Odelites🌺: Recent Episodes
oreneile tshane
Purpose is educed in every and any moment in life | It is synonymous to our existence and finding it is merely the revelation of who you were always meant to be | It is a journey that can be heavy on the heart and mind I must say, for that I will be enunciating truths worthy of being shared to bring reconciliation/reassurance of your - self and your - purpose | May the ways I've found to lighten the weight, bring you delight and enlighten you enough to give your purpose all of you | Look out for episodes inspired by encounters of Love, Leadership, Christianity, Society, family/all things life
I will always stress the point that human beings are born as natural learners #itsjustfacts. We are what we are, do what we do, know what we know because we learnt… inherently and otherwise. Whether we learn or not is a function of our ‘willingness’ to learn the things we ‘don’t want to’ or think ‘they can never be learnt’. It is also a function of the value we perceive the learning will bring. Is it worth the trouble? Are you willing to lose something in exchange of the new knowledge i.e. comfort zone, time, pride, social status? money?It is also a function of who we are learning for? Yourself? Your job? Your partner? Society?You can learn to learn. You can unlearn what you’ve learnt. Where there’s learning there is change. You may be the way you are but you are not cast in stone. If you continue to say ‘that is how you are’, if you continue to hold on to what you know, what seems popular and accepted, if you keep saying what you dont know wont kill you or that some things are reserved for certain things to know, have or be… you are simply communicating that you are not willing to learn regardless of the price you have to pay for not learning/unlearning.
You know what you are passionate about despite your lack of knowledge and repeated failure. Don’t give up on this things.. the only limitation you have is your mindset and lack of effort.
Make up your mind, make that decision and be resolute. Turn back on your negative energy and pursue positivity, change your perspective and don’t dwell on what’s lost or wrong, choose to choose wins, possibilities and take on the hurdles. Be resolute on what you want the story of your life to be, celebrate every moment, good or bad for God chose you to LiVe it. Celebrate every win no matter how small.
Like you dish new food on a clean plate, your body in new or cleaned clothes, writing your notes on a clean page, receive and use/ do what you need to on a ‘clean’ plate. For real this time. Forget your former experiences, limitations and things that pulled you back. Renew your expectations and lose the baggage. Commit to sustaining your decision to clear ‘the plate’, preach it and remind yourself or interested parties that there is no room for anything but newness over here 😏
The first thing God created was light and that for me is an indication that light is a force of and for creation. To call things into existence, be is knowledge you currently lack, to find your way out of confusion, understanding, be aware of opportunities, discernment, health, success, overcoming the enemy, the weapon to use if to declare the manifestation of light. 🌸
Whether we are under trial for doing the work of God or through the issues of life the ultimate prize is the pride, self righteousness, wrong perspectives/ focus or sins we lose in the process. And the unpopularly talked about gain is the humility, exposure of our weaknesses, strengths, knowledge, humility, time with God, ministry amongst others.
People’s appearances and statuses are not all they’re here to offer. A person’s value is determined by what they look like or how you class them. We are ever fixated on who fits the bill, and want to associate with what the world has defined as ‘the standards’ and we forfeit a salvating relationship, wisdom and substance over what looks like glam and benefit. We are the light and salt of the world, God sent souls not images. Image that we are so obsessed about to an extent that there are terms ‘marginalized’, ‘minorities’ and ‘delinquents’. If they’re missing limbs, were seen in an a composing act, have slurred speech, aren’t curvy, aren’t excitable or don’t wear make up they lack value. There are divides that looking back, to the narrative of the status quo will seem justified but to the real purpose of our creation have proved that wickedness prevailed. We love others according to how much we love ourselves. The story told in our behaviors and choices is that we are unloving the parts of ourselves manifested in others. Not necessarily … the super power we think we profess currently. So is human nature we say, do not conform to the patterns of the world .. we should say
I had the pleasure of sharing with the G4G BW community my learnings on what Work Ethic is, and how to continually work to pursue it. It most certainly isn’t ‘working hard’, though ‘hard work’ sure is a component of work ethic. Work ethic is a play of what i call ‘Attitude Acumen’ and a whole array of principles and values that you apply in order to achieve your personal or professional goals. I also shared a measure ( not a tested theory but purely out of my comprehension of the subject) I acronym’ized as ‘SMART’ and that is - how you are going about ‘working’ must be ‘Sustainable’, ‘Mastered’, through the requisite ‘Attitude’ acumen, recognizable ‘Reputation’ (what people would describe your work ethic as in your absence) and how you use ‘Time’. Tune in for the details and more🌸
Just because you aren’t sharing it doesn’t mean you’ve got it together, just because you maintain your peace and never ask for help doesn’t mean you are carrying it well. Just because you are able to keep taking it all and being ‘strong’ does not mean you are carrying it well and by God’s standards. The world has taught us to share the pretty, easy looking and happy sides and will always chastise us for being vulnerable.. men will know this one too well.. but in that situation, how you handle your challenges should be aligned to God’s purpose for it. God wants to carry those burdens and in turn you must keep focused on running the race, his word, his works, faith, peace, joy, a prosperous life and truth.
We lose ourselves to the strongholds of people’s entitlement to how we should live our lives, how they should treat us and what they want your life to be… and that may to some degree dishonor God as well as the needs we need to be paying attention to and fulfilling. There are layers of customs that we’ve inherited, some are influences of modern day culture while others come from a place of fear and a need for validation.. and all the while we neglect the rhythm of our life, the purpose over our lives and what the spirit needs to go for or avoid at a point in time. This unfortunately results in us pleasing others. Accept that your responsibility and accountability is to your God-purposed life and not others’.
Be confident enough to be doubted and not render yourself inadequate. Be content enough to wait until you bear fruit and see results. Be joyful enough to conquer against all odds. Be brave enough to take a chance or knock on those doors. Be grateful enough to celebrate every achievement and embrace your progress. Be humble enough to cheer others on, and to receive praise and gratification from God vs man. 🌸
We have become so accustomed to negativity so much that good things are not easily accepted or celebrated. We find it hard to accept where we are being negative ourselves and continually justify our words and actions into ‘acceptance’. We advocate hashtags to normalize things that are already normal, and we want to ‘abnormalize’ we we do not want to accept. Goodness is shunned, and the prevailing aspect is the hypocrisy of not owning up when we are wrong, nor standing up against negativity. We ought to cling to God, and counter the attacks of the negative world, we ought to know that there is no good thing in us except God and we can only win and no grow weary through him.
The struggle to master and accept when, how and from who you get gratified is a matter of Values the spirit said to me. What you value fuels where, how and what you want as a reward for your pursuits and efforts. The money you desire to have, who you want to affiliate with, the validation you require and that desperate need for satisfaction and release. What we stand by will easily determine how soon we break, or how long we withstand the tides and grow our purposed ventures in various facets of life i.e family, business, the kingdom of God, networks etc. The journey comes with understanding what will attract what gratification, when and from who. So if you struggle with incompleteness, with unsatisfied desires, short-lived projects and the like, go back to your foundation- your value system 🌸
You can do and be better, but it will cost you. . It is not easy to sacrifice something you treasure or without compulsion, it is not easy to commit because we don’t like being accountable and having to be consistent, it is not easy to keep a dream alive, to have to do/start something yourself when someone can do it for you, it is not easy seeing something take more than you were willing to give, it is not easy living through the trade offs… but those are the little big things that will get you doing better
Life comes 'challenge guaranteed' in all stages of our lives, and if you haven't come to terms with that the agony can weigh so heavy and result in resentment, feeling like a victim and it can stunt your growth and rob your from deriving value from each hurdle. So learn 'to make lemonade, and MORE. It sure can be a lonely road through it all, but if there's a gift you can give yourself is to learn to face challenges and refuse to be swallowed by them. Take them for what they are... Take each situation as an exam question, a practical in a lab or a lap to run. Build courage by facing challenges head on..don't whine and over share, increase your competence and wisdom through learning about the challenge at hand..let it give you experience, build resilience through perseverance..don't backdown, use the misfortune to your advantage... reach out and make connections, find new happiness, learn more about who you are, master the problem and learn what causes failure... use it, share it and charge for that knowledge. Diversify those lemons 🍋
Be resolute in your mind and heart to be relentless in character. Be not moved by the circunstances infront of you. Press on to what you too desire and have it as any other person who does. Seek God with all your might, never lose sight of the vision. If you don't have one.. persue it and want to live a meaningful wholesome live as well. Be unapologetic and seek that which you know you can have anf give.
In honor of your mercy and love, for demonstating your power by knitting every fibre and being and placing it in my mother's womb, that this is evidence of your prophetic words and manifestation of work seen and yet to be seen. Kept! I bow and honor you Lord🌸
If you find yourself in a space where it takes a lot to get up and live through the day, if you feel discouraged and almost out of hope or energy. . And/or overwhelmed by what lies ahead of you, i encourage you to cling to the help we have in Christ. Deliberately counter and shift your focus to inspiration, to what will secure your heart in peace and strengthen you. Don't go with the melody of the sad song, connect to the frequency that propels you.
Surely we know we aren't able to forget everything... no, not by our might for sure. With God it is possible. I was led to this revelation recently.. to take up course and intercede for my mind to forget the former things and out of slavery. Rarely do we add what we need to forget on a prayer list as we fast and /or pray but that is exactly the burden and warfare we need to give to God in exchange for newness, refreshing and a transformation of mind. In that we will be able to perceive the work he is doing, and not lean on our understanding by inference. We need to forget the former ways of our traditions, former experiences from relationships, former doctrines and the dictates of whatever circumstances we operated in that formed the frameworks of our ways of seeing, believing and decision making that are misaligned to the Kingdom of God. Isaiah 43:18-19, Phil 3:13 🌸
We have probably fumbled through many things in our lives, and yes some we've actively pursued. . However, there shouldn't even be times we are passive in the first place. A little sleep, a little slumber! That is to say, whatever met us unprepared, we have compromised... that project, that appointment, that relationship, that battle was compromised and half experienced. The distractions we allow, the pressure we put ourselves in, the blindness to opportunities, what we take for granted, the knowledge we are lazy to attain, the help we shy away from getting and the more we lose sight of the vision steal and has us forfeit value and success. Make sure that you mind is ready, your heart is open, your skill is sharpened. Even at the coming of our Lord, your spirit must be rendered faithful. Those who have ears will hear, and we shall be doers of the Word. So help us God.🌸
Playing is a virtue and a gift from God, one that we neglect. As a result we find ourselves paying money to get the benefits we could be getting from playing. Playing is a means to an end and in no way devalues you nor is it a waste of time. Playing triggers resolutions for troubles in our emotions, physical and mental health, social needs and relations. Having fun and relaxing are no match for the God given gift of playing, one which we must welcome into our lives. Col3:17, Zacharia 8:5, Exodus 32:6, Ecclesiastes 5:18, 8:15🌸
A catch up episode sharing on random thoughts on a couple of things that add to growth. Be mindful that feeling like you've arrived stunts your growth and opens avenues for others to take what could be yours. Be self aware, it is your superpower to get through this life and stay unwavering. Remember your character evolves with life experiences so you must be uptodate with who you are as you transition. Build your life with your thoughts, afterall 'as a man thinketh so is he', envision it to materialize it.... not thinking at all is as impactful as positive and negative thoughts🙂
We think it is 'granted' that we receive blessings, we take for granted what the giver , our Father feels when we come back to say thank you and are intentional in continually pleasing him. It takes understanding of the mercy laced around every gift we receive. It takes understanding of the love and effort put into a blessing. Unmerited and underserved but provided nonetheless. We testify when we are grateful, we please him, we worship him and we defy the enemy. Say thank you and it is for the gift, be grateful and it is for the Giver🌸
What we endure is for the perfection of our perseverance..we ought to be quick to take a pen and paper or make a mental note of what each challenge or life encounter exposes in you. That is just the order of life. Don't fight it, be open and eager to grow from one encounter to another. We may go about our lives and not know we have weaknesses, or know we have certain traits but possess them as just 'who we are'. We will pick in how we respond what weaknesses we have or general character traits we have. We know good from bad and we must categorically tackle what has been exposed to us.
You will know what tempts you, what drains your money, what ends your relationships, what you waste time on. And unfortunately you are back on the same hurdle soon as you fail it by responding to it the same way. What you keep declaring as 'who you are' is an indicator of your repeated failure to change your perception, let the encounter change your heart and attitude and conquer. Love yourself enough to want growth, be attentive enough to win and grow.
Blooming is a process, one that gives us no options, it isn't pretty, it's full of wins and losses. Never mistaken it for an occassion of rounds of applause. In blooming you are seen through your mess, your low lows and loneliness. It demands you to show it, to share it, to deal with it GraceFully. You journey to blooming, you don't bloom at the destination.
If you do not fully let go of certain pleasures, a way of thinking, relationships and societal identities you will find yourself feeding temptation, doubt and utlimately being uncommitted and somewhat hypocritical in some instances. Don't be afraid to set those open ways ablaze, do not fear disappointing people, denying yourself inclusion or destroying what you took time building. Bury it, flee from it, burn it. Don't look back life Lot and his wife or the children of Israel. God is about covenant and total commitment.
The order for the day is to not let anything or anyone get away with planting seeds and actions that steal, kill or destroy us and all that concerns us. How's about today you stop it at the last word said against you, the last negative thought you entertained, the last plotting. How's about you don't postpone countering all guns charged against you. How's about you shut or open doors through the power bestowed upon you. How's about you better your life, enjoy your peace and spread love today.
Ode'lites is hosting brunch; insight, purpose, impartation, connection and a safe space is the order of the day. Attendance is physical but virtual sessions are upcoming incase distance is a barrier. Look out for snipets of the sessions and partake.🌸 Covid 19 Protocols will be observed.
Defy the negative thoughys, acknowledge that your thoughts are valid but take control and think about the possibilities of success and that they always outweight the potential for failure.
Power is enact in us, and it is left uncontrolled if it is neglected, not known to exist within you, used passively and not understood.
There are things that steal your smile now and then, and keep your smile hidden because you continue to be hard pressed and/or meditate on those things. Remember today that the Lord made this day for your to be glad and rejoice in it. Rejoice the fact that you are alive and that's a blessing, that he is right by your side every step of the way, that your faith gives substance to what you hope for, and that it will fetch and manifest your victory. Don't forget to smile, your smile is prophetic, it is a symbol of gratitude and proof of God's grace. Smile because that is your ministry for the day, an imprint of your smile will remain on those who witness it. Your smile will minister to your wounds, your fears and your hope. Your smile will give your tense and exhausted body a massage, a break and strengthening. Your smile is to your body, what a rainbow is to the skies, rain to the ground, water to the thirsy and good news to the hopeless. Count it all joy because you are not heading to your demise but to testify of the goodness of the Lord, to victory and not to demnation. Your smile is an active testimony. Smile😊
Be intentional about advancing the Kingdom of God, about sharing and embodying the Gospel, and about doing for others as Christ did. The gift you have is for God to shine, not for you to be admired. If you can speak well of yourself, speak well of others, if you can take care of yourself, choose those indeed around you and take care of them, if you can defend yourself, there are plenty who are defenseless and so on and so forth. Life is a function of seed planting in order to reap later, desire for your neighbor to reap better by planting seeds on their behalf or for them now.1Peter4 from 7
We live in a time where 'not resting' gives us a sense of accomplishment, don't get me wrong, hard work is vital.. but so is smart work. I've learnt recently that denying ourselves rest is infact quitting. Quitting on the energy we need, quitting on our health, quitting of a clear mind, skipping on our reflective time, compromising quality of work and overall overwhelming our spirit and risking losing our varying battles. Learn to rest, not quit. Yoke your spirit and life to God at the right time, in the right ways handing him your burdens and allowing him to restore you to settings that will help you move forward and win that you would have otherwise forfeit if you denied yourself rest. Matthew 11:28. Gal6:9. Heb 12:2
I charge you to meditate on challenges that are now a thing of the past, you probably have scars, trauma and great lessons from the experiences... one which is the truth about your helper. He is mighty and he has done over and over. He has made you a shining light to encourage others as they see you still standing. He uses that testimony to firm your faith. He uses all the moment you wished yourself dead, hidden and felt unloved and unworthy as cornerstones to perfecting you. Think about these things intentionally, proactively and not just when your faith fails. Recognise that he is here, he will do it again and you are his to love even when it doesn't feel like it.🌸
Do not forget to thank him. Do not forget to Testify to attest his power and that he is a promise keeper to encourage others. Do not forget to pray to him, praise and worship him and him alone. Don't stop being consistent, desperate and totally reliant on him. Don't forget it is not by your might but by his grace. Don't forget to love him. Don't forget to seek his understanding, his leading. Don't forget that that prayer that manifested is the good work he is busy with, it is his way of fulfilling your purpose and his will through you. Don't forget to give him the battle. Don't forget to stay on the right path. Stay serving, seeking and loving him.🌸Deuteronomy 8:10 -20🌸
Mental illness and stress related issues seem far removed from the Christian community yet it is everyone's responsibility to play a part in the kingdom to bring solace to those in need. Jesus did say to show compassion to your neighbor, to set the oppressed free and speaking for those treated unjustly. That includes mental illness and stress related issues. Not speaking up and seeking help and/or supporting other going through such adversity does not prove on to be holier than though nor does it deem those oppressed lacking in faith. Well maybe to some extent but Jesus asked if the cup may passiver him because he was oppressed, going through a difficult time. Now if your sister or brother fails to arrive at ' but father your will be done and surrender' we are to carry each other through prayer.. prayer for wisdom first and foremost to know how to navigate such complexities, prayer for love, health and joy to be restored, and for vengeance to be the Lord in such times of trouble. There are many dimensions and contexts, from a pastor having to grieve through the many burials they curate, to a sister who is backsliding all in the name of needing to belong and be embraced to an elder experiencing trauma or trouble experiencing age related issues. Need i even speak on the effects of the pandemic.! May our hearts be full of compassion, strength and zeal for the people of God. Your love may just be what brings others to salvation, to healing and placing a testimony in their mouths and praise to our God. Be gentle, be intentional. #Isaiah58
Being courageous means understanding what you are afraid of, taking it in and confronting it with the power of God over it. It means standing firm abd choosing to be positive and that you will be ok. Being courageous means being ok with failing, not being embarrassed by being human, standing on knowledge that life is a process, with stages and misfortunes dont mean your value has diminished but rather it is being processed and elevated
The will to press towards and over what you are afraid of. Choosing action over comfort. Choosing to do the hard things despite the cost
Much like how we deal with any other perpetrator, confrontation is never easy and usually avoided. We become fearful, sometimes helpless and the unfortunate consequence is that our negative thoughts remain our normal mode of perceiving things and living. I am of the view that we ought to be intentional about mastering 'how to manage and influence our thoughts', much as you change an outfit, location or a song to suit your mood and create a vibe, we must apply the same swiftly to stir our thoughts. The saying goes 'if you don't like how you feel, change your thoughts'.. i say further that, if you don't like how your life is change (your words, for life and death are in the tongue), your thoughts for as a man thinks, so is he. Let's love ourselves enough to challenge and influence our thoughts, both good and bad, learn mechanism, be intentional about what we think about, how we think abd most importantly what part we play in how and what others think as well🌸
We are exposed to the patterns of the world rapidly...with trends, empowerment and passions growing or changing as regularly, so are our ways, our understanding and our lives constantly influenced in one way or another. The word says to test the things, to be transformed by the renewing of our minds... how often and aggressively to we seek the Lord to help us search our hearts, grant us his understanding, guard and search our hearts. We ought not to have this cause us anxiety, but to ensure that in all our ways God is glorified above all. For as a man thinks, so is he.
As the saying goes, no one is coming to save you. Unless you do not realise... life has already been pushing you to do much yourself. There are things we don't do though we get stuck on the entitlement, the need and desperation for someone else to come do for us, with us or push you because either you can't or won't make that step into achieving what you want to achieve. You have to be as aggressive as your resistance, discomfort or confusion... do it afraid they say, do it uncomfortable, take the first step even if you don't see the whole staircase. Don't fall victim to the victim syndrome.. just because you have to do it yourself does not mean you are a victim, are abandoned or that life has something against you. Be proud of that step, be brave in that vulnerability and be hopeful of a great outcome. Trust the process of becoming.
Change is inevitable and when it dawns in our horizon it demands different versions of ourselves holistically or specific aspects of ourselves. Be reminded that God is at the centre of it all, his purpose is at play. Even when things seem to disposition you and you don't feel like yourself, you are becoming exactly who you are. It all works together for your good. Jer 29:11🌸 Psalm 32:8🌸 Prov 3:5-6🌸 Deut 31:8🌸
Sedi graced Ode'lites podcast to talk about Service in Christ. She introduces and identifies herself according to her passion and call to service inspired by Matthew 5:16. She strives to any work God calls her to in excellence, love and taking up every opportunity to represent Christ. She rose from what she terms 'the dry pit' and journey through the wilderness into self-discovery, self -awareness and self development and surrendered to God in order to be her true and authentic self. She leaves words that encourages one to not take grace for granted, to continue seeking God and stay immensed in his word as there is no better place to stay like the will of God🌸
Do not allow yourself to be hard pressed by the enemy whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy your lifestory. Be intentional and lean not on your own understanding of what your beginning and ending is. . . Enquire of the Lord and manifest your story while you still live.
The sting of self-righteous is that we take for grabted the unmerited grace granted to us and defile the virtue in being righteous through Christ and not through our pride and condemnation of others. God is being patient that we may repent. Redeem the times and be watchful of what you are zealous about. 2 Peter 3:9, Luke 18:9
A great word shared by Gorata, unfolding the meaning of 'faith it till you make it' poetically in an analogy of a seed planted.🌼 She further shares that one may find the need to 'fake it' as a result of fear and the related triggers.🍀 Gorata encourages that while you 'faith it', charge your faith by devoting yourself to the Word of God and know God's promises. Tune in for more of our conversation, be blessed🌸
Do we cry on behalf of the unsaved for God's mercy and that they escape his wrath? Are we bothered that there are souls out there dying unsaved? Are we bothered that some people pursue other means for blessings? Are we bothered that some of these souls speak against our Lord?.. probably out of ignorance or hurt?
Do not neglect or be intimidated by the call to change. Remember the journey warrants that you do. Resisting change merely extends your residence in the war zone of the flesh up against your spirit. We change to continue advancing the kingdom, we change to continue to be Christ like, we change to attest to the Power of God. 1 Peter 2:11-12, 2 Corinth 4:16-18, Romans 12:2
A two fold notion to the thought that we are more deceptive to ourselves the most to think that here and now is all there is to life. . . One in that we insist on our judgements and limited knowledge and aren't receptive to different realities and two that we take for granted our acts in the present time that have impact that actually echoe into our future.
Enquire of the Lord your definitive positioning. It is not enough to have found out your purpose and who you are once at some point in time, your continued journeying warrants you to seek your Lord ordinance from the Lord through mainly knowing God as all these will be revealed during such encounters.
With different seasons and circumstances comes the challenge to show up, and show up as yourself. Gorata reminds us through a quote that says "maybe becoming yourself is not about becoming anything but unbecoming everything that you are not", she further reflects on continuing to find oneself and encourages that one has to have compassion and be kind to yourself. Tune in for more inspiring insights Gorata shares🌼
If there's one thing 'mess ups' like doing is twist your arm to condemn you and convince you 'your mistake or bad choice is what you are after all'..so that you give in and stay messed/ing up.
Your bad choice will hold your tongue and seclude you, it not only fears being exposed to others but fears your light, your scrutiny, it fears that you will abandon it. So it keeps you hooked and drags you far from the path of righteousness and in the process destroy every other thing around you.
Your faults will measure you against perfection, it will make you think everyone around you sees and judges you, when all the while they're minding their business.
Don't allow your mistakes, flaws and bad habits to submerge you into the deep, no matter how far off you've wandered, how many times you've repeated it and the damage caused.
Don't let guilt wear you out and just because you don't see a way out does not mean there isn't. Seek the counsel of those who don't do what you've done and those who have overcome. After all we are not only bad, explore the goodness in you.
WANT OUT! Seek the Lord's help. Your silence and only keeps you in the dark. Don't find comfort in darkness, staying there only steals your future.
Don't succumb to distractions, Don't let them be the reason for your lack of progress. Overcome, want your breakthrough bad enough to strive to focus.
🌸We take for granted the love, time, money, people and whatever situation we find ourselves in as we journey in this life. I thought on this subject and I'm convicted that surely something can be done, by each of us individually that is. We can't always feel bad and bw hopeless each time things come to an end, we can learn from mistakes and be intentional, we can invest effort to experience things in their fullness and treat them according to the value they have aside from our measure of worth. Just like any other thing, we need to put in the work🌸
Gorata shared 1 Corinthians 6:11-13, READ IT🌸 .... it will set you up to appreciate this episode fully. . 🌸 She says to : Find your release from letting go of what's holding you back | Centre yourself on who you are outside of the demographics you were fit into from birth | Continue to learn and read | Remember whose you are, stay connected to your maker | and finally hold the space for other to be unapologetic. A beautiful sharing indeed on how these can channel you to being who you are supposed to be. Tune in to hear more on this grace filled sister chat🌟💛
Everyday is a constant battle between passivity and action, between comfort and courage. The order or pattern of life has proved that taking action precedes success and accomplishment. Know that you have been given a life to be productive and to life a life od depth and progressive movement. 🌸
Indulge in a sister chat on the importance of Consistency while you 'journey to You', from my collaboration with the beautiful and multi talented Gorata Ranama this Wednesday🌸 She shares why it is important to be consistent and insights on personal experiences that can help sustain consistency.
There's no better time and person to reflect with other than my dearest sister Gorata Ranama😌. Enjoy part 2 of the conversation in this episode where we reflect on the past year and Gorata shares insightful lessons she has taken on to live a wholesome life especially in this time of a pandemic. From the just ended roller coaster of a year, blogger, host of Hash.Time on Anchor.fm, and author of Beautiful and Beloved, Gorata shares on how listening to your body and taking those steps towards improving your health, learning to say 'no' and prioritising rest are her key focus areas amongst other things 🌼 Tune in to hear from her and learn, be sure to put to practise your take aways and share the link with others. 😌. To listen in on part 1, tune into Hash.Time here on Anchor for another conversation on Reflections and visit Gorata Ranama Writes on facebook for more..including how you can get a copy of her beautiful book. Look out for new episodes from me and Gorata Ranama on Wednesdays fortnightly for more including projects we will be collaborating on.. 🌼
All of your beautiful mess makes up YOU🌸It all translates into who you are and what your journey is meant to be🌸No one can handle it the way you do, even if you are going about it all wrong. 🌸 Only you spend all your days with you, only you can look like and move like you, only you have your energy, talents and presence, there's only one you and no one can take that away from it. Your story manifests before many eyes and it is only possible because of you🌸 that is your superpower🌸
The misfortune of your resistance is that people avoid you, appease you and would rather leave you to fall into holes. If you find it hard to hear somebody's view point, if it feels like criticism, if it always turns into fights and you aren't having it, what was said first remains, what was implied it accurate in your world just know you are missing out on the fullness of embrace, love and growth.🌸 the Lord loves us all and more, he will emancipate us with wisdom.
Your heart as a believer must break with compassion for an unbeliever. It is yours to desire to show them a little grace to nd tell them of the Lord's goodness before falling for them and hope away the truth that stands that we ought not to be unequally yoked. And i know we should run away from sin but don't condemn an unequal yoke while you're checking your righteousness Col4:5-6 says be mindful of your conduct towards unbelievers 🌸
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.🌸 2 Peter 1:3-4, 6-11
Even if you face opposition, competition, self doubt, mockery, work with half the skill or lost your way..your enemies will lose confidence when they see you're succeeding because the Lord helped you.🌸 Nehemiah 4
While everything has it's own appointed time i am happy to announce that today is someone's 'some day'.. YOUR someday🌸. .. also ...until 'THAT DAY', every 'today' builds up to it.🌸 . The Lord has given you POWER over all things including this day. 🌸
Reflecting and projecting on his word for the year passed and the new one. Happy New Year
How could we pluck out our eyes when they cause us to sin, won't that deteriorate our livelihood? ... that is what i (and probably some people still) used to wonder.
Thank God for his faithfulness and grace to give us understanding and wisdom. What i have learnt is that Jesus means for us to BE RADICAL in dealing with sin in our lives.
Often times we are unnecessarily too accomodating with sin, too patient, we justify it, we think we've hidden it, we don't see it because now most worldly things are incoporated in many things that form our day to day lives and mostly we look away or are afraid to reprimand those around us because we sin together.
Jesus was urging us to 🌸 - Hate sin to start with..HATE IT!
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Let the word and the Holy Spirit to enlighten us and expose what is sinful.
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Such that when you do sin, immediately and aggresively stop entertaining it and repent that moment... not as a new year resolution, or put it off until the world stops as well.
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Probe those small 'harmless things', the things you have to explain to convince other that 'there's nothing wrong with it', confront it with the will and word of God.
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Run away literally (if you must end that relationship, stop going to that place, stop watching that movie) ... run away from what stimulates your sins.
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Know that it is wrong to sin regardless of what your sin is, remember there is no sin bigger or smaller than the other.
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Know that when you sin, you sin against God, you disobey him and it does not revere his holiness and majesty🌸
May today be the day we are as aggressive as we are when we are personally offended and disrespected. May we avoid and stop sin in us and around us as we would disassociating ourselves with anything we really hate. May we love the Lord by striving to hate sin more and repent in his Honor and Love🌸
I pray today that God would open our eyes, enlighten us, make us strong against temptation and teach us how to love him. Amen🌸
If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away.... Matthew 5: 29 -30
You may not be where you want to be mentally, emotionally, financially, geographically, spiritually. The situation may actually be bad, but it could be worse.
God still feeds you, you can read this post, you walk, you hear and can touch.....most importantly you still have an opportunity to get up and do better, to let go, to pursue, to forgive, to redo or start. You can still hear from the Holy spirit, your heart isn't hardened... there are people around you that love you....People look up to you, and admire your strength and perseverance, for some things that are weaknesses to you, they are encouraging to others, that you feel emotion, that you are a giver... you just need to learn the balance, you need to embrace what you have and work with it.🌼
It could be worse. You could have been murdered, more could have been taken from you, you might have failed... better yet, there are people around us that have to strife to get what we have, there are people around us with dire situations, there are people in all parts of the world that 😢... it's hard to say... trust me, YOU ARE DOING BETTER THAN YOU THINK🌼
“If you love me, keep my commands. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” John 14:15, 21
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5
Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 97:10
To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Proverbs 8:13, 17
There is a saying that goes "if the devil doesn't make you bad, he will make you busy"!
You will have conflicting thoughts and feel sad and hopeless, But don't meditate, dwell and speak much on this Don't let your heart doubt or fear It may be taking long, it may be that one (last or only) thing that will change everything You have put in your all, made promises or plans around it You have kept the faith, believed and declared... They promised you and assured you countless times You've had dreams, visions and prophecies about it It surely is aligned to God's will.
But it does not mean if it has not happened yet, it never will.
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 . Apply a different standard for yourself, we are free to do anything but we don't have to. Remember child of God that you have to indulge and spend your time and efforts into building your spirit, faith and character.
While you wait work just as you would while waiting to earn your salary. A delay is not a denial and God has not changed his mind just because it is taking a little longer. He is patient. Your journeying continues as you wait.
Don't respond in retaliation. Respond in wisdom & love. Don't take offense, the key learning from/of the offender's diction is what's important. Focus! That joke, those questions, comparison, mockery or rhetorics. Our statements, actions and judgements come from a perspective and beliefs. That by now, we should know we all have and that they differ. It is offensive and by no means right. However... often we speak in defense and it warrants more vacillation. Silence/ witholding responses somewhat seem like validation for their behavior, like 'it's ok, they're right'. But i tell you today, receive the offenders message and note their stand point. That's what you need to walk away with. What you say from this revelation will not require a response from them, your statement of fact that is. Throw it back to them and wish them luck. Merely state that you're glad to know how you are perceived, who they are and what their true behavior and intent is. Don't be vindictive but make them aware that the inhibition of their offense is to them, not you. And wish them luck.
1Corinthians13:5
Proverbs19:11
James1:19
Matthew18:15-17
While we get strong convictions of the toxicity and wickedness of those who God 'has removed from our lives', we never discern and take heed to when infact we are the ones removed for our short comings from someone's life. Something to meditate on.🙏🏽
Take a listen at a reflection on some of the most listened to episodes as Ode'lites celebrates. 🌟 A humbling journey it has been and amazing as time passed so fast. Cheers to my listeners, current and future, as you continue to witness the Word God deposits in my heart. A big shout out to those that have dropped messages and contacted me directly on the impact some of these enunciations have had on you. The journey continues, let's keep talking and deciphering these heavy conversations and keeping things lite🙃 Much Love❤
I laugh but it is not funny.. just hysteria... bitterness is the root cause of all vengeance. A silent agent of the enemy, it camouflages and diverts our focus from it. So help us God, that we stop giving it residence. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31
I'm caused to think all kinds of thoughts, the same kinds of thoughts, good and evil exist in everyone's minds. We go around carrying the determinants of the courses of our lives in our heads and they are called thoughts. Thoughts are expressions of realities, are which is evident in all we do. Thoughts that are influence by external stimulus, The longer you ponder on them, the more it manifests.those that are evident though are those we choose. Thoughts have direct power of our brains, brains which do as they are told by our thoughts. That's why we get excited because of a thought, or sad by the same.As we are what we eat, the junk or clean, we are what we think. If you think you aren't good enough you won't be even when you are. Just coz you think it, that will be your reality. If you think you are ok that's what you will be you won't be any more or less.
Your salvation was not a one time ceremony, it is an everlasting identity and daily encounter for every single thing about your life and that you do henceforth. Your salvation works for you and dissolves you and keeps you 'saved' each second of your existence John 3:16, Psalm 51, John 3:3, Romans 10:9-13
It is often beyond a case of wondering why you don't have your own when those around you do. It has everything to do with the fundamental design in the spiritual realm for the Lordship that was bestowed upon the man to 'father' and pour into you, that is missing. An innate sense, a imprint within your blood through their gene that constantly reaches out with a hope to be embraced.
The role of a father compliments that of a mother and vis a vers. God is TRINITY and embedded this threefold connection into the family system... and many other world systems if you think about it. The fatherless feels the absence of the Head in the equation, a discord that causes them grief.
May you only have/be in relationships, friendships, environments and situations that bring out the best in you🌸
A word is a medium through which thoughts are expressed. God is housed in these words, since he is spirit and requires a medium to manifest in this side of town. He is transmitted from one body to another through his word. As a man thinketh, life and death are in the tongue, guard your heart and be careful what you think about. 🌟
I meditated on this scripture some years ago, it gave me hope. Hope that one morning when i wake up things will be better. I would after many years of waking up with swollen eyes, and a heavy heart, wake up with blessings and joy.
Much to my dismay, things only got worse and guess what, i hated mornings and sleep was now my escape, my comfort. During this time though he was teaching me;
Remember: His thoughts are not our thoughts. Sleeping is rest but the night is your difficult times. Spiritual darkness. The morning isn't a different calendar day but the moment your spirit is freed, enlightened and strengthend, which brings joy to your soul.
And the catch is, even in the middle of difficult times. Not that joy comes when they completely disappear.
..is an act of service executed with humility, and understanding that those you serve are your masters. .not a self serving quest. Leadership principles apply in the spiritual and all other Christian matters
For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Romans 10:2-3 NIV
We take for granted that we have time..and we compromise the quality of our lives. Dreams die, goals aren't accomplished and the greatest form of fulfillment is often never reached.. sadly we're ok with it. Get in the mode of doing things now! Even with preparation for the coming of Christ, stop putting things off.
Who am i? Who am i becoming? What do i fear? What keeps me up at night? How did i know what my purpose is?
Replace the word 'love' or 'it' in this passage with 'your name' and see what matches your attributes and if it doesn't, start building it into your character and seek it from the Lord. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8🌸
Perhaps we should consider that the parable of the sower isn't distinguishing types of grounds/ fertile or infertile soil among a group of people but rather within yourself. Perhaps we should consider keeping our ground fertile, working the ground in order to receive all the seeds.. 🌼 Ask God to give your (soil) spirit depth and root enough to bring forth grain🌼
We are all in the business of reaching our goals, many and varying as they are. Often we are tempted to want to achieve the big win at once and being unable to makes us feel like we are failing. Truth is small wins are progressive, not failures. We must realize that starting small or a thing at a time is part of the process. Taking up such an approach will actually show you that you have several victories in the process of your overall win. So calm down, take pride in what you are able to get done now and let it charge or inspire you to do the next.
We should all have a natural profound respect and sensitivity for this sacred creation called a human being. Most importantly it's creator. Now if one does not have this, i equate them to an animal. To think animals actually have some sense but you catch my drift. No regard for humanity let alone morals. Their treatment should be as such. Stand by the affected, remember those who have departed and protect those who still remain🕯
All the work you are putting in, the failure, the small achievements, rejection, occasional scares are a means to achieving various things at a time. Life is hard, life is beautiful, life is a journey with a course you do not have a choice but to live through. It is not that you aren't blessed enough or that you are too special. It is how things work. Encourage yourself, you are doing ok, you are progressing towards evwrything that needs to happen.
We are so committed to stagnantation yet we are built to evolve. Our fear is making people uncomfortable because we have transitioned into boldness, into righteousness, into choosing a different career path and a attitute... the order of the day is to remain with our wings clipped and voices mute yet we are built to evolve. 2 Cor4:16
Having true and authentic peace requires a bit more from us than we think. Now thinking 'the absence of instability and conflicts is peace we are mistaken'. You are truly at peace after doing a bit of work and having God's blessing over the situation. I've been purged, to desist from creating superficial peace. Which, I've learnt is caused by thinking the likes of 'as long as we don't bother each other, we are good' 'ending or avoiding a conversation 'for the sake of peace',no, that's for the sake of silence'..basically avoiding confrontation and believing isolation has resulted in much peace. A great deal of a reality check, confrontation and reconciliation has to come into play 2Cor5:18, Phil 4:7
I've had the privilege of conversing with my favorite speaker, a beautiful sister and virtous woman in this episode. Gorata speaks of what living fearlessly is in her eyes, sharing personal experiences and insights of her life's journey. A conversation you do not want to miss. Gorata Goitseone Ranama is a writer and an unshakeable Optimist. She is a daughter and older sister to six young siblings. She is a creative at heart and writing and podcasting are her mediums of release, she also sings and plays a violin and guitar. She is passionate about personal growth and development with a keen interest in positive psychology. She aspires to be an active change maker by growing into her purpose everyday. Her work attests for her and she lives by tbe affirmations of 2 Timothy 1:7 which ignites her fearless spirit. Disclaimer: this episode was recorded remotely, some interruptions were encountered.
We are all sent to the world as soldiers and soldiers are watchman. Now if time passes by and you have not been on alert, spending too much time away from your post, go days without taljing to God, much is left to the enemy to steal or the longer it will take for your destiny to be established... Isaiah 62🌟
A moment of what i call slavery of the boy, man, husband, grandpa, uncle, male leaders in our lives to 'take it'.
A moment to digest that when God ordained the man into Lordship, he did not mean he is immune to what a human being goes through, when he bestowed strength in him he did not say he can do all things through himself, when he created him, he did not say he should walk alone, he did not take away his need to cry, be afraid, confide, be protected, exhalted, make mistakes and be supported.
He is strong because of his physique not his emotions. He does not cry not because he does not have emotions but because he is afraid of judgement. He is not insensitive because he does not feel it but his emotions have been trained to disregard his own and thus thinks he should do the same to others. He cheats not because he is a man but because he was taught animosity as his core feature to freedom and entitlement. He keeps up appearances not because he is too proud, he doesn't communicate and does not make time to feed his soul because he is protecting what he too, does not understand. He is not weak, he has been made by the same hands and given the same features as that of a human being.
As you commit yourself to your spouse, your business partner, your children, to service, you are saying ' everything i do is for you' 'i will represent us in all my dealings' ' i will be faithful and consider our journey and let that be the basis of my decision making at all times'. And as pleased as to whom you've made such a commitment will be, so shall it be in the case of God and he will establish you. Look at what you've prayed about in the past that he answered, think about how you depended and believed...
Dedicate your plans to him this morning, talk to him and live each day knowing he has accepted your commitment and is walking you through it.
In Jesus name, Amen. 🙏
I'm sure many of us have been told happiness is a choice,and when you in deep with troubles and pain you are told you take life to seriously, stop worrying. Do you even know how to stop,let alone be happy? I've seen many frustrated by being told that, ofcourse they mean well but being happy is not a verb at all. It is a name of a process and journey of achievement. You will be happy, everyone can be happy, God wants us to be. You just have to understand what it takes and what you need to do. But first Pray about it Romans 15:13.
Have they or you wondered how you or someone else is making it?
Have you ever been laughed at for your dreams? Told you are talking about things only seen in films? Ever been underestimated? Or your testimony been doubted and rather than believing you they formulate possible reasons for how you got where you are that sound more convicing to them?
Have you done this?
Do you know why it's that hard to decipher? Because God did it, ofcourse it won't make sense to you/them🙂. He gave you those ideas, that healing, he meant for you to prosper with that broken English, as a villager, as a single parent, as a youngster, as a black person so that you can bear testimony and have everyone see that it can only be through God.
Maybe they still won't get it, so instead, let that encourage you to know he is with you and has blessed you that much
Just because everyone is doing it is no reason for you to do it, find your passion and have your own make it out there, be, and do different. Put your best foot forward. It is also in some scenarios not a reason not to do something that everyone is doing. There's only one you and only you can do things your way.
Everything that happens was foretold and in it is a purpose. I have seen that in everything that happens in our day to day individual lives and life in general concurrently, God intends to help us transition from 1. Coming out of our current status, 2 preparing us for the next and 3 always warns/enlightens us ahead of time. Only if you are aware of this will you pay attention at all times and actually take action in time. Ephesians 5:15-16
We are built for each other for our daily living, not just occasions. No matter how much you may deny it, someone somehow brings you solace. So i encourage that you don't hold back what you are in the world from those around you because we are meant to fill each other. What I've learnt over the years is to keep things light as we give ourselves and receive from others. The journey can be uncomfortable and opening up makes us feel vulnerable. We however do more injustice if we aren't intentional about the process though so don't hold back.
Purpose has been purported in various events in my journey and for that we are transitioning. Thank God for open mindedness, there is a stir in my spirit as a result. I am excited, we are transitioning and soaring high. 💫
I encourage you today to ask of God his unimaginable upon your life. Desist from going to God with a measure of help or blessing you want in your life. He says the battle is his, his plans are to prosper you and his blessings are above and beyond what you can imagine. Why then do we go to him with our inadequate battle game plans, our hopes of what we want as prosperity and what we count blessings when he has what is beyond our senses. Challenge him with your faith in this truth, and see him work and bless you with beyond what you busy imagining, with what others will find unbelievable.
1 Cor 13:13.....but the greatest of these is love. All the heart wrenching discimination evil that has infested the world stems from a lack of love. For one without love is impatient and unkind, they are self seeking, proud and dishonor others. Easily angered they delight in evil and keeps a record of others' wrongs and not their own. If you are not able to love all you do not have love at all. You gain nothing at all for all you boast about thus far for you lack love.
Fasting is meant to help your spirit man's metabolic thresholds adapt differently to different paces. It suppresses the fleshes desires by allowing the spirit to gain dominion and manisfest. 'Fast'ing is a process of quickening answers to prayers, it 'fast'tens your spiritual mandate as well as the launch pad of God's mission in the world, it clears the landing pad for God to beget your now unfleshful spirit for spirit begets spirit (that's why things move when you fast because your flesh has been set aside and God now sees your spirit). It is like car service, water to a panting deer and an assist for a goal in football. Change the pace to charge up the kingdom of God.
Serial disappointments (/ accomplishments surprisingly) &general desperation over time that come with living through the complexities of this life has landed many in passive indifference over various aspects and atleast at some point of this life. A deadly stage that is a cause for many of the disorders, voids, dissatisfactions, soared relationships in all their kinds experienced today. But even deadlier has been passive indifference in the 'Spiritual of things' that has hindered us from casting into the deep of God and experiencing realms surpassing our cognitive boundaries. Need I mention the self harm of leaning on our own flawed and limited understanding for unfathomable things of the deep realms that can only be decoded by following specific codes and paths to accessing them? Now to find a path out is golden, to find a path in is astronomical.
Now my intention in this season to make it clear, is not to preach. We have enough preachers, books, channels etc to do the job. Mine has been to share what is purposed by various encounters in life. Now, one such, is the importance of studying and applying principles that come with the conditions we are expected to satisfy in order to manifest the promises God has made to us in his Word. The good news is that his Word is full of guidance to understanding and knowing ways to live these principles. He is patient with us that we may not fail as his word says.
It is a question of what is purposed for the Unbelieving mate you/someone known to you, have dated/married, or see potential to date/marry. Many are the view points to unravel, for this interlude however, it is aluded that the unbeliever should not be dejected, because God's love is theirs, as it is yours, to be expressed. For God so loved the 'world' (not, 'only the believer') [John 3:16] ... as we know it.. The trajectory is, ' that whoever believes in him shall not perish'. If nothing can separate him/her from God's love, how would you? (Rom 8 from v31) As you may accord an Unbelieving family member I'd imagine?! Do not view others in contempt ( Luke 18:9) lest you be self righteous (Levi 19:18).
There is only one way to know God and what he is about ... it is through his word as delivered in his Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16-17. And as you would read a definition in a textbook for a course you are studying and believe it, or a manual to assembling a table as guidance or that 1+1=2, God's word is as evident. Isaiah 55:11. His word never goes back 'void' to him. Now many won't know or understand him until they take his word. Many of us struggle to start/live the journey because we do not believe what he says he is and what he will do. When God says when you call my name I will answer, believe that he does as he says Number 23:19. Because when we don't believe,we will mistaken the effect for unbelief for his promise of being there as false when the effect is for our unbelief Hebrews 11:6. That's why he says to workout your faith. Phil2:12.
Of everything we pay for (non/monetary) in our daily living, the price we pay to be Christ's disciple is the heftiest because you give up 'your life' for 'the life he gives you' to live in exchange and for His unfathomable promises. Luke 14 & Matthew 16 from v 24 takes you through the payment plan and benefit package; you give up your life (worldly identity) , to save it (through being granted citizenship of the Kingdom of God)... Quite an investment! Now i remind you in this podcast how the benefits & payment plan work; there are certainly no instalments, You ought to understand the 'benefits and this life' you are given to be able to give yours up in totality, you are immediately given the cross to carry every single moment in the day, and ascertained means to sustain the Godly life that you actively commit to.
"I am that I am" couldn't be more present - tense as He is. He will always be and always was. What i learnt is that for Him to 'present' Himself in your life to you and others is if you actively make Him be. He is as present at any moment in you as the present prayer you have said, word you have read, convictions you have and been obedient ... In the present. By Himself He is, in you He is as you are. Otherwise, his being in you is superficial for the moment in time that you didn't attest to His presentation.
See faith, I've come to understand, is not abstract. It is not imaginary nor wished for, but rather spiritually formulary. First of faith is a spiritual element and is expectation + confidence for things to work in your favor = influences your way of life; the decisions you make, actions you take in consideration of the belief that your ownership of the things you hope for is ascertained. Faith is a currency to purchase or get out of a situation goodness against all odds. Faith entails your faith in God's power and not basing your hope in your wisdom or ability. You who is crazy for believing and celebrating as though you have received is faith-filled. It's a faith thing! You who nurtures it, has and maintains a peculiar attitude and dares to hope is faith-filled. The size of your faith may be small but your faith in your faith can be big, crazy, it's a faith thing🌺
Prayer is a gateway through which we access God and have communion with him. There is no set method (there's nothing like the best prayer) or time (incl. even if you haven't been praying for sometime) to have this conversation, but it is imperative to have. I fall short of saying 'compulsory'. Even when we feel our minds are distacted and we don't have much needed willpower. Take it to prayer anyway. I say a prayer in this episode with you for our Hearts, the very hearts that influence our prayers. I pray for the various states of our hearts: the need for changed hearts, restoration, peace, purity, wisdom to decide/discern, courage, uprightness, healing, faith filled hearts. In Jesus name. Amen.
Falling is inevitable, otherwise we wouldn't need a savior. What's key is not staying down or running away/hiding from God after your fall, regardless of the number of times you do. Your enemy and those that lack knowledge will gloat and laugh, that too is inevitable, what's key is the attitude you maintain and keeping to your source of salvation. Micah 7:7-9, somewhere in there says we should watch in hope, talk to God for he hears us and though the enemy gloats, you will rise. It's in knowing this that even your falling may bring shame but the - ve won't carry weight because you hope to rise and God will be your power... As nicely captured in 2 Cor 12:9-10; His grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in our weaknesses. Let them gloat while you boast and march in faith because you will be strengthened and you'll overcome.🌺
Prov 27:17 often makes us think of the blissful edification we get from our godly counsel; the understanding, trustworthy and careful in their reproach as we too would be on them/others. Moments ago i was led to the reality of the intense cutting and shaping (but not limited to) process and relating it to the human/believers context. Remember the times you felt judged or criticized, forced to account or when you felt a preaching is about you! disappointed by someone you least expected or when your faith is challenged or tested beyond what you can handle? Ever considered that this could be a process of being sharpened? I mean devotions and prayer points to follow are appropriate but some would seem like only using sandpaper to try to sharpen an iron. Consider also that their words or behavior /expectation is inspired by the Word of God, that is alive & active and is like a double edged sword, thereby meaning the impact it has on you is the intent of the Word and Will of God that they can't even be given credit for as they are only saying the Word to you and expecting what the Word expects in the first place!
I got to know of the love of God later in life as a young adult. It needn't be spelt out for me, i heard of what it was and knew that He loved me too instantly. When no one could love me and i didn't know how to love, when nothing made sense and there was nothing to pursue love for. I learnt He chose His best lamb to atone and reconcile us to Him and His love continues to endure despite our shortfalls. An epitome of Love. No one can love like He does... Unconditionally? Sacrificially? Without boasting? Or contact? Or ticking boxes? In all honesty? And earnestly? We are incapable to love like Him outside of Him. I give Him praises and celebrate His love that lifted me up.
Joy came to me in the morning indeed! Without God given joy we do not have strength to counter our weaknesses. We grieve and have no hope. When He does make us joyful however we are revived and love better. Today though He reminded me this is two ways. You know the saying 'a happy wife makes a happy home'? It showed me that we bring God too through many things that please Him; when we are obedient, repentent or just cause He loves His creation too. He gives joy out of the Joy we bring to His heart.
'Gal 5 :17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh'...I realized from this text that there's a great need to understand and fight constantly with intent against our flesh from prevailing. The conflict between our spirits and flesh is synonymous to our existence and we can only help either one win by investing efforts that are favorable. This being for the purpose of many including being led by the spirit, specifically to be Discerning in our journey. The flesh can deceive us into thinking we are deep people of God and know things or being confident in the works of a miracle worker, seeing the glory of God in someone who is seemingly happy and couting righteous one that's wealthy. Everything that is flesh (including the heart) is deceptive and if we do not challenge what we encounter through our flesh senses we are in the palm of folly. God says in John 7:24 to stop judging by appearances and not lean on our own understanding (Prov 3:5). Work with God as you would nudge a friend to see what you see, position yourself by consulting with God who is spirit, and not fleshly/worldly patterns of inference.
Before even a seed is sown, there is a need to preserve all things needed in order for the fruit to be produced. More preservation goes into its budding and sproutting and post harvesting. The same goes for the preservation needed to produce fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22 - 23) and we are off - beam to think we can preserve for such. Ours is to be obedient to His word, and Christ the vine, subsequently preserves our spirits in order to produce the [His] fruits in us and sustains it. We aren't self sufficient nor do we know the cores of the fruits and thus cannot preserve or produce them ourselves. It is only through His preservation that the love, joy, peace, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, forbearance and self control can be beneficial and sustained to ourselves and those it is meant for.
Every single person desires God, how we acknowledge it, respond to and the time we realize it, differs. We desire God because we are spirits, and our spirit beget His, our frequency is always in tune with His whether we choose in a moment in time to live through that truth or not. He is ever present and omnipotent. We desire him because He is always with us (Mat 28:20), reading this as you are (even as also, He fortold it). Our desire for Him is also because He desires us first (John 15:16). We need not make mental efforts to access Him because His calling on who He made is that apparent and magnetic and causes us to desire Him. The time will come for those who haven't encountered Him, and the time will never end for those who think they've desired Him enough and have a track record of putting effort because we are not the source of the desire for God.
The biggest challenge human beings have when they or others are going through bad situations, regardless of whether they got themselves into them or find themselves in those positions for whatever reason, is not being quick to write people off. We lack the resilience to fight for them despite the pain, embarrassment or detriment they cause us or that we cause if we are in situations. We lack foresight that our persistent hope can help one/ourselves out or the general knowledge and compassion that we are really just 'going - through' the consequence of bad choices and it is not the end. And we don't get that if someone /we is/are failing in one or two things it doesn't mean we/they are a failure in all things. And i mean also in those exceptional situations and where you can prove you've tried, it still doesn't warrant a write off.
Grace is even more beautiful when sung😊. There is so much to be grateful for amid all the chaos in the world and in our lives and even when it's hard to find anything tangible to be grateful for, we can atleast be grateful for spiritual solace. 🎤Let us sing to the Lord and have his glory come down.. It's actually a funny one to listen in 🤭😊. More grace🌺
We are enticed and tempted every day into bad habits and decisions that only lead to detrimental consequences such as failure, wasted time, money, delays to finish projects, attain qualifications, keep bad relation - ships, inability to accumulate wealth or redeem ourselves, and general toxicity. We reason our way into staying too long or not starting or stopping, we ok bad and fear discomfort and choose a little pleasure one more time. But discipline isn't impossible, you need to want it though, to benefit from a life of self discipline, the prize needs to outweigh the shame, laziness, close mindedness that pleasure is only experienced in one way and losses we experience. The peace, health, new friends, new clean adventures, savings, reputation and successes should motivate our consistency and attempts, even if we fail along the way. The pain that comes with it dictates life to bring virtues that are in accordance with your efforts. Discipline is indeed better than sacrifise.
You/they have the vision, a plan, the intent and have probably made an/attempts at it but it only lasts a few hours, truths, outings, services, lessons, networking, meals, sessions, verses and you go back to what's easy and routine? Ultimately you are what is said 'to be unready for/to change' but is it really that or are/is what you/they aren't ready to deal with, work on or commit to the deep psychological, emotional, pride-/fear-ful influences within/out you? Could it be knowledge, time, affirmation etc that you need/lack that could help you make the change endearing, compelling, exciting? What is your 'readiness' or 'will' being suffocated by? Deal with that first!
Ever been frustrated because you needed support and had people around but still had the void? Or felt you have given your all in being there for someone but they seem not to appreciate or be satisfied by your efforts? I've learnt that support is not a one size fits all and it matters when it counts, and 'its counting', is qualified by meeting aligned expectations from those in need of support. However to know, how to make it count, there must be clear and timely communication between you and who you are supporting and/or who you expect support from. It cannot be assumed or expected without communication.
We will never stop judging i guess, but how about we challenge & adjust our lances and stop forming conclusions by using our deceptive negative perceptions. As with confusing salt for sugar and vis-a- versa, How will you know if you don't lick the salt and sugar to know what you are peceiving? I often think of how intense our judgements are and how we never shy away from sharing them. Invalidated as the infor /our perception is, we always want to relay it. But Can our judgements ever add +ve value? Do we ever want them to? Or could we ever try to be intentional about spreading goodness and forfeit the thrill of being the bearer of negative news about people and situations we don't really know much about? Do we challenge what we want to be to/in the greater life once we are exposed to these judgements?
We all have an unsuspected reserve of strength inside that emerges when life puts us to the test. We are never strong in all facets of our lives, but 'the strong' will always be stronger in more than one aspect of life i.e. Mental and financial and you struggle emotionally. Strength isn't the absence of weakness, but experience gained over time and knowing how to use weaknesses to recharge strength. The strong do not wait for someone to come save them, coz over time, no one came to save them. Strength requires you to understand that when you are in adversity, you are a chosen contender and the focus should be on the victory and not why you or how sad it is that you are challenged. Strength often is a consequence of the fear to give up coz that means taking residence in your current adversity. To be strong you need knowledge, what will you fight with, and how, if you do not understand your foe. Understand it so you can be it.
You are serving your purpose in everything that you are, do and every second of your life. You live in purpose even without your knowledge. There is a reason for the 'make up' that you are, you had to be exactly as you are from birth/childhood to date because your purpose has been in conversations, relationships, abilities, goals, failure, play days, etc in all scenarios imaginable that you have. No one can impact anyone as you except you. You are the Purpose, it doesn't start at a certain age, attained after some accomplishments, need a certain audience, it is not learnt or qualified you are your Purpose just as you are..
Nothing can be faulted when all is truth, right and valuable to the one beheld (incl where we're our own beholders). I'm a believer in that, Truth is absolute but people are subjective. With that, what bothers me is the esteem accorded to the subjection (and lies about) measures of 'beauty' that impacts lives so greatly by sources/beholders/beings that we know are incapable of being perfect, determining measures of perfection. Such a contradiction that even i struggle with even after dishing my fair share. Where and when were we mandated to measure what is beautiful, exceptional and gruesomely impose and use judgement to discredit one over another beats me. I continue to try to comprehend such dictions though without blowing my mind, one can't help but wonder what it would all be like when such wasn't a thing to go by. Where what is, is as it was created and absolute, without being marinated by our flawed add ons and reshaping.
Long as it has positive vibes and great impact in yours and your loved ones' lives and/or greater community, Do it anyway. Regardless of the discomfort it causes people, the haters it attracts, being misunderstood, and causing all sorts of rumors about you, do the good anyway. Your best will never be enough, your presence may be loathed and your beauty condemned; the expectation is that you shrink yourself and the purpose you are meant to fulfill in your time parked just so you are acceptable and correct. Do it anyway, you only die once.
I've come to understand what quotes such as 'new beginnings are often disguised as painful endings mean' and scriptures such as Isaiah 43. The end of something is not always easy, even if you wanted the ending.. Or not, regardless of whether the end is good or bad. The process of transitioning, letting go and starting something new isn't facile. What eases the process however is a number of things including making sure you confront what has ended fully, understanding that the end of one thing isn't the end of everything, be willing to let go and take a chance and be in the new moment for it's unique experience.
I count this day festive as i remember that our faults were atoned for. The act or decision to forgive is never easy nor instant. I've learnt to regard it a gift, a gift to myself. I have learnt that you can only succeed at forgiving if you have understanding, treat the pain as a lesson and interpret it's purpose with the intention to give yourself power. Put your peace, happiness or whatever is of value to you in that situation or with whoever might not be in good standing with or vis-a-vis first. Always choose to Gift yourself first!
The sense of self is inflated, causing overwhelming desperation for approval for those generally degraded /somethings you feel degraded about. We're conditioned to measure worthiness relative to the next best thing, one that's an insecurity in itself. A craze that needs to be balanced, and our minds reconditioned & challenge the status core. We can't still be surprised by what nature, not the world, dictates and in our shock we mock what isn't per 'the standard'. We're where we are but we can reduce the number of what is/we ridicule causing such depressive emotions and behaviors. You are in control of yourself and thoughts, define your own and deny whoever judges it the power to take away your confidence. I share a bit of what i have decided to take away from the world and own such that it's not a concern to me what the world thinks. We need to get over ourselves, and choose what to feel insecure about out of the whole list. Leave a few for the world, not all of you!
I listened to a talk by a very influential and visionary leader the other day and in his message i was reconciled to a parable of Jesus walking on water. [Matthew 14:22 - 33]. He said what's important in this journey, as we transition is to 'lift your gaze'. Life is a tumultuous storm that dispositions us often time and most times because we let our heads hang low in despair. But i encourage you to lift your gaze, and not only in the sense of looking up, but lift the standards and horizon of your gaze (in this case size it up with Jesus) and stand firm in the sight of what your triumph looks like (His promises) .
You are as responsible for another's happiness when you add to it as you take away from it. I am for notion that we are responsible for our own happiness as long as you do not take away from the other person's measure. 'The absence of your contribution to my displeasure gives me a fair chance to account for myself' . You can't keep jabbing at someone and the expectation is for them to sort themselves out and you play no part in reconciling them to their measure of happiness. Unlike other internal or external factors, human beings have this responsibility.
I am inclined to share how focusing on fighting demons that trigger negative emotions and mental issues can cause more adverse impact for some people or some situations. Hence my sentiment, the need to feed our positive triggers to outweigh some adversities. I think it goes without saying, sometimes we avoid the negative conversations, reminders of our setbacks and non progressive to-do lists by managing triggers in ways that only weigh us down. Its easy to make out what gives us good vibes, that's what you should pursue. We do not give what brings us positivity as much attention and dwelling. Much as small things trigger us negatively , some small things can trigger positivity. That song, that one conversation, a hug, solving a puzzle, bungy jumping need to be 'done more' to level up good vibes.
Mine in this episode is to echo facts we all know. We can't help but entertain the insanity and may never stop as it is inate in the human species though im tempted to say it is a doctrine. The doctrine of comparison relative to man made standards, an insanity that steals joy and creates new diseases, occupies our minds and wastes our lifetime. The fact of the matter is while someone achieves things quicker, you need to pray & work a little harder, while you lack a few things, another lacks more, while someone is shorter, you had to be the tall one- this is as life is intended to be. No amount of gossip, self criticism, dislike of who you or the next person is will make the 'make up of life' change. Yours is to know it, embrace it and live the hell out of life with it.
Silence is powerful indeed, that is, if spoken right. Yes, it speaks louder than words as we all know. However like all ways of communicating, it needs to be learnt, like a language if you will and spoken with precision. While being mute with no audible noise within your mind benefits you, the obscurity of/in your silence impacts interested parties. They are often meant to be understanding spectators even if it is an agreed measure but more often than not they are not eased into the process. Silence is reciprocal, but most take it to be a journey taken alone.
Some moments we don't take to mind, some we feel our presence change the atmosphere in a room while in some we are timid, stoked, proud or empty. You are regardless, un/intentionally, a moment eyes, hearts and minds behold. Moments in seconds, days or years your Purpose is served. Best believe you are a moment to behold.
So many ways to talk about this, i chose the simplest - Giving up is easy for most because they have done it so many times before. It takes a few moments to decide, the few times you avoid committing and all of a sudden letting go of the pressure feels so good. Not until it haunts you, and you need to maintain it. 'Giving up' is just diverting the commitment from fighting for the success of the dream or goal, to fighting to stick to the decision to let go and not fall apart.
The good and bad of every (travel) experience we encounter in life leave imprints in you. It may be small day to day or significant events that cumulatively results in baggage. It is important that with every touchdown we don't just grab/claim our baggage and move on to the next adventure without unpacking, seeing the new impacted you and how you now see things, reorganize, wash or dispose of what needs to be. And being intentional about rather carrying around baggage regardless of size and weight that serves us some good and who/whatever we impact as we journey on.
We do not know or want to acknowledge most of our bad traits. However, these are brought to our attention in arguments, through caring friends and family but we often don't take kindly to them. Running away from these truths results in those traits sticking to you, and people who have encountered will definitely perceive you as such. Embrace them, grow from them and see yourself being a better person.
There's a lot to learn from things in life, one of them being Strawberries. Learning from its characteristics you definitely can learn more about me😅, i am a strawberry. This however is just dictions of purpose by a great writer that can color your soul for purpose. I share nuggets with you to strawberry you. The strawberry says Blossom where you are planted | be tasteful | Drink in the sunshine | Keep close to earth | Savor Life's sweetness | Let good ideas ripen | Jam with friends! Look out for more segments in this episode for more on these very tasteful nuggets as you serve your purpose.
Depression will drive you into deeper despondency if you do not recognize it as an abuser. It will make you feel like you are the cause of your state, while the problem is the abuser who will disarm you of your power with an intent to harm you and keep you in shackles & robbing you of your right to expression to make itself feel more powerful. Rid yourself or another of the abuser.
Love in itself is a feeling, however, what most do not understand yet ultimately face challenges based on is the general universal default and uncommunicated expectation of the responsibility to commit to sustainining it by being accountable to them ..while just feeling it feels like is enough.
We often chose to settle for 'compromise' or 'letting go' instead of having a conversation. I believe this is so because we've been burnt in the attempt to be confrontational in past experiences. We dread it but it is the most value adding integral part of human life to our quality of life. Just as we've mastered avoiding it, over time we can master different ways to make it a normal part of us as it should be. Our lives after each encounter improve, it does more good to life if it's in a healthy way.
Understand what it is to be a keeper in my view. I think besides the basic date nights, cooking favorite dishes, not be a nag, being respectful, gifting loved ones and all which i think how/when they are expected changes over time and causes frustration. You are 'for keeps' and 'can keep' if you are fluid emotionally, mentally and all other related aspects that elevate and give your better half a full experience of life. Be in the business of nurturing, redeeming, cultivating, achieving, keeping abreast of one's change and know how to decode it and bring it back for a more valuable experience.
Everybody is striving to be great, chasing things of the world to fill the void. I think that that is because we were made to be great in nature by a great God. It is therefore uncomfortable, most times unexplainable, to remain mediocre. Your being will always yearn to settle into its true self.
We are reliant on people's bias and imperfect perceptions of us to determine our value. Your value remains what it was intended to be by God regardless of the upsides or downsides of your life. Long as you know it and understand it, your value is constant. It fluctuates as we receive and agree to what others see it to be.
We often passively live through life believing what people accept or affirm about us. It is very important to be intentional about knowing and believing in one'self in order to back it up. Because when they no longer believe in you, you stop believing in yourself. First, believe in yourself and be intentional about it. 🌺
I do not think we 'find' our purpose as if it is something we attain along the way, i believe we need to realize that everything we are already, what we are born as is purposeful. Your life thus far, as it has been, is the purpose you think you need to look for! Yes, there is no need to look around, look at yourself right now you will realize you have been living in purpose. Your very presence, voice, your laugh, humor, ethic, fights you've had, things you've helped plan, your fashion sense, etc are all purpose serving 🌺