You are Chosen 2

 Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Because you are chosen, God will grant you the grace to always walk in divine wisdom and walking in divine wisdom has great benefits.

The Proceeds of Wisdom and Understanding

The fear of God, the decision to always honor God and do what pleases God is the gateway to wisdom. Joseph for instance refused to play the filthy sinful games of Potiphar’s wife because he feared God. That was his wisdom which eventually took him to the peak of divine purpose. Please read Genesis Chapters 39 to 41 and Deuteronomy Chapter 4 verses 1 to 49.

Wisdom is a by product of understanding and understanding comes from the Word of God – Psalm 119 verse 130, 105, 99 to 100, 104, 144, and 169. It is also the fear of God as stated in Proverbs Chapter 9 verse 10 and Job Chapter 28 verse 28 and the fear of the Lord is to hate evil (Proverbs Chapter 8 verse 13).

Proverbs Chapter 3 verses 13 to 35, Deuteronomy Chapter 4 verses 4 to 10

Length of days in her right hand – verse 16, Proverbs Chapter 10 verse 27, 9 verses 10 to 11.

Riches and honor in her left hand – verse 16, LEVITICUS Chapter 26 verses 3 to 10

Her ways are pleasant – verse 17

All her paths are peace – verse 17, Ezekiel Chapter 34 verses 24 to 31

A tree of life to those who take hold of her – verse 18

Happy are those who retain her – verse 18. The key word here is those who retain her. To be happy, you have to walk in wisdom and understanding at all times all the days of your life. It is not a one off activity but daily.

Life to your soul – verse 22

Grace to your neck – verse 22

You will walk safely – verse 23; Your foot will not stumble.

You will not be afraid when you lie down (verse 24, Leviticus Chapter 26 verses 3 to 8, Ezekiel Chapter 34 verses 24 to 31). Therefore your sleep will be sweet (Leviticus Chapter 26 verse 24, Ezekiel Chapter 34 verses 24 to 31).

You will be at peace with all men; (Romans Chapters 12 verse 18, 9 verses 15 to 18, Matthew Chapter 5 verse 9, and Hebrews Chapter 12 verse 14). Some peacemakers in the Bible include Abigail in 1^st Samuel Chapter 25. She brokered peace between David and Nabal; and stopped David from unnecessary bloodshed.

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Relationships and Success

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Relationships are pivotal to success. However, not all relationships engender success as some relationships actually work against success. The case of Samson and Delilah is a classic example of how certain relationships work against success. Samson was born for great exploits, to keep the Philistines in check so Israel could live in peace and prosper. Samson excelled at this task and no Philistine, not even multitudes of them could tame Samson. Unfortunately, Samson fell in love with what was destined to destroy him. Unknown to Samson, Delilah had no interest in him other than what she stood to gain from the Philistines who had promised her great rewards if she could sell Samson to them. Therefore, because of his ungodly liaison with Delilah, Samson embarked on a self-destructive mission based on his frequent visits to Delilah in Delilah’s house.

Characteristics of Delilah’s house

It is a valley where a person decreases from God’s best. Delilah’s house never brings increase to a man. It is therefore the pit of life. – Proverbs Chapter 6 verse 26, 7 verses 16, 27, Judges Chapter 16 verses 12 to 42.

It is characterized by lies and deception, a deceptive place where people lose grace and God’s unction on their lives because they paid attention to the lies of Delilah.

It is a way to hell and a place of captivity where enemies lie in wait. Unknown to Samson, the Philistines were lying in wait for him right where he thought he was safe with Delilah. Unfortunately, that was where the indefatigable and unusually strong Samson who could not be tamed by any man was captured.

It is a place where a man loses his vision. The eyes of Samson were gouged out and he became blind. But beyond the physical blindness was his loss of vision and unction to function as God would have him function. Please read Judges Chapter 16 verse 21.

It is a place devoid of the presence of God, a place where a man loses strength and purpose. God does not dwell in lies and deception. This calls for caution especially if people you relate with or institutions you partner with do not give a hoot about lies and deception.

It is also a place of defeat – Judges Chapter 16 verse 20. Samson won every battle against the Philistines until he entered Delilah’s valley of loss and began to lose every battle.

It is a place of pain and torture. Samson suffered great pain, torture and humiliation at the hands of the Philistines. He became less of what God designed him to be (Judges Chapter 16 verse 19).

Relationships which drain you of virtue are no go relationships. So also are relationships with ignorant people who refuse to acquire knowledge, who despise knowledge and prefer to live and act in ignorance. You cannot make any progress in life with such people, especially if they are vindictive, superstitious and are in the habit of pulling down structures built by other people. Avoid discussions with anyone who is opposed to your progress and always wishes you evil. If only Samson knew that Delilah wished him evil. He probably would have fled for his life.

Beloved, let go off relationships which do not add value to your life. I also suggest that you pray this prayer.

Father, please help me identify the relationships to hold on to and the ones to let go off in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Thank You for answered prayers Lord in Jesus mighty name, Amen.

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You are Chosen

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

You are chosen, (1^st Peter Chapter 2 verses 9 to 11); a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special person to proclaim the praises of God. Beloved, God’s hand is over your life. God is your refuge and fortress, your strength, your strong tower, your hiding place and sanctuary, your safe place and the only solid rock to stand on.

You are valuable, capable, strong and beautiful, designed to succeed. You will walk and live in divine purpose. You will fulfill divine purpose. You will always operate under God’s faithful covering, divine protection, divine direction, divine provision, divine linking up and divine security.

You will always prosper. The earth ceased to yield its strength to Cain because he spilled his brother’s blood on the earth. That was the reason for Cain’s unfruitful labor and lack of prosperity – bloodshed and murder. The earth had received Abel’s blood and the blood was crying from the earth for justice for Abel against Cain, the murderer. But you will be enriched because you are chosen and washed clean and justified by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Each time God calls a person or family, it is for the purpose of lifting the family out of poverty into wealth, out of obscurity and insignificance into significance and limelight, and from mediocrity into excellence. And even when a family is already rich, it is to catapult them into great wealth and generational abundance. Examples include Abraham and his descendants particularly King Solomon, the richest and wisest king who ever walked the face of the earth.

Therefore, stop bothering about anyone trying to take over anything that belongs to you. No devil in hell can take what God has for you.

God will satisfy you with longevity which He promises in His word (with long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; (Isaiah Chapter 54 verse 17, Psalm 91 verses 9 to 16). Therefore, use your time for His highest and best use. The prophetess Anna served God faithfully as an intercessor from her youth even to when she was old so that even in her eighties, she was at the temple on duty for the Lord. She was blessed with the rare privilege of recognizing the Lord Jesus Christ though he was an infant brought for dedication at the temple. Please read Luke Chapter 2 verses 36 to 38. The just and devout Simeon who also saw and recognized the Lord Jesus as an infant was also busy in the service of the Lord even though he was an old man. Please read Luke Chapter 2 verses 25 to 35.

Stop Chasing Shadows 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Do not give up on God. He is faithful. Please read Matthew Chapter 16 verses 16 to 23. Please read 1^st Peter Chapter 5 verse 10. The purpose of suffering is to strengthen and perfect you. Besides, the expectation of the righteous shall not be cut short - Proverbs Chapter 24 verse 14, Haggai Chapters 1 and 2.

Additionally, God Who alone makes all things beautiful in His time promised you and I that the glory of the latter house shall be greater than the former - Haggai Chapter 2 verses 8 to 9; Dry bones shall rise again – Ezekiel Chapter 37; and that He is your exceedingly great reward, not by might nor by power but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts. Therefore, ask and you will receive, pray without ceasing and He will answer you; Matthew Chapter 7 verses 7 to 8, Luke Chapter 11 verses 9 to 10, James Chapter 5 verses 13 to 15. The sweetness of God, God’s sweetness in your life and for your life will be restored in the mighty name of Jesus Christ so that you will become new and truly confident in Christ Jesus to chase after the real substance. 

Job prayed for his friends and the Lord restored his losses. In point of fact, he got twice as much as he had before. Please read Job Chapter 42 verses 10 to 12. Job was a man of prayer who always prayed for his family members and other people around him. It was therefore not difficult to pray for his friends despite the harsh words they used against him in his moment of great difficulty. This also implies that whatever you spend your time doing the most is what will occupy you.

Have the right attitude of faith. Also have right expectations. The woman of Shunem for instance refused to allow her situation to determine her expectations. She believed and expected that her son would be brought back to life by the prophet and God honored her faith. Please read 2^nd Kings Chapter 4 verses 8 to the end. Therefore, expect things to work for your good.

Stop Chasing Shadows

 Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

I have seen people, educated, non-educated fritter time and resources seeking information which they do not need from sources which only serve to confuse them and keep them in an endless circular dance. They consult all kinds of people in their quest for wealth, power, fame and you just name it. Rather than search out God’s will for their lives in the Bible, they focus on what diviners have to say to them. Unfortunately, diviners do not work with the Spirit of God.

This practice referred to as divination is seeking guidance about the future and solutions to life challenges through demons. Please see Isaiah Chapter 8 verses 19 to 20, 1^st Chronicles Chapter 10 verses 13 to 14, 1^st Samuel Chapter 28 verses 5 to 25,(Saul)  2^nd Kings Chapter 1 verses 1 to 17 (Ahaziah),  2^nd Chronicles Chapter 33 verses 6 to 9 (Manasseh).

The most important thing you can do as a Christian is to think and discern by the Holy Spirit of God as to whether what information you have received through those sources is the word of God spoken by a Spirit filled, Spirit led, Spirit controlled child of God; based on the word of God in the Bible or the word of someone who wants to prove that s/he has power with God? Please read Daniel Chapter 9 verse 2.

Do not allow your mental processes to be cluttered with spiritual and mental junk.  This is because what you expose yourself to is what you think about and what you think about is what shapes your attitude, habits, and also informs your decisions and actions. If your mental processes are cluttered with junk, you will become captive to that junk and you will live in spiritual, mental, financial, intellectual captivity. Fortunately, captivity is not of God and is never forever. That is why Jesus Christ came to set the captives free. Please see John 10 verse 10. Jesus Christ led captivity captive so that you can be free of any form of captivity you are in which makes you chase shadows rather than the real substance of life. Please read Ephesians Chapter 4 verse 8. He came to give abundant life. He came to destroy the works of the devil – 1^st John Chapter 3 verse 8, Colossians Chapter 2 verses 14 to 15. He came to set the captives free – Joel Chapter 3 verse 1, Isaiah Chapter 49, 61 verse 1, Luke Chapter 4 verse 18, 1 verse 76 to 79, Matthew Chapter 4 verses 12 to 17, Isaiah Chapter 9 verses 1 to 7; 60 verse 1, Obadiah 20, Psalm 107 verses 10 to 16, to bring deliverance – Joel Chapter 2 verse 32, Obadiah 17.

Additionally, God always takes His people out of captivity enriched and enlarged. Please read Psalm 105 verse 37, Exodus Chapters 3 verses 21 to 22; 11 verses 2 to 3; 12 verses 35 to 36, 2^nd Chronicles Chapter 36 verses 22 to 23, Ezra Chapters 1; 2 verses 68 to 69; 6 verses 7 to 10; 7 verses 11 to 24, Isaiah Chapters 44 verse 28; and 45 verses 1 to 3.

Stop Seeing Giants - FIGHT BACK 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

At some point in the history of Israel, they became terrified of the Philistines and lived in fear of them. The Philistines took undue advantage of that fear and harassed and oppressed the Israelites. Quite soon. God raised Samson, a young man who was not intimidated by the size and number of the Philistines. A one man riot army, Samson dealt a huge offensive to the Philistines and killed even more of them at his death. Please read Judges Chapters

Do not quit. Do not be discouraged. Stay put. Keep trying beloved because you can do it. No upward movement is easy. What is easy is a downward movement. When you find life stress free, chances are you are going downhill. Beloved, you also can fight back any opposition on your path to progress and success if you are determined to do so.

The people of Israel sang praises to God and the walls of Jericho came down. The shut gates of Jericho alongside fortified walls which constituted a blockade and barrier to the safe passage and progress of the children of Israel to the Promised Land collapsed by God’s divine intervention.

Zerubbabel was despised when he started building the temple. He experienced great opposition from the enemies of Israel who were opposed to the rebuilding of the temple. Please read Ezra Chapter 6 verse 14. But he completed it because he was focused and determined to do so. In essence he developed strong staying skills and fought the opposition with his great determination to succeed despite the fierce opposition.

Stop Seeing Giants - FIGHT BACK

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The ten spies saw giants in the land of Canaan and consequently discouraged the Israelites who were close to Canaan to do a detour back to Egypt. That decision kept them in the wilderness for a long time until they passed on. Their children alongside the two spies, Joshua and Caleb who had a different perspective were the ones who entered Canaan. Beloved, the issue of perspectives limited some people and cost a nation a lot.

King Saul and the army of Israel who were prepared to battle the Philistines suddenly developed cold feet because a man described as a giant deployed his size and his mouth to intimidate and oppress them for forty days and forty nights. A heavily mobilized army was cowered and immobilized. Fortunately for King Saul and the army of Israel a teenager who was unskilled in the military saw differently. Though Goliath was physically a giant and had an intimidating stature alongside intimidating talk; teenager David, the son of Jesse saw differently. He saw a spiritual grasshopper that God would deliver into his hands. So David challenged Goliath to a fight in order to put an end to forty days of intimidation and mental oppression. In less than ten minutes, the battle was over with Goliath dead and his country men who had hitherto enjoyed the intimidation taking to flight. A different perspective based on David’s relationship with God gave him victory over Goliath. Please read 1^st Samuel Chapter 17.

Jacob refused to see the barricades Laban consistently placed in his paths as giants. Rather, Jacob saw them as rough terrains which he could creatively navigate to smooth terrains and progress. This probably explains why he did not get into any arguments and fisticuff with Laban. Creatively and strategically, he navigated every one of them to safe haven. He worked extra years to marry Rachel; creatively grew his own flock. Please read Genesis Chapters

Isaac developed staying power to overcome the challenges of wells seizure, envy and strife from the Philistines. Staying power is an inner quality which makes you commit yourself to the actualization of your dreams. It means to be persistent until you win in spite of the difficulties and challenges around you. It is also the ability to see the glorious future through the obstacles on your path irrespective of how insurmountable they appear. Please read Genesis Chapter 26 and Proverbs Chapter 4 verse 14.

Allow God to Introduce You

 Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Introductions to individuals, families and institutions are a daily occurrence in life and happen in homes, on the streets, at parties and other events as well as institutions. This explains why who you are introduced to and who introduces you to the person/s you are introduced to matters a lot. This is because the person who introduces you speaks volumes of who you are. If a person of low economic status as well as low social standing introduces you to a person of high economic standing as well as high social status; it is assumed and taken for granted that you are a person of low economic standing and low social status, probably seeking favors from them. But if the reverse is the case, your rating changes and it is assumed that both parties will benefit one another.

Jesus Christ as a person was introduced by God to humanity as Jesus made His way to earth. First, He was introduced by the angel Gabriel speaking as God’s mouthpiece to Mary, the vessel chosen by God to birth Jesus Christ. Secondly. His birth was announced by an angel to the shepherds and quite significant and instructive is that a heavenly host was praising God at that moment. Thirdly, the wise men from the east who had seen His star also announced Him or rather introduced Him in absentia to King Herod. Though that caused a stir that would have resulted in His death, God shielded Him. And at His baptism by John the Baptist, God again introduced Him. The point being made is that Jesus was introduced to humanity by the Creator and Lord of humanity. So He was accorded the respect and honor due Him by those who knew and understood the Person and Lordship of Jesus Christ.

I watched a movie, The Great Gatsby in which Gatsby was introduced to Daisy’s husband by a cousin of Daisy. Daisy’s husband hardly acknowledged the presence of Gatsby. Two reasons – both men did not belong to his economic and social standing.

This speaks of the power of right connections and right associations. You therefore need to leverage right connections and associations. One way of leveraging right connections and right associations is to walk with God.

Beware of Religious Orgies

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Because most times God is not in them. They are mostly singing and dancing, frenzied singing and dancing which gives the people emotional highs; which make them forget their challenges, their identities; albeit only for a while because when the emotional highs like drug highs clear out, they are back to the same people with the same challenges; bereft of any spiritual and mental power to process challenges into solutions. This is because no one taught them what it takes to process challenges into solutions.

So also are the frenzied prayers of killing their supposed enemies; again a ploy of the enemy to keep their spirits and minds empty of the Presence and power of God. But when people are taught the word of God to enrich and engage their minds; to know and understand who God is and what God has done for them through the complete work of Jesus Christ on the cross, there is a sudden realization of who they are in Christ Jesus and this realization; this dawning prepares them to become heirs of salvation; empowered and emboldened to challenge whatever challenges and opposes them just as David dared to challenge Goliath and stopped him from intimidating and humiliating the army of Israel.

Beloved, music, dancing, prayers are great if done with and from an understanding of the word of God. Otherwise it is akin to religious orgies and frenzies; just like the ones the worshippers of Baal were famed for. Such activities do not bring any spiritual or mental development and transformation to practitioners which explain why such practitioners remain enslaved to their supposed leaders who have no intention of them becoming enlightened, knowledgeable and transformed.

But the word of God always enlightens, transforms, and brings healing, understanding, knowledge and wisdom. The word of God has the capacity and power to heal any disease because the word of God is Jesus Christ in the flesh and Jesus paid the supreme price for any healing that anyone will ever require whether in the flesh or in the spirit or in the mind. Please read Isaiah Chapter 53 verse 5 and 1^st Peter Chapter 2 verse 24.

The human body needs a lot of fluids to flush out what is not required. That explains why anything you eat which makes you drink a lot of water is good for your body as it helps the body to take a lot of water which flushes out what your body does not need. In like manner, your spirit, soul and body requires huge doses of the word of God as the word of God helps to cleanse you from anything that is not of God, purify your mental processes, cleanse you spirit, soul and body; give you divine direction; upliftment, favor and helps you to stay connected to God and to walk in God’s ways. The word of God also helps to organize and streamline your mental processes in line with the plans and purposes of God for your life so that you are able to focus on the plans and purposes of God for your life.

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Pay Attention to God

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Wake up from the slumber of facts, assumptions and presumptions to the truth of the word of God that always accomplishes divine purpose. God is true and all of His precious and unfailing promises to His children are designed to bless His children; give them all that pertains to life and godliness. Healing, salvation, redemption, justification, sanctification, , provision, deliverance, protection, journey mercies, favor, wisdom, wealth, promotion, security, divine health, expansion, children, etc all come from God.

Faith and confidence in God leads to peace, the peace of God and this comes by paying attention to God; listening to God and not all the wrong channels you have allowed yourself to be tuned to and you are paying attention to. All the wrong information you are getting from these wrong channels is responsible for the fears, worries, and anxieties that is eating you up; racking up your body in pain; tormenting your spirit and your soul.

Therefore, always respond to God first rather than situations. As you respond to God, God takes care of the situations. For example, Elisha and his servant Gehazi woke up one morning to discover that the army of Syria had surrounded their home. While Gehazi was afraid, Elisha was not because he had seen God’s invisible army sent by God to save and protect them from the Syrian army. The woman of Shunem responded to the needs of God first by taking care of the needs of Elisha. God met her great need for a child. The widow of Zarephath obeyed God and met the needs of the Prophet Elijah for food. They had more than enough food which sustained them throughout the period of the drought and famine which lasted for nearly three years. Beloved, the lines are fallen to you in pleasant places. But you need to pay attention to God so that you can see the lines. Otherwise, you will be engaged in a futile circular dance of searching for solutions when all you need to do is to pay attention to God.

Look Within

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

It’s in YOU. What you require to become successful and great is in you. Everything you need to succeed is inside of you, divinely wired into you by God so that you can be successful and wealthy. They were planted in you as divine seeds even before you were born. Please read Genesis Chapter 1. Everything starts with a seed. The seeds you require to plant so that you can multiply and be fruitful are embedded in you. Therefore nurture your seed by taking advantage of planting seasons.

Plant your seeds by deploying your potential. It is from the seed you plant that a tree or trees or orchards or forests grow. Utilize planting seasons to great advantage by always planting seeds. You never can tell how large the capacity of your seed is to produce and keep reproducing and reproducing until you plant it. Though the reproduction is the principle of duplication, the seed must be planted for it to germinate and reproduce. Please read Ecclesiastes Chapter 11 verse 6.

Seeds are not always plants and fruits. Ideas are also seeds. As an idea bears fruit or fruits, it is apparent that the idea has great capacity to multiply and compound. Therefore do not cut down the tree or fruits from an idea. Please read Luke Chapter 13 verses 8 to 9. Rather, process them as every idea which produced results for you in the past has innate ideas for more results; that is if you will take the time to think strategically through the idea or ideas. That explains why God wants you to be fruitful and multiply; that is to say, keep reproducing to increase on all sides.

Avoid these Ill Fitting Clothes

 Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Envy

Envy is a terrible and ill-fitting garment which often clothes the wearer with great shame in the end. Apart from constantly reflecting great anger, deep seated resentment, hatred, and intents of both ill will and murder in the wearer’s facial expression, envy always puts the wearer beneath the position of the person being envied.

Though Saul was a king, his actions reduced him to a hunter and murderer of innocent souls; actions beneath the purview of a supposedly righteous King. Unfortunately, Saul died young and the David he sought to kill took over his place as King in Israel. Saul envied a young man who took a great risk to save both King Saul and the army of Israel the embarrassment and humiliation Goliath subjected them to for three days.

Envy makes the wearer bitter, always angry and ugly. The bitterness, anger, deep seated resentment and hatred reflects in the body language of the wearer giving off contorted facial and body expressions, sarcasm and invectives in verbal expressions. Beloved, envy is an ill-fitting garment and should not be worn by anyone especially people who profess a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Envy always escalates to hatred which unfortunately sometimes culminates in murder or attempted murder. You can ask Cain if you will ever find him or better still read the account of how he killed his brother Abel on account of envy in Genesis Chapter 4,

The Pharisees consistently wore it against Jesus and ended up killing Jesus. Though they allowed themselves to be used of the devil in the accomplishment of divine purpose, they lost both their positions and respect from the people.

The brothers of Joseph came close to killing Joseph because they were envious of Joseph. But for the timely intervention of Reuben, they would have killed Joseph. Please read Genesis Chapter 36. But God kept Joseph alive and in the end they bowed down to Joseph just as Joseph rightly prophesied.

Be Cautious

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

To be cautious is to be wise especially when caution is necessary. Do not expose yourself to unnecessary risks especially life threatening risks because you are a Christian. Run when you have to run and stay when God says stay.

Jesus Christ Who is God took precaution to avoid being killed by the Jews. He stayed in Galilee and did his business there when he noticed that the Jews in Judea were determined to kill him before His time. Please read John Chapter 7 verses 1 to 13. He deliberately did not go to the feast with His family members so as to avoid being easily spotted; and even when He eventually went on His own, the Bible records that He avoided drawing any form of attention to Himself.

Saul attempted to kill David on a number of occasions. Beloved, Saul’s desperation to kill David knew no bounds. He tried every trick under the sun so he could kill David. Saul also attempted to kill his own son Jonathan simply because Jonathan spoke up for David. Please read 1^st Samuel Chapter 20.  David exercised caution when he realized that Saul was determined to kill him. He ensured that he avoided any form of direct contact or confrontation with Saul and the men Saul sent to kill him. He was also careful to avoid every bobby trap that Saul set for him. Additionally, God gave David wisdom to always run to safety. Though David was privileged to kill Saul and his body guards, David refrained himself from doing so because he feared God.

Shape Up

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

You can and should shape up by placing great value on yourself.  And there are many reasons why you should place great value on yourself.

To start with, you are created in the image of God, the Creator and Owner of the universe to Whom alone everything submits. Besides, God instructed you to have control; take charge of, exercise dominion over His creation. This is to say that God places great value on you and expects you to do same. Please read Genesis Chapter 1 verse 28 and Psalm 8. Beloved, if you take ample time to study Genesis Chapter 1, you will discover that humans are the only ones created in the image of God, designed to think and act like God; relate to and with God which explains why the Bible says you are gods.

You are therefore very important, very unique, and very special to God. You therefore have absolutely no reason for you to undervalue yourself and subject yourself or allow yourself to be subjected to indignity by anyone or circumstances. If you are the one subjecting yourself to indignity, you have the benefit of repenting of that sin and celebrating the extravagant grace, mercy, love and compassion of God in your life by choosing to live life in full as God designed life for you from the foundation of the world. Do not forget that He provided everything which Adam and Eve would ever require by giving them the beautiful Garden of Eden; significantly not to till but to maintain. Beloved, God loves you and has made available for you everything you would require to live life to the fullest. It is not a sin to live in great wealth, enjoy luxury living and peace in the land. It is your birthright given to you by God. Though Adam and Eve lost it through carelessness and sin, Jesus Christ regained it for you and I through His shed blood on Calvary.

The purpose of extravagant grace is for shaping up spiritually, mentally and physically and financially. Shaping up spiritually calls for a more committed relationship with God in which you gain spiritual weight. How?

You spend quality time with God, pay attention to the Holy Spirit, and respond promptly to the instructions of the Holy Spirit.

Run With the Vision

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

How?

Stop limping, take giant strides, and facilitate processes by the Spirit of God.

Also, make the vision plain enough – communicate it in easy to understand language so that anyone can easily understand it and be part of it.

Be strong in the mighty power of God. Do not depend on you. Rather, depend on God Who alone knows and has all that it will take for you to run with the vision. Secondly, He will give you all that is required to run with the vision if only you choose to ask Him rather than stew in worry and anxiety and then ask all the wrong people who cannot help you for assistance. When you depend on God, you are taking great supernatural strength that will keep you strong at all times. People who look up to God and depend on God for everything are really strong people; whether spiritually, physically, mentally, financially, emotionally, etc. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians Chapter 6 verse 10.

The angel told me to give Zerubbabel this message from the LORD: "You will succeed, not by military might or by your own strength, but by my spirit. Zechariah Chapter 4 verse 6, Good News Translation.

Be diligent. God will reward you appropriately for diligence. Know exactly what God wants you to do, understand the dynamics, and focus on it.

Always be determined to succeed. Determination is empowering. It mobilizes you to act, to take risks, with courage rising in the face of danger. Jesus Christ for instance endured the shame and humiliation of the cross because he was determined to save humanity from destruction. People who take godly risks do not perish.

Esther was determined to be of help to the Jews. She fasted, prayed and took the risk of her life by going to see the King uninvited. Her determination paid off as the King stretched out his scepter to her. Not only was her life saved, Haman the enemy of the Jews was destroyed and the Jews were saved from annihilation. Please read the entire book of Esther for details.

GOD RESPONDS TO STEPS taken in faith. Therefore, walk in faith and take what belongs to you from the enemy. The truth is that the world does not give you what you want. You are the one who takes it by faith and negotiations.

Evaluate your personal capacity and challenge yourself to excel. Learn new skills, outsource competencies in areas where you lack competence.

Do not be complacent. Work hard and smart because in all labor, there is profit. Please read Proverbs Chapter 12 verse 24, Psalm 65 verse 11 and Isaiah Chapter 3 verse 10. God will fill you with His beauty/favor so that your work prospers – Psalm 90 verse 17, Psalm 102 verse 13, Proverbs Chapter 10 verse 24 and Zechariah Chapter 4 verse 9.

Be in Firm Control 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Humans were not created for the fun of being created. They were created for God’s pleasure and in God’s image so that they can exercise and have dominion over all of creation and to be fruitful and multiply to fill the earth and subdue it – multiply to expand on all sides to fill the earth and subdue it. Please read Revelation Chapter 4 verse 11.

I believe that the enemy most often uses words; evil words couched as questions, suggestions, ridicule, false allegations and accusations, mockery and counsel to attack the children of God into sinning against God in order to make them lose on divine plans and purposes and ultimately the blessings of God for their lives. Take for instance the situation in the Garden of Eden. It was the war of words until Eve succumbed. There was no pressure from the devil, no physical assault, just veiled threats until Eve lost her mental processes to the devil. Please read Genesis Chapter 3 for details.

All Jezebel required to kill Naboth just so she could steal his vineyard give it to her covetous husband was to start a war of words through false allegations against Naboth. She paid two scoundrels to testify against Naboth claiming that Naboth had blasphemed God and the King. Naboth was falsely accused and ultimately killed because Jezebel and her cohorts accused him falsely. Please read 2^nd Kings Chapter 21 verses 1 to 16.

Amnon, the eldest son of King David who would have succeeded his father died young because he foolishly assented to the evil counsel of the devil through his friend and cousin Jonadab whom the Bible describes as a crafty man. Rather than counsel Amnon to forget his lust for Tamar or request for Tamar as a wife from the King, Jonadab counseled Amnon to rape Tamar. Absalom, the elder brother of Tamar did not forgive Amnon for humiliating his sister. He plotted the death of Amnon and two years after the rape incident, Absalom killed Amnon to avenge the rape of his sister. Please read 2^nd Samuel Chapter 13 for details.

Be in Firm Control

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Take charge, be in control, firm control. Jesus Christ was in firm control of every situation, circumstance, people who confronted him, attempted to assail him, stop the plans and purposes of God for His life, attempted physical, spiritual and mental harm against him. He was also in firm control of the elements of creation – wind, water, et al, including every being created by God. Jesus Christ took charge against the devil during the temptation in the wilderness by refusing every suggestion by the devil to make Him sin against God. How did Jesus achieve this feat? By responding to every trick, every lie of the devil designed to make Him lose focus with the word of God – the undiluted word of God that is light, which gives clear direction, that brings safety, healing, clear specific direction and progress to divine purpose, unlimited provision and sustainable abundance, deliverance, shelter, security, fruitfulness, increase, the achievement of divine purpose.

Beloved, God does not fail and cannot fail. That is why He equipped man at creation with His nature; authority to rule over the creation of God by creating humans godlike; and further blessing man to prosper and increase to replenish the earth as well as giving humans the authority to take charge over every creation of God. Unfortunately, humans lost the authority when Eve capitulated to the devil’s suggestions rather than the divine and safe instructions of God. If Eve had adhered to the instructions of God, she would have stayed safe, hugely protected by God. But she lost it when she chose to believe the devil instead of God.

Follow Your Divine Path

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Your divine path is God’s plan and purpose for your life ordained for you from the foundation of the world. It is also your divine path to greatness, wealth, fame and honor. However, the divine path may not appear promising at the beginning because it shows up as a seed or seeds that may appear small and insignificant like the jar of oil owned by the widow of the indebted prophet; or like the mustard seed which is really tiny but when planted and nurtured grows up to a massive tree.

Beloved, divine pathways have never been pleasant at inception but usually, they lead to greatness. They are like ideas which people may advise to throw away because they look like they cannot be implemented. But if I were you, I would take full ownership of my divine pathway and walk in it irrespective of the obstacles in that pathway.

David took full ownership of his divine pathway. It was not easy but it paid off in the end. He was not ashamed of having to leave his home town and country because of the death threats and sentence on him by King Saul; a country he served faithfully by killing Goliath who subdued the army of Israel for forty days and nights with his taunts and boasts. Despite being rendered homeless and a fugitive, David took refuge in Gath, ironically, the hometown of Goliath. Subjected to all kinds of humiliation, including having to feign insanity just so he could survive in the land of the Philistines until the opportune time came for him to be King, David comported himself wisely and godly. Twice, he was opportuned to kill Saul but David chose the path of godliness and refused to lay his hands on King Saul.

Your divine pathway which is also your seed for greatness may not appear great now because it is a mere seed but beloved, I counsel you by the Spirit of God to take charge of that seed irrespective of the size and location. Believe it or not, the productivity of a seed is not dependent on the size of the seed but on the commitment and dedication of the owner of the seed to grow the seed to its full potential. Every seed irrespective of the size has great potential. Therefore,

Deal with Fear 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha 

Goliath for instance succeeded in immobilizing the very prepared and determined army of Israel who came out against the Philistine army. For forty days and forty nights, Goliath hurled insults, ridicule and threats against the army of Israel and yet, no one could rise against him. Unfortunately for Goliath, David, a mere teenager who was unschooled in professional warfare showed up and rather than be intimidated like the professional soldiers was infuriated by Goliath’s taunts. David then challenged Goliath to a fight. Why? Because  King Saul and his soldiers saw a killer giant because Goliath had used intimidating size, words and human weapons of war to instill deep seated fear in them. But David saw an uncircumcised Philistine whom he could bring down by the power of God in minutes. Thus began the war of words – David deployed the word of God while Goliath continued boasting. 

Unknown to Goliath and his countrymen, the word of God always accomplishes divine purpose.

Therefore, make and take conscious deliberate efforts to retrain your mind on the Word of God as commanded by Scriptures in Romans Chapter 12 verses 1 to 2. That way, your mental processes can work in line with the will and divine plans and purposes of God for your life; and you will not be afraid. You will be as bold as a lion. You will be able to process divine ideas to advantage. Significantly, your renewed mind will easily access the blessings of God stated in His word for you. Please read Proverbs Chapter 23 verse 7.

Deal with Fear

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The enemy of mankind has consistently used fear to hold nations and the peoples of the nations in captivity.

Fear incapacitates, cripples and sets limitations on people – individuals and families; and institutions and nations. Fear can bring about self-imposed limitations. But these limitations can be easily removed from the lives of people through Jesus Christ, the Son of God Who came to set the captives free, free from the limitations imposed upon them by the enemy. Beloved, Jesus is still in the business of removing limitations from the lives of people including the ones imposed by fear.

The ten spies who garaged themselves in the wilderness because of their wrong perception, wrong mindsets which made them doubt the word of God did so because they were afraid.  They were afraid of the size of the inhabitants of the land, the infrastructure and level of development they saw in the land. The ten spies saw themselves as grasshoppers before the people whom they described as giants. Consequently, they refused to take on the people. They imposed limitations on themselves and did not get to the Promised Land.

Moses complained about his self-imposed limitations to God when God informed him that he had been divinely assigned the task of bringing the people of Israel out of Egypt. There was definitely no justification for Moses’ self-imposed limitations. He was schooled in all the wisdom of Egypt and was also described as powerful in speech and action. Yet when it came time to fulfill purpose, he complained about who he was to stand before Pharaoh and that he was slow of speech. Please read Acts Chapter 7 verse 22. Why? Because he had suffered rejection at the hands of his own people who he attempted to help. If his own people rejected him; how much more would Pharaoh and his court; and how was he to return to the same people who rejected him in the past? Had their feelings about him changed? And how would Pharaoh and his court receive him considering that he was wanted for murder in Egypt? However, despite these self-doubts, God was with Moses and because God was with him; he was not only able to stand before Pharaoh, he also went to his people and communicated God’s intention to liberate His people from slavery and captivity in Egypt.

Beloved, do not permit self-imposed limitations on yourself on account of whatever negative experiences you had in the past. The same Moses who was rejected by his own people led the same people out of Egypt after standing before Pharaoh and his court. Therefore, do away with self-imposed limitations. You do not need them.

Invest in Value

                                          Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Value is the intrinsic worth of a person, an object, a place; a unique attribute which sets the person, the family, object or place apart from other people, objects and places.  When you understand value and invest in value, the full dividends of value accrue to you without you even requesting for the dividends.

King Solomon for instance truly understood the value of an intimate and fervent relationship with God that would foster his total dependence on God. So he worshiped God with all his heart as instructed by his father, David. Please read 1^st Chronicles Chapter 28 and 2^nd Chronicles Chapter 1. Solomon was subsequently blessed by God with divine wisdom which placed him several steps ahead of his contemporaries. Significantly, that great wisdom also translated into great and abundant wealth.

King David not only loved and feared God; he also invested in a personal relationship with God because he understood the value of an intimate and fervent relationship with God. Please read Psalms 16 verse 7, 27 verse 4 and 25 verses 12 to 14.

David chose God above silver and gold and God rewarded him with abundant blessings. He had many children, great wealth and ruled Israel for a long time; won several wars without being hurt; survived several evil plots and attempts against his life simply because he understood the value of an intrinsic relationship with God.

Give Yourself Mileage

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Seest thou a man diligent in his work, he shall stand before kings and not mean men – Proverbs Chapter 22 verse 29.

Ideally, everyone’s divine gift should create room for greatness and abundance for him or her if deployed in the right environment and before the right persons who would give the person mileage.

Therefore, always ask yourself if a relationship, task or utterance would take you to the divine purpose and plans of God for your life before investing quality time and resources in such relationships, task and utterances.

David was a skilful musician yet he did not play just before anybody. He played musical instruments before Saul and made the King happy. Though Saul became envious and attempted to kill David while he was playing the instrument for him; the point being made is that David played before kings and not insignificant people who would not give him mileage.

David also took on Goliath not only to deal with Goliath for insulting the army of God but also for the attendant benefits. Please read 1^st Samuel Chapter 17. David did not challenge a mere street fighter, an inconsequential person to a street fight. It was a fight for national honors on both sides where the winner was to become a national hero, as well as a beneficiary of many things from the King including becoming a son in-law of the King. Fortunately, David won the fight against Goliath and earned great mileage – a national hero as well as many other perks.

Joseph interpreted the dreams of the servants of Pharaoh but was also careful to remind the butler to remember him and recommend him to Pharaoh. Though the butler forgot, he was forced to remember Joseph when the divine opportunity and timing for Joseph to be celebrated came. Please read Genesis Chapters 41 for details.

Bridle Your Desires and Emotions 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Absalom was proud, arrogant and lusted greatly for the throne. He did not have the decency to await the death of his father before attempting to become King. Additionally, he was a crafty young man who deployed deceit to usurp the throne. He died in the process and his father, King David outlived him. It was the same deceit he deployed in killing Amnon. Absalom was an untruthful person, who harbored malice against people who hurt him.

David was extremely disciplined and much loved by God. Yet, he lost it when he saw Bathsheba’s naked body. David had no business being at home at that period. But that was not the main issue. He could have said no to whatever desires he had for Bathsheba after he discovered that she was the wife of one his soldiers who was fighting at a war he should have led. Yet, David did what he should not have done just so he could have Bathsheba. He murdered Bathsheba’s husband. But God Who always sees what people do in the most secret of places saw it all and judged David immediately.

Miriam, great woman, great big sister to Moses, and the first prophetess in Israel. Yet, for a split second, she spoke rashly against Moses probably because she was upset with him. God heard and punished her with leprosy. 

Aaron also sinned alongside Miriam and was also punished.

Moses, referred to as a very meek man and the prophet with whom God spoke face to face lost it in a moment of great rage. He broke the tablets containing the Ten Commandments written by God. He also struck the rock instead of speaking to it and also referred to the people of God as rebels. God was unhappy with Moses.

Bridle Your Desires and Emotions

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Desires and emotions sometimes run amok and when they do, they carry with them consequences which are sometimes severe. That is why every child of God should ask help of the Holy Spirit in bridling their desires and emotions.

Shechem and his family were destroyed because Shechem could not wait to make Dinah his wife before defiling her.  Dinah’s angry brothers wiped him and his family out of the land of the living. Please read Genesis Chapter 34.

Simeon and Levi, the enraged brothers of Dinah killed an entire family and clan. They could not control their anger. Please read Genesis Chapter 34 verse 25. Much later, their father Jacob placed a curse on them.

Amnon was foolish and listened to foolish counsel. He raped his half-sister, Tamar and was consequently killed by Tamar’s brother, Absalom. Please read 2^nd Samuel Chapter 13 for details and caution in receiving and taking advice.

Samson was the most powerful person of his time. He did not have to carry weapons when about to engage hundreds of men in a fight as anything he touched automatically became a weapon with which he killed hundreds of men. Unfortunately, this powerful man lost all that power to a woman because he could not control his unbridled desire for Delilah. Consequently, he lost the great unction of God upon his life and died young. Please read Judges Chapter 16.

Ahab was condemned for coveting after Naboth’s vineyard and assenting to the negative methods Jezebel deployed in stealing the vineyard from Naboth. Please read 1^st Kings Chapter 21. Covetousness for instance is sin, sin against God because it shows lack of appreciation for your God given gifts, person and blessings; lack of contentment and satisfaction for the blessings of God upon your life; uncontrolled greed for what does not belong to you; you want to own what belongs to someone else and like Ahab, you would do anything to get what does not belong to you. You sulk and you are unhappy over what belongs to someone else which you greedily lust after all day.

Break the Ceiling

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Break the ceiling over your head, your life no matter what it is. Ceilings should be broken when they become a stumbling block to progress. A ceiling over a person’s life may not necessarily be the physical ceiling placed in houses to shield the direct heat of the sun on the roof from the house.

A ceiling may be a person’s attitude, character or behavior. Issachar was initially content to serve as a slave because he saw a pleasant land. The pleasantness of the land made him lose interest in moving to his own land, his own place of divine purpose where he was divinely ordained to serve as a leader in Israel; providing divine direction to the people to carry out divine purpose following divine timing. But Issachar preferred the pleasant land. Unfortunately, Issachar’s preference put a ceiling on him and his descendants and they became a band of slaves in the pleasant land.

However, slavery must have opened his eyes to the huge divine potential and responsibility of leadership placed on him from the foundation of the world. Fortunately, he woke up to from the slumber of death to divine purpose, broke the ceiling of slavery and moved on the leadership position destined for him from the foundation of the world. He became a leader, had an in depth understanding of the times and urged Israel to do what the nation ought to do at a specific time. Please read Genesis Chapter 49 verses 14 to 15 and 1^st Chronicles Chapter 12 verse 32.

Unfortunately, Esau did not understand his inability to deal with unbridled emotions. His absolute lack of self-control was the self-imposed ceiling he put on himself that made him lose the leadership role he should have played. He sold his birthright because he was hungry. In essence, he sold his birthright for a non-asset, a bowl of porridge that would digest in a few hours and be excreted out of the body as waste and a fresh wave of hunger would start.

The Dynamics of Success

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Success is not an arrival point where you have no spots or wrinkles. Rather, it is forging ahead to daily implementing and achieving divine purposes in spite of the spots and wrinkles which may or may not leave. But what is important and significant is that you keep forging ahead, putting on your best foot forward at all times.

Success is not entertainment, it is putting on your best foot forward at all times. That explains why success is not shallow. Success has great depths and for anything planted on success ground to germinate, blossom and fruit; it has to go into great depth. It should not be like the seeds which fell by the way side.

Success is not static. It is not a destination which you arrive at and fold your hands to watch the ocean go by; listen to idle gossip; drink and drug yourself to stupor; shop until you drop; wear the best of designer clothing and accessories and everyone compliments you on your posh look; thrill and entertain a crowd and everyone is falling at your feet.

Take a Leap of Faith

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

You are no longer a toddler in Christ. Neither are you a teenager or young adult. You are a mature adult loaded with the word of God that always accomplishes purpose. Please read Isiah Chapter 55 verses 7 to 13, Numbers Chapter 23 verse 19, 1^st Samuel Chapter 15 verse 29. You are also filled with the Holy Spirit Who daily instructs you on how to use this great divine arsenal at your disposal. Please read Isaiah Chapter 28 verses and 48 verse. Therefore, do away with the baby steps and begin to leap, I mean great leaps of faith which you urgently require to take you to God’s heights for you.

Beloved, you have dwelt too long at the bottom rung of the ladder daily giving lame excuses which do not hold water anymore. The baby steps no longer befit your new status in Christ Jesus. Additionally, they are impeding your progress as they always slow you down. The last thing you need now is any slow paced movement as it cannot move you forward. It will only keep you in a non-progressive circular dance.

But giant leaps of faith based on the truth of the word of God that you are a royal priesthood, a peculiar person divinely wired to be a lender to the nations will push you up the mark.

Significant leaps, spiritually, physically, mentally, financially designed to take you to God’s destined heights for you are what you really need now. Prevailing circumstances may look like you are glued to a spot and therefore have no business moving; not to talk of leaping; yet beloved, God says it is time to leap from point A to Canaan if that is where God wants you now. God Who is your great Provider and Sustainer says He will make available all the resources you require to make the leap. Just follow Him at His pace and not yours.