HOW GRATEFUL ARE YOU?
It was the month of November, 2007; I can’t say for a sure the specific day and date but, that particular day is indelible in my memory because of what happened that particular night. My boss has just received a call from a client asking us to come and install our home security gadget in his house in portharcourt.
“We have an installation to do in porthacourt tomorrow, so get prepared to travel to portharcourt for the job” my boss announced,
That particular night seems to be my best night after been employed in our small private company. Someone might ask what is so special about this? You see I have just finished my basic installation training after I was employed just a year after my graduation. After my training, most of the jobs we were getting is just minor job and is of great concern to me since the money I make then is equal to the commission from all the jobs I did, it is purely on the principle of “earn as you work”. Now this particular job is most rewarding job I will be doing in terms of monetary rewards. So, that night before my travel I woke up as earlier as 1am to pray, commit the journey unto the able hands of God and prepare for the journey.
As I was praising and thanking God for that particular potential job, God drops a question in my spirit- HOW GRATEFUL ARE YOU? When this question was asked I have to pause and remain silence, since I have come to know that whenever God ask a question He is not seeking for an answer rather he wants to pass a message through that question. As I seriously ponder on why the question should be asked at this glorious moment that I was lost in the sanctuary of praise, worship and thanksgiving; it was done on me that I have been very ungrateful to God for all the blessings and favour he has granted unto me all this while. Some of the questions the Spirit asked me that particular night are this:
You are now praising and worshiping me just because of this job?
Do you know there are some of your mates academically and age wise who are no longer living today?
Do you know there are some of your mates in school who could not get to final year with you?
What of those who could not graduate due to one academic problem or the other?
Do you still remember that a good number of your mates are just sitting at home waiting for the NYSC?
After considering these series of simple but powerful questions, I can’t but ask God to forgive my ungratefulness.
David was such a man that knows how to always appreciate God for his mercies. No wonder God called him a man after His own heart. Hear the voice of David (the psalmist):
Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits. Psalm, 103VS 1-2.
Let me ask again once again- How grateful are you? This is one of the vital questions you must sincerely answer if you want to live a joyful and happy life. Many Christians today are experts when it comes to making requests and supplication from God but becomes very stingy in thanking God for his mercies and grace. Like Biblical David, we must learn how to thank and appreciate God for his Goodness and mercy in our lives. We should always remember that “thanksgiving is a pre-requisite to unlocking more of God’s blessings, mercy and grace. How often do we easily forget the wonderful and miraculous work of God in our lives and families? Beloved, now let us be sincere to ourselves:
Do you still remember that healing God granted you?
Do you still remember how He graciously saved your soul from the stingy hands of sin?
Do you remember how He granted you that admission even when your performance wasn’t all that wonderful? Or should I ask of the gift of life and health? What of that job, prosperity, life partner? to mention but a few.
I have personally observe that human being are always on the fast lane and are in a haste to ask God for blessings and favours without spending quality time to thank Him for already received ones. Today, you must make it a point of duty to thank Him. Don’t be economical when it comes to praising, worshiping, thanking and dancing for the LORD, they reveal to a great extent the degree of your gratefulness to God.
The best way to measure the degree of your gratefulness to God is to critically analyze your prayer life. What proportion of time do you spend in thanksgiving and adoration? Do the analysis with all sincerity of heart and you will never regret you did.
I have a song I love so much and it is my pleasure to sing it for you. You can also join me to sing it:
OH! LORD, I AM VERY VERY GRATEFUL,
FOR ALL, YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME,
MY GOD I AM VERY VERY GRATEFUL,
AND I AM SAYING THANK JESUS.
THANK YOU MY LORD.
You can go on and worship Him
REMAIN BLESSED
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
NORE MORE HIDING!
NO MORE HIDING!
I have come to realize through experience and observation that one of the greatest undoing of mankind is mans inherent attitude of always trying to hide his sins and mistakes from God and fellow men. In a bid to hide our sins and mistakes from God and fellow human being we do more harm than good to ourselves.
This article which I tittled “NO MORE HIDING” is written so as to expose satans long existing tricks against mankind cum help those who are still struggling with secret sins to be open and sincere to themselves by accepting their sins and mistakes, make confession to God and also go an extra length of looking for an adequate person they can confide in for help.
Juliana (not real name) was just 17 years when she finished her senior secondary certificate examination. She then travels to one of her cousins in Cameroon to spend her summer holidays with him. One thing lead to the other (using her exact words) and she slept with her counsin. While this abomination last for close to three years her cousin took up the responsibility of paying her school fees as well as taking care of her other financial needs; an attitude her parents wrongly interpreted as a kind gesture of her cousin towards her. But, as years roll by Juliana realized that she is no longer her usual self. It all started by having some strange dreams which will shortly after having the dreams began to manifest in her physical life.
From loosing her retentive memory (as she use to be a very intelligent and brilliant young girl) to loosing interest in her looks, depression that its origin is not traceable. The situation got too bad to the extent that whenever she sees any girl who she feels is prettier than herself, she will feel so grieved in her heart. For close to three years she was been tormented by satan until that fateful day.
I had shortly finished presenting a seminar when a young pretty girl handed a letter over to me. Immediately I got home I quickly opened the letter only for me to behold the story of young innocent girl who has fallen victim of molestation by an “occultic cousin”. I wouldn’t want to bother you with all the depressing detail of what happened after her opening up her secret sin to me but, suffice it to say that; today Juliana is now leaving a happy life in Christ.
I know that the story might sound like a mare folktale but believe you me sincerely it is true life story.
Did you remember the incident that took place at the Garden of Eden between God and Adam? Please, permit me to take you to the word of God in Gen 3 VS 10
“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked and I hide myself”.
Reading through this verse a couple of years ago, I began to have a flash back of how I over the years tried to hide my sins and mischief from God and fellow beings. Adam had committed the greatest sin on earth “DISOBEDIENCE TO THE COMMANDMENT And INSTRUCTIONS OF GOD”. He has broken his covenant with God and instead of him to accept his failure and ask God for forgiveness, he chose to hide himself from God regardless of God’s voice calling on him. But, can one really hide himself from God? Hear the word of God through His prophet Jeremiah
“For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes” Jer 16 vs 17.
No matter where we ran to we cannot hide from God. The nakedness of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is of great spiritual significance.
This is one of the greatest strategies satan uses against mankind: (both believers and non-believer) taking them to the so called “hiding place” where he can then finish his wicked work on them. Learn to be “naked” before God, stop hiding those sins, nature, weakness, mistakes etc. After all, he knows about them more than you probally do; He only wants you to admit them and confess and He will forgive and help you out.
As I round up this article, there is this interesting story I would like to share with you.
A boy coming back from bird hunt which proved abortive sighted the duck of his grandmother and decided to try his skill with the sling. “Fiam” the pebble went out and hit the duck straight away on the head and the duck died instantly. The boy in a bid to hide his mischievous act immediately carried the duck to go and hide it only for him to hear the voice of her younger sister calling on him.
Oh! Chinny has seen me he lamented.
Over the months, her younger sister Chinny used this mistake his to subject him to doing all house cores meant for both of them to do by threatening to tell his ground mother that he killed the duck if he refuses to oblige to her request. Until, one day the boy decided that enough is enough by owing up to his ground mother about the incident. To his greatest astonishment, his ground mother also saw him on that fateful day and was just waiting for him to come and confess.
A story you may call it but, how often has satan held us captive in our sins and mistakes by continually accusing us of our past sins and taking undue advantage of us. Don’t listen to him because he is just an accuser, GO AND SORT IT WITH GOD! That is what matters.
It is crucial for all to know this powerful truth. Satan is afraid of light, truth and openness anywhere, anytime.
ONCE AGAIN, NO MORE HIDING!!!
BR. OGUGUA CHINEDU EMMANUEL
I have come to realize through experience and observation that one of the greatest undoing of mankind is mans inherent attitude of always trying to hide his sins and mistakes from God and fellow men. In a bid to hide our sins and mistakes from God and fellow human being we do more harm than good to ourselves.
This article which I tittled “NO MORE HIDING” is written so as to expose satans long existing tricks against mankind cum help those who are still struggling with secret sins to be open and sincere to themselves by accepting their sins and mistakes, make confession to God and also go an extra length of looking for an adequate person they can confide in for help.
Juliana (not real name) was just 17 years when she finished her senior secondary certificate examination. She then travels to one of her cousins in Cameroon to spend her summer holidays with him. One thing lead to the other (using her exact words) and she slept with her counsin. While this abomination last for close to three years her cousin took up the responsibility of paying her school fees as well as taking care of her other financial needs; an attitude her parents wrongly interpreted as a kind gesture of her cousin towards her. But, as years roll by Juliana realized that she is no longer her usual self. It all started by having some strange dreams which will shortly after having the dreams began to manifest in her physical life.
From loosing her retentive memory (as she use to be a very intelligent and brilliant young girl) to loosing interest in her looks, depression that its origin is not traceable. The situation got too bad to the extent that whenever she sees any girl who she feels is prettier than herself, she will feel so grieved in her heart. For close to three years she was been tormented by satan until that fateful day.
I had shortly finished presenting a seminar when a young pretty girl handed a letter over to me. Immediately I got home I quickly opened the letter only for me to behold the story of young innocent girl who has fallen victim of molestation by an “occultic cousin”. I wouldn’t want to bother you with all the depressing detail of what happened after her opening up her secret sin to me but, suffice it to say that; today Juliana is now leaving a happy life in Christ.
I know that the story might sound like a mare folktale but believe you me sincerely it is true life story.
Did you remember the incident that took place at the Garden of Eden between God and Adam? Please, permit me to take you to the word of God in Gen 3 VS 10
“And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked and I hide myself”.
Reading through this verse a couple of years ago, I began to have a flash back of how I over the years tried to hide my sins and mischief from God and fellow beings. Adam had committed the greatest sin on earth “DISOBEDIENCE TO THE COMMANDMENT And INSTRUCTIONS OF GOD”. He has broken his covenant with God and instead of him to accept his failure and ask God for forgiveness, he chose to hide himself from God regardless of God’s voice calling on him. But, can one really hide himself from God? Hear the word of God through His prophet Jeremiah
“For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes” Jer 16 vs 17.
No matter where we ran to we cannot hide from God. The nakedness of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is of great spiritual significance.
This is one of the greatest strategies satan uses against mankind: (both believers and non-believer) taking them to the so called “hiding place” where he can then finish his wicked work on them. Learn to be “naked” before God, stop hiding those sins, nature, weakness, mistakes etc. After all, he knows about them more than you probally do; He only wants you to admit them and confess and He will forgive and help you out.
As I round up this article, there is this interesting story I would like to share with you.
A boy coming back from bird hunt which proved abortive sighted the duck of his grandmother and decided to try his skill with the sling. “Fiam” the pebble went out and hit the duck straight away on the head and the duck died instantly. The boy in a bid to hide his mischievous act immediately carried the duck to go and hide it only for him to hear the voice of her younger sister calling on him.
Oh! Chinny has seen me he lamented.
Over the months, her younger sister Chinny used this mistake his to subject him to doing all house cores meant for both of them to do by threatening to tell his ground mother that he killed the duck if he refuses to oblige to her request. Until, one day the boy decided that enough is enough by owing up to his ground mother about the incident. To his greatest astonishment, his ground mother also saw him on that fateful day and was just waiting for him to come and confess.
A story you may call it but, how often has satan held us captive in our sins and mistakes by continually accusing us of our past sins and taking undue advantage of us. Don’t listen to him because he is just an accuser, GO AND SORT IT WITH GOD! That is what matters.
It is crucial for all to know this powerful truth. Satan is afraid of light, truth and openness anywhere, anytime.
ONCE AGAIN, NO MORE HIDING!!!
BR. OGUGUA CHINEDU EMMANUEL
Monday, September 22, 2008
OBEDIENCE BEFORE PERFECTION
For many people perfection is their watch word but, little did they realize that Obedience should come first. Many great potential has been wasted cos Many potential great people keep on waiting for perfection which may finally not come.God is far more interested in our obedience to his will and instruction than He is in our perfection. Did u notice how He told Abraham to move without giving Him details of where he is going?.
In life, it is crucial for us to learn obedience n make it part of our life rather than keep on waiting for perfection which may nearly be unachievable. Look around u and u will see Mr. "am waiting for the perfect job",Sir."am waiting for the perfect car", can u also see? Miss. "am waiting for the perfect partner" etc. Most often than not we fail to realize that things that are perfect have already come to an end.
This year God has expressly spoken to my heart- 2008 is a year of ACTION. I might not have a blue print of the WHOLE but, I have taken one vital decision -ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE. I have resolved to seek the right things, not perfect things, seek the right people not perfect people, seek the right Job not perfect job, oh! my dear you can help me to name them for I took it for granted u probably know them more than I do.
Once again OBEDIENCE not perfection.
STILL REMEMBER JESUS LOVES U
Bro. Emmanuel
In life, it is crucial for us to learn obedience n make it part of our life rather than keep on waiting for perfection which may nearly be unachievable. Look around u and u will see Mr. "am waiting for the perfect job",Sir."am waiting for the perfect car", can u also see? Miss. "am waiting for the perfect partner" etc. Most often than not we fail to realize that things that are perfect have already come to an end.
This year God has expressly spoken to my heart- 2008 is a year of ACTION. I might not have a blue print of the WHOLE but, I have taken one vital decision -ABSOLUTE OBEDIENCE. I have resolved to seek the right things, not perfect things, seek the right people not perfect people, seek the right Job not perfect job, oh! my dear you can help me to name them for I took it for granted u probably know them more than I do.
Once again OBEDIENCE not perfection.
STILL REMEMBER JESUS LOVES U
Bro. Emmanuel
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