Month: March 2020

WINNING THE INTERNAL BATTLE!

Battles are not new to many people, physical warfare, spiritual warfare, career warfare etc. We know that we mostly move to the next level in life by fighting and overcoming the battle on one level in order to experience the victory on the higher or next one. As defined as many battles are, the most difficult battle to fight is that of the mind.. the internal battle of the MIND.

The battle of the mind is a constant and continuous fight to ensure our minds don’t get overwhelmed by the suggestion of the devil and the negative news all around us. It is a lot of work and we need a conscious,continuous strategy to win this battle.

A short while ago, when PE and I went into full time ministry appointment, our family income dropped by about 70% and that had immediate ramifications for us. We were very clear on the word God spoke to us, but we were staring at our needs and they were very obvious. Our food choices and options in the fridge reduced drastically to the point where the children started wondering and asking if all was ok. We kept our confession of God’s promise going, and refused to be put under any pressure to confess only what is seen. Eddie kept saying to Asher , ‘we have lots of food and resources, you can’t just see it yet.’ Thank God for obedient children, he kept his peace. Truly, within few days, different random people got ministered to by God to come bless us with resources and food. It wasn’t too long after the period of seeming dryness before surplus came again. And God took us through until we came out stronger after some months. 

The devil plays on our mind to cause fear and panic. The aim of the battle is to ensure we are limited and lose faith. Fighting the invisible battle of the mind is a reality, and winning it requires a decision, consistent and persistent application of the word of God through our confession, then staying focused on what God’s word says irrespective of what you hear or see. 

God’s word says;

‘We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.’ 2 Corinthians 10:5

To win this fight, we need to destroy all suggestions that raises itself against the word of God. We counter all we see or hear with the word of God. What’s God’s word saying about this matter? Find out, receive it consistently, say it whenever fear comes and keep repeating the word until your change comes.

There is no battle you can’t win, even the MIND battle- because God is on your side! 

PB

WHO IS IN CONTROL?

With the global pandemic of COVID, it is obvious that we are living in interesting times. For some, this is a time of fear and uncertainty whereas for others it is just a time of change. Many have their phones on NEWS alerts and others now make it a point of duty to watch the NEWS no matter what.  Some however have decided to switch off their NEWS alert as they find the continued negative news disheartening and discouraging.

As I was having a heated conversation on the new developments of this global pandemic with someone earlier in the week; who was convinced that this whole pandemic was a set-up with conspiracy theories behind it, I got an email stating that WHO (World Health Organisation) are trying to work out what is happening and the extent to which it will go but they weren’t quite sure. So, it was obvious that W.H.O is not in control. I however started thinking of a different spin to that topic, which was the topic I used today – WHO is in Control

I can confidently tell you that, irrespective of how things look and feel around you; there is one in full control of all that will ever happen to you or around you; and that is God! God is in control and He is the one with the main say over your life and this world that we live in, irrespective of how things look.

Control is knowing what, when and how. I remember when our children were younger, they would each want a certain gift for Christmas and keep asking if we would ever get them the desired gift. They continuously showed their nervousness by asking us the same questions, or even searching around the house to find out if we remembered to buy them the desired gifts. The action showed lack of trust – I’m not sure how much they were convinced that we were in control although we always come through for them. When you believe someone is in control, you will act accordingly and exhibit trust by relaxing, no matter what things look like around you.

I will like to share the following scripture with you so you can be at peace, knowing fully well that your God is in control and He’s got you.

‘Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.’ Psalm 91:7

Be rest assured that your God is in control and no evil will touch you because your father has got your back.

You have no reason to fear because God is on your side!

THERE’S SOMETHING GREAT HERE!

I read the story of two young boys that I believe was very interesting and teaches a great lesson I want to share with you. Here it is:

There is a set of identical twins with two completely different perspectives to life. One was a hope-filled optimist. “Everything is coming up roses!” he would say. The other twin was a sad and hopeless pessimist. The worried parents of the boys brought them to the local psychologist.

The phycologist suggested to the parents a plan to balance the twins’ personalities. “On their next birthday, put them in separate rooms to open their gifts. Give the pessimist the best toys you can afford and give the optimist a box of manure.” The parents followed these instructions and carefully observed the results.

When they peeked in on the pessimist, they heard him audibly complaining, “I don’t like the colour of this computer. . . I’ll bet this calculator will break . . . I don’t like the game . . . I know someone who’s got a bigger toy car than this . . .”

Tiptoeing across the corridor, the parents peeked in and saw their little optimist gleefully throwing the manure up in the air. He was giggling. “You can’t fool me! Where there’s this much manure, there’ll be a pony!”

The boy with the negative view of the world chooses to always see what doesn’t work whereas the young one with the positive view always sees something to rejoice about. God wants us to look at every situation from a positive perspective. His word says

‘In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.’ 1 Thess. 5:18

We all face situations in life, some we will enjoy and others not so pleasant. Irrespective of the circumstance you are experiencing, God wants you to have a positive view and behave accordingly. Also, if you take a closer look, you will realise that there are great things in the place you call barren and positives to take away from supposed failures and pain areas.

If you were the one that is put under scrutiny, where will you find yourself? Rejoicing and seeing the happenings around you from a positive perspective or be like the pessimistic son who always sees and expects negative happenings? A positive attitude is within your control; so choose right because there’s something great here!

God is on your side!

MEET THE DRAMATIC DAD!

There are dramatic dads and some of us have come across them. From the dramatic dads at football games to the dads that are determined to fight any one that dares to nudge or look at their daughters at school.

A very funny dramatic dad advertisement came up on TV today and I just had to show Eddie as I could easily see him acting out that part in our home. The advert was by the NHS to encourage more people to call on their pharmacist before consulting their GP. The advert pokes fun at overreactions to small ailments and patients were being encouraged to “take the drama out of minor illnesses” by visiting their pharmacist.

The advert has three scenes but the one I am writing about is the last one. It showed a dad whose daughter was playing close by while he was gardening. The young girl sneezed and the dramatic dad got into action…he looked up, suspended what he was doing, alarmingly took a tumble and ran across to his daughter. He lifted her up like someone in crisis, and screamed, ‘I need a pharmacist.’ The next scene showed the dad and daughter with the pharmacist reflecting that it was a minor issue the dad had made into a major one with his drama!

A few hours later, I showed my daughter the video and asked for her thoughts. Without thinking twice, she went ‘so like dad! Dramatic!!’. Over the years, our dramatic dad at home has done so many things that could either be classified as funny or embarrassing for the children. From the times he decided to drive behind a bus just because our daughter wanted to take public transport, to the time he harassed our son who wanted to travel to Far East Asia for a few weeks. All these dramatic dad activities worked though as each time the children changed their minds!

Fathers are great protectors as God made them. Some do it in a dramatic manner while others do it in a different manner. All in all, we have a father who is a great dad to us all. And the bible makes us understand that he equally takes His responsibilities seriously. The bible says;

‘The Lord is father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.’ Psalm 103:13

God is a loving father and He continually watches over and shows His compassion towards us. You as a child of God need to be assured in the knowledge that you have a father that cares so much that He will go to any extent to provide for and protect you. God isn’t dramatic about His actions, but He still carries out the functions and you can trust in Him. Always remember that your dad, God, is on your side!

PB

PS
You can watch the advert here (I’m certain you will find it funny too)