness stems from too much expectation on our part from the other person and a sense of entitlement. Reducing your sense of entitlement and expectation will go a long way in helping you deal with bitterness. Coming to the realization that the other person or maybe our spouse does not owe you anything will go a long way in helping you deal with bitterness. Furthermore knowing that how the other person treats you is a function of their values and who they are and that irrespective of who they are and how they are, they are not supposed to change you and your values, what you believe in and how you treat yourself and others.

Secondly to forgive and let go is the second step in dealing with bitterness and resentment. Jolene Engle in her article titled 3 things I do in marriage to combat bitterness said ‘I try so hard to let things go and not keep a record of wrong. Often times I have discovered that people are humans like us too and especially our spouses, who usually do not intentionally want to hurt us. They are just like us imperfect humans trying to figure out who and what from time to time’. Someone else said that ‘holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth’. Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and lightness in your life and also gives you a reason to forge ahead in life  Another scripture that readily comes to mind is Ephesians 4 vs 32


                                    KING JAMES VERSION .
 And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.
                                  AMPLIFIED BIBLE 
  And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.

The third thing is to choose to show love to the other person no matter what and to believe that the other person can change for the better. This is by far the most difficult, because it’s so difficult to be kind and tender to someone who has hurt you in the past or someone who is hurting you at the moment. Someone said that ‘when we can lay down our fear and anger and choose responses other than aggression, we create the conditions for bringing out the best in us humans. Hope makes people good a lot of the time, you hope for a brighter future and resentment is outweighed’.

The unfortunate thing about bitterness is if you don’t deal with it, it will affect your relationships adversely and most likely also destroy you in the process. It’s your choice friends no one can force you to deal with all the bitterness, resentment and anger in your heart not for the sake of the other person but for your own sake, and benefit and most especially so that you can make headway in life. ’The choice of which part to take and what to do is yours no one can make it for you. I have been bitter too but the truth is there is no gain. You can let go though it’s difficult but it’s not impossible all you need to do is just to make up your mind.

Until our next post ‘REMAIN RAPTURABLE.’’


Reference 
Jolene Engle : 3 things i do in my marriage combat bitterness 


 

COPING WITH VARIOUS SEASONS OF LIFE

As humans we go through various seasons in our lives. When some seasons come we enjoy it and wish it will never end and when some other season comes we  wish it will end as soon as it started. Some other season brings us happiness and some other season brings us frustration, anger and wanting to throw in the towel. I have discovered personally that life is in seasons and everybody’s season is different  and different people spend different duration in different season and when some seasons of our lives comes there are a lot of things we want to do and cannot do even though its difficult, embarrassing and very painful to admit it. One scripture that readily comes to mind is ecclesiastes  3 vs 1-8 

                                           King James Version 

 Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;3:5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;3:6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;3:8 A time to love, and  a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace

I have discovered that every season comes with its own lessons to be learnt.There have been different seasons of my life, but I will lay emphasis on three of those seasons and the lessons I  learnt  from them.The First has been a season of not being employed, which has taught me patience in a different dimension. The second was the season of  waiting for a child after I got married(My son came three years and seven months after I got married) this season taught me something that can only be described best in the exact word of Christine Caine''God is good and God does good, but bad things  do happen to good people” and the fact too that believers too can have challenges . Another lesson I learnt from that season is an increase in trust and faith in God and the fact that God is faithful and His word He will always fulfill. The third season has been my motherhood season I will describe it as one of the best seasons of my life.  Motherhood  is one season in my life that has opened me up to new lessons. This season has so far taught me sacrifice in a different light,  taught me the capacity to love in a different realm and importantly it has taught me the true meaning of unconditional love,and I am just starting. 
 

I do not know what season you are in, yours might be a season of joblessness, a season of sickness, season with an angry boss, a season with a wayward child, a season with a stubborn husband, a season with an overbearing wife, a season of financial lack and many more. I have personally discovered that every season comes with its own benefits, its own good and most importantly the lessons to be learnt.

One thing that is paramount  though is our ability to  maximize that season to the fullest. Its Important for us to see every season of our life as God ordained, enjoy that season and work towards achieving and moving gracefully into the next season. For some of us the season we are in has made us give up on a lot of things we would have ordinarily enjoyed and it is causing us anger, frustration and resentment. Sometimes the pressure of society and what people think get to us so much that bitterness sets in. It’s important for us as individual to live freely from all the approval of men and society.

Furthermore it is important for us not to despise any season of our life and to see every season of our life as God ordained. God’s plan is always perfect for our lives and no matter what season you are in be determined to maximize that season. God Almighty will surely take you into the next season, not when you want it but definitely at the right time, the key is to faithfully follow and abide in God following His instructions precepts by precepts and not following the World’s system. One scripture that readily comes to mind is Jeremiah 29 vs 11 
                                           Amplified Bible.
 11.For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
                                 King James Version
 Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 

Until our next Post I leave with this “Fully enjoy whatever season you are in now, while knowing that the season you so desire will come one day all you need to do is to abide in the Almighty''

CROSS ROAD: Gifted Hands vs. Parental Consent

...she was an exceptional child, a delight of her parents, a close look at her disarming smiles, lighting up her face tells you her path could be traced to a pristine order of royalty, little wonder she was christened Ronke "literally meaning I have  found something to treasure". Royalty as always has peculiar demands on her Armour bearers, Bisi, the chief maid will not let a day pass without reminding Ronke of the demands of royalty placed on the shoulder of the young princess.

Elementary days in the school saw the young princess excelling as her school's melodious voice; she would represent her school in singing and dancing competitions and come out as the best. Awards and titles kept coming for her; she kept up with this until her final days in high school.

Time to choose a career pathway...

King Adejumo: my baby

Ronke: yes dad,

King: after a carefully thought out decision, I and your mother have decided to send you abroad to further your studies...

Ronke: oh dad! Thank you, I love you, you and mummy are my best assets

King: you will be taking a course in dentistry; you should be taking over the management of the hospital at your return,

Ronke: "eyes wide open" frowns...but daddy!

King: what is it?

Ronke: I already had a course in mind...

King: what course? So long as it’s a specialty in human medicine, I'll like it,

Ronke: emm...emm...its in music

King: teeth crashing!!! What did you say???

...the battle goes on...

So many young people like Ronke in adolescence have drawn battle lines with their parents on issues bothering on career choices. Others steer in confusion not knowing what choices fit better...do daddy and mummy’s bidding or follow what I feel?Sometimes as parents' we make the mistake of choosing specific career paths for our children.As much as parental guidance is essential, it is also to be understood that as people differ in looks, they also differ in destinies. Products come with manuals to explain their use and how to achieve optimal functionality, so also is every creature of God. God's innate ability resides in everyone through gifts and talents. One scripture that comes to mind is Matthew 25 vs. 14-30 specifically verse 14-15

King James Version

Matthew 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

(New Living Translation).

 14. Again the kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.15.He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last-dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

Specifically it was said that the talents were distributed according to their capabilities which means their various specific individual gifting. The most fulfilling career choices are usually choices that are based on our talents and giftings.Once individual career choices are made based on gifting and talents, coping for the child is usually easier and struggling is less. Parents should learn to observe the peculiarities of their children, help them identify their gifts and talents. While they develop it, if they choose a career pathway in that direction, encourage them. Once a child’s individual career choice is made based on gifting and talents’, coping is usually easier and struggling is less.Another scripture that readily comes to mind is Proverbs 22vs 6:

Train up a child in the way he should go{and in keeping with his individual gift or bent },and when he is old he will not depart from it(Amplified Bible).

It talks about the way a child should go not just spiritually but in every other area including the specific career path the child is fitted to excel in. Making a child go in a career path that is not divinely ordained will only led to frustration, waste of the child’s time and most especially make the child go around in a circle of failure. Most times what happens after all the circle of failure and frustration is that the child now runs back to the specific career path he/she has always desired. As a parent seek to know God’s opinion on your child’s proposed choice that way, you stay relevant.

There's also a more pertinent and salient part: pray! Pray!! Pray!!! Only a handful of people understand the role of prayer in career choices. It’s a form of insanity on its own to venture into a career path without seeking the face of God for direction. Jesus said "watch and pray that you fall not into temptation. Prayer does two things for the parent. Firstly it makes it easy for the parent to accept the specific career path the child has decided to take and secondly prayer makes it easy as a parent to guide the child in his/her divinely ordained career path to ensure success and fulfillment. For a child who has been taught prayer early in life, prayer makes it easy for the child to identify his/her divinely ordained career path where he/she will function maximally. One with God is a majority.

Until our next post I leave you with this “seek to help your child find God’s divine plan and purpose for their life that is the greatest gift next to salvation your child can have.God's stake is always worth a life time of favour.Stay refereshed.

The opening story remains a figment of imaginative thought.