Surrender (v): To give up a right or possession. To yield, to relinquish, to let go, to forsake and forgo, to renounce. (Pocket Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus)
All to Jesus I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
(' I surrender all' Judson W. VanDeVenter, 1896)
Warning: Might be really long!! Just needed to document a lot of things that have been going through my mind.
So there I was at the beginning of the weekend 'bemoaning' my still single status! It's almost hilarious now looking back but I'm amazed at the power of focus, when you focus on something long enough it's powerful enough to change your mood so I learnt how important it is to focus on the right things. Anyways, back to the story, I must confess I began to feel a bit sad but then I remembered the words of my last post to REJOICE! but I didn't want to rejoice, I wanted to be sad, I wanted some comfort ice cream, I wanted to sit in front of the TV (I'm sure you get the picture!)
It's wonderful loving and being in love with someone who can never let you go, irrespective of how silly you may act sometimes. I know God well enough now to know that when I start my Why me? diatribe, He leaves me for a while to act up until I realise that I cannot function without Him. I always find myself running back into His arms because that is the only place where I find total peace and satisfaction. I'm happy to say that as I grow more in my relationship with Him the time it takes me to fall into His embrace is considerably shorter. I'm not sure I could spend an hour without at least saying something to Him. I think there's just something about being in love with someone so much that you just have to be in touch and communicate.
One of the reasons I love God is because He knows how I feel. The Bible says that "...He is touched by the feelings of our infirmities" (Hebrews 4:15). Like the good Shepard that He is, he always leads me to where I can find solace. It seemed that every sermon, every song, even the Nigerian movie (a really good one called 'Through the fire') I watched had a message for me about holding onto God and being led by Him reassuring me of His Presence and His Power.
I was kinda like 'OK, OK i get it'. I know waiting on the Lord is what i must do but He had a deeper message for me. I picked up a book to read. It's aptly titled.."If men are like buses, how do I catch one". I was intrigued by the title but the content kept me captivated. It's not a book on how to 'get' a man (cos I'm not really sure one is supposed to 'get' a man!) but a book about spiritual development for the single person. However, I digress. She was talking about getting to a place in God when all you can say is 'Yes, Lord' I am totally surrendered to your will.
My first reaction was 'Yes sister, I am in that place' (uhum!) but she then posed a question that God asked her.."What about if my will for you is to get married at the age of 40...or maybe never?" Please note, although I am using marriage as an example cos that was what started the whole thing in the first place, it applies to different areas of our lives as God was showing me.
My first thought was that well God instituted marriage so it must be His will, we all be married or have children e.t.c but then as I thought deeper I remembered that most importantly, He is a God of purpose and does all things according to His plan for us. I felt like the Holy Spirit was taking a lamp and shining it into the inner recesses of my heart and exposing some things I never really realised were there. I think that my belief was as long as I obeyed God, was faithful to Him..a sort of 'service with a smile' attitude, God would give me what I desired. In itself, it's not a wrong theology because God grants those who delight in Him the desires of their heart (Psalm 37:4). I sense that God is calling me to a higher place in Him. Asking for more, for all, my 5 year plan, my 10 year plan, my goals and my dreams to replace them with His all, His plan for me, His purpose for me. I can't preach to anyone about this I can only say my story because God reaches out for us in unique ways and speaks to us in the language we understand the most.
I just lay on my bed and cried, not because I may never get married; to be married or not was never really the issue. The issue for me now was that I had arrived at a place in my relationship with God where more was required but was I willing to pay the price? I had to say 'Yes' because God has an excellent track record with me. He may sometimes lead me the LONG way but He has never led me the WRONG way. So, I truly surrender, yield, relinquish and let go of my desires, plans, finances and career and hand it over to Him. My prayer is that He will use me as He will.
God spoke to me there as I lay on my bed. Some things I may share as the days go by but I know that I have entered into a new place in my relationship with Him. I know it won't be easy cos my will is really strong and like someone said the problem with us being living sacrifices is that we can stand up from the altar!
I am reminded of people who went all the way with God for example,
Paul walked away from fame and a respectable position to be imprisoned and beheaded.
Hosea had to marry a woman who would be unfaithful to him and father other men's children.
Jesus had to die on the cross.
Hebrews 11 is full of other people who had to count the cost when they chose to carry the cross and follow Him.
The picture that brought it home for me was Abraham with the son of promise he had waited for, for such a long time, taking him up the Mount of Moriah to lay him on the altar. I'm sure it was difficult cos I know it's not easy for me but I'm laying my Isaacs down and seeking to do His will because I know He has greater things in store for me.
Really, really long but I'm not sure I could have said it in less words.
Remain blessed. I'm praying for you it shall be well.
Me
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
Make we jolly!
Hiya all!
I'm sorry if you were expecting a post in pidgin..that I am incapable of doing! Anyways my sister has been driving me crazy with this song 'Make we jolly'. It seems most of the Nollywood actors and actresses want to add another stream to their income and have decided to go into music. I've heard some horrendous sounds presented as music but no names shall be mentioned.
The post's title is a song by Patience Ozokwor a.k.a. Mama G (G for general) or old school. I love her as an actress, she does play her parts really well. As for the song, well I have no comments about the vocals or the video but it is quite funny.
The essence of the song is just as the title suggests, that we should be jolly. Life is too short to be spent brooding and depressed. This morning during my power hour (a.k.a quiet time) I just got this word in my spirit..REJOICE! Yes, everything might not be going the way it should but rejoice anyway. I just began to break out in songs of praise and worship to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
I see too many of us allow issues to weigh us down so much until it begins to seep away our joy. We then wonder why there seems to be no way out..remember the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10) and when there is no joy, our strength becomes small and it looks like the mountains cannot be overcome.
I just went to Philipians because I remembered from Sunday school that my uncle Paul penned an epistle sometimes called the Book of joy. I encourage you to read it whenever you feel 'down in the dumps'.
Paul encourages us to rejoice in the Lord always (Philipians 4:4). Our rejoicing is not in ourselves or our abilities but in the ONE who is faithful concerning the promises that He has made to us. The One who has promised never to leave or forsake us, the One whom when we pray to, we are assured that He not only hears but is able to answer. We are also to rejoice always which means not just on Sundays, or when we get paid, or when Mr or Miss Right comes along, or when we land the dream job. We must rejoice when the bills are due, in sickness, in times of confusion and betrayal. When you don't know what to do..REJOICE!
I've heard it said countless times that joy and happiness are different. Happiness is dependent on circumstances whilst joy is independent of it. It's not easy o, i am not suggesting it is but start somewhere. If no song comes to your spirit, put one in your CD player or scan through your Ipod. Call someone who can encourage and pray with you.
When we rejoice in spite of our circumstances, we show God that we have faith that what we are going through is temporary and therefore SUBJECT TO CHANGE. We also tell the devil..u berra don't mess with me because I am appointed for breakthrough.
Remember that although Paul was encouraging us to rejoice in this book, he was writing from a prison cell. Joy is one of the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22) so if your tank is low..the Holy Spirit is more than able and willing to give you a 'top-up'.
I'm excited because I sense a season of great breakthroughs. When the storm is over, we will be able to see clearly but whilst still in it we must rejoice and trust. It is well.
So make we jolly!
Remain blessed
Me
I'm sorry if you were expecting a post in pidgin..that I am incapable of doing! Anyways my sister has been driving me crazy with this song 'Make we jolly'. It seems most of the Nollywood actors and actresses want to add another stream to their income and have decided to go into music. I've heard some horrendous sounds presented as music but no names shall be mentioned.
The post's title is a song by Patience Ozokwor a.k.a. Mama G (G for general) or old school. I love her as an actress, she does play her parts really well. As for the song, well I have no comments about the vocals or the video but it is quite funny.
The essence of the song is just as the title suggests, that we should be jolly. Life is too short to be spent brooding and depressed. This morning during my power hour (a.k.a quiet time) I just got this word in my spirit..REJOICE! Yes, everything might not be going the way it should but rejoice anyway. I just began to break out in songs of praise and worship to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
I see too many of us allow issues to weigh us down so much until it begins to seep away our joy. We then wonder why there seems to be no way out..remember the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10) and when there is no joy, our strength becomes small and it looks like the mountains cannot be overcome.
I just went to Philipians because I remembered from Sunday school that my uncle Paul penned an epistle sometimes called the Book of joy. I encourage you to read it whenever you feel 'down in the dumps'.
Paul encourages us to rejoice in the Lord always (Philipians 4:4). Our rejoicing is not in ourselves or our abilities but in the ONE who is faithful concerning the promises that He has made to us. The One who has promised never to leave or forsake us, the One whom when we pray to, we are assured that He not only hears but is able to answer. We are also to rejoice always which means not just on Sundays, or when we get paid, or when Mr or Miss Right comes along, or when we land the dream job. We must rejoice when the bills are due, in sickness, in times of confusion and betrayal. When you don't know what to do..REJOICE!
I've heard it said countless times that joy and happiness are different. Happiness is dependent on circumstances whilst joy is independent of it. It's not easy o, i am not suggesting it is but start somewhere. If no song comes to your spirit, put one in your CD player or scan through your Ipod. Call someone who can encourage and pray with you.
When we rejoice in spite of our circumstances, we show God that we have faith that what we are going through is temporary and therefore SUBJECT TO CHANGE. We also tell the devil..u berra don't mess with me because I am appointed for breakthrough.
Remember that although Paul was encouraging us to rejoice in this book, he was writing from a prison cell. Joy is one of the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22) so if your tank is low..the Holy Spirit is more than able and willing to give you a 'top-up'.
I'm excited because I sense a season of great breakthroughs. When the storm is over, we will be able to see clearly but whilst still in it we must rejoice and trust. It is well.
So make we jolly!
Remain blessed
Me
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Monday, 21 May 2007
Thou art my help.
Psalm 127:1 (NKJV) Unless the LORD builds the house, they labour in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
Psalm 121:1-2 (NKJV) I will lift up my eyes to the hills; from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
This morning I woke up with a song that I haven't heard in ages. I don't know the title but it goes thus..
My help is in the name of the Lord
My help is in the name of the Lord
For the Lord my God is mighty
My help is in the name of the Lord
I consider Psalm 127:1 to be one of the foundational scriptures of my life. It reminds me that the Almighty is the one who is charge of my life. I may try to do things my own way but all I am doing is labouring and in vain.
Lately, I've been stressing about so many thing..the why's, the how's, the when's, the what if's but I can hear the Lord telling me to relax and take it easy. He created me and all He needs from me is to love Him and to trust Him. He is my help because I know that He is the only one who can see me through the situations and circumstances that life brings my way. No man, woman, government or institution can take His place.
I am walking in the peace of God because I am tired of 'labouring'. I'm just telling every situation that "My help is in the name of the Lord" and I'm looking up to JESUS instead of looking at the circumstances around me. Remember Peter began to sink when he started to look around instead of looking up.
Are you facing big challenges, deadlines, seeming delays in some areas of your life? I just want to encourage you to call upon the name of the Lord. It is powerful and able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that you may be able to think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
Remember Sarah, it seemed to late for her but God brought her laughter in the fullness of time.
Remember Moses, he showed us that God has a secret path in the sea
Remember Joshua, those walls seemed to be insurmountable but they had to fall flat before the Lord of Hosts.
Remember Jehoshaphat, praise and worship were his weapons to defeat mighty, well trained armies.
Remember Elisha's servant, when his eyes were 'opened' he realised that those that that were for Him were more than those that were against him.
Miracles are not only for those in the bible, i believe that we are to experience them every day. The Bible says that these things were written for our examples. It is surely well. Be encouraged in the Lord and the power of His might. This week, walk in victory because the Lord is your help and He can do the impossible, only believe.
You are blessed and highly favoured.
Me
Psalm 121:1-2 (NKJV) I will lift up my eyes to the hills; from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
This morning I woke up with a song that I haven't heard in ages. I don't know the title but it goes thus..
My help is in the name of the Lord
My help is in the name of the Lord
For the Lord my God is mighty
My help is in the name of the Lord
I consider Psalm 127:1 to be one of the foundational scriptures of my life. It reminds me that the Almighty is the one who is charge of my life. I may try to do things my own way but all I am doing is labouring and in vain.
Lately, I've been stressing about so many thing..the why's, the how's, the when's, the what if's but I can hear the Lord telling me to relax and take it easy. He created me and all He needs from me is to love Him and to trust Him. He is my help because I know that He is the only one who can see me through the situations and circumstances that life brings my way. No man, woman, government or institution can take His place.
I am walking in the peace of God because I am tired of 'labouring'. I'm just telling every situation that "My help is in the name of the Lord" and I'm looking up to JESUS instead of looking at the circumstances around me. Remember Peter began to sink when he started to look around instead of looking up.
Are you facing big challenges, deadlines, seeming delays in some areas of your life? I just want to encourage you to call upon the name of the Lord. It is powerful and able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that you may be able to think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
Remember Sarah, it seemed to late for her but God brought her laughter in the fullness of time.
Remember Moses, he showed us that God has a secret path in the sea
Remember Joshua, those walls seemed to be insurmountable but they had to fall flat before the Lord of Hosts.
Remember Jehoshaphat, praise and worship were his weapons to defeat mighty, well trained armies.
Remember Elisha's servant, when his eyes were 'opened' he realised that those that that were for Him were more than those that were against him.
Miracles are not only for those in the bible, i believe that we are to experience them every day. The Bible says that these things were written for our examples. It is surely well. Be encouraged in the Lord and the power of His might. This week, walk in victory because the Lord is your help and He can do the impossible, only believe.
You are blessed and highly favoured.
Me
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Thursday, 17 May 2007
Why?
Warning! Very silly questions shall follow. I know the answers but still feel the need to ask the questions. This is a true indication of my frame of mind now. I think my brain needs to reboot!
Why is it that when I ask the Lord for patience, He sends annoying people my way?
Why is being a daddy's girl a good thing but being a mama's boy isn't? (DG, no pun intended!)
Why has Melinda Doolittle been voted off American Idol?
Why is statistics so confusing to me and why must there be a null hypothesis?
Why is my bed so narrow that I cannot even give the excuse of waking up on the wrong side...cos there's only one side?
Why do the healthy things seem unappealing to my appetite but the danger foods taste so great..ha ha Haagen Das?
Why am I writing on this blog when there are so many other things to do?
Why do I run after people who push me away and why do I push away those that run after me?
Hope I'm not losing it..maybe i should call it a day, some scripts to mark and a sunday school lesson to prepare for. Help me Lord Jesus.
Remain blessed
Me
Why is it that when I ask the Lord for patience, He sends annoying people my way?
Why is being a daddy's girl a good thing but being a mama's boy isn't? (DG, no pun intended!)
Why has Melinda Doolittle been voted off American Idol?
Why is statistics so confusing to me and why must there be a null hypothesis?
Why is my bed so narrow that I cannot even give the excuse of waking up on the wrong side...cos there's only one side?
Why do the healthy things seem unappealing to my appetite but the danger foods taste so great..ha ha Haagen Das?
Why am I writing on this blog when there are so many other things to do?
Why do I run after people who push me away and why do I push away those that run after me?
Hope I'm not losing it..maybe i should call it a day, some scripts to mark and a sunday school lesson to prepare for. Help me Lord Jesus.
Remain blessed
Me
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Wednesday, 16 May 2007
Update!
Oh oh...
My blog is suffering from serious neglect. I made a decision last week to stay off blogville for 7 days. Not because blogging is bad or anything like that but I just wanted to find out if I owned the blog or the blog owned me. I was surprised by how difficult it was at first. I'm not sure if it was because I had made a mental decision about it or just that reading other people's blogs had become such an essential part of my day. I'm pleased to say I passed the test..I didn't even cheat once although I must confess it was a really busy week as well!
It's been really busy at work but I'm looking forward to the last week of May where hopefully I can take a break and not come into the lab for a whole 5 days..hallelujah! So what's been happening?
On a personal note, I'm happy to see small changes in the way I think and behave as I move towards my total transformation.
Spiritually, I feel like I am closer to God now than ever before and it can only get better. I'm learning to trust that He does actually know what is best for me and that it doesn't matter that things are not moving according to my agenda..I am willing to wait until my change comes because His wisdom shall be my guidance.
Physically, I'm trying to push myself a bit more in the gym though I haven't been going as regularly as I should but something is better than nothing. And someone is volunteering to help me take up running..(The Lord is my strength!)
Relationally, I find myself going into my loner zone again, closing up, not allowing people in, unable to share. I have tried to shake it off..maybe it's a season of being alone with God but in this area I really need His help because it's not somewhere I am really strong. I find myself unable (or unwilling?) to have really strong ties with people. This could develop into a post of its own so I better stop here.
Ahh soccer, go ManU winning the Premiership and hopefully the F.A cup at Wembley on Saturday. Hip, hip hurrah. Very disappointing loss to AC Milan in the UEFA cup but I'll like to say that we didn't want the other teams to be too jealous so we gave that up for Liverpool (Ha, ha!)
Anyways, too much work to do and too little time to do it. It is well with you and no matter the obstacle, you and God are already a majority as there are no impossibilities with Him.
Remain blessed and highly favoured.
Me
My blog is suffering from serious neglect. I made a decision last week to stay off blogville for 7 days. Not because blogging is bad or anything like that but I just wanted to find out if I owned the blog or the blog owned me. I was surprised by how difficult it was at first. I'm not sure if it was because I had made a mental decision about it or just that reading other people's blogs had become such an essential part of my day. I'm pleased to say I passed the test..I didn't even cheat once although I must confess it was a really busy week as well!
It's been really busy at work but I'm looking forward to the last week of May where hopefully I can take a break and not come into the lab for a whole 5 days..hallelujah! So what's been happening?
On a personal note, I'm happy to see small changes in the way I think and behave as I move towards my total transformation.
Spiritually, I feel like I am closer to God now than ever before and it can only get better. I'm learning to trust that He does actually know what is best for me and that it doesn't matter that things are not moving according to my agenda..I am willing to wait until my change comes because His wisdom shall be my guidance.
Physically, I'm trying to push myself a bit more in the gym though I haven't been going as regularly as I should but something is better than nothing. And someone is volunteering to help me take up running..(The Lord is my strength!)
Relationally, I find myself going into my loner zone again, closing up, not allowing people in, unable to share. I have tried to shake it off..maybe it's a season of being alone with God but in this area I really need His help because it's not somewhere I am really strong. I find myself unable (or unwilling?) to have really strong ties with people. This could develop into a post of its own so I better stop here.
Ahh soccer, go ManU winning the Premiership and hopefully the F.A cup at Wembley on Saturday. Hip, hip hurrah. Very disappointing loss to AC Milan in the UEFA cup but I'll like to say that we didn't want the other teams to be too jealous so we gave that up for Liverpool (Ha, ha!)
Anyways, too much work to do and too little time to do it. It is well with you and no matter the obstacle, you and God are already a majority as there are no impossibilities with Him.
Remain blessed and highly favoured.
Me
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Monday, 7 May 2007
Life:A-Z, E is for Exercise
1st Timothy 4:8 (NIV) For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life that is to come
So, some time last year I had a 'revelation' that the extra weight I was carrying was not just going to disappear on it's own. Changing my eating habits wasn't going to be enough..I had to sweat it out. So I took up walking, jogging and going to the gym. I haven't reached my ideal weight but anytime I go to the gym, I give myself a pat on the back because I know I'm closing in on the distance between where I am and where I need to be.
I encourage everyone reading this, no matter what your weight is to include some form of exercise into your life because it is quite important. If, like me you want to lose weight but it's something you've shelved for later, I suggest you take it off from the shelf, dust it and make a DECISION to start today. For some encouragement, read London Buki's and Mrs somebody's blog. You can do it! I'll also blog about my progress to encourage you and to keep me accountable.
I was pondering on the verse above..physically, i know the profit my body has made due to the exercise I have been doing but the Word says that this is little compared to the profit that I make through godliness. What is godliness? To me, it is becoming God-like, living how God would want me to live, exhibiting attributes of His character like love, holiness and purity.
I also realised that there are some similarities between bodily exercise and godliness which I now see as a form of 'spiritual exercise'. Firstly, living a godly life is not easy. I remember the first day I jogged last year..thought I was going to faint! Living a godly life, especially in the days we are in now 'where men have preferred darkness to light' requires more than willpower and discipline but the grace of God cos only He can give us the strength to walk on the narrow way.
Also, like having a jogging/exercise buddy helps me remain motivated, having close people to whom I can be accountable and who encourage and counsel me when I want to give in to popular culture instead of God's way has helped me greatly on my journey. Disclaimer: Please, please, please, allow the Lord to guide you in choosing those to whom you reveal intimate secrets of your life. I'm still praying and believing God to send the right people my way.
Finally, both types of exercise have their reward. Now, I can jog longer, lift heavier and stretch wider, spiritually I am walking in new levels in my relationship with the Lord because as I seek to be like Him, He reveals more of Himself to me accompanied by His favour and blessing because 'He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him'.
There are also long term benefits. I look forward to the day when I will take part in the London Marathon and fit properly into my dream dress size (with no acrobatics!) and also to when my Lord and Saviour will say "Well done, good and faithful servant".
Remain blessed
Me
So, some time last year I had a 'revelation' that the extra weight I was carrying was not just going to disappear on it's own. Changing my eating habits wasn't going to be enough..I had to sweat it out. So I took up walking, jogging and going to the gym. I haven't reached my ideal weight but anytime I go to the gym, I give myself a pat on the back because I know I'm closing in on the distance between where I am and where I need to be.
I encourage everyone reading this, no matter what your weight is to include some form of exercise into your life because it is quite important. If, like me you want to lose weight but it's something you've shelved for later, I suggest you take it off from the shelf, dust it and make a DECISION to start today. For some encouragement, read London Buki's and Mrs somebody's blog. You can do it! I'll also blog about my progress to encourage you and to keep me accountable.
I was pondering on the verse above..physically, i know the profit my body has made due to the exercise I have been doing but the Word says that this is little compared to the profit that I make through godliness. What is godliness? To me, it is becoming God-like, living how God would want me to live, exhibiting attributes of His character like love, holiness and purity.
I also realised that there are some similarities between bodily exercise and godliness which I now see as a form of 'spiritual exercise'. Firstly, living a godly life is not easy. I remember the first day I jogged last year..thought I was going to faint! Living a godly life, especially in the days we are in now 'where men have preferred darkness to light' requires more than willpower and discipline but the grace of God cos only He can give us the strength to walk on the narrow way.
Also, like having a jogging/exercise buddy helps me remain motivated, having close people to whom I can be accountable and who encourage and counsel me when I want to give in to popular culture instead of God's way has helped me greatly on my journey. Disclaimer: Please, please, please, allow the Lord to guide you in choosing those to whom you reveal intimate secrets of your life. I'm still praying and believing God to send the right people my way.
Finally, both types of exercise have their reward. Now, I can jog longer, lift heavier and stretch wider, spiritually I am walking in new levels in my relationship with the Lord because as I seek to be like Him, He reveals more of Himself to me accompanied by His favour and blessing because 'He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him'.
There are also long term benefits. I look forward to the day when I will take part in the London Marathon and fit properly into my dream dress size (with no acrobatics!) and also to when my Lord and Saviour will say "Well done, good and faithful servant".
Remain blessed
Me
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