Winning Women Wednesdays: 'Call me Mara'

Naomi: Pleasant, beautiful 
Mara: Bitter (definitely not pleasant)

The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there. Then Elimelech died and Naomi was left with her two sons. The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later,  both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband.

Ruth 1:2-5 (NLT)

Three short verses. Three big changes. I'm always bemused by the story tellers, how they cram our lives into short sentences, short paragraphs, squeezing a life time into a few pages. I doubt if all the journals in the world would be enough for me to pen the pain that came with losing my husband and having to raise two sons on my own. Not only on my own but in a strange land without family support. Who was to teach the sons to be men? To be husbands? To be fathers? But it was ok, life dealt me a terrible hand but I had my boys. Or so I thought. The day we buried Chilion, I didn't cry. All my tears had been spent at Mahlon's funeral. Could it be true that my world had drastically changed in such a short period of time? Were my sons really gone to the land of no return?

“Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara,for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?”

Ruth 1:20-21

Please don't judge me. I had to call it as I saw it. For my life had neither been beautiful or pleasant and at that point in my life all I could see was bitterness. We left for Moab full of dreams, dreams of prosperity, dreams of provision, dreams of seeing our grandchildren and bringing them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. And I returned with nothing. But no, not nothing for although at the time I couldn't see it. I came back with Ruth, my daughter and my friend. In her I saw the sermons I had taught about Yahweh, about His provision and His love. I saw her live the messages I had preached about His ability to take you through the changing scenes and seasons of life because He himself was unchanging. 

To you dear woman reading this excerpt, you may have chosen to allow yourself be defined by the curveballs that life has thrown your way. Maybe you haven't verbalised it, maybe you've never told anyone that deep down you call yourself 'Shame' or 'Failure'. And yes, you may have cause to call yourself 'Mara' and turn your back on Him, the One who loves you most. But from someone who has been there and done that I want to encourage. I can because I know. I know what it is to be disillusioned, to be depressed, to ask God why he let you see a new day, to see the house of cards all come tumbling down. 

Listen to me. Hard times are not a sign that God has forgotten about you. He never forgets about you. It takes time to heal from any type of hurt. You're not just going to jump out of bed and be all better. However I need you to focus on the goodness of God to you. Make Him your best friend. Tell Him where and how it hurts. Don't allow life make you bitter. Take it from a widow, He reaches deep down where no husband could. Open your eyes, there's a 'Ruth' somewhere who reminds you of who you used to be. Life isn't about not facing storms. Its about going through them and coming out on the other side. You may never understand why what happened did but don't lose your faith. You need to do something, you can't stay where you are. I had to go back home..to Bethlehem, where the real bread was. Only you knows where your Bethlehem is.

I'm glad no one ever called me Mara, its good to surround yourself with good people. All over the world, people still talking about me. Calling me a model 'mother-in-law' and all. Thing is I never set out to be this great woman of faith and I'm happy my lowest points were recorded for all to see. Its was never about me, always about Him. If He can use me, He can use you too. 

We'll always have 'Mara' situations and circumstances but always remember you are 'Naomi' despite it all.

Keep winning with God.

Your's truly

Naomi

The Proverbs 31 Enigma: She is me!

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

Love her, hate her, don't understand her, can't be bothered about her? The Proverbs 31 woman has got to be one of the most talked about and yet still misunderstood characters in the Bible. Men want to marry her, women wonder if they can ever be her. Often regarded as the 'Superwoman' of the Bible, the question is as women, can we ever meet up and match her skills, talents and achievements. I must confess I'd never really seen myself having much in common with her, the opening summary about her starts with the word 'wife' which I'm not. It talks about her artistry with the needle, I prick holes in my fingers. A version of the Bible talks about her gardening skills, I'm a professional weed tender! Lol! So how do I even think of keeping up? I would just gloss over the verses nodding but never really seeing Believer on those pages.

Step in Holy Spirit, the Illuminator of the Word. He asked me why I always focused on what she did as opposed to who she was. The caption above says 'The Wife of Noble Character,' not the 'The Wife of Noble Doings' or 'The Wife of Great Acts' because at the end of the day our character is who we are which then influences what we do. So many times we get it twisted, we want to 'do' differently instead of working on the inside at 'being' different. He also reminded me that God calls those things that be not as though they were, when He created me, He put the anointing of a wife inside of me as well and even though I haven't manifested that area of my life yet, it didn't preclude me from being one anyway! The Holy Spirit is so charming, isn't He? Also, note that no name was ascribed to this woman, so you can conveniently put your name there, the Proverbs 31 woman is me!

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

Proverbs 13: 10-15

Strive to be the best where you are with what you have

If I had to caption the essence of what being a Proverbs 31 woman was, this would be it. It's quite interesting to note that no reference was made to her personal wardrobe, or to her shoe collection, or to her 'always on point' accesories. I know she wasn't a shabby woman, she clothed her household in scarlet but there was much more to her than just being a pretty face or looking good. Woman of God, you are worth far more than rubies. Always remember that no matter what life throws your way. Her husband had full confidence in her, like me you may still be single but do the people in your life have full confidence in you? Do you add value to their lives? Do you bring them good and not harm? That my dears, is the character of a Proverbs 31 woman. Our character is our essence, its our atmosphere, like a signature perfume that lingers on your loved ones long after you've left the room, this is what we should be working on. She is not an idle woman. It's not enough to be, after that we must go out and do something. Also, she really isn't Superwoman, for she had servant girls! She is wise enough to know to enlist help because she can't be everywhere, doing everything at every time. She is a manager, she is a leader. The Proverbs 31 woman is me.

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff  and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 

v 16-19

Show me the money!

Financial independence, yay! Women, we need to wake up and smell the coffee. I personally believe every believer should have a stream of income aside from your JOB and yes this includes women. We must learn to mind our own 'business'. She even tells us how to do it, first she bought a field (asset), out of her profits, she makes her asset even more profitable by planting a vineyard. Vineyard produces wine and she still owned the landed property. I'm not sure every woman should go into real estate but we must acquire assets. There are a number to pick from, just pick something!  Proverbs 31 women aim to increase the size of their asset column and shrink the size of their liabilities! How much of your money is really working for you. Or is it paycheck to Macy's, paycheck to Selfridges and paycheck to The Palms? Women of God, we need to wake up. Sort out your finances.  Don't plunge your husband or yourself into unnecessary debt, we bring good and not harm to the people connected to us. Show me the money! Start small, she started with a field and then made it a vineyard. Trade and God will strengthen your arms to ensure that it is profitable. He is your God and He will teach you how to make wealth. The Proverbs 31 woman is me.

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

v.20-22

Making a contribution

"Life is more than the acquisition of stuff, its about what we have done, whom we have served and why we will be remembered when we leave" (ZoeB). Its quite obvious that this woman was adept with the needle, but maybe you're not. Maybe you have been equipped with the voice of encouragement, have been anointed to intercede, maybe you can cook egusi in a way that makes one forget their sorrows or you're good with children. She could sew, yes but what can you do? How can we open our arms to the hurting in our world. How can I share the gifts I have been endowed with. Everyone has something, life is about recognising what that something is and making the best of it. The Proverbs 31 woman is me.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate

v. 25-31

Wadrobe check

Reminds me of the verse, don't let your beauty be merely from outward adornment. Its about what's within. This we cannot do without wisdom. Wisdom we cannot have without the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord we cannot have without a relationshop with Him. Its not about being up from dusk to dawn, rushing from one activity to the other. It's not about being Alpha Mum or a Yummy Mummy, its about being the best you, where you are and with what you have. The grace of God is sufficient to strengthen you for the tasks that He himself has called you to be. Single, married, parent, employee, employer, woman or man, its all the same to Him. He uses those who are available and willing to be used by Him. You don't live to seek the praise of men, your works will bring you praise. So keep stepping. The Proverbs 31 woman is you.

iPray Friday: Becoming a Woman of Noble Character

Dear Lord, I ask for your grace and strength to be that woman you created me to be. Not what Vogue thinks I should be, not what my parents think I should be, not even what my pastor thinks I should be. You created me and you designed me for a specific purpose. Help me on this journey on discovering 'who I be' that I may know 'what I do' in Jesus name. Amen.

A season of prayer: Day 35

A Prayer when I'm waiting

We wait
We're not in a hurry
O we need You Lord
We wait
All our cares and worries
We lay aside for You
O how we long to see Your face
O how we long for Your embrace

We wait
We're not afraid to tarry
We yearn for You Lord
We wait
For Your mighty wind to carry us
Into Your presence Lord
And as we fill this house with praise
May Your holy fire fill this place
We Wait by Don Moen

Eternal Rock of Ages, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Alpha and Omega, Author and Finisher. The I AM...I bless your name. Daddy, I give you praise, you alone are worthy to receive glory, honour and power for there in no one like you. You decree a thing and you make it come to pass. I am in awe of your goodness, I am in awe of your faithfulness. I confirm what the psalmist wrote that indeed great is your faithfulness, morning by morning, new mercies I have seen. All I have needed you keep on providing. Jehovah Shalom, thank you for teaching me to walk in your peace that passes all understanding. I choose not to be frazzled in Jesus name. Thank you for breath, thank you for the sun, thank you for my 2 eyes + 2 lenses that make me see men as men and not men as tree walking!!! Daddy, I love you.

Today O Lord as always, I come before your throne of grace asking for the strength and grace to enable me wait on you. Job said he would wait until his change came. David encouraged us to wait on you for you are a God who answers. Indeed your word says that you are not slack concerning your promise as some would count it and that your promises towards us are not yes and no but YES and in you AMEN. So Daddy, why do I find it so difficult, why am I always looking for alternatives and back up plans, why can't I just sit pretty at the bus-stop when I know the miracle that has my name on it will be arriving shortly. Father, forgive me for the times I have jumped on the Ishmael service because I thought that you had forgotten me.

How can you forget me? You said even though my mother can forget me and I know she can't that you would not forget me for my name is inscribed in the palm of your hand. My waiting is not because you are trying to gather enough power to make it happen (Hang on Believer, let me answer Ms. 30+ prayer request first so that I can give you my full attention!) because your word says that you are both willing and able to do of your good pleasure. It's for me, so that patience can have her perfect work in me that I may be complete and perfect lacking nothing.

Sometimes I ask why me, why do I have to wait? Wait to get into Uni, wait to be in a relationship, wait to....you know what the last wait is but Father Lord although I don't fully understand why, I've never ever regretted waiting for indeed you have made all things beautiful in their time. You have restored my years back, like Sarah I have laughed as I held on to my Isaac. So Lord, I will wait, I might grumble sometimes, forgive me, hopefully this reduces as I grow in maturity with you but I will wait on you. I will wait actively, I won't have what Ms. Hammond calls one-tree-itis focusing on the one object I'm waiting on forgetting that in Eden there is a whole garden that I can choose to eat from. I will focus on being a blessing in the lives of others. I will celebrate with people as they walk into their Canaan land. I choose to wait and be happy, no use frowning and getting wrinkles! I will trust you that you will make all things beautiful in YOUR time. You didn't forget Abraham, Sarah, Rebekah, Isaac, Ruth, Jacob, Joeseph, David, Moses, Joshua, the children of Israel, Jesus, the disciples e.t.c in short you didn't forget anyone who walked with you so you will surely not forget me.

I may cry sometimes but at the end of the day give me the grace and strength to dig my feet in and say "I know in whom I have believed and when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold". Amen and Amen.

If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, Till my change comes. Job 14:14

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage,And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD Psalm 27:14

He has made everything beautiful in its time Ecclesiastes 3:11a

I will

I have been studying some chapters in Isaiah and I have recognised a new name for my King and my Lord, He is the "I will" God. Thank God for God because there is no-one like Him, thank God because we can never exhaust all that He has to teach us from His word, all that He asks is that we trust and obey Him and He reveals more of Himself to us.

God said in His word that He is both "willing and able to do of His good pleasure". He told me, "when I say I will, that is exactly what I mean, I don't mean I may or I am trying to or even I can but I will". God is a God of covenant and He is a promise keeper. God is not a man, He cannot lie and He cannot fail. If He said I will, it will come to pass, here a few things He has promised to His children and I really want to run with it.

I will make a way in the wilderness
I will make crooked places straight
I will cut asunder the gates of brass and the bars of iron
I will rivers flow on dry hills
I will change the DESERT into a LAKE OF WATER and dry lands into FOUNTAINS OF WATER
I WILL DO A NEW THING
I will make you STRONG and I will HELP you
I will support you with my right hand that saves you
(different chapters and verses in Isaiah 40-44)

Unfortunately for the devil, as he always tries to copy and imitate, he creates his own i will,

i will stop you
i will steal your joy
i will destroy your destiny
i will steal your peace

but he always forgets that the created can never be greater than the Creator, the one who was made can never be greater than the Maker, so to all the enemies plans, God simply says "You will not" and that settles it.

Fortunately for us, when we choose to believe, choose to agree and choose to walk in God's purpose for our lives, we are able to walk in His will as well.

We will walk on mountains and crush them
We will make the hills like chaff
We will be happy in the Lord (rebuke every spirit of heaviness and depression that comes to steal your joy)
We will be proud of the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 41:15-15 NCV).

This is what we will do, not try to do, not hope to do, WE WILL. I thank God because I have come to a stage in my life where I know to cross the hurdles in front of me requires the hand of God, no longer human wisdom but that which comes from above. I'm still learning to walk in obedience, it is the key that opens a lot of doors. IT IS WELL!

Remain blessed and highly favoured. 2008 continues to remain our year of uncommon testimonies as we have been EMPOWERED to PROSPER.

What are you wearing?

When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his CLOTHES, put on SACKCLOTH and ASHES, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. But he went only as far as the king's gate because no-one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it Esther 4:1-2 NIV Capitals mine

Mordecai left the KING's PRESCENCE wearing ROYAL GARMENTS of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of FINE LINEN Esther 8:15a (NIV) Capitals mine

Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his FILTHY CLOTHES.". Then he said to Joshua, "See I have taken away your sin, and I will put RICH GARMENTS on you." Then I said, "Put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by. Zecheriah 3:3-5 (NIV) Capitals mine

When he had said this, Jesus called out in a loud voice, "Lazarus come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the GRAVE CLOTHES and let him go." John 11:43-44 (NIV) Capitals mine

Thank you Lord for your word. Alpha and Omega, author and finisher. You are worthy of all praise. I like watching makeover shows, for me it's not really about the cosmetic surgery or what not but just the observation of the difference a change in hairstyle, makeup and wardrobe can make to an individual.

I love being African..hmm so many textiles to choose from, so many styles, when I see what young Nigerian women are doing with our fabrics, I am blown away!!Yes o, African women, we love to dress. The clothes we wear are indicative of our personality (ouch to me, what is this raggedy boubou saying about me?Lol!), they are also indicative of the place and function we are attending. We need to dress the part. I love the fact that irrespective of how 'modern' times are, strict observance to dressing etiquette is still observed at institutions like Royal Ascot..no hat, no entrance, dress way up above the knee, no entrance and it doesn't matter who you are!

Brings me back to my question, what are you wearing? Are you wearing garments indicative of the pain that you are going through at this moment like Mordecai, in Bible times the wearing of sackcloth and ashes signified that the person was mournful, sorrowful and was waiting on the Lord to hear their cries. We are blessed to have a God who accepts us as we are, where we are. Unlike the king in the story, you can enter His gate no matter what you wear. What I love about Him is that, He loves us too much to leave us in a fashion faux pas. He too is fashionable, the Bible says the train of his robe fills the temple (Isaiah 6:1)! He takes us into His closet and clothes us with royal garments, garments of praise, garments of joy, garments of peace and garments of testimony!When Mordecai finally found his way into the king's presence, his garments changed. So do not be worried, sackcloth and ashes are for a season but a new season is coming, so rejoice!

Some are wearing garments of shame like Joshua the high priest, these are filthy garments indicative of sin. Even then He still asks that you come, confess and repent of those sins and ask for His grace to live the life He has called you to live. I am not perfect, no one is, daily I must ask for grace to carry the cross and follow him. Forget about the past and reach forward to the future He has for you, He will clothe you in clean garments, garments of purity, garments of righteousness.

Are you Lazarus, wearing grave clothes? A dead relationship, a dead business, a dead dream or a dead loved one? your clothes have got you bound. You are alive but not living as life goes on around you and you are unable to move, unable to love, unable to BE. I think it's interesting that the first thing Jesus asked was that they removed the grave clothes, they had to be removed so that Lazarus could go, leaving the place associated with death and walking into the destiny the Lord had for him.

Brothers and sisters, it is well. At different points in my life, I think I have worn some if not all of these garments but I thank God that He has become my consultant and always gives me a wardrobe makeover!!Removing things that should not be there, putting in things that should. Like the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, designer shoes from the house of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation. Most importantly in this season the garments of humility, patience and prayer. It doesn't matter what you are wearing now, feel free to enter the throne room. He will change your garments.

Amen and amen. Welcome to a new month. I'm so excited 08/08, double confirmation of new beginnings every single day of this month.Hurray! Remain blessed and highly favoured. 2008 continues to remain our year of UNCOMMON TESTIMONIES in Jesus name. Ayo, we will surely testify!

I am a DIVA!

Hi all,

I trust that you are all well and standing strong in the Lord. I've been reading The Diva Principle by Michelle Mckinney Hammond. I'm really loving it! The way I see it we are all supposed to be divas because we are daughters of the King of Kings. Although the word is not always used in a positive way, this is my own spin on it from what i am learning from the book.


I am a DIVA. I am DIVINELY INSPIRED to live with a VICTORIOUS ATTITUDE

A DIVA is secure in who God made her to be. She knows that she is fearfully and wonderfully made. She takes time to assess both areas of strengths and weakness in her life. She develops her strengths and is proactive about working on weaknesses even when it stretches her beyond her comfort zone.

A DIVA is gracious, oh yes there are some aggravating people out there but a DIVA knows that between stimulus and response there is the power to choose. She knows that a gentle answer turns away wrath and that it is the glory of the wise to overlook an insult. No unwholesome talk proceeds from her mouth but her speech is always with grace as seasoned with salt.

A DIVA is hospitable, you always feel at home in her prescence. She makes you feel that you are the most important person on earth because she genuinely puts you there.

A DIVA is a woman of integrity. If she says she'll be there she will, at the time she said she said. Sure, life is not always black and white but if she won't be there or will be late she'll let you know so you can make other arrangements.

A DIVA is a servant. Her life's purpose is to serve. To serve her God and humanity. For her, life is not the accumulation of things but the opportunity to be a blessing in service to those God has brought her way.

A DIVA is a woman of vision. She knows that there is more to life than the immeadiate present, that the vision God has given her is for an appointed time and will speak so she waits on the Lord to show her where He wants her to be and asks His guidance in getting there.

A DIVA is a lover. She loves her God, totally without any inhibitions or apologies. She is not ashamed to lie prostrate in His presence irrespective of designer wear..Lol! She is not ashamed to to cry in His prescence or jump up and down giving undignified praise because she knows that He is the ultimate lover of her soul and if it had not been for Him she would be nothing. A DIVA loves others unconditionally and sacrificially from a GENUINE heart.

A DIVA is beautiful both within and without. She realises that her body is a temple of God so she must be careful about both what goes in and what goes out of it. She knows that like a car's engine is only as productive as the quality of petrol and maintenance that it gets, she takes time to eat well, exercise, rest, recharge and restore. She know's she not superwoman so she says no to the good so she can focus on the best.

A DIVA relates. She knows no woman is an island and that life is all about relationships. She maintains a 360 degree relational cycle, mentoring those coming behind her, encouraging and affirming those on the same level as her and being mentored by those that have gone before her.

A DIVA has a VICTORIOUS ATTITUDE. She knows that life is not a bed of roses but she is building her house on the rock so that when the storms of life come, by the grace of God she is able to bear it. She knows that failure is not an event but a mentality and that even though the righteous may fall seven times, the Lord will raise her up. She is able to admit her mistakes and move on because she is humble enough to admit that she is not perfect and it is only by the grace of God that she is who she is!

Wow! I guess there is more..feel free to share your thoughts. Looking at these, I know there are so many areas where growth is needed but I still thank God. By His grace, I know we can get there.

Remain blessed and highly favoured. 2008 continues to remain our year of UNCOMMON TESTIMONY!

Who would have thought?

For who hath despised the day of small things? Zechariah 4:10a (KJV)

Brothers (and sisters!)I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I PRESS ON towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus Phillipians 3:13-14 (NIV) brackets and capitals mine

For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to PROSPER you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) capitals mine

Who would have thought....

that the orphaned, captive of today would be a queen tomorrow (Esther)
that the ones called barren would have cause to laugh (Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth)
that the one who stuttered would be bold enough to face Pharoah (Moses)
that the one who denied Christ would speak for Him and die for Him (Peter)
that the foreign widow would have a reason to smile again (Ruth)
that the tanned sherperd boy, forgotten by his own father would reign as king (David)
that after 34 years of paralysis, he would walk home carrying what had been carrying him (thanks, 30+!) (the ex-paralytic!)
that the one who went through the pit, slavery and prison would end up in the palace (Joeseph)
that irrespective of how your today seems, your TOMORROW will be greater as you walk with the Almighty, the TURN IT AROUND God. He is an UNCHANGING CHANGER. He does not change but there is no situation He cannot change.

Today, looking at our lives there might be a great discrepancy between what He has promised and what we are actually experiencing but He has asked us not to despise these days, they are days of small beginnings but thank God because He has greater plans in store for us in our future. We all have made mistakes but let's not let that stop us. Forget the mistakes of yesterday and press on towards what is ahead. There is breakthrough in front of you, there is a testimony in front of you, there is VICTORY in front of you.

Who would have thought, eh?!

Remain blessed and highly favoured. 2008 continues to remain our year of uncommon testimony in the mighty name of Jesus.

Your latter will be greater than your past
You will be blessed, more than you can ask
In spite of all that has been done
The best is yet to come
And your latter will be greater
Your latter will be greater than your past
Israel Houghton

I Dare you to.........Praise

I will exalt you, my God the King;I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another;they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,and I will meditate on your wonderful works. Psalm 145:1-5 (NIV) Bold mine

I asked; "What is praise?". He replied, "praise is an ATTITUDE that acknowledges that all that you are, all that you do and all that you have is all due to the fact that I love you and will always uphold my word concerning you and no, it isn't the fast songs you sing at the beginning of service"!!

I just noticed this morning that the last few psalms have to do with praising the Lord. So many times, the psalmist says "I will praise you". We can only praise God when we meditate on His wonderful works. I tend to worry about so many things and for a while I've not really been in a happy place but TODAY I decided to meditate on His wonderful works in my life.

He has...
redeemed me and adopted me into His family
made me fearfully and wonderfully
kept me alive and well
provided me with shelter and enough food to eat
kept my family safe and sound
created this earth with just the right concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere for me to breathe
given me a job
has answered my prayers
supplied me with talents
put the enemy to shame on my behalf on so many occasions
given me the ability to also be a blessing in a small way
given me the Holy Spirit who takes me from natural to supernatural
blessed me with a pastor who ministers into my life for TRANSFORMATION
forgiven me and taken me back each time I have strayed
connected me with people who have been such a blessing

Not everything in my life is the way that I want it to be, I know I'm not where I should be but I praise Him because when I look back, I can surely say He has been faithful. He has brought me from a mighty long way and I know that He still has a lot in store for me as long as I choose to walk in the way He has prepared for me. If you have time, meditate on Psalm 145, the psalmist does a better job in expressing his praise.

So, I DARE YOU to praise Him today as if you have received the answer to that one thing you have been believing God for. It is well. Remain blessed and highly favoured. 2008 continues to remain our year of UNCOMMON TESTIMONY.

Come and join me sing hallelujah
Jehovah Jireh has done me well
.....................................................................................
He'll do it again, He'll do it again
Yes, He will do it AGAIN
Just take a look at where you are NOW
and where you've been
He'll ALWAYS come through
For us
He's the same now as then
Don't you know God cannot change
We may not know HOW, we may not know WHEN
But He'll do it AGAIN

This God!

This our God we serve, honestly He is truly interested and involved in the affairs of men. I was just watching Gladiators on Sky (yes o, I'm a big Gladiators fan..i think the new one on Sky is fab!!!)Anyways, one of the male contenders caught my interest (not in the way you may be thinking!!). My first impression was that he had a rather small frame and then when he spoke, the first thing he said was that he was a Christian, he believed in God and that although he looked like David, God enabled David slay Goliath! I was impressed about how he was so vocal about his faith.
Well the games started but the gladiators are HUGE; Tornado, Destroyer, Oblivion aah even me I really felt for the guy because the other contender was more evenly matched physically speaking to the gladiators. As I expected, when it got to the eliminator there was a whopping 11 seconds between them.

When he was asked what he thought about his chances, he said that God's will would be done. Can I confess?? I laughed, the way I imagine Sarah must have laughed when the angels said.."by this time next year, you will have a child". My sister looked at me and said "You never know". I was like, this guy has lost. Not only is he smaller, the larger guy has a time advantage on him. So the race started and as I predicted, the big guy was seriously in the lead but like from nowhere, the small guy kept reducing the gap until they were neck and neck. Suddenly 'Goliath' fell and my guy got into the lead. At the last obstacle, he didn't have any strength to go on and for a minute it seemed like 'Goliath' would win but as if from nowhere, 'David' got the strength to get to the top and my mouth was agape for a few minutes. My sister just looked at me and said, "I told you so". Even the host on the show commented that it must have been God's will that he won.

As we go into a new week, sometimes it may feel like the odds are stacked against us, we are like David and our challenges seem to be like Goliath but we need to remember that we serve a God who is bigger than any situation that we may face. He is a God who can use 4 lepers to defeat a mighty army, 300 men with lamps and trumpets to defeat an army. He does not look at our physical sizes, he looks at the size of our faith. So, go with God. When all your strength is gone, lean on Him. He makes impossibilities possible.

Have an absolutely wonderful week and remember that 2008 continues to remain our year of UNCOMMON testimonies. It is well.

Remain blessed and highly favoured.

I AM THAT I AM

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you Exodus 3:14 (KJV)

He is indeed that I AM. He says...

I AM....

the way where there seems to be no way
the light where you seem to be surrounded by darkness
the living water that quenches your thirst permanently
the wisdom you need to unravel the mysteries of life
the refuge that anchors you in the storm
the healing that makes you whole
the word that encourages you in spite of your circumstances
the One who loves you unfailingly, irrevocably and totally
the testimony that puts your enemies to shame
the strength that keeps you going
the shield that surrounds you in the battle

I AM all these and more..you just have to search the Word to discover more. Walk in the knowledge of me that you have and become an overcomer.

There is nothing like taking time to stay in the presence of God, it's a place of comfort and strength. You get what you need to keep going. Life can be difficult but I'm blessed to always have someone and somewhere I can go.

Remain blessed and highly favoured. 2008 continues to be our year of UNCOMMON testimony. Remain expectant.

You've heard the word, so watcha gonna do about it??

I don't even know where that title came from, i was just spending some time reading the word and that statement dropped into my spirit. As believers in this age, we have access to the Word of God as it has never been before. We can listen to Christian radio, TV, podcast, we can watch a service live on the Internet. We have the Bible in so many translations, sizes and languages. This week my friend gave me the New Testament in Igbo sef ( o dikwa very wondrous..LOL!!) I think what the Holy Spirit was trying to say to me was that the issue was not necessarily the AVAILABILITY of the word but the USABILITY (sorry for poor grammar)of the word in my life.

We know so many things about the word of God. For example

It was there in the beginning (John 1:1)
It does not return empty but accomplishes His desire (Isaiah 55:11)
It is living and active (Hebrews 4:12)
It enables us to overcome (Revelation 12:11)
It has been exalted above all things (Psalm 138:2)
It is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105)

We know what the Word of God is and what it can accomplish in our lives, my question was then, why isn't my life always a true reflection of the Word of God? The answer I received was.....

First, there is the issue of timing. Joeseph received a word from God concerning his destiny, that it would be very great but his life at some points seemed to be in direct contrast to what he had heard. Psalm 105:17-19 (KJV)says until the time that his word came; the word of the Lord tried Him. Be encouraged that even when your physical eyes see something different from what you know in your spirit to be true, that the Lord makes all things beautiful in its time (Ecc 3:11).

A very fundamental issue however, is how we receive the word of God. This is how it came to me,

'Believer, have you become so accustomed to the Scriptures that you can already anticipate what will be preached when it is quoted? Do you know it all, have heard it all and seen it all? Believer, allow the Word to be fresh and renewed in your life on a daily basis. Be hungry for the word of God. I know you enjoy it but be so hungry for it, like air, something that it is impossible to live without'.

For the word to become fruitful in our lives (to become flesh John 1:14), it must fall on good soil. Remember the parable of the sower (Mark 4:3-20), the issue was not with the word (seed) but where the word fell. So you've heard the word, watcha gonna do about it? Will you be the roadside, allowing Satan to take the Word away from you? Or will you be a rocky place, not allowing the word to take root in you, just jumping up and down when you hear it? Or will you be in the category, I usually find myself in; the thorns...I hear the word but allow worry, fear, desire for other things and anxiety to choke the life out of it and I wonder why it hasn't produced anything in my life.

For the word to bear fruit, I must be good soil,I love the way Luke explained it (Luke 8:15, NIV). The good soil stands for a noble and good heart. An unrenewed heart cannot be good soil because it is full of things that choke the word of God. We are purified in the trials of life's adversities, like silver where impurities rise to the surface and are skimmed off until the refiner can clearly see His reflection, God places us in the fire of trials until anger bubbles up, until unforgiveness bubbles up, what about envy and jealousy? He continues until He can see His full reflection in us.

So now we are good soil, the word has been sown in us, we have heard the Word, what next? We must RETAIN it. Ponder on it, meditate on it, ask and reflect on what it means to you personally and how you can apply it in your life and situation. Note, you retain what you hear so be careful what you hear. Don't go to where the word is comfortable, go where the word is strong. You will only harvest what has been sown!

When we retain the word, we must also persevere in and for it. The devil is a master strategist and will come to try you. Like Jesus, overcome Him with 'It is written'(Matt 4:1-11). Persevere until the word of God comes to pass, until the intagible becomes tangible.

Hold on
Change is coming
The day is breaking
The night is passing away
with it's darkness
and it's tears
with it's uncertainties
the morning is coming
with it's light
and it's joy
with it's hope

You are blessed and highly favoured. Thanks for taking the time to read. 2008 continues to be our year of UNCOMMON TESTIMONIES.

Hold on

At least there is HOPE for a tree (Believer):if (she) is cut down (she) will SPROUT again, and (her) new shoots will not FAIL. (Her) roots may grow old in the ground and (her) stump die in the soil, YET at the scent of water, (she) will BUD and put forth shoots like a plant (Job 14:7-9, NIV)

He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with SONGS OF JOY, carrying sheaves with Him (Psalm 126:6, NIV)Capitals and brackets mine

I wonder what would have happened if....

Noah did not build the ark because people were laughing at him (Hebrews 11:7)
Sarah had considered her age (Genesis 21:1-3)
Job decided he'd had enough (Job 14:14)
Joeseph had chosen not to interpret the butler's dream (Genesis 40:6-14)
Ruth had linked arms with Orpah and gone back to Moab (Ruth 1:16-17)
Esther did not take her petition before the king (Esther 4:15-16)
Elisha had turned back at the Jordan (2nd Kings 2:1-10)
Naaman refused to dip in the river (2nd Kings 5:10-14)
The Hebrew boys bowed to the idol (Daniel 3:16-18)
The woman with the issue of blood had not pressed through the crowd (Luke 8:42-48)
Jesus had turned back at the sight of the cross (Matthew 26:42, 27:46)

I also wonder what would have happened if

Martin Luther King had kept his dream to himself
Rosa Parks had stood up when asked
William Wilberforce had stopped presenting his bill to Commons
Thomas Edison had given up after the hundreth attempt

Most importantly, I wonder what will happen
If I and you do not GIVE UP today?
even when the odds seemed to be stacked against us

All the names mentioned above had genuine reasons to give up on their dreams or throw away their faith and belief because of the issues and obstacles they faced. Yet at the decisive moments of their lives, they decided to HOLD on because they knew the ONE in whom they had believed was faithful. Laurie Beth Jones in her wonderful book, Jesus in Blue Jeans terms this as 'not flinching at the critical moment'. We will all face such critical moments, some of us are facing them right now, so what will we decide to do? give up and throw in the towel or hold on a little bit longer. I love the Scripture above from Job, the Bible says at the scent of water, a tree will bud. In the Bible, water is symbolic of the word of God. The only way we can get that scent is to keep our eyes fixed on the Word of God. I'm not for a moment saying this is easy, it isn't. The Word is a source of encouragement, a source of power, it isn't natural to just keep confessing God's word when it seems to be totally opposite to what your eyes can see concerning your circumstance but that's what faith is about. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) says it's being SURE of what we HOPE for and CERTAIN of what we do not SEE. Do not be afraid for surely there will be an end to the issues that we face and our expectations shall never be cut off. All that we need is to hold on to God. His Word is true and if He has given you a word concerning something, He can never, never, never fail.

So please, keep holding on, sometimes it's that little extra that differentiates a 'breaking' from a breakthrough.

You are blessed and highly favoured. This continues to remain our year of UNCOMMON TESTIMONY.

His face

But , he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see my face and live" Exodus 33:20

I wonder why no one could see your face and live
Was your face that scary?
Or you didn't want anyone to know
You had a dimple in your left cheek
Now I know
that
your face is so beautiful
Your eyes are so full of love
Surrounded by the splendour of your majesty
Illuminated with your light
Truly
no one can see your face and live
not here anyway
we would want to leave
to live with you forever

Coming back home

The Lord says: "These people say they love me; they show honour to me with WORDS, but their HEARTS are far from me. The honour they show me is nothing but human rules. Isaiah 29:13 (New Century Version) Capitals mine

Forgive me Lord
for i have strayed
With my mouth
I have sang your praise
But my heart
Has been far from you
I have been so busy
chasing deadlines,
meetings,
people
forgetting that
I'm supposed to be
chasing
You,
Lover of my life,
Lover of my soul,
My Husband
My Father
My Friend
the One who delights in Me
So I've come back home to you
Your love has drawn me back
I find You so irresistible
It's difficult...no impossible
to live without You
I've tasted and seen
that You are good
Truly your mercy endureth forever
Thank you for loving me
THAT much

The Christian race is not an easy one, yes even Believer does stray but never beyond the reach of His grace and love. It's not only when we commit a 'BIG' sin like lying, stealing or gossip that we need His forgiveness. Sometimes it's just for not keeping Him first. His first commandment says we must have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3). Sometimes our 'gods' are good things but I have learnt that they are a poor substitute for abiding with the Father. It is well. I'm learning more about Him and His wonderful love with each passing day. Just remember that for you as well, His love is deep enough to catch you at whatever point you may be.

Remain blessed and highly favoured. 2008 continues to be our year of UNCOMMON TESTIMONY.

Don't give up

This morning while reading my Bible, a song came to me. I term it one of my more 'local' praise and worship songs that I sang as a child. It goes like this

everywhere He went
He was doing good
Almighty Healer
He healed the leper
When the people saw Him
they started walking
even TODAY
my Lord is doing GOOD

What really got me was the part that says that even TODAY..this very day..the 19th of January 2008..the Lord is doing GOOD. Sometimes when we have been waiting on the Lord for an answer to a specific need or a particular issue..the beginning of a new year sometimes seems bittersweet. We are happy to come into a new year alive and well but it is a reminder that the clock is ticking and we have been waiting. My encouragement to us is that even TODAY..our Lord is doing GOOD and in His perfect timing..those desires will come to pass in Jesus name.

In the Gospels..we hear about Jesus going from place to place..healing the sick, raising the dead, opening blind eyes, setting people free from demonic oppression and calming storms. Everywhere He went, He was doing good. I encourage you today to cling to Him and never let go..even though you are tired, just come to Him tired. If you can't stand He will carry you. As long as you are with Him, you will see that good. Never give up on that dream, just ask Him to come into the situation and watch Him work wonders.

I'm really expectant for good things this year. 2008 is our year of UNCOMMON TESTIMONY.

Remain blessed and highly favoured

Me

Random

Thank you for loving me
AS I AM
with my weaknesses
with my failures
with my insecurities
with my fears
with my DRAMA
but more than that
Thank you for loving me
TOO MUCH
to leave me that way

As I was reflecting today, I felt I heard him say..."Just come to me, as you are, where you are". Sometimes we think that when we want to come to Him, we need to be all good and perfect. It's ok to say that we are struggling, that we are unhappy or even afraid. Don't allow anything not even a mistake prevent you from coming to the ONE who loves you most. There's nothing about you He does not know and nothing will make Him stop loving you. Be rest assured when you spend some time with Him, He is willing and able to turn around every situation you may be facing..(yes, no matter how big it is, GOD IS BIGGER).

Have a blessed weekend. You are all BLESSED and HIGHLY FAVOURED.

Me

Happy New Year!!

Welcome to 2008 everyone. I just thank God for His faithfulness in 2007 and I am looking forward to and expectant for great things in 2008!! I trust it will be the same for you. I was just spending some time in the quiet place and I was reminded of a statement that I had always confessed. It's something Bishop Eddie Long always has us say when he comes to preach in my church. It goes..

GOD SAID IT
I BELIEVE IT
THAT SETTLES IT

GOD SAID IT
He said that...........
I am blessed and highly favoured
I am healed from every sickness and disease
I am redeemed, justified and forgiven
I am the head and not the tail
I am a new creation in Christ

I BELIEVE IT
because nothing is too hard for Him
because He who promised is faithful
because He watches over His word to perform it
because He is not slow concerning His promise
because His word can never return to Him void
because nothing is impossible with Him
because everything happens at the time God says it will

THAT SETTLES IT
so....
no more shaking...NO SHAKING
I am anxious for nothing but take everything to Him in prayer and thanksgiving
I am still confident that I will see His goodness in the land of the living

2008 has to be a great year. For me, it is a year of new things. A year of forgetting what has happened before and embracing the new things that the Lord has for me.I am standing on Isaiah 43:18-19. I am trusting God for the impossible and am determined to follow Him every step of the way and trust Him and lean not on my own understanding. It is well.

Remain blessed and highly favoured and once again, welcome to 2008, the best year of your life

This place

You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with JOY in your PRESENCE, with eternal pleasures at your right hand Psalm 16:11 (NIV) capitals mine

a place of strength
a place of joy
a place of restoration
a place of communion
a place of peace
a place of beauty
a place of grace
a place of hope
a place of miracles
a place of new beginnings
a place of inspiration
a place of correction
a place of transformation
a place of purpose
a place of transparency
a place of LOVE

I was thinking about what being in His Presence meant to me personally. There is no experience that can be compared to being in His Presence. Truly, anything can happen. You can never remain the same.

Lord, I thank you for your presence and the wonders you are working in my life today. I pray that all who come this way experience your presence in a new way that will leave them asking for more of you.

Remain blessed and highly favoured

Me

Life A-Z; G is for growth

growth (noun): the act or process, or a manner of growing; development; gradual increase. (Dictionary.com)

And the child GREW and became STRONG in SPIRIT....(Luke 1:80a)

And the child GREW and became STRONG; He was filled with WISDOM, and the GRACE of God was upon Him (Luke 2:40)

And Jesus GREW in WISDOM and STATURE, and in FAVOUR with God and men (Luke 2:52

And the boy Samuel continued to GROW in STATURE and in FAVOUR with the Lord and men (1st Samuel 2:26)

All Scriptures from the New International Version (NIV), capitals mine.

Hmm, G was a difficult one to get. At first, I couldn't think of anything that started with G then thanks to all the suggestions from my fellow bloggers, I had too many too choose from but when the word growth dropped in my spirit, I just asked the Lord to reveal to me what He wanted to teach me.

Growth...........as I celebrate another birthday in a few weeks, I am undergoing a process of self-evaluation. I'm asking myself questions like; Where am I now? Where am I going? How have I changed? from last year, 5 years back? What is God saying? I think the basic question is; Am I growing? I know I'm adding another year to my life but am I growing spiritually, mentally and emotionally? I think I've passed the stage for physically because any increase now will be horizontal and not vertical!!!

The verses above allude to John the Baptist, Jesus and Samuel. Not only did they grow physically (in stature), the Bible also records that they grew in the intangible (Spirit, wisdom and favour). I love the definition of growth as a process of gradual increase and development. We give birth to babies and they grow through different stages of life until they become fully grown adults.

So am I growing? I think yes, in some areas but I know there is still a lot of work in this heart of mine for the Holy Spirit to work on. Am I growing in wisdom? I shouldn't be making the same poor decisions I was making last year, 10 years ago. Am I growing in the fruits of the Spirit? Am I more loving, more kind, more peaceful, more gentle, more self-controlled, more faithful, more patient and more gentle (Gal 5:22)? I think the reason why these characteristics are fruits of the Spirit and not gifts are because we are expected to grow in them. A fruit does not appear overnight but manifests when a tree has been cultivated in the right environment for fruit development. The same with us, as our spirits are cultivated in the right environment by living and being led by the Spirit of God we also will manifest ALL the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

As I was meditating on this topic, the Holy Spirit revealed something to me. For proper growth of any living thing, adequate nourishment is required. Food is to our physical body what the Word of God and communion with the Holy Spirit is to our spirit. Remember that who we really are is spirit but encased in our natural bodies or flesh. When we become born again, our spirits receive life from God. It is with our Spirits we interact with the GodHead but the thing is that we tend to forget that our spirits also require nourishment. We feed our natural bodies, exercise and take care of it, giving it what it requires for growth but our spirits are not nourished so does not grow.

This is why sometimes we struggle with temptation because our flesh is stronger because it has been fed better. The word tells us that John, Jesus and Samuel grew both physically and spiritually so we need both to be effective in the ministries we have been anointed for. This is why although physically Samuel was at a young age, his spirit was mature enough to handle hearing things from God even when there were people older than Him (Eli and his sons) present (1st Samuel 3).

When we choose to grow spiritually, God can reveal more to us and anoint us to do even greater things for Him. We need to desire it. It's no longer enough to have known the Lord for x number of years but have we grown? Can we truly say we know more about Him now than we knew then? Paul addresses the church in Corinth..Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly-mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk and not solid food, for you were not ready for it (1st Corinthians 3:1-2a). Physically, it would be strange to see an adult existing on a diet of milk only. So also, we should desire the solid food of God. This is someone described by Paul in 2nd Timothy 2:15 as ...a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Also, the stronger our spirits are, the better it is able to renew (reprogramme) our minds (our thinking patterns, process) to no longer be conformed to this world but to be TRANSFORMED to the way God wants us to think (Romans 12:2).

My primary goal now is to grow spiritually. I know there is so much God has in store for us if we are willing for Him to use us. I think I'm getting a bit tired of this milk and need some spiritual 'chicken wings'.

Remain blessed and highly favoured

Me

I am anointed!

To anoint is defined in different ways by different people but the definition that resonates most with my spirit is 'to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out a certain task'. For a while now, I'd been afraid as I allowed the enormity of the different challenges I was (and in some ways still am) facing to overwhelm me. Like Peter, I had been looking at the waves instead of keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus 'the author and finisher of my faith'. I thank God for His grace over my life. His Word is so true when He says that He will never give us anything beyond what we can bear. The Word that set me free was simply "You have been anointed for your assignment".

To receive the anointing is far more than dipping your hand in oil and smearing your forehead or 'shaking' or 'falling' under the Spirit. I have no issues with these acts but sometimes we believers get carried away with rituals and lose sight of the power behind the actions. I have been anointed for my assignment. This tells me that God has empowered me for a specific purpose, for a specific calling and I am not, in short I cannot do what God has called me to do of my own wisdom, strength or ability but with God working through me.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me because the Lord has ANOINTED me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted , to proclaim freedom for the captives...Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 4:18-19 (Capitals mine)

But you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses..Acts 1:8 (Capitals mine).

Even Jesus had to be anointed before He began His earthly ministry. Of ourselves we can do nothing. In the Old Testament, a king had to be anointed with oil as a symbol of God's approval and acceptance of Him. After Saul was anointed, he was able to prophesy. After David was anointed, He was able to slay Goliath.

the 11 disciples were anointed to change the world with the Gospel
Paul was anointed to witness to the Gentiles
Daniel was anointed to interpret dreams and visions and occupy a place of authority in an ungodly kingdom
Martin Luther King was anointed to give black people a voice and bring an end to segregation
Bishop T.D Jakes is anointed to reveal deep mysteries of the word of God
Paul and Jan Crouch, Marcus and Joni Lamb are anointed to take the Word to the world, building churches without walls via television

The question then is, what have we been anointed for? I have been asking the Lord to reveal more about my assignment on this earth to me but I am beginning to see that I have been anointed to teach, to love, to give and encourage. Your assignment will not necessarily put you on CNN or the BBC because we all have a role to play and we can never really be fully fulfilled until we walk in the purpose God has designed for us. Some of us have been anointed to be in the jobs we are at, so that we can be the salt and light in our companies. Some of us have been anointed to remain on our knees in prayer for family members who don't know the Lord or interceding for the sick. Others are anointed to walk in certain dimensions of wealth not for themselves but to be used for God's work.

To be anointed is different from being gifted. The anointing takes your gift to a different level. Some people can sing but when an anointed person sings, even the sick can get healed. Some people can write, but an anointed person writes words that can pierce even the most hardened heart. The anointing took stuttering Moses and gave him the boldness to speak to Pharoah, King of Egypt.

The thing to remember is that the anointing has a price. Joeseph was anointed to be in the palace but He had to go through the pit, slavery and prison before he got there (Psalm 105:9). Immediately after Jesus baptism and the Holy Spirit descending upon Him (Matt 3:16-17), we are told that..Jesus was led by the SPIRIT into the desert to be tempted by the devil (Matt4:1) so know that challenges, trials, temptations will come but remember that you have been empowered from on High. I'm learning to look challenges in the face and boldly declare that I have been anointed for such a time as this, to be in this place and at this time so I know that God is able to do through me exceedingly and abundantly, above all I can ask or think, according to the POWER at work in me (Eph 3:20). Also, the anointing is able to break every yoke (Isaiah 10:27b).

How do we get the anointing? We ask, seek and knock (Matt 7:7&8). Elisha asked for a double portion of the anointing on Elijah's life (2nd Kings 2:9) and he received it because He was willing to pay the price and also because he asked with the right motives, remember that He sees our hearts.

So I'm encouraging you today, remember that greater is He in you (1st John 4:4) than anything you may face, with Him all things are possible so ask Him to anoint you and empower you to do what He has called you to do and be who He has called you to be.

It is well, I am praying for you and cheering for you!

You are blessed and highly favoured

Me