Sunday 29 December 2013
2014, THEN WHAT?
Dear Friend,
This past few days, we have been spending time with families as we remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the next few days we would be welcoming a new year, hopefully reflecting and thanking God for the year that is ending.
At a family gathering recently, a family member asked the question 'What am I good at?' As we all chipped in with our observations, I reflected on the question and the different responses, and I came to realise that she was not really asking about what she is good at, the underlying question was 'what is my purpose, what should I be doing with my life?'
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:69
When we are still seeking to understand the purpose for which God created us, we start looking for signs or behaviour traits that will give us an inkling of what this could be. A few years ago, I was burdened in my spirit to discover what exactly God has for me to do; why am I here? what work(s) am I meant to do and be doing?
As we look forward to 2014, put your first goal to earnestly seek God's revelation to you on His plans for you. Put no time limit, tarry till you hear and understand. You know what, despite series of prophetic words made to me by some men and women of God, it was until I sought the One who created me before I could hear and understand His work for me. It was only then that I could see how things I am good at, prophecies, situations and circumstances all fit together.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, Jer 29:11
Be bold to take that first step of faith to do what God will lay in your heart. if you are not ready to do, you would not be ready to hear. This is where being fearless comes in. Determine that in year 2014, even if it's only one thing or one project for the LORD, you will do it. At the end of the year, you will be amazed at how God has used you.
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
Finally continually commit your purpose into God's hands; for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Be prepared to sow your resources to make your purpose become a reality. You might have to make some life changing adjustment to many areas of your life.
My friends, when you discover your purpose in life through Christ, be ready for the ride of your life!
Have a wonderful New Year in Christ Jesus.
(PS: If you are interested in reading how I discovered my purpose, do get a copy of my book 'Discovering my Purpose'. And to take that step of faith and live fearlessly, my new book 'Living a Fearless Life' is out now, available through all major on line bookstores. All proceeds goes to We CAN Foundation (www.we-can-foundation.org) - support mission work, orphans and widows).
God Bless
Adeola Akintoye
Sunday 17 November 2013
Fearless
How many times have we started something that did not go the
way we intended? How many projects have we worked on that turned out to be
unsuccessful? Did the successful ones take away our fears? Would having
children after waiting for so many years make us fearless? Has getting that
fantastic job given you joy? Has being married taken away our fears of ending
up alone? Wait a minute; your spouse could die right this second! Yes, knowing
we have money in the bank gives us a level of assurance that we might not go
hungry. The word is still ‘might’. What would happen if a natural disaster
should occur and everything is destroyed, with millions of people dead and the
whole country coming to a standstill? What would happen to all our millions in
the bank?
There is a limit to any kind of assurance in this world.
There are so many things we cannot control. We might think
we do, but the reality is that we do not. There is no assurance that as you
wake up this morning, you will still be alive in the evening. There is no
assurance that your children, that you love so much, will go on to live a happy
life. There is no assurance that, with all the money you have in the bank, you
will not develop an incurable disease. There is no assurance that you will not
be attacked today. There is no assurance that where you live will not be hit by
a massive earthquake. There is no assurance that marrying the woman or man of
your dreams will give you a long-lasting and happy married life.
There is an assurance, however, that we will all die one
day. Is that the only certain thing in life? If it is, then living a fearful
life because of worry, uncertainty and fear of the unknown would be the norm.
But I can tell you it should not be the norm. We can live a fearless life in
the face of these uncertainties and worries, a life that is focused on the One
who gave us life; the One who created this beautiful earth with everything we need
to live on it; the One who promised us fruitful, prosperous and peaceful lives
here on earth and an even better life when we leave this earth.
We can and should live a fearless life, except for the fear of
God.
(Extract from 'Living a Fearless Life' by Adeola Akintoye, available through all major online bookstores. Encourage someone this Christmas with a copy of this book.)
Tuesday 1 October 2013
I am what I am
'But by the grace of God I am what I am' 1 Corinthians 15:10
What confidence to know and be comfortable with who you are. Apostle Paul was a man who had no question about his identity or his calling; humble of his works for God and never having the thought that he has arrived.
I have been reflecting on the issue of identity and purpose recently; the burden of walking according to God's plan and purpose for which I was created has been quite heavy in my heart. I keep asking the question, 'Am I in your purpose oh Lord' and I keep getting the quiet positive assurance and the encouragement to keep on. But sometimes that feeling of wanting more right now keeps creeping in and when it does, I find myself desiring more gifts, more talent, more of what makes other people that I admire be a success. Thank God for the Holy Spirit that always reminds me of what I do have and have been blessed with; the gift of writing, being a vessel of knowledge and teaching.
It took me sometime, but I have come to accept that I am what I am by the grace of God and I am learning not to desire what anyone else has irrespective. So I will continue to write as the Lord gives me insights, it might only be read by one, a few or many but I know those that God wants to reach and touch through me will surely be accomplished.
It took me sometime, but I have come to accept that I am what I am by the grace of God and I am learning not to desire what anyone else has irrespective. So I will continue to write as the Lord gives me insights, it might only be read by one, a few or many but I know those that God wants to reach and touch through me will surely be accomplished.
What about you? Have you accepted who you are? Or are you still coveting the life of someone else? Every child of God has a purpose to fulfil on earth, have you discovered yours or are you living just to 'enjoy' yourself without any thoughts of furthering God's Kingdom?
Can we boldly and with confidence like Apostle Paul say; ".... and His grace toward me was not in vain"
I would love to hear the testimony of what God is doing in your life; write me through this blog site.
Till next time let your light shine.
Shalom
Adeola Akintoye
Shalom
Adeola Akintoye
Saturday 3 August 2013
Restarted, recharged and restored!
Dear Friends
It's been a while since I have written a spiritual article in this blog and it's great to be back. I have not been idle, just focusing on other area that God had been leading me on including finishing three books in the last year, with the fourth one nearly completed titled 'Living a fearless life.'
I just give God all the glory for His grace that has enabled and empower me to step into His plans for my life. So many awesome testimonies in the past year; I am looking forward to sharing this and more with you as I continue my spiritual growth in Christ Jesus.
You know it is so wonderful having Jesus as your lead partner in life. I am always in awe as I see things work together in my life and in the life of those around me. I keep wondering why it has taken me so long to give my life... but better late than never and all by His grace.
A testimony I would like to share with you today is that of my young brother in-law. Thanks by the way to all those who responded to the prayer request on face book. I saw the mercy of God in the life of this young boy who had massive fluid in his brain. The day I saw him in hospital, even I was thinking about how I would have stood my ground on my faith like his parent, he looked like one of those malnourished and starving children the International NGO's always used in their advert for funds. He could not eat so he was being force fed. He had lost so much weight his ribs and head were the most visible part of his body. The doctors said they could not operate on him because his blood count was too low (18) and they needed it to be at least 33; but with the fluid in his brain, he was having fever which kept depleting his blood count. It was a vicious cycle.
To cut the long story short, eventually his parent took him to a private clinic and Jehovah used a surgeon to operate on the boy, even with such a low blood count and no blood transfusion; the surgery was a success, he lost little blood and within the week the boy was a different person. I learnt the effect of ones faith in God, His words and total trust in Him. I know God has a plan to use that boy to further His Kingdom here on earth. Glory be to His name.
Now that God has given me the grace to continue on this spiritual blog, I am looking forward to sharing my journey with you as the Holy Spirit leads. I am doing a lot of travel at the moment but I hope to bring you lots of exciting things that God is working on me and in me as I continue my life's journey. So till next time, please keep me in your prayers as I go to Ethiopia in the coming week; that God will use me to impact lives there...
Shalom.
Remember, you are the salt of the earth.... and the light of the world.
It's been a while since I have written a spiritual article in this blog and it's great to be back. I have not been idle, just focusing on other area that God had been leading me on including finishing three books in the last year, with the fourth one nearly completed titled 'Living a fearless life.'
I just give God all the glory for His grace that has enabled and empower me to step into His plans for my life. So many awesome testimonies in the past year; I am looking forward to sharing this and more with you as I continue my spiritual growth in Christ Jesus.
You know it is so wonderful having Jesus as your lead partner in life. I am always in awe as I see things work together in my life and in the life of those around me. I keep wondering why it has taken me so long to give my life... but better late than never and all by His grace.
A testimony I would like to share with you today is that of my young brother in-law. Thanks by the way to all those who responded to the prayer request on face book. I saw the mercy of God in the life of this young boy who had massive fluid in his brain. The day I saw him in hospital, even I was thinking about how I would have stood my ground on my faith like his parent, he looked like one of those malnourished and starving children the International NGO's always used in their advert for funds. He could not eat so he was being force fed. He had lost so much weight his ribs and head were the most visible part of his body. The doctors said they could not operate on him because his blood count was too low (18) and they needed it to be at least 33; but with the fluid in his brain, he was having fever which kept depleting his blood count. It was a vicious cycle.
To cut the long story short, eventually his parent took him to a private clinic and Jehovah used a surgeon to operate on the boy, even with such a low blood count and no blood transfusion; the surgery was a success, he lost little blood and within the week the boy was a different person. I learnt the effect of ones faith in God, His words and total trust in Him. I know God has a plan to use that boy to further His Kingdom here on earth. Glory be to His name.
Now that God has given me the grace to continue on this spiritual blog, I am looking forward to sharing my journey with you as the Holy Spirit leads. I am doing a lot of travel at the moment but I hope to bring you lots of exciting things that God is working on me and in me as I continue my life's journey. So till next time, please keep me in your prayers as I go to Ethiopia in the coming week; that God will use me to impact lives there...
Shalom.
Remember, you are the salt of the earth.... and the light of the world.
The Heritage of the Servants of the Lord
By Adeola Akintoye
The Heritage of the Servants of the Lord (Isaiah 54:17). The Holy Spirit guided me a couple of days ago to the aspect of prayer. Not so much about how to pray rather how to focus our prayers. I was reading John Eldridge’s book on ‘Walking with God’, a section where he was talking about not quitting when we pray and we don’t immediately get the answer to our prayers. I immediately sensed an insight from God that it is not about quitting per se but the effectiveness of our prayers. In James 5:15 we were told that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
The first aspect of prayer is being righteous, without which our prayers would not be effective.
In James 4:3, we were told that we do not get answer to our prayers because we pray amiss. Yet when you read what Jesus said in John 16:24 that anything we ask for would be given us, it makes you wonder how come some prayers are not answered.
This morning, as I was woken up by the Holy Spirit to pray, I was led to Isaiah 53, which is one of the prophecies about Jesus Christ. It was a reminder for me on what Jesus Christ did for me on the cross and the assurances I have about my salvation, healing (all round not just physical), my justification and righteousness with God. I was also led to read the next chapter which also highlighted assurance of peace and victory. What really stump me is the sentence in the past verses ‘This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD’, which made me remember what God was teaching me about prayer once again. We ask for things which are already ours rather than thanking God for them and claiming them by faith.
Heritage means inherit, what belongs to you already? Why should we ask for something that already belongs to us? It’s like saying I’m not really sure (doubt) and we know that doubt is an antidote of faith and it is a sin. We should claim our heritage without any ounce of doubt. What did Jesus Christ said about the mustard seed, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain to move and it will.
There are many insights on praying effective prayers, but I want to focus on one important aspect in this article. We must pray focused and direct prayers. I hear and I have also been a culprit myself, when we pray and ask Jesus to be with us. Does this mean Jesus is not with us and we need to ask Him to be with us? In Mathew 28:20, Jesus said… ‘And lo I will be with you always even to the end of the age’. This is assurance enough to thank God for His presence with us and affirm our faith that He is with us rather than asking Him to be with us when He already is.
Let’s focus on Isaiah 54 to illustrate some examples and starting from verse 10. God said, ‘for the mountains shall depart. And the hills be removed. But My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed’. God’s kindness will never depart from us, He has promised us peace. Jesus Christ said in John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid”.
In Isaiah 54 verse 13, God said all our children will be taught by the Lord and great shall be the peace of our children. In this current age, we surely need to appropriate this promise. Every day, we should claim this promise for our children, that God would teach our children, everywhere they are, whatever they are doing and in whatever peer pressure they find themselves. God said He will do it and His word is yea and amen
‘In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake’ (Isaiah 54: 14-15). Aren’t these wonderful assurances of victory over our enemies? God is our righteousness, not the works of our hand and no matter how much we try to obey God’s commandments. His righteousness is by grace which He is saying here we are established. God is saying oppression will be far from us, not our portion because we shall not fear. If you suffer from the Spirit of fear, you are giving in to the enemy. You need to take authority over the power of the enemy and claim this wonderful promise.
Terror shall not come near us because we are established in righteousness. Whoever assembles because of us shall fall. This is certain; claim it over the visible, invisible, current and future terrors.
As a child of God, the enemy will want to harm you directly or indirectly. He will use anyone and everyone around us. But God is saying whoever assembles against us shall fall. They gather for nothing and their gathering is their downfall. It is written and so shall it be. In verse 17 of the same chapter God said ‘No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgement you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me.” This is as certain as day rises and night time comes. God is not man that should lie.
It is a dangerous thing to direct evil plans or judgement against a child of God. We must be wise as children of God on knowing and correctly applying the word of God over every aspect of our lives. The enemy tries (note he tries and he can’t succeed unless we let him) to fool us, manipulate our prayer focus because he knows that as children of God we have the power and the heritage of God’s promises over us. And that when we pray in accordance with the will of God, it is a done deal.
When you read the account of Jesus’ temptation in Luke chapter 4:1-13, do you know that Jesus did not pray and ask God to come and fight the enemy, douse him with Holy Ghost fire! He kept saying “It is written….” We can apply this principle to all aspect of our prayer life. There are promises in the Word of God that covers all aspect of our lives. Children of God, these are our heritage. We should appropriate them by faith, thanking God for them. This demonstrates our faith. Asking for something that is already ours shows uncertainty, and uncertainty brings doubt which is the enemy of our faith. Jesus said if you ask without doubting you will receive.
Above all, these would only work for you if you have already given your life to Jesus Christ and you are living a holy life under the direction of the Holy Spirit. If you have not done so, I ask that you reconsider. You are missing out on so many wonderful promises of a victorious, joyful and peaceful life in this world and the promise of eternity with Christ.
If you would like to give your life to Jesus, just repeat this prayer; ‘Father I come to you as a sinner, I confess I am a sinner, I believe that Your Son Jesus Christ came into the world and died for my sins. I ask that from this moment forward you come into my life and be my Lord and Saviour. Where you lead I will follow. Direct my paths from henceforth and help me to grow in you all the days of my life. Amen.
SHALOM. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND
The Heritage of the Servants of the Lord (Isaiah 54:17). The Holy Spirit guided me a couple of days ago to the aspect of prayer. Not so much about how to pray rather how to focus our prayers. I was reading John Eldridge’s book on ‘Walking with God’, a section where he was talking about not quitting when we pray and we don’t immediately get the answer to our prayers. I immediately sensed an insight from God that it is not about quitting per se but the effectiveness of our prayers. In James 5:15 we were told that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
The first aspect of prayer is being righteous, without which our prayers would not be effective.
In James 4:3, we were told that we do not get answer to our prayers because we pray amiss. Yet when you read what Jesus said in John 16:24 that anything we ask for would be given us, it makes you wonder how come some prayers are not answered.
This morning, as I was woken up by the Holy Spirit to pray, I was led to Isaiah 53, which is one of the prophecies about Jesus Christ. It was a reminder for me on what Jesus Christ did for me on the cross and the assurances I have about my salvation, healing (all round not just physical), my justification and righteousness with God. I was also led to read the next chapter which also highlighted assurance of peace and victory. What really stump me is the sentence in the past verses ‘This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD’, which made me remember what God was teaching me about prayer once again. We ask for things which are already ours rather than thanking God for them and claiming them by faith.
Heritage means inherit, what belongs to you already? Why should we ask for something that already belongs to us? It’s like saying I’m not really sure (doubt) and we know that doubt is an antidote of faith and it is a sin. We should claim our heritage without any ounce of doubt. What did Jesus Christ said about the mustard seed, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain to move and it will.
There are many insights on praying effective prayers, but I want to focus on one important aspect in this article. We must pray focused and direct prayers. I hear and I have also been a culprit myself, when we pray and ask Jesus to be with us. Does this mean Jesus is not with us and we need to ask Him to be with us? In Mathew 28:20, Jesus said… ‘And lo I will be with you always even to the end of the age’. This is assurance enough to thank God for His presence with us and affirm our faith that He is with us rather than asking Him to be with us when He already is.
Let’s focus on Isaiah 54 to illustrate some examples and starting from verse 10. God said, ‘for the mountains shall depart. And the hills be removed. But My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed’. God’s kindness will never depart from us, He has promised us peace. Jesus Christ said in John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid”.
In Isaiah 54 verse 13, God said all our children will be taught by the Lord and great shall be the peace of our children. In this current age, we surely need to appropriate this promise. Every day, we should claim this promise for our children, that God would teach our children, everywhere they are, whatever they are doing and in whatever peer pressure they find themselves. God said He will do it and His word is yea and amen
‘In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake’ (Isaiah 54: 14-15). Aren’t these wonderful assurances of victory over our enemies? God is our righteousness, not the works of our hand and no matter how much we try to obey God’s commandments. His righteousness is by grace which He is saying here we are established. God is saying oppression will be far from us, not our portion because we shall not fear. If you suffer from the Spirit of fear, you are giving in to the enemy. You need to take authority over the power of the enemy and claim this wonderful promise.
Terror shall not come near us because we are established in righteousness. Whoever assembles because of us shall fall. This is certain; claim it over the visible, invisible, current and future terrors.
As a child of God, the enemy will want to harm you directly or indirectly. He will use anyone and everyone around us. But God is saying whoever assembles against us shall fall. They gather for nothing and their gathering is their downfall. It is written and so shall it be. In verse 17 of the same chapter God said ‘No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgement you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me.” This is as certain as day rises and night time comes. God is not man that should lie.
It is a dangerous thing to direct evil plans or judgement against a child of God. We must be wise as children of God on knowing and correctly applying the word of God over every aspect of our lives. The enemy tries (note he tries and he can’t succeed unless we let him) to fool us, manipulate our prayer focus because he knows that as children of God we have the power and the heritage of God’s promises over us. And that when we pray in accordance with the will of God, it is a done deal.
When you read the account of Jesus’ temptation in Luke chapter 4:1-13, do you know that Jesus did not pray and ask God to come and fight the enemy, douse him with Holy Ghost fire! He kept saying “It is written….” We can apply this principle to all aspect of our prayer life. There are promises in the Word of God that covers all aspect of our lives. Children of God, these are our heritage. We should appropriate them by faith, thanking God for them. This demonstrates our faith. Asking for something that is already ours shows uncertainty, and uncertainty brings doubt which is the enemy of our faith. Jesus said if you ask without doubting you will receive.
Above all, these would only work for you if you have already given your life to Jesus Christ and you are living a holy life under the direction of the Holy Spirit. If you have not done so, I ask that you reconsider. You are missing out on so many wonderful promises of a victorious, joyful and peaceful life in this world and the promise of eternity with Christ.
If you would like to give your life to Jesus, just repeat this prayer; ‘Father I come to you as a sinner, I confess I am a sinner, I believe that Your Son Jesus Christ came into the world and died for my sins. I ask that from this moment forward you come into my life and be my Lord and Saviour. Where you lead I will follow. Direct my paths from henceforth and help me to grow in you all the days of my life. Amen.
SHALOM. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND
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