One of the main difference between Christianity and other religions is the huge amount of denominations that exists in Christendom. In some parts of the world there is an average of two to three churches on every street. With so many churches everywhere, one will expect the world will be a better place. Unfortunately this is not the case. The devil is waging war against the people of God by bringing discord amongst denominations, ensuring Christians get wound up in their own denomination, and are not accepting of other denominations. Everyone believes their own way of serving God is the right one. Romans 3:22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference.
We all know that a house that prays together sticks together, as long as there is division amongst all the various churches, it will be a challenge or virtually impossible for Christians to be as effective as other religions. To make life easier there are also different translation of our bible, whilst this is supposed to help our understanding of the word of God, sometimes some of the message loses its real meaning in translation.
No one is perfect and we can only be made perfect through Christ. We should all play a part in bringing the house of God together. Turning your nose up at other churches does not by any means make you better than people that worship in that church. We need to be respecting of everyone’s way of approaching Christ, as long as it is Jesus and God they call on, we are all still on the same page. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus
The scandals within various churches seem to reiterate that what matters most is our own individual right standing with God. The church you go too does not determine the type of Christian you are.
The message of Christ is of love. Love one another with the love of God. That’s the commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ. So before you condemn the church down your road, your friend’s church or any church; think about the message of love and the unity that Christ desires for us all as Christians. Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
We all need to come together and have one voice through the word of God, we can reach out to the world if we have one voice, show love and respect for one another regardless of which denomination we worship in. Ephesians 4: 2-6 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
If you truly want to make a difference, please visit organisations like http://www.churches-together.net/ http://www.streetpastors.co.uk/
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Trusting
I totally trust God I hear most Christians say including myself but do we really? We only need something to test our faith before we realise how much we trust God.
God is the same yesterday, today and forever; yet when we face our human struggles it’s hard to see things in the spiritual realm. It seems easy to use a daily devotional, pray as a family and do all things we think God requires of us when the going is good; its harder to do these things when the going gets tough; yet God wants us to have a relationship with him regardless of what we are going through. Our parents are usually the first people we turn too when we have problems we cannot solve so in the midst of the storm, God should still be our first port of call.
He promised that; Psalm 34:10 the lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD will lack no good thing. God is the same God that blesses us even when everything around seems dry and it looks as if there is no way things can work out.
He has a plan for every one of us, we just need to trust and know that he will surely make a way when the time is right. Time and time again in the bible, God blessed people even when there was famine in the land, In Genesis 26; God blessed Isaac, he blessed him so much that his enemies were jealous, closed up the entire well his father Abraham had dug and sent him away to another part of the land; God continued to bless him even more. Eventually his enemies came to beg him and make peace.
We need to realise that if we walk right with God he will surely be there for us, through good or bad. He did not say we will not go through trials or challenges; what he promised us is that he will be there for us and he will lift us up.
I don’t know what you are going through right now but whatever it is leave it at the door of God; get on your knees and talk to your father who is so gracious and will meet you at every point of your need. Isaiah 40:30-31 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
God is the same yesterday, today and forever; yet when we face our human struggles it’s hard to see things in the spiritual realm. It seems easy to use a daily devotional, pray as a family and do all things we think God requires of us when the going is good; its harder to do these things when the going gets tough; yet God wants us to have a relationship with him regardless of what we are going through. Our parents are usually the first people we turn too when we have problems we cannot solve so in the midst of the storm, God should still be our first port of call.
He promised that; Psalm 34:10 the lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD will lack no good thing. God is the same God that blesses us even when everything around seems dry and it looks as if there is no way things can work out.
He has a plan for every one of us, we just need to trust and know that he will surely make a way when the time is right. Time and time again in the bible, God blessed people even when there was famine in the land, In Genesis 26; God blessed Isaac, he blessed him so much that his enemies were jealous, closed up the entire well his father Abraham had dug and sent him away to another part of the land; God continued to bless him even more. Eventually his enemies came to beg him and make peace.
We need to realise that if we walk right with God he will surely be there for us, through good or bad. He did not say we will not go through trials or challenges; what he promised us is that he will be there for us and he will lift us up.
I don’t know what you are going through right now but whatever it is leave it at the door of God; get on your knees and talk to your father who is so gracious and will meet you at every point of your need. Isaiah 40:30-31 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Stay Connected
I do love my BB (BlackBerry) so much and am sure many of you reading this are just like me (admit it). I take my bb everywhere with me. Why? I believe I have important people on it that I want to be in touch with and I want them to be able to reach me anytime they want too.
I have been guilty of getting late to places because I forgot my bb a home and felt the need to go and pick it up just in case I miss that important call, or message. Although some people will find this strange, it’s the reality of what happens in these modern times.
There is an emotional need within us all to be connected to our loved ones; to know they are ok; to know they can reach us and we can reach them whenever we want too. There is a kind of need being satisfied by being in touch. Imagine having this sort of connection with God! This will be so awesome. Am sure God himself will be delighted that we are in constant touch and he can reach us whenever he chooses too. So have we got our bb on for God? Because I know he has his bb on ready to connect with us.
How do we switch our bb on to connect with God? Reading, meditating on the word of God and praying blesses and increases our spiritual connectivity. God will speak to us constantly through his word if we spared a little time to just read it daily. Half a chapter is enough to meditate on daily. When we require one of our friends or family to help us out, again we send a bb message, make a phone call or send an email. It’s faster and cheaper; guess what? Praying is the same; it’s free; faster and cheaper. God is delighted to hear from us all the time and says he will answer our prayer if we believe he will. John 14:14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! Mark 11:24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours. Whilst it’s important to set apart some time to pray daily; praying through out the day is just as effective. We just need to stay connected.
We need to be in tune with the spirit of God throughout the day, God will talk to us daily through his word, our prayers, colleagues and through things that happen around us. He loves us so much that even with all our sin he still chooses to talk to us, listen to us, bless us and he is willing to forgive us.
There is a kind of inner peace that comes with being switched on with God. Peace and happiness radiates through people that are connected to God; He is the only one that can give everlasting peace. John 14:27 "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.
So remember whenever you check your bb for that message from a friend or a loved one, remember to check you’re still connected to God too. It only takes a few minutes throughout the day to check and make sure you’re connected to the almighty. Stay connected.
I have been guilty of getting late to places because I forgot my bb a home and felt the need to go and pick it up just in case I miss that important call, or message. Although some people will find this strange, it’s the reality of what happens in these modern times.
There is an emotional need within us all to be connected to our loved ones; to know they are ok; to know they can reach us and we can reach them whenever we want too. There is a kind of need being satisfied by being in touch. Imagine having this sort of connection with God! This will be so awesome. Am sure God himself will be delighted that we are in constant touch and he can reach us whenever he chooses too. So have we got our bb on for God? Because I know he has his bb on ready to connect with us.
How do we switch our bb on to connect with God? Reading, meditating on the word of God and praying blesses and increases our spiritual connectivity. God will speak to us constantly through his word if we spared a little time to just read it daily. Half a chapter is enough to meditate on daily. When we require one of our friends or family to help us out, again we send a bb message, make a phone call or send an email. It’s faster and cheaper; guess what? Praying is the same; it’s free; faster and cheaper. God is delighted to hear from us all the time and says he will answer our prayer if we believe he will. John 14:14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! Mark 11:24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours. Whilst it’s important to set apart some time to pray daily; praying through out the day is just as effective. We just need to stay connected.
We need to be in tune with the spirit of God throughout the day, God will talk to us daily through his word, our prayers, colleagues and through things that happen around us. He loves us so much that even with all our sin he still chooses to talk to us, listen to us, bless us and he is willing to forgive us.
There is a kind of inner peace that comes with being switched on with God. Peace and happiness radiates through people that are connected to God; He is the only one that can give everlasting peace. John 14:27 "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.
So remember whenever you check your bb for that message from a friend or a loved one, remember to check you’re still connected to God too. It only takes a few minutes throughout the day to check and make sure you’re connected to the almighty. Stay connected.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Still want more? Start sowing more!!!
Everyday I talk to Christians, I realise there is an insatiable quest for more and more blessings.
Am not saying we should not pray for blessings from God but do we show appreciation for the blessing we have right now? And are we sowing seeds with the blessings we have right now. To reap more, you need to sow more.
The parable of the travelling man
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several abilities; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained another two. But he that had received one went and dug in the earth, and hid his Lord's money. After a long time the Lord of those servants comes, and reckons with them. And so he that had received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered to me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His Lord said to him, Well done, you good and faithful servant - you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your Lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered to me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His Lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your Lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed: and I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: lo, there you have what is yours. His Lord answered and said to him, You wicked and lazy servant, you know that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not scattered seed: you ought therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it to him which has ten talents. For to every one that has shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that has not shall be taken away even that which he has. And cast you the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth
We need to realise first that God blesses us according to what he believes we can handle, however what are we doing with the “little” we have? A lot of people use up all they have without acknowledging the needs of those around them, yet they don’t understand how they never seem to have enough or even have increase.
God says that you cannot reap where you have not sown. If you get blessed by God but no part of your blessing is making a difference, you cannot expect to reap more.
My young daughter and I took part in the race for life for cancer research recently, I sent out numerous emails to friends and family to raise awareness of this cause and to raise money for the charity. I was so shocked at what little response I got from Christians. I know some people have not been touched by cancer through families or friends but the point is, there are so many people all over the world suffering from this terrible illness and through the support of this charity, so many people are now surviving.
More shocking is the fact that I raised a lot more than I initially thought I will, but 90% of the donation came from people that did not know God, the law of sowing and reaping works even for people that do not know God. I spoke to a lot of other believers at the event and they were all complaining about how little they got from their Christian families.
For our blessings to increase we should show gratitude to God for what he has done by sowing into lives of the needy, by doing this also we are planting for our own harvest. As Christians we need to stop preaching the bible but acting it out.
It does not have to be cancer research charity but search your heart today. What difference are you making? I pray God will continue to minister to us and open our hearts to the plights of people that need our love and support.
Monday, 26 April 2010
Start and Run your own business God's way!
I am not a business pro or have the magic formula but I do know that everything that God has a hand in succeeds. The business that you start and one that will succeed is within the gift that God has imparted into your life. It’s very easy to get carried away doing what everyone else is doing because you see that people have been blessed in that area, but is that what God has called you to do?
Psalm 139 15-16 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Everyone has been blessed with a gift. A gift that you have been born with and guess what, that gift can never be taken away from you.
Romans 11:29 for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.
So you have been born with the gift that is natural and will give you the breakthrough you need in every area of your life.
So how do we identify these gifts?
First you need to get on your knees in prayer and call on God to open the eyes of your heart, to give you direction, to let your gift make way for you.
Luke 11:19 So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Next you need to do a soul search. What do you enjoy doing, giving a chance that you are financially secure, what will you enjoy spending your time doing? What are your interests? What sort of work will you happily do now without being paid for and that you will really enjoy?
Then speak to your partner if you have one, your parents, your siblings, your mentor and your genuine friends. What strengths do they see in you? Ask your parents what you enjoyed doing most as a child. You will be surprised that your gift has just been there staring you in the face.
There are lots of business ideas and opportunities that can be developed from the call of God on our lives. Some people are very good at talking, writing, singing, giving advice, acting, buying, selling, nursing, teaching and the list goes on. The thing is behind every single one of these gift there is a business idea. I have heard of a lady that set up a business helping busy rich people shop for their kids, themselves, their houses and their vacation. She loves shopping, she has since built good relationships with the big stores, she gets invitation to all the UK fashion shows, she gets inside information about sales and has now employed people that help to serve her clients and has also expanded to help people organise their wardrobes, ensuring colour co-ordination and seasonal clothes are always within easy reach for these people. If this was done by a Christian, imagine the opportunity to talk to influential people about Christ?
There are lots of ideas out there and most successful ones come from what people enjoy doing the most.
Its great to identify one’s gift but what separates the successful people from those not successful is what you do about your gift.
Romans 12:6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.
It is easy to say oh I can do this very well or I can do that very well but you do not do anything. Every successful business needs perseverance and hard work. Every talent one has needs to be nurtured and it takes constant practice to perfect one’s art. Look at the athletes, the Olympic medallists don’t say because they have won the Olympics, they now need to do nothing. They constantly push themselves and keep practicing. I once saw a very rich celebrity who recently had a baby and had lost all the weight, in the interview she said she went to the gym twice a day because her work depends on her looks. Well we could say that is vanity but guess what she got up and did something that will help to feed her family. I told my husband the lady is so lucky to be able to afford the gym and all these personal trainers, my husband replied “actually you do not need all the money to lose the weight. You can do simple exercises at home early in the morning and before you go to bed”. I do not need all the money, what I need is discipline which is what a lot of us lack.
You need to get out there, equip your self, do a lot of research and make your gift work for you. You don’t need millions or thousands to start a successful business. Alexander McQueen (May his soul rest in peace) was discovered at his college fashion show and delivered his first designs in a black bin bag
I have also learnt from successful people that their lifestyles did not change as soon as they started their businesses, they did not spend the money before they made. They save and save and save. They deprived themselves of things they were used to just to give their business the chance to flourish. They did not immediately buy all the latest fashion items. My mother had to cut out TV from her life to give her time to focus on her business. What are the things occupying your time now that are not making a positive difference in your life? What are you spending your earnings on now that you could give up to save enough to start your business? You can cut them out now and create time to invest in your future.
In all of these one thing you must do is remember to keep calling on God, make sure he is alongside you every step of the way by constant prayer and if needed fasting.
James 5:16(New living translation) The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
God is there willing to hear you out and answer your prayer. Remember the business you are starting is within the gift that God has given to you, so if you continue to include him in all your plans you are bound to succeed.
1 John 5:14-15 (NLT) And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.
You must also learn to give to the needy. There is a simple principle that if your hands are always opened, you can receive but if you close them you cannot receive it. God’s biggest calling on our lives is to show love. The bible says that if you have all the gifts in this life and do not have love, you are nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing.
In everything God wants us to show love to everyone around us and to show love, you need to help the needy, you need to be selfless in your treatment of everyone around you. God calls us to love him and then to love our neighbours as ourselves. If you want your business to succeed, you need to be in the business of giving to the needy and showing love. Some of the most successful and biggest organisation in the world that do not have any Christian ethos give away lots to charities year after year and guess what just because they obey that principle, God blesses them.
Finally be honest with your self. Not everyone is born to set up a business. If everyone in the world had their own business, there will be no employees even for your own business! Your day job is your business if that is what you have been called to do. Get more information than your employer is willing to give and do your job to the best of your ability. Trust me you will be rewarded. Use the skills and knowledge you have learned at work to help your local community, your church, your child’s school and even your family members. That is your business. You do not have to earn money from using your God given gift. All I know is you will always have a sense of peace and satisfaction from using your gift.
God bless you as you ponder on these words and may he open the eyes of your heart, give you wisdom and direction as you take the next step in your life.
Psalm 139 15-16 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Everyone has been blessed with a gift. A gift that you have been born with and guess what, that gift can never be taken away from you.
Romans 11:29 for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.
So you have been born with the gift that is natural and will give you the breakthrough you need in every area of your life.
So how do we identify these gifts?
First you need to get on your knees in prayer and call on God to open the eyes of your heart, to give you direction, to let your gift make way for you.
Luke 11:19 So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Next you need to do a soul search. What do you enjoy doing, giving a chance that you are financially secure, what will you enjoy spending your time doing? What are your interests? What sort of work will you happily do now without being paid for and that you will really enjoy?
Then speak to your partner if you have one, your parents, your siblings, your mentor and your genuine friends. What strengths do they see in you? Ask your parents what you enjoyed doing most as a child. You will be surprised that your gift has just been there staring you in the face.
There are lots of business ideas and opportunities that can be developed from the call of God on our lives. Some people are very good at talking, writing, singing, giving advice, acting, buying, selling, nursing, teaching and the list goes on. The thing is behind every single one of these gift there is a business idea. I have heard of a lady that set up a business helping busy rich people shop for their kids, themselves, their houses and their vacation. She loves shopping, she has since built good relationships with the big stores, she gets invitation to all the UK fashion shows, she gets inside information about sales and has now employed people that help to serve her clients and has also expanded to help people organise their wardrobes, ensuring colour co-ordination and seasonal clothes are always within easy reach for these people. If this was done by a Christian, imagine the opportunity to talk to influential people about Christ?
There are lots of ideas out there and most successful ones come from what people enjoy doing the most.
Its great to identify one’s gift but what separates the successful people from those not successful is what you do about your gift.
Romans 12:6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.
It is easy to say oh I can do this very well or I can do that very well but you do not do anything. Every successful business needs perseverance and hard work. Every talent one has needs to be nurtured and it takes constant practice to perfect one’s art. Look at the athletes, the Olympic medallists don’t say because they have won the Olympics, they now need to do nothing. They constantly push themselves and keep practicing. I once saw a very rich celebrity who recently had a baby and had lost all the weight, in the interview she said she went to the gym twice a day because her work depends on her looks. Well we could say that is vanity but guess what she got up and did something that will help to feed her family. I told my husband the lady is so lucky to be able to afford the gym and all these personal trainers, my husband replied “actually you do not need all the money to lose the weight. You can do simple exercises at home early in the morning and before you go to bed”. I do not need all the money, what I need is discipline which is what a lot of us lack.
You need to get out there, equip your self, do a lot of research and make your gift work for you. You don’t need millions or thousands to start a successful business. Alexander McQueen (May his soul rest in peace) was discovered at his college fashion show and delivered his first designs in a black bin bag
I have also learnt from successful people that their lifestyles did not change as soon as they started their businesses, they did not spend the money before they made. They save and save and save. They deprived themselves of things they were used to just to give their business the chance to flourish. They did not immediately buy all the latest fashion items. My mother had to cut out TV from her life to give her time to focus on her business. What are the things occupying your time now that are not making a positive difference in your life? What are you spending your earnings on now that you could give up to save enough to start your business? You can cut them out now and create time to invest in your future.
In all of these one thing you must do is remember to keep calling on God, make sure he is alongside you every step of the way by constant prayer and if needed fasting.
James 5:16(New living translation) The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
God is there willing to hear you out and answer your prayer. Remember the business you are starting is within the gift that God has given to you, so if you continue to include him in all your plans you are bound to succeed.
1 John 5:14-15 (NLT) And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.
You must also learn to give to the needy. There is a simple principle that if your hands are always opened, you can receive but if you close them you cannot receive it. God’s biggest calling on our lives is to show love. The bible says that if you have all the gifts in this life and do not have love, you are nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing.
In everything God wants us to show love to everyone around us and to show love, you need to help the needy, you need to be selfless in your treatment of everyone around you. God calls us to love him and then to love our neighbours as ourselves. If you want your business to succeed, you need to be in the business of giving to the needy and showing love. Some of the most successful and biggest organisation in the world that do not have any Christian ethos give away lots to charities year after year and guess what just because they obey that principle, God blesses them.
Finally be honest with your self. Not everyone is born to set up a business. If everyone in the world had their own business, there will be no employees even for your own business! Your day job is your business if that is what you have been called to do. Get more information than your employer is willing to give and do your job to the best of your ability. Trust me you will be rewarded. Use the skills and knowledge you have learned at work to help your local community, your church, your child’s school and even your family members. That is your business. You do not have to earn money from using your God given gift. All I know is you will always have a sense of peace and satisfaction from using your gift.
God bless you as you ponder on these words and may he open the eyes of your heart, give you wisdom and direction as you take the next step in your life.
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
WAITING
There was a fire on the route that takes me into work today. It was a nightmare journey into work today and trust me I did not enjoy the experience.
I initially thought to work from home but unfortunately I logged on at home and realised I did not have full access to all the files I needed for work. I thought to myself, if this was my company, will I give up just like that. Well I will not so I decided to find alternative routes to work even though I knew it was not going to be easy.
I got to Lewisham station (a journey that should have taken me 15 mind took about 25mins), I thought to myself, well this is not so bad. I decided to take another service called the DLR to a station near work and walk from there (the walk will do a lot of good after all the cake I ate yesterday as it was my birthday).
When I got to Lewisham, there was a huge crowd of people trying to get on this DLR and the platform had to be closed intermittently to reduce over crowding. I thought oh no, maybe I should have stayed home. I stayed with the crowd. Suddenly a man at the very front of the crowd started to push his way out saying he had been at the station for over an hour and could not get on the platform and he’s leaving. At this point, the information board was showing that the next train will be leaving in 5mins. The man pushed his way out and a few people followed him. Just then the rail workers opened the platform and we all rushed on to get the next train. Guess what the man that decided to leave after waiting for an hour did not get on the train but some of us that were there barely 15mins got on.
As I got on, God said to me, the spirit of patience is so important. The man that had been waiting so long decided to give up his space just literally minutes before the next train was departing and gave up his opportunity for others to get on.
How often do we all do this? We get fed up of waiting and we give up and move on to the next thing, not totally sure what the results of the next thing may bring. The truth is the devil always brings this sort of thought just when our breakthrough is around the corner. I have given up on things before and moved on to the next thing only to realise that if I had been a little bit more patient, the reward could have been great.
In Exodus, it took the children of Israel forty years to get to the land God had promised them. A lot of them did not see this land because they faltered along the way.
2 Peter 3 8-9
8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
God stands on his word and none of his words will return to him void. We have hope in God that anything he has a hand on, in our lives will succeed no matter how long we have to wait.
Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
How shall we as Christians wait on God? The way to wait and to renew our strength is by being steadfast in our prayer lives. It can be challenging sometimes to pray when we are going through trials. It can be hard to focus, so why not join others to pray and let others lift you up when you are weary. Why not start a phone in prayer group with your friends or even have a praying partner with a friend you trust.
I have a weekly phone in with a few of my friends weekly, I have learnt so much from our prayer group and even when I am weak, its a relief to know there are people that will lift me up in prayer.
To help you stand when you feel like giving up, make sure you surround yourself with praying people and you will not miss the train you are meant to catch no matter how long you have to wait.
I initially thought to work from home but unfortunately I logged on at home and realised I did not have full access to all the files I needed for work. I thought to myself, if this was my company, will I give up just like that. Well I will not so I decided to find alternative routes to work even though I knew it was not going to be easy.
I got to Lewisham station (a journey that should have taken me 15 mind took about 25mins), I thought to myself, well this is not so bad. I decided to take another service called the DLR to a station near work and walk from there (the walk will do a lot of good after all the cake I ate yesterday as it was my birthday).
When I got to Lewisham, there was a huge crowd of people trying to get on this DLR and the platform had to be closed intermittently to reduce over crowding. I thought oh no, maybe I should have stayed home. I stayed with the crowd. Suddenly a man at the very front of the crowd started to push his way out saying he had been at the station for over an hour and could not get on the platform and he’s leaving. At this point, the information board was showing that the next train will be leaving in 5mins. The man pushed his way out and a few people followed him. Just then the rail workers opened the platform and we all rushed on to get the next train. Guess what the man that decided to leave after waiting for an hour did not get on the train but some of us that were there barely 15mins got on.
As I got on, God said to me, the spirit of patience is so important. The man that had been waiting so long decided to give up his space just literally minutes before the next train was departing and gave up his opportunity for others to get on.
How often do we all do this? We get fed up of waiting and we give up and move on to the next thing, not totally sure what the results of the next thing may bring. The truth is the devil always brings this sort of thought just when our breakthrough is around the corner. I have given up on things before and moved on to the next thing only to realise that if I had been a little bit more patient, the reward could have been great.
In Exodus, it took the children of Israel forty years to get to the land God had promised them. A lot of them did not see this land because they faltered along the way.
2 Peter 3 8-9
8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
God stands on his word and none of his words will return to him void. We have hope in God that anything he has a hand on, in our lives will succeed no matter how long we have to wait.
Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
How shall we as Christians wait on God? The way to wait and to renew our strength is by being steadfast in our prayer lives. It can be challenging sometimes to pray when we are going through trials. It can be hard to focus, so why not join others to pray and let others lift you up when you are weary. Why not start a phone in prayer group with your friends or even have a praying partner with a friend you trust.
I have a weekly phone in with a few of my friends weekly, I have learnt so much from our prayer group and even when I am weak, its a relief to know there are people that will lift me up in prayer.
To help you stand when you feel like giving up, make sure you surround yourself with praying people and you will not miss the train you are meant to catch no matter how long you have to wait.
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