Putting it off for Tomorrow

Where I cast my cares

Where have I cast my cares
I brought the failings of my heart to bare
Only to see that tomorrow was filled
With things I did not want for the moment;

The truth remains
That they cannot go away
Putting off for tomorrow
Saves it for a later day
And save I cast my cares upon You
They will give me worries always
And make my joy not stay
Against your will for me;

But I smile with glee
Knowing today’s end I will see
Because new is your strength
To overcome my weaknesses today
New is your provision
That I may know satisfaction
New is your favour
Like they just knew I’m royalty
New is Your love
Enough to keep me going on;

Where have I cast my cares
It is forever on You
That tomorrow may have no grip on me
But I will be secure
Expectant and joyous
Over tomorrow.

The Inspiration
There had been no light in the area for almost a week. This should not be news. We had been running the generator all through. But I was hopeful that one day they will bring the light. So that night before sought peaceful sleep, I had a prompting in my spirit to switch the power changeover to allow for Power Holdings’ light. I quickly replied, “There has been no light. They cannot bring light this night. I’d do it tomorrow.” And then a sudden realization hit me – I was procrastinating.

I decided to share this with you because I began to see this latent worm subtly crawling into the lives of many. Then it resides permanently. It sounds in words like later, some minutes, but more irritatingly in the word tomorrow. Tomorrow is a word full of promises. But when it is used as an usher of procrastination, it is dangerous.

Procrastination according to the Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary means: - to put off intentionally and habitually; to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done. It also means to delay. Think about the meaning of this word for a while.

What was glaring? The fact that we procrastinate means we do not regard the thing(s) procrastinated as important or dear to us. You cannot procrastinate what you treasure for where your treasure is there will your heart be also [Matthew 6:21]. Will you push to tomorrow that visit to your friend’s place even if it coincided with the time you have dedicated to studying the word of God? Will you ignore that shopping spree to lend a mite to your neighbour?

There have been many beautiful write ups on Procrastination, some of which I could refer you to.
http://bible.com/overcoming-life/digest8.php#foxes; http://www.gospelcenterchurch.org/procrastination.html; http://www.holybiblesays.org/articles/procrastination.htm
But a word of scripture kept ringing in my head “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries [Matthew 6:34a, NLT]. Each day has enough trouble of its own [Matthew 6:34b, NIV]”. It was the answer to my silent question “Is there a problem with procrastination?” Yes there is. Every day has enough trouble of its own. Why add to the trouble for that day. Tomorrow will bring its own worries, why store up worries for the ones that will come tomorrow. Please do not feel that I am prophesying negatively in your life. No. I am simply reminding you of the words spoken by our beloved Jesus Christ.

What did I learn out of it? To tackle each problem or issue as ir comes. We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength [Philippians 4:13]. The reason why we put things off till tomorrow is because we believe we will handle it ourselves tomorrow. Whatever it is, no matter how big or how small, cast it upon the Lord. As you continue to depend on him for everything and every area of your life, you will realize there is no need to procrastinate. His grace is sufficient for you [2 Corinthians 12:9].

Is there anything in your life you notice is entwined with procrastination? Your decisions? Your vows and promises? The eating of spiritual food? Your dreams and calling? Your situation? Give it God in prayer. The Lord’s mercies and compassions (hence love and strengthening) are new every morning [Lamentations 3:22-23]. He will strengthen you.

Have a glorious day ahead.

HE saw Every Tear

HE saw every tear
The ones that welled up
But did not pour
The ones that dropped down your face
But did not leave a stain
The ones that flowed
Leaving you dehydrated
Yes, HE saw every tear;

HE saw every tear
Those that spoke of your joy
Those of uncontrollable excitement
Those of success and satisfaction
Those of the fulfilment of HIS Will;
Those that told of your pains
Those that followed fear
Those that were filled with anguish
Yes, HE saw them all;
Even those that flowed under sedation
Even those of the transient joys of addictions
All those tears of self-condemnation, self-defeat
HE saw those tears of confusion and hopelessness;

Every drop meant something to HIM
Every drop HE watched over
Every drop communed with HIM
Every drop was mirrored on HIM;
HE saw every tear
HE felt each one with you
HE did not choose any over another
HE never took HIS eyes off you;

HE saw your every tear
No one else has seen them all
No one else has felt them too
No one else knows where you're coming from
No one else knows the great places HE's taking you to.

In the Waiting Room

In the Waiting Room

Lonely in the waiting room
Ignorant of everything around me
Except the perception of my senses
That all except me have what I desire;

My eyes see
The very things I prayed for yet so far
My ears hear
Your answers to other’s prayers
My nose smell
The fulfillment of your promise
I feel
The lack of that which I groan for in secret;

My lips let out a lament
Wondering when my turn will come
For it seems that those behind me
Have been attended to;

And then I hear Your gentle whisper
Like sweet music to my soul
This same time in My Time
I will come to you;
And then I find my peace
In Your Words
I realize I am not alone
So I wait on You
For my expectation is from You only.

The Inspiration
Timi heard the good news of his brother. His brother had just got a scholarship to further his education abroad. All resulting expenses for this education have been taken care of. Timi left the gathering of his rejoicing family. He wept. He was not jealous. He was not envious. He was simply frustrated. He lamented, “I have prayed for this too. I felt peace in my heart that God had answered this prayer. I did everything right. I stood on His word. Even when the enemy has been dropping discouraging thoughts concerning my CGPA, I still stood on the promise of God. Some that bribed their way through have got this scholarship. God, why is my case different?”

Have you ever found yourself in such a situation? When it seems like a zillion years between the time when you prayed and when the prayers are answered? Most likely. Maybe this is not your case now but if you look back, there may have been times like that. If this is your situation now, you are not alone. But the good news is you are in the waiting room. Being in the waiting room means it will soon be your turn to see the physical manifestation of your prayers. It does not matter who comes first or last. What matters is that you will surely be attended to.

It is very discouraging when you seem to have done everything right yet the prayers don’t seem to be answered. The Psalmist said, “I have been young, and now I am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” [Psalm 37:25]. You can be assured that God will never forsake you nor will your seed be in need. All you need to do is to wait. Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint [Isaiah 40:12]

What can you do while you are waiting on God? By the way, waiting on God does not mean you are waiting for Him to answer your prayer. You are waiting for the physical manifestation of your prayer because He has already answered your prayer.

1. Keep praying: - this means keep being in communication with God not repeating what you have already asked of Him. Communication improves your relationship with God and by so doing you may understand the purpose for the waiting period. [Luke 21:36; Ephesians 6:18].

2. Stand on His Word: - Whatever you desire, as long as it is His Will, has His Word backing it. Stand on His Word. Even when the enemy tries to test it, do not let go. His word will come to pass because His word will never return to Him void [Isaiah 55:11] and He watches over His word to perform it [Jeremiah 1:12].

3. Be mindful of what you hear and meditate on: - Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God [Romans 10:17]. Do not find yourself listening to words that will make you disbelieve what has He has promised you but delve more into His Word. Take every testimony as a reminder that your turn is coming soon.

4. Rejoice with others: - especially when it comes to the very thing you believe God for. When you rejoice with others, when you sow seeds into their lives, you will not even realize it when your prayer has been answered.

5. Visualize the realization of your dream: - Faith without works is dead [James 2:20]. You need to act like you believe that your prayer has been answered. Confess positively. Visualize it. Thank God for it [Psalm 52:9]. Talk about it like it exists.

6. Sow a seed: - Sowing precedes reaping – it is a natural principle. But you need to sow in good ground to reap something good. Spend time with God knowing what to sow, how to sow and where to sow. Even when it seems painful to sow, the results are tremendous [Psalm 126:5-6].

7. Do not tell God how or help God to answer your prayer: - God’s ways are not our ways. His way is perfect [Psalm 18:30]. His timing is perfect [Ecclesiastics 3:11]. He is mighty in wisdom [Job 36:5]. Who are we to tell Him how best to do it? One thing I know is when He does His thing; HE does it exceedingly above our expectations. Trust Him with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding [Proverbs 3:5-6].

8. Wait on the Lord: - While you are waiting, wait on God, not on man. It is God that will give you the words and strength to go on. It is God that is always with you and will love you just the way you are [Psalm 27:14; Psalm 62:5].

This list is not exhaustive nor is it a rule of thumb. You alone know how your relationship with God is.

Let me close now with these words: Do not be weary in doing good for in due season you will reap if you do not lose heart [Galatians 6:9].

Have a blessed day ahead.

Generous on Every Occasion

Unfolding

For so long
I hoarded
All that you blessed me with
Thinking that they will finish
If I hid them for myself;

But your sweet gentle voice
In the form of your Word
Aroused my interest
And opened my eyes
To see treasures in generosity;

So I unfold
My hands and my heart
To give all that I am
That there may be thanksgiving
And Glory to You.

The Inspiration

There are times when we don’t want the Word of God to be right. For instance we read Deuteronomy 28:1 with joy “And it shall come to pass, if thou shall hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth…” for so many blessings follow this verse. But when we get to verse 15 “But it shall come to pass, if thou will not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee…” and the verses that follow, we wish this part was not in the Bible.

God is a just God [Isaiah 45:21]. All scripture is given by HIS inspiration, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that we may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works [2 Timothy 3:16-17]. Therefore every part of the Bible is relevant.

But there was one that took me unawares. It read, “…that you may be generous on every occasion…” [2 Corinthians 9:11]. And these words came when I decided to go on strict savings, even if it meant starving. I had to check every possible translation to find a way out http://bible.cc/2_corinthians/9-11.htm. But all of them kept saying the same thing. How frustrating then. Then I read the statement beginning verse 11 “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion…” It started making sense then. Part of the reason why God has blessed us is to enable us bless others. By so doing glory and thanksgiving will be given to God. Check out Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on this

http://mhc.biblecommenter.com/2_corinthians/9.htm.

But that is not all. What happens if you do not currently have money and material things to give (which I doubt)? What happens if you are a generous and cheerful giver but you do not give only money and material things? In what other ways can you be a generous on every occasion?

The cross-reference to 2 Cor 9: 11 reads “For in Him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge” [1 Corinthians 1:5]. This tells me that God has blessed us with so many things to bless others. It could be your words of motivation, uplifting or encouragement. It could be your time. It could be your presence. It could be your touch. It could be your smile. It could be a prayer. It could be a helping hand. It could be a call. The list is endless.

Be generous in every occasion with what you have. This does not mean that when you see an opportunity to sow a seed of money that you will tell yourself that you have other ways you can be generous. No. Always obey the voice of God. God has blessed you that you may be a blessing to others.

I’d like to conclude with the words Mordecai spoke to Esther, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?” [Esther 4:14]. I rephrase and state thus that if you do not respond at this time, relief and deliverance will still come as God plans. But have you wondered if God blessed you and placed you where you are to fulfill His will of bringing glory to HIM?

With what you have, be generous on every occasion. And you will see as He continues to bless you and you will bear much more fruit.

Have a blessed day and a wonderful month ahead.

No Ordinary Calling

No ordinary calling

I heard the call

So serene and subduing
It reached my very substance
It stimulated all my senses;

I heard the call
In response to my yearns
Yet I could not respond
For I cared for what they would say;

It was no ordinary call
For it spoke about my emptiness
It knew the me not even I knew
It spoke softly to the ears of my spirit;

How could such words
“Come, My Love”
Make me toss and turn in bed
Despite the words of men;

No longer could I hold myself back
From true love, from that predestined
When I turned to take a glimpse of the source of the call
I was engulfed by the awesome love of God.

The Inspiration
A group of us sat down and discussed our fears, why we had delayed in responding to the call of God even though we’d heard the good news for so many years. Some said they were not ready to leave the enjoyable life to serve God, some said they were restrained by peer/family pressures; some said they did not really understand the essence of the messages preached. It was wonderful to hear that they did not regret answering the call. They only wished they had answered earlier than they did. The call of God that I am referring to here is the call out of darkness into the truth, into marvelous light and into eternal life. It is the call to salvation [1 Corinthians 1:24, 2 Thessalonians 2:14] (Salvation: being saved from sin and having deliverance, healing, household salvation, healed and restored relationships, peace, joy, love, abundance, answered prayer, protection, a satisfying long life, etc).

Every moment God is calling HIS children to everlasting life. The acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Lord and saviour, believing that HE died for your sins, and rose again, and asking HIM to come into your life, is a powerful response to the greatest call you could ever hear.

It was a noble prayer of Paul to say, “…The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of HIS calling…” [Ephesians 1:18] because there is so much in HIS calling. It is a high calling [Philippians 3:14], it is a holy calling [2 Timothy 1:9] not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began; and of course a heavenly calling [Hebrews 3:1]. This calling is irrevocable [Romans 11:29]. Even before you were born, God chose you and called you by HIS marvelous grace [Galatians 1:15]

When you say you are blessed, try to see beyond the material things. You are blessed with all spiritual blessings

( http://www.gcfweb.org/institute/nt/ephesians/ephesians02.html,

http://www.growingchristians.org/dfgc/blessing.htm) in heavenly places in Christ [Ephesians 1:3]. You belong to those whom Peter says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people…” [1 Peter 2:9]. This is a wonderful blessing, privilege and destiny of one who has responded to HIS call. You are God’s special treasure whom HE specially chose and purchased with the precious price of the blood of Jesus Christ. Hence you’ve been made holy. So do not envy the kings and princes of this world. They have nothing compared to you for you belong to a priesthood {all of the people qualified to perform religious duties} consisting of kings.

What then are we called to be or do? I leave aside the specific calling of God for you. That you can find out by spending time with HIM. God called us to be HIS own holy people [1 Corinthians 1:2]. HE has called us to live in peace [1 Corinthians 7:15]. God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives [1 Thessalonians 4:7; 2 Timothy 1:9]. HE did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was HIS plan from before the beginning of time—to show us HIS grace through Christ Jesus. HE called us to do good [1 Peter 2:21]. We receive our eternal inheritance and are blessed by God [Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 3:9].

Do not take the calling for granted especially after you’ve responded to it. You need to be worthy of this calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of God’s goodness [2 Thess. 1:11]. We have been instructed to wok hard to prove that we are really among those God has called and chosen [2 Peter 1:10] for if we do this, we will never fall away.

Beloved Child of God, the calling of God is no ordinary calling. Fret not when you hear the calling, fret not when you respond to the calling, and fret not when the tides of life want to shake your roots. For in HIS kindness God called you to share in HIS eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So should you suffer a little while, HE will restore, support, and strengthen you, and HE will place you on a firm foundation [1 Peter 5:10].

Have a blessed day and a wonderful week ahead.

Tried, Tested, Tasted, Testified

Tried, Tested, Tasted, Testified

I have tried you, Oh Lord
In my days of unbelief
But you showed me Grace and Mercy
And you never let me down;

I have tested you, Oh King
Though I am not worthy to do so
In my moment of weakness, in my times of trials,
You did not forsake me;

I have tasted you, Oh Father
I have drank of your love and goodness
I can boldly say My Lord is good
Better are the plans you have for me;

I have stretched my faith for your course
No, you did not disappoint me
I have experienced the trueness, love and power of your words
That I long for your sweetness more and more;

Let me testify of your goodness and mercy
Let me bring forth my gratitude with words of thanks
Because you are a good God
Tried, Tested, Tasted and Testified.

The Inspiration
One of my favourite lines during my teenage years was “Taste and see that the Lord is good” [Psalm 34:8]. Funny enough, I never knew that was a bible passage until recently. When I look back now, I thank God for HIS enlightenment and grace. I was actually using that line for carnal things.

I tried to put together the inspiration behind this poem. I could not. It was taking me so much time. I wanted it to be a 3-page write-up because there is so much to HIM and so much HE has done. I wondered why the long story could not be conceived in me. It was this morning I realized why – HE is simply a Good God. There is no complexity, no secret, or too much talk about it. Once again I say, HE is a Good God and HIS mercies endure forever [Psalm 106:1] (There are so many other biblical references to this statement).

My piece of writing today is to testify that HE is a good God, HE is faithful, HE is gracious, HE is true to HIS words and promises, HE is wonderful, HE is merciful, HE is excellent, HE is ever-present, HE is beautiful, HE is light, and HE is love. There is none like HIM. It is a privilege, honour yet a blessing to be called the child of such an awesome God and Father.

Just hold on tight to HIM and never let go. HE is ever faithful and never failing.

Have a wonderful day, Child of the Most High God.

The Angels, The Branches

The Angels, The Branches

Getting to the top of the tree
Was preceded by holding on to branches
Some from where I rested to take fruit
Some of which I broke off along the way;

I find myself here today
Able to look back at how far I’ve come
Enjoying the blessings that come with the position
Forgetting that I would not be here
‘Cept for the branches that aided along the way;

Bring to my remembrance, Oh Lord
The angels you sent to lift me up
Your instruments to fulfill your promises to me
And may I never cut off branches
As I move to the next step.

The Inspiration
You are about to be lifted up, above your current situation and above your current status. Did I hear a loud Amen? But before you move, please take a pause.

God has been wonderful. HE has been true to HIS promises. HIS words have accomplished what HE pleases. I have listened to many testimonies of people concerning jobs, finances, healing, relationships, fruit of the womb, saving from danger, etc. God has done it again, I say to myself. HE is unchangeable. To God be the Glory. But one thing has been consistent in all those testimonies – God used people to realize HIS promises.

You might argue with me that you prayed night and day for your healing, you stood on the word alone, and because of your faith your prayers were answered. Try to get to the root of this. Don’t be surprised if you find out that you stood on a word someone once shared with you, or a message your pastor preached, or your faith grew by the testimony of someone else. Even if you had to go to a doctor to get treatment, God used the doctor to bring about your healing. Haven’t you heard of cases where doctors made mistakes?

What of you who got a job? You say you were praying in tongues hence you got the job. But was it not someone that told you about the advert? Or was it not someone that gave you money to buy the paper? Or was it not a friend that agreed with you in prayer concerning it? What of when you were stranded and you called on the name of the Lord? Was it not someone that came to your rescue?

Today’s message is to remind us that when we pray according to HIS will, HE answers. The physical manifestation of these prayers answered come through physical means – in most cases human beings. I liken this situation to HIS Word, “Behold, I send an Angel before you, to keep you in the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared” [Exodus 23:20]. When HE takes you to a different level (in form of answering your prayers or performing a miracle in your life), HE sends an “angel”.

As you take the pause, have you acknowledged the “Angels” HE sent to ensure you get to what HE has prepared for you? Have you appreciated that parent that gave you the right advice, that guardian that sowed seeds of Tuesday Guardian into your life, that friend that prayed with and for you through the trying situation, that Pastor who preached the Word that collided with your spirit and the word became flesh?

Acknowledging and appreciating such people does not require much. You could sow a seed into their lives even if you think they have everything. You could pray for them especially the ones you may never come across again. You could call them up and remind them of the wonderful thing they did in your life. They may not know how much they impacted on your life and your call might be all they need to assure them that they have worth in this life. Don’t be selective. Even the person that denied you entrance for the visa was only a person God was using to tell you that was not what HE prepared for you. Or the man that asked you to sleep with him before you get a job? Thank God for him for if you had taken that job probably you won’t be where you are today. And what about the doctor that said your case is hopeless? Thank God for him for it was through HIS words that God showed Himself through and proved that HE 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 did and that which HE promised HE fulfilled [Numbers 23:19].

And as you move to the next level, be thankful to God for everyone that comes your way for it is for a reason. Do not judge by the outward appearance, for you do not know who is the next angel HE is sending to prepare the way for you.

Have a blessed week and month ahead.