Wordfortheweek Week 34 Confidence (part 2 of 2)

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1 Samuel 17:45 (NKJV)

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The opposite of confidence is fear, doubt, distrust, anxiety, despair, shame, timidity, cowardice, negativity, and such. We overcome these when we trust Jehovah and recount the testimonies of our walk with Him. We can walk boldly in confidence, not timidity, fear, or doubt.

“But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” 1 Samuel 17:34-37 NLT

 

We must believe in our heart, have it in our mind that:

 

A. We were chosen by Jehovah,

B. We are anointed with power through the Holy Spirit,

C. We have access to grace: we can come boldly to the throne of grace to receive mercy in time of need. Anytime, 24/7

D. We have authority in Yeshua over every Goliath in our life.

E. Elohim God is with us all the time

 

Are you confident in Jehovah or bowed in doubt?

 

Let me share my testimony. This programe is changing my life in a transformative way.

I am dependent on the Holy Spirit for every topic, and I am hearing Him afresh. Every day my confidence in who I am in Yeshua Christ Jesus grows. 

 

I love teaching the word of Elohim because I am learning as He opens my eyes and gives me an understanding of the word. I am the first student of the teaching of the Holy Spirit. I used to be so unsure and uncertain of myself and put myself down - after all, who am I that Elohim is mindful of me and trusting me to call me into His ministry. I would hear things from the Holy Spirit but did not have the confidence to say it out or do anything about it. 

 

But you know what? If God trusts me, then I trust me too.

I am no longer making apologies for who I am.

I have embraced who God says I am and what He has called me to do.

I thrive in Him, in His presence, and nothing else.

 

Let the whole world know that there is a God in your life 

 

Our confidence comes from the heart, from within. When we understand who we are, who we belong to, what power we carry, and the access we have to supernatural abilities, we are as bold as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who can do all things. 

 

Make a decision today to focus on what God has done in your life. Let that be the springboard for your confidence.

 

To have this confidence requires a relationship with Jehovah through His Son Yeshua Jesus Christ. This is simple to do: 

 

Acknowledge: you have sinned and come short of the glory of God,

Repent: of your sins and be determined to turn away from them,

Confess: and declare Jesus as the Son of God, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9),

Accept him as your Lord and Saviour,

Declare your faith openly and become a new creature in Christ; old things have passed away,

Follow Jesus in all areas of your life.

 

And start that wonderful journey with Him immediately. I encourage you to search for a bible teaching fellowship near you to support your spiritual growth.

 

PrayerfortheWeek

Almighty Father, thank you for the gift of my life. May we always dwell in your presence and be filled with your love. May our minds stay on Yeshua and be in perfect peace.  I pray in the name of Yeshua Jesus. Amen.

 

If you accept Jesus or turn back to him, please get in touch. I am so excited! You give me hope and joy and are my proud reward and crown when I stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns. Yes, you are our pride and joy (1Thessalonians 2:19-20 NLT).

Inbox me, email me, just get in touch. I want to join you in prayers every day

My email is info@adeolaakintoye.com

 

I pray that this inspires you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2021

Wordfortheweek Week 33 Confidence (part 1 of 2)

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1 Samuel 17:45 (NKJV)

copyright aakintoye

‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬I was going to the gym the other day, and I debated if to wear my 'Jesus is King' T-shirt or change it. For some minutes, my brain debated if I wanted to make so obvious who I am and what I believe. After all, no one can wear a T-shirt that says Jesus is King if they think otherwise.

Some of us need a good dose of confidence to showcase Jesus in our life. What is confidence, and what has confidence got to do with practical christianity?

The dictionary definition of confidence states it as a quality. It is also a feeling (faith, belief, trust) and a state of being.

Confidence comes from an internal state. One has to feel it inside. It is not imposed from the external on you. However, external things (people, things, events) contribute to that feeling.

Confidence is also a decision: I can decide to trust someone or not, to have confidence in their abilities. This decision might be because of one’s experience of the person in the past or present.

Our bible text depicts the story of a supremely confident 12-year old boy in a God that He has never seen. He was the youngest of eight brothers. He had no status nor material wealth. But he was chosen and anointed by Jehovah God because his heart was right with God.

David knew Jehovah was with him; he had no fear.  As believers, we too are chosen by Jehovah. The Holy Spirit anoints us for our divine assignment. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬

Practically, confidence comes from who we know we are. Our confidence is our God because we understand who He is. We cannot live out faith without confidence. David was confident in the Mighty God he revered.  He knew that success and victory only come from Jehovah.

“David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭17:45‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬

To be continued

PrayerfortheWeek

Almighty Father, thank you for the gift of my life. May we always dwell in your presence and be filled with your love. May our minds stay on Yeshua and be in perfect peace.  I pray in the name of Yeshua Jesus. Amen.

If you accept Jesus or turn back to him, please get in touch. I am so excited! You give me hope and joy and are my proud reward and crown when I stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns. Yes, you are our pride and joy (1Thessalonians‬ ‭2:19-20‬ ‭NLT‬‬)‬‬‬‬‬‬.‬‬‬‬

Inbox me, email me, just get in touch. I want to join you in prayers every day

My email is info@adeolaakintoye.com

I pray that this inspires you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2021

WordfortheWeek 2021 Week 10 Friendship

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 NLT

 

 

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Friendship is a type of relationship between two or more people. Those in friendship are called friends. There is a two-way commitment between friends.

 

Some friendships last a lifetime, some last a short time. Some friendships changes over time. A unique aspect of friendship is that there is a relationship.

 

Relationships are meant to bring value into our life. The Holy Scriptures says that two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed (Ecclesiastes 4:9). We usually use this verse for weddings. But it is also applicable to non-wedding friendships.

 

In life we experience different types of relationships. There are some friendships that are value-adding, uplifting and enabling. There are others that are toxic and soul destroying.

 

In my life I have friends who I call destiny helpers, they enable me to fulfil my purpose in life. They inspire me and motivate me to be my best. Over the years, I have learnt to manage relationships that had the potential to be destructive.  I can’t call those relationships friendship, because to me there must be positivity in friendships.

 

Friends that seek to destroy each other are not friends but enemies.

 

However great a friendship is, there is always a limitation to it. A friendship could be limited in time and space, if the friends live far from each other. Others could be limited because of other responsibilities. Yet, others could be limited because of our human nature. Friends can betray trust, hurt or abandon each other.

 

There is a friendship though, that is unique, consistent and dependable. An inspiring example is that of Elohim God and Abraham.

 

Elohim  called Abraham friend ‘But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend’ (Isaiah 41:8)

 

Another example is Jesus and his disciples. Jesus called his disciples friends; ‘Now you are my friends since I have told you everything the Father told me’ (John 15:15)

 

The manner of friendship in these two cases are inspiring. There are indescribable blessings in being God’s friend. Elohim trusted Abraham, that He made Abraham a channel of blessing for the world. Jesus trusted his disciples that he gave them authority and power that whatsoever they bind or loose on earth will be done in heaven.

 

We also have access to this friendship with Jesus, by faith in him.

Friendship is a blessing, initiated by God. But not given to everyone. God did not call everyone His friends. 

 

Friendship connotes a level of closeness or intimacy. The friendship that Elohim presents to us will bring us into this closeness and intimacy with Him. Elohim would be able to say about us; ‘Should I hide my plans from my friend Adeola?’

 

Friendship with Jesus gives us access to blessings. He is a friend who loves us unconditionally. He is a friend that is faithful and trustworthy. He is a friend that laid his life for us.

 

I want to be a friend of Jesus. How about you?

 

Abraham had a personal relationship with his God. Jesus is inviting us into a personal relationship with him.

 

It’s never too late to accept Jesus into your heart as Lord and Saviour. It’s simple to do this; believe in your heart that Jesus is the son of God, raised from the dead and confess with your mouth that He is Lord. “For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved” (Romans 10:9,10 NLT).

 

And start that wonderful friendship with Him immediately.

 

Secondly, those who would be his friends must be ready to obey like Abraham did.

“You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15:14 NLT. Jesus taught us the most important law for us to obey and he taught us the two greatest commandment: To love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind. This is the first and greatest commandment and the second is like it is to love your neighbour as ourself. (Matthew 22:36)

 

Do you want Jesus as a friend? It’s up to you, friend.

 

Have a wonderful week ahead.

 

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation and the Holy Spirit. Give me the grace to obey You and be in divine friendship with You. Help me to be a true friend to those who are in friendship with me. May all my friendships glorify your holy name. In the name of Yeshua Christ Jesus I pray. Amen.

 

If you accepted Jesus or turned back to him by reading this blog, please get in touch. I am super excited! Inbox me, email me, just get in touch. I want to join you in prayers every day. My email is info@adeolaakintoye.com

 

Have a wonderful week ahead.

 

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2021

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#LifeLessons: Rose tinted glasses?

(The forgiveness Series 2)

5 June 2016

Have you ever been hurt before? I sure have, devastatingly so. It's easy to advice someone to forgive and forget. But reality is, forgiveness is one of the most difficult things in life - not when your heart had been ripped apart with betrayal, pain or loss.

I went through baptism of fire in forgiveness when I was hurt in the Christendom. As Christians we have (very) high standards and expectations of each other - after all we are meant to be holy and righteous. We put people on pedestal.

We expect people to be righteous because God says He has made us so through the blood of Jesus. You know what, I have reflected and mused and come to the conclusion that only God can see people as righteous. He has to, for Him to be able to relate with us. I see people including myself as fallible, imperfect as long as we are still in this human flesh.

Going back to my baptism of fire. It was a journey. I must confess, I would have left the Christendom if I was a new babe in Christ. My rose tinted Christian glasses was knocked off and it shattered into many pieces never to be put together again. I had expectations of how Christians should behave - Christ like and my expectation was cut short.

I thank God for His Holy Spirit that used this experience as a training process for me. I needed to work on myself. Was I reflecting Christ in my own behaviour? Maybe, maybe not. I became more conscious of Christ's expectation as a Kingdom citizen. Remember Jesus' teaching; take the plank out of your own eyes before complaining about others.

I began to work on my character. It was and it is not easy. It's a lifetime process. The experience thought me that it is easy to see other people's short coming but we all have it. Was I reflecting the expectations I had of other people? Irrespective of what people do to me, I will be judged for my own actions not theirs. If I don't forgive and let go, I will be judged for it.

Never put anyone on any pedestal. They will fall. I am learning to shrug things off. Life is too short to fill it with offence.

Lastly and something that requires consistent prayers is seeing people not through the lens of righteousness (leave that to God) but through Christ eyes - with agape love. It is only through this agape lens that love can cover a multitude of sin. Not by ourselves but through the power of the Holy Spirit. No matter what people do to you, Jesus still loves them.

Yep, He does because He died for those that committed that unforgivable sin in our eyes. So, who am I not to forgive?

I pray the Holy Spirit will fill us more and with abundance of grace to love with agape. Remember, if your heart is filled with un-forgiveness, there will not be any space for agape love. Empty it of offence and fill it with agape love.

How about you?

#LifeLessons: The Cancer that you can control

(The forgiveness Series 1)

22 May 2016

Un-forgiveness is like cancer. Once the seed is sown, it starts growing and spreading like a bush fire; consuming, destroying and killing all things in its part. The only way to stop it is to uproot it from the root. The only way to prevent it is not to let the seed be planted in the first place.

Not too long ago, I was hurt. I had un-forgiveness threatening my life. Yes, that is what it does. It steals your peace and joy, and most importantly your relationship with God.

I was hurt! It was not even one incidence but a series of incidences by the same person. Those incidences, I felt were meant to humiliate and deliberately hurt me. It was even more painful because it was in an environment that I expected to be full of love. I flirted with bitterness and nearly took the pill of offence.

What saved me was the fact that I had Jesus Christ in my life. I kept remembering He forgave me, why would I not forgive this person. I lost respect for this person. I mistrusted anything they said. I found myself reading meanings into what they do. Through this, I opened myself to battlefield of the mind.

I knew I was in trouble because the Holy Spirit kept convicting me through my conscience. On judgement day, would I use the person as an excuse for not forgiving? Was their own action powerful enough over my life to dictate my actions?

I knew I was fighting a spiritual battle because I know what the God I serve says about forgiveness (Matt 6:14-15, 18:21-22, Luke 6:37 examples). I was in this battle for about a year.

So I started fighting it. No one was going to make me miss my eternity. I prayed consistently for the Holy Spirit to help me to forget the pain, that when I see this person, I will not remember the pain.

I started taking control of my thoughts by confessing Philippians 4:8. It became my favourite verse;  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Anytime I see the person I recited the verse, to keep away any negative thoughts. It worked.

I prayed to be filled with agape love – not the ordinary flesh inducing love but the love that covers all sins, one that does not anger; that sees through Christ eyes, the love that comes from above. I prayed to love this person with agape love. I then started working it out. Whenever I see the person, I will greet and hug them. I went out of my way to help them. I was determined to love them. Agape love does not depend on feelings but based on decision.

Gradually the feelings of hurt died. I see them now I feel love. I have also come to know and understand their character and nothing they do now could hurt me again because I shrug off their weaknesses and focus on their strengths. I want to put my energies in working on my own weaknesses – there is a lot of that already!

I came out of that experience having a deeper understanding that forgiveness is not easy but it is not impossible. The Holy Spirit is there to help us work it out.

How about you?

#Lifelessons: Being content

Have you ever wished your sister was more like you, your dad like your friends dad or mum as glamorous as your friend's; maybe you wished you were someone else.

When I was growing up I used to wish my parents were richer, so that I could have anything and everything I wanted!

It is so easy to see our own limitations and wish for more. God created each one of us unique. Our physical structure fits the internal design perfectly. Our gifts and abilities have been given in the measure for the use it was intended.

When we wish to be someone else, it brings a discontent that leads to envy, which leads to jealousy and when this is given space to grow could lead to hatred and God forbid murder like in the case of Cain and Abel.

Wishing for what others have makes you overlook what you do have, under-utilize the potential in you and prevent you from being the best you could be.

I have learnt to be content. Nothing anyone has or is can make me want to be them. I have learnt to be comfortable in my own skin, thankful for the measure of faith and gift. I have learnt that being content in Jesus brings peace of mind, and with peace comes joy from within and a life of thankfulness for the blessings I have been given.

How about you?

Seeing the invisible...

In many Churches all over the world, the first Sunday of every month is dedicated for thanksgiving. We hear testimonies of what God has done in people's life in the past and currently.

It is easy to give thanks to what we can see, hear or feel. However there are many other things to give thanks to God for; those things we can not see but are there nevertheless.

When the King of Syria was after Elisha, his servant was frightened when he saw the army with multitude of horses and chariots sent to capture one man.

He exclaimed; “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” (‭II Kings‬ ‭6‬:‭15‬ NKJV)

But Elisha answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “ LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (‭II Kings‬ ‭6‬:‭16-18‬ NKJV).

Give thanks to God for the wall of fire surrounding you and yours. And pray that God will open your eyes to see that those who are with you are more than your enemies...

Have a testimony filled new month.

As a man thinks in his heart…

‘...There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.’ (Numbers 13:33 NKJV)

I had been so fascinated by the incidence that finally broke the Carmel’s back (so to speak) in the wilderness of Paran (Numbers 13). I had read this story so many time in my life but it was now making some profound impact in my spiritual journey.

As a man thinks in his heart so he shall be. The Israelite elders believed they were grasshoppers in their own sight, and also felt their enemies sees them as such... so they became paralysed with fear. I couldn't just imagine why this people would see themselves like that when they had God fighting and protecting them. They were full of murmuring and complaint all the time! As I studied the Israelites’ wilderness journey, I saw them as spoilt pertinent children who would never be satisfied no matter what God did for them. It’s all about me…me…me.

Just to read how God provided and protected them showed the depth of His love for them. Despite the challenges they might have been facing; harsh terrain, no water, no meat, enemies to fight, yet they only needed to ask God (respectfully not with complaints and murmuring) and He would grant them their wishes but no they complained like little children (God still granted them their wish... but oh boy were they punished as well).

To give them a little credit, some of their complaints were from the strangers in their midst '.....Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat’’’? (Numbers 11:4 NKJV). This brings to mind the statement...'Do not be unequally yoked to unbelievers.' However, they still had the choice not to complain.

They did not see themselves as God saw them – His beloved children, whom He loved very much and whom He would care for and protect. They still saw themselves as slaves under the yoke of the Egyptian masters. And because of this it was difficult for them to really comprehend the miraculous work that God had been doing in their midst.

Father, I am thankful for everything you have done for me and are still doing for me. With a grateful heart, I bring my desires to you without murmuring and complaint like a spoilt ungrateful child. Help me to see myself as you see me and not as I see myself.

How about you? Do you see yourself as the loving child of the Almighty God, made righteous by the blood of Jesus? Or are you still pulling yourself down and back with limiting thoughts and mind-set?

Prayer: Father I believe I am loved by You. I believe You are my banner, my Shield, my Strength and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In the Mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Shalom