No shortcuts

There are no shortcuts to success. No easy routes to manifesting glory. If success and glory are desired destinations, then the necessary process to reaching them, which are sometimes long and tiring, should be welcome without any reservation. Why opt for quick processes that do not lead to glory or last the test of time?

When someone arrives on the scene with the favour and backing of God, it is not immediately obvious how much time and dedication was invested in the presence of God, in obedience, in learning, in growing. God does not perform microwave miracles; we have to take time to learn His principles.

A great destiny awaits anyone who determines to go all the way with God.

Father, the journey has been long, but I will yet keep on going. Around the bends and through the valleys - wherever You lead by Your Spirit. Renew my strength as I wait on You. Help me to walk and not grow weary; run and not grow faint. If I keep on going, I will get to the destination You have ordained for me. Thank You my Father. Thank You forevermore. Amen.

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Oaths

I am sitting here watching the swearing in of the new 'democratically elected' president on Nigeria, President Umaru Yaradua. While the election process was not perfect, the changeover is a reality today, the first time since 1960 when a civilian government will hand over to another civilian government. That in itself is an achievement.

As Yaradua makes his inaugural speech, I hear a lot of promises and vows being made. They sound great. My prayer is that the new government will live up to its profession. Words may come cheep, but it takes courage and character to stand on the professed word and fulfil one's oath.

My words, also, need to be precious and binding. Let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, is what the Bible teaches. Lord I receive grace to be more like you. Amen.

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For the children

Early this bank holiday morning, my two children, one after the other, came to join my wife and I in our bed, squashing their way into the duvet. Yesterday, it was the same story. As I watched them, I began to think that no sacrifice is too much to give these growing souls a good foundation and a legacy of all-round success.

There is no point in 'making it' without 'making them.' The children should be one of the main motivations for all our efforts in life. Whoever else will partake of our grace, they must experience it first. What a responsibility. It transcends just putting food on the table and taking them to school. They have a purpose to fulfil in life and we can influence it for good (or worse) every moment of the day. Whoever does not care for them in this way is worse than an infidel. So says the Holy Writ.

Lord, I commit my children to you. Help me to be a good role model for them in every sense of the word. Amen

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Committed to learning

We stop growing when we stop learning. We should all be full-time students of the subject called life, particularly our area of specialty called purpose and destiny. Increased knowledge means increased value. Our value, therefore, cannot exceed our cumulative learning.

Why must I commit myself to learning? Because I have committed myself to purpose. I have committed my life to being a blessing to my generation. I can only bless my world with what I carry on the inside, so the more I add to what I carry, the more I grow in the understanding of what I carry; the more I can affect another's life.

I carry God on the inside. I also have the Holy Spirit, my Teacher. He is always trying to teach me more about what I have. I must, therefore, always be teachable...

I am committed to learning thy precepts, O God!

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I belong to Jesus!

I confess I have become a little bit of a football fan in the last few years. It wasn't my team, Arsenal, playing the Champions League final tonight, but Liverpool, squaring up again AC Milan. Sadly, Liverpool lost...

Now, why post a blog after this unfortunate event? Well, I caught a glimpse of one of the AC Milan players, a Brazillian by the name Kaka (a very good footballer I must add), swinging his shirt in the air and revealing his underwear, which had written on it "I belong to Jesus." This silent witness would have been seen by millions around the world.

Success and excellence gives opportunities for touching more lives than would have been possible otherwise. People are drawn to success and repelled by mediocrity. Anyone diligent in business will stand before kings and not just mere men. This is another way of understanding the words of Christ: "Let your light so shine that men might see and glorify your father in heaven."

Yes Lord! I want my light to shine for your glory! I want to press towards excellence. Help me Lord! Amen.

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Following God (3)

Why does God take us through long, winding paths? Surely, there are 'shorter' routes to our Promised Land? This is how we think many times, indirectly implying that God is 'slow' or that there errors in His judgements. But is this really so?

The path that we think is 'quicker' may not lead to His destination for our lives. Such 'quick' routes offer little eternal lessons, leaving us lean in our souls and void of wisdom. What will we pass on to others if we have not learnt anything ourselves?

Also, 'quicker' does not necessarily mean 'better' (it will usually end up being longer anyway). Only in retrospect do we come to respect God's ability to see the end from the beginning. He is not slow concerning His promise; He is, rather, always on time.

All things work together for the good of those who choose to follow God. You may not know the routes He will take you through, but you can surely trust the One who is leading the way. Therefore, follow Him closely, wherever He leads. You will be better equipped for purpose if you follow God's path.

Lord, I will follow you wherever you lead.

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Following God (2)

If only we allow God to lead the way! No wonder why we're told not to lean on our own understanding. The problem most of the time is that our agenda clashes with God's. We want one thing, God wants another. We want to do things this way, He wants to do it that way. The Spirit and the flesh are constantly battling.

I must come to that place of complete surrender. For one, I don't have an agenda to pursue (should not have). It is God's will done in God's way, accomplishing God's results for God's glory. Why struggle with my Maker? Do I know more than He does? The secret of rest and peace is acknowledging God as Leader and following His lead. This is why the Holy Spirit dwells in us. This is the secret of exploits.

Father, I completely yield myself to Your will and Your way. No more struggle! I choose faith over doubt. I choose obedience over rebellion. I choose the Kingdom over my ambitions. I choose You and You alone. Amen.

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