No matter who

There are many in the body of Christ who have mastered pressing forward to the mark of the high calling no matter the WHAT the circumstance. We are determined , ready to raise the standard of excellence, change and service but we have not yet mastered or have forgotten to master the same attitude no matter WHO we are dealing with. Wrong associations are the best way to fail unaware and yet we still take it lightly. Be it those we do business with, confide in, spend time with or ally with, it is absolutely important that we vet these people for the same values, vision and standards. Most of the time what could have stopped a partnership from failing is the decision to partner with the right person. The people we deal with intimately can change the course of our future in ways unimaginable. One day you can be a friend in need who confided innocently or naively in a seemingly good friend, the next day your name can be tarnished by rumors spread by this very very same "friend" you can be good to others without forming a close relationship with everyone. You owe it to the God that purposed you for a cause and to those that will depend on your success in that purpose to preserve yourself so my  prayer for you is that you don't lose sight of the mark of the high calling no matter what and no matter who.

Disillusionment

Disillusionment comes from many sources but I think the biggest is the little white lies that people tell to encourage you or make you feel better. We are told half truths that do not cover the entire picture and so when true experience hits us, we feel betrayed and abnormal. We feel like complete failures. You are told "Education is the key to success" , so now you're sitting at home after graduation wondering why those applications are not bearing fruit or why you're now employed in a firm that pays you just enough to make ends meet and cares nothing for its employees. You are told "self employment is the only way to be free and happy" and then you wonder why you are being crushed under the weight of responsibility and seemingly never have time for family or anything else except your business. You are told that the church is the safest haven there is and yet you have to wipe bitterness away from your eyes so often from the venom that flows from church folk who can be some of the most cruel, hurtful people with their gossip, hypocrisy and judgement . You are told that whoever be in Christ is a new creature and not the fact that you will have some level of struggle , to be that new creature. oh and one of my personal favorites "follow your heart" but no one tells you that your heart can be the most deceptive of all leading you to the most treacherous and dangerous people.

People would  be better prepared and handle situations better if they would just be told the uncompromising, loving truth!

Every human being is born with a pregnancy of purpose.
Some give birth to it and nurture it to maturity.  They are obedient, humble, prayerful , hard working, consistent , determined , attentive to the Spirit of God , Loving, strong and steadfast.
Some miscarry it because of a hostile womb full of all the wrong ingredients to make it come to full term. Lack of patience,  greed,pride, inconsistency,carelessness, doubt.
Some abort it because of fear, lack of confidence, appeasing people,discouragement.
Some give birth to it but later kill it/lose it before maturity due to falling prey to external influences like peer pressure , temptations, distractions.
Others have the appearance of their true calling which they pursue diligently and nurture only to finally give birth to a still born that can never mature because it was never meant for them. They lack true intimacy with God therefore they miss His voice. They are prayerless and hardhearted.

Which one are you? Which one will you be?

Lessons for success

Lessons  successful people have mastered:
The past is the past.
The acknowledgment of weakness is the presence of strength.
The discernment of character before close association and relationship.
The value of the lesson over the effect of the experience.
Give gossips only a good report to pass around.
Honouring father and mother.
Family is a foundation not a prison.
Love is a must have attitude.
Health is a right and responsibility.
Self is the beginning of all change.
The discovery of true identity is the beginning of purpose.
Quality of friends matters more than quantity of friends.
You reap what you sow.
Reference KJV Phillipains 3:13-14, 2Corinthians12:9, John7:24, Galatians 6:9, Colossians3:20,Genesis2:24, 1Corinthians 13:4-13, 1Corinthians 6:19-20,Matthew7:5,  John12:49

Work for it until you earn it

There are many who want to be the next best thing and yet they can't do the least of things.  They want the major with no clue of the minor. From the new manager at work who was not promoted on merit but just knew the right people to hire him/her , to the preacher's son or daughter who simply takes over the church of his ailing or deceased father with no preparation or calling on his own life, to the leaders who get positions of authority from association with past leaders not by qualification, to children in character foolishly making the decision of mature people to marry.  The examples are many but the attitude is the same, wanting glory without the sweat. Perhaps the reason why so many institutions are failing is because of ill qualified people in the right positions. Someone said "fake it till you make it"and the world forgot about work for it until you earn it! That is the true godly order. Sowing what you have reaped, reaping in due season (after you have suffered a while). The very gaps you did not fill will be the same ones that will trip you at the top so patiently work yourself to the right position, don't rush it. There is value in preparation.

From intimacy to fruitfulness

A man and woman can't be fruitful unless they be intimate. Until a man and woman cleave they can't be fruitful.That is the human order and that is also the spiritual order. We can not be fruitful in Christ unless we are intimate with Him. This is why Paul uses the analogy of a bride and groom to describe the perfect relationship with Christ. He understood that intimacy was the key to a successful walk with Christ. We must be transparent,  we must trust and be trustworthy, we must allow Him into our lives and hearts, we must seek Him as much as He seeks us, then we will be able to blossom in Him. Today I pray that you will take a step forward into the deeper journey with Christ.I pray that as your relationship with Him flourishes He will reveal His secrets to you and confide in you (psalm 25:14)concerning His purpose for your life and that of others. In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen

Healthy Living

Healthy living is a responsibility that most people ignore mostly because of a lack of proper knowledge and understanding of the benefits. It's easy to brush away healthy living a stressful and too much work when when you don't understand the benefits like prolonged life, being able to fulfill your purpose, avoiding a number of communicable diseases like strokes, heart disease, diabetes, kidney and liver disease etc. Healthy living includes exercising, healthy diet (not starvation) maintaining a healthy state of mind and committing to spiritual growth. Anything contrary to these counts as unhealthy living and in the long run has severe consequences on your life. Initially the discipline seems like a burden but once you reap the benefits and compare it with your old lifestyle, you just can't quit or shut up about it! Health junkies often seem irritating because people on the outside looking in think they are blabbering about nothing and should just shut up and "enjoy life".

King James Bible

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

New International Version

"I have the right to do anything," you say--but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"--but not everything is constructive.

That is the crux of it, you have the right to enjoy but when that enjoyment is at the expense of your health that is foolishness and  nearsightedness. Arm yourself with knowledge and make the commitment today to embark on the journey of a healthy lifestyle not just a weight loss goal (another mistake people make).

Enjoy your weekend!