Category: Spirituality

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Preparing for Spiritual Warfare: Strategies for Victory in the Ultimate Days

To experience peace, we must first win all battles. The enemy is always engaging us in battles known and unknown. We need the Holy Spirit to help us fight these wars. To receive divine intelligence, we must position ourselves in God’s presence where we can avail of the high-speed download of information when analyzed provides strategies to defeat the enemy before they even think of striking. Satan is angrier these days and persistently looks for every soul that he can cast into the pit of hell. Hence the urgency to stay ahead of the enemy if we want to enter the kingdom of GOD.

We live in the ultimate days of earth, tumultuous times. It is not a time of peace and safety, but sudden destruction (1Thessalonians 5:3). As God’s people, we must be sober, vigilant (1 Peter 5:8), and walk as wise while remaining girded for war in the heavens because our battles are always spiritual (Ephesians 6:10-18). God promised to fight for us, but we must know when there is a battle and call on Him for help. Today, God’s people must pray 7 times daily and praise equally. Satan has overtaken many of us through laziness, worldliness, idleness, sleep, drunkenness, envy, and greed. Rise God’s people because a storm is coming, a storm that is likened to no other. We must prepare our minds, bodies, and souls to be transformed to God’s kingdom.

There is a work for everyone to do. We must diligently labor to guard our souls and labor for the souls of others. Let us love each other as children of God because, without brotherly love, we will not see the face of God (1 John 4:7-21). Let us cast off the heavyweights of malice, hate, covetousness, strife, self-righteousness, bitterness, unforgiveness, and lawlessness, and cry out to God. He willingly forgives the repentant heart that confesses and turns away from all iniquity (1 John 1:9). Those who profess to love Christ must crucify themselves daily and be willing to bear the cross of Christ as He did for us. Let us start by spending one prayerful hour daily with God just sitting in His presence and allowing Him to lead and direct our days. We will forget ourselves as our hearts become sensitive to God’s voice through reading His word and applying it to our hearts. God gives us wisdom to make excellent decisions in every area of our lives.

God is calling a special group of people; modern-day Enoch, Elijah, Esther, Daniel, and Deborah to stand up for Him. He wants to give us greater power than witnessed on Earth. These days beg it. Jesus said that we would do a greater work than He did (John 14:11-12), and He did everything; raise the dead, heal the sick, cast out demons, get money from a fish’s mouth, turn water into wine, and multiply the food that fed multitudes. The days of amazing, divine impossibilities and amazing are here! Let us tap into the high-voltage powerhouse of God, where our spirits will charge with spiritual explosions in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to finish the work of the Lord in our time!

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MINISTERING TO OTHERS WITH HUMILITY

ISAIAH 29:19

The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel

Today we live in a society where there are more hurting people than ever. Many are turning to ministries for the healing of their raw wounds because they want to experience something different. The last thing they want is for us to hammer their heads with what the world has been telling them. Those are the v same things they are trying to escape from and do not want to be reminded of because it only unearths old hurts. Instead, show them love and lead by example,e and when they see Jesus in you, they will want to know Him.

Jesus had twelve disciples while He was on earth and they were privileged to have spent over three years with him in ministry. Although they walked with Him daily, they didn’t get it because they lacked faith despite the mighty miracles they witnessed similar to us today. He didn’t exert His power over them. Jesus was patient, kind, and compassionate and showed them love and empathy. He called them His friends and shared His schedule with them daily and invited them along while He ministered to them and others. He didn’t call them out but showed them unconditional love which won their hearts.

He didn’t force anyone to listen to Him, but allowed the people to choose whether to listen. The disciples finally got what Jesus was trying to teach them and experienced conversion after Jesus ascended to heaven. As a result, they could replicate the work Jesus had done. They won thousands of souls for His kingdom. None of us have earned the badge of perfection. We are all sinners who struggle with our thoughts, emotions and relationships with others daily. We all know the battles that we must fight on our way to the kingdom. Hence, we must be patient with others. Many of us need to linger at the foot of the cross until we have that divine encounter that will help us reflect on Christ before we can teach others about Him. When we are unloving and judgemental, we are denying Christ and are liars and hypocrites. Let us put ourselves on the same scale we used to weigh others. If we are honest, many of us are breaking the scales.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God (1 John 4:7)

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A MOTHER’S LOVE AND DEVOTION

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

Throughout history, we have seen women playing very important roles in our society. However, the greatest role a woman can assume is that of a mother. A child is a gift from God, which makes it a very high calling. Therefore, it requires patience, love, kindness, godliness, discipline, wisdom, sacrifice, and adeptness to nurture and train young minds for service to God and humanity. We live in a society where the social and moral fabric has decayed beyond repair. However, there is still hope because mothers have the ability and opportunity to create the changes they want to see in our society; by training confident, disciplined, and God-fearing children who will influence our society positively. A mother’s job is very challenging, especially if they have two or more children. However, they need not do it on their own hence; it requires reliance on God through prayer and other godly women who will pray for them and help them along the way. 

MOTHERS OF THE BIBLE

The Bible has stories of women of God who were impactful mothers in the lives of their children. In the Old Testament, Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, was barren and longed to have a child. She went to the temple and prayed fervently. God heard her cry and gave her Samuel, whom she cared for, trained, and nurtured, then returned him to the temple at the tender age of three years old. He became one of the most powerful prophets in Israel and anointed Israel’s first King, Saul. (1 Samuel 1:9-28)

God appeared to Manoah’s wife (we don’t know her name), she too, was barren and God told her she would have a child. She was given specific instruction from God regarding diet and lifestyle because the child she would conceive was anointed for God’s purpose. Samson was one of the most influential judges in Israel. (Judges 13: 2-25).

The most important birth in history was that of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. God chose a young girl, Mary, to entrust with His son. (Luke 1:26-35). He was the greatest man that ever graced this earth. He was loving, compassionate, kind, and touched by the infirmity of humanity. He spent his life servicing of men, preaching, teaching, nurturing, healing, performing miracles and restoring life. He was a friend of sinners, the hopeless, helpless, rejects of society and the wounded and lost. Today, He is still the best friend that one could have because He is ever present, willing, and ready to help.  (Psalm 46:1-3).

Happy Mother’s Day mom. Thank you for taking the time to raise us well and loving us in your way. Happy Mother’s day to all you wonderful mothers out there! May God continue to use you as lights to lead your children in the correct path.

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THE FAMILIAR THINGS OF THE PAST

A good past is like a big comfortable armchair that is always inviting and relaxing. Once you step into that familiar place and experience comfort and safety, it is hard to trade it for the unknown. Often when faced with difficulties or things not working out as planned, we are quick to revert to the past because it is familiar.

An example would be a young bride who realizes that marriage requires work and might opt to return to the comforts of home. We pray for promotions and deliverance, yet when challenges arise, we become discouraged and want to retreat to the safety of the past. Although there is some comfort in what is familiar, there is no growth there. Changes are necessary for life because we develop through them. The children of Israel are a prime example. They were in bondage in Egypt for 430 years and they spent most of their time crying out to God for deliverance from their captivity. God sent Moses, His servant, along with Aaron, his brother, to deliver them. Through a series of miraculous events, they miraculously left Egypt and journeyed through the Red Sea. Everything was going well; they had manna from heaven that rained daily and water to drink. God preserved their clothing and their sandals. The moment they faced a challenge, they murmured and complained about Moses, who risked his life for them. (Exodus 15:22-27).

God expects us to grow and bear fruit. The challenges we face in this life prepare us for eternity. Challenges teach us self-discipline, denial, implicit trust, and unswerving faith in God and His promises. Many are afraid to explore new things because of the fear of failure. However, failure can become one of our biggest opportunities. We gain knowledge about what doesn’t work, and it builds our resilience to persevere through difficulties.

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IMPRISONED? GOD CAN BUST LOCKS AND CHAINS

God, our eternal Father, owns everything in the universe, including the locks and keys. No devil, individual, or system can unlawfully detain God’s children. If you find yourself in prison and are innocent, God is going to get you out. The Bible account in Acts 12:1-19 is a riveting testament to the power of prayer.

Herod was angry with the church and killed the apostle James and took Peter next and imprisoned him with the intention that he would experience the same fate. However, God had other plans for his life and the church prayed for him unceasingly. Peter, though heavily guarded and bound in chains, was fast asleep because of the confidence he had in the power of God to get him out of prison. In verse 7 the angel of the Lord stepped into the prison cell and shone a light on peter and struck him on the right side, which alerted him and he woke up. He did nothing but followed the instructions of the angel, which were to “rise” and his chains supernaturally fell off.

The angel instructed him to get dressed and put his sandals on, then follow him. Peter followed the instructions, thinking all the time that it was a vision. However, as they passed the different ward stations, his attitude shifted. The iron gates opened as though they were remote controlled and they went out into the street. The angel departed and Peter finally realized he was a free man. Peter was on his own to carry on with his daily life. The first thing he did was to find his brethren to tell them of his amazing jailbreak! He knocked on the door and the damsel. Rhoda believed it was Peter and was joyous and ran to tell the others he was free. However, when she gladly proclaimed he was at the door, they didn’t believe her. Peter kept on knocking, and when they open the door and saw him they were shocked. They had spent the night in prayer, yet they didn’t believe that God could deliver him. How often we pray for ourselves and others and when the answer comes, we are in disbelief. When you pray boldly, you can expect God to show up and demolish your prison walls, whether it’s physical, spiritual, or emotional. Remember to stay calm because the battle is always God’s.

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ARE YOU TIRED OF GETTING YOUR CHEEKS SLAPPED?

Many of us have hearts of gold. We are self-sacrificial and the first to turn up in times of crisis. We have helped many get through difficult times in their lives; hunger, broken relationships, divorce, job loss, homelessness, and betrayals. You became their safe place for all their negative and toxic emotions. However, as soon as they overcome their difficulties, they forget until there is another need to dispose of their bag of stress on you and walk free again. They are using you and don’t care about you or want to build a relationship with you. Have you ever thought about how we treat God the same way too? After He has blessed us with our spouses, house, jobs, and cars, promotions, healed us from cancer and heart disease, restored our marriages, and make us rich, we turn around and slap Him right in the face. We are selfish, disobedient, unloving, mistreat others, and think that it was by our efforts we accomplished these things.

The story of the ten lepers in Luke 17: 11-19, presents a good example of ungratefulness and unthankfulness. Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem and had to pass through Samaria and Galilee. While entering a certain village, He met ten lepers. They stayed at a distance and pleaded with him to have mercy on them. He told them to show themselves to the High Priest which was customary in those days. Praise God, as they went, healing took place. One of them, when he realized he was healed, returned to Jesus. With deep gratitude in his heart, he thanked Him. Jesus asked him, were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? They were nowhere in sight except for the one Samaritan. Because of his humility and faithfulness, Jesus told him to go his way because his faith had made him whole, which suggests that the others lacked faith.

Let us not forget the people who helped us to get to where we are. The view from the top is always great. However, one misstep can plummet us downward into the path of unforeseen danger. Let us be mindful of how we treat others in this life because they might just be the ones to break your fall. Above all, give thanks to God in everything!

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SHIFTING THINGS AROUND CAN UNCOVER NEW THINGS

I recently moved to another state and my internet box was waiting outside my apartment upon arrival.  I tackled the setup the next day because I was not in the mood to do it right away. The next day, I was excited about reconnecting with the outside world and continuing my outreach. However, there was one problem: I couldn’t locate the indoor connection. I had in my mind what it looked like from previous experiences and it never occurred to me that there might be a new way in another state.  I delayed setting up the internet because I didn’t want to be bothered.  Then came day two, and I needed to be online and must figure it out. Hence, I began the arduous task of shifting some boxes around.  To my amazement, the boxes hid the points, and in no time; I had internet service. I lost two days because I was not willing to look intentionally earlier.

My mind went back to an experience I had in my Junior year in college. I was a business major and taking a class in entrepreneurship among my other classes. They invited a wealthy business leader in the community to give a lecture about how to become a successful entrepreneur. He said one secret to becoming successful in business is the willingness to uncover new territories. He closed his lecture with this question; are you willing to explore new territories? Many of us were very skeptical because, for some of us, it was just making the grade because we had no interest in business ownership. We reluctantly answered in the affirmative. He gave us a task which was to overturn our chairs. Everyone gasped with excitement when they found a brand new $10 bill taped underneath their seats. The class gave him a resounding applause not just for the money but for the invaluable, simple practical lesson he taught us that day.

How many times do we get stuck in a rut and choose to remain there because we are too lazy to move things around, or don’t want to make the effort? Has it ever occurred to you that you might find something of value or learn something new that might change your life? God wants us to live joyfully each day despite the challenges we might experience in our lives. When we apply a positive approach, it can help to find solutions or help us push through a very difficult situation.

As Christians, we often become stuck with rituals and routines. God wants us to grow in our walk with Him and He expects us to ask big. 1 Chronicle 4:9-10 introduces Jabez’s character as being honorable. However, his name meant sorrow because his mother had a difficult time with his birth. One would think that he would go about life feeling sorry for himself. Jabez knew the God of his fathers and that with Him there were no limits. Therefore, he boldly stated his petition to the God of Israel, our God: Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me and that thou would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me. And God granted him what he requested. God wants to grant our requests. Let us do our part by studying His word, praying, and listening to the Holy Spirit. He is the same God. Let’s allow Him to surprise us by praying bold prayers today!

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IT IS BETTER TO DEFEND OTHERS THAN TO DEFRIEND THEM

Let’s defend and not defriend the people in our lives who are not on the same plane as us. Yes, some of us are lost in the traffic of life; in our homes, workplaces, and church because no one cares or feels the desire to at least investigate what is going on or even lend a helping hand. People are floating through life with anger and rage because they are being treated unjustly, punished for speaking up, being isolated, and labeled as troublemakers who are not listening or learning, disobedient to God, and unconverted. Who appointed you to assign these labels to others, thou hypocrite? Cast the plank out of your eyes first (Matthew 7: 3-5), then you will have a heart of empathy towards others.  70 X7 (Matthew 18:21-22) is the number of times Jesus admonished us to forgive, which is ceaseless.

We constantly pop people into boiling water. Like a tea bag, they expand, giving others a nice cup of tea while they are squeezed out and dumped into the trash. Do you sometimes feel like a tea bag and wished you could just sit and enjoy a cup of tea too? Of course, you do. However, others won’t allow you to because they consider you unworthy. We are mere mortals and none of us is perfect. God created all men equal; we are different, yet we have the same physiological. emotional and social needs, according to Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. We can all get along despite race, ethnicity, and social and economic status. To do so, we must stop suffocating others with our dogmas and allow them to breathe just like we would.

People are suffering from many complexes because of various reasons: their mothers rejected them while in the womb, abandoned them at birth, or during their childhood.  Hence, they go about life looking for a sense of belonging while suffering deep pain that is comparable to a deep gash from a wound that will not heal.  Inwardly, they are crying out for help, and no one notices their silent cries.  They live with criticism, blame, and shame. Despite all their steadfast efforts, there are overshadowed, overlooked, belittled, criticized, and dehumanized.

Are these the characteristics of Jesus Christ, the God of love? I think not. He went about doing good (Acts 10:38). He healed the believer and the unbeliever, and hung out with the dejected and scourged of society. Our capacity to love is impaired because we have not experienced love, therefore we cannot give it. The good news is that “LOVE IS THE UNIVERSAL LAW”. It is God’s law of love; love God, and your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12: 30-31). When you love God, it is easier to love everyone and not isolate a group or a person because they don’t think, look, and talk like you or their lifestyle differs from yours.  Christians, unless we love others unconditionally, we will be cast into outer darkness when Christ comes again. Examine yourself to see if you have a heart that genuinely cares for humanity. The world needs our love now. Love is a precious gift! Let’s gift others with our love today. 

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GOD WILL SEND HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE

1 SAMUEL 17:1-51

Saul, the King of Israel had a war on his hands. They were going up against the Philistine’s giant, Goliath. He breathed fear into the minds of every soldier in Israel’s army. He taunted and terrified them as he asked for a man to fight him on the condition if he wins Israel would become their slave and vice versa.

David walked into this milieu when he was asked by his father to take food to his three older brothers who were in the army. Upon his arrival, David left his carriage in the hands of the valet and hurried towards the army where he greeted his brothers. He was in the midst of a conversation with them about the war when Goliath showed up and cursed them. The men of Israel became afraid and fled. They looked defeated and spoke about being defeated. However, in the midst of the despair, someone mentioned that whoever defeated the giant would receive; wealth, royal marriage, and freedom in their father’s house. David showed interest in this and asked for more clarification. He referred to Goliath as an uncircumcised philistine who was defying the army of the living God.

His oldest brother became angry and questioned his motive for coming and insinuated that he left their father’s sheep without help. He accused him of being prideful and naughty. Sounds like jealousy, right? In his defense, David asked if he had wronged him and if there wasn’t a cause for him to be there. He turned away from his brother to another person and he continued to voice his concerns. When family members, friends, coworkers, and enemies try to stop us from fulfilling our divine calling we must step away from them and seek answers elsewhere.

Finally, Saul heard about David and sent for him. David encouraged Saul by advising him that he was willing to go to the battlefront to fight for Israel. Saul initially discouraged him by reminding him that he was just a boy and that Goliath was experienced as a man of war. This did not deter David. Instead, he proceeded to recite his track record: Killed a bear and recovered lamb and killed a lion and recovered lamb. He went against the toughest opponent and won. He added that Goliath would be next. Most importantly he told the king that it was God who gave him the victory over these powerful beasts.

Saul was convinced by the bravado of this young boy and agreed to place him in the war. He armed him with his armor, brass helmet, and coat of mail and David girded his sword. David hesitated because something didn’t feel right. He believed in the power of God to deliver with a minimal approach and he took off his protection and handed them back to Saul stating he could not use them. he took what was familiar; his staff, and five smooth stones which he placed in his shepherd’s bag. He kept his sling in his hand while he advanced toward his enemy. Goliath drew near as well with his shield-bearer in front. Although it appeared like David was alone; he had the heavenly army with him.

Goliath disdained David. He felt insulted that they sent a boy to fight him. He hurled abuse at him and his God while threatening to kill him and let the birds and beasts have a meal of him. Finally, David spoke these profound words, “you come to me with sword, spear, and shield, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel whom thou defies”. He was sure that God would deliver him and told Goliath in no uncertain terms that you’re a dead man and that his God would be glorified that day. He finished his testimony by declaring that the battle was God’s and that he had the victory!

As he stood up to his giant he came near to David. David ran towards him and took out his stone slung it and Goliath fell down. Now their champion was dead and they were running from Israel who chased them and wounded them and took their possessions. Why was David sure he would defeat Goliath? He knew God through a solid relationship with Him and had proved Him many times. How wonderful it would be if when we face trials we glorified God and declare victory without seeing the outcome. David was willing to die for his fellowmen that day and God assured him victory. He wants to fight for you today. Just remember the battle is the Lords!

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THERE IS HEALING IN THE POWER OF A TOUCH

The story in Luke 8: 45- 55 chronicles the end journey of a lifetime of pain and suffering for this woman of God. She was very ill but never gave up because she willed herself to live. Her earthly resources were exhausted and she had nothing left. Despite this infirmity, she kept pressing on in faith knowing that she will be healed although not knowing when and how.

On this given day, Jesus was visiting her town and there is no doubt that the news quickly spread because everywhere He went He had a huge following. He was lauded and celebrated by all; those who loved Him and those who hated him. Though very frail she positioned herself in the crowd no doubt being trampled on as she crawled because she didn’t have the energy to stand. She heard about JESUS and she believed that He could heal her and make her whole. She trembled with excitement as she inched closer to Him planning her strategy of when to reach out and touch Him. As she got close enough, she reached her hand and touched the border of His garment from behind, and immediately felt the power of the touch that healed her. JESUS stopped what He was doing and asked “who touched me”? He felt the transforming power left His body to hers and He wanted her to testify. She knelt in humility at Jesus’s feet and confessed and He called her daughter and declared to her that it was her faith that made her whole (Luke 8:48).

Many of us are suffering from chronic illnesses today and we have not received our healing. Is it because we lack the faith or the will to be made whole? God wants to heal us but we must read His word, pray and listen to what the Holy Spirit is telling us to do, and follow in obedience. It was His Holy Spirit that directed that woman to that place of healing where she experienced the most electrifying touch in her life. Do you want a touch like that? Commit your plan and ways to the Lord and He will bring it to pass (Proverbs 16:2-4). Let our hearts, hands, and prayers touch heaven this year so that we can experience that powerful, personal, and healing touch from the Master, JESUS CHRIST!

My friend’s husband recently published a book titled: The Will to Heal. You can check it out at this link:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-will-to-heal-emile-maxi/1142781930https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-will-to-heal-emile-maxi/1142781930

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THE GOOD AND BAD OF IMMIGRATION

Ruth 1 & 2

Throughout history, people have emigrated to other countries, hoping to take advantage of better economic opportunities. However, for some people, this can become a nightmare of hardship and pain.  Here Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons moved to better pastures because there was a famine in the land of Bethlehem-Judah. They settled in the land of Moab.  In a very short time, Naomi was bereaved of her husband. The son married local women, Ruth and Orpah, and the family continued there for ten years. However, tragedy struck and this time she lost both of her sons.  Now, this was too much for Naomi and she decided it was time for her to go back home to the familiar territory because she heard that the famine was over.  She discussed this with her daughters-in-law, encouraging them to go back to their family homes. However, Ruth stayed with her. Ruth 1:16.

Upon her arrival in Bethlehem, they greeted Naomi warmly, although they scarcely recognized her because the hardship had taken a toll, aged, and enfeebled her.  They asked, is this, Naomi? Her response was “call me not Naomi, call me Mara because God has dealt bitterly with me. I went out full and came back empty”. She had lost everyone and everything that meant anything to her, and this experience embittered her because she felt God had severely afflicted her.  However, her return to her country was a blessing; Ruth was like a daughter to her, and she became a grandmother and through that lineage, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was born.

Do you feel that the Lord’s hand is afflicting you? Are you feeling like Mara today? Good news whom the Lord loves He chastens. Do not despise the chastening of the Lord, it will get better. When we face the furnace of affliction, it is to test, strengthen, purify, and cleanse. Have hope in GOD!

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WHAT IS THAT TO YOU? FOLLOW ME

JOHN 21: 20-22

Jesus is asking the same question He asked Peter when they were together” WHAT IS THAT TO YOU FOLLOW ME”? When we are following Jesus, we must avoid at all costs every distraction by not becoming overly engrosses in things that do not concern us. Most of us spend a significant part of our lives minding other people’s business instead of caring for our spiritual health.  Sometimes we become preoccupied with the wrong things and overly care for others while neglecting to care for our health and well-being.

2023 is here! Let us put off the old man and put on the new man. Let us be mindful that God is supreme and we are mortals. He is not asking us to sit and think all day about our burdens and other people’s problems to overwhelm us. No one has the time to single-handedly spent with everyone daily.  Only God alone has all the time in the world because He created time. He is the only one who is always available to all 8 billion of us at the same time because He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. (Psalm 139:7-13).

Let us strive to spend more time with Him, building characters that will last throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Our attitudes should be when confronted with problems, “what is that to me”? God got this because only he alone has the power to change things, not man.  We must keep following God even amid the pressing trails. We know He is with us and promised that He will never leave or forsake us because He wants what is best for us and that is eternity.  Will you allow Him to guide your life or continue to trade your eternity for now?