The Forbidden Fruit

It beckoned:
Its rare beauty, its mystery
Was the greatest captivator in history
Every drop in my resistance
Was due to an extra glance
Yet I felt it was alright
To look one more time;

It beckoned:
Persistently, yet subtly
It spoke to me
Come closer please touch me
Feel me and taste me
Experience me just once
You will never be the same again;

It beckoned:
I stuttered a refusal
Just for the record
I knew better than to say yes
But there was this emptiness
That needed to be filled
With something different and sweet;

It beckoned:
The call had become light
I feared I would be denied
This one and only opportunity
To explore the untouched fruit
That exuded sweetness and satiety
So why live a lifetime in rue?

No longer could I hold back
My last strands of resistance
So I touched and savoured
Then took a bite with great hopes

As the liquid touched my tongue
I could have sworn it was sweet
But that sweetness was too transient
Compared to the sour, nay, bitter taste;

And then it dawned on me
After the deceit
That there was no beckon
Save my desire and weakness
That drove me to taste
Of eternal grief, sorrow and pain
Only redeemable
By Love Himself.

How To Be Motivated At Work

“I am highly demotivated!”

In the space of two days, three colleagues had confessed their low morale on the job. I was silent for a while because my mind went back to two years ago when I felt the same way. I was particularly concerned because this third person was close to me.

“The company is not making me happy,” the young man continued. “I feel like leaving today though I do not have another job!”
“I know how you feel…” I started.
“No you don’t. You look like you enjoy the work despite the challenges.”
“Yes, that is because I enjoy my work. I am motivated. But it was not like that before.”

A lot of people appear to have low worker morales and even hate their jobs[1]. With so many people worried about their jobs, the economy, and their safety, motivation plays a key role in how they deal with all that is going around them. Even with the best education, credentials, intelligence and work history, if you are not motivated on your job, your career will not be enjoyable[2]. I have once felt demotivated at work. I will share with you few things that helped me to remain motivated on that job and in other jobs that followed.

1. Know who your boss is
When I worked to please man, it seemed futile. Rewards, appreciation and recognition did not seem forthcoming. Paul, who demonstrated a lot of zeal and motivation in his ministry, encouraged others to do work as if working for the Lord and not for men [Colossians 3:23-24].When I applied this advise, I began to feel fulfilled. This was for the following reasons: -
- God rewarded my work [2 Chronicles 15:7]
- He saw my heart [Jeremiah 17:10] and the extent of effort I was putting in
- He could change any situation for my favour [Proverbs 21:1]

2. Know that real motivation comes from within
If I depended on money, appreciation, or promotions to motivate me, I would have been demotivated when these did not come. When my motivation came from within, I began to see the money, appreciation, and promotions as rewards from God. I did not set my affection on earthly things [Colossians 3:2].

3. Appreciate what God has given you
When I reflected on my job, I remembered that this job was an answer to a prayer. It was a good and perfect gift [James 1:17]. It was a blessing. The more I thanked Him for it, the more I began to see the good in it.

4. Know that God gave you this job for a purpose
All the while I was feeling demotivated, I was expecting too much, especially from my heavenly boss. I wanted to receive. With time, I realized that God had His reasons for giving me the job, in addition to providing me with external motivation (the money, recognition, promotions, etc). Some of these reasons include: -
- To give him pleasure [Philippians 2:13]. He derives pleasure from blessing us.
- to make a difference by exhibiting His character [1 John 4:4]
- to get external motivation [Ecclesiastics 3:13, Isaiah 65:22]
- to motivate others [Hebrews 10:24]

5. Understand that you are blessed in all you do
Whether man accepted it or not, I knew that I am blessed in all I do. Blessed is the work of my hands. Blessed am I in my going to the office and in coming out of the office [Psalms 121:8].

6. Ask God for Guidance
I took advantage of the fact that God had promised to give us guidance [Isaiah 30:21]. I knew that new challenges, new opportunities and new responsibilities will make me internally motivated. I asked prayed to God for motivation and asked Him to open my eyes to these new things. Then I began to see that there were lots of internally motivating factors around me [Isaiah 43:19].

I shared this ‘How-to-be-motivated at work” with my colleague. Today he is a motivated worker, working as if for the Lord and not for man.

[1] http://meetingsnet.com/corporatemeetingsincentives/mag/meetings_no_mr_nice/
[2] http://www.career-intelligence.com/management/MotivatedAtWork.asp

Skin Colour

For a few days, I have been present in discussions on "Colour Segregation". Let me spare you the details. I have come to observe that some black people feel inferior to the whites. I have heard a black man in his country, working in the same organization with a white man, say something like, "I can't eat in the canteen before or same time as the Oyibos. The Oyibos deserve this respect." I don't know if it has to do with stories heard from the past. I don't know if it has to do with treatments received in the past. I don't know if it has to do with the treatment witnessed of others. I really don't know.

One thing I know is the word of God teaches that every human being is uniquely created in the image of God [Gen 1:27]. This emphasizes man's spiritual nature as that which sets him apart as special - not his physical makeup. If all humans possess a soul of equal value, then obviously there is no basis for suggesting that one group is superior to another. Age, sex, skin color, education, money, national origin, IQ, physical condition, or even what a person has done are of no value.[1] We all come from one source [Gen 3:20].

As if to support these truths I know, I stumbled on "10 Things You Didn't Know about You"

http://www.livescience.com/health/top_10_about_you-1.html.

What great joy I had knowing that even in the physical we all are the same.

You are the apple of God's eye [Zech 2:8] - whether the mixture of the four hues of your skin colour has resulted in you being black or white.

Have a blessed day.

[1] http://www.doesgodexist.org/MayJun98/TheImpossibilityOfRacismInChristianity.html

Right on Time

Right on Time

How could I
Forget who You are
A God that shows up right on time
And has never missed a deadline?

How could I
Forget all you’ve shown me
Especially when it comes to
Satisfying my every need?

How could I
Forget who brought me here
Forget who built my faith
And made me expect a new day?

I have experienced You
Beheld your power and glory
Living today as infallible proof
That You are Love and You are faithful;

No matter what I go through
May I never forget You
A God who is all sufficient
Who will always arrive
Right on Time.

The Inspiration

Today I recalled one experience that made me remember that God is always right on time. Let me share it with you.

During my university days, I was on scholarship. The money was always expected – by me and the family. Once I heard the money was paid into my account, I go the very next day to withdraw all of it. We needed it.

There was this period when the money did not seem forthcoming. I called the organization and they said they were having some restructuring hence the money will be delayed. Months went by and they had not paid the money. I desperately needed to pay my school fees and buy my books. We had no where to turn to.

I explained to God my dire need (like He did not know) and kept hoping that somehow He will send an uncle to my rescue. No uncle came. I also hoped the deadlines for school fees payment and paying for the books will be moved. Instead the deadline was brought forward. With my last shred of hope, I prayed for a miracle.

One day I was in town with my mother. She asked me to check the bank again. I obeyed (who won’t in my position?). When I checked my balance, it had increased by the amount I needed to pay my school fees, buy my books, and with a little extra for transportation. I quickly withdrew all of it (I always had my cheque book with me expecting some money). Joyfully I said to my mom, “maybe the company just sent something for us to hold on to while they continue their restructuring. This money is more than enough for my current need.” God was right on time.

My excitement is in knowing how God did it. When I went to the bank 2 months later (this time, I was not in dire need of any money), my full scholarship amount had been paid. One of the cashiers then explained to me that they plan to withdraw a certain amount of money from my account (equivalent to that additional amount I saw in my account previously). There had been a miscomputation in all savings accounts. They paid 1000% interest instead of 10% interest! “What!” I exclaimed to myself. “They made a mistake just when I needed the money? That provision was truly a miracle from God!” I told the cashier to go ahead with the withdrawal. I knew without a shadow of doubt that if my money finishes, God will surely provide for me His own way.

That happened about eight years ago. Today, why then will I wonder if God can provide me with what I need? What makes me want to place a deadline on God when He knows what time is best for me? How could I easily forget that His ways are not my ways? How could I forget that He always shows up right on time?

I look at how far He has taken me. That money I always looked forward to then is not as much as my tithes today. Why then should I put my trust in the work I do rather than in Him, my provider? And what would stop me from sharing His blessings with others?

God is a God that knows how to do His thing. There is no problem He cannot solve. He does not need my suggestions, strategies, or help. Even before I call on Him, He has answered [Isaiah 65:24]. In the light of any challenge I may go through, He still remains God – faithful, love, unchangeable and worthy of my worship and praise.

There is nothing else I would rather do, than worship Him and give Him praise, through the sunny days and the stormy days, and for all the days of my life. For I know He is a God that shows up right on time!

Eagles above Nimbo-stratus

I blinked my eyes open as the smell of fresh tea filled my nostrils. I came out of my reverie to see the air hostess refilling the cup of my seatmate.

"Care for some more tea?" she asked.

"Yes, please."

“We’ll commence descent in five minutes,” she whispered with a sweet smile.
I nodded and felt grateful for the hot cup of tea. As she walked away, I looked out of the window of the airplane and sipped my tea slowly. I felt deeply troubled over a problem at work—a challenge I was having with my boss and other high level management. Unknowingly I had reverted to thoughts on this as I sipped my tea.

Then out of my window I saw a combination of white clouds, blue sky and brightness from the sun caught my attention. A huge mass of cloud hid the sun but the sun rays escaped and lit the sky with iridescent streaks. The morning was bright and beautiful. I began to appreciate the beauty before me.

Suddenly, the captain announced from the cockpit, “We will be circling the sky for a few more minutes. Landing will be delayed due to poor visibility!”
I wondered to myself, “Above the nimbo-stratus, the low clouds, everything is beautiful and perfect. Do the people below may think that the sky is all dark and unpromising?” I caught my breath as I spotted an eagle soaring above the low clouds.
After thirty minutes, the winds chased away the dark rain clouds, and we landed safely.

From that moment, I began to think on the scripture, “Those that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles…” [Isaiah 40:31]. Only the eagles were able to fly above the low, dark, rain clouds. They fly up to 10,000ft while the rain clouds are about 6,500ft. Beneath life’s problems everything appears dark and unpromising just like the low, dark, rain clouds. Minds could get clouded by circumstances when in a short while joy will spring forth. The solution was to wait upon the LORD. That way, one could soar above challenges.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for patience and perseverance, the fruit of your spirit, to be able to wait on You. May Your Holy Spirit remind me that what I am going through is temporal and will surely pass away. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Choosing a Career

Rita Okoroafor’s Self- Evaluation and personal comments from the message “The Law of Making Wise Decisions” by Dr. Creflo A. Dollar

What a treasure I stumbled upon when I listened to the message “The Law of Making Wise Decisions” by Dr. Creflo A. Dollar. Afterwards, I decided to do a Self-Evaluation on choosing a career. Some of the statements below may be rephrased.

To listen to this message you could
1. Download the podcast
2. Go to the site http://www.creflodollarministries.org/Public/Broadcasts/Daily-Archives.aspx and search for the message
3. Or try http://wcci.edgeboss.net/wmedia/wcci/archives/weekly/2008/january_27_2008_the_law_of_making_wise_decisions_vod_56k.wma

Spiritual things to note when choosing a career: -
All my choices should honor God. I do not know about the honoring part, but by the Grace of God, my current job does not dishonor Him.
Money should not be a primary factor when choosing a career. Never was and never will. Any job that causes stress, pain, hurt, etc is not worth it. No comment…

Natural Steps for Choosing You Career
(I only got 8 out of the 10 Steps)
1. Begin with your values. What is important to you and what do you like to do?
Time for family and self is one of my key values.
I like writing, researching, documenting, planning, cooking, teaching children, drawing and dancing. I look for excuses to do something different and add some creativity.

2. Locate your skills and talent. Skills are something you’ve been trained to do. Talents are things you are naturally good at or you are born with.
Great!
Skills: - I am skilled in Petroleum Engineering. Would I say I am skilled in Sales and Marketing after the course I attended? Hmmmm.
Talents: - Writing and drawing and dealing with colors.

3. Identify your preferences. How do you think? Make decisions? Do you like to work alone or with people? Do you like indoors or outdoors?
How do I think? I am always thinking. I use facts, figures, experiences,projections and intuition to support my thoughts.

How do I make decisions? No sentiments attached. I like to think before making decisions.
How do I like to work? Just leave me alone and you’d see the job done in no time.
Do I like indoors or outdoors? Indoors.

4. Experiment and Volunteer to test what it is you think you like doing. Chances are you won’t stay long with it if you do not like it.
This point has triggered me. I have a lot of volunteering to do.
Writing and documentation just thrills me. I always volunteer when I see the opportunity.
I once had the assignment to take care of children during a burial. The ceremony started and finished and no one heard a cry from their child. I put them under control.
Cooking? A joy when I simply cook and share with people.

5. Become broadly literate. Know more about your company (and company of interest). Know beyond your job.
This point is very valid. I once went for an interview and I told the company about itself. The panel of judges was very pleased. I even educated some of them about their company.

Well, if I must grow within my organization, I have to know a lot about it. That is one assignment from now on.

6. In your first job opt for experience first before money. Aim to be successful at the job.
We cannot overemphasize this.

7. Aim for a job in which you can become 110% committed to. Why? Modest to average performances are not acceptable in today’s market. These are the days of downsizing. Start today to look for another job which you can give 110% (if you are not currently in one). Christians need to be so good at their job that companies would call the church and say “Can I have more of them?” Do not use another man’s time to read the bible and pray in tongues. Some firing could be God-inspired, breakthrough answers to your prayers for a better job.
By nature, I give 100% of myself to whatever I have set out to do. If I give below that, it becomes a failure. I am a carrier of the excellence and glory of God. I cannot give less than 100%. However if anything I do ends up seeming like it failed, then I will be very glad to know I gave it my best.

8. Build your lifestyle around your income not your expectations or promise. If after paying all your bills you do not have 10% for tithe and 5% for investment on a regular basis, you are living above your income.
Tithes should come first, no? Let me go check out our budget and see how we’ve been doing with lifestyle and income...

Redeemer

Redeemer: - Hebrews goel; i.e., one charged with the duty of restoring the rights of another and avenging his wrongs. This title is peculiarly applied to Christ. He redeems us from all evil by the payment of a ransom (q.v.)[1]. The debt against us is not viewed as simply cancelled, but is fully paid. Christ's blood or life, which he surrendered for us, is the "ransom" by which our deliverance from the servitude of sin and from its penal consequences is secured.

Redeemer
Strong and mighty Redeemer,
In love and pity you redeemed us
Through your greatness you redeemed us
We magnify You, we exalt Your Holy name, we worship You, we praise You, we glorify You, We adore You, Our Redeemer;

Great and Mighty Redeemer
Redeeming the time
Redeemer of lives
Redeemer of souls
You are the Redeemer that lives;

You have redeemed us from bondage
Redeemed us from iniquities
Redeemed us from the hands of the enemy
Redeemed us from the curse of the law
Redeemed us from death;

We magnify You, we exalt Your Holy name, we worship You, we praise You, we glorify You, We adore You, Great and Mighty Redeemer.

Kinsman-Redeemer: - Male relative who, according to various laws found in the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act for a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need of vindication.

Although the term "kinsman-redeemer" is used only seven times in the NIV (all in the Book of Ruth) and "avenger of blood" is used twelve times, the Hebrew verb ga'al, from which both of these terms are translated, is used over 100 times and rendered by such additional terms as "redeemer" or "near relative." The Hebrew term designates a male relative who delivers or rescues (Gen 48:16; Exod 6:6); redeems property (Lev 27:9-25) or person (Lev 25:47-55); avenges the murder of a relative as a guiltless executioner (Num 35:9-34); and receives restitution for wrong done to a relative who has since died (Num 5:8). The unique emphasis of the redemption/salvation/vindication associated with the kinsman-redeemer is the fact that this action is carried out by a kinsman on behalf of a near relative in need. This idea is most clearly illustrated in the Book of Ruth.

God is Israel's Redeemer, the one who will defend and vindicate them. The idea that God is a kinsman to Israel can be defended by those passages of Scripture that identify him as Israel's Creator and Father (Exod 4:22-23; Deut 32:6), Deliverer (Exod 20:2), owner of the land (Lev 25:23), the one who hears innocent blood crying out for vengeance (Deut 19:10; 21:6-9), and the King who has made his covenant with the people (Exod 6:2-8). David, in his use of the term (Psalm 19:14; 103:4), doubtless has in mind the actions of his great-grandfather Boaz (Ruth 4:9-10).

In the psalms God often redeems in the sense of rescuing from danger. In Job 19:25 the term "redeemer" in context refers to God who, as friend and kinsman of Job, through faith will ultimately defend and vindicate him. The same idea of vindication (this time with the term translated "Defender") is used in Proverbs 23:11.

Although the doctrine of redemption from sin is taught extensively in the New Testament, it is not connected closely with the Old Testament concept of kinsman-redeemer. Christ can, however, be regarded as an example of a kinsman-redeemer since he identified himself with us and redeemed us because of our need. Hebrews 2:11 states that "Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers." Jesus is not only our redeemer from sin, but as Hebrews 2:16-18 and 4:14-16 point out, he is a kinsman to us and understands our struggles. Thus he is able to help us in our times of need.[2]

[1] http://eastonsbibledictionary.com/r/redeemer.htm
[2] http://www.biblestudytools.net/Dictionaries/BakersEvangelicalDictionary/bed.cgi