The Bible is "the Creator's manual for maximised living" because it contains time-tested laws and principles, among other information, that are integral to maximal living. Its age notwithstanding, its precepts continue to hold true at all times. And while other literatures depreciate with exposure, the Bible defies the law of diminishing return; the more you read, the more you discover. Here, I have the honour of sharing some of the lessons I am learning from this great Book. Enjoy!
Monday, June 19, 2023
The Woodpecker's Story
Saturday, June 17, 2023
The Master's Expectations
A butcher watching over his shop is really surprised when he sees a dog coming inside the shop. He ‘shoos’ him away. But later, the dog is back again.
So, he goes over to the dog and notices it has a note in its mouth. He takes the note and it reads, “Can I have 12 sausages and a leg of lamb, please?”
The dog has money in its mouth, as well. The butcher looks inside and, low and behold, there is a $10 note there. So he takes the money and puts the sausages and lamb in a bag, placing it in the dog’s mouth. The butcher is so impressed, and since it’s about closing time, he decides to shut the shop and follow the dog. So off he goes.
The dog is walking down the street, when it comes to a level crossing the dog puts down the bag, jumps up and presses the button.
Then it waits patiently, bag in mouth, for the lights to turn. They do, and it walks across the road, with the butcher following him all the way.
The dog then comes to a bus stop and starts looking at the timetable. The butcher is in awe as the dog stops a bus by pulling its left leg up and gets in it. The butcher follows the dog into the bus.
The dog then shows a ticket, which is tied to its belt, to the bus conductor. The butcher is nearly fainting at this sight, so are the other passengers on the bus.
The dog then sits near the driver’s seat looking outside waiting for the bus stop to come. As soon as the stop is in sight, the dog stands and wags its tail to inform the conductor.
Then, without waiting for the bus to stop completely, it jumps out of the bus and runs to a house very close to the stop. It opens the big iron gate and rushes inside towards the door.
As it approaches the wooden door, the dog suddenly changes its mind and heads towards the garden. It goes to the window, and beats its head against it several times, walks back, jumps off, and waits at the door.
The butcher watches as a big guy opens the door, and starts abusing the dog, kicking him and punching him, and swearing at him.
The butcher, surprised with this, runs up, and stops the guy. “What in heaven’s name are you doing? The dog is a genius. He could be on TV, for the life of me!” to which the guy responds:
“You call this clever? This is the second time that this stupid dog’s forgotten his key this week!”
Moral of the story: You may continue to exceed onlookers’ expectations, but may fall short of the master’s expectations.
— Author Unknown
Meditation: So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do. – Luke 17:10
You will succeed in Jesus Name!
Interest Is Not Enough
Friday, June 16, 2023
Bad Luck, Good Luck
An ancient Chinese story:
A farmer had one old horse that he used for tilling his fields. One day the horse escaped into the hills and when all the farmer’s neighbours heard about it, they sympathized with the old man over his bad luck. “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?” said the farmer.
A week later, the horse returned with a herd of wild horses from the hills and this time the neighbours congratulated the farmer on his good luck. “Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?” said the farmer.
Then, when the farmer’s son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone agreed that this was very bad luck. Not the farmer, who replied, “Bad Luck? Good luck? Who knows?”
Some weeks later, the army marched into the village and forced every able-bodied young man to go fight in a bloody war. When they saw that the farmer’s son had a broken leg, they let him stay. Everyone was very happy at the farmer’s good luck.
“Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?”
Life is a lot like that. Sometimes it seems like things are going well, and at other times, things seem to be going badly. And we let those things dictate our feelings and our outlook on life. When things are going well, we’re happy and we think God is with us. If they are going badly, we get discouraged and think that God must have abandoned us. We end up being tossed around by our circumstances.
But the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4 that he had learned to be content, even happy, in all circumstances. He was happy when things were bad (he was in jail at the time), and he was happy when things were going good as well. That’s the great thing about being part of God’s family. We really don’t have to worry about our circumstances, because no matter what, we have hope in Christ. We know that in everything, God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).
— Author Unknown
Meditation: And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; – Deuteronomy 31:8
You will succeed in Jesus Name!
Control Your Impulse
It is not everything that itches you that you scratch; otherwise, you will have scars all over your body. In the same vein, it’s not every impulse you satisfy; otherwise, you won’t be better than an animal. Even some animals rein in their impulse when the circumstances or environment is not conducive for it.
-Babatunde Oladele
Thursday, June 15, 2023
The Best Advisers
The best advisers are those who involve you in the process of making decisions and are willing to work with you to realise them. Run from consultants that awe you with their knowledge of the problem and gladly dish you volumes of counsel, which they will not be responsible for implementing.
-Babatunde Oladele
The Atheist Logic
An Atheist and a Christian were hiking up a mountain; they came upon a large rock and decided to rest. While there, they talked about their jobs, families, and how good it was to enjoy nature. Their conversation then drifted toward the supernatural. “I do not believe in God because there is no proof of his existence,” said the Atheist.
The Christian did not immediately respond, but instead gazed upon the tall pines and blue sky above him. “No,” said the Christian, “we cannot actually see, hear, or touch God, but we can know that God exists since we can see the results of His work.”
The Christian continued, “Think of all the magnificent things we saw today… grand mountains, hundreds of varieties of trees, flowers, insects, birds… and even you and I! There is beauty in all these things; they are good.”
The Atheist replied, “Yes, nature is definitely awesome, but I believe this all came about by chance.”
Again, the Christian peered at the billowy clouds above him, then asked, “We cannot see air, can we? We know that it exists because we see the effects of air. We see the trees sway and leaves rustle, but we do not actually see air or wind. The effects of God are all around. We just have to take the time to look.”
Without another word, the Atheist and Christian continued their long journey up the mountain.
— Author Unknown
Meditation: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. – Psalm 19:1-3
You will succeed in Jesus Name!