GETTING A BETTER PERSPECTIVE

GETTING A BETTER PERSPECTIVE

Question: I know problems are part of life, but I can’t seem to get on top of mine long enough to catch my breath. How can I overcome my problems, before they overcome me?

Answer: Your lament sounds rather like what King David expressed: “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” This wish to be able to put aside all your problems and worries and to feel free is a longing everyone experiences at one time or another. Unfortunately, there is no easy, magical formula to make problems simply disappear. What we can do is learn to control the effect that our problems, both real and imaginary, have on us.

One sure-fire way to strengthen your spirit is to adopt an attitude of praise and thanks to God, even through the rough times. No matter how badly things are going or how seemingly hopeless the situation, it is always possible to find something to be thankful for if you look hard enough—not the least of which is that God stands ready to prove Himself a “very present help in time of trouble.”

That positive, praiseful attitude will lighten your burdens and help you bear them. It brings on inspiration and renewed strength. It gives you wings to rise above your problems and the doubt, fear, and worry that accompany them. It lifts your spirit above the earthly plane and into the heavenlies. Even though it doesn’t necessarily remove the problems you’re facing, it gives you a much better outlook and perspective on them—a heavenly perspective, infused with faith in the positive outcome God has promised to those who love Him.

—

Psalm 55:6 (ESV) And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;

Psalm 46:1 (ESV) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Romans 8:28 (ESV) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna (Surv.)

It Is Written .... Faith

#Taxi please take us to church" the taxi driver looked at Martins and his family and said "your money na 1000 Naira" they haggled back and forth until they agreed at a price.

Martins needed a car badly, he was spending a fortune on taxis and there were times when he and his family would be drenched under the rain because they couldn't find a taxi. He had been praying about it but nothing seemed to happen until he came across a scripture in the bible that says Isaiah 61;7 (KJV) For your shame ye shall have double.

Martins had faced a lot of shame for not having a car, many times, water got splashed on him and he had to go back home to change his clothes, he had to rely on friends to pick him up and take him where he needed to go sometimes. It was quite difficult to move around without a car.

When Martins saw that scripture in the bible, he was excited and he told his wife that they could believe God for 2 cars instead of one car so they started buying things they needed for 2 cars; they got steering covers and a car seat for their baby then they began to thank God for their cars.

Martins wanted 2 Mercedes Benz cars; a black C Class 2010 for himself and a wine GLK 2010 for his wife. Both cars cost a little fortune but the bible had said they could believe for double! So they believed the word of God.

Martins was waiting for a taxi one morning when he saw an elderly man trying to change tyres for his car. He approached the man, pulled his suit and helped to change the tyres. The man looked at him and said "my son, I am Dr. Nelson, thank you so much, many people have been passing but you were the only one that stopped, I want to reward you, come to my house"

After work, Martins went to see Dr. Nelson and the man asked what he could do for him, Martins did not know what to say, Dr. Nelson then said, " I notice you don't have a car, do you like Mercedes?" Martins' eyes popped open and he began to tell the man how they had been believing God for two Mercedes Benz cars.

Dr Nelson laughed and said " your dreams just came true, I am the sole dealer of Mercedes in Nigeria and I have just the 2 cars you want. I will give you the 2 cars.
Martins started crying, Dr. Nelson told him " you remind me of my son that died 2 years ago and those cars were part of the presents he got as wedding gifts".

Martins drove the C Class and he got someone to drive the GLK home. His wife saw the cars and said "who are they for?" He handed her the key to her GLK but she didn't believe until he told her the whole story. Martins and his wife got on their knees and began to praise God for His goodness and mercies.

Beloved, what have you suffered or what are those things that have caused you shame? God said you can believe him for DOUBLE! Have you been living in a one bedroom for many years? God said you can believe Him for a 3 bedroom, have you been relegated at your office for many years? God said you can believe Him for double promotion, have you been without children for a long time? God said you can believe Him for twins! 

When God comes late, it's because He wants to come big! Don't think of how it will happen, don't think of the circumstances around you just BELIEVE and thank God for DOUBLE. It will happen, wait for it, it's coming!

My 20 year dream is to see the Gospel preached to a billion people through the social media. You too can be a social media evangelist, kindly share and repost this Gospel of Jesus Christ so that others can be blessed just like you have been Blessed.

May you have double portion.

NO SECOND CHANCE

 THE CRIME

*A lady committed a crime and she was sent to court. The punishment for the crime was life imprisonment. She shed tears for help but to no avail. When the case was called in court she started weeping. Her husband, family and friends who accompanied her started weeping but there was no hope. But something happened. 

 

Before the lady could stand in the witness box a man stood up and the court room was silent. Everyone looked at Him. He was noble and gentle. He stood in the witness box and interceded on behalf of the woman. The case was difficult, yet He used all His strength, energy and resources to fight on behalf of the woman. After a long legal battle between the man and the accusers, the lady was set free. 

 

The lady fell before the man and asked 'WHO ARE YOU?' The next day the lady deliberately committed another crime and was sent to the same court. As soon as she entered the courtroom, she saw the man who interceded for her the previous day on the judgement seat. He was no longer a lawyer, but a judge. With smiles on her face the lady said 'I have come again' The man lifted his head and said 'yesterday I was a lawyer, so I fought for you, even when you were guilty. But today I am a judge and my judgement must be fair.' With tears in the ladies eyes she asked for the second time 'WHO ARE YOU' and the man replied 

 

"YESTERDAY I WAS YOUR SAVIOUR. BUT NOW I AM YOUR JUDGE" Today Christ Jesus is our lawyer and redeemer, but a day is coming when He will give a fair judgement to everyone. 

 

JESUS IS COMING SOON, SO PREPARE TO MEET HIM. Don't fail to share this with others, I have done mine by sharing it with you.*

REFUGE OF MEDITATION

REFUGE OF MEDITATION

(A FRIEND STORY) 

 

I once visited a monastery that was built on the ruins of an ancient Roman fortress, set high atop a rocky crag in a Syrian desert. So steep was a series of 300 steps near the summit that supplies had to be hoisted the rest of the way using a cable system. Three stone archways at the top announced to my fellow pilgrims and me that we were nearing a sanctuary.

Finally we had to squeeze through a small opening, no larger than two feet square, cut in the rock. It reminded me of something Jesus said: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” One traditional interpretation of that passage is that Jesus was referring to a very small gate in the wall of Jerusalem called the Needle’s Eye. For a camel to pass through that gate, it had to be stripped of all baggage and then pushed, pulled, and cajoled. To squeeze through this one, I had to take off my backpack and still it wasn’t easy.
Just then a jet passed so high overhead that it was recognizable only by the vapor trail it left in the azure sky—a silent, fitting reminder of how far we were removed from the rush and noise of the world we had left behind.
 

This was not a monastery for recluses, however, but a retreat for those wanting to get away from the world for a time to refresh their spirit and renew their focus in order to have more to contribute when they return. One resident friar had just returned from a World Economic Forum, where he had been invited as a spiritual leader.
The monastery welcomes anyone seeking spiritual solace. My party of about 30 represented several faiths and perhaps a dozen nationalities. There is no charge for meals or lodging, only a request that visitors lend a hand with the chores and respect others’ times of meditation.
Inside we were welcomed with a glass of tea and invited to sit and chat and enjoy the view. As we got to know one another, a sense of brotherhood instantly developed, despite our diverse backgrounds.
Sitting at a table, I talked with one of the monastery’s volunteers who was French. He was in his early twenties, and I was curious to find out what motivated him to stay at this remote outpost so far from civilization.

“I have been here for two years now,” he said in his charming accent. “I was a successful chief accountant for a prominent firm in France, with all the perks of a high-salaried job.”
“So what was it that made you give all that up?” I asked.
“I felt unfulfilled. One day as I was sitting in a chapel, I had a vision that caused me to realize I had my priorities wrong. I needed to live in service for others. That’s why I’m here.”
A German traveler joined our conversation, and soon we were discussing the world’s woes as we had experienced them, as well as ideas about how they might be rectified. Hours went by.
That evening we were invited to celebrate Mass together underneath the painted fragments of a scene of heaven and hell, saints and sinners, followed by a simple meal and a time of solitary meditation.
The next day as I made my way back down to the valley, I gazed at the surrounding hills, stretching into the distance. The scenery spoke to me more than it had on the way up, when my mind was still full of going, doing, achieving.
I imagined water flowing through the dry riverbeds and cascading over precipices in thunderous glory. If rain came, it would truly be a wonder. It hadn’t rained in four years.
The terrain appeared devoid of life, but upon closer examination all kinds of life could be seen on those steep slopes—lichen, exquisite minute wildflowers, and the occasional desert dweller, all struggling to survive. Even when our lives seem as dry and barren as those hills, with not much happening on the surface, God is busy at work.
As I reached the bottom of the hill, I determined to take a few minutes each day to make a temple of my heart. The art of meditation, I had learned, is not dependent on any place. It is the peace of heart and mind that are found by connecting with our Creator, regardless of the surroundings.

—

Galatians 6:6-7 ESV / One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

1. Corinthians 10:13 ESV / No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Romans 8:28 ESV / And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

#TGIF

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna (Surv.)

LIVE WELL ON LESS

LIVE WELL ON LESS

The advantages of learning to live by the less-is-more tenet are many. Contemporary lifestyles and habits have a way of blinding us to those benefits, in part by keeping us so busy that we seldom stop long enough to carefully consider what we’re doing. We “move with the groove,” but that groove may be depleting us of precious funds, health, and happiness. A few ways to “move your groove” are:

Self-propel. A lot of people are so used to getting behind the wheel to go anywhere that they don’t realize how fun, eco-friendly, and healthy it is to walk the few blocks to the gym (that can double as your warm-up, saving time overall) or anywhere else within comfortable walking distance. Or do errands by bicycle. Besides getting exercise and fresh air, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, “experience life” along the way, and save money. Exercise also produces a healthy natural high and increases energy levels. Public transport and carpooling are also relatively economical and eco-friendly options.

Go natural. Drinking plenty of water and eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, including nutrition-dense yet inexpensive seasonal ones, will boost your resistance and thus lower your medical expenses.

Local fruits and vegetables often have nutritional benefits that rival expensive, exotic supplements like spirulina or Tibetan leh berries. Depending on what is available and affordable in your area, some of the best cosmetics and health products may be among the cheapest, and you may already have them in your kitchen. A salt-soap-and-loofah scrub can give the same smooth, polished-body effect as an expensive body scrub made from exotic ingredients. Mashed papaya can give you a quick peel that is cheaper than a glycolic peel. (Don’t leave it on for more than 10 minutes, though!) Olive oil makes great lip gloss and is harmless if accidentally ingested or kissed off. Research the benefits and possible adverse effects of any homemade health or beauty aid before trying. Moderation is usually advisable.

You probably don’t have a lot of time to make your own potions and lotions. However, eating healthfully and living well is possible even on a tight budget, and it can be fairly simple. Form good habits, and you can splurge once in a while on a special treat like a foot spa or special meal.

Recycle. Shop for an exciting “new” outfit in your own wardrobe by finding things you haven’t worn for a while and giving them a fresh look by making alterations or pairing them with something new. Or have a discards-and-treasures party with friends, where you get together little-worn clothing and other items and offer them to each other before donating the rest to charity.

Repair rather than replace worn or broken but salvageable items, or pass them on to someone else who will.

Limit paper clutter and the associated waste by doing as much as you can electronically, like keeping records on computer and using email.

Do it yourself. Learn to do some of the things you’ve been paying others to do for you. You’ll save money, learn new skills, and perhaps even pick up a new hobby in the process.

Be values oriented. Trying to keep up with the Joneses costs in more ways than one. Jesus taught “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Jesus also pointed the way to God’s blessing and happiness and fulfillment in life when He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things”—everything you really need—“shall be added to you.”

Co-op. Living or doing things cooperatively with extended family or like-minded friends is more cost- and labor-efficient than private living, and it gives a sense of community. It’s also a step toward learning to “love your neighbor as yourself,” which is another key to God’s blessing and true happiness.
God is a great life coach. When we follow Him and His spiritual laws, we find that it can actually be easier and more fun to live on less.

—

1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV / “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.

Romans 5:8 ESV / But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Acts 4:12 ESV / And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

#HappyWeekend

Onyedikachi Kingsley Ogbonna (Surv.)

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR PHONE DROPS INTO THE WATER

THERE IS A REASON