UNDERSTANDING THE PRINCIPLE OF PERSISTENCE:
THE PRICE OF SUCCESS
You can build a tower of fantastic success but you must first draw in your minds eye the architectural sketches. Then you must lay a brick every day. If you lay a brick a day of several a day and everlastingly stay at it, your castle will be build, your tower will be achieved and you will stand there for all to see and respect as long as you live and, yea, much longer than even that. The decision is yours. You can be successful but you must pay the price of persistence for persistence empowers purpose. You cannot continue to do any one thing with persistence without developing amazing purpose in the process. The decision is yours. Will you pay the price of persistence effort- never give up, never wavering, never swerving from your purpose- always staying at it? You will succeed.
Persistence is the power that produces amazing achievement. The persistent command drives a pathway, a channel, a canal, a ditch, a roadway through the impressions of your mind and brings forth the desired result. Persistence pays off. It provides power. Do you want it? It’s up to you. So be persistent and you will accomplish.
You can achieve through persistence. There is no other emotion, no other thing that is as powerful as persistence. You can have anything you want if you will pay the price of persistence, staying after the effort. Let your goal be, “day by day, I m on my way,” say it over and over and you will succeed in Christ Jesus name.
VESSELS
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” (II Timothy 2:20-21).
Large or great house of the Bible days could be a King’s palace, public building such as museums, or any building of repute. Various articles, utensils and vessels were to be found there, not only of that which comes from precious expensive metals as gold and silver, but also vessels that were made of common materials of wood and clay.
The allusion to which Paul draws here is of God’s house where we find ourselves through His love. He draws it to our focus so that we can strive to be vessels of honour in God’s hands, fitted for noble services. Some vessels in a great house were kept with all safety for noble occasions. Some were not, because they were common and could be easily replaced. They did not have much value both in price and usefulness. Some were to be kept out of visitors’ sight. Our lives will definitely fall into one of these categories and where we fall into His making.
Apart from price and beauty, the difference and value of precious metal and earthen vessels were graphically shown in Leviticus 6:24-28. The passage talks of sin offering’s meat. If it is cooked in earthen vessels, after eating, the clay-pot must be broken, but if it’s cooked in bronze pot it is washed and preserved.
Noble or honorable services are not determined by human standard or activities, for every life have not the same divi have not the same divine purposes yet each life is successful when its own particular divine purpose is fulfilled. A life is not a failure because it is lowly and or only to lowly uses so long as it attains the end for which God has designed it. It is important to note that God’s first work in us is to form our souls; the question is not what we do, but what we are in His house. The potter is making vessels; God is making characters, souls and lives which can be put into noble services as vessels unto honour.
There is a need for today yielding in the divine hand as our potter, submitting loyally to His work in us as clay if we are to be vessels of honour prepared for noble services. After His work in us, if we are fitted for the work He originally and eternally purposed for us; then we are vessels unto honour, if not, we will be made into another vessels, fulfilling His alternative plan, for our lives. Paul explained it in the twelve chapters of Romans that there is a good, acceptable and perfect will of God. And there is no permissive will of God.
Paul gave his Fatherly instruction to his treasured son in faith – Timothy, what he should do to be a vessel indeed; he must consider himself faithful teacher, a soldier, an athlete and a hard working farmer. Like a faithful teacher, he was to be like Ezra who sought the law of God, loved and taught it in Israel. He should avid Pharisaic life that teaches but does not practice. Life that gives weight to words and eloquence without a grace of loving makes a man an ordinary secular philosopher.
Like a soldier, he should endure hardship. Modern day believers will cry, complain and compromise at every rise of a need like Israel in the wilderness. They lose their faith to keep their job, position and fame, they denied Christ, avoided the way of the cross in other to avoid hardship.
Like an athlete, he must have a focus, be law-abiding, discipline, and make constant practice of real and genuine faith.
He must be hard working as a farmer with godly patient of a husbandman (James 5:7-8, Hebrew 12:1). He must be a specialist in the area of his call, who needs not to be ashamed, correctly administering the truth. Timothy as a teacher, an evangelist, a pastor, a faithful son and a man of good reputation with the brethren – was to continue steadfastly.
Whatever is our area of service, if we shall be a vessel unto honour, we must approve ourselves and be dependable. Shalom!
HOW TO RECOVER FROM FAILURE
It is human nature to align with success and to shun failure. However, when there is success, failure lingers on the sidelines waiting for an opportunity to strike. Success and failure are two side of the same coin called life. We many want to say clear of failure at all costs. It can be failure at school, at work, in business, in marriage, in relationships and in ministry of God’s work on spends a considerable amount of time, money and effort to secure success. But sometimes all this comes to naught and failure is inevitable. It is at these times that we should remember that failure is an event which is passing with time. It is unfortunate that one tends to over- analyze and dwell on the aspect of failure to the extent of forgetting to pick up the pieces and carry on with the journey of life. In the midst of failure, you many forget that the power of renewed lies within you. You can recreated and renew yourself as a many times as a snack sheds its skin. To help those that find themselves stuck in the failure zone, it is possible to fine your passion and life compass again.
WHERE DO YOU START?
- PRAYER: – this one may seem strange to those who not believe but I would like to point out that whether pagan, religious or atheist; we all prayed in some ways during our life time. It can be a one word uttered during times to desperation, or a wish expressed subconsciously or a long conscious conversation with the creator, God, the Almighty. I have personally experienced the power grace and revelations of prayer especially when one surrenders their situation and stop striving to make things happen. As human beings we have limited power to control our lives. We were given dominion over things that we can control in the spiritual world and in the physical world because this is real. Therefore, when experiencing failure, it is important to realize our limitations and to handover complex issues to the creator. He is a Spirit and is found everywhere including inside out hearts and minds. It is sound like a mouthful but its takes faith to do this step and yet it is a very important step to pray first.
- MEDITATION: – it can be a simple exercise of finding one’s center of peace, by silencing the world and searching within one’s soul and mind for inner strength. It can also mean going over a message in our minds, over and over until it convinces us of its substance. One way is to meditate over the word of God i.e. reading the Holy Bible and reflecting on the message behind the stories. That has the effect of being out a new perspective to life. Apart from the Holy Bible, we can also read Christian spiritual books and Christians articles like blogs on Internet thats also having effect to bringing the essence of life to the fore.
- SELF-TALK:- Listing to the voice within-it appears awkward that you can find power through talking and listing to yourself as mention above, the power of renewal lies within us and in order to access it, one needs to interrogate one’s soul i.e. The mind, will and emotions. This enables us to find out what happened, why it happened and the best possible solution compatible with our nature. It is difficult for someone to accept a solution that their soul mind rejects. This is why the question is often posed: what do you think? Or what were you think? It is a way of interrogating the inner self if we take time to listening to ourselves; we would be shocked at how accurate the solution could be, if only our mind is renewed. However, most of the time we rush to adopt other ideas and solutions from others, ignoring our inner voice and leading to more failure.
- AFFIRMATION: – who does not want to be affirmed? We all want to be portrayed in a positive way and soon, positive statements like; I can do this or next time I will succeed or I have the ability to succeed are very powerful. The Holy Bible uses affirmations a lot to boot the morale of its readers and followers. Such verse as 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me -are affirmations. The more you highlight the positive things that you want to do and your ability to do them- the more the power that is stirred within.
- TAKE ACTION: – after all is said, the next step is to do! Saying and doing are two different things but I order to recreate yourself after experiencing failure, you need to take action. If one just says things without accompanying action, it is like reviving a car without moving it. Nothing will be accomplished. If you can do it, then do it! After prayer, meditation, self-talk and affirmation, the next step is to take action the plain and decisions. If plan was to spend more time studying to pass challenges physically of spiritually, the next thing is to spend time studying on the cause of the failure and treat at with this peals or else it will continue repeating itself over and over. Shalom!
Intelligence Versus Wisdom
I wish I had known these profound distinctions between Intelligence and Wisdom a long time ago…
Worth reading on …
1. Intelligence leads to arguments.
Wisdom leads to settlements.
2. Intelligence is power of will.
Wisdom is power OVER will.
3. Intelligence is heat, it burns.
Wisdom is warmth, it comforts.
4. Intelligence is pursuit of knowledge, it tires the seeker.
Wisdom is pursuit of truth, it inspires the seeker.
5. Intelligence is holding on.
Wisdom is letting go.
6. Intelligence leads you.
Wisdom guides you.
7. An intelligent man thinks he knows everything.
A wise man knows that there is still something to learn.
8. An intelligent man always tries to prove his point.
A wise man knows there really is no point.
9. An intelligent man freely gives unsolicited advice.
A wise man keeps his counsel until all options are considered.
10. An intelligent man understands what is being said.
A wise man understands what is left unsaid.
11. An intelligent man speaks when he has to say something.
A wise man speaks when he has something to say.
12. An intelligent man sees everything as relative.
A wise man sees everything as related.
13. An intelligent man tries to control the mass flow.
A wise man navigates the mass flow.
14. An intelligent man preaches.
A wise man reaches.
Intelligence is good
but wisdom achieves better results.
THE 7 FOLD ASCRIPTION OF THE LAMP
Jesus was slain, to receive for humanity what was lost by the fist Adam. This is a redemption value in the Blood of the Lamb.
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (Revelation 5:9-11, 12)
HE RECEIVED POWER – OMNIPOTENCE
He did not need power, He received it for us. He has always been the Almighty. Thus, power is available by the Blood; you do not have to be a weakling any more.
HE RECEIVED RICHES – POSSESSION
After the Passover Blood, pharaoh surrendered the power. Then God gave Israel favor, and they spoiled the Egyptians-that is, the Israelites were decked with riches! When Jesus died, He repeated the same Passover episode-by His Blood. Power was delivered to us, which is to force our enemies to surrender (psalm 66:2). By the Blood, therefore, all our enemies surrender automatically.
Now concerning Israel in Exodus, after the Blood made their enemies to surrender, favor gave them riches. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. (John 17:5)
HE RECEIVED WISDOM- OMNISCIENCE
Then came wisdom. Wisdom crowed them the way to go. After they left Egypt, pharaoh pursued after them. Face to face with the red sea, God’s wisdom came to show them how to cross the sea without a bridge. By the Blood, the wisdom of God is available for us in every conflict of life. Remember wisdom is profit table to direct. “but wisdom is profitable to direct.” (Eccl. 10:10).
HE RECEIVED FOR US STRENGTH – ABILITY
Strength, like that of unicorn, was the portion of the children of Israel, as they journeyed through the wilderness to Canaan. None among their tribes was feeble. By the Blood of Jesus, we can put an end to wickedness in our lives.
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Heb.7:25)
If the Blood had such powerful effects in the Old Testament, now imagine its effects today. If the shadow was so powerful, imagine the reality of the covenant. You do not need to spend your money to tame sickness any more.
The Blood is the answer! The Blood is able to give you instant, on-the-spot deliverance from any form of sickness and disease.
HE RECEIVED FOR US HONOUR – REPUTATION
While the children of Israel journeyed through wilderness, God gave them honor all the way. They did not need to beg anyone for anything. They were supernaturally provided for. They ate Manna that they did not prepare by themselves. When they needed water, it came out of the rock for them.
¶ Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. (Heb. 1:4)
HE RECEIVED GLORY – PRAISE
You have been justified, by the Blood of Jesus, to live the glorious life. As those spies appeared to Rahab, she testified, “for we have hard…” (Joshua 2:10). Because He has received for you honor and glory, no one can despise or reject you anymore. People will begin to see the good hand of your GOD upon you. The price is paid for your liberty and this price guarantee a glorious life. Look at the Blood of the Lamb as the price for that glorious life beloved. So, whatever is not glorious in your life, you can challenge with the Blood-the receipt of your purchase.
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Cor.6:20).
There is no attack of the devil that can cross the Bloodline. Whatever does not carry the aroma of God in your life, challenge it with the Blood of the Lamb;
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil.2:9-11)
HE RECEIVED BLESSING – WORSHIP
Who then can curse whom the Lord has blessed?
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Gen. 12:2-3)
And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.
How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied? (Num.23 :7-8)
These are the manifold redemptive values of the Blood. He was slain to receive these seven-fold blessing for us-to restore to us all that was lost in Adam. The Blood of Jesus is our resident permit in the Garden of Eden!
UNDERSTANDING THE TIME (PART ONE)
The time you are watching now from the past to the future is a great messenger. Even is the oldest messenger in the spirit world and the real world of mankind. Understanding your time will and timing purpose will, will surly give you rest of mind, your heart reason. You came to this world in some time ago and you will surly go to the great realm beyond in some time to come.
You need to be alerted and carefully know how you spent or use this great messenger called time. The awareness of how time spending most be observed by your use.
The time holds the world and all creatures that have even lives in the world into the future. This timing called messenger hold lives, and death in all their activities in this two set programming from the Creator. This great messenger had never miss is mandate to serve the Creator our God.
How did you spend your time and how did you manage it? Yes! The answer may be answer in your heart, because time spending on vanity as much with your body; only care for vanity extra lost of the earthly things for yourself and for your body, this does not help your spirit man in you with the necessary step to make your spirit man stringer than your physical body. Playing is both of neutralize time and is purpose in our lives, but if necessary so we can play a good game that will help our goal at this time fulfilling along. If we are not yet arrive into our purposes and destiny we need not to use our time to watch games and vain active. In our days and time now we are much use time as anyhow and not concentrate on our destiny purpose on earth. We are destiny to be the best out of the rest in any area we find ourselves to fulfill our God’s given goal. A dream is what other people called vision; nothing can be achieved without see it in the world of creation, this two spiritual way of seeing the spiritual programming for your life and beyond is the first step to success in the physical world. Time is the only messenger that can travel more than any agent serving the Lord in Heaven and on earth. God Created time to be His messenger, He created the time messenger to travel with past, present and the future. So, this messenger will witness the beginning and the end of all races in Heaven and on earth.
“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do;” (1 Chr.12:32).
Generation running race with the messenger called time in the circle world. Time is for everything, by everything, through everything and in everything God programming for His pleasure. The Master programmer of time is God; time is the season of all things from age to age till the end of it. Acknowledge the duty purpose of time in your life and journey destiny. Shalom!
THE PROPHET OF THE LAST DAY WERE CALLED TO MANGE WISDOM OF GOD AND USE IT TO SPEAK TO THE CHURCH, THE MATURE PROPHET IS GIVEN THIS WISDOM
what is wisdom?
wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge and experience to any given situation @SeerWisdom
THE DRAGON WAS WROTH-Rev.12:17
“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12:17. Who is the dragon? He is satan and his hosts. And who is the woman that satan wages war against? She represents the HOLINESS CHURCH with members who remain on the uncompromising doctrine of holiness life. These are the people who hold fast on the testimony of Jesus. Why is the devil wroth against the holiness church?
Firstly, they keep the commandment of God, secondly they hold fast on the testimony of Jesus.
On several occasions, true children of God complain on the reason why devil wages war against them. Most times, they use the language that, should they be the ones to experience troubles from the devil. Why is the battle against the Christians always tough? The response to this question is not far-fetched. God had sent the devil away from Heaven- Rev.12:7. This led to the devil coming down into the world in great anger to turn all men against God.
The mission of the devil is to discourage everybody from following the narrow road. He has the plan to fault the testimonies of the true Christians. His joy is in Christians going back to what have forsaken. He wants you to enjoy the world, and miss Heaven. The devil is the originator of every social activities in the church. Ha! Satan is seriously annoyed against the doctrine of holiness life, restitution and man, one wife. He became so furious that he penetrated through the younger generation to bring in modernization. But you will overcome- Rev. 12:11. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Therefore, be ready to fight with prayer and fasting; and we shall overcome. If you are doers of the words of God and keeper His commandments, then the devil will wages war against you.
More so, the devil is not pleased with your salvation, sanctification and the way you speak in tongues. But now, you should know the cause of your poverty, barrenness, troubles and singleness. Since you have escaped from satan, he does not relent, he want to drag you back. In this year adequate by devote your time to prayer and fasting, and arise to fight this spiritual battle. Surely, you shall victorious. Just let your faith be strong – 2 Cor. 10: 3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” All troubles a Christians may face are stronghold of satan.
The following are the weapons which we can use;
- Holiness life
- Prayer and fating
- Word of Testimony
- The Blood of Jesus
- Standing upon the promises of God
THE DEVIL HAS SIX ARROWS WHICH HE SHOOTS AGAINST THE CHRISTIANS.
- Double mindedness
- Doubting the promise of God
- Discouragement
- Lustfulness
- Thought of death
- Unbelief
These six arrows shall not affect you in the New Year in the Mighty Name of Jesus! God has sent me to you; therefore, wake up into prayer and fasting. The devil is so furious that he is determined to steal, kill and to destroy. He is determined to disturb your good program and the promise of God for your life. The devil is a liar, you will overcome. What was Job’s offence before satan? The devil has so many cunny ways;
- He brings temptation before man- Matthew 4:3; 1 Thes. 3:5.
- He is a deceiver- Rev. 12: 9; Eph. 6:11.
- He disguises as angel of light- 1 Cor. 11:14
- He may use false prophecy to encourage you to marry many wives-
HE IS THE ACCUSER OF BRETHREN
There are promises for the Christians.
You have been made a weapon of war- Jer. 51:12-39; 1 John 4:4; Rom. 16:20. Resist him, he is a coward, he will flee. Especially, when satan sees a child of God praying, he will flee.
USE THESE THREE HOT WEAPONS;
- Wash in the BLOOD of Jesus daily
- Use the words of God. Rest upon the promises of God.
- The word of testimony on what Jesus has done and what he will do for you, because one victory shall open door for another blessing.
When he shoots his arrows, defend yourself with helmet of faith. It is an undisputable fact that satan is a loser. Our victory over him is sure. This year 2016, is our year of victory, and open doors for all Christians practicing holiness life.
ARE YOU IN LAODICEAN CHURCH OF PHILADEPHIAN CHURCH?
Philadelphian church was a church that faithfully witnessed Jesus. They were hot for God, and this reflected in their testimony of salvation and holiness life. Also, there was a great revival in this church.
Four qualities about the church in Philadelphian- Rev.3:7-13
- They had good work
- They had little strength.
- They did not deny the Name of Christ.
The church in Philadelphian did not compromise with sin. They were hot for God. To them, soul-winning was of paramount importance. They had great zeal for the spread of the gospel. Also, they spent all they had on things of God, especially soul-winning. How is your own church compared to the church in Philadelphian? Today, the church elders only respond to meeting on conspiracy, but when there is the call for soul-winning and expansion of the gospel. How is your stand, when the devil comes with his deceit? How is your prayer life? Is your testimony still intact?
THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA- Rev. 3:14-22
A lukewarm church, the church without revival at discouragement
FIVE THINGS ABOUT THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA
- They were full of discouragement.
- Luke warmness.
- Instability
- They were proud.
- They did not love one another.
THE GLORIFICATION OF THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA: They glorified in riches while they were wretchedly poor. Glorification in religion with salvation, They claimed to be rich, where as they lived in abject poverty, blind and were empty.
Likewise, many churches today share the same nature with the Laodicean church. They are poor spiritually. They only yearn for spiritual gifts rather than the fruits of the Spirit. When it comes to the things of God, they are poor. People who are blind spiritually are ordained as pastors. Wives of pastors are empty barrel, while members of the church who supposed to be sober keep on laughing.
Spiritual poverty is a great problem against the church. How many people today are on the way to the Kingdom of God? Are you among the few that will enter into the glorious home above? Many are called but few are chosen. Listen to this- “all those that I love, I reprove and chastise, therefore, have zeal and repent”. “He who as ear, let him hear what the spirit tells the church. Do not allow God to spew you out from His mouth. Repent from you sin. “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”- Eph. 5:14. This is the voice from Heaven and the love of God unto you. If a man sleeping at this time, he will not be conscious of what happens around him. Why are you sleeping when the arch-angel will sound the trumpets? Arise and go to God for restoration through spiritual revival.
God is ready to use you this year beyond your expectation. Therefore, repent and amend your way before it is too late. shalom!