SEEING OTHERS THROUGH THE EYES OF GOD IS THE KEY TO ACCEPTANCE

It's usually difficult to accept other people for who they are, especially those you dislike, think are not on the same pedestal with you or think don't have the same values as you. The solution to this hard puzzle is to see them through God's eyes!

Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong......Thos e who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. (Rom 14vs 1&3)

Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. (Rom 15vs7)

Pray for the grace to accept your spouse, sibling, parent, colleague, neighbour, church member,...especially the hard ones (so that God may be glorified). The world will then see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven who has helped you crack the hard nut of acceptance.

LEFT HANDED, NOT LEFT OUT: HELPING YOUR CHILD SETTLE IN WELL

Research reveals that 9 out of ten people are right handed. Therefore the 10% of the population are assumed to be "left out".

Raising a lefty can be a hard nut to crack especially in a society where right handedness is believed to be the normal thing.

The truth however is that left handedness is not new. There are actually three (3) records (not just 3 men) of left handed men in the Bible. All these men were from the tribe of Benjamin and were very strong men who dI'd exploits in their time. (See Judges 3: 12-30; Judges 20:16 and 1Chronicles 12:1-2).

We all need to know that God has great plans for everyone irrespective of the hand you use most frequently.

From my experience from where I come from, the odds are that your child's tutors and people around will want to force your child to use his/her right hand more instead of the left hand.

Here are a few tips to help your left handed child or ward settle well into his/her peculiarity :

1. See your child as Special not Abnormal. Your child is totally normal. Scientists have proof that if your left hand is more dominant, it means that the right side of your brain is more dominant than the left, which favors intuition, emotion, imagination, creativity, and holistic thinking. I particularly admire the left handed people I have related with. They all have an edge over others in one way or more.

2. Regulate your child's company. It is important to let your child see other like - handed persons. This will reassure your child and let him know that he is not odd. You need to tell your child's teachers not to try to "convert" your child.

3. Let your child see him/herself as special and unique. Point out left handed great personalities to your child. They are many so I'll let you do the research yourself. . . Well, Obama is one of them.

4. Reorder yourselves. If you are a right handed parent with a left handed child, you should be in a mirror position for your child to see. That means you stay opposite him/her instead of beside him. The use of the left hand can be difficult where virtually everything has been designed with the right handed in mind. Simplify the issues by eliminating the perception of left or right being correct or incorrect. Let your child use whatever hand is most convenient for him per time for the different tasks. For instance, tell him to open the door with the hand closest to the door knob.

5. Equip your child. Thank God people are getting more liberal with having left handed people around nowadays. Developing writing skills is a major hurdle lefties have to cross. Get your child left -handed friendly materials. Carry out research on how to ease your child's learning process. For instance, since a lefty ' hands move towards his body while writing instead of away from it in the case of a righty, let your child know it is okay to move the book around to make writing easier.

Love your lefty like you love your righty. Embrace each child's uniqueness and help your child do the same.

Lift up their hands.

No more leftie discrimination.

God bless all left - handed persons!

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
© 2016

Never Doubt It; God Cares For You

God cares for you. Never doubt that fact! Just give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you.


In case you want proof, here it is:


And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? (Matt 6vs30)


He cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands. (Ps 78vs72)


The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. (Ps121vs7-8)


The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. The LORD protects all those who love him,
but he destroys the wicked. (Ps 145vs18-20)


You are important to God. Be at peace.

Cast all your burdens upon Him.

Smile, God cares for you!


- Omosebi Mary Omolola

Praying for God’s Mercy

Shall we pray this morning for God's mercy. . .

Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your saving grace. We praise You for Your mercies that endure forever.

We ask this day that You will have mercy on us. In every way that we have by ourselves dug out problems for ourselves, we plead that Your mercy will speak for us. We do know that Your blood speaks mercy and not vengeance. Speak for us. Forgive us.

Bring us out of the ditch we dug for ourselves by Your mighty power. We ask that You save us from the clutches of the enemy that we submitted ourselves to. For even the lawful captives shall be delivered.

Repair our foundations. Rebuild our ruins.

Build up again Your hedge of protection round about us.

Thank You Father for delivering us, in Jesus' powerful name.

"I Love Pure Gold!" . . . But Can You Pay the Price?

Ever before I got to read about gold, my mum told me about it since she saw raw gold firsthand from her father who was a gold merchant back in the day. She told me the first major thing I ever knew about gold, and that is the fact that gold is a very soft metal.

Gold cannot be destroyed though. It can be dissolved by chemical means, but even then it remains as gold-only in a more widely dispersed state. It withstands all forms of stress. When hammered, it can come out as thin as thin itself without being destroyed. Gold is also a very heavy metal.

One more thing, gold is very beautiful.

Gold is extracted from ore. It is usually found in the company of quartz and other metals.

Now I'm almost where I am going. . .

Gold is usually rough in its natural state. However, because of its malleability, it is easily smoothened. It is easily purified. It willingly let's go of the impurities that have attached themselves to it.

The more it is pounded and washed, the purer it becomes.

Looking through Exodus 37, we see God's specific instructions about the vessels for use in the tabernacle. God gave instructions to make sure the vessels were made of Pure Gold. Note that He didn't just say vessels of gold but vessels of pure gold. Refined gold. Gold without impurities. Purged from every metal that looks like it but isn't it.

Everyone was born in sin. We all had the sin - connection.

However, to become vessels in the house of our God we must pull the plug on the connection we had to sin.

God can not stand impurities. He wants us to be pure- thoroughly washed by the water of The Word. He wants us to be without blemish, spot or wrinkle. He wants us our garment to be properly laundered.

Becoming pure gold requires willingness. Because the process is a very painful one. So if you choose to escape from the furnace of purification which comes in form of discipline/suffering, you just can't become pure. God desires perfect vessels. He wants every impurity burnt off.

God wants us, like gold, to be soft yet very strong. Gentle as a dove and bold like a lion. It takes discipline and self control to be able to contain gentleness and strength in the same vessel. The refining process God takes us through brings us to that point.

God wants to beat us into shape. He wants to use the hammer of the word to transform us into smooth jewels.

 He disciplines us because He loves us. He wants us to shine. He wants the world to see what He has made of us.

The heat he allows us pass through is simply aimed at getting us up to the standard of God. For He cannot behold iniquity. He wants us to develop certain important virtues that will make our lives really attractive. He wants to build us up. He wants us to be perfect so that we can be presented faultless before God. . .

. . .and fit for the Master's use- vessels unto honour.

Endure the process, it's for your good. . .

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
© 2016

How far?

I wish to challenge someone today: Take your walk with God more seriously. I did not say "work for God". I am talking about your relationship with The Master. I am 

As I write to you today, I write to myself too. Is your relationship with God better than it was before or otherwise? What is the common language heard from you these days? Is it "I used to pray for 5hours at a stretch before; now I can barely pray for 5minutes"? Or, is it "I haven't read my Bible by myself since the beginning of this year. I only read through the text in my devotional every morning"?

It's time to examine ourselves. We are truly in the last days- when the love of many will wax cold. And indeed, it is waxing cold. People are too busy. "We have to struggle to make ends meet. There are several bills to settle with our meagre salary" they say. They go through the day looking for ways to get more money. No time to fellowship with their maker. They return totally exhausted. "My husband is not encouraging me to walk closer to God" is not a tenable excuse. Neither is "my children are a handful".

Don't be carried away by the pleasures of the world. We are pilgrims in this world. Always remember that. Keep eternity in perspective. Don't be weighed down by the pressures of life either.

The cycle goes on and on if you allow it. I am here to remind you that the longer you refuse to charge the battery of your phone, the lesser the power available on it. It's just logical. We were taught the 'law of use and disuse' back in the days. When you utilize a machine, it keeps running. It performs better. Leave it for years and that new machine will become rusty. Some parts begin to wear out. The longer you refuse to do something about your current spiritual state, the colder you become.

Let your heart seek the Lord while He is near. There is no chasing after God once life here on this side is gone. Let your heart long to be with Him. Reconsider your perception when it comes to God today. Today is the day of salvation. Make a decision for God. He really loves fellowshipping with His children. Well, except you are not one anymore. It's time to rise from your slumber. Arise from your fallen state. You have tarried in this valley for too long. It's time to begin climbing up the mountain.

I pray Lord that your fire of revival will fall upon every life that needs revival. Restore unto us the joy of your salvation. Jesus, Light of the world, make our paths shine brighter henceforth. Holy Spirit, we cry out for your help. We have no power of our own. We are coming back to the place of worship. . . In Jesus' Most Precious Name I pray!

Shalom! 

OMOSEBI, Mary Omolola

2015

Be a Blessing, Thou Blessed of the Lord!

God's blessings are numerous- peace, comfort, joy, fellowship with God, hope, success, prosperity and eternal life with Him!

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually). (Num 6vs24-26)

As we share the blessings God has bestowed on us, we bless others as well. Encouraging others with God's Good News is one of the most rewarding of His blessings. Cultivate the attitude of blessing others. Let it flow through you with ease.

For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. (Rom 1vs11-12)

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (2Cor 1vs4)

May God bless us richly! And may He give us the grace to remember that He blesses us so that we might bless others! Don't get tired of doing what is good. You will surely reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.

Be a blessing, thou Blessed of the Lord!

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola

THE BEST TIME TO PREPARE FOR TOMORROW IS TODAY

Where are the men in the house? You really need to read this. . .

At creation, God's plan was for a man to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. And i have not seen where he changed that norm. What that means in essence is that he is now one and the same with his wife.

How come some men refuse to do the needful and leave their fathers and mothers? (And everyone who played the role of father and mother in their lives). I hear about so many cases of men who prioritise their extended families (that’s what your parents, siblings, uncles and aunts become when you get married) over their immediate families.

I am not saying that you should neglect your parents and siblings but you need to get the order of your priorities right. Love them like you love yourself. You cannot give what you do not have. Your spouse is you. If you do not love your wife it means you do not love yourself. In my opinion, it is hypocrisy to say you love others when you do not love yourself. You must never shove your spouse behind your 'family'. I believe that is a wrong move.

If you are yet to put things right please do it now.

I'd like you to answer these questions honestly. . .

Who is your next of kin?

Have you amended who your next of kin is at the approprate quarters after you got married? How come your brother is still your next of kin when you have a wife and children?

What about the official documents of your assets (landed properties and all)? Whose names are on them?

And why are you just buying a property with only your name on the document?

Do you have a will? If you do, how have you protected the interest of the wife of your youth and your children?

I know these are very sensitive issues. I am not a pessimist. But life happens. Some people just have to exit this world early and there is nothing anyone can do about that. However, you can do something about what happens with your family after you exit this world.

I have seen cases of people (firsthand) who left their wife and children in abject poverty even though they themselves were rich just because of their ignorance and negligence.

Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly. (Proverbs 13:22 NLT)

I do not believe this Scripture is saying that you should skip your children's generation and focus on your granchildren's. So don't tell me that you want your brother to keep and later pass your wealth on to your grandchildren. When next you are taking a decision, ask yourself what your decision says about you- a good person/wise person or otherwise.

God trusted Abraham to pass on the legacy of godly living first to his children and then generations after them. (I am tempted to digress to tell you that the greatest inheritance to leave your children is spiritual wealth and moral direction but I'll stay in line)

Even God has plans for His children. Jesus has gone to PREPARE a place for His disciples.

What plans are you making for the future?

Make plans for the future and commit those plans to the Lord; trusting His will to be done.

Your spouse and children should not be left to suffer.

I have seen and heard about too many horrifying cases to know how important this issue is.

I am not trying to 'teach' you how to run your affairs but to encourage you to give thought to the issues i have raised here.

This is a real life issue that we must take cognisance of and I was inspired to address it.

May the Lord help you to take the right steps NOW!

Shalom!

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
© 2016

Hello Ladies, Wise Up!

When I was a child, the groundnut/popcorn sellers would put their wares in a box made with glass girded with wooden frames which they called "show glass".

Any customer is free to taste the groundnut/popcorn to confirm if it's crunchy or properly roasted. Some others taste for the adequacy of the salt/sugar. The amazing part of the story is that the customer has the right to either buy the groundnut / popcorn or not- even after having a portion of it.

In case of rejection, the groundnut seller may walk away. But God help you if you just tasted groundnut from a woman with a very sharp tongue and you refused to buy from her. Nevertheless, the reaction of the seller usually does not change the decision of the buyer.

It breaks my heart when I see ladies ditch their pride for whatever reason they feel is good enough. Some look for the love they have probably not gotten from home desperately and thus fall victim of predators who go around looking for gullible ladies.

Others out of their greed for material things and covetousness loose their dignity to men who have no regard for them- men who only want a taste of their "wares" without intentions to settle down with them in marriage.

Stop putting yourself on display like a valueless person.
Don’t hurry off to get married as a way of escape from your 'overbearing' family or your slim economic status.
Don't grant any man who is not your husband assess to your body in a sexual way.
Don’t get pregnant in the name of trying to 'tie' a man down.

These are wrong reasons to get married.

Ensure you are certified for marriage before you venture into it. Wrap up yourself tightly in God’s love.

Introduction is not the same as a wedding. It is not a licence to move in with your fiancé.

An engagement ring is not a marriage seal.

Don't break the chain and sell yourself short of your worth to any man. Don't jump classes. You will regret doing that.

God's order is for you to marry first before engaging in sexual relations.

Any man who can not wait to get married to you before having sex with you should wait outside your life. This should be your resolve.

Fear God and love yourself.

A man who cannot wait for you before marriage will most likely not stay faithful to you in marriage. Getting married does not control lust. The fear of God does. Having wrong values don't just disappear into thin air on the wedding day. Each one of us is like a seed - bearing fruit. It is what you carry on your inside that you sow in the future.

Respect yourself first if you desire respect from others.

Like I usually tell myself and others who care to know, I  have one life to live here on earth; I have to live it well. There is no room for playing games with my life. A slip on my way may give an indelible scar. The stigma may remain till the end of your time here on earth.

Stop playing games with your life.

Don't turn yourself into a car that men test - drive.

You are precious in the sight of God. Don’t treat yourself like a nobody. Hoist the flag of chastity.

Don’t sell out your birthright for a brief moment of pleasure (whatever that translates into for you).

Wisdom is profitable to direct!

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
© 2016

The Serial Killer You Should Flee From

Some years back, God revealed something to me in my dream one night. I saw a young plant growing in my heart. I asked God what that meant and He told me it was the fruit of unforgiveness- Bitterness (that i harboured against someone).

This bitterness was standing in the way of my relationship with God. I had bottled up my anger which kept my soul under siege. I was suffering from incessant headaches too without knowing the source until God revealed it to me.

I begged God to forgive me and that He would help me forgive the person in question. I had assumed that I had forgiven the person but in actual fact I had not released this person completely from the prison of my heart for the wrong done against me.

Practising sin cultivates the fruit of sin- emptiness, bitterness, foolishness and a sense of meaningless activity. If you refuse to uproot the planting of wrong done you by forgiving, it grows into bitterness and bears several fruits of the flesh.

Here's what Job and Solomon had to say about bitterness:

The foolishness of man subverts his way [ruins his affairs]; then his heart is resentful and frets against the Lord. Prov 19vs3

“I am disgusted with my life.
Let me complain freely. My bitter soul must complain. Job 10vs1

So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless—like chasing the wind. Eccl 2vs17

Unresolved bitterness is deadly. It is a serial killer. It affects not only your spirit but also your soul and body. Your relationship with God is jeopardised and your body suffers from different kinds of illnesses like headaches, hypertension, etc.

Where the spirit of The Lord is, there is liberty. The joy of the Lord is a valid source of strength.

Are you bitter (at yourself, life or someone else)? Check out for the root cause (lack of a sense of purpose, unforgiveness, etc).

God is not a God of bitterness but of joy. Don't let the devil rob you of that precious asset- Joy!

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
© 2016

¤ Apple crumble cake ¤

Making this cake is so easy compared to how delicious it is. The first time I tried this recipe, the while cake finished in just a few minutes. It makes for an excellent dessert. I think you should try it too.

Ingredients
- 2/3 cup Self-raising flour
- 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 2 tbsp superfine Sugar

For the base
-1/4 cup Butter (softened)
- 6 tbsp superfine Sugar
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 1 cup self raising flour (sifted)
- 2 red apples (peeled, cored and sliced.
- 1/3 cup Raisins

To decorate
- 1 red apple (cored, thinly sliced and tossed in lemon juice)
- 2 tbsp sugar (superfi/sifted)
- pinch of ground cinnamon

MARY'S Method
* Preheat oven to 180 degrees celcius.

* Grease a deep 8 inch pan. Line with baking parchment and grease.

* To make the topping, sift the flour and cinnamon into a mixing bowl. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips or a pastry cutter until it resembles breadcrumbs, then stir in the sugar. Set aside.

* To make the base, put the butter, sugar, egg and flour into a bowl and beat for 1-2 minutes or until smooth. Spoon into the prepared pan.

* Mix together the apple slices and raisins, and spread them evenly over the top. Sprinkle with the topping.

* Bake for about 1 hour. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out on a wire rack an peeling off the lining paper. Serve warm or cool, decorated with slices of red apple and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.

> Enjoy

~ MARY's Kitchen

Travelling on the Fast Lane?

Travelling on the Fast Lane?

Waiting is no longer in the dictionary of many. They want everything NOW! Fast everything! Ranging from fast money to fast husbands/ wives. Sadly, the fast lives leads to the many fast crashes.

People want to look for short courses in a bid to reach the destination they have pictured for themselves very quickly. These so - called man - made short courses lead to destruction.

Focusing more on our own agenda than God's will births impatience. We must wait patiently for God to work His work in us and bring His promise to pass in our lives. God knows what's best for you and what time is best for you to enter into the fulfillment of the promise.

We develop patience as we learn to live with an eternal perspective. Patience is a product of the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in our heart. Patience is one of the evidences of love.

Patience in difficulty looks forward with hope in God's eternal glory. The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for Him and seek Him.

 Wait for Him!

~ Omosebi Mary Omolola

Resist The Urge to Fight for Yourself

In my first year in the university, all year one students had to take the same courses and the lecture theatres/halls were always jam packed.

At that time, I lived in a hostel very close to the school. My roommates and I took to the advice given us by our seniors. They told us to wake up very early, go to the lecture hall and keep seats for ourselves by placing books on the writing slabs. That was exactly what we did. We would wake up as early as 4.30 am and rush down to school to keep seats and return to the hostel to prepare for the 8 or 9 a.m class. Despite the fact that we have kept spaces for ourselves, we still had to make sure we were in the hall before 7 a.m.

On a particular morning, I had kept a space for myself, returned to the hostel to get dressed for the day only to get back to the hall and the seat I had kept for myself was already occupied. I approached the guy who now sat on the seat that was supposed to be mine but he denied seeing any book on the seat. I decided to let him be. I later found my book several rows away from that place.

I squeezed myself into my room mate's seat right beside the guy. Something then happened which I can never forget. This guy slept from the first minute of the class till the class ended.

At the end of the class, this guy actually came to apologise and confessed that he had  removed my book. Then I asked him why he decided to confess to me. And his response left me in shock at the time and made a permanent mark on my heart. He told me he believed that he slept through the class because he had cheated me. He said it must be God's way of dealing with him for acting wrongly. He then asked if I had some super powers to which I replied that Jesus is the only power I know. Weird right?

Well, he joined my church sometimes later and we got along well.

The lesson the Lord taught me that day is to allow Him fight for me. I have been asked many times why I refuse to avenge myself and I tell them no one can do it better than God. That incidence, as simple as it seems keeps ringing in my heart all the time.

I know that many Christians in our day are no - nonsense people. They would not take rubbish from anyone. They are quick to speak in defence of themselves or raise their fists in fight against their enemies.

God tells me to remind you that vengeance belongs to Him and not you. Stop investing your energy in doing another person's job.

A Christian must take nonsense for peace' sake else why did Jesus say we should turn the other cheek to the one who strikes us on one?

I want you to see Apostle Paul's admonition to the Christians in Corinth:

Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? (1 Corinthians 6:7 NLT)

I think you should see this too:

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:14, 17-19 NLT)

When Jesus' enemies came to capture Him and one of His disciples cut off the ear of one of these enemies, what did Jesus do? He placed the ear back in its place and healed the man.

How much "nonsense" have you even taken that you always just want to fight against it?

The Prince of peace is a Christian's master. It is the devil that is against peace. God expects his children to be peace loving peace makers.

Let God fight for you.

May the Lord increase your understanding and mine!

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
© 2016

Encourage Your Encourager

How would you feel if you bought an expensive gift for someone and on getting to the person's house sometime later, you meet the gift you bought this person outside under the rain and it didn't look like that was the first time it would be under the rain? I guess you will feel unappreciated and discouraged because if it was me, that’s how I would feel.

When you refuse to give due thanks, you discourage the person who has blessed you in one way or another.

Appreciation is a form of encouragement.

When someone does you some good and you refuse to appreciate the person, it is tantamount to throwing what you have been given into the trash can.

It is very important that every child of God learns to be appreciative of God and man.

One thing you need to rid yourself of is the act of belittling the good done us.

Many of us overlook the goodness of God under the guise that what He has done is too little to warrant 'excessive' thanksgiving.

This is the same attitude we put up towards people who have done us well. Because what that person has done for you is not commensurate to your expectation of him/her, you believe he/she does not deserve your thanks.

The weight of a gift should not determine whether you give thanks or not. What matters is that you have been given something- big or small.

You must put in mind the fact that the one who has given you something could have chosen not to give you in the first instance. Therefore, that person's decision to share some good stuff with you qualifies him/her to receive your gratitude.

Appreciate your parents for the little they can afford to give you. Appreciate your spouse for that gift or act of kindness no matter how small or insignificant you think it is. Appreciate your Pastor for ministering life to your spirit.

When someone encourages you with a gift(tangible or intangible), it is just appropriate that you encourage that person by giving thanks.

#EYE (Encourage Your Encourager)

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
© 2016

Free Them and Let Them Be

The subject matter of this post was ministered to me some months ago. Although I just found the highlight in my journal and felt a release to write on it today.

Last night, I was reminded of something a close friend of mine told me sometime ago about a particular woman who is highly placed in a federal government parastatal. With her influence, a number of people secured well paying jobs both in the parastatal she worked in and other strategic places.

You must say, "Wow, how nice of her." Well I said the same thing until I heard the remaining part of the story which made me give a deep thought to my life and drives home the point I'm trying to make with this post.

Well, when her daughter was going to get married, she obviously made a list of her beneficiaries and assigned every single one of them specific obligations. She called each person to inform them about what she expected them to contribute towards the wedding. She picked who was to buy the cow and told him how big the cow must be. She picked the person to pay the caterers, who was to be in charge of the event decoration and so on.

Okay, before we judge this woman, how many of us are guilty of something similar to this? It does not matter the extent to which you have or are taking the captivity. For instance, you help someone and you secretly in your heart expect the person to call you to say "Thank you" everyday.

I have seen many people who practically hold the people they have rendered help captive. I have seen where a benefactor asks the person he helped to report in his house every morning to wash his car. I tell you that the list of the absurd cases is endless.

I know what it means to be a victim. . . so much so you wish that person never was the one who rendered you the assistance.

Please, remember that whatever position you find yourself is simply The Lord's doing. You are simply a vessel in God's hands and He could have chosen to use someone other than you.

Don’t turn yourself to a god in the life of a fellow human being because God gave you the opportunity to be capable of lending a helping hand to that person.

I believe that you being in a position to help someone should be humbling for you. When you help the poor, you lend to God and He will definitely reward you.

Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord and not because you want something back as a form of payment for what you have done!

I usually pray that God will not allow anyone who will try to share God’s glory to help me and I mean it with all my heart. I guess I should pray the same for you too.

And in case you are in a position where someone is rubbing the help he/she has rendered you in your face, be encouraged.

The Lord will lift your head up high like the horn of a unicorn. For your shame the Lord shall give you double honour in Jesus' name!

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
© 2016

How to Know a Child of God

The desire to always please and obey God is a proof that you belong to God. Obeying God is a reflection of our love for Him and belief in Him. Don't be confused anymore about whether you belong to God or not. He has received you, and made you His child. Remain connected to Him by obeying Him. That's all!

So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. 1Jn 3vs10

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. 1Jn 2vs3-5

When It Seems That God Does Not Make Sense

I stepped into the banking hall to make a deposit some days ago. However, I had an appointment just a few minutes from the time I got to the bank so I really hoped that the transaction would be completed as quickly as possible.

There were four queues before me. I said a quick prayer about which queue to join as people kept trooping into the bank. One of the queues was particularly very long but to my surprise, my spirit was led to join that queue. Funnily I didn't ask questions (I like to ask a lot of questions).

Well, before I could say jack, everyone before me had been attended to and it was my turn. It was as if the people with all the problematic cases had had a meeting about which queue to stay on and it was definitely the other three. I made my appointment in record time.

Then the Lord ministered to my heart about that incidence.

"You can never go wrong with me" He said.

His moves may not make sense to you but His way is always the way to victory.

God is ALWAYS right.

This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:25 NLT)

And the Message Translation puts it this way:

Human wisdom is so tinny, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can’t begin to compete with God’s “weakness.” (1 Corinthians 1:25)

Trust God’s wisdom. And His 'foolish' instructions without questioning Him. All you need is His Word. Hold God by His unfailing word. Pray to God for grace to have unwavering faith in Him.

And when unbelief or doubt knocks your door, seek refuge in God. Cry out to Him to help your unbelief.

Shalom!

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
© 2016

Go and Do Likewise!

The story of a religious expert who stood up to Jesus with the aim of testing Him is recorded in Luke 10:25-36.

This man asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life.

Jesus prescribed the two broad commands- love God; love your neighbour as yourself.

But he still was not satisfied. He asked Jesus who his neighbour was.

Then Jesus narrated the parable of the good Samaritan to Him and left him to figure out who a neighbour is.

Now to the purpose of this post:

Jesus asked the religious law expert to go and act like the good Samaritan to earn himself a ticket to eternal life.

Here's what Apostle Paul told the Corinthians-

PATTERN YOURSELVES after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah). (1 Corinthians 11:1 AMP)

Apostle Paul's admonition was in line with Jesus' prescription to the religious law expert.

Imitate godly virtues you see in others.

Above all, imitate Christ. Strive to behave like God your Father.

God is love and loves unconditionally. . . Love like God loves.

God is merciful. . . Go and show mercy.

God is good. . . Be good

God is kind. . . Be kind

God is holy. . . Be ye holy.

In short,

Let Jesus be your mentor.

Always ask what Jesus would do at every instance, then go and do thou likewise!

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
© 2016

When the Word of God Comes Forth. . .

Some days back, I remembered something very important that my mother always told my siblings and I as we grew up, back in the days.

While we studied the Bible during morning devotions then, you will sometimes see one person looking at another in the eyes (more like beating the words that were being shared into the person through your eyes) once an issue was raised which that person thought was the dose for the other. We were sometimes bold enough to give contributions to the lesson which were actually specifically directed at a certain person(s).

The sad thing is that the person giving contributions to the lesson is oftentimes guilty of the same thing he/she is reprimanding the other person for.

Here's what she would say,

"When God speaks to you, apply it to yourself first before recommending it to others."

She would also say that "God’s Words are like mud which when it pours, splashes on everyone around in different measures. It is left for each person to pick the segment of the Word that applies to him/her and apply it to their lives."

It is important to focus on utilizing the Word of God for the moulding of your life in holiness at every opportunity you have the Word being dished out.

If you are fond of always looking for the person that every message applies to, and you NEVER see any reason to examine yourself,  you might just need a diagnosis because something might be wrong with you.

And I'm almost positive the diagnosis will be pride and foolishness.

Or what wisdom is in showing others the way to the doctor when you yourself are sick and have refused to seek help?

Clear out the log of wrongdoings in your eyes first so that you can see clearly the speck of wrong in other people's lives.

Be the first to submit yourself to the Great Physician- Jesus, for cleansing before referring someone else to Him.

May God grant you and I willing hearts to receive His instructions to us in good faith at all times in Jesus' name.

✌

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola
© 2016

HOLD ON TO YOUR CONVICTIONS FIRMLY

You may find that some people do not understand your assignment, call, decisions or methods as a child of God. They may want you to change your methods to what they think is best. Please, don’t make that mistake if it's God that has set your feet on that path. Let the Holy Spirit have the final decision over every step you want to take.

Some weeks back, I had to make a decision which was unconventional. Three people on different occasions gave opinions contrary to what I believed was the decision I was meant to take. One actually quoted a Bible story to back up what the person thought was right. (I have had similar experiences in the past where I stood alone with my decision. I might share with you later. . .)

In the midst of it all, my spirit was reminded of Prophet Hosea who God asked to marry a prostitute. Boom! Seriously, I am certain that if I was around at the time Hosea was given that instruction, I would most likely have told him it couldn't have been God that spoke to him if he asked for my opinion. But that was God speaking to him.

God asked him to do something totally out of the book. However, because Hosea knew God's voice clearly, he chose to do the unusual. I must say that is one 'blindfollower' of God.

Apostle Peter's case also came to mind. He was afraid of what the Jews would say if they saw him mingling with gentiles. But God had already broken the barriers.

God reminded me that where and how He leads are what's important; not the opinions of men.

Sometimes God decides to lead His children on unfamiliar routes in other to prove a point. You can be sure that He never makes mistakes. He does not make guesses since He knows all things. His foolishness is wiser than the wisdom of men.

Get to understand God's voice and follow His lead as you journey through life. He is dynamic. Learn to move with the flow.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14 KJV)

The wind blows (breathes) where it wills; and though you hear its sound, yet you neither know where it comes from nor where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8 AMP)

 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.  They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” (John 10:4-5 NLT)

Train your ears to identify God’s voice.

Develop an unwavering faith in God. Trust Him to lead you to the green pastures through whatever route He chooses.

Don't let man misdirect you.

You can be sure that God will NEVER mislead you.

Trust and obey the LORD.

~ OMOSEBI Mary Omolola 
© 2016

Your Words are a Product of Your Thoughts

Beautiful WORDS and CONDUCT are the fruits of godly thoughts and character.


The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked,
but gracious words are pure in his sight. Prov 15vs26(NIV)


A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Prov 25vs11(AMP)


For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. 1Tim 2vs10(NLT)

Happy New Year

Meditate ye on this:

Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You [progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, perceiving and recognizing and understanding more strongly and clearly] and that I may find favor in Your sight. And [Lord, do] consider that this nation is Your people.
And the Lord said, My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.
And Moses said to the Lord, If Your Presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here!
For by what shall it be known that I and Your people have found favor in Your sight? Is it not in Your going with us so that we are distinguished, I and Your people, from all the other people upon the face of the earth?
And the Lord said to Moses, I will do this thing also that you have asked, for you have found favor, loving-kindness, and mercy in My sight and I know you personally and by name.
And Moses said, I beseech You, show me Your glory.
And God said, I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim My name, THE LORD, before you; for I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy and loving-kindness on whom I will show mercy and loving-kindness. (Exodus 33:13-19)

May we find favour with God.
May we walk in the way of the Lord throughout this year.
May we know God better this year such that He knows us by name.
May we have a more intimate relationship with God this year.
May we known solely as GOD's people, we and our households.
May God's presence abide with us everywhere and everytime.

May we not be found outside of The will of God.
Place a mark of distinction between us and those who do not know You O Lord!
We shall see the glory of God made manifest in our lives.
We shall be counted worthy of Your grace and mercy in this year in the mighty name of Jesus.

Have a God-filled year!