We Are The Children Of God

We all have a name at least and you are either lucky to have been given a name you really like or blessed to have been purposely given a meaningful name. However, as we grow and journey in life, events happen that give us other names such as graduate for finishing school or survivor for beating a crisis or parent for having children or CEO for leading a business.

It is not so much about the names as it is about situations that try to label us which is not always positive as in being labeled a rebel, a failure, an orphan, a dropout and others like that. If we would go by the many significant situations and circumstance that have happened to us, how many names would each of us bear, one too many. 

But of what importance are these circumstantial highly-conditional descriptions of who we are? Which of them really matter? While you are thinking of a response, you should remember the only description that matter; we are sons and daughters of the living God. Romans 8 verse 14 declares that as many of us as are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

As believers, our greatest, most constant identity has to be seeing ourselves as God sees us – His children, who regardless of fleeting life happenings are irrevocably blessed and have been made right by the sacrifices of Jesus which we have partaken of by our faith in him.

When life comes knocking and throwing all sorts at us, whether good or bad, we should never forget that those things do not define us. They do not determine who we are because we are of God and it is only through the lens of God’s word that we see ourselves and our greatest identity is that of being the children of the Most High.

Whether You Are Called Unto The Pulpit or Not

1Pe 2:9b KJV ..that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

When many believers hear the word 'Calling' or 'Called', the person that comes to mind is their Pastor. So, some of us tend to believe that only Pastors or Preachers are called. You will soon find out when next there is a program or service for ministers and you find people who have been serving in one capacity or the other draw back from such, believing they have to be holding the microphone at every service to be 'called'.

Interestingly, if all were shepherds, then who will be the sheep? We all can't be in the 5-fold ministry, but it doesn't disqualify us from being ministers. We may not have that physical angelic visitation heralding us at our new birth in Christ the way Jesus' birth was but we need to realize that we have been called of God. Our opening scripture that says that "God has called us out of darkness...",  is enough to tell us we are all called by God from the pulpit to the pews.

What many don't realise is that the calling of God is not limited to the pulpit. The pulpit is primarily a channel through which God touches the life of men, but not the only. When we come to know this, we begin to appreciate the work, however insignificant it might appear we do in God's house. This will also help a great deal in calming alot of ambitions to grab the microphone from the Pastor.

I didn't always see the work I did in Church as anything important until I left the Church for a while and my Pastor told me, since I left, no one had been recording his messages. Throughout the period I was there, nobody I can remember came asking for the recorded messages, but I continued. Although it looked like nothing to simply setup the laptop and connect cables, but it was a great help to the Pastor. Imagine the number of lives that will have access to those messages later on and be blessed by them, simply because I was doing something so insignificant.

The work you do for God might not put you in the limelight but nonetheless, it is adding value to people. Instead of looking for opportunities to be recognized for the work we do, we should rather be occupied with being a blessing to others. Being called of God is not for showmanship, neither should we neglect whatever present assignment or task we are carrying out in God's Kingdom. 

As humans we tend to see only the immediate results of our service, but in reality they are usually have far reaching effect that we don't know about. Therefore, whether you have a calling to the pulpit or not, you have no excuse not to be found serving and not see yourself as a minister because whether through preaching or through service, we are all ministering to one another in different capacities. 

If you have not given your life to Jesus, now is the opportunity to do so. Please, say, "Lord Jesus, I come to you today, I'm happy that you died for me to take all my sins away. I believe in you today. Please, be my guide. I receive your Holy Spirit as my seal forever, in Jesus name. Amen." Welcome to God's family! Please, write us at lothshine@gmail.com

The Grip Of Death is Over: Look Beyond

[Heb 2:14]KJV Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Jesus knew our fears that was why he partook of our nature, that is, flesh and blood. He came to give us everything we will need to overcome death. He is the reason for any believer's fearlessness. He became sin in our stead, so that we might be made the righteousness of God, 2Cor5:21. He has the keys of death and hell in his hands now. So, we need not to be afraid because the grip of death has fallen off. 

There are several stories of Victory over fear of death.

Let’s see the story of king Hezekiah in 2Kings 20:1-6. When king Hezekiah was sick unto death, he knew who he was in God and he pleaded with the Lord in prayer. God could see his upright heart. I could see some good measure of trust he had in God, here. So, God extended the number of his years by fifteen. Wow! King Hezekiah did not give up on his situation. He had the desire to spend some extra years, and God granted his request. This is God at work. 

There is a contemporary story of a woman who was diagnosed of cancer but she wouldn't take that which wasn't hers. She had heard all sort of news about cancer patients, but she took her ground in God's word. She grabbed every word of faith she could read and listen to. She surrounded herself with faith-filled people and she overcame every fear when she took the matter to God in prayer. This is key, surrounding ourselves with prayer partners and genuine people of faith who would stand with us in faith through the thick and thin of life. This will be helpful. They all believed the same thing, spoke the same words of faith and together genuinely lifted her up in prayer for healing and so it was. God answered their prayers, she came out of the trauma and she was healed. Hallelujah!

Another is the story of a woman who was tormented by fear of death because somethings happened unexpectedly to some people she knew and all of a sudden, she became afraid and torment began. She couldn't rest neither was she able to sleep for some time. But one day, in her quest for freedom, the Lord spoke to her – if you're going to die today, I'm the one who will take you, not the devil. And that settled it, the fear left. She's been walking in this consciousness since then.

So, what's the take home? 

The fear of the unknown can kill. Anxiety fuels the interest of the devil to come near you. You have an identity and it's in Christ. See, until you fulfil your God given destiny on earth, nothing is going to take hold of you, because your life is hid in Christ with God. Col 3:3.

So, be at peace! Be God conscious. Will troubles come? Yes! But be of good cheers, Jesus said, he has overcome the world for you. Jhn16:33.

You have to believe this:

Your heart (spirit) is of the Lord. 

Your soul is of the Lord.

Your body is of the Lord.

Amen.

Know this too, the Lord has spoiled the enemy for you:

Col 2:15 KJV And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Hallelujah....

So, relax, make these words your life!

Mrs Oluwaseun Okuneye with Tribuneonline

Oluwaseun Okuneye is an entrepreneur  and the convener of the Damsel Ministry, a ministry that is given to building up Christian ladies to fulfill their God-given destinies. In this interview by ONOME OMATSOLA, she speaks about the reason she decided to teach young ladies about decent dressing.

How did the Damsel Ministry start?

I had some challenges while growing up and it all started when I lost my mum. Then, I did  not know much about myself or what the future held for me and I was lost in the hands of wrong people. I also did not have a close relationship with God, but after the sad occurrence, I decided to get closer to God, as I realised He was the only one who could console me and the only one I could rely on to see me through in my journey of life. I made up my mind to worship God and to get  serious with Him because there was no one else I could turn to. As I continued in my walk with God, one day, I came across a scriptural verse in the Book of Mark where the word ‘damsel’ was used, and to me it meant a beautiful girl. It was a situation where a dead girl was brought back to life by Jesus and this scripture was interpreted to me that as a lady, no matter what your past was like, there is still hope for you and that anything dead in your life could be brought back to life by the power of God and that was how Damsel Ministry started. I just knew it that it was a revelation and a call to go to many nations to preach what I had seen and heard. We started in 2019 with some ladies who aligned with the vision, and to the glory of God we are making progress, and we have recorded quite a number of achievements.

What is Damsel Ministry about?

If we look around us now, we can see that indecency is now the new trend of fashion for almost all ladies, both believers and unbelievers. Ladies are exposing their bodies, wearing clothes that are extremely tight just to bring out their shape and all. So, I had this strong burden on the need for me to preach decency to as many as I could reach out to that was what formed the major vision or goal of the Damsel Ministry. Damsel Ministry was commissioned to preach decency to ladies in the world using some strategic and realistic means. We presently have an online page where information is passed across to people about what to do as a member of the Damsel Ministry. Some of the approaches we have been engaging in to make sure this vision comes to reality include a weekly decency campaign whereby we put up a quote on dressing with a picture of a lady decently dressed on it and share it  to all the social media platforms every week to create awareness about decency and how important it is for ladies to always dress well. Also, we have had teachings on our online platforms on decency to make sure members are equipped with adequate knowledge of what decency  means and what  is expected of them. There is one programme we plan to do on the page which we tag “Make it Good.” Make it Good is about sending different styles that aren’t decent enough to the page and we would all deliberate about how we could amend those styles to look decent and make them good and befitting enough to wear

What are some of your achievements so far?

The ministry is doing great. We have increased a lot in numbers and this has contributed immensely to the growth of the ministry. In the past six months, we have been able to create more awareness on social media platforms through the weekly decency campaign and we have received testimonies from people about how the ministry has helped built their consciousness of the need to dress decently. Also, we have been able to reach out to secondary school students to teach and preach decency to them by going to their schools with the permission of the school principals to enlighten the students about what decency is all about, the importance of dressing decently and the disadvantages. We also used the opportunity to enlighten them about the need for them to believe in themselves  and assured  them they could be who they want to be no matter what their past looks like. This was really a big accomplishment for us because lives of young girls and even boys were liberated from bondage of sin and indecency. Another accomplishment we have had is the teaching of decency that has been ongoing via our social media pages to enlighten people about decency, as we all know that we can’t give what we do not have.

As a strong advocate of decency, do you think decency can be inculcated in the heart of every lady?

Yes, it is not impossible. If we could create more awareness about decency and those who believe in it take it upon themselves to remain consistent in looking decent and not decide to join those who dress indecently, then others would see us and emulate us. It all starts from the place of identity and recognizing one’s worth. If you believe you are wonderfully and fearfully made and that dressing indecently would not beautify you more but diminish your worth and value as a lady, then to dress decently won’t be a problem. The first problem to get rid of is realizing one’s worth and who we are. We were created after God’s image, therefore, if we believe we are as honourable and beautiful as God is, dressing decently would be our way of life and it won’t be something friends, government and relatives would be forcing us to do. Our reactions to life are controlled by our mindset. If we could have the right mindset towards decency, then we would try our best to see to it that through us, decency is preached to the end of the earth. So, in my opinion, it’s possible for the consciousness of decency to be inculcated into all ladies as long as those that are advocates of decency do not go back to indecent wear, therefore, being an example to the society, both the young and old.

How did you get into the business of pearl making?

Pearls are for queens. So, I believe every lady is royalty and should look like one. This was my belief that made me fall in love with pearls. I have always loved pearls since I was very young. Then, when I watched the television and I saw Queen of England wear pearls, I loved it and I believed every lady should be able to look as beautiful as the Queen. The pearl might obviously not be as expensive as hers but I think I could make it available at prices that many people could afford and still look beautiful and classy. That was how I started learning pearls at a very tender age. I grew up to love it more and more till it became what I do to earn a living even when I grew up. I have made beads for queens and pastors’ wive’s and many other women, and it gives me joy when I see them wear it because it makes them look beautiful and outstanding.

How have you been able to combine your responsibility as a minister, business woman, mother and  wife?

It can be very challenging, but because I have a husband who keeps encouraging me to be more and would go to any length to ensure that I’m not overburdened with chores, coupled with the fact that we do ministry together, I have been able to combine all my roles successfully. My children too have made life easy for me by how they show me love with their many pecks and help around the house.

With your years of experience in marriage, could you share with us some of your marital experience so that young ladies could learn from it?

Well, marriage is not what you should run into like you are going to school and you will graduate from it. Marriage is a lifetime decision and it is meant to last forever, as long as the husband and wife live on earth. Marriage, according to God’s purpose, should be once. That is why we need to be careful about the choice we make today. Marriage is a new life. You have left your parents to start yours. You need to rely on the God who created your parents to help you through it. And this is why you must pick the right choice. The truth is this, you will not miss it in marriage if you put God first before choosing and when you are married, continue to make Him the Lord of your marriage. You will surely enjoy marriage as much as you should.

Culled from

https://tribuneonlineng.com/our-reactions-to-life-are-controlled-by-our-mindset-okuneye/

Never Give Up - Suicide is not an option

During the darkest hour
Be quiet
Listen to a still small voice within you,
"Never give up" 💪🏿

The Lord is with you in that darkest room
You are not alone

Your world is waiting for you

Your world is waiting for you
You may not know it yet
The stage is still your own

Don't compare yourself with another
God is still for you
He will see you through

You might have been rejected so many times
The time is not over yet
You will get there too

Never give up
Don't reject yourself
It's better late than never

Your heart is warm
You are beautiful
You are handsome

You are someone's daughter
You are someone's son

The daughter of a king
The son of a king
A useful one

You are not useless
You are a bride
You are a groom
Another will not take your place

Be happy
You are able
Look at yourself in the mirror
Say to yourself, "I'm able"

You may not have gotten that job yet
You will still get a better one
Keep working

Believe in yourself
Keep believing
Never give up

You've been backstabbed
Accused wrongly
Miscalculated
Or abused
Never give up😕

Your prayer will be answered
You will get there too

You are God's prayer for someone and he will find you; she will find you

You may seem alone
But you are not alone
God is with you and
He loves you

Never give up!

Let us run the race that is set before us with patience.

Wait!

Following Divine Timing

There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (MSG)

That verse up there can't be more simpler than it already is. There is a time for everything. As much as it might appear like everything is within your reach, you simply can't achieve everything now. God follows an order of sequence in the way He does things and it is visible in the system's operating in the world.

See, it doesn't matter how much you pray and fast, it can't reduce  pregnancy period for human to five months or a new born to grow to the size of an adult overnight. If you plant a seed today, it doesn't grow to a tree by the next morning. We are all aware of this natural processes in life, but when it comes to our visions in life, we want to hit the sky in one night.

The many failures and rejection we encounter on our journey in life often come with their own benefits although we might feel bad during those times. Interestingly, the same things we have always done with nothing special added, will now produce much more results and impact. It's the reason you can't afford to stop doing whatever God has clearly instructed you do.

The natural systems in the world reveals how the things of God operates too. Any call, vision, mission, idea or purpose that originates from God, will also follow its natural cause. That you were caught up to the third heaven and God showed you millions of souls that will be affected by your ministry doesn't mean the hall for your next event will be packed full.

The extent to which we can carry on with the vision against all odds tells how much faith we have in it. Every vision will be tested because it has its own peculiar timing. That you and a friend both ventured into God's plan at the same period doesn't dictate the glorification of yours. The test period will always come before the glorification.  Don't carry the mindset that  because it's of God then it should happen immediately.

If God that has all power could take his time to bring about the universe in 6 days before resting on the seventh, He is not about to rush you into purpose. Every little step you make out of faith today, is pivotal to how well the vision you saw will be accomplished. Hold on. The vision will come to pass.

Divine Purpose

One of the reasons many of us don't get to see the results of our faith is because we always have things figured out on our own. We believe so much in setting goals, that God is not left out in our plans. We give him a timeline to act else we use our method. If He doesn't show up at the exact time, we need Him, then He can as well not bother showing up. King Saul has a story to tell when he couldn't wait for Samuel God's prophet and lost the throne for his lineage.

As much as we humans have plans, what do we think of God? He is such a master planner that He planned the life of Prophet Jeremiah before his birth. Can you imagine what plans He has for you? Have you given It a thought that there is a master plan for my life that I might not be aware of? It simply means if God has a plan for you before your existence, you will be wise to find out what plans He already has for you before you start running on yours and assume you are in line with Him.

Whenever a believer is yet to find out his purpose, the work of the devil is to intentionally not allow him/her to see it. He knows if you find out your purpose and follow it, it will negatively affect his kingdom because you will be working for God's. So, you must be aggressive and intentional about it too.

One of the lies the devil has always sold out to many is that since the Bible says His thoughts towards me are thoughts of peace, not evil and an expected end, then it will always "appear good". As much as His plans are good, it doesn't always appear so to us. It could be to start a project when you don't have it all going well for you financially at that time. When you obey, you will surely what it means to walk by faith and not by sight. Even when He leads you to do something bigger, you'll remember His faithfulness and be ready to walk with Him.

That goodness you now enjoy because you chose to trust His leading won't be there for you if you did otherwise. Always know it's not so much as to how big the vision is, but in the person, who sent you. If God has called you, sent you, led you, inspired you to take a step to start something, follow Him with all your heart and He will always come through for you.