It is Time - For Restoration

I remember that day of baby dedication. The couple came on stage and after prayers upon their babies, they were told to make a statement. They narrated the numerous miscarriages the woman had yet after many years she had twins. That can only be of God. Our Almighty God is a restorer.

The devil has come to steal, kill and destroy. He has come to steal time, joy, kill dreams, and destroy possessions. But Jesus Christ had come so we will have life and have it more abundantly [John 10:10]. Everything the devil can take and has taken from you, HE will restore.

Our God can do anything and no one can stop HIM [Job 42:1]. Job was a man that lost practically every thing he possessed. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. This shows that being blameless does not exempt you from being visited by the devil. Despite all Job lost, despite all the time that elapsed (and seemed wasted) the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before [Job 42:10]. That is how God restores.

Beloved, the years may have passed you by in some areas of your life. But I want you to know God’s promise for you. HE says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts. Once again you will have all the food you want, and you will praise the Lord your God, who does these miracles for you. Never again will you be ashamed.” [Joel 2:25-26] HE will make it up to you. HIS restoration is much more than food. HE will do a miracle for you and take away the shame that has come with the lost years. Is it your finances, job, promotion, spouse, children, relationship, possessions, trust in God, dreams, peace, joy and happiness? What ever it is, HE will restore much more than you imagine. HIS way is perfect [2 Samuel 22:31]. HE has made everything beautiful for its own time [Ecclesiastics 3:11]. No matter what you face that seem to contradict God’s plan, these should not be barriers to believing in HIM, but rather opportunities to discover that God gives lasting solutions to life’s problems. When HE restores, HE restores completely.

There is restoration for you today. The time has come. Wherever you are God can reach you. Whatever your situation is, it is not too difficult for HIM. Open your heart to HIM and trust HIM. HE is never late.

Have a blessed weekend ahead.

A Couple Of Not So Random Things

If I was to give the post a title with "+" or "&", it would have been very long :-)

1: iPray 2010: When Bloggers pray
The greatest lesson I learnt in 2009 is that Prayer is Powerful. I have personally seen my own prayers bring results. I used to think there were certain areas I could limit to God in prayer, but I learnt God is concerned about every single area of our lives. In February 2010, Bloggers will come together to pray each day on certain areas of life. Please don't miss out of this awesome experience. Come and be part of it at ZOE.

2: EROLyrics Plan for 2010
I have come to see that God is still in the business of working miracles. Each and everyone of us has a testimony to share. Every month, EROLyrics will feature someone who has a testimony to share. It will be in interview form. I hope you will be blessed like I was by the testimonies I heard. If you have something to share, please feel free to drop me a message.

3: I was on a real interview
Yes, I was on a real interview. It was about why I chose to be a volunteer for a group focused on Educational Development worldwide. When I get the CD of the interview, I hope I can share a part with you.
The group is called SEED. Recently SEED went to a school in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and donated 1 small laptop to each pupil (about 1000 laptops). I could not make the event though I wanted to participate. When the interviewer (a young french lady) got talking to me, she was surprised to know I had lived all my life in Port Harcourt and could speak good english. However, she was glad to know that something good could come out of Port Harcourt and urged me to go back to Port Harcourt and encourage the children. The perception she has is not same as what I know about PH.

4: Getting the benefits of "From The Heart of A Loving Father"
The daily devotional is divided into 2 parts. The first part is the scripture for the day and a short prayer or suggestion for prayer based on the scripture. These scriptures are good for meditation and further study. They are good for thinking on, pondering on, and even confessing.

The second part contains a) chapters of the bible to read so that at the end of the year, you would have read the bible from beginning to end. b) Suggested Prayer Point for yourself. While I may not know your needs, I know that God already knows what you need. The suggested prayer points are more of prayers concerning your walk with God. c) Suggested General Prayer Point. This section puts you in the position of an intercessor. It helps you pray for others. d) Joyful 'Toon for the day. This is done every other day. It is to use pictures to also inspire you and share a word of God with you.

5: This 2010 is a great year by God's grace.
There will be miracles and testimonies. The light of the children of God will so shine and bring glory to our Father in Heaven. This is inded a year to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, for all other things will be added unto you.

Remain Blessed.

This Made My Day

I was feeling down one day and I went ablogging (dictionaries need to be updated). Then I read this prayer on Patrina's blog. I was uplifted, I can't explain how or why. So I decided to keep a copy of it on my blog...

And...Share it with you. Hope it makes your day too..

I pray that something good happens to you today;

maybe something that you have been waiting to hear -

something that brings you peace of mind;

maybe a confirmation that what you hear

the Lord saying to you - is right on!;

maybe financial help is on the way;

a relationship is mended;

an answered prayer;

maybe a family member or another

that you’ve been praying for –

has come to Christ;

a sickness healed;

grief turned to Joy;

Fear chased away by Faith;

a garden blooms in a heart of barrenness;

a job is secured;

something lost is restored;

a marriage is restored;

A child is born;

a life is spared;

a heart is transformed;

a family united...

The possibilities are endless!

God is the God of possibilities. Nothing is impossible with Him.

For nothing is impossible with God. [Luke 1:37]

He will never leave you or forsake you. His mercies endure forever. [Psalm 100:5]

Amen! and Amen!

Thank you, Patrina, for permission to use your post on my blog. God bless You.

In Gratitude

One Day, In 2002

I sat across him in the large, well-furnished office. In my mind, I went over my points. Times were hard. I needed a job. 1 year after Uni and NYSC had been postponed again. I had done IT with his organization. My grade in school was not bad. I knew he could help out for the time being. We had communicated through emails. Now I had the opportunity to express myself.

"Sweet little Rita," he started, "I have seen your emails. I cannot give you a job with us - it is beyond my power. But I can give you something better. Something to solve all your problems. Let me take care of you. I will buy you a house and put N1m in your account. Then you will take care of me and have a child for me."

I was not disgusted neither did I feel insulted. His offer sounded like the perfect plan for me. A house and N1million? Do you know what that meant to a young graduate who had seen only N100K (scholarship money) as the maximum in her account? I reasoned within myself. I could start a business with the N1m and generate more income for myself. I would live in a house, me and my child, and destroy this married man's marriage. Hopefully he will leave his wife for me. All the clothes, shoes, perfumes and hairstyles I had dreamt of will become a reality.

I did not know God then, so I could not refuse "for the sake of God". It's just that I had this dream, when I was 4 years old, of me and my young handsome husband (changed to young handsome Ibo husband when I was 13), and our 4 children, living in a very big house. My husband was very rich and he loved me very much. Was I going to give up this dream for an old man with N1m?

After the battle, which seemed like forever in the space of 5 minutes, I replied, "Dear Sir, I cannot accept. Maybe I am a fool but I will prefer a job of N5000. If you are not in the position to help me, then I might have to think of doing something else for myself. Thank you very much for everything you've done for me."

One Day, 2009

I looked at the promotion letter. I looked at the salary. I could not believe the digits. But I knew God. I knew He is more than capable. I knew this amazing increase could only come from Him.

Today, 2010

I thank God for His faithfulness. I thank God that even when I did not know Him, He still loved me and directed me. I thank Him for giving me the ability to wait on Him and 7 years later I have a testimony. I thank Him for waiting for me to come to Him. I thank Him for the dream, which comes to pass as each day unfolds. Thank You, My Loving Father. You, who promised, are Faithful.

Inspired by the scripture in today's devotional on "From The Heart of a Loving Father" which speaks of God waiting for us to come to Him.

Dear Jesus, I think I have a slight idea of what happened here: Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” [Matthew 4:8-9]

Infant Steps: How Can I Evade Wrong Influences At Home?

Beloved EROLyrics Readers,

Hope you have started experiencing the blessedness of the week. Covenant grace and peace be to you in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior, who reigns forevermore.

Today’s question on the Infant Steps Series comes from a young boy who wants to leave his home because at home, he has to deal with wrong influences daily. Have you ever faced such a situation? If in your home you were the first to give your life to Christ, how did you manage the others who did not share the same faith as you did? What will you do if you were in Raymond's shoes? Please read his question below and provide him with your spirit-led responses. Thank you.

Dear Rita,

I do not come from a Christian home. I never knew about God except when He is mentioned in Bible Knowledge in school and to me it felt like a history class. When I started secondary school (a boarding school), I met people who seemed passionate about God. They talked about him, they preached about him, and by the time I got to senior secondary, I knew I had to follow Him. So I gave my life to Christ. It has been an awesome experience and I do not ever want to turn back.

When I go home during the holidays, I face alot of things that are not good for my walk. My parents do not believe in it and they have warned me not to go to church. During meal times, there is alot of gossip and use of strong languages. We have a general PC at home for the kids and most times, it is unhealthy things my siblings are browsing. Most of the music they play does not go down well with me but I try not to make a scene about it. Most times I am alone and I feel nobody understands me.

Should I disobey my parents? Should I leave the house to live with a relative who understands what I believe in? I am very young in my walk and I feel the influences around me could make me give up or falter. Please what can I do?

Raymond.

Interesting "Happenings"

In the spirit of celebration and the season of giving, Decorville Interiors, a young avant garde interiors company with presence in Abuja and Lagos is offering an opportunity for everyone to win free makeovers for homes and offices in Abuja or Lagos .

Are you moving into a new home/office or a little bored with the one you are in now?

Have you tried to redecorate your space again and again unsuccessfully?

Do you think your house could do with a new look?

Then, you already qualify for the free makeover!

All you need do is write 150 – 200 words on “Why My Space Needs a Makeover” and send to “info@decorvilleinteriors.com”

This competition closes on 8 February 2010 – get on the freebie train now!!!

Daddy and Daughter

From Daddy to Daughter
Daddy:
Maybe you do not know
But you are very special to me
Consider that We took out time
To prepare a place before your arrival
To justify why you should be here
To give you an irreplacable purpose:

Maybe you do not know
But I have a special place for you in My Heart
Consider your worth and uniqueness
Without you, there is vacuum on earth
Without you, he is incomplete
You're so soft yet so strong;

Come and tell Daddy
Did he touch you
Did he hurt you
Did he make you cry;
Or
Does he adore you
Does he care for you
Does he love you the way I do?

Come, my daughter, come
Do you know the way I love you?
Do you know how much I love you?
You are the apple of my eye
I have loved you with an everlasting love
No one, not anyone, should make you feel
Any less than you are worth.

Come, my daughter, come
Let me wipe your tears of today and yesterday
Let me show you the meaning of true love
Let me prepare you daily for your king
Let my strength be made perfect in your weakness
Let me give you the life you've always dreamed of.

Daughter Rita: Hmmm! Daddy, I have searched everywhere for love and I have been disappointed. I am tired. I am coming to you now now...

I was thinking on the words for a post on the relationship blog. The topic I had been shying away from writing was sex. So as I was thinking on the words, He reminded me of our journey as Father and Daughter and the words He said to me during my heartbreak. I never knew I would ever heal or that one day He would give me a husband who is better than I could dream of. I know He has something special in His heart for all His children, even specially for women.

This poem I share is dedicated to all women - broken, heartbroken, unbroken, mended, healed, whole, young, old. There is nothing that compares to the love of God. He is the master mender. May you experience daily the heart and hand of God in your life.

Oh! Happy New Year everyone and God bless you...