You Can Turn Disadvantages into Advantages 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The people of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the Lord has blessed us abundantly.”⁵ “If you are so numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites.”  The people of Joseph replied, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel.”  But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment  but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out.” Joshua Chapter 17 verses 14 to 18.

The Israelites thought their lives would end any moment as Pharaoh and his chariots followed them in hot pursuit. Unknown to them, that would be the end of Pharaoh’s oppression of the Israelites in any form as Pharaoh and his chariots were drowned in the red sea. Please read Exodus Chapter 14 verses 13 to 16, 21 to 22.

The miraculous crossing of the Jordan illustrates the truth of God’ word; that with God, nothing is impossible. This also implies that you can easily cross any Jordan which stares you in the face if you choose to walk with God. Please read Joshua Chapter 3 verses 15 to 17.

With God on your side, you can also command the elements of creation to work in your favor when you are at a disadvantage. Joshua commanded the sun to stand still so he could finish a battle he was fighting and the sun actually stood still until Joshua and his soldiers were done fighting. Please read Joshua Chapter 10 verses 12 to 14.

You can also turn the disadvantage of small spaces into large spaces by taking on territories besides you. Simply, put, enlarge the place of your tent as Manasseh and Ephraim did in Joshua Chapter 17 verses 16 to 18.

Enlargement can also come through conscious and deliberate acts of fruitfulness targeted at multiplication in spite of negative prevailing circumstances. Despite being slaves in Egypt coupled with the harsh treatment the Israelites suffered from the Egyptians, the Bible records that they increased greatly because they were fruitful and they multiplied. Please read Exodus Chapter 1 verse 7.                 

You Can Turn Disadvantages into Advantages

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The woman with the issue of blood turned the long term disadvantage of the unceasing blood flow of twelve years into an advantage when she decided to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. Despite the shame and ridicule, she worked her way through the crowd and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. Twelve years of pain, shame and financial drain disappeared in an instant. Significantly, she was not ashamed to publicly admit that she was the one who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. The admission made her healing permanent. Please read Matthew Chapter 9 verses 20 to 22, Mark Chapter 4 verses 27 to 29, 30 to 34.

The widow of the indebted prophet is another case in point. She cried out when the creditor threatened to come take her two sons for debt bondage. That was what saved the situation as the Prophet Elisha to whom she cried gave her counsel on how to get out of debts and financial lack for the rest of her life. She was instructed on how to access resources, shut out distractions so she could produce products to sell and earn money. Please read 2^nd Kings Chapter 4 verses 1 to 7 for details.

Blind Bartimaeus literally took the bull by the horns when he kept shouting out the name of Jesus despite the hush hush from the people around him. As he kept shouting, Jesus turned to him and asked what he wanted. He requested for the restoration of his sight and was healed. Please read Mark Chapter 10 verses 46 to 52.

Zacchaeus was a very short man who desired to see Jesus. This would have been possible if the crowds who followed Jesus did not crowd him out of the view of short people like Zacchaeus. Rather than complain about his height disadvantage and how the tall people of his day were the only ones who had the advantage of seeing Jesus, Zacchaeus decided to think creatively. He would not be in the league of the people who complained about the tall oppressing the short with their height advantage. Zacchaeus chose to grow taller than the supposedly tall who obscured the short from seeing Jesus. Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree where he was heads above the tall. Significantly, Jesus noticed and gave Zacchaeus attention in addition to inviting Zacchaeus to entertain Him in Zacchaeus’ house where Zacchaeus could have the pride of vantage position to see Jesus clearly. Please read Luke Chapter 19 verses 1 to 10 for details.

Receive Strength

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

There are different types of strengths – physical strength, spiritual strength, mental strength, economic strength and many others that you can come up with.  

The Bible recorded instances of people receiving physical strength after taking food. Some cases include the case of Elijah who received strength after eating (`1^st Kings Chapter 19 verses 1 to 21, the Apostle Paul in Acts Chapter 9 verse 9, the Egyptian servant of the one of the Amalekites who raided and burnt down Ziklag in 1^st Samuel Chapter 30 verses 11 to 16. If the young man had not received strength from the food he ate, he would not have been physically strengthened to lead David and his men to the Amalekites. Significantly, the Bible cautions against feasting for the sake of feasting as feasting is designed to strengthen one physically. Please read Ecclesiastes Chapter 10 verses 17.

The Apostle Peter was instructed by Jesus Christ to strengthen his brethren after his temptation. Please read Luke Chapter 22 verses 31 to 34.

The Apostle Paul also spoke of being strengthened with all might. Please read Colossians Chapter 1 verses 10 to 11.

Significantly, divine strength comes from God to His own people. He strengthened the prophet Jeremiah. Please read Jeremiah Chapter 16 verse 19. The prophet Jeremiah also referred to God as His strength and fortress as well as his refuge in the day of affliction. A study of the life and ministry of Prophet Jeremiah throws up several challenges and afflictions experienced by the Prophet who is sometimes referred to as the weeping prophet. In some of these emotionally challenging, physically traumatizing and battering situations which almost had a negative impact on the spiritual life (albeit giving up on speaking on the word of God) of Jeremiah, Jeremiah learnt over time to draw strength from God and could therefore confidently refer to God as his strength and fortress and refuge.

The Leverage of Favor 3

 Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. You will still be eating last year’s harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new. Leviticus Chapter 26 verses 3 to 5, 9 to 10, NIV, Women's Devotional Bible.

Mary the mother of Jesus Christ was highly favored. That is to say she had tons of favor from God. Please see Luke Chapter 1 verses 26 to 37. The Bible records that Mary found favor with God and received grace to become the mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mary was an unknown young woman from the linage of Aaron (Luke Chapter 1 verses, 5, 36) who was betrothed to Joseph, a descendant of David. But Mary achieved global fame, honor and eternal security in Christ Jesus because she was highly favored by God. Please read Luke Chapter 1 verses 26 to 30 to birth the Lord Jesus Christ. The favor of God upon Mary elevated Mary above her peers.

Beloved, you can be suddenly elevated above your peers by the favor of God upon your life if only you will allow God take charge of your life. Mary was a chaste young woman; she was engaged to be married but was suddenly found to be with child – pregnant outside of wedlock. Joseph considered putting her away but rescinded his decision after God spoke with him through His angel. Please read Matthew Chapter 1 verses 18 to 25. Beloved, the circumstances were not pleasant for Mary, a young unmarried woman pregnant; not even by her fiancé. But God intervened and Joseph did the right thing.

The Leverage of Divine Favor 1

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Blessed [is] the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. Proverbs Chapter 8 verses 34 to 35.

• The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians. Exodus Chapter 12 verses 35 and 36, NIV, Women’s Devotional Bible.

Divine favor, a gift from God to His children is to be greatly desired especially by anyone aspiring to get out of the dust and ash heap positions of life. Esther was an orphan who lived with her cousin, Mordecai, a gateman at the palace in Shushan. Secondly, they were captives in the land. Their circumstances were therefore not very pleasant; an orphan with no inheritance from her parents, who lived with a cousin whose economic resources and standing were not substantial, and who probably had no social standing and privileges in the land. They were captives in the land yet they rose to very privileged positions in the land, had great social and economic standing not necessarily on account of anything spectacular about them but because of the workings of God’s divine favor in their lives.

The favor of God brings about acceptance. Esther was accepted by everyone. Please read Esther Chapters 2 verses 9, 15 to 18; 5 verses 2 to 8; 7 verses 1 to 10; 9 verses 3 to 11. The favor of God brings about promotion. Please read Psalm 75 verse 6; 89 verse 17, Genesis Chapters 39 and 41, Esther Chapter 2 verses 16 to 18. Divine favor gave Esther the throne in Persia.

Esther was neither the most beautiful maiden or virgin in the land, yet she emerged queen because God favored her and gave her favor before anyone she came in contact with. Esther Chapters 2 verses 9, 15, 17 and 5 verses 2 to 8. She became queen in a foreign land, chosen above the other maidens who participated in the search for a new queen contest. Beyond becoming queen, the favor of God in the life of Esther guaranteed unfettered access to and favor before the King so that eventually, Haman’s evil decree to annihilate the Jews  was countered by another decree which empowered the Jews to fight and defend themselves against anyone who rose against them. Divine favor helped to accomplish divine purpose. Additionally, divine favor also gave Mordecai the number two position in the land. Please read Esther Chapters 8 verses 1 to 2, 15 and 10 verses 1 to 3.

The Power of Divine Leverages

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Is it possible to move from the dust and ash heap positions of life to positions of influence, in point of fact, great influence, power, wealth and fame through divine leverages? Absolutely!

Divine leverages are leverages bestowed on a person by God for the purpose of achieving divine purposes. The Bible records in Acts Chapter 7 verses 9 to 10 that God was with Joseph, delivered him from all his troubles and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, the King of Egypt. Pharaoh made Joseph governor over Egypt and all his house, that is to say that Joseph was next to Pharaoh in the political organogram and power sharing structure of Egypt. Please read also Genesis Chapter 41 for further details.

Joseph was not a citizen of Egypt, had no claims to earthly royalty, was not even a palace guard or cleaner yet he showed up at the palace once, in point of fact, just once and he became a great power broker in Egypt because divine leverages were working for him.

Your Joy Has Come

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.

What you see and hear on a daily basis is capable of forming strongholds in a person’s life. Please see Proverbs Chapter 4 verses 20 to 27. If what you see and hear everyday are centered on suffering and poverty as a way of life that is associated with holy living, then chances are you will overtime accept suffering and poverty as a way of life. Beloved, do not accept suffering as a way of life. It is not the will of God for your life. The will of God for your life is for you to enjoy life to the full in Christ Jesus. Suffering is not, has never been and will never be a sign or symbol of righteousness. God’s righteousness is never reflected through poverty. God’s righteousness is reflected in holy living according to the word of God. If it was poverty, God would never have given His own the power to get wealth as recorded in Deuteronomy Chapter 8 verse 18.

Therefore, drop the consciousness of lack, insufficiency, borrowing and begging. It is not the will of God for you. It also does not glorify God. It is not the will of God that you beg bread. Please read Psalm 37 verse 25. His will is that you are amply supplied bread, more than enough to share with people as stated in Leviticus Chapter 26 verses 9 to 10, Deuteronomy Chapters 8 verses 6 to 18, 15 verse 6 and 28 verses 10 to 13.

Significantly, such a consciousness will limit you from daring to make wealth and keep you in the chains of poverty. What you urgently require is a mental paradigm shift from lack, insufficiency, borrowing and begging to sufficiency, overflowing abundance, giving and generosity. Therefore, discard and do away with at the speed of thought every lie from the pit of hell that God is the one activating poverty in your life to teach you some lessons. It is a satanic stronghold that should be destroyed immediately in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Beautiful Pearls

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Pearls of wisdom, beauty and love

Stringed together lovingly

Designed to beautify, glorify and honor

Pearls of knowledge, understanding and depth

Pearls of favor, wealth and dignity

Mined from the depths of the WORD

Pearls, a girl’s desire and love

Representing purity, purity of soul

Of thoughts, imagination and desires

Pearls, befitting yet revealing

Colors, light, glow, ambience, iridescence

My pearls, beauty for ashes

 

Riches untold, hidden in secret places

Treasures in the midst of terrifying darkness

Hidden deep in the sands and the seas

With the precious things of the heavens and the earth

The encompassing and enriching but very satisfying favor of God

They are pearls of wisdom and love

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You Can Move Faster

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Moving forward in a very slow manner may not give the desired momentum you require to arrive at the opportune time in history and destiny at your divine destination because you may arrive too late and not make the desired impact that could have made history.

Therefore, redo, fix up, and renovate what needs fixing up to get things up and working so that you can move faster. This simply means that you should develop momentum, gain momentum, regain some momentum, in point of fact, great momentum and move at the pace God designed you to move at so that you can arrive at divine destination in record divine timing. No one gets awards for snail paces that lead nowhere. They are not even an indication of holiness or righteous living but simply an indication of laziness or ignorance about how to acquire divine speed.

Therefore, retire the baby steps you have long over grown and begin to walk like a general; a general in the warfront and not a general at a desk. This is because there is still so much more ground to break and so much more to accomplish. Therefore, move faster and work smarter not to catch up but to accomplish divine purpose. There is no point taking unaccomplished divine purpose to the grave. It does not give any laurels in heaven. Step it up and gain significant momentum. You need it urgently, in fact, yesterday and not now. Therefore make up for lost time.

Rule Your World

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

To be successful in life, you have to be ruled by the word of God. Do not allow dreams especially satanically manipulated dreams, visions and circumstances rule your life. Rather, let your life be ruled by the undiluted word of God; the word of God that gives life, direction, favor, wealth, etc.

Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Founder and Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre has been ruling his world and will continue to do so because he knows the secret to doing do. Though greatly anointed of God, he was divinely instructed to use mass media to announce himself to the world and he obeyed God. He became a city set on a hill which was not hidden. He became greatly sought after, famous, wealthy, honored, more anointed, more knowledgeable, and more generous with the grace of God in his life. And significantly, he became successful as he shared the secrets of success God shared with him to many people through his radio program Success Power. Significantly, he did not wait until he was mega successful before sharing the secrets of success. He faithfully shared what God taught him; trusting God to make him and his listeners successful. He is a true success story. The people he impacted and still impacts are also success stories. Today, he is on television and online as well in addition to running a leadership development institute. He is and keeps expanding on all sides.

Beloved, refuse to be caged! Share your gifts with the world through available media that is convenient for you. The World Wide Web and its numerous platforms are available to you and significantly, you do not have to spend a fortune. A number of young people are making millions and billions from using the World Wide Web to share information, skills and expertise. Do not be caged and left out because you are looking for brick and mortar to become a success story. Do not be caged by anyone or institution that wants you to serve like Jacob in Laban’s house. Find your divine exits out of such captivity fast. You are a city set on a hill and you can announce yourself to the world through social media and become you, designed from the foundation of the world to be a blessing and a great success story. You are an achiever, so designed by God to impact humanity. Therefore, get out of the backside of the desert into the klieg lights. Let the word of God guide you and give you the required light you need in Jesus mighty name.

Divine Exit Doors 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Mordecai and the Jews in Shushan were sentenced to death with the irreversible laws of the kingdom and therefore could not appeal against the sentence. Yet within that seemingly concluded blockade, God in His infinite mercies, power and love for His own created divine exit doors out of the death sentence. Haman who requested for and paid for the death sentence against the Jews died on the gallows he had prepared to hang Mordecai on. The Jews got another decree signed which empowered them to arm and defend themselves. The people that had planned to kill the supposedly defenseless Jews for fun became afraid of the armed Jews who had received royal authorization to fight back their attackers. Please read the entire book of Esther for details.

The people of Jericho barricaded their gates against the Israelites. Without recourse to the use of explosives which bring down fortified brick and mortar, God created divine exit doors for His people. Please see Joshua Chapter 6 for details.

The satraps thought they had Daniel silenced forever when he was thrown into the den of lions. But God created a protective wall of fire for Daniel by shutting the mouths of the lions. After Daniel was released and the satraps as well as members of their families were thrown into the den of lions, the lions had a feast of human flesh. Please see Daniel Chapter 6 for details. Additionally, the King opted to serve Daniel’s God and made a proclamation that made it mandatory for everyone to serve Daniel’s God.

Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s image. Consequently, they were thrown into the fiery furnace of fire. But God intervened and the fire had no effect on them. Upon their release, Nebuchadnezzar publicly proclaimed the worship of Jehovah God in Babylon.

Be Strategic

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Do not expend energies running in wide circles that lead nowhere. Focus on a destination and decide on the best, fastest but godly and safest route to get there; right on time; God’s time. This calls for divine guidance from God. This also presupposes that you have ascertained the specified destination from God; therefore you know where you are headed but require a strategic roadmap.

Be strategically positioned in or at a location where people can easily access you. For instance, a hill is a conspicuous place, a vantage point because people can see what is on the hill. This is to say that you have to be rightly positioned where people can see you and reach you. Accessibility is therefore important – people should be able to see you.

Give empowering gifts. Empowering gifts empower people to become who God created them to be, enable them to achieve divine destinies. Therefore, you should love and enjoy teaching people to do things right.

The responsibility of a Christian is to solve problems for humanity and not only cater for his or her family’s needs. Joseph did. Daniel did. Esther did. Nehemiah did. So also are many historical and contemporary people that you have either heard about, read about, watched videos of and have even seen. The problems they solved moved them up in the ladder of life and wealth. The choice is yours. God has a place for you in the kingdom. Know exactly what to do and how to do it.

Develop your craft. Challenge the area of your limitation. Creative people always find ways to transcend the limits put on them. Learn if you have to learn and ensure you learn the right things.

The Overtakers Unction

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The race is neither to the swift nor to the strong. Please see Ecclesiastes Chapter 9 verse 11, Romans Chapter 9 verses 15 to 16. The overtakers unction is predicated on obedience; in particular, prompt, willing and loving obedience to and for God. Elijah who ran on foot was able to outrun and overtake Ahab who rode on a chariot because Elijah was obedient to God. That explains why the hand of God came upon Elijah to outrun and overtake Ahab who rode on a chariot. The question then is how did Elijah obey God? In verse 1, God instructed Elijah to go show himself to Ahab and inform Ahab that God was going to send rain on the earth. Considering what had transpired between Ahab and Elisha in addition to the fact that the land had not experienced even a shower not to talk of rain in about three years, it was quite a tall order and scary task for Elijah to go tell Ahab that God was sending rain. Despite the risks, Elijah presented himself to Ahab, significantly not to immediately announce the rain but to initiate divine processes that would lead to the downpour. In the process, a good number of the prophets of Baal and Asherah, about eight hundred were executed. But more important, Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord and then announced rain. While Ahab went feasting, Elijah stayed with God, bowed in intercession until there was a cloud. As Ahab scampered home in his chariot, Elijah attempted to run as fast as his legs would carry him. But the ever loving God Whom Elijah obeyed and served lovingly intervened. Elijah not only outran and overtook Ahab: not a single drop of rain touched him. The rewards of obedience, you may say.

Jesus Christ

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

My weaknesses for His strength

His strength for my weaknesses

His blood for my redemption

Wiping away every accusation

His blood for my justification

His blood for my sanctification

Ever flowing, ever cleansing

The most precious fount for humanity

His wealth to lift me out of poverty

His stripes for my healing

His shame for my dignity

His pain for my joy

His humiliation for my dignity

Accomplishments, successes and honor

He lifted me from the dust and ash heap

To royalty, wealth and honor

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