You Are Blessed

Wonderful Heavenly Father, Awesome God, The Author and Finisher, The Perfecter and Completer, You who does things beyond our expectation, even at your own perfect timing, words are not enough to describe you. As we draw closer to the end of this year, I am convinced, oh Lord, that 3 months is not too long for you to turn things around in the life of the person reading this. You do miracles every day and You can do miracles in this person’s life. Oh my Jehovah Suddenly, how I love and adore You. This 2009 is not over yet. Thank you that this year will be filled with testimonies for the person reading this. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Beloved, today we will not be having a question on the Infant Step Series, questions will continue next week. I want to share with you something about being blessed.


A challenge or trial in life does not necessarily mean you are out of the will of God. If you find yourself in such a situation, you may ask yourself “what have I done to deserve this? Has God stopped loving me?” The deceiver does not help matters because he will place before you several reasons why you may be going through the challenging phase. The greatest lie of them is when you are made to believe that there could be a curse, based on what you did, or a curse from someone related to you.

Beloved, I want you to understand that as a child of God, operating under the covenant [Genesis 15:1-18], you cannot be cursed because Whom God has Blessed is Blessed and no one can curse such a one [Numbers 22-24].

Remember the covenant between God and Abraham. As a spiritual descendant of Abraham, you are part of this covenant because when God started out with Abraham, He said, “…I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you…” [Genesis 12:2-3]. You are blessed automatically and hence you cannot be cursed.

Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that He would never change His mind. So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, you who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as you hold to the hope that lies before you. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for your soul. It leads you through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for you. He has become your eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. [Hebrews 6:16-20 paraphrased].

So as I wish you a blessed week ahead, be conscious of the fact that you are indeed blessed, you cannot be cursed, and you can hope in God for it is impossible for God to lie. As a child of God, victory is assured for you. Nothing can separate you from the love of God. Remain blessed.



Do you desire the blessing and assurance that you cannot be cursed, yet you are not born-again? It is not too late to give your life to Christ. Simply confess your sins to God, ask for forgiveness, acknowledge His son Jesus Christ that he died for your sins, and he is alive. Invite Jesus to become your Lord and Saviour, and for the Holy Spirit to help you obey God. Look for a church founded on the word of God to attend, and continue to grow in the word. The Blessing will be upon you and victory over every situation will be guaranteed.

Mama’s Blessing & Mom’s “curse”

I am sure many of you have received blessings from parents and grandparents. You know they are powerful? Don't joke with them J. Let me share one of my experiences here.

When I got the first money of my scholarship in Uni, I bought Small Stout for Mama (grandmother). She blessed me saying, "You will be rich. You will marry a good husband. You will have plenty children. You will carry your grandchildren. You will be successful in all you do…" I also remember the day Mom said I should make soup for the house. I had a date. I abandoned the meal and went on my date. When I came back in the night, Mom was furious. She said, "You left me hungry and worried today. If you don't stop behaving like this, your children will treat you exactly like this…"

I remember vividly the night I thought was my last on earth. I woke up by 2 a.m. and my feet were frozen and numb. Inside my bones were biting me. Slowly I felt the cold and numbness creep up my limbs, and also move down from my skull. At a point the only part functioning was my lips and the heart. I felt once the numbness gets to my heart, it will be my end. There was no "NEPA" (light). Rain was falling heavily. There was no car to take me to hospital. No phones to call for help. After Mom prayed for hours and nothing changed, I gave her my so called last wish.

1. Bury me in purple
   
2. Do not make a ceremony out of it so you don't have to spend money
   
3. Please call a man of God to pray for me - I want to give my life to Christ so I can go to heaven.
   

Suddenly I remembered Mama's blessing and Mom's "curse". I told myself "If they must come to pass, I cannot die even before graduating from Uni. They must come to pass." With that confidence, I could listen to the silent voice in my heart that said, "Drink water". I was afraid because I knew that before most people die, they ask for water. But since that was the only option left and morning was not approaching fast, I muttered, "Water". They quickly brought bottles of water for me. After 30 minutes of drinking, I felt the urge to urinate. They carried me to the toilet. I urinated. The whole house started smelling of Ampliclox. Then I recalled that 2 days before, I had taken self-medication of Ampiclox for boil. I asked for the pack of the Ampiclox. Guess what I saw? It had been expired over a year ago and I had taken overdose. I started drinking more water. By dawn, the numbness had left my body and I was normal.

Mama's blessing and Mom's "curse" are good. They were sufficient for the days when I was not a Christian. But now I know there is a far more superior blessing. It is The Blessing of the Lord, which makes rich and adds no sorrow with it [Proverbs 10:22].

There is The Blessing out there waiting for you to tap into. It covers every area of your life, even areas you never imagined. It is backed up by the power of God.

You can find some of God's great and precious promises specifically for you HERE. Should you find yourself in any trying situation, remember The Blessing. Remember His word and promises. Do not forget that they must come to pass.

For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and do not return there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the hungry,

So shall His promises be that goes forth out of His mouth: it shall not return to Him void without producing any effect, but it shall accomplish that which He pleases, and it shall prosper in the thing for which He sent it [Isaiah 55:10-11 AMP Paraphrased].

Believe.

Have a blessed week ahead.

Pictures by Photobucket.

To Be Rich or Not To Be Rich

How I know you love me

I know you love me
What makes me convinced
Are the blessings before me
A pinch of your abundance and riches;
Wealth and health you did not withhold
Life and Smiles you make part of my whole
I own all good and perfect gifts that come my way
So much you give that I cannot repay;
I know you love me
I know I am blessed
I am convinced
Because of the riches you’ve given me.

The Inspiration
I had walked into the office when I heard some people involved in a heated (but friendly) argument. I did not want to get involved in such but I could not help overhearing what was the cause of the apparent inferno. The basis for the argument was that Jesus Christ should be the model for Christians, and while He lived He was not rich. Therefore, Christians should not be rich!

Whether or not I have facts to back this statement, I will state clearly that Christians are meant to be rich. We are princes and princess, the children of the Most High God, the creator of heaven and earth, who owns the earth and the fullness thereof; the world and all that dwell in it [Psalm 24:1]. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood [1 Peter 2:9], why then should we be living in poverty?

Before I start talking about why we should be rich, let me also point out that Jesus Christ was not poor (For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was RICH, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich [2 Corinthians 8:9]). HE was humble [Philippians 2:5 – 9]. Humility is an attitude. Jesus Christ taught us so many things while HE was on earth, never did He say we should not be rich. With His humble nature, He taught us not to worry about the future [Luke 12:29-31], He taught us what faith really is, He taught us that we have power and authority over the enemy, He taught us that riches and abundance comes from God. Having riches is not the problem. Being wealthy is not the problem. It is what you make out of that state and what you do with the money that determines whether there is a problem with Christians being rich. For instance we know that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil [1 Timothy 6:10]. It is not money that is the root of all evil.

I remember a statement my pastor made last week. She stated that, “The Devil’s greatest nightmare is wealth in the hands of the righteous!” This is simply because the righteous man knows what to do with wealth. He will use it for the things of God (as money answereth all things [Ecclesiastics 10:19]). Why will God withhold wealth from HIS children when HE wants them to live like HE does and use it to accomplish HIS will?

What has God promised you concerning HIS blessings? They that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing [Psalm 34:10]. The blessing of the LORD, it makes rich, and HE adds no sorrow with it [Proverbs 10:22]. If I say I am blessed by God, then I should know because I am rich, and the riches do not come with sorrow. Rich means having an abundant supply of DESIRABLE QUALITIES or substances. It also means possessing MATERIAL WEALTH. It also means marked by great fruitfulness and very productive. Child of God, you are blessed and you are rich. If you did not know, you know now. If you have not started enjoying your richness spend time with the Word and find out what to do to become rich. The secret has been revealed to us and it is in there.

Paul said in Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. He did not say some of your need. He said ALL. King Solomon talks about the gift of God when every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, HE has given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour [Eccl. 5:19]. This gift of God is for HIS children and you are one of them. David said “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” [Psalm 37:25]. God is faithful. HE will definitely supply all our needs.

You might say, “but Jesus said, ‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God’ [Matthew 19:24]”. But if you read just above in this scripture, it came after the rich man was told to sell his possessions and give to the poor. It clearly shows the attitude some people have towards their riches (and I’m using all the definitions of riches mentioned above, not only material wealth). Jesus was only telling the rich man what He should do to enter the kingdom of God, to be as a son. It is written in Psalm 41:1 – 2 “Blessed is he that considers the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and the LORD will keep him from the will of his enemies.” It is also written that, “He that gives to the poor shall not lack”.

Being a Christian is not synonymous with being poor. It is not a reflection of the glory of God. What we should learn as Christians is the attitude of Christ towards riches. This is a topic for another discussion. But I can quote Paul here, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” [1 Timothy 6:17-19].

Have a wonderful day and remember you are meant to be rich.

You need not know a man

You are all I want

I was searching for a place to call home
Hopelessly, Aimlessly
I ignored your beckon and your call
Yet you were still waiting for me;
When darkness came
You shone your light
With open arms you took me in
And gave me more than I could have dreamed;
You are
More than what I wanted
You are
All anyone could ever need
You are
Perfection and Completeness:
And I feel blessed
Knowing you want me more than I want you.

The Inspiration

A life without God is empty. A life with God is complete. There is no in between. Killing the conscience is never the solution. HE is the only one that can make us whole and complete. HE is all we need.

Many a times we look to men to solve our problems, to fulfill us (that is a hard task), to provide for us, to sustain us, and to call “our personal person”. Paul reminds us that whatever we do, we should do it to the glory of God [1 Corinthians 10:31]. If man is our source of sustenance, our provision, our healer, our all, to whom would we be giving the glory to? God is a jealous God [Joshua 24:19] and does not want to share HIS glory with any man or anything. Whatever God gives to us is good and perfect [James 1:17] and shall be for ever [Ecclesiastics 3:14].

I remember a friend of mine who had gone job hunting in a company where her uncle was in top position. That was the assurance she had taken with her to look for the job since her grades were not too good. When she told her uncle of her mission he warned her before hand, “I am not giving you a job in this company, no uncle found work for me. Go and meet whoever you know that does things crookedly to help you find a job. Besides, we don’t employ people with your kind of grade here!” Sometime later, the company put out an advert in the papers. My friend joined the crowd to apply for the job, following the prompting of God. Out of the 3000 people that applied, she was among the 1000 called for aptitude test. No matter what her grades were, I know my friend is very good with numbers and I give it to her. Okay, before I digress too much. She passed the test but during the interview stage, she was told that she did not have the right qualifications for the job openings and so they would have to let her go. Once again she was back to job hunting contacting all relatives and friends she knew. But she thanked God for how far she went. I cannot imagine her worrying, stress and expenses during that period. 8 months later, this company called her saying that they had a position for an auditor and asked if she would like to come in for an interview. What would a scientist with a low grade be looking for in the auditing sector? Of course when you are desperate for a job you will take anything. She went for the interview. This is my favourite part. She was the only person in the midst of the 4 candidates who had no working experience, who was not an auditor, who did not study any course related to auditing, who did not have excellent grades and who did not have an insider backing her. But she has GOD. The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: HE turneth it whithersoever HE wills [Proverbs 21:1]. God was all she needed. HE is sufficient. To cut the long story short, she got the job and I have tasted from her salary. Praise and Glory be to our all sufficient God.

I simply want to remind you that you do not need to know anybody to get your blessings. All you need is God. Let us take the words of Mary just as the words are, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”[Luke 1:34 KJV]. Mary did not need to know a man before the Word of God spoken to her would be fulfilled. If something, which has been established as cannot occur except a man and woman come together, occurred by the Word of God alone and without Mary having to know a man, what then do you need to know a man for? HE has given you all that you need for life and godliness [2 Peter 1:3]. Are you trusting God for a job, promotion, spouse, education, child, healing, restoration, anything at all, and somewhere at the back of your mind you feel it will not happen except one man you know helps you? God is all you need. In the message in PlugIN (http://www.okoroafor.com/blog/John_blog.html), we were asked “Who do you trust?” The answers all summarized to be “Trust in the LORD, with all your heart”.

God definitely uses men to accomplish HIS will for us. But that is after we have trusted HIM to do it HIS way [Isaiah 55:8] and at HIS time [Ecclesiastics 3:11]. Whatever HE has promised you concerning your situation (and if you do not know, please check HIS Word) HE will surely fulfill. I can vouch for my GOD for HE is not a man that HE should lie [Numbers 23:19]. God’s Word shall not return to HIM void but shall accomplish what HE pleases, and it shall PROSPER in the thing which HE sent it [Isaiah 55:11].

Have a blessed day ahead knowing that HE is all you need.

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty
It’s time to get up
For your Prince of Peace has died
And been brought back to life
He has come to plant the kiss
That will give you life eternally;
Sleeping Beauty
It’s time to get up
For the world is incomplete without you
This world that stole your dreams from you
So many things you need to do
And your Prince of Peace will follow you through;
Sleeping beauty
It’s time to get up
And take all that belongs to you
And reign beside your Prince of Peace
And live a life filled with purpose:
You are what the world is waiting for.

The Inspiration
I had written this poem sometime after “More than a Goldmine” but the Holy Spirit told me I was not ready to talk about the inspiration. HE wanted me to share something spectacular with you. We will get to it today.

One of the pains I feel when I get talking with anyone is “I used to be an XXX but stopped because of YYY”. An even greater pain comes when I hear, “I don’t know why I am here and I feel I am too old to ever realize my purpose on earth!” These are words of individuals whose gifts, talents and personality are glaring and something to behold. Something is clearly missing – they don’t know who they are.

For God to create each and everyone of us to be different means each and every one of us has a different purpose on earth. There is a reason why you are BLESSED with your physical appearance, your voice, your personality, the experiences you’ve had and the people that have come into your life. I have a friend who is very fat. Rather than bothering about his stature, he uses his time to make humorous cartoons. He is known for the work of his hands rather than his stature. I also have a friend who is decisive. She does not follow the crowd. I said, “God, what kind of lady is this? She is not a team player!” HE replied, “This is the kind of lady that will say ‘As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord’ [Joshua 24:15]”. Again I asked, “Lord, why did you make this man so calm?” HE replied, “He is my chosen servant to teach peace and faith in ME. When he tells my children ‘The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still’, they will be encouraged by his composure to have faith in ME.” There is something about you that God wants to use. You are an important part of the body of Christ [1 Cor 12:12-31]. Paul (formerly called Saul) was a man zealous about what he did. He put all of himself into what he believed in and made sure he followed it through until the very end. That was his personality. When God called him, it was the same personality he used to serve HIM. What changed was his objective – to save souls rather than slay Christians.

Paul made a profound statement, "Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God" [1 Cor 10:31]. Imagine this world if every one of us is doing something for the glory of God. Imagine if we are using our gifts and talents to bless people. That brings me to what the Holy Spirit wants me to share with you – the words of Akiane (http://www.artakiane.com/home.htm), “I have been blessed by God. And if I’m blessed, there is one reason and one reason only, and that is to help others.” Take your time to navigate through the site of this 12 year old artist and poet who has used her blessings to bless others.

This poem is titled “Sleeping beauty” because for some of you, your beauty has been sent to sleep. They are not dead. The anaesthetic of your dreams could be the death of a loved one, heartbreak, beating and physical abuse, negative words spoken by yourself or others, self-condemnation, inferiority complex, and pursuit of other dreams (the dreams of others or lust for money or jobs that drain us of who we are). I want you to know that Jesus Christ defeated the destroyer of our dreams years ago. All you need to do is ask HIM to take you through as you accept who you really are.

The world is waiting for you. When you awaken the beauty in you and use it for the glory of God, you will find fulfillment. If you need help on books and sites to help you in discovering who you are and tapping into your gifts and talents, please feel free to send me an email at esurunma@gmail.com.

Have a wonderful day ahead.

Your Miracle is Here - Lyrics for the Song

It is here

If you’ve been waiting on God
For your miracle
It is here;
If you’ve been trusting the Lord
For what you can’t see
It is here;
If you believe in HIM
And all that HE is
If you hold on to HIM
And all HE’s promised
If you delight in HIM
And desire HIS Will
Time will Tell

Chorus
For all you seek
Is awaiting your pick
Perfect gifts
Beyond what you dream
HE’s given you life
HE long paid the price
HE’s given you peace
Passing understanding
HE’s given you health
In the pack of wealth
HE’s given you One
To fulfill HIS Word
HE’s given you kids
For greater glory
HE’s given you hope
And a future to hold
No condemnation
For new creations:
It is here

So if you’re waiting on God
For your miracle
It is here;
Just reach out for it
In faith and believe
It is here;
Do praise Him for things
Your eyes can’t yet see
It is here;
The Fruit of HIS love
And Grace for the world
Is how here;

Chorus

Sing Chorus till fade

The Inspiration
It started out as a dream. 3 friends of mine and myself were thanking God for the miracles HE had done in our lives and in the life of one of us in particular. Then one of my friends started singing this song “Time Will Tell” and we all joined in, accepting that we would soon see the manifestation of what HE has promised.

I woke up singing the song but by the time I came to reality, all I remembered was the tune and the words “Time Will Tell”. I decided to write it down while I was in the “White House” and the song above came into being. However the places where you see “It is here” was “Time will tell”.

I know something about my God. First of all, HE has given me everything that pertains to life and godliness [2 Peter1:3]. I also know that God is not a man, that HE should lie; or the son of man, that HE should change HIS mind; That which HE has spoken HE will do and that which HE has promised HE will fulfill [Numbers 23:19]. Knowing these things, among others, made me receive HIS promises and blessings in faith, and so I said I am not waiting for time to tell me anything. I know I already have them. It is here.

Beloved, I do not know what you are believing God for. I just want to tell you it is here as long as it is HIS will for you. Simply receive it in faith and await its manifestation. When it manifests be like the one out of the ten lepers who glorified God. Remember to give HIM thanks.

Have a blessed day and welcome to a new month.