Thriving Words

Rejoice in our confident hope... - Romans 12:12 Now, I do not suppose that many of us habitually recognise it as a Christian duty to be joyful. We think that it is a matter of temperament and partly a matter of circumstance. We are glad when things go well with us. If we have a sunny disposition, and are naturally light-hearted, all the better; if we have a melancholy or morose one, all the worse. But do we recognise this, that a Christian who is not joyful is not living up to his duty; and that there is no excuse, either in temperament or in circumstances, for our not being so, and always being so? ‘Rejoice in the Lord alway,’ says Paul;  To be glad is a Christian duty. Many of us have as much religion as makes us sombre, and impels us often to look upon the more solemn and awful aspects of Christian truth, but we have not enough to make us glad. True joy is  not  a matter of temperament, so much as a matter of faith. It is  not  a matter of circ...

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods" ( Psalm 96:4 ). Praise is the joyful expression of gratitude to God in words or in songs. Praise is a major reason to which we exist. Praise is the first and last thing to do. We should live a life of praise. Our environment shouldn't dictate when to praise. Every time and anytime is the right time to praise God. When You pray, God release His angels into action to grant your prayer request but when You Praise God, He doesn't send His angels. God inhabit the praises of His people. He takes the glory Himself. When things are good, Praise God and when things are bad, praise God. When Things are easy, Praise God and when things are Tough, praise God. When you are confused, Praise God. Praise God in the morning. Afternoon, evening. Praise God spontaneously. Sing songs to him, don't bother about how your voice sound like or what people will say. Put in that praise...

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.  - 1  Samuel 2:9 The above verse is part of a song lyrics sang by Hannah after God has answered her prayer by giving her a child (Samuel) after years of barrenness and mockery. Hannah's heart rejoiced, not in Samuel, but in the Lord. She looks beyond the gift, and praises the Giver. She testify that it pays to serve God because God will surely keep the feet of His saints that is God will direct us through the right path. One important sentence in that verse is by strength shall no man prevail. Hannah knows it's not by her power or strength that Samuel would have been born. Only God could have done it. Most times, we struggle and work hard to succeed in life; truth is it is not by our might that we breakthrough, Only God could have done this. God told Zerrubabel in Zechariah 4:6 that 'it is not by power nor by might but by My Spirit'. ...

Say to the righteous that it will go well with them, For they will eat the fruit of their deeds. - Isaiah 3:10   There is economic crisis in the world presently, things are not going smoothly, uncertainty everywhere.  However there might be national prosperity or trouble, it would be well with the righteous and ill with the wicked. Blessed be God, there is abundant encouragement to the righteous to trust in him. The Lord always has some righteous ones, in the worst of times, whom he can and does distinguish, single out, and take care of; and it is his will that they should be comforted by his prophets and ministers, who seem to be the persons to whom these words are directed, lest they should be distressed with what is said unto, and what they see is coming upon, the world, or upon a nation in general: and it will be, and is well with such, when calamities are on a nation, in a time of famine, war, or pestilence, under any affliction whatever at death, and at jud...

The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. - Exodus 14:14 The Israelites were at a crossroad, they can't go forward or go back. There was danger and impossibilities all round them. But Moses announce to them that God will fight their battles for them and they shall hold their peace. It is always our duty and interest, when we cannot get out of troubles, yet to get above our fears; let them quicken our prayers and endeavours, but not silence our faith and hope. Stand still, think not to save yourselves either by fighting or flying; wait God's orders, and observe them. Compose yourselves, by confidence in God, into peaceful thoughts of the great salvation God is about to work for you. If God brings his people into straits, he will find a way to bring them out. The Israelites eventually achieve victory with Moses as God directed Moses on what to do. Whenever you are at a crossroad, confused, afraid, under pressure and you don't know what to do ...

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.    - Acts 12:5 King Herod after killing James arrested Peter and put him in prison. But the beautiful thing here is the Church prayed to God for Peter.  I sometimes what would have happened if the church didn't pray, Peter might have ended up dead like James. Today, I remember those in prison (physical and spiritual), I pray God will deliver them. Not everyone in prison is guilty. Too many innocent are  suffering in prison just because those outside the prison wall don't care enough. Peter was rescued miraculously because folks were praying for him. The Church cared enough to pray. Never underestimate the power of praying for someone you know who is in prison.  Some might not be in a physical prison but are held bound by Health challenges, family issues, financial constraint etc. A word of prayer  for someone you know who is in any ...

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you.    -   Isaiah 43:2 There comes a time when you faced all kinds of storm and at times you secretly ask God "why me?" You pray and hope for things to be better. You have lost a loved one and you can't fathom why. Perhaps you are depressed and tired of life. I want to encourage someone reading this, though things might be rough now, don't be weary, it will all work out for good. We all must faced the storms, today's verse didn't say 'if you pass through' it says 'when you passed '.  Just don't have an alternative to God. God should be your plan A, Plan B and every other plans. We all go through trials not to sink us but to strengthen us. Be diligent in what you do.  God is speaking through that verse to someone reading...

For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.  - Romans 10:2 The Jewish folks in those days love God but according to the law. They based all their lives in doing what the law says in the hope of making heaven. The Jews built on this false foundation, and refused to come to Christ for free salvation by faith, and numbers in every age do the same in various ways.  So many persons suppose that, provided they are sincere and zealous, they must of course be accepted of God.  So many of us have Zeal for God but not according to knowledge but to the law. The terrorist and extremist believes in this faulty doctrine which is why they believer they are killing for God. But the zeal which is acceptable is what aims at the glory of God, and which is founded on true benevolence to the universe; and which does not aim primarily to establish a system of self-righteousness, as did the Jew, or to build up our ow...

The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.  - Proverbs 12:26 AMP Who is your friend? Wh do you follow or hang out with? If you hang out with people who are always complaining and telling you why things you want to see can’t be done, they will talk cynicism, doubt and fear into your heart. They will discourage you and talk you out of your dreams and aspirations. The wrong friends can even lure you into destructive habits and illegal activities. So choose wisely whom you hang out with. Trust the favor of God to give you Spirit- and faith-filled friends who will lift you up when you’re down, give you godly counsel and inspire you to accomplish your God-given dreams. Thank the Lord that this provision is yours through His finished work—Jesus was “put far” from His friends at the cross (Psalm 88:18), so that you could be blessed with many good ones!    When you move wit the wrong friends, you will end up ...

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. - Acts 3:6 Tasha Cobbs has rightly sang 'There is power in the name of Jesus...' A lame man was healed simply by the name of Jesus. Many times we are faced with impossible situation, faced with daunting task, face with a threatening or terminal illness. An economic problem is looming over. You are confused and don't really know what to do. Call on the name Jesus. At the mention of the name, every kneels shall bow. There is power in that name Jesus, it's not just an ordinary name, it is a name that is full of power. If you don't know much about that name, you are missing. There is no other name like Jesus. There is healing, there is miracles, there is solutions, there is liberty in that name Jesus. Whatever chains have hold you down, whatever bondage you are in, The name of Jesus will set you free. You don't need ...

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.  - Proverb 3:6 Those who know themselves, find their own understandings a broken reed, which, if they lean upon, will fail. Do not design any thing but what is lawful, and beg God to direct thee in every case, though it may seem quite plain. In all our ways that prove pleasant, in which we gain our point, we must acknowledge God with thankfulness. In all our ways that prove uncomfortable, and that are hedged up with thorns, we must acknowledge him with submission. It is promised, He shall direct thy paths; so that thy way shall be safe and good, and happy at last. Today's verse talks about the whole area of life's action - all its acts and undertakings, its spiritual and secular sides, no less than its public and private, It guards against our acknowledging God in great crises and solemn acts of worship only.  To acknowledge God is, therefore, to recognize, in all our dealings and undertakings, God'...

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  - Proverb 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,.... Not in a creature, the best, the holiest, and the highest; not in any creature enjoyment, as riches, strength, and wisdom; nor in any outward privilege, arising from natural descent and education; not in a man's self, in his own heart, which is deceitful; nor in any works of righteousness done by him; not in a profession of religion, or the duties of it, ever so well performed; not in frames, nor in graces, and the exercise of them; no, not in faith or trust itself: but in the Lord, the  Trust in him at all times; in times of affliction, temptation, and darkness: there is a great deal of reason for it; all power and strength are in him to help; his love, grace, and mercy, move him to it, and are always the same: the consideration of what he has done for others that have trusted in him, and for ourselves in times past, should induce a...

But Elisha asked him, "Don't you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants? - 2 Kings 5:26 The above verse is a popular story about Gehazi who went to collect Gifts that his master Elisha didn't collect from Naaman, an army captain that was healed of leprosy. He coveted the gifts. The love of money, that root of all evil, was at the bottom of Gehazi's sin. He thought to impose upon the prophet, but soon found that the Spirit of prophecy could not be deceived, and that it was in vain to lie to the Holy Ghost. It is folly to presume upon sin, in hopes of secrecy. When thou goest aside into any by-path, does not thy own conscience go with thee? Does not the eye of God go with thee? He that covers his sin, shall not prosper; particularly, a lying tongue is but for a moment. All the foolish hopes and c...

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. -- John 13:34 Today is popularly called Valentine's Day, I really don't know the origin 'cuz I have read and hear many version of its origin. But one thing we agreed on is that it's a day lovers show 'love' to themselves. It is a good thing to show love, just the way you tell it, so also show it. Love is an unconditional commitment to an imperfect person. You don't love someone because he/she is perfect, to love is to be committed. My outlook in life is been shaped by my love for God and humanity. If you don't love, you don't have life 'cuz love is life. The greatest happiness in this world is to love and be loved.  To experience true love, it got to start from you. Stop waiting till you have a boyfriend/girlfriend before you show love. Don't because you are married and have kids stop showing love to your...

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.  - 1 Corinthians 9:24 Yesterday I talked about our journey in life as a marathon race. In this journey, there is always a reward for every runner, those who ran well and those who didn't. Those who cheated  on the race. The way we live our lives matter a lot because believe it or not, there is an after-life. This after-life is for those that won't perish in this journey of life. It is for those who finish well on earth. Eternal life is not for everyone. You are a runner, your living on this planet is like you running a race. Run it well, finish it well because there await thee a crown, a priceless prize. Don't be deceived, there is a reward for every runner. I pray for someone reading this and has made up his/her mind to run this race well: You will finish well, you will be strengthen, you will not fail God. The Grace to Run the Race is released ove...

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  - Philippians 3:14 There was a marathon event in Lagos, Nigeria yesterday. Hundreds of people started the race. Expectedly, not all finished the race. Watching a highlight of the marathon,  I found some runners fainted on the third mainland bridge. Some couldn't continue, some were distracted along the way, some simply just didn't take it serious, they were just simply walking, talking and chatting. Life is just like that, we all are running a race, our race finished the day we die or get raptured. Will you reach the finish line like Paul did before you die or you will simply just not take it serious. Just like the Kenyan man that won, he was given a price. The same way too, when we finish this God-given race well, we will also receive our prize. There will be distractions in the race, so many people who started well might not finish well. Some will try to run the race without the Grace o...

Let he that rules, do it with diligence - Romans 12:8 It is in this part of the world that Politicians see politics as a way of enriching themselves. Politics in a democratic society is all about delivering the dividends of democracy to the people. You might be rich through it, you might even be poor through it. The focus is not on  What you can gain but on what you can offer. Anyone aspiring to be a Politician must understand these: Politics is a service to the people.  Politicians are leaders and leadership is about service. If you can't serve, you can't lead. The political leadership of our nation is dysfunctional because of the wrong mentality of what leadership mean. Political leaders asking for jumbo pay when the citizens lives in penury doesn't yet know what leadership mean. Unfortunately, this political leaders have built a faulty system of leadership whereby you come into government to take your share of the country's wealth. Paul admonish ...

Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.  - John 9:3 A man was born blind and the disciples of Jesus wondered what type sin will an innocent child have done before he is born or his parents. They believed the blind is as a result of a sin. Jesus nullify that theory. At times we go through tough periods not really because we have done something bad but for the Glory of God to be made manifest in our life. Job didn't really did something evil to warrant the suffering he went through. Your afflictions are channels for the manifestation of God's Glory. You might be going thick and thin, battling with an ailment, fighting addiction; You might not necessarily cause it but you have got to see beyond the tough situations. God can and will Glorify Himself in that unpleasant circumstances. Despair not, simply tell God to Glorify Himself through that sickness, through that depression, through that worr...

The And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free  - John 8:32 The light of truth dispels the darkness in which lies the stronghold of evil. Sin is the bondage of the powers of the soul, and this bondage is willed because the soul does not see its fearful evil. When it perceives the truth, there comes to it a power which rouses it from its stupor, and strengthens it to break the fetters by which it has been bound. The Jews in Jesus days professed to know the truth, and to be the official expounders of it. They had yet to learn that truth was not only a system, but also a power; not only something to be written or spoken, but also something to be felt and lived. If they abide in His word they will indeed be His disciples; living the life of truth, they will gain perception of truth. “Being true,” they will “in love grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). Jesus is the Truth, He is the one that set free. If there is any...

So when they were filed, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost." - JOHN 6:12 To waste means to squander, to waste means not to utilize, to waste means to throw away something of value. In God's Kingdom, waste is not a trait of His children. You must not waste your life, you must not waste your talents, you must not waste resources. Abundance is not an excuse for waste. Because you are not the one that bought a particular thing doesn't mean you have to waste it. Economically, a wasteful individual, group or nation don't prosper for long. So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost."  -  John 6:12 The secret to long lasting financial prosperity is to waste nothing. I pray that today shall be a good day for you. Good Morning and have a great day!

 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. - John 6:12 One of the astonishing miracles Jesus did was the feeding of over 5000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fishes (John 6:1-13) But there is a very important lesson to be drawn from that miracle. After everyone was filled, they had surplus and Jesus instructed His disciples to gather all that remain and ensure nothing is wasted. Because there is excess doesn't mean there should be waste.  God dislike wasting things. Not only does this miracle show us Jesus thrift in the employment of the supernatural, but it teaches us our duty of thrift and care in the use of the spiritual grace bestowed upon us. God doesn't want us to be wasteful, he has blessed us abundantly so that we can have leftover to keep. Whatever God has blessed us with, we shouldn't waste it. We must ensure as Jesus instructed that nothing is lost. Because you can afford ...

Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. - John 5:14 I continue on the story of the invalid man at the Bethesda Pool; we got a hint of of why he had an infirmity. Jesus later saw him after he had been made whole and warn him not to go back to his sinful ways. You will suffer the consequences of some sins even after being forgiven. Some folks attract sickness because of their sinful ways, especially sexual sins. The Grace of God covers us, Yes, but that does not exempt us from certain punishment when you sin. That man suffer for 38 years all because of his sinful ways. Sin is bad for you, it will hold you down, sin will make you suffer if you don't stop. Sin is the major problem of this world. Sin cause Adam and Eve to fall. I pray for you that God will give you the Grace to live above sin. Every secret sinful acts still holding you down will lose its grip over you in Jesus name...

And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. - John 5:5 Have you ever been in a hopeless situation and when you heard someone else story, you realize yours is nothing compared to that person's situation.  In John 5:1-9, at the pool in Bethesda, there was a man with an infirmity for 38years. He was in an hopeless situation for almost 4 decades. His hope of getting healed is always dashed out. Fortunately for him, his case attracted Jesus who healed him of his infirmity. It doesn't matter how long you have been trying to be make it; when there is life, there is hope. This invalid man after 38years finally got his healing. I have got good news for you; you will received solution to every invalidity in your life. The Jesus who healed that invalid man is still in the business of helping people with hopeless situation. I don't know how hopeless your situation is, Jesus can turn it around. You have waited so long; you have suffered so long; ...

And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. - 1Samuel 25:33 Prevention is better than cure. Donald Trump recently and controversially ban folks from some countries from coming into US, his defence team argued he is preventing terrorist attacks, whether he is right or wrong is another topic entirely.  Joseph saved enough grains during the bountiful seasons which prevent them them from hunger during the famine. It’s much harder to recover what one has lost than to work hard at retaining it. An African proverb says, “Two good days do not dawn in a row.” Good days do not last long or forever. David had to adjust his attitude and lifestyle due to the passing of youth, the loss of health and his fall from power. However, a lot of his problems – and ours, I might add, were due to his taking for granted what he had and doing nothing to improve his lot. He allowed things to get to a...

Be Ye Perfect Just as your Father in Heaven is Perfect - Matthew 5:48 Jesus towards the end of His famous sermon on Mount Sinai explained to His disciples the need for them to be pefect according to God perfection. The religious leaders of their time do claim to be perfect and they do tell people to be perfect like them. Nowadays, we are having the same model where some preachers will want their followers to be like them. We are to look unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our Faith (Hebrews 12:2). There is no perfection without God. God is the only standard for perfection. The perfection Jesus was talking about in Matthew 5 is not about not making mistakes. It is about doing the right things right. Perfection is doing things rightly. A perfect man will love unconditionally A perfect man will forgive regardless. A perfect man will do what God says. A perfect man will do the right things rightly. Our only model for perfection is God and not our preachers or 'father-in-...

And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. - Luke :11 I will be rounding up on our study about Peter and his first encounter with Jesus. He gave up his boat, forsook all and follow Jesus. What does it mean to forsake all? Is it to resign from your job? Or to sell your properties and go into the mission field? Probably or probably not. Peter is a married guy. And he probably got mouths to feed. Yet he forsake all and followed Jesus . To forsake all is to give all to God. To forsake all is to allow God use you and whatever you have for his glory. To forsake all is not to allow the things of this world to take priority. To forsake all is to drop everything impeding you from following Jesus. It's not enough to just pay your tithe, it's not enough to just give your a part of your life to God. Your life is not your own, it belongs to God. To forsake all is to give yourself away. To forsake all is to be sold to Jesus forever. Peter never l...