Be still... there will be sunshine after the rain

This is what was laid on my heart to sketch this morning.

I was just laying my many anxieties before the Lord's feet, and this image was pressed strongly on my mind. So I have drawn it because I believe that this is what He said in response.

I am deeply comforted and encouraged. 

I have renewed hope.

I pray this for you too.

Efena Otobo- Inspiring victory against all odds and a beautiful heart of gratitude

Dear readers,

I could not resist sharing this article written by my friend's daughter Efena Otobo who sustained a life changing spinal chord injury over a year ago.

She and her mother have inspired me no end. You can click on the link below or read the copied and re posted version here.

I am so grateful for all God has done and is doing in the lives of Efena, Alero and their family.

Have you got a reason to share your gratitude? Do share and inspire and encourage others as Efena has.

Enjoy!

http://www.itsmilkandhoney.com/feature-season-of-thanksgiving/

The word “gratitude” is often associated with the spirit of Thanksgiving; it is synonymous with a season known for its generosity and benevolence. Whether you are in the loving presence of family or friends, or even happy strangers, learning to appreciate one’s blessings in life should not merely be restricted to a few hours of satisfaction after gorging on Thanksgiving turkey and all the fixings. Having the humility to express thankfulness must be embodied in a person’s words, actions, attitude and approach to the zest of life.

God has enabled me and my wonderful mother to leave London, England to the shores of Carlsbad, California and the bustle of Atlanta primarily for rehabilitation after sustaining what the enemy wanted to be, a catastrophic spinal cord injury. Hydrotherapy has become a weekly pleasure in my physical therapy schedule at Shepherd Center, Atlanta, Georgia. Being immersed in the water gives me an overwhelming sense of serenity that is difficult to comprehend. Part of the aqua-based workout involves floating face-up while practicing the skills of an adaptive backstroke. Whilst swimming a couple of days before Thanksgiving, a deep feeling of gratefulness shook me to the very core of my being; a stark realisation that without God’s incomparable and incomprehensible love, strength, support and provision, I would not have progressed to this point on the personal journey towards complete physical, spritual and mental healing and restoration.

The only memories that echoed throughout my mind at that moment, were the joyful experiences of the past twelve months. a far cry from the agony of the seven and a half hour surgery last November 2014, the second of its kind. The first surgery was in April 2014 – five days after the horrific car accident. Memories as diverse as marvelling at the beauty of Carlsbad’s natural endowment to the bouts of laughter while seated on the plush leather recliner in a luxury cinema at the Plaza Paseo Real; from basking in the sunshine in the perfect Beverly Hills weather to appreciating the inner workings of family-owned wineries in Napa Valley; from the child-like delight and wonder in the audience of the Shamu celebration show at Sea World.

To the camaraderie fostered between best friends while posing for a caricature artist; from experiencing the transformational presence of the Holy Sprit during evening worship at the Bethel Healing Conference in Redding.  Admiring the cutest selfies ever with the three most adorable Storm Troopers at Comic-Con, San Diego; from screaming my head off during the Supernatural panel for my two favourite actors, Jensen and Jared to teasing the loser in last place at the Project Walk staff relay race; from making three special new friends in the Hollywood entertainment business to dancing in a Nashville hotel ballroom dressed head-to-toe in BCBG; from clapping after an especially unique and brilliant performance of A Christmas Carol at the Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta to gripping my sides on the couch, laughing, singing and resting in the arms of a childhood friend after consuming my first Thanksgiving meal at a home in Marietta, Georgia, the happiness crystallised in countless moments of time seems to be never-ending.

The enemy grossly miscalculated the good that has and will continue to come from being confined temporarily to a wheelchair. Often at times, I find tears welling up in my eyes due to the rush of emotions when I think of the plethora of blessings that are constantly being thrown my way. Words cannot fully encapslate the level of gratitude I feel towards my Heavenly Papa for all He hath done for me and my family. I urge you to let Thanksgiving go beyond a single day; whenever you receive a kind word or gesture from a fellow human being or are in the fortunate position of being a blessing to another, utter a word of gratitude to the One who provides; for without Him, we may as well not fully exist.

Thank you for reading and May you continue to be blessed with good fortune. Amen.

Written by Efena Otobo

My VFC sermon 15 Nov 2015- Faith, Works and Patience

Victoria Fellowship Church (VFC)

 International and Interdenominational

 Sunday Sermon 15th November 2015

 Quarter Theme: Living by Faith

 Topic: Faith, Works and Patience

Preacher - Lara Cookey

Assistant  Albert Okpala

 Texts: James 2: 14-26, Hebrews 10:35-39

 Memory Verse Hebrews 6:12 "We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised"

Sermon - 5 minutes delay before audio starts

https://youtu.be/jpXn8egcnJQ

Pray without ceasing

PRAYING WITHOUT CEASING  

 

I was studying Luke 18 this morning, the section that is written about 'a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought.' Jesus spoke about how the persistent petition of the widow moved the judge to answer her and rule in her favour.

 

Jesus was speaking to the need for his disciples/children to do likewise. In a nutshell

-Be persistent

-Don't give up.

 

Paul spoke about continual prayer when speaking to the people of Collossae in 

1 Thessalonians 5:17

He said 

'pray continually'

 My thoughts went to considering what these two scriptures were saying about both persistence in prayer and being constantly in an attitude of prayer. What does this mean in the practical, day to day choices I make?

 

Below is a powerful commentary on the topic that I got from Internet research at 'gotquestions.org' 

 

For Christians, prayer should be like breathing. You do not have to think to breathe because the atmosphere exerts pressure on your lungs and essentially forces you to breathe. That is why it is more difficult to hold your breath than it is to breathe. Similarly, when we are born into the family of God, we enter into a spiritual atmosphere where God's presence and grace exert pressure, or influence, on our lives. Prayer is the normal response to that pressure. As believers, we have all entered the divine atmosphere to breathe the air of prayer.

Unfortunately, many believers hold their "spiritual breath" for long periods, thinking brief moments with God are sufficient to allow them to survive. But such restricting of their spiritual intake is caused by sinful desires. The fact is that every believer must be continually in the presence of God, constantly breathing in His truths, to be fully functional. (Emphasis mine)

It is easier for Christians to feel secure by presuming on—instead of depending on—God's grace. Too many believers become satisfied with physical blessings and have little desire for spiritual ones. When programs, methods, and money produce impressive results, there is an inclination to confuse human success with divine blessing. When that happens, passionate longing for God and yearning for His help will be missing. Continual, persistent, incessant prayer is an essential part of Christian living and flows out of humility and dependence on God.

 

After reading this, a song called 'this is the air I breath' started playing over and over again in my mind. It was such a soothing experience, that  I will adopt this song to remind me of constantly, continually being in an attitude of prayer. If you love hymns as I do, you may also like to adopt 'sometimes a light surprises a Christian when he sings' as your song to remind you to 'breath prayer'

Do you have a favourite song that ushers you into the Lord's presence? Do share.

Proverbs 31: Portrait of a Godly Woman

Hi there!
This is an excellent piece which I got from the Grace Communion International website. It explains the Proverbs 31 woman and how it applies to today's woman. I like the fact that it highlights that this word of God includes guidelines for ALL women, whether married or single, working at home or in the marketplace.
I trust you will enjoy it as I did, and be inspired afresh by the Proverbs 31 woman.

The Proverbs 31 woman was the wife of a city elder (verse 23) and a respected figure in her own right (verse 31). Some of her many responsibilities included buying and selling merchandise. Illustration by Larry Salk

For thousands of years, God-fearing women have looked to the noble, or virtuous (KJV), woman of Proverbs 31 as their ideal. Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, probably had this role model of the virtuous woman in the forefront of her mind from earliest childhood. Most Jewish women did, for this poem was traditionally recited in the Jewish home every week on the eve of the Sabbath.

But what about today’s woman? Of what value can this ancient poem be to the diverse, complex life-styles of women today? To the married, to the single, to the young, to the old, to those working outside the home or inside the home, to those women with children or without children? It is more relevant than you might at first expect — although it is also too good to be true.

When we examine this ancient biblical ideal of womanhood, we do not find the stereotyped housewife occupied with dirty dishes and laundry, her daily life dictated by the demands of her husband and her children. Nor do we find a hardened, overly ambitious career woman who leaves her family to fend for itself.

What we find is a strong, dignified, multitalented, caring woman who is an individual in her own right. This woman has money to invest, servants to look after and real estate to manage. She is her husband’s partner, and she is completely trusted with the responsibility for their lands, property and goods.

She has the business skills to buy and sell in the market, along with the heartfelt sensitivity and compassion to care for and fulfill the needs of people who are less fortunate. Cheerfully and energetically she tackles the challenges each day brings. Her husband and children love and respect her for her kind, generous and caring nature.

But with all her responsibilities, first and foremost, she looks to God. Her primary concern is God’s will in her life. She is a woman after God’s own heart. Let’s examine the characteristics of this remarkable woman — a role model for Christian women today.

---

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." The Hebrew word chayil, translated here "noble," or "virtuous" (KJV), means a wife of valor — a strong, capable woman with strong convictions. This description of the ideal wife does not agree with those who associate femininity with weakness and passivity.

"Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value." Her husband trusts her management of their resources. Her industriousness adds to the family income.

"She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." This woman does not do right only when it is convenient and profitable. Her actions are not based on how she is treated by others or by what others think. Her character is steady. She is reliable and dependable.

"She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands." This woman enjoys working so much that she plans ahead for what she needs in order to accomplish her responsibilities.

"She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar." The trait not to settle for the mediocre is portrayed by a woman who goes the extra mile for quality items.

"She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." Though the woman described here has servants to take care of many of the household duties, she sets the pace. She understands that good managers have a responsibility to take care of those under their authority. That is one of her top priorities.

"She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard." Every woman doesn’t have to go into real estate and horticulture — the principle here is that this woman uses her mind. She does not act on a whim, but logically analyzes a situation before making a decision. Her goals are not only short term — she envisions the long-range benefits of her decisions.

"She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." We get a picture of a woman who vigorously goes about her duties. She keeps herself healthy and strong by proper health practices — good diet, adequate rest and exercise. Many people depend on her.

"She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night." She knows that her merchandise is good and takes pride in doing a good job. Night or day, no one worries that her responsibilities are not taken care of.

"In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers." The example she sets is one of skill and industriousness. Whether this woman would be a computer programmer, a concert pianist, a mother, or all three, she develops her talents and hones her skills through education and diligent application.

"She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." Although it’s good to donate to needy causes, this means far more than writing a check. This woman shows personal concern. She visits the sick, comforts the lonely and depressed, and delivers food to those in need.

"When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet." Providing clothing for the family is one of her responsibilities. She takes this seriously, and plans ahead. She does not practice crisis management.

"She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple." This woman has high standards and dresses properly for the occasion.

"Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land." This man does not have to spend half his time trying to straighten out problems at home, and his success in the social world comes partly from her support, just as her success comes partly from his support. The original woman of Proverbs 31 couldn’t phone her husband for his opinion on matters. She made many of the day-to-day decisions about their property and goods. He trusted her to manage the estate efficiently.

"She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes." This woman runs a business from her home. Her efforts and industry add to the family income.

"Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come" (NKJV). Not only does this woman benefit each day from her wise and diligent actions, long-term lifetime benefits and rewards lie in store for her.

"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." This woman is well read and has the facts. She knows what she is talking about. Whether about her job, her personal values or her opinion on world events, she is able to express herself intelligently, tactfully and diplomatically. People come to her for good advice.

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." She is an organized, energetic person who carries out her responsibilities.

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." This woman is not a doormat, slavishly trying to appease and please her family, no matter how unreasonable their demands. She is honored in her home. Here we gain an insight into the character of her husband as well. He teaches their children to respect her and the virtues she personifies.

"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." High praise for this extraordinary woman — a role model for women of all time.

"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Here is the key to this woman’s effectiveness. Her priorities are determined by God’s will, not her own. She is concerned about what God thinks, rather than with what other people think. Physical beauty and clever conversation are admirable qualities. But if a woman’s beauty and charm are the extent of her virtues, what happens when time and the trials of life take their toll? This woman does not depend on beauty and charm for her success. She recognizes her need for God.

"Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." This woman is actively doing, not merely talking. She does not boast about her plans for the future or her successes of the past. They are obvious.

---

Does this woman sound too good to be true? Perhaps she is. The woman described here is an idealized woman, a composite of many capable women. After all, not all people have the same skills. Some women’s strengths are in music or art. Others may be in mathematics, teaching or business. Some are better managers and organizers than others. While some women may excel at coming up with ideas, others may be more skilled at creating or producing what has been invented by someone else. No one excels at everything.

Some women work for several years after high school or college before marrying. Others, for one reason or another, do not marry at all. Does this mean that unmarried women cannot be Proverbs 31 women? No. Although this chapter describes a married woman, marriage and motherhood are not prerequisites for the successful Christian female’s life. The essential characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman can be applied to the the single woman, too.

The model woman described in Proverbs is a portrait of idealwomanhood. The focus of this portrait is a woman’s relationship with God, not her specific abilities or marital status. The Proverbs 31 woman realizes that regardless of her natural talents or acquired skills, or all her accomplishments, her strength comes from God.

Who is a virtuous woman today? Proverbs 31 tells you that it is the woman who puts God first. The ideal woman of Proverbs 31 should encourage all women everywhere. Cultures change, but this woman’s God-inspired character still shines brightly across the centuries.

By: 

 Sheila Graham 

2003

Heaven sent algebra

8For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Mathew 7:8 |NIV

This quotation is one of those written in red which means they are words that Jesus actually said. 

What the tone of this word implies is that we do not get stuff because we were not seeking or asking in the first place. My understanding from this is that I must go after opportunities  in life in general such as in faith, in business,  in building relationships, being a life long learner and in being open to change and risk. I see this quote as a template for living intentionally.

The opposite of this is to remain static and to live a life of thwarted potential. This word literally says I must constantly reach out beyond my comfort zone. In the context of my faith, this is the bedrock of building trust in the one in whom I have believed .

I receive the directives here in the light of other words that Jesus said like:

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

And also other words in the Old Testament like:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Scripture references:

Mathew 28:18-20

Joshua 1:9 | NIV

Asking, seeking and knocking has been the basis of my survival for many years and I think God rewarded my effort by pulling me back from the brink of early demise several times. Since surviving life threatening health challenges, I have also employed this strategy in my every day life and I manage the health conditions I am living with by constantly paying attention to what my body is telling me and being acutely aware of any change. I am also a keen observer of trends and symptoms and the triggers . All this sounds like hard work but I am grateful for grace. I am grateful for the grace to build in many of my life sustaining strategies seamlessly  into my life. I am constantly seeking ways to overcome and master. 

I am committed to grabbing the best of what my life has to offer, always willing to learn new skills and refusing absolutely to be ruled by the challenges posed by Myasthenia Gravis and Asthma , both of which I had learnt to manage until the addition of the unpleasant side effects of being on the cancer prevention medication Tamoxifen. 

Initially, the combination of these three things were exponentially overwhelming.  It was a very tough time while my body adjusted, and while I got my psyche in gear to push back and conquer all the emotional and psychological triggers of fear and anxiety that came out of debilitating physical discomfort . Mental focus, and agility, born out of employing battle strategies based on my faith and trust in what my powerful, loving Father God has put within me has made me an overcomer every time.

I am literally walking in the amazing results of following the directive in this scripture and I remain committed to excercising as often as I can, eating healthy, keeping a positive focus and always leaning on 'all the powers of heaven'. 

Journal notes on John 21-THE RESURRECTED KING MAKES A BREAKFAST BARBECUE

In my study this morning, I am taken by the fact that food is an important element in fellowship and the showing of love. Jesus displayed this kind of fellowship to His disciples after He rose from the dead. Amazing how he was still looking out for his disciples, nurturing them and providing for them because God is love!

Inherent in Jesus's nature is the desire to love and provide for His followers. He spoke words to the disciples that were deep and profound, thereby feeding their minds with the substance of what was to come. Enabling them with His spoken word and more or less instructing them and sending them forth. 

He even made them a barbecue breakfast.

What a God!

What a Saviour!

Hebrews 10:38-39 inspired- To whom we belong

Hebrews 10:38-39
"But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back." 39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

To whom we belong
Are those who have faith and are saved
We do not shrink back
We stand firm
We believe, we affirm
Every truth in your word
We stand firm
We believe that it is done
We do not shrink back
Because of the one
To whom we belong

To a spacious place

I am grateful Lord

For more things than I can say

You are faithful and loving to me

Breaking down mountains

Raising up valleys

Delivering your loving power to me

I see you in a myriad ways

From the spectacular to the mundane

Lord you reveal yourself

And I am strong in you

I walk tall in victory

Because you are loving

Because you are faithful

Against all odds you have brought me

To a spacious place

Lara Cookey

Joburg

July 2015

Freedom in Christ Jesus

I took off the cloak of fear
It never fitted me well
It was itchy and misshapen
It had shards that hurt me
It hurt me more while taking it off
I got scratched and scuffed
And it struggled with my every move to cast it off
It wounded me with lies that have been told to me
Lies confirmed by my lived experience
Hanging blinkers over my eyes so i cannot see
That the circumstances may be true
But they are not permanent
They do not define who I am
For i am defined by something else
Something embedded in Hebrews eleven
Raise up the blinkers, cut them away
I fix my eyes on the consuming fire of God
Who will burn away all this junk to unrecognizable cinders


Lara Cookey
05 June 2015

Not today

We were sort of in lock down due to the fuel shortages. The weather was hot and humid, there was no electric power and therefore no running water in the taps in our block during the day. Our generator hours had been reduced in order to manage meagre generator fuel resources, and there was zero power from the national grid. I was unwell also, and all compounded to make me feel even worse. In order to distract myself from the circumstances, I decided to pull out a couple of canvases and did some painting. Something I have not done for over thirty years. It was cathartic. So therapeutic that i scarcely noticed the lack of the usual cooling air conditioning. I swerved the effects of the  resultant intolerable heat, by hydrating frequently, and focussing on delicate brush strokes. It was like a drug! 


There was no feeling sorry for myself as I shut down every negative thought , every desire to whinge and whine, and channelled my energies into painting my impressions of God's beautiful creation of flowers and plants. During the time i had brush in hand and acrylic paints  squished on to my palettes, i was just a conduit mirroring the strokes of the master artist that i have waxed lyrical about often on this forum.

I also wrote some poetry, ( or is it prose?), in any case, the title for this post was taken from the title of the poem. I hope you enjoy looking at my paintings as much as i enjoyed painting them. They were inspired by real photographs that i took on my trip to the Bahamas by cruiseship via Miami earlier in the year. One was taken on the Island of St Thomas and the other in St Croix.
Enjoy!

And here is the prose titled 'Not Today'

Not today

Will i dwell in the mind space of fear and pain

Not today

Will i make my shortcomings top of mind

Not today

Will i dwell in the shadow of all that is not well

Not today.

Today i will dwell in the secret place of the most high

Today i will abide under the shadow of the almighty

Today i will plug into all the powers of heaven

And own the facts that are true

That i am fearfully and wonderfully made

That i am the apple of God's eye

That i can do exceedingly abundantly more

That i am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus

Not today

Will the enemy get a foothold

Not today

Because i choose joy

Today i choose faith

Today i choose gratitude beyond measure

Today i choose flight on eagle's wings

Today i walk in the power of all of heaven

I adopt the gait of a conquering hero

Today i take courage

For i am victorious and not a victim

Lara Cookey

30 May 2015

A new day has come for Nigeria

A new day has come for Nigeria
An opportunity for a fresh start
Will this be an era of real change?
A season of moving out of darkness into light?
Will the heart of the president be directed by God
Like a watercourse
In the direction of the right
Attitudes, desires and wishes
That augur well for nation building
That will be centered on serving our needs
When will we maximize our enormous potential?
Will it be today?
When will mindless greed stop?
Will itbe today?
When will pillaging and thievery stop
Will the cry of countless dead souls speak
The crushing and thwarting of children's development
Totally contrary to the laws of survival
Will this be the change we need and hoped for?
Nigeria must rise!
Out of the ashes of mediocrity
Out of self sabotage on a monumental scale
Nigeria must rise!
A new day has come
Let the God of creation
Direct our noble cause
To build a nation where peace and justice reign
Nigeria must rise!


Lara Cookey
30 May 2015
The morning after inauguration day

Happy democracy day

Happy Children's Day!

Happy Children's Day 2015

Play is not wasted time but rather time spent building new knowledge from previous experience

( Wikipedia)

Spectacular display!

 

I was woken this morning
First by the booming sounds of thunder
And then by a spectacular display
Dazzling lights and crackling sounds
God of might!
Displaying His splendour
Displaying His power
The beauty of His creation
Peals of thunder rent the heavens
The earth shuddered
Flashes of lightening
Mega volts of a trillion stars
Like a fire work display
Amped up to the hilt
Awesome, mighty God!
You pour down the rain like a silky garment
The clouds form a canopy
Over the earth's space
I watch in wonder at the power of your might
And the beauty of your creation
I bow, i worship
Lord you are like no other!


After a spectacular thunderstorm
6:30 am
23 May 2015

Discipleship flows

Powerful , practical interpretation of the fruit of the Spirit- a must read

                                

Someone sent this to me and I think it is the most empowering interpretation of Galatians 5:22 that I have come across. I just had to share it.

Go for it!

"If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace." - Max Lucado, from Let the Journey Begin It's a New Day: The Choice is Yours  by Max Lucado, Let the Journey Begin It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming. In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose. I choose love. No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves. I choose joy. I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical... the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God. I choose peace. I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live. I choose patience. I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite Him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage. I choose kindness. I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me. I choose goodness. I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness. I choose faithfulness. Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home. I choose gentleness. Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself. I choose self-control. I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest. ~ When God Whispers Your Name Excerpted with permission from the Let the Journey Begin by Max Lucado, copyright Thomas Nelson 2>Let the Journey Begin by Max Lucado, copyright Thomas Nelson 2015

The master artist

There are so many things
That have been placed here for us 

That reveal the hand of a master artist
Beauty for our eyes to behold
Stunning sunsets and bright full moons
Graceful sea and land creatures
Awe inspiring mountains and hills
Cloudscapes that tell stories
Why have I got into this appreciative mode?
I looked at a floral arrangement
That I made for my coffee table
It reminded me of the rich hues of African batik

See for yourself

Do you not wonder

At the hand that speckled these leaves

That imbued them with varieties

Of shape and colour and form

Do you not wonder

At the majesty of the master artist?

God bless Nigeria, for He can use any king ( president or governor ) to deliver His promises

Hello everyone,
This has been an intense season of campaigning and politicking . With rising fears of impending flashpoints and the uncertainty that they bring, it is not at all surprising that sentiments and emotions have been running high. The tension in the air has weighed heavily on everyone like dark storm clouds about to break. Everyone is waiting to exhale.

Now that the presidential elections are over,we must all rise up and pray assiduously for the leader the people have chosen, whether or not it is the result we hoped for. The enormous task of nation building is still at hand and never more needed. It is the responsibility of both the leader and the led to be intentional about engaging in the kind of thinking that promotes the enormous teamwork that it will take. We all need to get with an ideology that will steer the ship of this great country of ours through the tumultuos, deep waters that form the fabric of our extremely complex inter tribal/political dynamic. 

My prayer and mantra is:

Nigeria must rise! 

In my research into national leadership and the delivery of God's promises to a nation, I focussed on King Cyrus. His reign was characterised by exploits that are a great example that we can learn from. I have reposted part of a well written, detailed  article below for those who may want to read it. It contains severall crucial elements of what a leader can do for a nation and a people when under the guidance of God's hand.

Proverbs 21:1 is my scripture of the moment especially because I have recently been reading Psalm 46. In verses 4 & 5 , there is a beautiful statement which melts my heart each time I read it-

 'a river which makes glad the city of God'. 

The preceding three verses speak to a calamitous situation , or in Naija parlance ' katakata don bost!' 

In my vivid imagination, I picture a river raging and bursting its banks, flowing everywhere causing big 'wahala' and then it becomes calm and flows gently. There is a calm and peace, there is silence as God directs things. The river is the human spirit; the soul , and it goes where it was designed to. ( imaginings all mine) 

 I like what it says later in verse 6 about Nations being in turmoil and the profound impact of the power of The Almighty on a tumultuous situation just by the sound of His voice- 

'the earth melts.'

Following on is another statement expressing God's sovereign power over the affairs of nations, and I have altered it here and appropriated the spirit of the words for Nigeria, especially in a critical time like this.

 

The Lord Almighty is with Nigeria, the God of Jacob is our fortress.

 I think it is important to keep faith and hold on to His word regardless of the facts around us. I speak what I wish to happen here with an assurance that it will come to pass in God's own time
I beleive it. 

Back to Proverbs 21:1 , which I think is particularly relevant to Nigeria because we definitely need a country CEO who's heart is inclined towards serving the people. What we need is a 'shepherd- leader' like the shepherds in biblical times who cared for his flock to the extent that they may risk their lives for the safety of the animals in their care.

I will end my self notes here by bridging psalm 46;4-7 and Proverbs 21:1

So here is my bridge as it came to me today, it puts the right words out there for you and me to focus on and it gives hope. I have found that hope based on the word of God, is never misplaced. It took some twenty years before I got a diagnosis that saved my life. I held on, my family, friends and myself stood on His word,  He did not disappoint us. In due season, my deliverance came. He is the same yesterday , today and forever. 

Psalm 46:4&5 and Proverbs 21:1 ( amalgamation all mine) 

In the Lord's hand is The president of Nigeria's heart ;He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases, and to the river which makes glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within Nigeria, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 
Our Nation has been uproar; He lifts His voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with Nigeria; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Amen and Amen!

What are your thoughts?

Notes on King Cyrus- Culled from www.gotquestions.org

Cyrus is a king mentioned more than 30 times in the Bible and is identified as Cyrus the Great (also Cyrus II or Cyrus the Elder) who reigned over Persia between 539—530 BC. This pagan king is important in Jewish history because it was under his rule that Jews were first allowed to return to Israel after 70 years of captivity.

In one of the most amazing prophecies of the Bible, Isaiah predicts Cyrus’ decree to free the Jews. One hundred fifty years before Cyrus lived, the prophet calls him by name and gives details of Cyrus’ benevolence to the Jews: “This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him . . . ‘I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me’” (Isaiah 45:1, 4; see also 41:2-25; 42:6). Evincing His sovereignty over all nations, God says of Cyrus, “He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please” (Isaiah 44:28).

Cyrus’s decree releasing the Jewish people, in fulfillment of prophecy, is recorded in 2 Chronicles 36:22–23: “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: ‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the LORD his God be with him. Let him go up.”’” Other Old Testament books that mention Cyrus include Ezra and Daniel.

King Cyrus actively assisted the Jews in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem under Ezra and Zerubbabel. Cyrus restored the temple treasures to Jerusalem and allowed building expenses to be paid from the royal treasury (Ezra 1:4–11; 6:4–5). Cyrus’s beneficence helped to restart the temple worship practices that had languished during the 70 years of the Jews’ captivity. Some commentators point to Cyrus’s decree to rebuild Jerusalem as the official beginning of Judaism.

Among the Jews deported from Judah and later placed under the rule of Cyrus include the prophet Daniel. In fact, we are told Daniel served until at least the third year of King Cyrus, approximately 536 BC (Daniel 10:1). That being the case, Daniel likely had some personal involvement in the decree that was made in support of the Jews. The historian Josephussays that Cyrus was informed of the biblical prophecies written about him (Antiquities of the Jews, XI.1.2). The natural person to have shown Cyrus the scrolls was Daniel, a high-ranking official in Persia (Daniel 6:28).

Besides his dealings with the Jews, Cyrus is known for his advancement of human rights, his brilliant military strategy, and his bridging of Eastern and Western cultures. He was a king of tremendous influence and a person God used to help fulfill an important Old Testament prophecy. God’s use of Cyrus as a “shepherd” for His people illustrates the truth of Proverbs 21:1, “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.”