tremdagenham – Page 11 – TREM Marks Gate

Daily Confessions for April 26th – May 3rd 2015

I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins. He rose again triumphant over death, grave and hell. He is sitting at the right hand of the Father God from where He will come to take me home. I am glad that I am saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost. While I am waiting for Him, I will live my life here to please Him.

The thoughts of the Lord towards me are thoughts of good and not of evil, to give me an expected end. Therefore when I call upon Him, He will hearken unto me. He will give me great and mighty things and make me praise in the earth. (Jer. 29:11-12; Jer. 33:3)

My eyes are ever toward the Lord for He has plucked out my feet from the net of the enemy. He has turned to me and has had mercy upon me (Psalm 25:15-16). The Lord has sworn by His right hand, and by the arm of His strength, surely He will not give my corn to be meat for my enemies, and the sons of the stranger will not drink the wine for which I have laboured. I will eat the fruit of my labour and it shall be well with me. (Is. 62: 8-9; Is. 3:10. Ps. 128:2)

I am a firm believer in the word of God; and I know that whatever the word cannot give me does not exist. And I do not need it. I stand boldly on the word of God and the word will produce in my life. Therefore, I am convinced beyond every shadow of doubt, that, every word of prophecy and every declaration that has been made over my life this year for good will come to pass. I live under an open heaven. I am an Overcomer (Jn 1:1-3; Heb. 1:3; Is. 44:24-26).

I am a follower of Christ; therefore I am committed to excellence in all I do. I am a diligent worker and I am dedicated to service in full understanding of God’s call upon my life. I achieve results because God prospers the works of my hands. (Job 37:23; Ps. 148:13; Ps. 150:2; Prov. 12:26).

I treat everyone that comes in contact with me with courtesy; I let the light of God shine through me because I am the extension of God to my world. Every day and in every way, I am getting better: spiritually, physically, financially, mentally, morally and in all my endeavours. (Prov. 4:18; Matt. 5:14; Jn 8:12; Jn 5:37; Jn 14:9; 1 Jn 4:17).

I am called for a purpose, I will fulfill purpose and I will arrive at God’s ordained destiny for my life. Nothing will cut me short. I will make a formidable impact in my world for the Kingdom.

Therefore I declare boldly that as I go about my assignment this week, favour will attend my ways. I attract favour anywhere I go.

It is my week of Abundance and Goodness

My week of Increase and overflow

My week of Opportunities and Achievements

My week of Restoration and Release

My week of Grace and Greater Glory

My week of Celebration

Evil shall bow before me; the wicked shall bow at my gate.

Everywhere I go this week, I carry the goodness of God

Because there is Power in the word of God

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Daily Confessions for April 19th – April 26th 2015

I have the world overcoming faith residing on the inside of me; for greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. (1 John 5:4; I John 4:4). My body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Therefore every disease, germ and every virus that touches this body dies instantly in the name of Jesus. I have divine health. (1 Corinthians 6:19).

I have been crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20). The Lord has assured me that He will never leave me nor forsake me, so I can boldly say The Lord is my Helper; I will not fear what man shall do to me. (Hebrews 13:5-6). For in him I live, and move, and have my being…(Act17:28)

I am called for a purpose, I will fulfill purpose and I will arrive at God’s ordained destiny for my life. Nothing will cut me short. I will make a formidable impact in my world for the Kingdom.

Therefore I declare boldly that as I go about my assignment this week, favour will attend my ways. I attract favour anywhere I go.

It is my week of Abundance and Goodness

My week of Increase and overflow

My week of Opportunities and Achievements

My week of Restoration and Release

My week of Grace and Greater Glory

My week of Celebration

Evil shall bow before me; the wicked shall bow at my gate.

Everywhere I go this week, I carry the goodness of God

Because there is Power in the word of God

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You can get to the next level

Proverbs 4:18{KJV}

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Dearly beloved, I come your way again this beautiful morning with a word from the Lord – There is a next level for you. You truly can get better. You can get to the next level. Don’t ever get to a point in your walk with God where you are easily satisfied, because I know He still has better things in stock for you. No matter how high you have climbed on the ladder of life, there is still a higher place and no matter how low down the ladder you are, God is ready to bring you out no matter the obstacles.

Let us look at the story in Genesis 27: 30 – 40, and draw some lessons from it. In that account of scripture, we are told that Esau lost the blessing. Notice however that before this, he had sold his birthright out of fatigue and when it came to the time of blessing, Jacob got the blessing. Please realize that birthright always goes before the blessing. When you lose your heritage, don’t expect the blessing that goes with it. When you disregard the ancient landmark, please notice that the blessing will certainly go with it. Having lost all, the father said to him that his life was not going to be an easy one. He was going to live by the sword and serve his younger brother. That looked like the end of the road for Esau.

In Genesis 27: 40{MSG} his father said ‘’.You will live by your sword, hand to mouth, and you will serve your brother. But when you can’t take it any more you will break loose and run free.’’ Did you see that? The New International version says ’’When you become restless.’’ Child of God, it is this point of ‘restlessness’ that I want to seriously consider today because if you read the story to the end you would notice that Esau eventually bounced back. Beloved, even though Esau lost both the birthright and the blessing that was not the end of his life, because he still bounced back. I have always said this to you; never write off a man who is still under the word because he is capable of springing surprises.

Today we see Christians who just accept the challenges of their life as their lot and rather than grow restless and break off the yoke, they sit contentedly in that position and just give lame excuses ‘’oh that is my lot’’. Beloved poverty is not your lot, childlessness is not your lot, sickness and disease is not your lot. You can break free from it today, but only when you become restless.

You need to get fed up and angry in the spirit. You need to get fed up of the devil robbing you of what rightly belongs to you and when you do you will rise up in anger and throw off his yoke from your neck. All truth is parallel, when people get fed up of something; they become creative and do something about it. The Living Bible version of that same scripture says ‘’but you shall hew your way with your sword. For a time you will serve your brother, but you will finally shake loose from him and be free’’.

Child of God, I have come to challenge you today to get fed up with that ugly situation in your life. No matter the lies of the devil, God wants you free, God wants you to testify. God has not given us the spirit of bondage to fear, but He has given us the spirit of love power and of a sound mind. He expects you to be fruitful in all your ways and He expects that you will overcome whatever stumbling block or hindrance the enemy may have placed on your pathway. He expects you to take the bull by the horn and go to war with the various prophecies that have gone ahead of you. God wants you to rise above the situation, challenge and give the devil a black eye.

This is the time to push the table aside and let the devil know that you are not going to take ‘no’ for an answer. The devil is a liar, he never gives up easily, but you have all that it takes to bring him to submission. All you need to do is enforce the victory of the cross. When Jesus rose up He declared ‘’all authority in heaven and on earth has been given unto me, go therefore…’’ In other words, go in the strength of the authority that has been delegated to you. You have the name of Jesus, you have the blood, you have the word, you have everything that you need to enforce the defeat of the devil. I encourage you to arise, get fed up and walk into liberty. I expect to see you at the top for no power is strong enough to withstand you. Remember that the path of the righteous shineth brighter and brighter and that means it is from glory to glory. It is your turn to testify. I eagerly await your testimony. I bless you.

Maranatha!

In His Royal Service

Dr Mike Okonkwo

The Presiding Bishop

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All My Eggs!

Loud voices drowned the little hope I had. They were voices of loved ones I had called in a brief moment of panic. Here, they were; everyone had an opinion, an idea of what I should do.

The doctor’s report lay on my centre table. It looked a bit rumpled now that we had taken turns to peruse it. We had also gone through the motions – denial, fear, then, reality seeped in. Miss Jemima Okon HIV-POSITIVE. I had these rashes that defied treatment. My doctor said I should do a HIV test let’s see. I did and now we’ve seen!

As a church-going family, we had prayer points; none was that one of us should come down with HIV/AIDS! I answered all their questions truthfully. No, I did not sleep with anyone. No, I did not. No, I did not.

At the moment, God seemed to be in a very bad light. How could He let this happen to me? I mean, I was a good girl, if you could call me that because I was 43 and single; not divorced or widowed. My mother’s sighs and facial expression said it all – God had disappointment us!

Well, after all was said and done, we came down to the nitty-gritty. Treatment must commence to control and to reduce viral load. My mother knew an herbalist but she was quick to add that he was not a spiritualist, no incantations on the herbs. “He’s like Dr. Bamidele Ogaga but not quite.” Dr. Ogaga was a nutritionist herbalist or something like that. This other man used only natural herbs or just veggies and roots of plants. My Aunty Koko suggested going to Dr. Ogaga at once. He successfully treated a friend of her friend’s boss’s wife. My Aunty said Ogaga would treat me with apples or some nice-testing fruits. She never liked bitter herbs and roots.

My brother suggested deliverance. ‘There’s this church where they use loud prayers to invoke evil spirits. When they appear, the pastor asks them questions and then, casts them out!’ He went on to tell us how victims fall down in the process as if dead but later, they rise up healed. My elder sister did not like anything to do with evil spirits because we happened to be Christians. She suggested that I should seek out strong men of God or go to crusades where hands could be laid on me because HIV is demonic!

However, it was her husband who gave me a clue to what I should do. He said I should try everything. ‘Jemmy, don’t put all your eggs in one basket because AIDS is a killer.’

My father, who was away, phoned me. He sounded flustered, his breathing laboured. He promised to pay the bills and advised me to commence treatment immediately.

When everyone had gone, save my mum, I got up and moved around to see if I could feel the weight of the viral load (a new vocabulary in my life now). My mother sat in my cane chair, her eyes wide with fright.

“Jemmy, what are you going to do now?” she asked.

“I’ll seek help. I know a great physician,” I said with feigned confidence.

“But, you wiII also pray and use Dr. Ogaga?” she pleaded.

I nodded.

“Would you like me to spend the night with you?” she enquired.

I heard the trepidation in her voice. I shook my head.

My sister had said that viral load increases rapidly. My mum repeated it now. I nodded, wishing her to leave.

“Where is this physician, UNTH?” she asked, her eyes still round as two ‘O’s.

‘No, HTH.”

Before she could ask where HTH was, my cell phone began to ring. It was my eldest sister from the U.S. She was already weeping and talking.

HRH stands for Heaven Teaching Hospital. I knew prayer was considered a weak thing but when my brother-in-law said, ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket,’ I knew that was what I should do!

The first night, I spent in mumbling prayer and studying the word. But I felt like I was in a dream.

I took money from everyone that offered it for the treatment. I also cleaned out my account and I laid them at the altar. It was crazy but I was desperate. How could I survive without cash until the next pay day? But, was it not someone who was alive that would work and receive a pay?

Four weeks into my heavenly treatment, my mother discovered what I was doing and she came over to my house and just broke down and wept, pleading with me to get proper treatment.

“If I understood you mum,” I said, “God is impotent. But, I read my Bible; the woman with the issue of blood sought physicians and was nothing bettered. Then King Asa in 2 Chron. 16:12 sought not God but physicians. Mum, he did not survive. I choose to seek Him. When He fails, I’II seek earthly physician and not until then.”

We argued, my mother and I. She was a Christian before me and had read the Bible a million times before I came into the world. Was I saying that orthodox medicine was against God? Are there no Christian doctors? I quoted, ‘I am the LORD that healeth thee’ and ‘By His stripes I was healed!’ My mother asked, ‘what if God chooses to heal through doctors?’ There was no end in sight to the argument. I stood my ground – it was my body, I’ve made a decision. My mother left in anger.

Her argument threatened to destabilise me. Voices rose in my head, all of them negative. Fear stepped in. It pushed me down on the floor, somewhere near my bathroom. What if mother was right? Another voice reminded me what people say – ‘something must kill a man.’ What if God intended …? I stopped right there!

I tried to encourage myself. This was nothing but a test, like an exam in school. At the end of a term or semester, one is tested. Examinations are not easy but they are necessary devils to determine one’s progress in school. I looked at it this way to encourage myself although sometimes, I felt like jumping out of my skin. The world says don’t put all your eggs in one basket. But, that is what I have chosen to do, put all my eggs in one basket called, God. If He fails, He has dishonoured His Word!

Deaconess Lechi Eke contributes her short stories from Lagos, Nigeria

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I Want a Divorce!

He had this faraway look in his eyes when I walked into his office and it took him quite a while to bring his gaze to rest on me. His face was flushed and intense; an aura I couldn’t place hung around him. They had told me that he was a holy man of God; that his counsel was like hearing from the mouth of God!

I sat down at the gesture of his hand for me to do so. The room seemed to be thick with something that I couldn’t place either. He had been praying when I arrived and I was made to wait for a long time.

“Excuse me!” he said. And I thought he was leaving the room but, he just sat there and I thought, ‘unwound.’ Suddenly, I noticed he was down with me! That was what I thought. Then, he smiled and said, “You’re welcome, Mrs … (He stared at my form)…Dada.”

“Dada,” I said helpfully thinking he was somehow unbalanced and needed some help.

This was discouraging to me for I needed help myself. I was dissatisfied with my marriage and searching for anchorage points for divorce, being too conscientious to just walk away. Besides, there were the children…they must be on my side.

“What ails you?” he continued.

I thought fleetingly, “I hate his eyes; they’re peering into my soul.”

“Okay,” I said shifting my butt to gain more balance on his straight back wooden chair. “I’ve a problem with my marriage and I think I should leave. Love has gone from my home. And this man I married in innocence is, so callous and insensitive and a-a- bastard.”

I bit my lips, holding back the tears. Talking about my marriage made me weepy. I felt sorry for myself and I was sure he would feel sorry for me too – he’s a holy man of God.

The man nodded understandingly. I gained some confidence.

“Now, can we have the facts?” he said shocking me.

I sat up. “What facts?”

“The things he does that earned him those titles in your mind.”

That I was shocked was putting it mildly, I became wary of him. Am I in the presence of a male chauvinist?

“Tell me the exact things he does for example, he doesn’t reply to your greetings in the morning; he doesn’t smile when you tell a joke, etc.”

“Okay,” I screamed silently and I made a mental note not to believe everything my hairstylist tells me anymore for she recommended him to me. “He hates me,” I said carefully, slowly. Surely words are explanatory in themselves or do I need to act them out for him to understand? “He wouldn’t bring money for food, he doesn’t take me out; doesn’t say he’s sorry when he does wrong. He’s hardened against us, me and the kids. He also spends all his time outside and when he comes home, it is to sleep. He’s hideous. He spends his money on himself and not on me and the kids.”
“Doesn’t he sleep with you anymore?” he asked with some concern.

I stared at him. I hate talking to dumb people. This counselling is not going the way I expected it to.

“I’m not interested in his lovemaking!” I said with exasperation. “I’m talking about practical things not some fairy love stuff.”

He nodded with understanding but, I was beginning to distrust this counselor.

“So, I take that to mean that you two don’t sleep together, you don’t make love anymore?”

“I don’t know, (and silently I said and I don’t care) I’m not interested in such things. I cannot bring myself to enjoy a love act with a hateful person. The children are in Secondary School and the fees are enormous. They also need the presence and attention of their father. I’m talking about more serious things than sex!”

He nodded gravely but I doubted if he understood what I just said.

“Do you know engine oil?” he asked.

Is he schizophrenic or what? ”Yes,” I said reluctantly.

“What does it do?” he asked. He wasn’t laughing.

It sounded like a joke to me. You mean I came here to be insulted? I was offended. For a few minutes, I could not say anything. Then, I gathered my wits together. I was already in the counselling session; I might as well, finish it.
“It’s a lubricant,” I said. It sounded foolish to me.

“So is sex,” he explained without any airs. “It lubricates relationship. God put it there for a purpose. Take it out and, you have a rusty relationship. God put it there for a purpose. It is not only for procreation.”

I said nothing. I had made up my mind: I wasn’t going to sleep with a man who didn’t love me anymore.

“Do you believe in a Creator God, Mrs Dada?”

“Of course, yes.”

“You believe that a being somewhere created the world, the people and all the things we call our own?”

“Of course, what do you take me for, a pagan? Is it because I told you I wanted a divorce? I am a Christian to the core. Let me tell you some of the faith things I’ve done: twice, I’ve gone on pilgrimage to Israel; thrice, I’ve gone to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome just for mass. The last time I was in Israel, I visited the place where Jesus Christ was buried and I scooped a handful of sand from there. It is in my house today, under my…”

The look on his face stopped me. I saw his face cloud over and he said in a hush tone, “I beg your pardon?”

But before I could proceed any further, he said in a very grievous voice, “If you ever went to Israel and, to the place where Jesus was buried and took sand for whatever purpose, I’m sorry, you’re not a Christian. You may think you are but, you‘re not!”

I sat up. I’ve had enough of this man. In fact, I stood up ready to leave. “I’m a Catholic,” I said shaking with rage. “I don’t visit pagan shrines nor consult witchdoctors. I came to see you because I needed grounds for divorce like they say that abortion must be therapeutic before one is morally justified to have it. I was born a Catholic.”

“Dear, young lady,” he charged at me like a crazed man, “you can never be born a Christian. Christian is who you choose to be at maturity. It’s not genetically transmitted and, abortion which is the taking of life can never be justified. A Christian is a Bible-reader, a Bible-believer and a Bible-doer. There’s nowhere it’s written in the Bible, go to Jesus’ burial place, scoop sand and put it under your bed!”

I began to walk to the door. I was livid with rage.

“Why don’t you find out what the Author of marriage said about it in the Marriage Manual?”

I stopped with my hand on the door handle. Marriage Manual? I never heard of it. I was well-read. How come I never came across a Marriage Manual?

“Read the Marriage Manual and comply with it and you will have a fulfilled life.”

I returned to my seat. “Marriage Manual? Is there a marriage manual? Who authored it?”

“God. It’s called the Bible!” he said sagely.

I was suddenly weary. I sat down.

Truth was that I needed someone to talk to, to confide in; a friend, a helper. He was watching me and I saw his expression softened. His voice was soft and kind when he spoke next.

“Why give up the marriage when God can heal it? It may look like I’m passing strictures on you but the surgeon hurts to cure.”

I nodded, wearily. He continued in the same kind tone.

“If you want to maintain a love relationship, don’t correct your partner too much. Accept your spouse’s shortcomings. Allow him to be a human being.”

“But, what if he’s stupid and silly and ignorant and claims otherwise?”

“I don’t suppose you ever heard of a man called Smith Wigglesworth, a Welsh preacher, died in 1947?”
I stared at him rudely.

“This man was a godly man. One day, he was travelling by sea and shared a cabin with a man he couldn’t trust his looks so he went to the purser to keep his valuables. When he explained his reason for keeping his valuables with him, the purser told him that his cabin-mate had already brought his own valuables explaining how he didn’t like the look of Mr. Wigglesworth. Lesson in it? – People see you the way you see them. Sow what you want to reap! You can change people through love. Once people know or sense or feel you love them, they will allow you to steer them or change them. The tool for correction is love and nothing else. Once you’re armed with that weapon, love, you can do all things.”

“You know,” I said dejectedly, “I want a love relationship – warm atmosphere where there is lots of laughter…”
“How do you do that?” he interjected excitedly. “I mean give warmth, say and do things that bring laughter and joy in your home? I want to know, I want to practice it.”
I was still blank. Why was he asking me? He was the counselor, I was the seeker.

“I don’t do such things!” I blurted out and then I stopped. I saw it was a trap he set for me and I walked into it!
Our eyes met in mutual understanding. He nodded and said, “Go and put warmth in your marriage. Put your arms around him, talk to him kindly; joke with him and praise him. Think less of his faults and focus more on his good points. We all have some good points, you know. Win him over, gently. Love works!”

As I left his office, I felt armed like I was carrying a weapon, a secret weapon that I’d wield on my spouse without him knowing it and before he’d know it, bam, he’d be on his knees pleading for my love! About being a Christian well, I’ve never really had time to study the Bible let alone believe it or practise it. But now I‘ve heard that it’s also a marriage manual, well, well, well! I think I should give it a try. I don’t really need a divorce, I want love. Love is better than divorce. Then, there are the children – they would love to have ONE HOME! The counsellor said, to be a Christian, read the Bible, believe the Bible, and do the Bible. I’II give it a try.

Deaconess Lechi Eke contributes her short stories from Lagos, Nigeria

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Don’t be a Balaam

Don’t be a Balaam, the man of God said
For Balaam spoke like the oracle of God
Every word he spoke was sure to come to pass
Yet he was far from the place of God
Indeed he was in the wrong place

Don’t be a Balaam, the man of God said
For Balaam could not resist
The treasures of the king
And went with God’s permissive will
Even though he knew God’s will

Don’t be a Balaam I also say
For Balaam knew the right thing to do
But the deceitfulness of riches denied him
The joy of total obedience to God and His word
And denied him a happy ending

Who is Balaam? You might be asking
He was a man who spoke like God’s oracle
He knew the word and mind of God
Yet he was successfully enticed by sinners
And consent, he did.

Who is Balaam? Is still the question
Not only was he enticed
He also gave counsel, to seduce the people of God
And cause God to turn His back on them
He knew their weakness and exposed their weakness

Many times we are tempted
To be like Balaam in the journeys of life
But we must be resolute, come what may
To remain God’s mouthpiece and also
Be at the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing

By Oluwayomi Uteh.

The Story Never Ends in the Middle…

There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.
Philippians 1:6 (The Message)

It was a different morning yesterday while I was prepping my daughter for school- just because the TV was on. Normally we do not let the kids watch any shows on week days, but somehow they got watching – Learn to Read at the Storybook Factory by Leapfrog® while I made breakfast and packed up the lunch box. It’s been one of the best playing DVDs lately as my daughter is actually learning to read.

So it was almost time to go and I sat down for a few minutes – then I heard from the show – The Story never ends in the middle! Whoa! My spirit jumped at it- and I shouted it out loud! It seemed like that was all I needed for this time of my life. Not following the story, nor caring what led to the statement, I said it over and over and immediately made it into a prayer. The kids watched me as I went “crazy” with this statement.

From a simple kid’s DVD – God spoke right to me and gave me the word I needed. There were a few things that I’ve tried to work on in the past months and it seemed like it wasn’t coming through and I was at a point that I wanted to put them away and move on………but that was the middle of the story. Immediately I heard that statement from my kid’s show – I received a lift, a new fire and an inner strength and I just knew that was God talking to me. He met the need of my spirit from a simple kid’s show.

Hmmn, so where are you friend? You know it’s the middle of the story – I just want to say to you – THE STORY NEVER ENDS IN THE MIDDLE. This great God who made you has great plans for you and even for that very matter that seems has come to a halt; I want you to know that the story never ends in the middle.

It’s not yet time to move on – it’s time to speak to the situation, work harder at it, believe in it and most importantly wait on God concerning it because there are new chapters and episodes ahead in the story and when the story ends it will end beautifully and in your favour.

Titilope (Titi) Oyegbile writes from Milton-Ontario- Canada. You can check out her blog at http://mindfeeders.com/Index.aspx

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Financial Wisdom From The Ants

There is a very popular story in the book of Matthew, chapter 25 in the first 13 verses. The story is that of 10 virgins. Five were documented to be wise, and five reported to be foolish. Virginity talks about purity, chastity, righteousness, holiness, uprightness and those great qualities that describe someone of great character value. The question that begs for answer is, “Is it possible to be pure and foolish?” Well, the Bible already answered the question in this amazing story –“Yes!” is the resounding answer!

There are a few things to learn from this story, and it lays a preamble into why wisdom is so critical to learn.

First we realize that both the foolish and wise virgins slept off. This indicates that having a season of rest or recess doesn’t classify you yet as foolish or wise. It is human nature to rest, and sometimes while we are waiting for what we long for, it is natural to sometimes doze off. They were all not judged based on their inabilities to stay focused and awake till the bride groom came.
It was clearly stated that the bridegroom delayed in coming. While he delayed however, the oil of some finished, and some had sufficient to take care of future delays. Observe that the reason why the foolish were termed foolish was not their fault. Yes, it doesn’t have to be your fault that you are foolish. Every foolish person thinks they are justified because their excuses are genuine. There are no genuine excuses, all excuses are fake. The question is not that it was difficult, the reality is did others succeed in the same environment?
Wisdom in this story was the ability to have oil long after the time you expected that you would need it. In other words, wisdom here was being proactive enough to foresee the future and plan for it. Wisdom here, is the manifestation of long term thinking. Wisdom is the ability to prepare for an unseen and unexpected tomorrow.

This story demonstrates that wisdom can be the difference between heaven and hell! Wisdom is so crucial, so we must get it. The Bible however declares that if you are lazy and want to learn wisdom, then you must be schooled by the ants. All you need to do is go attend the school of the ants, and you will be wise. This is the summary of Prov 6:6.

By Charles Ezeh

I Want To Help You Succeed!

Thinking about my life and what I live for. Of all I can do, and all I do, I am most excited by the opportunities to truly help other people succeed.

I have been involved in a few, but it’s something I’ll love to develop more and more capacity for. I want to become better at doing the things that give people a platform and a chance. Here are a few things I know that people need. You can comment about the things you believe you need to succeed.

People need information or knowledge. Sometimes the only limitation that people have is what they know or don’t know. By giving people access to good and timely information it can make the difference in their lives. I want to do more of these.

People need the right perspectives. No matter the information that you come across, if you don’t exist within the right frame of thinking or paradigm, it won’t make any difference to you. You can be reading and listening to the most vital information that your life needs, but if your lenses are differently coloured you may read, but not understand. I am passionate about helping people experience life changing paradigm shifts! I long to do more of this.

People need other people! Nobody will ever be sufficiently skilled to be able to do everything. We need each other, and sometimes we just need to learn how to connect to other people. To build human bridges, to exist in networks that allow our backs to be covered. One of the things I’m learning to do, and desire to do more of is connecting people to people in productive ways. I want to be more involved in forging synergies.

People need courage! One of the greatest limitations people have is fear! The fear of what will happen if I dare. The fear of the unknown, the fear of death, and the fear of consequences of our actions. Well our inactions also have consequences! I am learning that you cannot teach a human courage, you can inspire them to courage. You can show courage, and it lightens people and makes them see that they also can fly. I am modelling more courage, and creating more platforms for people to show courage.

People need God! Success in the isolated examination of 1 minute relative to 1 year is not success; neither can success in 90 years relative to eternity. Success is eternal, and in my quest to help people succeed, I long to see them re-connected with their source. I am unapologetic in my desire to see all men reconnected to their maker. I will do these more as well.

By Charles Ezeh

I Love Her But She Is Older…

I had gone into a bookstore in a shopping mall one day and as I conversed with its attendant, he felt a need to ask for help.

Joseph(Real name withheld), wants to know if it is a sin to love an older woman to the extent of desiring to make her his wife?

Joseph is in his late twenties/early thirties, while the lady is in her late thirties/early forties.

My response to him: First of, there is no commandment in the bible that says ‘Thou shalt not love or marry her if she is older than you’.

Though it is not a popular practice in this our part of the world, it is not uncommon to marry an older lady. However, a lot of factors are considered before you make such a decision.

Spiritual: Do you two share the same spiritual beliefs? Is she born again? Are you quite sure that she is God’s will for you? Did you pray about it earnestly? Many miss it here because while praying, they tell God the desires of their own heart, giving God reasons why HE should approve their own choice and expect God to say yes to their choice, whether or not that choice will haunt them in the future.

You should tell God how you really feel and why you want to marry that person, however, insist that since HE is the All Knowing God, only HIS perfect will for your life, not your own will, should be done.

If she is not the one, let HIM give you the grace to let her go and order your steps to your own spouse.

Mental/Psychological: It is a widely known and scientifically proven fact that a girl child grows up and matures quickly than the male child.

You see a 16 years old female child, speaking and acting ten years wiser than her age, while her male counterpart is a typical 16 years old (not in all cases though).

If this is the case, now imagine, a lady who is between the ages of 35-42, strong, responsible, mature, put together, wise, dependable and experienced. All these qualities you see in her and then you, nearly ten years her junior, a little less in all these qualities (because sometimes, it is what you lack, that when you see in others, attracts and pulls you to them), how will you handle it?

How will you cope? Do you think your lady is humble enough to be somewhat more matured than you and still submit to you? Will she allow you be her head and the man of the house? Or will your age and different levels of maturity be a constant source of strife for you two?

When she politely offers you advice as your helpmate to keep you from making a mistake that can land you and your entire household in some setbacks/trouble, will you listen and take her advice or will you get offended and act out because you think she is trying to control you?

What if her counsel and predictions are always right and yours are always wrong, will you feel insufficient and intimidated/ not good enough? Will you swallow your pride or set your ego aside and listen to your wife for the collective good and prosperity of your home?

Are you mentally ready to be the husband of a woman who by your description is older and wiser? Are you prepared to learn from her while retaining your duty and office as the head of your home?

Please note that, it is possible to learn from your wife without relinquishing your role as the head of your family. You just have to find a virtuos and submissive woman, who teaches you politely but firmly. A woman who respects you even when it is obvious that you are making loads of mistakes.

Biological/Medical: Have you considered this factor too? You need to, especially if you two are planning on having children. I am not much of a medical person, however, i know it is more advisable for a woman to have children earlier than in her forties.

Marrying and giving birth at thirty and above is not the choice of many ladies if you ask them, therefore you and the rest of the world should be more sensitive and stop acting like they have a problem or they are a problem for being unmarried at that age.

An article i read somewhere states that a woman should have her first child before the age of thirty to avoid some diseases for her and her baby, i won’t go into further details, not to scare you off.

Nevertheless, remember that it is the medical report and we also believe in God’s report, that regardless of age and biology, God does overrule situations and give women in this category safe conceptions, deliveries and make them healthy mother and with healthy babies with a clean bill of health too.

In addition: People argue that when a man marries an older woman, she may not be on the same sexual rhythm with him and that is a major source of concern.

Personally, I have heard cases where a couple are age mates or the man is reasonably older than his wife and still, they are not on the same sexual rhythm… It is therefore not applicable to your case alone Joseph.

Social/ Physical: Does the physical appearance of your spouse matter to you? Can you confidently present her to your family? friends? church? society as your queen your fiancée? your wife? Or will you be embarrassed and seek to hide her away, preferring to attend social occasions alone?

An uncle once told me that one’s spouse may not be the best looking one in a crowd or might even be the most unattractive in the whole gathering, however, all that matters is you are comfortable with him/her and you are not ashamed to be seen or associated with him or her privately and publicly and i totally agree.

People just have a way of voicing unsolicited and unwelcome opinions on everything that does not concern them and they are outright rude and hurtful by words, actions or gestures.

You therefore need to know let everyone know that this person/your fiancée/ spouse/ is a huge part of your life and anyone who will be disrespectful to her will answer to you or will cease to be a part of your life until he or she apologizes and treats your woman with respect.

If your lady is willing to make some adjustments in a bid to look good for you such as: Eat less, lose some weight, wear more make up, or wear less make up etcetera, that is well and good, but it is should be willing.

Do not attempt to change her. Only The Holy Spirit can change a man/woman, not you. If you cannot accept her for how she has chosen to be, then, please leave her alone. Do not force her to do these things, lest she resents you.

Ladies: you can dress and look younger in a nice, decent and attractive way for your spouse, especially if you are older. A man is moved by sight! You should keep your body together( Even after child birth, Yes, it is hard! but do able, so please lose the weight, and get your body right). Keep your hair and nails neat, smell nice, keep your house clean. Help your man stay interested!

Other factors such as differences in likes and interests, finances, etcetera are factors that are not peculiar to your situation but crop up in many marital relationships.

Joseph, If you have prayed earnestly and sought Godly counsel and you are convinced that this woman is your wife, I do not see any reason why you should not marry her. Who told you that marrying your age mate or someone younger is a guarantee of a happy marriage?

Sometimes, that person may give you more problems and remember, whatever decisions you make, once you sign the dotted lines and perform the ceremonies and you and your bride go home and the door is closed, you will live with your choice.

Therefore, make the best choice for you, do not do anything someone else says, especially if you are not convinced or at peace with the idea, because, if it goes wrong, it is unwise to say ‘I could have avoided this mistake if not for Mr this or Miss/Mrs that!’

Until next time, I love you with the love of God! Shalom!

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