Maximising The New Season

Happy new year! It’s a new year and a new season again. Thank God you are alive and He has kept you. Now it’s time to get to work. I want to encourage you to determine to do better than last year. How? Keep reading.

The first thing I’d like to encourage you to do is to Read. Read books, read God’s word too. Just read. Now I’m not saying you should just read anything, you have to also be wise and guard your heart against nonsense. I am however saying you should read things that would help you get to a better version of yourself and look more like Jesus. Jesus read scriptures which is why He knew what was spoken about Him(Luke 4:17-21). Paul the Apostle was also a reader “When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also, bring my books, and especially my papers.” 2 Timothy 4:13. So you should read.

You should also pray a lot to maximise this year. There is no moving further in life without prayer and not just in your finances but holistically. Basically, In your physical, mental and emotional health. Scriptures enjoin us to pray without ceasing ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17) and I have come to realise that the more time I spend with Jesus the stronger I am in my body, mind and emotions.

Lastly, please meditate. This is an area that I am still working on as life can get sometimes busy. However, one must be intentional about life. Mediation usually happens without help most time. for example, when you think about how rude that person was, that’s you meditating or when you muse over how stupid you sounded in that situation, that is meditation. The difference here is that you are being encouraged to think and speak God´s word (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 63:6)

These activities have greatly transformed my life and I invite you to practice them this year and see your life changed as you seek to meet your goals and honour Jesus.

You are loved, Favour

I feel like giving up

‘I feel like giving up’ these were the words I uttered yesterday as I almost missed my bus. My house is about 4 minutes away from the bus stop and for some reason I was super late. My bus was supposed to leave at 10:30 but at 10:28 I was still wearing my shoes 😳.. Now if you know anything about living in Europe, you’d know that taxis are expensive and isn’t always an option.

Anyway, I heard myself utter those words to my husband but I didn’t give up….instead I just picked my jacket and ran out. Thankfully, the bus was about a minute late so I made it.Phew😅 .

After I made the bus, I missed my next connection because the driver was a bit slow😒.. It literally just seemed like everything was against my going to church but I did not give up. It wasn’t even an option.. I was going to go to church, period! The next connection required a 14 minute walk and by the time I got to church, I was late and exhausted 😅 but it was worth it. It was worth it because I received what God had in store for me.

It was so worth it. How many times do we miss God because we give up just at the end? God’s ways are not always easy but will you continue? Will you be faithful? Will you see that project through till the end?

My message today is very simple, are you feeling like giving up? Do you feel like you won’t be able to make it? Do you like me, feel like you are too late? DON’T GIVE UP! The bus might just come one minute late.

Psalm 104 :19 tells us  “He appointed the moon for seasons;The sun knows its going down”.

He still has time and seasons in His hands. It might be difficult but you will eventually get there. Keep running, keep going!

You are loved ❤️
Favour

Why people don’t have lasting success in maintaing mental stabilty

So a couple of days back, I found myself having to deal with some intrusive thoughts and while I was wondering about why this was happening, It occurred to me that I had shifted my gaze from Jesus.

I had allowed the “legitimate” cares of this world rob me from meditation on my sweet Lord. I wasn’t meditating or speaking God’s word as much. I wasn’t even sitting still in His presence. I was busy being a mum. No, don’t get me wrong, Being a mum is not a bad thing but there should be priorities. JESUS should always be first. He should be the strength of your (my) life (Psalm 27:1).

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This is because it is from living and abiding in Him that we will have good success in life. Here is a scripture to buttress my point :

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31‭-‬32. When we remain faithful and continue to fix our eyes on Him, then we will know the truth and be set free. He is the truth and He sets free. But if we don’t remain faithful, there is a tendency to slip and the truth might be taken away from us -So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!(1 Corinthians 10:12)

The king James Version of John 8 says to Abide in Him. The lack of abiding in Him is why many of us don’t have lasting success. We fight, get a level of success and stop without getting rooted.

Synonyms for abiding include, long lasting, fixed, standing..etc. I’m sure you get the point . Abiding should be daily. His mercies to help us are new everyday (Lamentations 3:23). Basically, everyday abide! Don’t feel like “now I’ve gotten the hang of this thing and I’m good”. NO. Daily abide. Our persistent victory is in Abiding. When you struggle ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Ask your community for prayer and encouragement.

God almighty loves you, is for and with you.

With lots of love,

Your sister, Favour 🙂

Keeping your victory When the darkness seems to be returning

“Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand-Ephesians 6:13”

Having you gotten some victory in the battle for your mind, body or just generally battles of life? Does the darkness seem to be returning? Follow me as I break down practical steps on how to keep your victory.

1. Ask Jesus for strength. Scriptures tell us that by human strength shall no man prevail. 1 Samuel 2:9(itallics mine). Your strength is not enough to stand in the day of adversity. So ask the Lord for strength. Ephesians 6:10 says to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Don’t depend on your self, you cannot do it alone. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you.

2. Fix your eyes on Jesus Completely. Fill your mind with His word, talk to Him, sing His songs. Let Him think through you. Remove distractions. One of my favorite scriptures is “Those who look to Him are radiant with joy;their faces shall never be ashamed” – Psalm 34:5

3. Speak in other tongues, you are speaking to God and praying in the way the Holy Spirit would have you pray. So pray in the unknown language. 1 Corinthians 14:2

4. Put on the whole Armour of God – look at ephesians 6: 14-18 and after you’ve done everything you know to do based on God’s word.

5. Stand and keep standing. You are a soldier in the lord’s army. You cannot afford to leave your post because it seems like things are not working. No! We do not cast off our confidence. We stand still as we see the Lord’s salvation. That darkness will not overcome you as you continue to stand so please keep standing. God is for you.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it- 1 Corinthians 10:13

Remember that God almighty loves you,

your sister, Favour

Thanksgiving: A key to maintaining emotional and mental stability

If I must confess, being the mother of a toddler and an infant in addition to my other responsibilities can be quite exhausting. Although it is very easy to complain the days away, what has kept me sane is thanking Jesus.

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Yes, literally thanking Jesus and many times you’d catch me randomly yelling “thank you Jesus”. I have found that replacing thanksgiving with complaining has contributed to helping me maintain mental and emotional stability.

You know, the Israelites complained and murmured in the wilderness and as result could not enter their rest(Hebrews 3). Besides the fact that God doesn’t like it, complaining makes us focus on the negatives because what you talk about becomes your reality. It also shows a lack of trust in God because if you believe He will do what He has promised to do with you, you would be grateful instead of murmuring.

Thanksgiving, on the other hand, helps us look up to Jesus, which in turn causes us to be joyful and not ashamed(Psalm 34:5).

It also helps us keep us from focusing on our disappointments and keeps us focused on the good that king Jesus is doing in our lives. As you, therefore, have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving- Colossians 2:6-7.

See, you were not created to live in unhappiness and depression. No, you were designed to bring Him glory and in bringing Him the glory, He makes sure you also are glorified.”Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus“- 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

So arise from that state of sadness and depression and begin to praise the Lord, who has given you another day.  Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light, has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!– Isaiah 60:1

Change your perspective with thanksgiving today.

God almighty loves you,                                                                                                                                                            Favour

The Unashamed Misfit

Dear Believer, I know you are working out your salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). However, I want to bring your attention to the issue of cowardice.

See what Revelation 21:8 says “But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death”. See how the cowardly or fearful (as described by other translations) are grouped together with unbelievers and people who are not walking with the Lord.

Do you know that God wants us boldly stand for Jesus? Yes, I know that the world tries to intimidate us and force us to agree with them but I’ve come to challenge you today to stand for Jesus.

If you are fearful of small persecution, how will you survive when global persecution starts. “Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands-Matthew 10:38

And people don’t have to like you, they never liked Jesus anyway. So don’t expect to just be loved by everyone. Build your “believing” through prayer, meditation and bible study so that you can stand for Jesus unashamedly daily.

Don’t be a coward just to fit in a society that doesn’t really know right from wrong. Don’t be a coward for the things of this world. Don’t lose yourself just to please people. Stand! stand!! stand!!!

And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:21

Best believe that God almighty loves you and is rooting for you to overcome.

Favour.

How to spend time with the king

As part of your Christian discipline, you must spend ample time with the Lord who has saved you daily. You cannot be a passive participant in your walk with Him. So how should this work?

First repentance. You must daily repent “if we say we have not sinned, we are liars and the truth is not in us but if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness(1 John 1:8-9)

Secondly worship. Worship with all your heart, soul and body. Dance if you can. Really just engage with everything you have at that moment. Be present because you have come to mount Zion (Hebrews 12:22)

Pray in other tongues (1 Corinthians 14). You are praying the will of God for family, friends and our spiritual siblings on earth. You are also praying for the will of God here. Just follow the Holy Spirit’s leading and allow Him to pray through you. There is no particular order.

Read the word and meditate. This is the time to renew your mind (Romans 12:2) and remind yourself of who God is and who you are in this world. Speak the word to yourself. Don’t read the Bible passively, apply it to everyday situations. See Jesus and see yourself.

Finally, thank Him for answering you- “Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him”- Hebrews 11:6.

There is no particular order to do these things, just do as led but make sure your time with the Lord consists of these items and you will experience Him.

God almighty loves you very much, Favour

Generational Blessings

Most Christians are conversant with generational curses but have you heard of generational blessings. This is not an attempt to convince you that your life will be perfect when you become a Christian. On the contrary, this is an attempt to open your eyes to your blessings as a Christian because life will come to test that.

Colossians 1 :13 tells us that we have been translated into the kingdom of light after Jesus disgraced the dark kingdom. Therefore we have been set free. But many believers are unfortunately still in bondage and living cursed even though Jesus has set us free.

Just in case you are wondering. Here is the verse that tells us we are no longer under any curse. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” – Galatians 3:13.

Many believers are still living CURSED because of the lack of knowledge. Scriptures say that “my people perish for lack of knowledge”(Hosea 4:6). People just don’t know and are not willing to pay the price to know.

I don’t mean knowing as something you just know in your head but can’t defend when push comes to shove. NO, I mean really knowing it in your heart of hearts. We KNOW God’s word only by the help of the Holy Spirit through prayer and meditation. Praying, reading, rereading and meditating on God´s word is how we should roll😃. This will help us be strong in the blessings Jesus bought for us by His blood.

Also, Galatians 3:29 tells us “And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you”.. So what was the promise to Abraham? , “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” : Hebrews 6:14-15. As Abraham’s children, we are blessed and it is not limited to financial or material blessings. We are blessed with peace, joy and many other immaterial blessings(Ephesians 1:3). Therefore, whether you believe it or not it’s there. So please believe, accept and use it. It’s yours. You are not cursed and if the enemy tries to attack you remember that you belong to the light kingdom now and we are blessed people. Repeat after me “I AM BLESSED!

Also ensure you are living to please God. If you are not living to please God in holiness then the enemy will harass you very much and God won’t do anything because you are breaking covenant. So be holy as He is holy. That’s our covenant.

Basically, once you have Jesus. You are blessed. Even if your current circumstance doesn’t feel like that, you are. Keep working and walking with Jesus, constantly speaking and meditating on His word. The physical blessings will manifest too.

God almighty loves you. Favour

Holiness: The believer’s framework

The term holiness means different things to different people depending on what part of the Christ’s body you belong to. However, it is not holiness to not wear trousers as a woman, not put make up or perfume. It is not holiness to not wear hair extensions. It is more than not committing adultery, fornication and sexual perversion. It is a state of being. Holiness is to be set apart.

I know this because in Hebrew, it is kadosh, it means to be set apart for a specific purpose. It is the opposite of something that is common. So when we say God is Holy, it means He is set apart, He is uniquely unique. He is different from us. He is purity personified. He is HOLY.

Let’s apply it to everyday life, if you have a special plate for visitors that is different from the plate that is used daily, that special plate would be considered as “holy”.. Because it is set apart. It is different from the rest. Get it yet? Another example would be a special occasion dress that is barely worn. That dress is different from the rest of the dresses in your wardrobe so that dress would be “holy”.

Now let’s talk about the term “framework”. Goggle tells me that a framework is “an essential supporting structure of a building, vehicle, or object”. Therefore it is a believer’s essential supporting structure. I like to think of it as the place from which a believer should live on this earth. In other words, we are to live from a place of holiness. Hebrews 12:14b tells us that without Holiness it is impossible to see God. How can people see God in us if we refuse to be holy?

Also, 1 peter 1:16 tells us to be Holy because our Father is Holy. From the explanation above, it would be safe to say that it tells us to be set apart, different from the world because our Father is set apart and uniquely different from all that has and will ever exist. We are called to embark and be on the journey to look like our Father.

Furthermore, Galatians 5: 22-23 tells us that ” the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” and I believe that is the pathway to holiness. Holiness is a journey and the fruit of the spirit that Christians need to bear is just the beginning.

The world exercises no self control hence the phrase ” do what makes you happy”. The world has no kindness which is why alot of people can be pretenders. The world is full of people wounded in their souls hence the lack of peace within and without. Do you understand?

Basically, God tells us to be everything the world is not. The world is going in one direction and we should be going in a different direction. God calls us to be set apart. He calls us to not just live a holy life but BE holy and it is from being this person that we’d be able to shine so brightly and men will see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16)

This is a call to be set apart not just on Sunday but everyday of the week at work, as a parent, as a son or daughter, as a sibling, as a friend and as a human. Am I there yet? An emphatic No! But by God’s help and mercy I will get there.

And no, this is not the time to doubt and shudder in unbelief about your ability to be holy on this earth. God will not tell us to do something that is impossible. We can be holy people if we depend on the Holy God. He is in us.

So in summary, Holiness is to be the framework of the believer.Holiness is to be set apart. It is a journey and a good way to start is Galatians 5:22-23. God will help us if we ask and depend on Him, that’s what the Holy Ghost is here for. Some practical ways to engage His help in the quest to being Holy is to pray in other tongues, meditate on scriptures relating to Holiness and confess them.

So folks that’s the end of today’s blog. Remember that God almighty loves you.

Healing soul wounds

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed – 2 Peter 2:24

Dear friend,  I understand that soul wounds might seem difficult to heal especially when pictures keep popping up in your mind  and things can seem fine outside while you are really dying inside. However, is there anything too hard for our Daddy God? I understand soul wounds very well because in 2019/2020/early 2021, my mind was a total mess, I was hearing voices, seeing wicked pictures in my mind and slowly sliding into depression. Let me share a couple of things that helped me.

1. Talk – The enemy will try to use shame to keep you quiet but please find trusted friend(s) and share.. I might have over shared  but God covered me if I spoke to someone I shouldn’t have. So don’t be afraid to talk, just be sincere with God. Satan tried to guilt me. So the more guilt, the more I spoke. I told my parents and my mentor.  I believe they were praying for me.
2. Partake of every “fellowship” of the brethren. Don’t miss church programs. You never know what Jesus will use. One time in my crises, I went for small group meeting and I heard an illustration that God  used to help me. Also the more I followed my online fellowships (Lock down season) , the more I learnt to focus on Jesus.
3. Get off social media and leave Netflix alone. I still struggle to join IG now.. It’s too stressful. Information overload 🙄. On Facebook I just post things from my youtube channel, vlog and disappear. Protect your heart and mind.
4. Speak in tongues.. Every avenue to pray, join it. I know the enemy will tell you it is “nonsense” but you know, the Bible says he who prays in an unknown tongue is speaking mysteries to God ( 1 corinthians 14:2). Speak to God in a language the enemy of your soul cannot understand.
5. Get knowledge.. My situation lasted longer than it should have because I didn’t know I could tell the devil to. Just shut up. I was busy begging God to deliver me. I didn’t know that I could take my mind back by meditation. Now I know and when the enemy tries because he still tries, I speak and focus on my Jesus. I ask the Holy for help ( from a point of victory) and He is faithful. Even when I didn’t know, He was faithful.. He cannot deny Himself yeah? What a good Father 💜
6. Read your Bible and always put a scripture in your mind. Speak the scriptures if the pictures become too much. Replace your imaginations with the scriptures and in no time you’d be set free.

Although, It is not a one day event.. It is an everyday event. One of my mentors would say, it is like the devil to keep trying but it is also like the Christian to never give up. We are more than conquerers. Daddy God loves us.

Also take Holy communion everyday or every other day, scriptures tell us to take it often(1 Corinthians 11:24). It reminds us of our covenant with God. You can take it by yourself, it doesn’t have it be only at church. Read your Bible. Meditate by stillness and muttering. Ask the Holy Spirit for help. He loves you and has been sent to help us. Trust Jesus, He is our emotional and mental healer.

Sin injures us but Jesus came to heal us even emotionally and mentally.    If you don’t know Jesus personally, confess and renounce your sin, ask Him to come into your life to be your Lord and Saviour. That’s the only way everything I’ve spoken so far will work.

Remember that You are loved.

Here is why you are not enough

The world is so focused on self that we’ve picked it in the body of Christ. We have self help talks disguised as the preaching of God’s word. One point from these type of “doctrine” is that you are enough.

Dear Sibling in Christ, you are not enough. No human being is enough that’s why we live in a broken world. We need Jesus. I need Jesus. You need Jesus.

Jesus is who makes us enough. The scriptures say I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST( Philipians 4:13). Not through myself. Without Jesus, we, I, you are grossly deficient and weak. He is our strength and help.

Oh what a blessing to have the Holy Spirit with us on this earth to help us. It would have been much worse without Him. Humanity is burdened with sin and death and we are in dire need of the Saviour. Let it be ingrained in you that without the Saviour, we are nothing. He is our peace, He is our worth and He is enough.

You are enough in Jesus, He is the only one that can heal your soul. He makes you enough. He makes you all that you need to be. He is the only good in us. If you don’t have a relationship with Him, you’d be worthless in eternity. Give Him your heart today. He died for you. He loves you.

You are enough or will be enough because He is enough. Because He is, I am. “But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him”- 1 corinthians 6:17

You are loved, Favour

Four Secrets to Happiness

Do you know that God wants us live well on earth? We are to have more happy days than sad days because Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10)

So if you want more happiness in your life, here’s how the Bible tells us… “If you want to enjoy life
    and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
    and your lips from telling lies.
¹¹ Turn away from evil and do good.
    Search for peace, and work to maintain it” 1 Peter 3:10-11.

From the scripture above, we can see 4 secrets to happiness

1. Keep your tongue from speaking evil: In the kingdom of God, we say what God says. we do as Jesus does and if Jesus speaks life, we speak the same. We don’t use our words carelessly because we will be judged for idle words spoken(Matthew 12:36). We are also called to not be insultive. Jesus was insulted and cursed but he never gave his abusers the same treatment. I wonder about Christians that curse because that’s not God’s nature. We are light in this dark world. The Holy Spirit helps us live for Him, will you let him help you?
2. Keep your tongue from telling lies : Lying seems to be normal these days “as long as you are not hurting anyone” they say. The thing about lying is that you cannot live in faith while lying because your spirit will just think it is one of your many lies. Also satan is called the Father of lies so if you keep lying(John 8:44), you might just be proving who your father is. The point here is to speak words that will glorify Jesus because in glorifying Jesus we find happiness.
3. Turn away from evil and do good : It is expected that when we receive the life of Jesus, we allow Him help us live for him. We repent and walk with Him in the light. if you are engaged in secret sins that no body knows, it is time to come clean. Trust me, I’ve been there and it is an awful place to be in. God sees you and spirit beings can see you as well. There is really nothing that is secret. Turning away from evil and doing good will also improve your emotional and mental wellbeing. you wont have to be constantly looking over your shoulder. Let the Holy Spirit help you live for Him today.
4. Search for Peace and work to maintain it: Have you ever been fighting with someone and when you see them you feel stomach ache or your heart begins to flutter in a weird manner? well I’ve been there and it is not a palatable feeling. It also brings a gap between you and God. There is just no need for that. if you have an issue with someone, do all you can in your power to fix it and move on. It will help your relationship with Jesus and keep you happy, healthy and stable. “¹⁵ “If another believer sins against you,go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. ¹⁶ But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses” – Matthew 18:15 Lastly, If you do not know Jesus, consider this an invitation to know Him. Ask Him into your life He loves you so much. You are loved, Favour