Problem, Opportunity, Choice

Praise Jesus!

Another beautiful day God has given us the grace to be alive again. Today I would love to share with you a few things that God reveled to me during last Sunday's sermon. Let us read from the book of Mark chapter 10 verses 46 through 52.

It was on a Sunday morning during the first service when the pastor was reading these scriptures and I could not refrain from noting down the things that started to flow in my head. Allow me to share with you and God bless you.

1. Even though Bartimaeus was blind, He knew Jesus. There were so many people passing by together with Jesus but he focused on Jesus. He knew that only Jesus could give him what he needed. Do not put your hope in human beings. No body can help you. God is going to use people to get you where He wants you to reach so put your trust in God. Bartimaeus knew that Jesus could have mercy on him and help him gain his sight.
   
2. Many people discouraged Bartimaeus saying that he was just disturbing Rabbi. He did not give in to their discouragements but rather, he kept pressing on towards what he believed. Stay focused on God. Let no situation, circumstances, people around you talk you out of what you have been praying to God. Keep up the faith and trust in God.
3. Recognize an opportunity and make the most of it. Probably there were other beggars as well, not only Bartimaeus. The rest either did not know Jesus and what He could do for them or maybe they heard of Him but they had no faith I can not tell.  But the Bible tells us about Bartimaeus. This man knew Jesus. It was a life changing opportunity for him. Still that was not a guarantee for his sight to be restored. Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He could have asked for money or anything else. Bartimaeus chose sight.
   
4. Knowledge and faith matters. It could not be possible for Bartimaeus to ask Jesus to help him see if He was ignorant of what Jesus was capable of. In normal circumstances for instance in class, if you want to solve a Math problem, it's not easy to go ask somebody who is poor in Math. You will find somebody who performs well to help you out. Knowing God more and more, knowing His word matters. Take a step further, have faith in Him. You do not have to figure out how is He going to work things out, just trust Him.
5. "Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road." There are some areas we are struggling with, we do not know how to go about just because we are blinded. When Bartimaeus received sight, he followed Jesus. Let us ask God to give us sight. Where we are blinded, we may or may not be aware of the areas but God knows them all.

God bless you so much for reading.

Happy Holidays!

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Embracing 2015

Hello my dear readers

Today I am going to start by telling you the reason to why I love it when a year is approaching to an end and a brand new year is about to begin.

This is a perfect time to reflect on all that has been happening throughout the year. It is usually a perfect time to go through all your goals and plans you had for the year, how did you carry them out, what has been accomplished and what is not yet. The reasons to why the target was not reached, what should be carried to next year, what is no longer important and a lot more.

It's very natural finding out that what mattered to you in January, 2014 is not longer of any importance in November, 2014 so it is always advised to go through your goals, plans, priorities every now and then. As we are winding up the year, it is important to look back and have a reflection of what happened, evaluate ourselves and see what areas should be celebrated and what areas need to be done better next time.

Many of us have big dreams, if you don't have one, it is high time now to dream. Have a vision of your life. I was reading a book entitled "100 Ways to Motivate Yourself" by Steve Chandler. He talked about the interview he had with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1976. Schwarzenegger made a point on how he was going to accomplish his dream of becoming Hollywood's top star. He said "What you do is create a vision of who you want to be, and then live into that picture as if it were already true."

This is the time for you to have the image of what you want to accomplish in the year 2015, where do you want to go, what should you learn, what books should you read. Do not wait for January to start making those plans.

When Dr. Myles Munroe passed away this year, a number of things came into my mind. It came into my remembrance that Jesus did not live to be 80, 90 or 120 on earth to bring salvation, to transform people's lives. He died and rose again and then He ascended to heaven in His early 30's. What if He waited to start His ministry at the age of 35? It could be already late.

It also reminded me that, I may not be having much time left to make sure that I have unloaded everything that God has placed in me for others.

I want you to challenge yourself for the year 2015. Think of what is it that you really want to do in your life. What is it that when you are on your death, you will surely regret not accomplishing. Where exactly does your passion lie. Create that vision, have a plan and go for it. Do not limit your imaginations. You are able to do anything. If you can dream it, you can accomplish it.

Make the most of your life for God's glory.

The seven 'Need to Know' Before and After Getting into a Relationship

First and foremost, I would love to give my special thanks to all of you my readers. I appreciate you reading my articles simply because, the vision of having this blog is not for me but for everyone who'll be able to access and read the articles that God has enabled me to write. Happy New Year, since this is my first article since the year started. Looking forward for much more in this year.

Today's sermon is a little bit complicated since it has taken the most of so many people. There is no formula to this and it has nothing to do with experience. There are few things that I came to learn concerning relationships. I'm happy that I am able to share these with you today. These are few points that covers three main areas, before getting into a relationship, at the moment you have to decide whether you should into a relationship with somebody and at the moment you are in a relationship. May the Spirit of God speak to you as you read this.

If you are single...

There is a big number of frustrated  single ladies and gents due to different issues. Some are so desperate about marriage, they only think of when am I going to get married or who should I date. They keep on fantasizing about almost everyone along their way. Some have gotten so bitter due to the issues they experienced in the previous relationships and they have totally lost hope. Being single is a very good time that you have to use to enjoy and equip yourself, make yourself better and better. Here are few things to help you:

One: Use this precious time to strengthen your relationship with God The bible says in 1 Corinthians 7: 32- 35  'I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife-- 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.' When you are single, it is almost an ideal environment for you to seek God. Most of the single people do not have much responsibilities as compared to the ones in relationships. It's easy to have enough time with God, Paul says that you have undivided devotion. Seek God during this time, ask for God's guidance and draw near to him. Trust God and He'll direct your ways.

Two: Have personal goals. There are some single ladies and gents who drop everything down and concentrate in just one thing - Searching for a life partner. I urge you to take sometime set your own goals, pursue your dreams, your purpose. Plan for five, ten, twenty... years to come and go after your goals. Let someone find you somewhere on the way to fulfilling your dreams. Have plans for personal development, read books, work hard, go to seminars and different workshops.

Three: Be predetermined and decide to have a clean christian relationship before engaging yourself with anybody. This is an important decision to make if you want to have a Godly relationship. When you have a clear picture of what you really want and a clear direction of where you want to go it will make it easy for you to stick to your decision when you come across crossroads. Make a decision and cling to it.

During the the decision making moments...

This is a crucial moment. The time when you have to decide whether you have to go after so or so, or should I accept this person's proposal??? This gives us our point number four.

Four: Create an atmosphere for a healthy relationship. Do not start a relationship in an environment that will not support a Godly relationship. The point I want to stress here is that, the environment should support a healthy, Godly relationship. Do not go after somebody's man or woman, lust should not dictate your dating and the likes.

In a Relationship...

Now you have decided to date this particular person, here I have a few things for you.

Five: When you are starting your relationship, it is important to have the same picture of where you want to go. This should be inside both of you, same expectations. Do not imagine what the other thinks but make it clear between both of you.

Six: When you are getting into a relationship, do not neglect your relationship with God. It is exciting being in a relationship. Having someone you're sharing love with. Keep in mind, there is the fundamental love and relationship that you are supposed to nourish and cherish. Keep the fundamental relationship alive, this is your relationship with God. It is neither to be forgotten nor neglected as God is the reason why we are alive today and we are supposed to live for Him. In fact, all people may change but God will remain the same and he will never leave you nor forsake you. This is a relationship worth keeping. You need to check your relationship with God constantly.

Seven: Last but not least, remember you are dating your brother or sister in Christ, you really do not want to hurt him or her.