Month: July 2019

HOW FAR CAN YOU SEE?

I don’t know about you, but the word vision, is a word I hear of a lot and sometimes wonder how to get it or if I’ve got it, how do I measure the fact that I’ve got the maximum amount I need – just in case I miss some of it! 

Reading about the life of some people, you can clearly see how they have a clear cut vision, pursue it and achieve something of it; making them stand out in their world.

This week was pretty eventful for the whole of United Kingdom as we saw the appointment of a new prime minister- like him or not; it was very clear that the gentleman had a clear cut vision when he was young. As a young boy, Alexander Boris Johnson was asked what he wanted to be and he said he wanted to be the ‘king of the world’; what a big goal from a little boy. While at Eton, he decided to change his first name to Boris so he can ‘stand out’ – isn’t that interesting? Biographers said he always wanted to win and he went both by default and by accident to achieve what he wanted to become. He saw something and he became what he saw. Many will say he has a strong vision.

As I was thinking of Mr Johnson’s story; Eddie and I were also examining the story of a particular company we became a part of about 16 years ago. Anytime we visit the location of the company; we are told and shown a picture of the future. I would usually ask Eddie if he got it; just because most of the time: I couldn’t see it as my imagination seemed not to be that strong.

As time progressed, we saw all they planned and proposed and they have even gone bigger, better and further than they painted as a picture about a decade ago. 

The above story reminded me of God’s promise to Abraham when God told Abraham to look with his eyes of vision to the land God planned to give him. God said He will give Abraham as far as Abraham’s eyes can see.

See the scripture in Genesis 13:14-16

14 The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.

So, what do you see? Abraham was instructed to look around from where he was- the vision starts from where you are now; then in addition to that is to ask yourself, How far can your eyes see based on what you desire and what God has in store for you.

You can have all you see ; but you have to see it first. Task yourself to see. Paint a nice picture of the future you desire in every area of your life, get attached scriptures and then pray and praise through it;- you shall see it happen.

God is on your side! 

PB

WHAT’S IN YOUR ATMOSPHERE?

Our Senior Pastor – Pastor Eddie shared a sad story on Sunday of a young girl who fell a victim of what was in her environment; he used it to teach us the fact that we don’t know what’s in our environment and the effect such things can have on us if we’re unaware. 

The story is of a nine year old girl who died of an asthma attack in 2013. The story was in the news recently because the girl’s mum decided to get to the bottom of why her little girl developed severe respiratory problems which led to her death.

The young girl lived on South circular road in Lewisham, a highly populated area which has since been discovered by the government investigators as highly polluted. The pollution therefore led to the young girl’s death and an inquest was set up to investigate the matter. The inquest cannot bring the girl back, but can ensure things are put in place so no other child or person has to go through what this little girl went through.

As I read the article and heard my pastor refer to it over the cause of last weekend, I thought about things that can affect us even when we don’t see them. The family of this young girl would have been very happy when they got the property they moved into which was in a prime area of London. Unfortunately, this location had unseen problems attached to it that eventually led to her death.

There are many unseen forces that can impact our lives, but as spiritual beings we should not be ignorant of them. As he talked about this issue, my pastor then mentioned that while on flights, sometimes the planes go through pockets of air and the plane experiences turbulence, particularly the ones called Clear Air Turbulence (CAT). They are unexplainable rocking that the passengers must have to sit through and the plane go through. Nothing can be done about them, but for the passengers to be aware of them. 

As I thought of this matter, I remember the scripture that says that we as Christians have some spiritual battles to fight and need to be aware of them. 

‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’ Ephesians 6:12

The above scripture makes it clear that there are things that affect us that we may not see so we need to position ourselves as spiritual beings to fight them. Our job is to wrestle against such in the place of prayers with an understanding of the victory that has been won for us by Jesus.

So if you are going through unseen/spiritual battles, never forget what the word of God said, that ‘those who are with you are more than those against you’ 2 kings 6:16 and the scripture in 1John 4:4 which says ‘ little children, do not worry because you have overcome. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world’

Irrespective of the things in the climate, be assured of God’s presence, help, support and victory is yours in Jesus name.

God is on your side! 

PB 

I GOT A BETTER ONE!

Earlier on this week, I had to take my dad to the hospital. The hospital had inadequate parking spaces and I couldn’t find one. I had to call one of my daughters who worked at the hospital to find out my options. She then said I should drop my father at the entrance, go to the parking bays, stay in the car and wait for someone to drive out so I can take their space. I did exactly that and while waiting in the car, I got a call from a church member that needed prayers over an issue.

Just as I finished with this lady, I looked up and realised that a car had driven out of a bay behind me and another just drove in; I missed the space behind me because I was distracted doing something that I consider important. I was upset with myself for missing that space – I felt cheated as well. After blaming myself, I had the option of moving elsewhere or staying there. I felt very strongly that I should stay on; so, I did.

Few minutes later. A lady came by who was a staff of the hospital and probably just finished her shift and was going home. I was thrilled and got into the space after the lady pulled out. After parking, I went off to the car park pay point and realised that I didn’t have enough coins for the time I needed. I needed 20p more and went looking for loose change. As I moved forward, I saw a lady and asked her. She said she understood my challenge and that happens to her. As she was about to give me the 20p, she said, ‘I actually bought a ticket for much more hours than I require, I am happy to give that to you as I drive off.’ Right or wrong, we started walking to her car and realised…unbelievably; her car was packed next to mine! 

What are the odds? I lost a space and got another next to the lady that didn’t just plan to help me with the balance of the car park fees, but actually put me in a position where I did not have to pay anything at all to park my car! Hmmm…. Was I angry a few minutes ago because I lost a space? Well; I am now very thankful that I lost a space!

Just like me and my car parking situation, many of us tend to get upset about what we lose whereas there are better things that God has planned and prepared for us that we will never experience if we held on to the old or if we get too absorbed with the mistake of the past rather than listening to what God wants us to do next.

As I think of this situation, I remember the scripture that says

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

The key thing is never to forget that God has a plan for you and that plan is to help you. Understanding that, irrespective of what your current situation is, will give you a chance to experience God as He gives you the better/best option for you.

God is on your side!

PB

PS

Ever want to know your purpose and how to pursue it? Do not miss out on the current course Eddie and I are launching with the intention of helping people discover and pursue their purpose. Want to be part of this? Visit https://mentoringplatform.com/yourpurpose

LESSONS FROM MY FAILURE!

I failed! I could not even process the information…. I was numb! The day of this event was a very memorable one for me. 

I was informed that I had failed my first year in university and been advised to withdraw. This day was a day like no other. I had never failed any exam prior to this time (nor after) in my life. Apart from the shock, I had to face my parents and inform them of this life changing situation. I was my parents pride and joy – so I couldn’t have had more devastating news to share with them.

Failing meant a lot of things; I had to quit the uni I was in, change towns/location, attempt to get into another uni and course, and so many other inconveniences. The most unbearable one was the huge sense of sadness and grief in my home. As at that time, it looked as if this failure was the end of the world for me and it knocked my confidence badly. 

Failure however opened so many other doors and opportunities for me, the hidden blessings in the closed door and that is my focus today. If I did not fail, I would never have had to change my uni and my course. Changing my course led to me stumbling across Accounting; a course I thoroughly enjoyed and excelled in. It also led me to a new uni and town where I met Eddie, my husband. 

Eddie and I come from two different parts of my country and would never have met if not that I failed. The closed door in my education opened many other great doors for me, particularly with regards to my spiritual development and then in my relationship which then led to a marriage that God blesses me with. 

Thinking through this situation today reminded me of the scripture that says 

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day…..” Genesis 50:20

There are things we go through in life and think are evil, but when we go through them and give time to the situation, we discover that God has greater and better things in store for us, leading us from despair and disappointment to celebration. 

The situation of my memorable day came to heart today because it is Eddie’s birthday today and I am truly grateful to God for this great man of God who has affected my life positively in so many ways. I am so grateful to God for making our paths cross in the most unusual way ever and that surely will never have happened if I didn’t fail.

Today, I am so glad I failed and want to use my story to encourage you. Irrespective of what things look like for you at the moment, trust God who has the full picture of your life and will make things fall in place just at the right time.

God is on your side 

PB