In One Verse: The Recipe For Success

Let's search no longer, for here lies the recipe for success, the eighth verse of the very first chapter of the Book of Joshua:

"This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth [1], but you shall meditate on it day and night [2], that you may observe [3] and do according to all that is written in it [4]. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success  [5]."

1. Your Continuous Confessions Of The Word Of God

2. Your Continuous Study & Contemplation Of The Word Of God

3. Your Knowing Of The Word Of God 

4. Your Doing Of The Word Of God

5. And In Your Doing Of The Word, Achieve, Prosper & Have Good Success.

 

*Scripture: Joshua 1:8 Amplified Version

*Photo from Google Images 

SET APART [What Does It Matter]

Yup, standing alone different and distinctively apart in this world could be most awkward and lonesome, but surely, what does it matter when you stand for the glory of your Maker and Father, for the One who's plans and designs and purposes for you are true and sure. By whom your Light, Jesus, has come, beckoning you to arise, shine, that the world may know you are His own, that you are the one the nations must come to "and the kings to the brightness of your dawn". Yes, what does it matter?

You are to be holy to Me because I, The Lord, Am holy, and I have set you apart from the Nations to be my own. - Leviticus 20:26

Photo Courtesy of NOTW (Not of This World)

The Sanctified Soldier

It’s been a while since I’ve had a blown–off–the–face–of–God’s–earth experience with a song. This track, “Conqueror”, did it for me. Rock mixed with deep lyrical rap! Are you kidding me? You’d love it, especially if you’re particularly big on asserting WHO YOU ARE in Christ. So give it up for Pastor J, The Sanctified Soldier:

INFO:   

Artiste: PASTOR JIMMY ODUKOYA aka PASTOR J

Genre: GOSPEL ROCK

Director: SESAN

                                                                                                                                                               

*Video Courtesy of Youtube.

Mr. Bash

I remember watching my good ol’ friend, Mr. Bash, stare at his telephone for an approximately good ten minutes. If you ask me, that’s a pretty long time, considering the fact that the object of his attention was a black boring electronic device and that he, Bash, stared with an eerie fixation in the presence of an intrigued me, seated alongside with him in a quiet room – except for the sounds of the whirling fan and the ticking clock.

We were in his sitting room, and from across where I sat I had a good view to tell, with good authority, that the communicating machine was not the slightest bit interesting, like ringing off the hook – in fact, it was obviously the blandest piece of equipment in the room. But, eventually, it all made sense when Bash looked up at me and asked, quite directly, “How come I never hear from God?” BAM!

Now, I can’t really say if the dude actually expected God to ring him up at that particular time via his telephone. And I don’t know if God would have communicated in such a way, but seeing all things are possible with God, who knows, He could have done it, with a sense of humour. However, there’s one thing I know, I can empathize and relate with Bash’s desperation over not being able to hear from God. 

I know it does suck to have just a one–way connection to the throne of grace and not have an actual exchange. You seemingly find yourself praying and not getting a reply.

It sucks even more to hear people close to you say that the Father speaks expressly to them – giving them guidance, encouragements, and even filling their hearts with the knowledge of His will, when you on the other hand hear nothing but zilch.

Unveiled

The Word of God is not just the Truth and Will and Wisdom of God, but the mirror of our identity. It is the mirror that reflects who we are as individuals and as a people. And nothing else, in the whole wide world, can give us the complete meaning and definition of ourselves. For being all that we need for life and godliness, the Word is ultimately applicable to how, in full self-awareness, we take on the world. So, in “knowing thyself” the Word is most definitely our best bet. 

However, only in continued fixation on the realities of the Word, can we draw to the full realization of who we are – like realizing the powers and graces that we possess by inheritance as Kings and Queens.

Yes, we are of royalty, of a magnitude that far exceeds earthly crowns and sceptres. We are a light and a blessing of glorious influence to the world. We are God’s battle axe – a force of nature with limitless and incomparable power. And even most importantly, we are God’s instrument and expression of love.

That’s who we are. And of course, that’s just naming a few. Thus, *Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at  his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently in the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does.

*Scriptural Verse: James 1:23-25 (NIV)

To Be Free Of Guilt

Have you ever seen a man ridden by guilt? Well, you may likely find him wallowing in self-loathing, a very nasty predicament. Also, you may find him driven by the pangs of shame into hoping that the passage or perhaps the reversal of time would save him from his sense of regret.

But, of course, time won’t help. For with every passing second his mind suffers in woeful contemplation. And as a result, he may end up declaring himself unworthy and a sinner with no right to forgiveness.

For many of us, we needn’t look far for an example of a man in guilt. Our own lives have in one time or another suffered guilt, sometimes very severe. In fact, I’d dare say that the feeling of reproach is universal - at least to every normal person.

Nonetheless, in whatever way these experiences are common to us, we shouldn’t let them suffer us unnecessarily. We must not be ignorant of the fact that we can be free of guilt, no matter how grievous the transgressions that might have led to it.

Evidently, guilt is a typical trickster, seeking to convince its victims that they have no right to a second chance. Around us, we see its work: stark, helpless, riddled lives of those who had fallen from not only grace, but from every prospect of a good life.

Against this misery, we must fight, and the mind is where we fight. It’s where the guilt emotions try to take control and steal our peace of mind. In counter, it is where we must resist by maintaining a sound mental state.

Besides, when it comes down to freeing the mind of guilt, it is all about what we accept as truth. Would we think ourselves deserving of shame or of life? It is up to us, for in reality we can only prevail if we have the right mindset.

And what better way to build the correct frame of mind than meditation on God’s Word. In it, we are shown the love of the Father that says to us, “Come now, and let us reason together... though you sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow...” Surely, in these words, we can’t help but discern the richness of God’s mercy and grace.

Just like the story of the prodigal son, God as Father waits eagerly for our homecoming. Not minding our erring ways, He is ready to forgive us over and over, all because he loves us unconditionally. Beating ourselves down is not what He desires; rather, it is the pleasure of reinstating us to a life of liberty and delight.

In view of such love shown by the Father, do we think any of us should spend any more time floundering in guilt? Certainly not. Instead, let’s avail ourselves of the liberating truths of God’s love and forgiveness. For it is only in the knowing of the truth – as stated by our Lord Jesus – can we truly be set free.

By accepting the mercies of God, we can answer the voice of accusation that ever tries to put a guilt trip on us. We could say something like this, “hey you, hush! I recognize am guilt free for God my loving Papa has forgiven me my sins”. This is simply the veracity of our lives.

Yes, our imperfection may never desist in this life and time; however, it is not an excuse for us to agonize and suffer whenever we make a mistake. Let us not be ill with guilt but accept the cure of forgiveness that God so willingly wants to give. Remember, because of the work done on the cross, “there is therefore no condemnation” for us. We are absolutely free.