Prayers during adversity

"Being a doer of the word is just as important as praying. If you separate the two, it's a sign of a lack of faith. Going through trials is an important part of strengthening one's faith. Temptation can be avoided by prayer, but trials should not be. Our prayers are like sweet incense to God, and He rejoices when His children pray. It's important to be honest about our hurts and bring them to God to find healing. Cultivate a strong prayer life and never fear again. Your strength is tied to your prayer life. Those who criticize tend to have a weak prayer life. Fighting the enemy is best done through praise and prayer."

The first battle

Upon waking up, the initial conflict within your mind emerges. It is essential to prioritize prayer in every aspect of your life. Dear Children of God, please remember that communicating with God through prayer is your sole option. Express out all that's necessary to be spoken to Him, pour out all your emotions before Him, and don't hold anything back! One who kneels down daily in prayer is more powerful than fifty soldiers in battle. Several times, we lose because of the lack of communication with the Almighty. Acknowledge that the Lord is the God of war, so we should lay down our hands and leave the fighting to Him. The measure of a faithful person's greatness is the amount of fights they choose not to take on. If we take on battles single-handedly, God will sit back and watch. However, if we surrender it to Him, God will take over and succeed for us.

Hope in Christ

The value of a man's accomplishments is insignificant if he does not have a connection with Christ. The one thing that lasts forever is the relationship one has with Jesus Christ. It is important to make Christ the focal point of your life every day and every moment. 

At a man's funeral, I realized that everything in life is fleeting except for the state of the person's soul and their connection with God. Although one may deceive others into thinking that their life on earth is all that matters, in reality, eternity commences once a person passes away.

While some may believe that once they are saved, they are always saved, it is crucial to ensure that one is truly saved before assuming such a thing. It often takes meeting Jesus Christ to comprehend this fully. 

As I age, the significance of Christ becomes increasingly apparent to me. 

Legacy

With God, all dreams are attainable, but you must have unwavering faith in him. 

The limitlessness of God surpasses even the sky. 

Though I may pass, my work will stand the test of time. 

Leading a life of sacrifice is pleasing to God and leaves a lasting impression. 

I have fulfilled one dream, yet remain content with still having more to achieve. 

Great things won't come to you if you remain stagnant in one place. 

Your work should continue even after you are gone. 

God created you for a purpose that extends beyond replicating existing life forms. 

Your purpose in life is to do work that will outlast you. 

It's important not to abandon a place where you have established an enduring legacy. I love you all.

God bless.

Profession of faith

Professing faith refers to individuals who claim to be Christians, having studied the teachings of Christ, but have not established a personal relationship with him. Despite professing to have received eternal life, they lack a strong connection with Christ. Picture a ship that docks without properly anchoring (that is, abiding in Christ), and a strong wind suddenly hits, pushing the ship out to sea amidst stormy weather.

Similarly, a Christian who accepts Christ without grounding their faith in a personal relationship with him is not a true believer, but rather someone who has been exposed to the faith without truly practicing it.

Can one lose salvation?

To clarify, it is impossible to lose one's salvation if one has truly accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. This includes having a personal relationship with Him and being born again in faith. If someone claims to have lost their salvation, it means they never truly had it to begin with. It is important to note that God cannot lie and everything He has said in the Bible, as recorded in John 10, stands true. Believers in Jesus Christ should put their faith, trust, and obedience in Him, knowing that a sin does not negate their salvation.

Different types of learners

Typically, there are three distinct types of learners, each with their unique learning style. The first kind is the person who enjoys studying history to glean knowledge. The second is the person who prefers to listen to other people's thoughts and opinions. Lastly, the third person is one who learns best through personal experience and hands-on learning.

Western Christianity

Christianity in the Western world is a distinct religion, separate from other belief systems. Sadly, in the past, slave masters have adopted Christian beliefs to justify their cruel practices. However, as society progresses, more individuals are embracing a numerality approach, attempting to conform the Bible to a lifestyle filled with pleasures of the flesh. It is important to recognize that when we attempt to force the Bible to conform to our lives, we are merely creating a new religion, rather than practicing true Christianity. In order to walk in faith and truly embody the teachings of the Bible, we must instead strive to align ourselves with its guidance and principles.

Commandment

The statements of God and His commandments are distinct. His statements inspire, instruct, and steer us along our journey in life, whereas His commandments foster our faith in Him by our willingness to comply with them. God's commandments instruct us on what to do, while His sayings tell us what to listen to. If followers of Christ don't carry out what is written in God's word, they lose their influence. Don't be one of those individuals who read the Bible but take no action; there are some folks who read the Bible but don't permit the Bible to read them.

The Principles of Wisdom

Many mistakes are not solely a result of being honest, but rather stem from people forgetting to apply certain principles.

Wisdom involves establishing certain principles and allowing them to govern our lives. This may include daily bible study, intermittent fasting, spending time with loved ones and being involved in a community. It is important to rely on wisdom to guide our decisions and surround ourselves with trustworthy friends whom we can learn to lead from. We must first establish a strong personal foundation, before taking on the responsibility of others. When embarking on any long-term venture, it is essential to be cautious of who we choose to collaborate with. It is often more beneficial to embark on the journey alone than to partner with a pessimist.

Wisdom with Power

With wisdom also comes power.

It is crucial to be mindful of how we use power and where it comes from. Power should never be taken for granted, as it has the potential to undermine the very foundations of our society. Whether it be through government, religion, media, art, culture, or other forms of influence, power derives from God and should be handled with wisdom. Knowledge, economics, unity, faith, and other virtues can be used to leverage power, but without wisdom, it is dangerous and can be devastating when placed in the wrong hands. Education, life experiences, morality, and faith are essential in cultivating wisdom, without which we face the deadly poison of ignorance. Those who do not have respect for power and wisdom should not be granted such authority, for they are sure to cause destruction. David shares in Psalm 62:11 that power belongs to God, and it is only through seeking Him and valuing His wisdom that we can safely handle the crucial responsibility of power.

Spiritual Maturity

You can age physically, but if your inner self is not strengthened by the word of God, you are still spiritually immature. Life experiences cannot substitute for spiritual maturity

Growing old gracefully is a good thing, but losing your sense of reasoning with age is not. Some believe that the older you get, the wiser you become, but this is not always true. Some people simply age without learning anything from their past experiences, repeating the same mistakes again and again. When they speak, there is no wisdom to be found, only folly. These people are often referred to as old fools. Knowledge can be accumulated, but it's an impatient virtue. If it's not practiced, you will lose it. As you age, you may have little to pass down to the next generation if you waste your learning moments by doing things other than listening to God's word and commandments.

Let God disturb your comfort zone.

Staying in one place and expecting things to change is unrealistic. Sometimes, God shakes our foundations to move us to where He needs us to be. Jesus said that He is the vine and we are the branches, but the branches must produce other branches, leaves, and fruits. Those who do not grow eventually get cut off, while those who bear fruits are pruned. It is God's will that we grow and bear fruits. Stagnation in our faith walk will never lead us to bear fruits for God. Sometimes, we need to ask God to disturb our comfort zone so that we can walk in His purpose for us. If we wait for food and water and never seek anything else, we will remain stagnant. To seek more from God, we must leave our comfort zone. A goose that is fed by hand will never migrate because it never feels the need to seek more. 

Faith is love in Action

It's important to back up theory with action, especially when it comes to seeking God's purpose. Saying that we love God means nothing if we don't follow His commandments and do His will. Love itself is shown through actions. Good intentions are meaningless unless they are demonstrated and validated. Words may have meaning but actions are what truly matter. If we claim to love and care for others, it must be demonstrated through our actions. It's time to stop using hypothetical statements and start demonstrating what we believe through our actions. Love is the highest virtue and we should strive to show it in everything we do.

Faith vs. Fear

By having faith in God, all fears can be conquered. Hebrews 11 chronicles the incredible contributions made by individuals of faith, who overcame trials and obstacles to achieve great victories. Faith is the key to success in all areas of life, opening up incredible possibilities and opportunities beyond what we could ever imagine.

Fear, on the other hand, is a tool used by the adversary to keep us bound in a state of pessimism, low expectations, and discomfort. But with faith in God, victory is promised and is ours to claim. We must trust in God's guidance, obeying His word and allowing Him to lead us forward.

When we try to control our own steps, without surrendering to God's guidance, we risk walking in the wrong direction. It is only by yielding to His plan that we can truly walk in His way and find lasting victory. May we always put our faith in God and follow His perfect path for us.

Laying Hold Victory

Achieving victory does not come from conquering other individuals, but rather overcoming one's own personal demons. True triumph comes from persistently confronting and conquering the obstacles that we encounter in our lives. Whether it is the external world, our own physical limitations, or our internal demons, the key to becoming victorious is to have the resilience and determination to never give up on your faith and always trust God. Success is not about competing with others, but rather, it's about surpassing our own expectations and constantly striving to lay hold our victory in Christ Jesus.

Walking out our faith

God's word is filled with vitality and life. When we choose to place our trust in His word, we are making a conscientious decision to walk by faith and not solely by what we can see with our own eyes. But what exactly is faith? Firstly, let me clarify what faith is not. Simply hearing God's word is not enough, faith also involves the action of doing what we hear. On the other hand, performing God's word without truly hearing it is not faith either. Faith, therefore, is the harmonious combination of hearing and doing God's word. This requires us to rely solely on God's promises, rather than just our own senses. Faith is not a perilous move in the dark, but rather an expression of trust in Jesus Christ, who is His word and the second person in the Trinity. By placing our trust in Christ, we are not only accepting His teachings but entrusting our hearts and souls to Him.

Seeking Other's Approval

Instead of seeking people's approval or disapproval, focus on earning their respect. You have been blessed with God-given talents, use them to produce positive results and fulfill your purpose. Remember that trying to please others may not align with pleasing God. Don't conform to society's narrow and ambiguous understanding of life rather strive to be the best version of who God made you to be and not trying to live up to other's expectations.

The Wilderness Experience

The wilderness is a part of every believer's faith journey. God disciplines His children in unimaginable and at times unpleasant ways, with the ultimate goal of producing good works in us.

Progressing requires taking risks; we cannot go far by playing it safe. There are numerous steep hills to climb, uncertain valleys to journey through, and tempting waters to dive into. How else can we learn not to fight pointless battles or know what armor, strategy, and defense to employ to win battles? These learning moments are what life offers, but we learn nothing by standing in one place. Exposing ourselves to its rough terrains is the only way to progress.

At times, life's journey can be challenging, with experiences that may beat us up, chew us up and spit us back out. However, every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger. Sadly, some people respond to hard times by cuddling up and hiding in fear or by quitting.

To truly know life, we must be exposed to life. A caged bird may be busy stretching its wings while other birds are flying, but what it truly needs is to be let out and fly. So let God perfect His work in you by stretching your wings and helping you take flight.

Sanctification: The External View

As a Christian, a transformation occurs that requires shedding of the old self. Others around may only see the current state of God's hand of sanctification and might find it unappealing or virtuous. However, as long as you remain in the Potter's House and in His hands, you will ultimately be transformed into perfection on His timing.

While undergoing this transformation, your personality remains the same, which is an essential part of your identity in Christ. It is what makes you stand out and unique in Him. You are not meant to fit in or become someone else entirely. Embrace your uniqueness and don't worry about those who reject you due to your personality traits such as being imaginative, discreet or meticulous.

Your true family is meant to appreciate, accept and love you, just as God loves you. However, there will always be those who prefer the old you and try to prevent you from evolving into the better version of yourself. They want you to remain the same and resist the change that requires of you to become more like Christ.

Remember, God accepts you as you are, but He wants to transform you into the person He has purposed you to be. Your character is to become Christlike. Do not worry about those who don't like your personality but beware of those who like your character if it has not been perfected by God.

Sanctification from the Insides.

The process of growth, particularly in faith, can be a painful one. God doesn't offer shortcuts; He wants us to be completely dependent on Him, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones. Repentance is crucial to new spiritual growth; it helps us grow in grace while also reducing the impact of offenses on our daily lives. However, when we choose to hold on to offenses, we tend to become cynical, which hinders our spiritual growth.

It's impossible to deceive a holy God with pretentious acts. He begins a transformation on the inside that eventually permeates outward. When we stand in God's presence, our self-righteousness begins to peel away until it vanishes. Outward presentations are just self-deception and serve no one.

Being a Christian isn't something to strive for but rather a transformational process that begins within us through the Holy Spirit. We cannot achieve this through our efforts alone. It's a lifelong process called sanctification that leads us towards Christlikeness. This journey lasts until we reach eternity.

Rooted Identity: Uniqueness in God

It's essential to be firmly rooted in the identity that God has given us since it creates a unique personality in every one of His children. By imitating others, we don't allow God to develop our unique and original selves. Focusing on others distracts us from seeing God's grace, which is working in our lives to develop us into Christlikeness. Every individual has their unique way and personality, so we must not strive to be a copy of anyone, but let God develop a new song within us. Hence we must follow God instead of following anyone else.

The Tides of the Seasons

Observing the ebb and flow of tides is just like observing what happens when you achieve success or fame. It's important to identify your enemies by their actions, especially when you're doing well. Have you noticed people suddenly drawn towards you, laughing at your jokes and hanging on your every word? Be mindful that it doesn't necessarily mean you're as important or talented as you may think. You're like a flashlight that turns on and off, and while you may be admired when you're on top, it's wise to take note of how many will still be around when you fall. People may love to bask in the limelight when you're doing well, but they can turn into wolves when they want to feast on your success. It's crucial to distinguish between true friends and those who are just there for companionship or to avoid walking alone. Be wary of those who try to destroy your reputation, as they will eventually reveal their true colors. Therefore, it's important to celebrate success with the right people at the right time, lest you find yourself dining with an enemy in disguise.

Changes in the Valley

 Life is full of changes, and often they are not easy to manage. To cope with life's changes, it is essential to prepare yourself ahead of time. Changes can happen suddenly, and one thing about the difficult times is that they may seem endless. This is when you need to rely on God's strength the most. Although you may not always agree with God's principles, following them is essential for a better life. In the valley, God's principles can be a source of comfort and a guide to help you navigate through life's challenges.

The Valley

It is said that God perfects us in the valley, not at the peak. Although peak moments can be significant, they are fleeting and temporary. God's work begins within us at our lowest and loneliest state, to prepare us for the challenges of the world. Lessons learned in the valley, whether at home or in school, are crucial to our development. Some refer to this as the wilderness experience. God strengthens our faith during this process, so that we are equipped to face the world. It is essential to conquer oneself before trying to conquer the world, as the consequences of not doing so can be significant.

Mystism

There are certain believers who are enthusiastic about supernatural occurrences and tend to overlook natural happenings. They prioritize their connection with God while neglecting to build relationships with others. However, it's important to remember that our faith requires us to develop relationships with people aside from our spiritual connection with God. Some individuals may claim to hear from God regularly, but we must also acknowledge that God never speaks in contradiction to the teachings of Scripture.

Gaining Knowledge

Learning doesn't have to come with a high price tag. A strong desire for knowledge is often enough to increase your level of understanding. It's important to focus on educating yourself on the right topics, which will help you navigate everyday conversation and put things in the right context. Without education, it's easy to feel lost and aimless, like a wild bird flapping its wings without direction . On the contrary, God bestows upon us knowledge that is within our capacity to handle. It's important to be selective and focus on acquiring knowledge that is meaningful and relevant to your life. Sometimes, it's best to leave closed knowledge unexplored. If it's meant for you to know, God will make it available to you. It's dangerous to try and discover everything, as certain information can either uplift you or cause immense heartache. Knowledge that doesn't strengthen your faith should be disregarded. It's better to be unaware than to have knowledge that leads to misery.

By their fruits.

It is essential to stop relying solely on what people say, and instead observe their actions as they reveal their true character. Jesus once said, "By their fruits, you shall know all men", emphasizing the importance of observing one's behavior rather than their words or deeds. Therefore, it's crucial not to blindly trust someone who claims to be something, but rather take the time to witness their actions and observe the fruits they bear. Ultimately, everyone's true colors are eventually revealed, and it's only a matter of time.

The Dangling Carrot

If you were to place 50 individuals in a room with a carrot dangling above them, it is likely that the most dominant and aggressive person would rise to the top in an attempt to claim the carrot. This same principle can be applied to the ruling party of any given society. Similarly, if two malicious individuals were placed in a room with 48 others, they would inevitably join together and create chaos for the rest. With the emergence of social media, it has become easier for these individuals to find each other and cause disruption. However, it is important to not lose sight of the majority who are not causing trouble and need support.

Christianity: Conviction:

Many times we attend church and spend only a few hours there, singing and listening to a sermon before going back to our everyday routines. We often leave without encountering God or having any conviction of our sins.

Ironically, the most dangerous place we can be may not be in a rough neighborhood or in a red-light district or even on the battlefield. It could be sitting in a church pew every Sunday, never experiencing God's conviction.

Attending church alone doesn't make us Christians. It's our personal relationship with Christ that matters. We respond to the inward expression, and as a result, we attend church and fellowship with other believers who share our faith.

Our true identity should not be based on religion, but rather on Christ. Christ transcends any religion, tradition, or outward display of piety.. 

Seeking Family Member's Opinion

It's important to seek advice from family and friends when making decisions; however, when God calls you for a task, you may have to trust Him even when nobody else understands. You may feel like you're walking alone, but in reality, God is with you. Sometimes, God's visions and plans for our lives can be difficult for others to comprehend. This is intentional, as it forces us to depend solely on Him. As Jesus once said, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Even Jesus' relatives couldn't understand his ways until after He was glorified. Therefore, seek counsel from family and friends, but know that in the end, it's God's opinion that matters most.

Bible Illiteracy

Bible illiteracy has been a recurring problem for generations and is still a major issue in many churches today. Many believers rely solely on the words of pastors and priests rather than seeking guidance from the Bible itself. Some prioritize maintaining a certain image of Christianity through consistent church attendance, giving, and serving, rather than focusing on building a deeper relationship with God through personal Bible study. While these practices are certainly beneficial, they should be reinforced with a genuine pursuit of God's presence and His word. It is crucial for every believer to read and study the entire Bible for themselves. Through personal study, one can gain a more intimate perspective of who God is and His unique plan for their lives, beyond the interpretations, books, music, creation, logic, or experiences of others.

God's Commandments Vs God's Statements

The statements of God and His commandments are distinct. His statements inspire, instruct, and steer us along our journey in life, whereas His commandments foster our faith in Him by our willingness to comply with them. God's commandments instruct us on what to do, while His sayings tell us what to listen to. If followers of Christ don't carry out what is written in God's word, they lose their influence. Don't be one of those individuals who read the Bible but take no action; there are some folks who read the Bible but don't permit the Bible to read them.

Walking on God's Purpose

Wisdom involves recognizing and acknowledging one's limitations. In life, we encounter various limitations, but once we discover our purpose, we start to overcome them with ease. Self-discipline is a vital factor in streamlining our obligations and engagements. It helps us focus and channel our efforts towards utilizing our God-given talents and capabilities to fulfill our divine assignments. It is essential to understand that we cannot say yes to everything in this complex world. Saying no to some opportunities simplifies our lives and narrows our focus to God's divine plan. We should not accumulate various keys without discovering the corresponding locks. It is vital to find God's purpose for our lives and remain committed to it. Trying to follow other people's paths leads to frustration and ultimately amounts to a waste of time. Interestingly, we could spend a lot of time working on a project that does not align with God's plan for us and struggle to make any headway. However, when we rest in God and seek his direction, what would have taken years to accomplish may only take seconds to achieve. Therefore, it is crucial to understand our limitations and embrace our uniqueness, which has no limits. We should be rooted in our God-given identity and pursue His purpose for our lives, always avoiding the temptation to be a carbon copy of others.

Let me tell you this - there is no place on earth better than the path of a person who has discovered their true destiny. The path which God has purposefully set for that individual is where they would rather be instead of being in ten thousand beautiful places on earth..

Faith Walk

The journey of faith is a gradual process, which is why God does not reveal the complete picture of our lives upfront. If we were to see the entirety of our journey, we might be overwhelmed with fear and be reluctant to take the first step. The true measure of our commitment to God is shown through our actions, not just our words. Rather than speaking excessively, it's more important to act upon our faith for God's sake

The Artful Dodger

Being a middle child, I had mastered the skill of socializing by either seeking refuge behind my elder sibling or asserting my authority over my younger sister. In essence, I became a master at avoiding conflict. Following instructions was a challenging task for me as it required stepping out of my comfort zone of occupying the middle ground.

However, after being the first one in my family to experience salvation, God took me through various challenges that necessitated leaving my comfort zone and stepping out in faith. I have come to realize that true victory with God cannot be attained by hiding in the safety of our own skin. It requires taking bold steps of faith, and through these challenges, I have been able to achieve great accomplishments.