Sunday, October 3, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
How to Be the Best Father in 4 Steps
By Baruch Okpulor
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock
Years ago in Western lands, many homes had a treasured ritual. The whole family gathered around a table, at least once a day, to have a meal.
No interruptions were allowed. Nobody watched television, wore earphones, or sent text messages to friends.
A peaceful environment provided an opportunity for those present to absorb wisdom, strengthen family bonds, and laugh together over daily happenings while enjoying nourishing food.
However, the following ways give rise to a great father in the family.
a. Spend time with Your Family
Family meals and time out give children emotional stability and help them live a more balanced, healthy life. It presents the occasion to listen to the children’s’ needs and problems.
Apparently, such times help the parents teach the kids proper eating habits and avoid eating disorders.
Whenever the family eats together, the children develop a sense of belonging in an emotionally secured, warm and loving environment.
Spending time with the children presents the opportunity to discover the values, interests, emotional needs, weaknesses and strengths of the children. It is an occasion to inculcate desirable ethical and spiritual values in the kids.
Adopt a time table as best as you can on how to spend time with your family within each month.
Adjust your job schedule in order to be home before your children sleeps. Where your work schedule permits, ensure they see you in the morning before you zoom out.
b. Converse with Your child
My parents are my best friend because they are eager and willing to my needs, worries, challenges and plans. During my university days, my Dad went to bed around 1 a.m while we were discussing whenever I visit home.
Children can learn to talk and listen attentively through quality time of conversation.
It enriches their vocabulary and teaches them how to express their views, manage their anger and grievances.
c. Live by Example
Parents cannot afford to be “follow my word and not my way of life” to the children. Every father is expected to be the role model for the children. They can learn destructive habits from the parents through childhood programming. You can’t be a wife fighter or child bully or alcoholic and expect the opposite from the children.
d. Instruct and Discipline Your Child with Love
The opinion the child has about his worth depends largely on parental upbringing and relationship. Children who grow up in families with unhealthy parental relationship usually experience emotional trauma which may affect adversely the adult life.
Avoid intimidating and using foul language or coarse words on your children. Don’t spare the rod and spoil the child. Don’t destroy the child while correcting him.
Avoid maltreating the child. Manager your anger while disciplining your child.
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock
Years ago in Western lands, many homes had a treasured ritual. The whole family gathered around a table, at least once a day, to have a meal.
No interruptions were allowed. Nobody watched television, wore earphones, or sent text messages to friends.
A peaceful environment provided an opportunity for those present to absorb wisdom, strengthen family bonds, and laugh together over daily happenings while enjoying nourishing food.
However, the following ways give rise to a great father in the family.
a. Spend time with Your Family
Family meals and time out give children emotional stability and help them live a more balanced, healthy life. It presents the occasion to listen to the children’s’ needs and problems.
Apparently, such times help the parents teach the kids proper eating habits and avoid eating disorders.
Whenever the family eats together, the children develop a sense of belonging in an emotionally secured, warm and loving environment.
Spending time with the children presents the opportunity to discover the values, interests, emotional needs, weaknesses and strengths of the children. It is an occasion to inculcate desirable ethical and spiritual values in the kids.
Adopt a time table as best as you can on how to spend time with your family within each month.
Adjust your job schedule in order to be home before your children sleeps. Where your work schedule permits, ensure they see you in the morning before you zoom out.
b. Converse with Your child
My parents are my best friend because they are eager and willing to my needs, worries, challenges and plans. During my university days, my Dad went to bed around 1 a.m while we were discussing whenever I visit home.
Children can learn to talk and listen attentively through quality time of conversation.
It enriches their vocabulary and teaches them how to express their views, manage their anger and grievances.
c. Live by Example
Parents cannot afford to be “follow my word and not my way of life” to the children. Every father is expected to be the role model for the children. They can learn destructive habits from the parents through childhood programming. You can’t be a wife fighter or child bully or alcoholic and expect the opposite from the children.
d. Instruct and Discipline Your Child with Love
The opinion the child has about his worth depends largely on parental upbringing and relationship. Children who grow up in families with unhealthy parental relationship usually experience emotional trauma which may affect adversely the adult life.
Avoid intimidating and using foul language or coarse words on your children. Don’t spare the rod and spoil the child. Don’t destroy the child while correcting him.
Avoid maltreating the child. Manager your anger while disciplining your child.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
How to Receive Divine Revelation and Hear from God
Baruch Okpulor
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock
Any child of God without God’s power remains the footstool of the devil and wicked power. He would always come under the manipulation of sins and the evil forces of this dark world.
He lives with a bridge that connects him to the devil. He finds it very hard to retain God’s blessings in his life.
Most doors of greatness and goodness would always elude him.
Interestingly, God has reserved supernatural power for his children to enable them accomplish their life purpose on earth.
You cannot determine through supernatural means the purpose of your creation except you have access to God’s inspiration.
The easiest way to receive revelation and divine guidance concerning your life purpose on earth and what you must achieve here and how to achieve it is to establish a deeper relationship with God through covenant time and righteousness.
How to Start the Covenant Time
Select a convenient time in the day or night
This time must be permanent ie you will always meet with God at that same hour daily
During this hour, disconnect yourself from every form of distraction until you are done
Tell God in a prayer about the hour you have chosen to always meet with Him and invite the Holy Spirit to be the teacher
Study and meditate on any portion of the bible of your choice or study with sound Christian books
You can stay as long as you want in God’s presence as the Holy Ghost leads
Close your study with a prayer asking the Holy Ghost to transform your life with the Word you studied.
The next thing that will happen to you is that you will begin to have revelations about your life, family, business, career, through dreams.
Start this program today and see God’s power consume every struggle with sin, evil powers, failure and stagnancy in your life including fruit of the womb.
Kindly send your questions, comments, and prayer requests to the email above.
Recommended Books:
The Secret of Supernatural Power, Deliverance and Prosperity
Breaking the Hold of Self Slavery
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock
Any child of God without God’s power remains the footstool of the devil and wicked power. He would always come under the manipulation of sins and the evil forces of this dark world.
He lives with a bridge that connects him to the devil. He finds it very hard to retain God’s blessings in his life.
Most doors of greatness and goodness would always elude him.
Interestingly, God has reserved supernatural power for his children to enable them accomplish their life purpose on earth.
You cannot determine through supernatural means the purpose of your creation except you have access to God’s inspiration.
The easiest way to receive revelation and divine guidance concerning your life purpose on earth and what you must achieve here and how to achieve it is to establish a deeper relationship with God through covenant time and righteousness.
How to Start the Covenant Time
Select a convenient time in the day or night
This time must be permanent ie you will always meet with God at that same hour daily
During this hour, disconnect yourself from every form of distraction until you are done
Tell God in a prayer about the hour you have chosen to always meet with Him and invite the Holy Spirit to be the teacher
Study and meditate on any portion of the bible of your choice or study with sound Christian books
You can stay as long as you want in God’s presence as the Holy Ghost leads
Close your study with a prayer asking the Holy Ghost to transform your life with the Word you studied.
The next thing that will happen to you is that you will begin to have revelations about your life, family, business, career, through dreams.
Start this program today and see God’s power consume every struggle with sin, evil powers, failure and stagnancy in your life including fruit of the womb.
Kindly send your questions, comments, and prayer requests to the email above.
Recommended Books:
The Secret of Supernatural Power, Deliverance and Prosperity
Breaking the Hold of Self Slavery
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Do You Have Your Cake?
by Baruch Okpulor
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock
From observation, cake is a thing liked and used universally and most people love to eat it.
During wedding, birthday ceremonies and anniversary, cake is usually shared among the invitees.
But God has a divine cake for everyone who lives on earth irrespective of tribe, race, colour of skin, language and cultural, social, academic, financial and family background.
This cake is the gift of salvation which has been made available to every person-man and woman in the world.
You Are Built to Last Forever
The major difference between man and other created things is the reality that man lives forever. Man has soul and spirit which do not die. At death, the body goes back to the dust where it came from while the spirit goes back to God.
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” Ecclesiastes 12:7
God reveals that man will face judgement after death according his works while on earth. The basis of judgement is absolutely man’s works on earth.
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it….
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before the God and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
An whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” Revelation 20: 11-15
This bizarre revelation on what awaits man on the judgement day prompted God to design the scheme for redeeming the soul of man and sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, the Christ, to perfect this plan as He died on the cross for the sins of man (John 3:16).
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life”
The emphasis in John 3:16 is on “whosoever believes” and “everlasting life.” God doesn’t create a person He hates because his love leaves no choice. He is the God of all mankind.
Jesus Christ, as a way to reveal a glimpse of life after death, just before judgement, presented the case of Lazarus and the Rich man-two dead men who once lived on this earth.
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day.
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate full of sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died and was buried;
And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments……and cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame” Luke 16:20-24
The rich man was not condemned because he was rich but because he didn’t serve God in his days. If you are not a child of God, you are taking the most unsecured risk ever taken by man. You are exposing your soul to the dangers of hell.
You can’t escape it for God is not a respecter of person or a taker of bribe.
He demands that you receive the good news about the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, believe it, decide to drop every sin in your life through repentance, confess your faith in Christ and be buried with Him in the water of baptism and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
“Now when they heard this [that Jesus whom they crucified has become their Lord and Savior], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do?
Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”
Acts 2:37-38
As long as you have not given your life to Christ by following these steps to salvation, your sins live in you and it is these sins that would condemn you on the judgement day (Galatians 5:19-21).
Remember that it is only when you are saved that your name will be written in the book of life.
Everyone must face the judgement of God for He is the God of justice. No one can avoid it. Everyone must face God’s judgement even the devil, demons and disobedient angels.
Those who believe in God and those who do not must be judged by Him. It doesn’t matter what you worship now or believe in. It doesn’t matter if you do not believe in heaven and hell. You have the grace of God to repent and seek God while you are alive. Such grace is automatically removed at death.
“For the living know that they shall die but the dead…. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave where you go” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10
The Rich man pleaded that Lazarus be sent from the dead to warn his five brothers to seek God while they are alive so that they will not be condemned like him but such request was turned down (Luke 16:28-30).
Abraham reminded him that they have the messengers of God to hear the Word. This same Word is what you are hearing now and will have no excuse for not submitting and serving God while you are alive.
A life without Christ is a precarious life. It is hopeless and helpless. It is meant to end in hell fire. It is reserved for the second death.
Now as you read these lines, why would you not become a child of God? Why would you not be born again and inherit the banquet in heaven?
God is telling you, “If you hear my voice today, do not harden your heart.”
Why must you spend eternity in torment in hell instead of bliss with God? God’s arms are open now, calling and waiting for you. Don’t keep Him waiting too long before it becomes late for death is a thief.
I employ you to seek where the Church of Christ meets and declare your allegiance for God today.
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock
From observation, cake is a thing liked and used universally and most people love to eat it.
During wedding, birthday ceremonies and anniversary, cake is usually shared among the invitees.
But God has a divine cake for everyone who lives on earth irrespective of tribe, race, colour of skin, language and cultural, social, academic, financial and family background.
This cake is the gift of salvation which has been made available to every person-man and woman in the world.
You Are Built to Last Forever
The major difference between man and other created things is the reality that man lives forever. Man has soul and spirit which do not die. At death, the body goes back to the dust where it came from while the spirit goes back to God.
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” Ecclesiastes 12:7
God reveals that man will face judgement after death according his works while on earth. The basis of judgement is absolutely man’s works on earth.
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it….
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before the God and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
An whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” Revelation 20: 11-15
This bizarre revelation on what awaits man on the judgement day prompted God to design the scheme for redeeming the soul of man and sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, the Christ, to perfect this plan as He died on the cross for the sins of man (John 3:16).
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life”
The emphasis in John 3:16 is on “whosoever believes” and “everlasting life.” God doesn’t create a person He hates because his love leaves no choice. He is the God of all mankind.
Jesus Christ, as a way to reveal a glimpse of life after death, just before judgement, presented the case of Lazarus and the Rich man-two dead men who once lived on this earth.
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day.
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate full of sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died and was buried;
And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments……and cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame” Luke 16:20-24
The rich man was not condemned because he was rich but because he didn’t serve God in his days. If you are not a child of God, you are taking the most unsecured risk ever taken by man. You are exposing your soul to the dangers of hell.
You can’t escape it for God is not a respecter of person or a taker of bribe.
He demands that you receive the good news about the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, believe it, decide to drop every sin in your life through repentance, confess your faith in Christ and be buried with Him in the water of baptism and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
“Now when they heard this [that Jesus whom they crucified has become their Lord and Savior], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do?
Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”
Acts 2:37-38
As long as you have not given your life to Christ by following these steps to salvation, your sins live in you and it is these sins that would condemn you on the judgement day (Galatians 5:19-21).
Remember that it is only when you are saved that your name will be written in the book of life.
Everyone must face the judgement of God for He is the God of justice. No one can avoid it. Everyone must face God’s judgement even the devil, demons and disobedient angels.
Those who believe in God and those who do not must be judged by Him. It doesn’t matter what you worship now or believe in. It doesn’t matter if you do not believe in heaven and hell. You have the grace of God to repent and seek God while you are alive. Such grace is automatically removed at death.
“For the living know that they shall die but the dead…. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave where you go” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10
The Rich man pleaded that Lazarus be sent from the dead to warn his five brothers to seek God while they are alive so that they will not be condemned like him but such request was turned down (Luke 16:28-30).
Abraham reminded him that they have the messengers of God to hear the Word. This same Word is what you are hearing now and will have no excuse for not submitting and serving God while you are alive.
A life without Christ is a precarious life. It is hopeless and helpless. It is meant to end in hell fire. It is reserved for the second death.
Now as you read these lines, why would you not become a child of God? Why would you not be born again and inherit the banquet in heaven?
God is telling you, “If you hear my voice today, do not harden your heart.”
Why must you spend eternity in torment in hell instead of bliss with God? God’s arms are open now, calling and waiting for you. Don’t keep Him waiting too long before it becomes late for death is a thief.
I employ you to seek where the Church of Christ meets and declare your allegiance for God today.
Friday, July 23, 2010
How to Achieve the Best Goals for Your Life
by Baruch Okpulor
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight
Having known yourself and set goals to achieve for your life, you may be tempted to divert from your goals.
Some ways to help you achieve such goals is to:
v Design a Personal Journal to write down your Goals
The most difficult challenge about goal achievement is to get started.
One way to checkmate that is to write down your achievements and tasks you will accomplish per day. Your Goals must have a specific time for achieving it whether it is a short term or long term goal.
It may take you 10-15 minutes to write down each day’s progress while revealing to you how daily small steps bring you closer to your target.
Also, it removes the temptation of not doing anything each day since you know you have to put down something at the end of the day.
v Describe Your Goals in details. Be as specific as possible
For instance, consider these two goals. “ I will go the University” and “ I will go to University of Lagos in 2009 to study Economics”
The difference between these sentences is that the first is an idea while the second is a goal.
v What are the benefits of achieving Your Goal
- to contribute to community development with my knowledge
- to help improve my family status
- to help in the work of God financially and intellectually
v Believe in Yourself
The number one problem that keeps people from winning is lack of belief in themselves. Napoleon Hill once said “whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve” It doesn’t matter how big your dreams are, once you believe YOU can achieve them, then you will.
v Be 100% Responsible for the Outcome of Your Dreams
Most people are yet to discover themselves because they are busy casting blames on their parents, state of the economy, poor educational system, lack of job, lack of sponsorship for their dreams, poor self esteem, etc.
Even when most people take that bold step to discover themselves and set wonderful dreams for themselves, they quickly resort to blaming that person or the other when their expectations are not met.
You must be willing to accept that whatever happens in the course of achieving your dreams is your responsibility. The mistakes, blunders, oversight, etc are your creation.
Recommended Book:
Stop Existing! Start Living! Discover Who and What You Are to Step into Greatness and Abundance
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight
Having known yourself and set goals to achieve for your life, you may be tempted to divert from your goals.
Some ways to help you achieve such goals is to:
v Design a Personal Journal to write down your Goals
The most difficult challenge about goal achievement is to get started.
One way to checkmate that is to write down your achievements and tasks you will accomplish per day. Your Goals must have a specific time for achieving it whether it is a short term or long term goal.
It may take you 10-15 minutes to write down each day’s progress while revealing to you how daily small steps bring you closer to your target.
Also, it removes the temptation of not doing anything each day since you know you have to put down something at the end of the day.
v Describe Your Goals in details. Be as specific as possible
For instance, consider these two goals. “ I will go the University” and “ I will go to University of Lagos in 2009 to study Economics”
The difference between these sentences is that the first is an idea while the second is a goal.
v What are the benefits of achieving Your Goal
- to contribute to community development with my knowledge
- to help improve my family status
- to help in the work of God financially and intellectually
v Believe in Yourself
The number one problem that keeps people from winning is lack of belief in themselves. Napoleon Hill once said “whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve” It doesn’t matter how big your dreams are, once you believe YOU can achieve them, then you will.
v Be 100% Responsible for the Outcome of Your Dreams
Most people are yet to discover themselves because they are busy casting blames on their parents, state of the economy, poor educational system, lack of job, lack of sponsorship for their dreams, poor self esteem, etc.
Even when most people take that bold step to discover themselves and set wonderful dreams for themselves, they quickly resort to blaming that person or the other when their expectations are not met.
You must be willing to accept that whatever happens in the course of achieving your dreams is your responsibility. The mistakes, blunders, oversight, etc are your creation.
Recommended Book:
Stop Existing! Start Living! Discover Who and What You Are to Step into Greatness and Abundance
Why You Must Discover What You Are
by Baruch Okpulor
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock
“We are more than what we do... much more than what we accomplish...far more than what we possess" William Arthur
Someone said, "Put it out with a perdurable." It is shocking that many people are in vocations they hate talking about. They do the job because there are no alternatives. They would quickly quit if they are presented with what they love to do. These people are rut in this challenge because they are not doing what they are naturally created for.
They may have opted for such vocation because of economic crunch, anticipated benefits, family and peer pressure or environmental factors.
Avoiding this vocational pain makes it necessary to discover yourself and what interests you. Realizing your life purpose is about creating, bit by bit, life circumstances that are absolutely suited to who you are, likes and dislikes, natural talents, and much more. I bet you when you discover your talent or life purpose, you will experience these powerful, sustainable and life transforming feelings.
A discovery of self and your abilities would help you recognize the quantum of responsibilities God has laid upon you on this earth to execute. It should transform your boredom to passion, emptiness to fulfilment, aimlessness to focus and determination, and failure to success. That’s why Willie Hill said, “Once you do something you love, you never have to work again.” But many of us don’t believe this because we see our present circumstances and conditions as brick wall we can’t break through and so must stuck in it forever.
This was my problem as well. I thought that if I take up what I enjoy doing, I would pack up but I never did. It took me two years after discovery of my life purpose to actually make up my mind to pursue that which I derive much joy and satisfaction doing. This is because we see things not as they are, but as we are according to H.M. Tomlinson.
So, the fundamental challenges in self discovery are to know what your life purpose is, taking the decision to go for it and actually going for it. Remember that it’s never too late to be what you might have been says George Elliot.
The Discovery of Your Life Purpose creates Direction in Your Life
The Master Producer has given a script to every individual on earth. This script is to be acted upon. Therefore, once this purpose is identified, it gives significance and direction to your life because you will begin to live the purposeful life. You will stop existing and start living. You will move from the state of haphazardness to the state of orderliness.
Many lives on earth have no direction. They are lived without focus. Many people are like this young man.
They want to discover themselves, but they don’t know how. They feel unfulfilled with no idea how to help themselves.
When you discover yourself, you don’t feel like a failure anymore. I felt that way few years back. I just existed.
The general opinion and trend is to get education, get married, get as much money and possessions as possible for self and fade away. That’s the routine. Almost everyone follows this pattern but it is the worst approach. It is self-cantered and inherently hollow. At a time you will ask yourself, “Is it all to life?” “Is this the meaning of life?” “Is it all God created man and placed him on this terrestrial ball to achieve?”
In addition, you’ll ask yourself, “If I get educated, tie the knot, and acquire possessions of this earth, what next? I was convinced the day I discovered my physical and spiritual life purpose that life has a deeper meaning than self and material possessions. This discovery would create a route upon which to accomplish what you have been placed on earth to achieve for the benefit of the world, yourself, family and ministry.
Your life purpose is the map of your life. The fulfilment of each aspect of it takes you to the destination of such purpose. You cannot get to an unknown destination without a direction. The reason of your life defines your destination, the paths to it, how to get there, possible challenges and the alternative routes.
Discovering Your Genius Gives Your Creator the glory
It is interesting to know that all things including you were made by God, through Christ and for God to give Him glory.
Therefore, the noblest achievement you can accomplish with your life on earth is to reposition it to live for God’s glory. When anything in creation fulfils its purpose, it brings glory to God says Rick Warren.
Your talents and skills are not for selfish reasons. God has created all things for a purpose and once that purpose is fulfilled, His Will is accomplished. The sun, stars, moon, firmament, mountains, valleys, land and sea, have their purpose in creation and we see them fulfil such purpose daily in our world. Man can’t be an exception. You should be excited and resolute to identify and accomplish your life purpose because God is interested in it. You make Him smile when you impact humanity with the abilities, skills and talents, He has given you.
Jesus honoured the Father by fulfilling His purpose on earth. It preoccupied His mind throughout His days in this world. He defended, preached and died for it. He made unspeakable sacrifices for its accomplishment. He was determined to fulfil the reason of His existence in our world. God glorified Him for making Him proud.
It’s your turn to discover yourself and watch the Creator make you great among men.
Kindly leave a comment if this article made an impression on you.
Recommended Books:
Stop Existing! Start Living!
The Secret of Supernatural Power, Deliverance and Prosperity
The Irony of Love, Premarital And Extramarital Relationships
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock
“We are more than what we do... much more than what we accomplish...far more than what we possess" William Arthur
Someone said, "Put it out with a perdurable." It is shocking that many people are in vocations they hate talking about. They do the job because there are no alternatives. They would quickly quit if they are presented with what they love to do. These people are rut in this challenge because they are not doing what they are naturally created for.
They may have opted for such vocation because of economic crunch, anticipated benefits, family and peer pressure or environmental factors.
Avoiding this vocational pain makes it necessary to discover yourself and what interests you. Realizing your life purpose is about creating, bit by bit, life circumstances that are absolutely suited to who you are, likes and dislikes, natural talents, and much more. I bet you when you discover your talent or life purpose, you will experience these powerful, sustainable and life transforming feelings.
A discovery of self and your abilities would help you recognize the quantum of responsibilities God has laid upon you on this earth to execute. It should transform your boredom to passion, emptiness to fulfilment, aimlessness to focus and determination, and failure to success. That’s why Willie Hill said, “Once you do something you love, you never have to work again.” But many of us don’t believe this because we see our present circumstances and conditions as brick wall we can’t break through and so must stuck in it forever.
This was my problem as well. I thought that if I take up what I enjoy doing, I would pack up but I never did. It took me two years after discovery of my life purpose to actually make up my mind to pursue that which I derive much joy and satisfaction doing. This is because we see things not as they are, but as we are according to H.M. Tomlinson.
So, the fundamental challenges in self discovery are to know what your life purpose is, taking the decision to go for it and actually going for it. Remember that it’s never too late to be what you might have been says George Elliot.
The Discovery of Your Life Purpose creates Direction in Your Life
The Master Producer has given a script to every individual on earth. This script is to be acted upon. Therefore, once this purpose is identified, it gives significance and direction to your life because you will begin to live the purposeful life. You will stop existing and start living. You will move from the state of haphazardness to the state of orderliness.
Many lives on earth have no direction. They are lived without focus. Many people are like this young man.
They want to discover themselves, but they don’t know how. They feel unfulfilled with no idea how to help themselves.
When you discover yourself, you don’t feel like a failure anymore. I felt that way few years back. I just existed.
The general opinion and trend is to get education, get married, get as much money and possessions as possible for self and fade away. That’s the routine. Almost everyone follows this pattern but it is the worst approach. It is self-cantered and inherently hollow. At a time you will ask yourself, “Is it all to life?” “Is this the meaning of life?” “Is it all God created man and placed him on this terrestrial ball to achieve?”
In addition, you’ll ask yourself, “If I get educated, tie the knot, and acquire possessions of this earth, what next? I was convinced the day I discovered my physical and spiritual life purpose that life has a deeper meaning than self and material possessions. This discovery would create a route upon which to accomplish what you have been placed on earth to achieve for the benefit of the world, yourself, family and ministry.
Your life purpose is the map of your life. The fulfilment of each aspect of it takes you to the destination of such purpose. You cannot get to an unknown destination without a direction. The reason of your life defines your destination, the paths to it, how to get there, possible challenges and the alternative routes.
Discovering Your Genius Gives Your Creator the glory
It is interesting to know that all things including you were made by God, through Christ and for God to give Him glory.
Therefore, the noblest achievement you can accomplish with your life on earth is to reposition it to live for God’s glory. When anything in creation fulfils its purpose, it brings glory to God says Rick Warren.
Your talents and skills are not for selfish reasons. God has created all things for a purpose and once that purpose is fulfilled, His Will is accomplished. The sun, stars, moon, firmament, mountains, valleys, land and sea, have their purpose in creation and we see them fulfil such purpose daily in our world. Man can’t be an exception. You should be excited and resolute to identify and accomplish your life purpose because God is interested in it. You make Him smile when you impact humanity with the abilities, skills and talents, He has given you.
Jesus honoured the Father by fulfilling His purpose on earth. It preoccupied His mind throughout His days in this world. He defended, preached and died for it. He made unspeakable sacrifices for its accomplishment. He was determined to fulfil the reason of His existence in our world. God glorified Him for making Him proud.
It’s your turn to discover yourself and watch the Creator make you great among men.
Kindly leave a comment if this article made an impression on you.
Recommended Books:
Stop Existing! Start Living!
The Secret of Supernatural Power, Deliverance and Prosperity
The Irony of Love, Premarital And Extramarital Relationships
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Why Do You Serve God?
by Baruch Okpulor
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock
“He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honour” Proverbs 21:21
Many people fear and serve God for different reasons. Some worship God because He is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. Others do so because they are afraid of spending eternity in hell while others serve God because of His blessings over their lives.
However, Satan was interested in finding the reason why Job feared and worshipped God. This curiosity exhibited by the devil caused Job much pain.
Today, Satan is also interested in ascertaining why you worship God and may push troubles on your way to test your sincerity of heart.
One story that has generated awe and much feedback among men is the narration about Job and the calamity that befell him and his family.
Job was described as the wealthiest man of the East and a native of Uz who had seven sons and three daughters, numerous household and eleven thousand five hundred animals in his great household.
By reason of God’s blessings upon him and his family, he qualified as the greatest in his time just as we have the richest men of our generation today.
The book named after him sets forth the problem of suffering, that innocent men may be visited with severe afflictions and it is a false position to assume that trials come unto men as a result of their great sins (2 Timothy 3:12).
Primarily, it discusses the true attitude of the blameless one who is visited with persecutions, who should not be arraigned before the bar of human reasoning.
The devil’s assumption was that Job lived a blameless life because God hedged him with wealth and children.
“And the LORD said unto Satan, have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil?
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Does Job fear God for nought?
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he had on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land” Job 1:8-10
The second assumption of Satan was that the removal of the things of this life from Job would make him deny God and become a servant of Satan.
He taught that the faithfulness of Job was determined by the large possessions he had. His failure to know with precision what the reaction of Job would be when these material possessions are removed from him places him as a short sighted spirit. He is limited in knowledge on the matters of life concerning God’s children.
God denied him that information about Job.
Many children of God assume that the devil knows everything about them and easily yield to his temptations. We become sore afraid when he roars and threatens us and we give in. Devil recognized God’s protection over Job and made reference to is as a “hedge” over Job. God doesn’t give His children an unprotected blessing. Satan saw that God’s protection over Job was absolute. He protected him, his family, and all he had on every side. It is God’s heritage for those who serve and worship Him. He secures the on every side. His love provides for them and His righteousness protects them. His power of safety overshadows them that no power could go into and pluck them without God’s approval.
Satan knew about this divine arrangement between God and His children and he became worried.
Satan knew that he had to break this “hedge” around Job if he must get at him or any member of his family.
God gave him the opportunity against Job to prove his accusation against him. God had taken time to study the life of Job and knew surely that he would not disappoint Him before Satan.
God set a limitation for Satan, a boundary he cannot cross as far as the life and possessions of Job were concerned. Devil cannot touch any area of your life that the LORD has not permitted him to. He is a creature and can’t stand the wrath of God.
Unfortunately, so many people of God leave God in the cold when afflictions come to them. We easily forget the love, kindness, protection and provisions of God. We focus on the present and become quick to convince our hearts that God has forsaken us.
We accept satanic suggestions to seek alternative means to settle our problems as king Saul did. We feel God is not worth our patience and attention any more.
Job disappointed Satan instead of God. You are encouraged to do so to make your Father proud of you.
Kindly leave a comment if this article made an impression on you.
Recommended Books:
The Secret of Supernatural Power, Deliverance and Prosperity
Breaking the Hold of Self Slavery
Visit other Blogs of Baruch:
Power And Prosperity
Singles And Married
Stop Existing! Start Living!
Stop Pornography And Masturbation
Scholarships to Study Overseas
Holy Ghost School
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock
“He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honour” Proverbs 21:21
Many people fear and serve God for different reasons. Some worship God because He is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. Others do so because they are afraid of spending eternity in hell while others serve God because of His blessings over their lives.
However, Satan was interested in finding the reason why Job feared and worshipped God. This curiosity exhibited by the devil caused Job much pain.
Today, Satan is also interested in ascertaining why you worship God and may push troubles on your way to test your sincerity of heart.
One story that has generated awe and much feedback among men is the narration about Job and the calamity that befell him and his family.
Job was described as the wealthiest man of the East and a native of Uz who had seven sons and three daughters, numerous household and eleven thousand five hundred animals in his great household.
By reason of God’s blessings upon him and his family, he qualified as the greatest in his time just as we have the richest men of our generation today.
The book named after him sets forth the problem of suffering, that innocent men may be visited with severe afflictions and it is a false position to assume that trials come unto men as a result of their great sins (2 Timothy 3:12).
Primarily, it discusses the true attitude of the blameless one who is visited with persecutions, who should not be arraigned before the bar of human reasoning.
The devil’s assumption was that Job lived a blameless life because God hedged him with wealth and children.
“And the LORD said unto Satan, have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil?
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Does Job fear God for nought?
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he had on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land” Job 1:8-10
The second assumption of Satan was that the removal of the things of this life from Job would make him deny God and become a servant of Satan.
He taught that the faithfulness of Job was determined by the large possessions he had. His failure to know with precision what the reaction of Job would be when these material possessions are removed from him places him as a short sighted spirit. He is limited in knowledge on the matters of life concerning God’s children.
God denied him that information about Job.
Many children of God assume that the devil knows everything about them and easily yield to his temptations. We become sore afraid when he roars and threatens us and we give in. Devil recognized God’s protection over Job and made reference to is as a “hedge” over Job. God doesn’t give His children an unprotected blessing. Satan saw that God’s protection over Job was absolute. He protected him, his family, and all he had on every side. It is God’s heritage for those who serve and worship Him. He secures the on every side. His love provides for them and His righteousness protects them. His power of safety overshadows them that no power could go into and pluck them without God’s approval.
Satan knew about this divine arrangement between God and His children and he became worried.
Satan knew that he had to break this “hedge” around Job if he must get at him or any member of his family.
God gave him the opportunity against Job to prove his accusation against him. God had taken time to study the life of Job and knew surely that he would not disappoint Him before Satan.
God set a limitation for Satan, a boundary he cannot cross as far as the life and possessions of Job were concerned. Devil cannot touch any area of your life that the LORD has not permitted him to. He is a creature and can’t stand the wrath of God.
Unfortunately, so many people of God leave God in the cold when afflictions come to them. We easily forget the love, kindness, protection and provisions of God. We focus on the present and become quick to convince our hearts that God has forsaken us.
We accept satanic suggestions to seek alternative means to settle our problems as king Saul did. We feel God is not worth our patience and attention any more.
Job disappointed Satan instead of God. You are encouraged to do so to make your Father proud of you.
Kindly leave a comment if this article made an impression on you.
Recommended Books:
The Secret of Supernatural Power, Deliverance and Prosperity
Breaking the Hold of Self Slavery
Visit other Blogs of Baruch:
Power And Prosperity
Singles And Married
Stop Existing! Start Living!
Stop Pornography And Masturbation
Scholarships to Study Overseas
Holy Ghost School
How to Get the Best in Life
by Baruch Okpulor
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock
“If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world." Chinese Proverb
It is interesting to discover that many Christians desire the power of God in their lives but they do not know how to acquire it. They are amazed at what other Christians who possess this power accomplish with it.
The fundamental step to receiving supernatural power and authority is to become transformed by God (Romans 12:1-2).
James Strong Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible defined the term “conformed” to mean “to be fashioned like or shaped into the image or the picture of.”
Transformation means change and change means repentance. The creation of a new man. A movement from one form to another, from the state of spiritual decay to spiritual purity. The caterpillar transforms to the butterfly and does not revert to the caterpillar.
We are not to conform to the pattern, standard, dictates and ways of the world. We must not use the standard of the world as a pattern for our progress and existence. You don’t measure your success or standard of character and values by the standard of the world. Every aspect of your life that has conforms to the world standard must be transformed as a matter of urgency to the image of God.
The power to transform your image lies with God and you must submit to God before you can acquire such power.
God’s children are busy working and sweating in God’s vineyard without an appreciable difference in their standard of life. They fall in and out of sin. They have spent years in the Lord, yet they remain divine run of the mill.
The transformation starts with the renewal of the mind. You cannot transform your life until you transform your mind. Most Christians receive the word of God with no impact upon their lives because the word didn’t take root in their minds.
As a result, their character cannot manifest God’s word and lifestyle. Their minds are still choked by the pleasures of the world. The old things are in them because their minds have no space to accommodate the new things of righteousness.
You cannot transform your life until you thirst and hunger for righteousness of God. The process of transformation involves a conscious effort and perseverance to become what image God has designed you to be.
When we walk before God in carnal inclinations, we keep conforming to the pattern and dictates of the world.
The mind is like the steering that controls the movement of the car on the road. It determines where the car turns and at what degree it turns.
People lack control over their minds and as such the ability to transform their lives by the power of the Holy Ghost because they follow Christ without passing through the mandatory process of self denial.
Jesus Christ gave two fundamental actions to be taken by anyone who desires to follow Him. Listen to Him.
“And He said to them all, if any man will come after Me, let him DENY himself, and TAKE UP his cross DAILY and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
This is a universal condition for anyone who want to serve God by following Jesus, the Christ whether a black, white, old or young man or woman.
Jesus knew that many people love to follow Him and he doesn’t need unproductive and carnally minded people. He doesn’t need people who would serve God and the devil simultaneously. He doesn’t need men who are proud and self centered. He drops from His list men and women who would desire to serve carnal and spiritual pleasures at the same time. He loathes men who would serve God and wealth together.
He needed people who would personalize their lives to conform to the dictates of God. Jesus didn’t need people who came to Him because they were born into Godly homes or their friends and families were there. He is not pleased with seasonal worshippers and workers.
He is constantly looking for people who have the firm Will to take up their cross DAILY and follow Him. It does not matter to them what they world says or does. They have resolved no longer to linger in following their Master.
So, these Christians whose lives still conform to the world after years of divine tutelage, didn’t deny themselves.
When you deny yourself, you give up the power t live as you want. You exchange your life with the life of Christ. This is the time when the power of transformation of character, thoughts and utterances flow naturally into you.
God bless you as you do this as you kindly leave a comment if this article made an impression on you.
Recommended Book:
Stop Existing! Start Living! Discover What And Who You Are To Step Into Greatness And Abundance
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock
“If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world." Chinese Proverb
It is interesting to discover that many Christians desire the power of God in their lives but they do not know how to acquire it. They are amazed at what other Christians who possess this power accomplish with it.
The fundamental step to receiving supernatural power and authority is to become transformed by God (Romans 12:1-2).
James Strong Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible defined the term “conformed” to mean “to be fashioned like or shaped into the image or the picture of.”
Transformation means change and change means repentance. The creation of a new man. A movement from one form to another, from the state of spiritual decay to spiritual purity. The caterpillar transforms to the butterfly and does not revert to the caterpillar.
We are not to conform to the pattern, standard, dictates and ways of the world. We must not use the standard of the world as a pattern for our progress and existence. You don’t measure your success or standard of character and values by the standard of the world. Every aspect of your life that has conforms to the world standard must be transformed as a matter of urgency to the image of God.
The power to transform your image lies with God and you must submit to God before you can acquire such power.
God’s children are busy working and sweating in God’s vineyard without an appreciable difference in their standard of life. They fall in and out of sin. They have spent years in the Lord, yet they remain divine run of the mill.
The transformation starts with the renewal of the mind. You cannot transform your life until you transform your mind. Most Christians receive the word of God with no impact upon their lives because the word didn’t take root in their minds.
As a result, their character cannot manifest God’s word and lifestyle. Their minds are still choked by the pleasures of the world. The old things are in them because their minds have no space to accommodate the new things of righteousness.
You cannot transform your life until you thirst and hunger for righteousness of God. The process of transformation involves a conscious effort and perseverance to become what image God has designed you to be.
When we walk before God in carnal inclinations, we keep conforming to the pattern and dictates of the world.
The mind is like the steering that controls the movement of the car on the road. It determines where the car turns and at what degree it turns.
People lack control over their minds and as such the ability to transform their lives by the power of the Holy Ghost because they follow Christ without passing through the mandatory process of self denial.
Jesus Christ gave two fundamental actions to be taken by anyone who desires to follow Him. Listen to Him.
“And He said to them all, if any man will come after Me, let him DENY himself, and TAKE UP his cross DAILY and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
This is a universal condition for anyone who want to serve God by following Jesus, the Christ whether a black, white, old or young man or woman.
Jesus knew that many people love to follow Him and he doesn’t need unproductive and carnally minded people. He doesn’t need people who would serve God and the devil simultaneously. He doesn’t need men who are proud and self centered. He drops from His list men and women who would desire to serve carnal and spiritual pleasures at the same time. He loathes men who would serve God and wealth together.
He needed people who would personalize their lives to conform to the dictates of God. Jesus didn’t need people who came to Him because they were born into Godly homes or their friends and families were there. He is not pleased with seasonal worshippers and workers.
He is constantly looking for people who have the firm Will to take up their cross DAILY and follow Him. It does not matter to them what they world says or does. They have resolved no longer to linger in following their Master.
So, these Christians whose lives still conform to the world after years of divine tutelage, didn’t deny themselves.
When you deny yourself, you give up the power t live as you want. You exchange your life with the life of Christ. This is the time when the power of transformation of character, thoughts and utterances flow naturally into you.
God bless you as you do this as you kindly leave a comment if this article made an impression on you.
Recommended Book:
Stop Existing! Start Living! Discover What And Who You Are To Step Into Greatness And Abundance
It is Not About Your Status But YOU
by Baruch Okpulor
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock
Your Status is Irrelevant
“You cannot be crowned until you become. You cannot become until you overcome. You cannot overcome until you obey” Baruch Okpulor.
The World upholds the principle of “Who’s Who” in the society. It is a game of prestige, qualifications, titles, status, wealth and position. It is a matter of whom you know, how much wealth he possesses, top public offices held, number of academic and professional qualifications acquired, countries lived in and visited and political posts and titles held. It is a matter of timber and calibre in the society.
These are man’s yardstick of measurement and determination of value and allocation of respect in our terrestrial ball.
God is aware of this ancient attitude and talked about it in the book of Luke 16:15
“And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God”
Unfortunately, in God’s presence, the reverse is the case. What and who you are is rated by God using divine attributes and standard and never by earthly possessions and qualifications. Your value is determined by the extent to which you have used God’s deposits in your life to impact greatly on others. It is about the cleanliness of your heart and character. It is about how right your heart is with God and the degree of your relationship with Him. This is because God does not see as man sees (1 Samuel 16:7). He is not interested in physical appearance and beauty. Your status in the church or society may deceive you to believe that you may not need God personally in your life.
After all, you pray, fast and attend all religious activities in your church. After all, you have made it as far as man’s standard is concerned.
Abraham was very rich in his land with over three hundred servants trained and fed in his household, yet he had a time to meet with God. Jesus Christ had all the powers while He was in this World, yet He spent many nights at intervals in the presence of the Father.
The moment you begin to think that there is an aspect of godliness you can do without, that’s when you begin to loose grip on God’s power and intervention in your affairs.
When King Saul thought he could do without Samuel in offering burnt sacrifices to God, he began to loose his kingdom to David.
As soon as Herod thought he could live by giving God’s glory to himself, he became food for the worm. When Ahab threw caution to the winds despite divine warnings against his idolatrous and inhuman activities, he ended up dying like a pauper in the war instead of a celebrated king.
God had not and would not work with men and women who consider their status, position, and class, societal or spiritual standing as important and indispensable.
Nebuchadnezzar boasted of his might and glory in building Babylon, yet God reduced him to the level of an animal for seven seasons. Jezebel considered her position as a queen in Israel too lofty to honour God and her blood was spilled on the streets of Jezreel and licked by dogs.
The person God wants to honour with supernatural power and prosperity must drop the garment of “Who’s Who” and put on the apparel of humility and personal nothingness before God. He must see himself as a man of unclean lips, defiled character with a wicked heart before God as Nehemiah, Jeremiah and Isaiah expressed, willing and waiting to be purged by the Ancient of Days.
Your height, size, beauty, knowledge and popularity are immaterial before Him who does not see as men see. What matters is that you are willing to go with Him when, where and how He wants it.
On the other hand, don’t get scared from going to God because of your inadequacies and sins. No man that God used was righteous and worthy of his own accord or wisdom but by the grace of God because our righteousness is like filthy rag before the Lord. We have all sinned and fallen short the glory of God. You are an invaluable gem before God’s eyes, so don’t hesitate to present yourself to Him as One who values the brokenhearted and anyone with a contrite spirit.
Rahab was a harlot in Jericho, the city God intended to destroy. But immediately she showed the fear of God and believed in God’s word by hiding the two spies from Israel, God took notice of her and her family and spared their lives when Jericho was consumed by the power of God (Joshua 2:1, 6: 17).
She became a jewel in God’s eyes even though a prostitute in the eyes of men, while popular and powerful men and women like Saul of Israel, Haman of Shushan, Jezebel, queen of Samaria, and Athaliah, the queen of Israel, bore pitiable records before God.
When the woman of Samaria accepted Jesus and His Word even when she had experienced several marital conflicts and divorce in her life, God acknowledged her as the bearer of good tidings while she told her people about Jesus, the Deliverer from sin.
What keeps God away from you is not the number of sins you have committed in your past but your stubbornness to justify and continue in sin. Your societal and religious ranks could destroy you before God except you allow the Lord to purify you as you start a covenant time today in His presence and watch Him take your life to the next level while He uproots all vices found in your life.
This is the time to allow God create a new success profile for you in heaven irrespective of what your earthly description has been. The world called Jezebel the queen of Samaria while heaven called her a murderer of Naboth and the prophets of God. Lazarus was called the dead but heaven called him the living. The citizens of Jericho called Rehab a prostitute but heaven knew her as a woman of faith. Hannah was called the barren but heaven called her the fruitful.
This is the time to drop your break-ups, break downs and breakaways at the feet of God for He is ready to change whatever the world calls you but you must first submit to Him willingly.
God bless you as you do this.
Kindly leave a comment if this article made an impression on you.
Recommended Books:
When Trusting God Makes No Sense
The Secret of Supernatural Power, Deliverance and Prosperity
Breaking the Hold of Self Slavery
Stop Existing! Start Living!
baruchmails@gmail.com
www.lulu.com/spotlight/barock
Your Status is Irrelevant
“You cannot be crowned until you become. You cannot become until you overcome. You cannot overcome until you obey” Baruch Okpulor.
The World upholds the principle of “Who’s Who” in the society. It is a game of prestige, qualifications, titles, status, wealth and position. It is a matter of whom you know, how much wealth he possesses, top public offices held, number of academic and professional qualifications acquired, countries lived in and visited and political posts and titles held. It is a matter of timber and calibre in the society.
These are man’s yardstick of measurement and determination of value and allocation of respect in our terrestrial ball.
God is aware of this ancient attitude and talked about it in the book of Luke 16:15
“And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God”
Unfortunately, in God’s presence, the reverse is the case. What and who you are is rated by God using divine attributes and standard and never by earthly possessions and qualifications. Your value is determined by the extent to which you have used God’s deposits in your life to impact greatly on others. It is about the cleanliness of your heart and character. It is about how right your heart is with God and the degree of your relationship with Him. This is because God does not see as man sees (1 Samuel 16:7). He is not interested in physical appearance and beauty. Your status in the church or society may deceive you to believe that you may not need God personally in your life.
After all, you pray, fast and attend all religious activities in your church. After all, you have made it as far as man’s standard is concerned.
Abraham was very rich in his land with over three hundred servants trained and fed in his household, yet he had a time to meet with God. Jesus Christ had all the powers while He was in this World, yet He spent many nights at intervals in the presence of the Father.
The moment you begin to think that there is an aspect of godliness you can do without, that’s when you begin to loose grip on God’s power and intervention in your affairs.
When King Saul thought he could do without Samuel in offering burnt sacrifices to God, he began to loose his kingdom to David.
As soon as Herod thought he could live by giving God’s glory to himself, he became food for the worm. When Ahab threw caution to the winds despite divine warnings against his idolatrous and inhuman activities, he ended up dying like a pauper in the war instead of a celebrated king.
God had not and would not work with men and women who consider their status, position, and class, societal or spiritual standing as important and indispensable.
Nebuchadnezzar boasted of his might and glory in building Babylon, yet God reduced him to the level of an animal for seven seasons. Jezebel considered her position as a queen in Israel too lofty to honour God and her blood was spilled on the streets of Jezreel and licked by dogs.
The person God wants to honour with supernatural power and prosperity must drop the garment of “Who’s Who” and put on the apparel of humility and personal nothingness before God. He must see himself as a man of unclean lips, defiled character with a wicked heart before God as Nehemiah, Jeremiah and Isaiah expressed, willing and waiting to be purged by the Ancient of Days.
Your height, size, beauty, knowledge and popularity are immaterial before Him who does not see as men see. What matters is that you are willing to go with Him when, where and how He wants it.
On the other hand, don’t get scared from going to God because of your inadequacies and sins. No man that God used was righteous and worthy of his own accord or wisdom but by the grace of God because our righteousness is like filthy rag before the Lord. We have all sinned and fallen short the glory of God. You are an invaluable gem before God’s eyes, so don’t hesitate to present yourself to Him as One who values the brokenhearted and anyone with a contrite spirit.
Rahab was a harlot in Jericho, the city God intended to destroy. But immediately she showed the fear of God and believed in God’s word by hiding the two spies from Israel, God took notice of her and her family and spared their lives when Jericho was consumed by the power of God (Joshua 2:1, 6: 17).
She became a jewel in God’s eyes even though a prostitute in the eyes of men, while popular and powerful men and women like Saul of Israel, Haman of Shushan, Jezebel, queen of Samaria, and Athaliah, the queen of Israel, bore pitiable records before God.
When the woman of Samaria accepted Jesus and His Word even when she had experienced several marital conflicts and divorce in her life, God acknowledged her as the bearer of good tidings while she told her people about Jesus, the Deliverer from sin.
What keeps God away from you is not the number of sins you have committed in your past but your stubbornness to justify and continue in sin. Your societal and religious ranks could destroy you before God except you allow the Lord to purify you as you start a covenant time today in His presence and watch Him take your life to the next level while He uproots all vices found in your life.
This is the time to allow God create a new success profile for you in heaven irrespective of what your earthly description has been. The world called Jezebel the queen of Samaria while heaven called her a murderer of Naboth and the prophets of God. Lazarus was called the dead but heaven called him the living. The citizens of Jericho called Rehab a prostitute but heaven knew her as a woman of faith. Hannah was called the barren but heaven called her the fruitful.
This is the time to drop your break-ups, break downs and breakaways at the feet of God for He is ready to change whatever the world calls you but you must first submit to Him willingly.
God bless you as you do this.
Kindly leave a comment if this article made an impression on you.
Recommended Books:
When Trusting God Makes No Sense
The Secret of Supernatural Power, Deliverance and Prosperity
Breaking the Hold of Self Slavery
Stop Existing! Start Living!
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