NO! I DON'T NEED ANYONE'S TROUBLE.

Jesus' interaction with the man with an unclean spirit in the book of Mark 5: 1-20 is quite instructive in that it gives us a window into the principle of transference of challenges and troubles.

Sad as it sounds, we understand from this reading that troubles can be shifted from one spot to another and challenges can move from one being to a different one.

Hmm! Does that mean that whatever is responsible for the restlessness and oppression that individuals, organizations and nations face, can be relocated to another place? Yes!

The Legions responsible for tormenting the man were moved from his body into pigs, who later drowned.

Why is this important to us?

Troubles and challenges have underlying causes or 'Legions' responsible for them. In addition, people and places often act as 'containers' and 'carriers' for these troubles and challenges.

While it was not mentioned how the Legions got to occupy the man's life, we note from Jesus' comments that the man found mercy in God's sight.

Mercy, of course, is always needed where transgression abounds, and unclean spirits cannot dominate a life truly devoted to God.

Friends, please live Godly and guide your heart. Sin attracts trouble, and ungodliness can open our lives to strange and tormenting spirits.

May another person's trouble not come upon us in Jesus name.

MY SWORD, HIS PLAN.

Peter's story in John 18 and Matthew 26 is very instructive. A mild drama where he inflicted injury on Malchus out of unguarded passion, anger and the need to defend Jesus.

Of course, Jesus rebuked Peter and remedied the situation, letting Peter know that having a 'sword' does not mean it should be used anyhow.

A 'sword' can be a special ability or influence. It can be a position, a platform or a skill, e.g., to write, talk etc.

If a 'sword' is misused, it may land the user in trouble. In fact, according to Jesus, whoever kills with a 'sword', will also die with a 'sword'.

Interestingly, Jesus further explained to Peter that His arrest was part of a divine plan.

Wow! By trying to 'defend' Jesus, Peter was obstructing a divine plan?

Well, if we fail to understand God's agenda for a season or His purpose for a situation, and we slash others with our 'sword', we should expect to bear the outcome of our action.

Our intention may be nice, but our timing and execution may be completely wrong. Unfortunately, we may have to suffer the consequences of our misjudgment even while claiming to be 'doing God's work'.

May we not be LIABLE for our misbehavior where we should have been REASONABLE and guided with our 'sword'.

photo credit: stephendelacruz

The ALM AND THE BALM

Life can be interesting.

In Acts 3, a crippled man made a living out of begging for alms close to the gate of a church.

While others would go into the church to pray at the hour of prayer, this man was laid at the church's gate for sympathizers to toss him some coins.

The people who brought him there daily left him at the gate and would not take him into the church. 

But why was he not taken into the church to pray as well? Perhaps God might have healed him all these years. 

Well, that's one of the ironies of life – it could be that the people who brought him daily were satisfied with him begging rather than being healed, or the crippled man himself viewed begging as an easier way to get by. After all, he cannot walk; he has a genuine excuse.

Thank God for Peter and John who, rather than give ALM, called the BALM in Gilead to heal the crippled man. Why give him what will keep him crippled and not make him walk?

Please, here is my point – there are times you may need 'alms' in life, but do not settle for it as an occupation. Begging can become a hold that keeps you at the same spot for a long period. Break free and regain your dignity.

Allow God to intervene in your situation, and you will never need to beg for 'alms' again. 

In verse 8 of Acts 3, after being healed, the man now entered the church. Wow! At last, he entered the church to praise his God.

 

Friends, it’s time to walk; it's time to serve the Lord without crutches. May you be free in Jesus' name.

David, my friend.

My dear friend David. Yes, you are a giant-killer, but your throne may not be ready yet.

Yes, you have charisma, but you may need time to develop the right character to rule when the time is right.

Watch the songs that are being composed with your name attached to it. 'Saul killed a thousand and David killed ten thousand' is not a song for you to dance to.

Distance yourself from this song and their composers. If possible, hide yourself for a while for God to tutor you more.

Do not let your praise-singers make you see Saul as your next 'uncircumcised Philistine' for his head to also roll.

Saul must not die in your hands. Remember, Saul is still anointed of God and he is still the King.

Photo credit: sharefaith.com

An application to ‘My Future’ – A Satire.

Dear ‘My Future’,

 

Please accept this letter as my formal application for the position of ‘An Individual With A Great Future’.

 

I am a young, active, brilliant professional who, for reasons of being idle and confused, now channels my energy and resources into creating ‘go-to’ platforms where ‘breaking news’ are shared.

 

Over the last couple of years, I have become technologically savvy, with great proficiency in phone usage. My two most-used functionalities are ‘record’ and ‘send’. Whether it makes sense or not, I record it and post it online. It is a fast world and whoever breaks the ‘news’ first gets the most attention. Therefore, I really do not have the time to verify before I amplify any message.

 

While I could be using my time online to learn new life, business, and career-transforming skills, I see more opportunities in peddling rumors and viewing meaningless videos.

 

I have built a qualitative experience ‘forwarding’ unnecessary, unsolicited and unverified messages to people. In particular, when there is a promise that ‘god’ will bless me, I usually make sure such messages are sent out with utmost urgency. Whatever is sent to me – profanity, etc., my contact lists must receive them.

 

When it comes to recording, sharing and forwarding ‘news’, nobody is spared – my friends, pastor, manager, colleagues, and family members.

 

Recently, in response to one of my posts, somebody told me I may be ruining my future gradually, by maligning others. I immediately rejected that negative suggestion in ‘jesus’ name. My portion in life is to succeed and succeed I must, especially in this ‘content-hungry’ world.

 

The beeps from the different likes on my posts wake me up in the morning, and in going to bed at night, I regularly peruse what needs to be posted the next day. Keeping my seven social media platforms active everyday has been a great delight, and I hope to sustain this momentum as I take up the role of ‘An Individual With A Great Future.’

 

Please give utmost consideration to these invaluable experiences I have noted above in your decision.

  

I look forward to hearing from you and will appreciate an opportunity to discuss further with you soon.

 

Sincerely,

 

The Guy With A Doubtful Future.

Say something; do something.

Silence, they say, is golden but silence could sometimes breed indifference and characterize our existence with no relevance.

Indeed, there are times to keep quiet and understand the interconnections between issues before lending our voice or taking any action. However, there are also times when keeping quiet becomes a crime of unpardonable magnitude.

To many, the fear of being misunderstood or criticized often perpetuates silence; the concern with being labeled or rejected often causes folly to take center-stage while wisdom goes into hiding.

Perfection would cripple taking initiatives; the dread of making mistakes will birth sons and daughters of Inertia. Imperfection, failure, and fear, however, are building blocks of success.

What we don’t say will not be said; what we don’t do, will not be done.

Life is like a vapor; it might have dispersed by the time we are ready to talk or act. The days of every human are similar to a patch of cloud in the sky, they might have moved on by the time we find it comfortable to use our voice and might.

On matters of fulfilling our purpose, silence is not an option. When it comes to voicing out where our voice is needed, inaction becomes an offense. Remember the Good Book also says that if anyone knows how to do good and fails to act, then to him or her, it is wrongdoing.

The clock is ticking fast, our purpose has waited too long at our doors.

Today is the day to embrace the reason for our existence - to say something and be known for something, to do something, and to be remembered for something. It may just be too late if we push it till tomorrow.

Oh! It's June 19th

If history matters, then today matters in history.

Call it Freedom Day, Emancipation Day or Liberation Day, you are still referring to a day, one hundred and fifty-five (155) years ago, when chains were broken off the hands, necks, and legs of men and women of color in the United States.

Following up on President Lincoln’s Proclamation two and a half years earlier, slavery was officially ended on this day, and African-American men and women forced into servitude in the United States were free to go.

Indeed, the horror and pain of the dastardly period of slavery in history still linger today and systemic exclusion and suppression of men and women of color still exist, we, however, rejoice that the chains and shackles that once defined our identities are gone.

And although rough and tough, the path to reclaiming the dignity and opportunity that life should have brought is still on for all blacks and all humans deprived everywhere.

On a day like this, we are reminded that evil exists but will not last forever. Perpetrators of evil acts will be brought to justice someday and posterity may not forgive evildoers.

At a time like this, we are consoled that those bounded against their wish will be free, hope will be restored, life will be dignified and God will be glorified.

It’s June 19th, it’s another day in history.

The Other Side of COVID-19

In starting out, let’s get it straight – NOTHING happens without God’s knowledge. The Almighty God can speak through ‘anything’ He desires to use.

Recognizing the sensitivity of the moments that we are in, I make bold that COVID-19 is a messenger, and God is talking through this scourge.

The ‘lockdowns’, ‘isolations’, and ‘quarantines’ in our nations, and communities are creating unique opportunities for self-reflection. The economic, political, and religious slowdowns are bringing many to their senses, which might have been dormant for a while.

Many are now confronted with the futility of life and are coming to terms with the danger of locking God out of their existence. They are now making their ways right with their creator in genuine salvation.

The shrines (traditional and religious) and their ‘operators’ are seeing less or no traffic. Consultations over the phone or online are practically impossible – unfortunately, most of them run a face-to-face model of operation. Hunger is biting the grandmasters, and the charlatan preachers hard. They will need the Almighty God to survive and not their idols and voiceless gods.

The streetwalkers are in hiding, the raiders, under lock and key. Fewer or no gunshots are heard in our communities, more runaway kids are now forced to attend, ‘life tutorial sessions’ at home with their parents and guardians.

A lot of prodigal sons and daughters are now coming back to their knees in prayer. Many self-anointed ‘representatives’ of God, are now being exposed - their scam ministries anchored on magic and sweet words are crumbling like a pack of cards in their faces.

Several demons are out of work; hell is seeing less patronage. Those who are leaving mother earth now are having their opportunities to pray and confess their sins before departing. Many, are now calling on God for their safety. Satan – the father of wickedness, is certainly not happy.

The name of God, like a seismic wave, is taking over our health care facilities, government houses, medical laboratories, and parliaments. Revival is enveloping our air and internet-waves.

The level of human kindness and collective rallying that we are experiencing is unprecedented.

God is talking and a million conspiracy theories will not diffuse His message.

Post-COVID-19, some will come out strong and sadly, others will not come out at all. Some ventures will disappear and others will emerge.

In closing, May God blesses and protects every front-line worker, leader, and all individual managing COVID-19 globally. May He (God) also console and strengthen every family where there has been any human or material loss due to this pandemic.

Manager and Leaders Should Unite Their Teams

There are a number of management or leadership styles and each or a combination of two or more styles can be applied to address specific situations as required. Democratic, transformational, laissez-faire, etc. are some examples of management and leadership styles. No matter the style(s) that is applied, leaders and managers must demonstrate fairness and integrity and ensure they do not create cracks in the walls of their team or group.

If managers or leaders run a system that supports segregation, favoritism or unhealthy competition, disunity will be the outcome. Any authority figure that acts on hearsay, prejudice or frequent compromise will hamper the spirit of togetherness.

All humans are not created with the same abilities. Some individuals will excel faster than others. Some would have to think long before coming to a decision. A good management or leadership style is to identify this uniqueness of human nature and leverage it to achieve the objectives that are set for the moment.

It is important to note that people observe what managers or leaders do and can see and feel their sense of judgment and decision as authority figures.

Managers and leaders should welcome the opinions of their followers and should avoid sliding into autocracy in presenting their ideas. This approach can steer up the spirit of infighting and disunity among team members.

Communication is a key skill every manager or leader needs. When ideas are properly communicated and there is room for seeking clarity and being heard, the tendency for such ideas to be embraced is high. With embracing a manager or leader's idea, the followers or team members would typically unite to ensure that the idea is actualized.

Managers and leaders are key to building a strong team and fostering unity within their team will be an important task they need to achieve.

There may not be time for waiting

All leaders should able to clearly articulate their vision and direction and seek buy-in and ownership of such vision from their followers. However, in fulfilling some time-sensitive and life-determining responsibilities, there may not enough time for leaders to bring each of their followers on board.

This is because there are instances where some followers may constitute a system of delay or rebellion towards their leaders’ vision, no matter how clearly such vision has been articulated or communicated.

True leaders cannot necessarily delay their moving forward if some individuals are bent on not submitting to such leaders’ direction.

For example, in the Bible, the city of Sodom was to be destroyed and speed would be required for safety. No one would have to look back if they needed to be safe. The instruction and direction were very clear. There was no opportunity to start discussing the divine instruction that was already received, which was not to look back. Someone, however, chose to look back; if the other individual – the leader, in this case looked back, there would have been more casualty.

Also, in the Bible, the Ark, which Noah constructed at God’s instruction, had time to close, some of the animals and humans already settled in it. Those who decided not to enter would not cause the door of the ark to be opened forever – the flood is on its way. The leader had to close the door for the Ark to begin its journey.

Leadership is tough because there are often tough decisions to be made – tough decisions like not waiting for everyone to come on board before moving on.

Do What You’ve Been Sent to Do.

Some days are just discouraging; there are moments when we just want to take a break from everything, including the things we are called to do. On days like these, God somehow reminds us why we cannot stop. For me, one such day was Saturday morning, August 24, 2019.

I would scribble a few words daily on my Facebook page but on this fateful morning, I came to the brink of giving up on this daily task.

I know I had received some instructions on why I should continuously keep up with this routine but the challenges of life that encompassed me about this time were almost subduing me. I didn’t write any word for that morning.

Later that morning, I struggled to attend an earlier-scheduled, out-of-town meeting. Just about when we were prepping to start the meeting, one of the attendees approached me and said:

“I’ve been following your postings on Facebook and they have been helpful. Whenever I am done my quiet time and I am on my way to work, I look at them. They’ve been very encouraging and inspiring. Keep it up, you never know the lives you touch.”

I stared astonishingly at this individual, took a long deep sigh and once I regained my breath, expressed my sincere appreciation to him. The message was very clear to me – I must get back to work and keep doing what I have been asked to do no matter what was going on in my life.

It may be tough but we must not give up. We may be in pain but must not fail to speak words of redemption to those who need to hear them. No matter what life throws at us, we must do what we have been sent to do.

Be Creative; Solve a Problem

A few years ago, I needed a pair of cufflinks for a pink shirt I was wearing to an occasion. I could afford to buy new cufflinks but there were conflicting priorities for the money I had. Looking around the house, I stumbled on a roll of pink thread and from one of my old dress shirts, I plucked out four buttons. Off I went to work on my ‘homemade cufflinks’. In about twenty minutes, a set of ‘new cufflinks’ was ready.

My pink shirt, tucked under a grey blazer and into a dark brown trouser, was graced with my new ‘cufflinks’. My look was elegant and the occasion was a success. I couldn’t be prouder of the outcome.

In life, situations will arise where our creativity will be needed. Our ability to think deeply and broadly would often be required to bring about a change of situation for the better.

Rather than dwelling endlessly on a problem, it's better to focus on finding a solution to it. Every human has the inert capability to think and come up with ideas.

The solution that we need may often come from ‘mixing and matching’ the resources that are already at our disposal. We may not need to spend extra money, bring in external help or travel far and wide to resolve the challenge we have at hand.

Humans are created to solve problems. This is why we exist and this why we are alive.

Private Victory Qualifies for Public Triumph.

Every battle in life is a battle. There is nothing like small battles or big battles. There is a universal opponent and the difference with battles is generally whether they are private or public; whether they are under one’s roof or outside of one’s home.

It’s a mistake to discount the victories one secures in what may appear as 'little battles'. The so-called 'little battles' are the crucibles that build everyone up for the bigger fights ahead.

Needless to say, the battles we win in life determine the titles we have. No Battles, No Titles.

Hence, to be crowned and be celebrated, we should keep building our moral, spiritual, emotional energies from the private battles we engage in. We should fight for our family, job, faith and secure ourselves as well. We will soon have opportunities to knock down the 'Goliaths'.

By killing 'Lions and Bears' in private, we build the confidence and energy necessary to kill the 'Goliaths' in public. 

It’s risky to go after the ‘Whole’.

Recently, I was reading about how an ‘Individual A’ grossly attacked and bad-mouthed a group of people simply because ‘Individual A’ did not agree with the views of an ‘Individual B’, who is a member of this group.

Individual A uttered disparaging words and stopped at nothing to trample on the values and identity of these group of people as a way of getting back to Individual B. To Individual A, everyone and everything around Individual B should be devalued and pulled into a fight of words.

Individual A was on the loose - caution had been thrown into the air.

In and around us, there are a lot ‘Individual As’ who are running around like deadly cannons ready to unload harmful words at a group of people they hardly know or understand. To these ‘Individual As’, their fallouts with or lack of understanding of the ‘Individual Bs’, should carry painful consequences for all that is connected to the ‘Individual Bs’.

Goliath was an example of an ‘Individual A’, who ran Israel down with demeaning words, more so when one ‘Individual B’ – David, showed up in a battle with him and did not meet his expectation of a challenger. David angered Goliath and entire Israel would have to pay for it.

Unfortunately for Goliath, he did not realize that Israel was a ‘part’ of a ‘whole’. The ‘whole’ responded - the God of Israel did not stay quiet and Goliath never had another opportunity to utter any further words.

Attacking the ‘whole’ because of one’s displeasure with a ‘part’ is foolish and unsafe. Denigrating an entire nation, a tribe, a community or a family because of one’s disagreement with a person or a few people is appalling. For example, going after Christianity because of the ‘sin’ of a single Christian is needless and a waste of time. Attacking a nation because of one ‘bad egg’ is immature and a disappointment.

We should learn to take up our issues with the ‘part’ and leave the ‘whole’ out of our disparaging and childish renditions.

It is dangerous if we invite the ‘whole’ to a fight that should only have the ‘part’. We may underestimate the power of the ‘whole’ and thereby bring unnecessary repercussions on ourselves. The strength of the ‘whole’ may overwhelm and suppress us if the ‘whole’ decides to come after us.

History - for the first time.

History was made yesterday - May 30th at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada; it was the first time, in its 73 years of existence, that the NBA finals was played outside of the shores of the United States. 

Toronto Raptors, the only Canadian team in the NBA, made it to the finals. They had initially made history by winning the Eastern Conference finals for the first time ever.

A lot of first times - yes, we are in the days where new records are being set - the days where what used to be impossible are now becoming possible. The days where I believe something good is about to happen to you too for the first time.

Friends, don’t underestimate yourself; don’t undervalue the possibilities that your life can produce. Believe in God and believe in yourself. You can also set new records in your own area of assignment.

Know what you have been called to do and apply yourself diligently and prayerfully to it. 

You may be discouraged sometimes, don’t give in or give up. With God on your side, the world will read your own ‘first-time’ story very soon.

Be proud of what you do.

I was scanning through LinkedIn recently and I stumbled on the profile of a gentleman with the job title ‘Dishwasher at Boston Pizza’. He also listed data management and other skills on his profile.

Dishwasher! I thought for a second. Shortly after, a bright smile slipped through my face. I smiled because I see a man who is not afraid to let the world know what he does for a living. I see a man who sees nothing unprofessional about washing dishes. I see a man who alongside listing his job title, was also bold to state his other technical and transferable skills. I see a man who wants to do more in life.

There is an old saying that ‘there is dignity in labor’ and at the core of this saying is the philosophy that everyone should be proud of what they do once it is legitimate and not destructive to others.

As humans, we pass through phases in life and sometimes to successfully get through these phases, we may have to adapt to a different situation than the one we like or are familiar with. For example, to manage through a tight budget or low income, one may have to shop at a thrift or discount store rather than at a boutique or a large retail store. This ‘shift’ may appear demeaning but may be the only way to get back on one’s feet without being heavily indebted or dependent on others.

Embracing less rewarding or less dignifying opportunities or choices may get one’s ‘foot in the door’ in accessing the next level. Rather than idling away in the name of waiting for the next big break, take what you have for now and run with it. God rewards diligence.

Being thankful, maintaining a good attitude and keeping one’s vision alive will be important in adapting to new phases in life. Staying humble and teachable and remaining uncompromising with one’s will to come out better will also be essential.

Lastly, be proud of what you do and do not be afraid to let the world know about it.

The Earth is God's

The earth is the Lord's and its fullness. The earth does not belong to us. We should know our boundaries and stop overstepping our reach through negative utterances upon the earth.

The leadership and governance structures in our nations may not be functional and the value placed on human lives may be disappointing, notwithstanding, we should be hopeful, prayerful and of good character.

All nations belong to God and He has a divine mandate for each one, regardless of the challenges each faces.

We should bless not curse; we should pray for peace and prosperity not wish for destruction and doom.

The scriptures enjoins us to pray for the peace of our 'Jerusalem' so we can do well in our land.

#IwillBLESSnotCURSE.

Words do grow

Words are seeds; if you plant them enough, you will reap their harvest - good or bad.

Never speak ill of yourself, family, organization, church or nation. Don't join others in doing so too.

If you curse your 'land', you are cursing yourself because you are a part of that 'land'.

#IwillBLESSnotCURSE

Be Wise

Be wise!

WASTERS don't become MASTERS at anything.

Manage your 'oil' (i.e resources - spiritual, financial etc.) well, so you are not empty when the 'bridegroom' (the real deal) appears.

Don't waste your time, money, anointing etc. on fruitless activities. Stay on course and stay on guard.

Be wise!

Upgrade your GPS

A couple months ago, I was to meet a group of friends living in a newly developed housing sub-division within my city for a brief meeting. I was running late, so I quickly grabbed my car GPS and punched in the address. Lo and behold, the GPS could not find the location. I tried it twice and the result was the same.

Glancing quickly at my wristwatch and realizing I had spent about four minutes fiddling with this GPS, I picked up my mobile phone and punched in the same address into it. Like a swift flash, the location popped up, with clear coordinates and estimated arrival time. Staring quickly at my wristwatch again, I humbly remembered that unlike my mobile phone which updates itself regularly, my car GPS has not been updated recently.

In life, because we could not find certain things e.g. opportunities do not mean they are non-existent. We may be applying an outdated approach, tool or means in our search.

Like the GPS, there are new ‘locations’ and ‘territories’ being are added to our path. To achieve our assignment here on earth, we would need to upgrade our capabilities and employ better tools to discover these ‘locations’ and ‘territories’.

The sling and stone that brought victory yesterday might not be enough to challenge the new enemies we are to face today. We may need chariots. The thirty-two thousand soldiers we are gallantly marshaling to war might be filled with fear-laden, strategy-lacking men who would not deliver the battle into our hands. God would have to intervene to trim our troop and position only three-hundred combatants for victory.

My mobile phone saved the day but what if my car GPS was the only gadget I had. It would have needed an upgrade to get me to my destination.