CHARACTER FUELS THE RELATIONSHIP

Over time we get to know people better and discover who they really are. Giving it time says a lot of things and spares us mistakes we might have made if we rushed into a relationship. Recently I met a lady and it was all on me that she was the one and all that. You get to know the true colour of people when you relate over a period of time. Some say Love is blind but for me it’s not so at all. Love can be blind only when you rush into the relationship and later discover the incompatibility of the both of you. Meeting people for the first time can be all rosy until you later discover the character of the person, I used to say I will get married to a tall beautiful light skinned lady, but I have come to discover it is not about the height, skin colour or beauty; character sustains you in the relationship. A beautiful lady with no character will only lead you to regrets, no matter how beautiful she might look. I once heard a preacher say; if you have been praying to God for a blessing/miracle and it’s not forthcoming, check yourself you have PRIDE. I have also seen a write up by a scholar saying; a woman that begins to feel like the man of the house will one day find herself in a house without a man. Pride makes one not to be submissive to the other partner and men are naturally the figure heads and won’t give in to any woman’s ego. So many ladies say they can’t be obedient to men they are yet to marry and end up not getting married, because the Love of some men like me has eyes to see, brain to reason, ears to hear, legs to run if need be. A lot of things would attract you to a lady, and it also takes a lot of things to keep you attracted or running from that lady. Character and I repeat consistent good character drives a relationship. In as much as you want to tolerate people, be sure it’s to the level you can endure even inside the relationship, if not give it time and be sure to make a wise decision. I have learnt my lessons, and I am sharing with you just so you won’t make same mistakes. Not all that glitters is gold says an adage; Love has eyes, ears, nose, brain, and legs use them if need be.

TIME MANAGEMENT

Time management is very important. Time is a very important resource; more valuable than money. What have you been doing with your time all this while? A philosopher by the name Galileo once said; you cannot teach someone anything, if that person doesn’t have an idea of what you want to teach him. Time can be point back to the cradle of civilization 300 BC. Everyone has a time either on their phone, silver, rubber or a gold platted wristwatch. We virtually use time everyday of our lives; tho poorly managed. I would share some hints that would help us manage our time better.

Most people are into government jobs where they resume work at 8, do nothing throughout the working hours and close by 4. The 804 syndrome has not only slowed the economy but we as individuals and employees. The system in Nigeria especially is not working, but you as an individual what are you doing in your bit to not only make things better, but to better yourself. I would advice someone reading this write-up to get something doing if he/she is in a government organisation that they resume work by 8, do nothing and close by 4 and still collect their salaries LOL. Try building your portfolio in those wasted work hours. Take up online courses, read books, take an hour everyday to thinks of ideas to better the organisational system and yourself. Some say they don’t have time. Many Nigerians holding reasonable positions don’t even turn on the news or read papers. You can imagine asking your representative about an ongoing issue in the country and he would tell you he doesn’t know because he is too busy working or so. Great men like Mark Zuckerberg the owner of facebook said in his New Year resolution that, he would be committed to reading two books monthly and meeting new people every day. If busy people like him can still spare time, why not you? It only takes a deliberate decision. GF Kennedy once said we must visit the moon. Years later this happened through commitment and time dedication; this is to tell you how important time is. If you declare and work, there is nothing impossible. If you can read and you don’t read, you are worst than an illiterate.

Why do you need to manage time? Well it’s simply to do more than you are doing already. Planning and organisation; when you plan for 1 minute, you have saved 9 minutes of implementing. Principle of trivial many and vital few by Fred Pareto; solving the most challenging task first, before solving the less important/challenging task. Some people want to solve easy task first and end up not being able to solve the hard ones. There are also behavioral requirements in time management. Delegation of authority and listening to people before you speak saves a lot of time of bad decision making that would take time to amend. Everyone’s idea is important; Polaroide was discovered from an 8 year old question. Always appreciate and encourage people, it helps them to do better. Your health also needs over time management, nutrition is key; eat both sweet and bitter fruits, not for the taste but for the nutritional value. Good family life is also very important. Have time for your family, don’t get too busy now and regret lots of time trying to mend things; observe your family leisure and get pleasure. In conclusion I would like to share a schematic method of time management by D. Eisenhover

	Due soon	Not due
important	1	2
Not important	3	4

MY TAKE ON RELIGION

There is a popular saying that, HIV NO DEY SHOW FOR FACE; well so is religion. You can’t just see people and conclude on their faith based on their looks, dressing, tribe or accents. I go to a lot of places and I keep getting that comment that “you look like a Muslim” or I thought you were a Muslim because of how you dress. This has kept reoccurring and I felt I should write something on it.

            The faith one belongs to cannot be shown on a dress except for priests because they have a particular dressing code. People see me on kaftan, the normal Hausa man attire and run into conclusion that I am a Muslim, because they have held unto the notion that northerners are all Muslims. Dressing can be attached to ones cultural background and not faith. When you came into the world, your first identity is the home you were born into, this gives you a native and a religion because you were still a baby, but as you grow you can change to other religions but you cannot change your tribe. The next time you see someone dressed in cultural attire, don’t run into conclusions of faith, because it has nothing to do with natives. The same way one can decide to dress in any other cultural attire and you can’t conclude that he is from that particular ethnic group. Religion is not in looks, rather a man’s heart.  

            The most pressing one is the attribution of beards to Islam. Well Islam might have something to do with beards but that doesn’t mean that anyone that keeps long beards is a Muslim. I love beards so much that I don’t care what people say about how long my beards are; sometimes it feels like belonging to a beard gang is there is anything like that LOL. People keep beards because they look finer with beards or because they want to look older than their age, and a lot of other reasons best known to them.

            After my first conversation with some people in my native language Hausa; I keep getting that I thought you were a Muslim from the way your Hausa is fluent. Sorry not all Hausa people are Muslims; there are a lot of Hausa Christians, same way there are lots of Muslims in the South and east. Ones belonging to a particular faith is choice, as every single Nigerian has right to freedom of faith. You tribe doesn’t not define your religion; you grow to know your fundamental human right and attach yourself to a faith that best befit you.  Accents might point out your roots but not your fruits.

HAPPY EASTER

He was beaten, spitted on, dragged 
naked, pierced and hung on the cross 
like a thief for you and me

He had the power to resist the Romans 
from torturing Him but because he loved 
us, He suffered and died just for
you and me

we have been liberated from destruction
we have free access to the holy of holies
we are now called His own, how sweet 
and wonderful, for me and you

Death couldn’t hold Him, Christ is risen, 
the earth trembles the Lord rains in me 
and you

Behold how beautiful and pleasant it is 
for brethren to gather together as one, 
for Christ died for you and me

Greater and mightier things than he did 
has he given us power to do, because 
we are called his, yea me and you

Wallowed away in sin, we were set free
and free indeed hallelujah to the Lord 
God of host, without Christ there

Will be no me and you

GOOD FRIDAY?

“Good Friday” instead of “Bad Friday” or something similar? Some Christian traditions do take this approach: in German, for example, the day is called Karfreitag or “Sorrowful In English, in fact, the origin of the term “Good” is debated, some believe it developed from an older name, “God’s Friday.” Regardless of the origin, the name Good Friday is entirely appropriate because the suffering and death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, marked the dramatic culmination of God’s plan to save his people from their sins.

In order for the good news of the gospel to have meaning for us, we first have to understand the bad news of our condition as sinful people under condemnation. The good news of deliverance only makes sense once we see how we are enslaved. Another way of saying this is that it is important to understand and distinguish between law and gospel in Scripture. We need the law first to show us how hopeless our condition is; then the gospel of Jesus’ grace comes and brings us relief and salvation

In the same way, Good Friday is “good” because as terrible as that day was, it had to happen for us to receive the joy of Easter. The wrath of God against sin had to be poured out on Jesus, the perfect sacrificial substitute, in order for forgiveness and salvation to be poured out to the nations. Without that awful day of suffering, sorrow, and shed blood at the cross, God could not be both “just and the justifier” of those who trust in Jesus (Romans 3:26) Paradoxically, the day that seemed to be the greatest triumph of evil was actually the deathblow in God’s gloriously good plan to redeem the world from bondage.

The cross is where we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness. Psalms 85:10 sings of a day when “righteousness and peace” will “kiss each other.” The cross of Jesus is where that occurred, where God’s demands, his righteousness, coincided with his mercy. We receive divine forgiveness, mercy, and peace because Jesus willingly took our divine punishment, the result of God’s righteousness against sin. “For the joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:2) Jesus endured the cross on Good Friday, knowing it led to his resurrection, our salvation, and the beginning of God’s reign of righteousness and peace. We now have access to the holy of holies. The priest can now stand on the alter and preach because the curtains separating us from God was torn. Good Friday marks the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross. As dark as it was; it was really a good day!

OVERCOMING TEMPTATION

Understanding how temptation works is in itself helpful, but there are specific steps you need to take to overcome it. The first step is refusing to be intimidated. Many Christians are frightened and demoralized by tempting thoughts, feeling guilty that they aren’t beyond temptation. They feel ashamed just for being tempted. This is a misunderstanding of maturity. You will never outgrow temptation. In one sense you can consider temptation a compliment. Satan does not have to tempt those that are already doing his evil will; they are already his. Temptation is a sign that Satan hates you, not a sign of weakness or worldliness. It is also a normal part of being human and living in a fallen world. Don’t be surprised or shocked or discouraged by it. Be realistic about the inevitability of temptation; you will never be able to avoid it completely. The Bible says, when you are tempted, not if. Paul advises, remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. It is not a sin to be tempted. Jesus was tempted, yet he never sinned. Temptation only becomes a sin when you give in to it. Martin Luther said, you cannot keep birds from flying over your head but not can keep them from building a nest in your hair. You can’t keep the devil from suggesting thoughts, but you can choose not to dwell or act on them. For example, many people don’t know the difference between physical attraction or sexual arousal, and lust. They are not the same. God made every one of us a sexual being, and that is good. Attraction and arousal are the natural, spontaneous, God-given responses to physical beauty, while lust is a deliberate act of the will. Lust is a choice to commit in your mind what you’d like to do with your body. You can be attracted or even aroused without choosing to sin by lusting. Many people, especially Christian men, feel guilty that their God-given hormones are working. When they automatically notice an attractive woman, they assume it is lust and feel ashamed and condemned. But attraction is not lust until you begin to dwell on it. Actually the closer you grow to God, the more Satan will try to tempt you. The moment you became God’s child, Satan, like a mobster hit man, put out a contract on you, you are his enemy, and he’s plotting your downfall. Sometimes while you are praying, Satan will suggest a bizarre or evil thought just to distract you and shame you. Don’t be alarmed or ashamed by this, but realize that Satan fears your prayers and will try anything to stop them. Instead of condemning yourself with, how could I think of such a thought? Treat it as a distraction from Satan and immediately refocus on God.

            Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it. There are certain situations that make you more vulnerable to temptation than others. Some circumstances will cause you to stumble almost immediately, while others don’t bother you much. These situations are unique to your weakness, and you need to identify them because Satan surely knows them! He knows exactly what trips you up, and he is constantly working to get you into those circumstances. Peter warns, stay alert. The devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Ask yourself, when am I most tempted? What day of week? What time of day? Ask, where am I most tempted? At work? At home? At a neighbour’s house? At a sport bar? In an airport or motel out of town? Ask, who is with me when I am most tempted? Friends? Co-workers? A crowd of strangers? When am alone? Also ask, how do I usually feel when I am most tempted? It may be when you are tired or lonely or bored or depressed or under stress. It may be when you’ve been hurt or angry or worried, or after a big success or spiritual high. You should identify your typical pattern of temptation and then prepare to avoid those situations as much as possible. The Bible tells us repeatedly to anticipate and be ready to face temptations. Paul said, don’t give the devil a chance. Wise planning reduces temptation. Follow the advices of proverbs: plan carefully what you do. Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don’t go one step off the right way. God’s people avoid evil ways, and they protect themselves by watching where they go.

            Request God’s help. Heaven has a twenty four hour emergency hot line. God wants you to ask Him for assistance in overcoming temptations. He says; call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honour me. I call this a microwave prayer because it is quick and to the point. Help! SOS! Mayday! When temptations strike, you don’t have time for a long conversation with God; you simply cry out. David, Daniel, Peter, Paul, and millions of others have prayed this kind of instant prayer for help in time of trouble. The Bible guarantees that our cry for help will be heard because Jesus is sympathetic to our struggle. He faced the same temptations we do. He understands our weakness, for He faced all of the same temptations we do, yet He did not sin. If God is waiting to help us defeat temptation, why don’t we turn to him more often? Honestly, sometimes we don’t want to be helped! We want to give in to temptation even though we know it’s wrong. At that moment we think we know what’s best for us more than God. At other times we are embarrassed to ask God for help because we keep giving in to the same temptation over and over. But God never get’s irritated, bored, or impatient when we keep coming back to Him. The Bible says, let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it. God’s love is everlasting, and his patience endures forever. If you have to cry out for God’s help two hundred times a day to defeat a particular temptation, he will still be eager to give mercy and grace, so come boldly. Ask Him for power to do the right thing and then expect Him to provide it. Temptations keep us dependent upon God. Just as the roots grow stronger when the wind blows against a tree, so every time you stand up to a temptation you become more like Jesus. When you stumble- which you will- it is not fatal. Instead of giving in or giving up, look up to God, expect him to help you, and remember the reward that is waiting for you: when people are tempted and still continue strong, they should be happy. After they have proved their faith, God will reward them with life forever.

                                                                                                           

DOER OF THE WORD

Receiving, reading, researching, remembering, and reflecting on the word are all useless if we fail to put them into practice. We must become doers of the word. This is the hardest step of all, because Satan fights it so intensely. He doesn’t mind you going to bible studies as long as you don’t do anything with what you learn. We fool ourselves when we assume that just because we have heard or read or studied a truth, we have internalized it. Actually , you can be so busy going to the next class or seminar or bible conference that you have no time to implement what you’ve learned. You forget it on the way to your next study. Without implementation, all our bible studies are worthless. Jesus said: everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Jesus also pointed out that God’s blessing comes from obeying the truth, not just knowing it. He said, now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. Another reason we avoid personal application is that it can be difficult or even painful. The truth will set you free, but first it may make you miserable! God’s word exposes our motives, points out our faults, rebukes our sin, and expects us to change. Its human nature to resist change, so applying God’s word is hard work. This is why it is so important to discuss your personal applications with other people. It is very important to be part of a small bible study discussion group. We always learn from others truths we would never learn on our own. Other people will help you see insight you would miss and help you apply God’s truth in a practical way. The best way to become a doer of the word is to always write out an action step as a result of your reading or studying or reflecting on God’s word. Develop the habit of writing down exactly what you intend to do. This action step should be personal, practical, and provable. Every application will involve either your relationship to God, your relationship to others, or your personal character. The question you should ask yourself is: what has God already told you to do in his word that you haven’t started doing yet? Then write down a few action statements that will help you act on what you know. You might tell a friend to hold you accountable. Moody said: the bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives.

SIMLINDA

The NYSC scheme brings people of different ethnic backgrounds and religions for same course; which is the main objective of the scheme. On the 4^th of February scheduled for our January clearance, as i stood with other corp members to listen to the Zonal Inspector’s address, a good looking lady was standing next to me. You can imagine seeing a beautiful lady showered with natural endowments. I wouldn’t want to say much about her beauty, but she really looked good. I have decided not to get involved with any too good looking lady because they get too much attention from guys, and they tend to take themselves high. You might want to see it as low self esteem, but I tell you it’s far from that; it is a personal decision I have taken. Well back to the good looking lady, I didn’t say a word to her thou it was obvious there was a connection that just needed a switch on. I finished my clearance and as free spirited that I am left. On the 4^th of March which was another clearance date, we all gathered again, and as the local government inspector was addressing us, I was at the back not too interested in what he had to say, because he was talking about skill acquisition as it will help many corpers to get something doing after their service year; am serving in a place that i hardly have time for myself. Well back to the beautiful girl, as I stood at the back to exchange greetings with friends, the beautiful girl just appeared and was exchanging greetings with the lady I was talking to, it appeared they were friends. As a sharp guy I took advantage of the situation and started a conversation with her, I wouldn’t want to go into details of our conversation, but the truth is; the beautiful girl I was thinking would be full of herself and all that, is down to earth and a very simple person. Because of her nature, we easily became friends and not just friends; i can tell you we are mutual friends. Am still taking time to know her better before i can make conclusion on other things, which i guess is already in the minds of many readers. Sometimes we just see people and conclude by just their facial looks, but I have learnt to see people by their hearts, and not just by mere facial expressions. As i write the only thing that keeps coming to my mind is the thoughts of Simlinda and her small white oily eyes. I will drop my pen here, but be sure you will get to hear more about Simlinda and the good friendship that has just started.

WORLD BOOK DAY

Finishing a book is sometimes very hard. Some books might be quite interesting but voluminous; leaving most readers stopping halfway. Today is world book day, and all that comes to my mind is the old good and rich content of the books that we read in our primary and secondary school years. I wish I can put up some pictures to bring back the memories of many, but laziness won’t let me; but here to mention the likes of Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe, The joy of motherhood by Buchi Emecheta, Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe, brighter grammar, Without a silver spoon by Eddie Iroh and many more, am sure some people are already catching memories and listing more books and authors. To make this day more interesting, kindly drop the name of other good books you can remember and let the trend continue on here and on all social networks, let’s make this day a memorable one. Reading books keeps us at a pace higher than others; imbibe the culture of reading even if it’s just one book a month, you will notice tremendous changes in your grammar and communication skills. As it is said, readers are leaders. Make a wise decision this day and experience a future that will beat your imagination. Happy world book day!

ABSTRACT WRITING

Many wonder why abstract comes first in a write-up, even though it’s the last thing that is done. This is because an abstract is a summary to the whole work. With a good title and content of the abstract, it gives the reader a clear cut of your whole work and it will determine if it is worth reading or not. Putting up a good abstract involves thinking outside the box and coming up with something unique, it’s all about discovery. In writing an abstract there are some certain things you must put out into consideration:

a. Write your paper first. Even though an abstract comes at the beginning of a work, it acts as a summary of your entire paper.

b. Review and understand the requirements for writing your abstract. Know whom you are writing for, the style and flow of writing. If there is a particular font for your type of writing; adopt it.

c. Consider your audience. Abstract are written to help readers find your work.

d.  Determine the type of abstract you must write. Information abstract are used for much longer and technical research while descriptive abstract are best for shorter papers.

COMPONENTS OF AN ABSTRACT

a. Identify your purpose. Why did you decide to do this study or project? How did you conduct your research? What did you find? Why is the research and your findings important? Why should someone read your entire essay? 

b. Explain the problem at hand. What problem is your research trying to best understand or solve? What is the scope of your study; Is it a general problem or something specific? What is your main claim or argument?

c. Explain your methods. Discuss your own research including the variables and your approach. Describe the evidence you have to support your claim. Give an overview of your must important sources.

d. Describe your results (informative abstract only). What answer did you reach from your research or study? Was your hypothesis or argument supported? What are the general findings?

e. Give your conclusion. What are the implications of your work? is your result general or very specific?

ABSTRACT ACCEPTABILITY

a. Abstract should speak to the theme of the conference/write-up

b. Submit to the right thematic area

c.  Choose a catchy title to attract reviewers

d. Present strong background to demonstrate understanding of the problem

I will find time and write on some of the reasons why some abstracts are rejected, common problems and unnecessary information we include.

FIRST FLIGHT

Today 21-2-2016 history was made in my life. It might be nothing to so many people, but it was really a wonderful experience for me. In the past, I use to always get calls from friends and family, wanting me to come and pick them up from the airport. I was always happy going to the airport to pick them up; seeing all the classy people and the kinda things that go on around there. A week ago, i over heard my boss at work talking about a retreat that would be coming up in Enugu. I never paid too much attention, because I had no interest of visiting Enugu; even though I knew there are benefits attached to the retreat.  Low and behold, few days ago I was told that am to represent my boss at the retreat and my ticket and hotel reservation has been paid for. It all sounded unbelievable; but am here enjoying the classic luxury at Golden royale hotel. Let’s not talk about the fun, so I don’t get anyone jealous. I had a kinda bad experience flying; seems the pilot wasn’t that good at flying and landing, but we survived by God’s grace. Virtually everyone was complaining inside the flight, and a lady was throwing up. It was my first time and I really didn’t know much about flying, so I just held myself and pretended all was fine; though i was drowsy so many times. In all it has been a good experience and I look forward to flying more, and having a better experience of course. Well it’s going to be five days of retreat for me and I have a presentation to make, I think I would stop here and share more of the experience when am chanced. I have a lot to read. To all my readers that haven’t been on a plane, I wish you good luck. There is always that first time and yours is coming soon. #Smile

THE HEART OF WORSHIP

Surrendering often means being defeated, and no one wants to loose. Surrender evokes the unpleasant image of defeat in a battle, forfeiting a game, or yielding to a stronger opponent. The word is almost always used in a negative context.  We would rather talk about winning, success, over coming, and conquering than yielding submitting, obeying, and surrendering. But surrendering to God is the act of worship. It is the natural response to God’s amazing love and mercy. We give ourselves to Him not out of fear or duty, but love, because He first loved us.

            Offering yourself to God is what worship is all about. Paul said: so then, my friend, because of God’s great mercy to us….. Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his sacrifice and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer. True worship brings God pleasure; when you give yourself completely to God. Notice the first and last words of that verse are the same: Offer. There are three hindrances that stop us from surrendering totally to God: fear, pride and confusion. We don’t understand how much God loves, we want to control our own lives, and we misunderstand the meaning of surrender      

            We find it difficult to trust God, because we don’t know him better. Fear keeps us from surrendering, but love cast out all fear. The more you realize how much God loves you, the easier surrender becomes. God says He loves you, you are never out of his sight; He cares about every detail of your life; He gave you the capacity to enjoy all kinds of pleasure; He has good plans for your life; He forgives you; and He is lovingly patient with you. God loves you infinitely more than you can imagine. When we finally submit to Jesus, we would realize that He is not a tyrant, but a savior, not a boss, but a brother, not a dictator, but a friend.

            Another thing that hinders us from surrendering to God is pride. We want to have control of everything; we want to be like God; which will only make us to end like Satan. We are humans and we can never be God. The reason why many are still struggling, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven’t yet come to the end of themselves. We’re still trying to give orders, and interfering with God’s work within us. We weren’t God and never will be. We are humans. We accept our humanity intellectually not emotionally. When faced with our limitations, we react with irritation, anger and resentment. We want to be taller or shorter, smarter, stronger, more talented, more beautiful and wealthier. We want to have it all and do it all, and we become upset when it doesn’t happen. Then when we notice that God gave others characteristics we don’t have, we respond with envy, jealous, and self pity.

            Surrendering is not for cowards or doormats. Likewise, it does not mean giving up rational thinking. God would not waste the mind he gave you! God does not want robots to serve him. Surrendering is not repressing your personality. Rather than its being diminished, surrendering enhances it. C. S. Lewis observes that, the more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become because He made us. He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be. It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own. Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience. To say yes lord, to whatever he asks of you. To say no Lord is to speak a contradiction. Surrender is best demonstrated in obedience and trust. 

PLANNED FOR GOD'S PLEASURE

God did not need to create you, but He chose to create you for his own enjoyment. You exist for his glory, delight and purpose. The moment you were born into the world, God was there as an unseen witness, smiling at your birth. He wanted you alive, and your arrival gave Him great pleasure.

The moment you understand that you were created for His enjoyment, pleasure and it is the first purpose of creation, you will never again have a problem of feeling insignificant. We often forget that God has emotions too. We were created in Gods image; the same way we get jealous, angry, pity, sorrow, and sympathy as well as happiness, gladness, and satisfaction. God loves, delights, gets pleasure, rejoices, enjoys, and even laughs!

            Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship. Many a times we tend to misunderstand worship to be the slow songs sang during the church service, and call the fast songs praise. Everything that is done during the service from opening prayers, songs, testimonies, offering, preaching and all other activities are acts of worship. Even in our daily activities; the little things we do that are not sin that gives pleasure to God, are acts of worship.

            Worship is far more than music. If the instrumental of music is played, we can’t just conclude what type of music it is unless we hear the wordings. The genre, style or instrumental of a song can not be used to conclude what type of music is Godly or not. The words of a song determine if it is godly or not.

Sometimes after attending a church service, we complain that we didn’t enjoy today’s worship. Worship is not for your benefit; it is for God. God derives pleasure in the worship of believers. So long as we come to God with genuine hearts to worship Him; He derives pleasure in every bit of our worship. Worship is not part of your life; it is your life. We were created to bring pleasure to God, and every activity we do with a sincere heart; is an act of worship so long it brings Him pleasure. From the way we pray when we wake-up in the morning, eat, greetings, work, route, praying before sleeping; are all forms of worship as long as it is done with a genuine heart.

HAPPY VALENTINE

Santos Valentino popularly known as St. Valentine was a roman bishop who lived in the 3^rd century. He was captured, tortured, imprisoned and beheaded for preaching the gospel. The first time he was imprisoned, he encountered a prison warder whom his daughter was blind and epileptic. The warder said he would only believe that, he is a true man of God if he could heal his sick daughter. They brought the sick girl to him; and by the grace of God she was delivered. Santos went about preaching the gospel and secretly engaging Roman soldiers the Christian way. He was reported to the then emperor (Claudius) for it was believed that marriage reduced the strength of the men. He was arraigned before Emperor Claudius. The emperor liked him from first sight, but when he preached the gospel to the emperor, he was ordered to be beheaded for going contrary to their law and customs. This is just a brief story about the man that is celebrated every 14^th February. Santos died for three reasons:

1. Because he was secretly engaging Roman soldiers.
2. Sharing the gospel with the roman emperor.
3. Refusal to deny his faith.

The whole idea of Valentine has gone wrong. 14^th February has been marked for valentine’s remembrance; called lovers day. People engage in all forms of morality, all in the name of valentine. If we look closely to what Bishop Santos Valentino lived for, we would understand that the whole idea has gone wrong. We spend 14^th February expressing love to people we so much care about, or giving gifts to people that will pay us back. So many things are exchanged this day which I wouldn’t want to go into. 1 John 4:7-21; tells us about the God kind of love. The right way to celebrate this day is by showing love to someone that can’t pay you back. Preaching the word of God to people we care about.

            Emulate Santos from this day. Preach the word of God regardless of the person; never deny Christ for any reason, and show love not only today but always to people that can’t pay you back. Love is sharing, caring and giving. Happy valentine to all my readers, I trust you will affect someone’s life today through sharing, caring and giving; and also sharing the word of God.

            

LIFE IS A TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT

So many metaphors have been used to explain how life is. Life is described as a mist, a fast runner, a breath, and a wisp of smoke. The bible says, for we are born but yesterday, our days on earth are as transient as a shadow. To make the best of this life, we most bare two things in mind; first, compared to eternity, this life is brief and earth is a temporary residence, we wont be here too long so don’t get too attached.

            Imagine yourself as an ambassador sent to an enemy nation to represent your country. You would have to learn their language, be polite and friendly enough to be able to accomplish your mission. But suppose you got too comfortable with the foreign country and became loyal to them, preferring them to your country. Your role as an ambassador would be compromised. Instead of representing your home country, you would start acting as the enemy. You would be a traitor. The bible says we are Christ ambassadors. Many Christians have betrayed Christ and His kingdom. They have concluded that since they are on earth, it is their home. It is not. The bible is clear: friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Gods warns us not to get too attached to things around us because they are temporal. We are told: those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass away.

            It is only when we remember that this life is a test, trust and a temporal assignment will the appeal of this things lose their grip on our lives. We are preparing for something much better. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. The fact that earth is not our home explains why as followers of Christ we experience difficulty, sorrow, and rejection in this world. It also explains why some of Gods promises seem unfulfilled, some prayers seem unanswered, and some circumstances seem unfair. In order to keep us from becoming too attached to earth, God allows us feel significant amount discontent and dissatisfaction in life. Longings that will never be fulfilled on this side of eternity; we are not completely happy here because we are not supposed to be! Earth is not our final home; we were created for something much better.

WHAT IS LIFE?

The way we see life differs from one another. If you ask a group of people what life is to them, you will end up getting different answers based on their perspectives about life. We attribute life to different metaphors and circumstances around us. Some people see life as a race, so they are concerned about speed; some see it as a marathon, so they see it as thing of endurance, while to some it is a battle, and they are so concerned about winning.

            When you see life from Gods point of view, you would come to understand that life is a Test, Trust and temporary assignment. God placed us here on earth to test our endurance, patience, character; that is why we face so many challenges in life. The way we handle wealth, illness, success, and people goes a far way to ascertaining how we pass or fail Gods test. Adam and eve were tested, David failed God’s test several times. Ruth, Esther, Joseph and Daniel passed their test. There are little things we come across in our lives that are test, but we overlook them. God can use even the smallest of things to test us.

            Life is a trust. Everything in heaven and on earth and everyone belongs to God, when God created Adam and Eve He gave them charge over everything. When you start seeing life the way God sees it, you will understand that everything you have belongs to God, and the more you have the more God has placed responsibility on you. To whom much is giving, more is expected. Our families, wealth, careers and everything around us are from God and He has entrusted them to us; the way we handle them, determines how God will entrust us with more or less.

            We are here temporary. Many have forgotten that we are here on a temporal base; they are so busy accumulating wealth, property, and missing out on their main purpose in life. When we start seeing everything around us as a test, trust and temporal, we would be more focused on finishing strong.

CREATED TO LAST FOREVER

When someone dies, we sometime think it’s unnatural and unfair even thou we know that everyone will eventually die; that is because God has wired our brains that way and planted eternity in our hearts. God didn’t create us to come and die in one day; He made us in His own image to live forever.

            Our lives here on earth is a preparation for eternity, everything here is temporal; that’s why Paul said: I once thought all this things are so important, but I now consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. To make the most of eternity, is to consider everything here worthless and start preparing for it. Your earthly body is just a temporary residence of your spirit; when you die it’s not the end of you, but a transition to eternity. The bible says: eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, neither has it entered the heart of anyone what God has planned for those who love Him.

            When you live in light of eternity, your values change. You will start putting little attention to wealth, achievement, trend, fashion and fun, investing more of your time in building relationship and character as this life is a preparation for the next. God has a purpose for your life on earth, but it doesn’t end here. His plans involves far more than the few decades you will spend on this planet. It’s more than the opportunity of a lifetime; God offers you an opportunity beyond your lifetime. The bible says God’s plans endure forever; His purposes last eternally.

            Just as the nine months you spent in your mothers womb was a preparation for this life, so is this life a preparation for eternity. If you have a relationship with God through Jesus, you don’t have to fear death. It is the door to eternity. It will be the last hour of your time on earth, but it won’t be the last of you. Rather a birthday into eternal life. This world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.

            A slogan once said we should live each day of our lives as if it is the first day, but it would be wiser to live each day as if it were the last day of our lives. Here is a question: since I am made to last forever, what is that one thing I should stop doing and that one thing I should start doing?

WHAT IS YOUR DRIVING FORCE?

When driving a car, nail or throwing a basket ball, we are guiding, controlling and directing it at that time. We are driven by so many things in our lives like; fear, guilt, anger, materialism, self actualization, family pressure and many more.

            Some people are driven by guilt. Many a times we are tied to things we’ve done in the past and remain stagnant. It is true we are products of our past, but we are not prisoners of our past. The more we attach ourselves to our past, the more we tend not to move forward and accomplish our purpose here on earth. We can see how Moses moved from obscurity to being a leader by the mercy of God, and Gideon from a weak person to a hero.

 Many people are driven by fear; it could be fear of failure, fear of loosing our jobs and it could lead us to loosing our main purpose in life. There is also the fear from family pressure and friends. We are so concerned about what our family or friends would say about us; in fact it is the reason why many choose prestigious careers and we are so busy trying to be successful, just to please our friends and family. I don’t know so many keys to success but one key to failure is trying to please everyone.

Everyone wants to become something in life (self actualization), many are focused on what they would be remembered for; but I tell you riches and superseded, records are broken, obituaries are forgotten. After you die, it only takes a little time and everyone forgets about you. What we should be conscious of is not what humans would remember or say about us, but what God would remember us for and the purpose for which he has created us.

A life with a purpose has focus. When you focus a lens to the sun towards a particular direction, you can see the intensity of the ray, if you even direct it to a paper it would catch fire. When we live a purposeful life, we won’t be focused on every important thing but we would have focus on only what God has brought us here on earth to do and it is through that way alone that we would shine.

 A life with purpose has ease. When you live a purposeful life, it would come with plenty of ease because you have identified you purpose on earth; so you would be focused on what you are here for with less distractions. Earthly things are temporal, we should be very conscious of eternity. When we meet with the Lord there would be two important questions to be answered. WHAT DID YOU DO WITH MY SON? Jesus said; I am the way, truth and light, no one comet to the father except through me. Have you acknowledged this fact and given you life to Christ? The second question is: WHAT DID YOU DO WITH WHAT I GAVE YOU? God has embedded different gifts in us to use for his purpose, have you identified those gifts and potentials and directed them right yet? The first question would determine our place in eternity and the second would determine what we would be doing in eternity.

YOU ARE NOT A MISTAKE

Imagine a world without God, without rules and regulations; people will just do whatever they want, commit atrocities because there will be no consequences and end time punishment and life would be just useless without focus. Life itself without the knowledge of God is meaningless. We exist today because there is a living God and He created us for a reason.

            Many a times we complain about our looks and some features in our body; saying I would have looked as fine as so or so, I want to be like this or that. Everyone was created uniquely and God has a purpose for that. Even before we were created God knew about us and how He wanted us to look like, no one is a mistake. You might be a product of illegal birth, born out of wedlock; the channel might be illegal but God had you in mind long before the earth was even created. Even the environment and animals around are not mistake; God had them in mind not to talk of you human. God didn’t create us because He was lonely but it was out of love, for he is love Himself. No matter what you are going through or the circumstances around you, I want to remind you that God loves u and u are not a mistake, for u were created for a specific purpose. To know the purpose of your creation, kindly read the post before this titled FROM GOD FOR GOD; and feel free to comment or mail me any question you might have.

            Life might pose some challenges and make you feel that God has forgotten about you, and may be you are beginning to derail and loose faith in God. I want to remind you that, you are not a mistake and God still has you in mind and still loves you; because He’s love and He is a faithful God. He’s the same yesterday, today and forever; I adjure you to continue praying without ceasing and I assure you God will show Himself mightily in your life.

FROM GOD FOR GOD

There are certain things we choose in life, like our careers, hobby, spouse etc; but when it comes to knowing our purpose for life we can’t just decide by ourselves. Just the way we might not know how to use a new technology without a manual or guide by the developer; we can’t know our purpose for life without ASKING GOD our creator.

Knowing our purpose for life begins with us not centralizing on ourselves and personal ambitions, but knowing that we have a creator and that we were created for a specific purpose. All we need do is to ASK HIM.  Our source is in God and we have to go back to our source to know the reason why we were created. Colossians 1:16 says everything was created by God and for Him. There is a need to always put this at the back of our mind and always go back to His word for direction. Many a times we are focused on our self actualization and achieving certain success in life forgetting that we have a creator and we were created for a purpose. We might achieve so many things by the world standard and end up missing out our real purpose in life.

            A justifiable end is all that matters. It is said: what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and miss his soul. I will like to say it this way; what shall is profit a man to gain the whole world and miss his or her purpose in life.

NEW DAWN

It’s a happy new year to all my readers; I really appreciate all your comments and commitments to my blog. I have been unavoidably away for some personal and national obligations. Well am pleased to make it public that am finally back, as it’s a new year and its part of my resolutions to be more committed and focused to the things av started. You will be hearing from me more often and the journey will continue from where we stopped. I have deleted some of the contents on my blog for some professional reasons and should in case anyone would need any of my previous content, you are free to mail me and I will be glad to reply accordingly. As the year unravels, let’s be positive and focused to whatever we are doing and most importantly make some positive resolutions, it’s never too late. The year is still young and we can catch up before its too late. As the days goes by, I will be sharing my camp experience and my present Northeast experience too. Stay hooked and remain blessed