The People in Your Life

Author Unknown

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you know which one it is, you will know what to do with/for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support,

To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.

They may seem like a godsend, and they are.

They are there for the reason you need them.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.

Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.

They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.

They may teach you something you have never done.

They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Meditation: As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. – Proverbs 27:17

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Insights From Psalm 23: A Line-by-Line Exposition

The Lord is my Shepherd [Who purchased me at a very high price – the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son. As a sheep, I know nothing of myself, nor can take any independent action on my own that will do me much good (Psalm 95:7, 100:3). Therefore, as my Shepherd, He is the One responsible for my feeding, guidance, protection and general well being.];

I shall not want [Because my Shepherd, Who is the Owner of the heavens, the earth and all its fullness, ‘supplies all my needs, as they arise from time to time, according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:13)].

He makes me to lie down in green pastures [He locates and establishes me in conducive environments – in my house, my business, my school, my company, my church, my ministry, and my world in general);

He leads me beside the still waters [He gives me restful means of sustenance that are without stress, pain or any trouble to draw from].

He restores my soul [He renews and refreshes my spirit, soul and body with all the good things they need for health and maximum performance).

He leads me in the paths of righteousness [(Psalm 78:52) So that I do not stray from the right course in my exuberance or ignorance, not because I merit it, but]

For His name’s sake [Because He has the reputation of being The Good Shepherd, who can never abscond His responsibilities nor change His nature from good to bad (John 14:1). That is the reason I am assured that I am in a good hand and that…]

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death [Even when I find myself in dangerous or life-threatening situations that portend evil or great calamity] I will fear no evil [Why?]

For You are with me [Since I am not leading myself anyway, but I am a protégé of The Good Shepherd].

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me [Instead of beating and intimidating me, even when I get presumptuous and behave wrongly as I tend to do from time to time, You only use Your shepherd’s rod to gently guide me back to the right course, without any mark of harm or injury on my body].

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies [Without them being able to do anything to stop me from enjoying the delicacies. Why? Because you are right there watching over me to ensure that I’m safe. While my enemies are only confined to a distance, glaring at me morosely without their being able to do anything to harm me. And they dare not move near, otherwise they will have to contend with You, the Mighty Man in battle].

You anoint my head with oil [of gladness and ability to do all that you have nurtured me to do],

My cup runs over [Because you simply did not stop pouring on me until I am overflowed with the abundance of your goodness].

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me [Not sorrow, not sadness, not disaster, not mourning, not fear, not evil, not grief, not poverty, not frustration, not failure, nor pain, but goodness and mercy shall be my experience]

All the days of my life [that is all the Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays that I live!],

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord [Since that is where He will always lead me to for rest. For He will never leave me in the house of a stranger. Therefore, I am certain of always being in His pleasurable presence during the day (Psalm 16:11) and the secret place of His fortress in the night (Psalm 31:20)]

Forever [and ever. That is as long as I am here on earth, and even when I transit to heaven above. Amen].

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

The Angry Evangelist

Author Unknown

One day a local evangelist bragged during a crusade that his God was more able than all the other gods and the powers that the villagers worshiped put together. Just then, rainstorm sounds started sounding overhead, threatening the progress of the crusade. The evangelist lifted up his voice and declared with confidence that if the rains fell, then he wasn’t a man of God; he would stop preaching!

Before he could finish his bluff, the rains began to hit the crusade grounds so vehemently, as if in disregard of his declarations. The whole town left the crusade grounds to their houses, shaking their heads in disappointment and dismay.

The evangelist, so distraught and angry, packed his belongings and left the town the next day. On his way through the next town, he checked into a local drinking pub and drank himself to stupor. As he laid on the ground cursing God, an old seedy looking man tapped him gently on the shoulder.

“Man of God”, the old man greeted. But the evangelist quickly cut in, “Don’t mention the name of God to me. He is fake. He is unreliable. I am no longer a believer in this God. A God who chooses to disgrace his servants. Leave me alone!”

But the old man would not let him be. He continued, “I am the fetish priest in the village you just preached at. During your one week stay in that village, you destroyed all the charms I had used to bind the people for 45 years. Your prayers and your words always came with some fearful fire. I tried so many times to eliminate you but i couldn’t. My last chance came yesterday. I had loaded my gun with gunpowder lying wait on the mountaintop where I had a very clear view of you.

“My plan was to shoot you from a distance since i couldn’t get close enough to you due to the fire around you. But just when I lifted the gun, the rains came from nowhere, wetting my gunpowder and covering you in a cloud such that I couldn’t even see you. All I saw was a bright man holding a sword in front of you.

“I was so terrified. I concluded that your God was indeed all powerful and Almighty. That is why I’ve been looking for you since then. I want to follow this your God!”

The ex-evangelist bowed his head in shame.

Dear friends, sometimes, it is just wise for us to believe that our Father knows the way He is taking us. We should just trust His leading. Let our boast be in the Lord, not in ourselves. If we decree a thing and it doesn’t happen, let us not see it as disappointment or dishonour from the Father. Let us just believe that the Father wants his perfect will to be done in all things.

Meditation: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

All He Had to Offer

“Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” – Mark 10:15

Here is a story, about a nine-year-old boy who lived in a rural town in Tennessee. His house was in a poor area of the community. A church there had a bus ministry that came knocking on his door one Saturday afternoon. The child came to answer the door and greeted the bus pastor.

The bus pastor asked if his parents were home and the small boy told him that his parents take off every weekend and leave him at home to take care of his little brother. The bus pastor couldn’t believe what the child said and asked him to repeat it. The youngster gave the same answer and the bus pastor asked to come in and talk with him. They went into the living room and sat down on an old couch with the foam and springs exposed. The bus pastor asked the child, “Where do you go to church?”

The young boy surprised the visitor by replying, “I’ve never been to church in my whole life.” The bus pastor thought to himself about the fact that his church was less than three miles from the child’s house.

“Are you sure you have never been to church?” he asked again.

“I’m sure I haven’t,” came his answer.

Then the bus pastor said, “Well, son, more important than going to church, have you ever heard the greatest love story ever told?” and then he proceeded to share the Gospel with this little nine-year-old boy.

The young lad’s heart began to be tenderized and at the end of the bus pastor’s story, the bus pastor asked if the boy wanted to receive this free gift from God. The youngster exclaimed, “OF COURSE!”

The child and the bus pastor got on their knees and the lad invited Jesus into his little heart and received the free gift of salvation. They both stood up and the bus pastor asked if he could pick the child up for church the next morning.

“Sure,” the nine year old replied.

The bus pastor got to the house early the next morning and found the lights off. He let himself in and snaked his way through the house and found the little boy asleep in his bed. He woke up the little boy and his brother and  helped get them dressed. They got on the bus and ate a doughnut for breakfast on their way to church.

Keep in mind that this boy had never been to church before.

The church was a real big one. The little child just sat there, clueless of what was going on. A few minutes into the service, these tall unhappy guys walked down to the front and picked up some wooden plates. One of the men prayed and the child, with utter fascination, watched them walk up and down the aisles. He still didn’t know what was going on. Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, it hit the child what was taking place.

These people must be giving money to Jesus. He then reflected on the free gift of life he had received just twenty-four hours earlier. He immediately searched his pockets, front and back, and couldn’t find a thing to give Jesus.

By this time the offering plate was being passed down his aisle and, with a broken heart, he just grabbed the plate and held on to it. He finally let go and watched it pass on down the aisle. He turned around to see it passed down the aisle behind him. And then his eyes remained glued on the plate as it was passed back and forth, back and forth all the way to the rear of the sanctuary.

Then he had an idea. This little nine-year-old boy, in front of God and everybody, got up out of his seat. He walked about eight rows back, grabbed the usher by the coat and asked to hold the plate one more time. Then he did the most astounding thing I have ever heard of. He took the plate, sat it on the carpeted church floor and stepped into the center of it.

As he stood there, he lifted his little head up and said, “Jesus, I don’t have anything to give you today, but just me. I give you me!”

The Lord Jesus admonished that we need the faith and attitude of a child to enter the kingdom of God. God is not interested in our resources as much as He is interested in our hearts in endless communion with Him.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Four Boyfriends

Once upon a time, there was a girl who had four boyfriends.

She loved the fourth boyfriend the most, adorned him with rich robes, and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the very best.

She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighbouring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.

She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.

The girl’s first boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him!

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, I’ll be all alone.’

Thus, she asked the fourth boyfriend, ‘I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?’

‘No way!’ replied the fourth boyfriend, and he walked away without another word.

His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.

The sad girl then asked the third boyfriend, ‘I loved you all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?’

‘No!’ replied the third boyfriend. ‘Life is too good! When you die, I’m going to marry someone else!’

Her heart sank and turned cold.

She then asked the second boyfriend, ‘I have always turned to you for help and you’ve always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?’

‘I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!’ replied the second boyfriend. ‘At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.’

His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out: ‘I’ll go with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.’

The girl looked up, and there was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect.

Greatly grieved, the girl said, ‘I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!’

In truth, you have four boyfriends in your life:

Your fourth boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish on making it look good, it will leave you when you die.

Your third boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth. When you die, it will all go to others.

Your second boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave.

And your first boyfriend is your Soul; often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world.

However, your Soul is the only thing that will follow you wherever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity.

Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you’re in the perfect position to pray. Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

The True Test

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. – 2 Corinthians 13:5

When asked to define knowledge, someone said, “Knowledge is not what you can remember but what you cannot forget.” Another person responded, “Knowledge is what you can remember after you have forgotten what you have been taught.” These may sound paradoxical, but they ring true. That a student answers questions in a class does not mean he has a good knowledge of the subject. The teacher uses a test or an examination to judge him.

In the same vein, the true test of faith is not when everything around you is all roses and no thorns, but rather when challenges of life are starring you in the eyes and literally telling you ‘God’s word may not be true.’ Moreover, that God gave a word does not mean it will come to fulfilment unchallenged. He said He had made Abraham the father of many nations but Abraham still had to believe so he might become the father of many nations, which God had already made him (Romans 4:17-18).

Being Christians is not proved by how much of scriptures we can quote – which, of course, is not bad in itself – but how much we love other believers (John 13:35); how we accept those of different doctrines from ours and love our unbelieving neighbours.

Your readiness to give is not truly tested when you have $1,000 and you can offer $50 to someone in need. Of course, you have done well; but when all you have is $5 and you are willing to split that into two in order to give someone in need is when the depth of your love can be measured.

Adversities remain the true test of our inner strength. That is why ‘if you faint in the days of adversity, your strength is small’ (Proverbs 24:10)! So, let’s not go about with the theories of faith, character, knowledge, patience, etc. We earn God’s approval and the respect of others when we put them into practice. To do the right thing will always be tasking, but the reward is more than sure.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Healed and Whole

One day I dug a little hole,

and put my hurt inside

I thought that I could just forget

I’d put it there to hide.

But that little hurt began to grow,

I covered it every day

I couldn’t leave it and go on

It seemed the price I had to pay.

My joy was gone,

my heart was sad,

pain was all I knew.

My wounded soul enveloped me

Loving seemed too hard to do.

One day, while standing by my hole,

I cried to God above

And said, “If You are really there,

They say, You’re a God of Love!”

And just like that,

He was right there,

And just put His arms around me

He wiped my tears,

his hurting child there was no safer place to be.

I told Him all about my hurt,

I opened up my heart

He listened to each and every word

to every sordid part.

I dug down deep and got my hurt

I brushed the dirt away

And placed it in the Master’s hand

and healing came that day.

He took the blackness of my soul

and set my spirit FREE!

Something beautiful began to grow

where the hurt used to be.

And when I look at what has grown

Out of my tears and pain

I remember every day

to give my hurts to GOD

And never bury them again.

Have faith in our Loving God.

There is nothing in this world

too big for our LORD.

Meditation: casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7

You will succeed in Jesus Name!