#Wordfortheweek 2019 Week 35 #Dwelling in the #Secret Place

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Because you have made the Lord , who  is  my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place… Psalms 91:1, 9

There is no place in the world to dwell in than the secret place of the Most High. Dwelling in this secret place is not what you do occasionally or sometimes. It is not about running to it when we are in trouble. It is also not a physical location.

A place is defined as a position (state of being), point or location. A secret place is known only to those whom it has been revealed to. The fact that it is secret means there will be conditions for entrance and acceptance.

To dwell is a present continuous state, not in the past or future but now. We can reason therefore, that to dwell in the secret place means to continuously be in a particular position, state or location.

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, (Psalm 91:9 NKJV)

Our secret place is in the Lord, Jesus Christ. A place where only those who believed in Him as the Son of God can access. It is not a physical location but a state of being – dwelling in His presence, immersed in His words, following His footsteps in relation to God the Father and humankind. When you are contrary to Jesus, you have left your secret place.

Dwelling in God’s secret place is a decision and a deliberate act. Where are you currently dwelling?

#prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father help me to dwell in Your secret place all the days of my life, in the name of Yeshua Christ Jesus I pray. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). Spend this week to meditate on the passage and take relevant step to live out your faith.

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity

#Wordfortheweek 2019 Week 34 From generation to generation (Part 4 of 4)

Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life. Proverbs 4:10-13 NKJV

I have been sharing my reflections and lessons of my twenties. In this final part of the series, I will share two lessons I wish I had known about then than later.

I wished I had a clear vision of the future I wanted when I was in my twenties. I had no clue and it took me many years to get it right. My dear twenty something young adult, start dreaming about that future you want right now and then work towards it. I termed this lesson envisioning the future you desire.

Many in their twenties think mostly about the here and now. I know someone who wanted to retire from 9-5 job before their 50th birthday and they did. How and where would you like to spend your thirties, forties, fifties etc if God keep you till then? The earlier you plan your life and start on that journey the better.

The second lesson is not to rush to put yourself in bondage of debt. The fact that you are now independent, with access to credits does not mean rush to get credit cards. You know what, the debt you get into will take you a long time to repay if at all. There is always the tendency for it to become a cycle of debt because you are living beyond your income. The higher income you earn, the higher your taste becomes, the larger your credit limit and the larger your debt.

You want to ride a good car, get all the nice amenities, latest gadgets because you can get it through borrowed money. The debt you accumulate must be repaid. Many are in jobs they hate because they can not afford not to work due to the debt on their shoulders.

If you are to borrow, do it to invest in appreciating assets and those with good residual value or for productive business. Learn to live within your income and have extra to enjoy life.

Dream about that wonderful debt free future right now and make it happen!

#prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father give me the wisdom to be prudent concerning my finances. Help me to apply your principles in how I live my life. May I not be a slave to the lender. Guide and always lead me to make the right decisions in the name of Yeshua Christ Jesus I pray. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). Spend this week to meditate on the passage and take relevant step to live out your faith.

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity

#Wordfortheweek 2019 Week 33 The First Step of the Right Step

“Then the Philistines once again made a raid on the valley. Therefore, David inquired again of God, and God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; circle around them and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” So, David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer. Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.” I Chronicles 14:13-17 NKJV

When confronted with enemies, do not take matters into your own hands, inquire first of the Lord. 

That is easier said than done. Our first instinct is to react to any threat against our well-being, whether physical or otherwise. This is natural and human.

The life of David was in constant threat after he was anointed as the future king of Israel in his adolescence. He would not have made it to old age without the help of the Almighty God. He depended on God to direct and instruct him in actions to take. David never depended on his own ability or the multitude of warriors that were at his beck and call.

Many times, in my life I have acted before I remembered that I had not asked God. It was easier to think God knew and did things for me even when not asked. Wasn't this an arrogant way to think about God? I am still work in progress, to always inquire first before doing, not assuming I know when I have not asked.

What about you? Do you reference God first by instinct before taking any action, not just when you are under threat but in every area of your life? Do you ask God to rubber-stamp decisions you have made without consulting Him?

When we relate with God as Almighty, we do not take actions without His say so. This is truly a sign of spiritual maturity.

#prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for Your mercy and compassion. Help me to acknowledge and reference You in every area of my life. Give me the grace that though I take my life into my own hands, I will never forget Your laws.  In the name of Yeshua Christ Jesus I pray. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). Spend this week to meditate on the passage and take relevant step to live out your faith.

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity

#Wordfortheweek 2019 Week 32 #Gift (1)

“A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.” Proverbs 18:16 NKJV

A gift is something given to you. God gave us gifts when He created us. Our abilities and talents are gifts from our creator. They are unique to everyone and when used they set us apart.

Your gift has been given to you for the calling upon your life, for the work that God wants you to do.

Your gift is not dependent on your education, but you educate yourself in your gift. 
A person born with natural singing voice still must learn about the art of singing to perfect the use of the gift.

Educating yourself in your gift areas sets you up for excellence and success. Using your gift will enable excellence in your career and life. What you do comes naturally. And it will bring you before ‘kings,’ leaders who will recognise your talents.

No one excels in something they are not good at. It would be like trying to force a round peg into a square hole, you might succeed but the peg would have been mis-shaped and still not a perfect fit.

Do you know your God-given gifts? Discover and use it. And discover the secret to joy in your work.

#prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for blessing me gifts to shapes my abilities and talents, to enable me to be fulfill Your plan for my life. Help me to discover, hone and use it for the glory of Your name. Let my gifts bring me before kings, make me relevant for such a time as this. In the name of Yeshua Christ Jesus I pray. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). Spend this week to meditate on the passage and take relevant step to live out your faith.

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity

#Wordfortheweek 2019 Week 31 From generation to generation (Part 3 of 4)

Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life. Proverbs 4:10-13 NKJV

In the last few years, I had been privileged to meet many young adults in their twenties through the #ExcellenceInLife mentoring programme across Africa. Relating with them took me back to my twenties decade. That period was bittersweet for me but looking back I think, it could be one of the best decades of one’s life with the right knowledge.

I left Nigeria in my early twenties, being far from home and having to depend on myself made me grew up faster than I think I would have done. I was far from home, family and had no mentors. The decisions I made during that time was not based on experience or guidance but trial and error. There was no-one to correct or guide me in life’s journey. A life lesson to the young adults, do not be in a hurry to move so far from home, and if you must ensure you have mentors to guide and support you.

Unfortunately, I see many young adults with a desire to shrug off guidance and correction.  There is this attitude of, “I know what I want, and I can do what I want”. “I am not accountable to anyone now I am an adult”. Sadly, this will lead you down a path of regret. 

There was a young lady in her early twenties that I know who blocked her mother from her Instagram page because she was corrected for posting pictures revealing parts of her body that should be private. A person that refuses to listen to correction will be left alone to make more. It is easy to be resentful of corrections especially from those older because you think they are ‘old school’. “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1 NKJV

My word of advice is to enjoy your twenties but have mentors you can be accountable to and avoid unnecessary life changing mistakes due to your inexperience and false sense of maturity. And for that young lady who took that stupid act to block her mother, remember it’s not too late to make amends.

To be continued

#prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, guide and always lead me to make the right decisions in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). Spend this week to meditate on the passage and take relevant step to live out your faith.

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity

#Wordfortheweek 2019 Week 30 From generation to generation (Part 2 of 4)

Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life. Proverbs 4:10-13 NKJV

When a child goes off to college or university, it is usually a step into adulthood. I remembered my first year of Uni was like being given a ‘get out of jail’ free card. Just the fact that the choices were in my hand was great irrespective of the consequences. I left home (albeit for a short time) and was making my own decisions. Even though I was still dependent on my parents for financing, there was this sense of freedom. I finished Uni when I was twenty-one and left Nigeria a few months before my twenty second birthday. I missed growing into adulthood having the guidance of my parent. I was far from home, there were no cell-phones and Internet as it is now, so communications were far and in-between. I missed a whole decade of closer relationship with my parents. I have realised that this was a period where the relationship between a child and the parents could either become stronger or weaker.

For many, their twenties (as young adults) is a period of independence – physically and financially. Subsequently there, is a shift in the relationship with the parents. It is unfortunate to see many young adults keeping their parents at arm’s length for whatever reasons that might be. Their attitude and way of speaking to their parent changes. They feel that their parents can-not tell them what to do anymore. In fact, any advice from the parent is seen as controlling. Child-parent relationship can be broken during these early years of adulthood, some for some time, others forever. Big mistake.

My life reflection is that in normal circumstance a young adult should not seek to cut-off ties with their parents because of the rush to become independent. Parents have a special mandate from God. They were the vehicle through which He brought you to earth. There is a commandment with blessing attached. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: ³ “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3 NKJV. Do not use the blessing God has given you to dishonour them.

At any-time of life, parents can be a source of life wisdom in many ways. Use this decade of your life to seek guidance from your parent especially in paths they have walked ahead of you. Ask your parent for advice, seek their counsel, involve them in major decisions of your life. This will bring you joy and sooth the void in their heart now that you are no longer living at home. This decade of your life is usually when you can relate with your parent as one adult to the other, building friendship that deepens as the years roll by.

If your parents are still alive, why not start now…

To be continued

#prayerfortheweek

Help me Lord to honour my father and mother that it may be well with me and live long on earth. In Jesus name. Amen

#Wordfortheweek 2019 Week 29 From generation to generation (Part 1 of 4)

Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life. Proverbs 4:10-13 NKJV

As I grow older I often reflected on times past. As I watched my twenty-something year old daughters stepped into this decade of their lives, I found myself reflecting how it was being in one’s twenties.

I pondered and wondered if many made mistakes that shaped their lives when they were in their twenties. I certainly did, lots of them, many of which could have been avoided if only I knew what I know now. Hindsight is a good teacher.

One of my recollection of my twenties was a sense of freedom. Let’s look at it. As teenagers stepped into their twenties, maybe they’ve finished college, started working and have some financial independence. “I am now an adult, in control of my life, making my own decisions. No one, especially my parents can tell me what to do.” I see this attitude in many young people in their twenties around me. It is easy to spot because I have been there. done that, have the scar to show for it

I classified this as a false sense of adulthood. You think you know it all but in fact you know very little. Knowledge is not just about what you read, hear, think or feel but what you experienced as well.

Experience comes from years lived, unfortunately the lack of maturity during this decade leads many young people to make life changing mistakes. Join me as I share some of my life lessons from this time past.

#prayerfortheweek

Help me Lord not to make mistakes that will derail Your purpose for my life. In Jesus name. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). Spend this week to meditate on the passage and take relevant step to live out your faith.

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity