Month: November 2020

STAY POSITIVE & VICTORIOUS!

I was just coming to the end of my run when I saw the postman coming around to deliver a package to my home. As he came up to me, he asked ‘How many steps?’. I was not sure what the question was about, so I asked…’what do you mean?’  he said, I see you run, so how many steps do you take daily? I said about 12k to which he looked me straight and said 24k. I was unsure what the figure meant and why he was giving me a stand-off posture when he delivered it.

I then said, ‘OK Mr, what are we competing on? As I seem lost on that.’ He said, these are the average steps a postman takes per day. I responded with a ‘Wow! Impressive and well done…I’m certain it pays off as you will not need to pay a penny for a gym subscription.’ As I continued with my encouraging words to him about the good in the job he did; he went ahead and started complaining about the health hazards; people having knee, back, wrist, foot problems etc. After he rolled them out, I said – ‘you have said a lot about physical ailments; am not discounting them at all, but what about the heart? Surely your people’s hearts are stronger because they walk so much in their business day.’ He looked and said …’I suppose so…You are one positive lady; there is nothing that I will say to win you my way.’ I then laughed and said, ‘The world is full of negativity, a dose of positivity a day can go a long way …consider me the delivery girl for that in your life today!’

As the postman walked away, I started thinking of the issue of being and staying positive. Being positive and experiencing victory is not an absence of the recognition of the challenges but seeing the challenge from a different perspective. As I was thinking about perspective, I remembered Paul’s perspective in Romans 8:35-39. Here is part of the scripture

‘No, despite all these things, OVERWHELMING VICTORY IS OURS THROUGH CHRIST, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither OUR FEARS FOR TODAY NOR OUR WORRIES ABOUT TOMORROW—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.’ Romans 8:37-38 (NLT) (emphasis mine)

I do not know what you are currently facing as you read this blog post today, but I can allude to Paul’s words and say you have every reason to say OVERWHELMING VICTORY IS YOURS and you will experience God’s victory because of God’s love for you, His faithfulness and His inability to fail. Remember this; God will never fail you nor will He fail on your case!

Let me share one of my favourite song of the moment with you because I know it will help and bless you. https://youtu.be/YNd-PbVhnvA

God is on your side!

NEVER EVER GIVE UP!

As the world sets its gaze on the happenings in USA with the election of the next presidential candidate into the White House, the gentleman, Joe Biden who was once the Vice President of the United States of America came into view and his life with lessons to be learnt from it became obvious.

Mr Joe Biden is currently the president elect of the United States and the oldest ever candidate they’ve had. This gentleman has attempted to be the president of the United States three times and never got to the final stage of being presented for election by his party until this particular time.

Many would have thought, at the age of 76 why would a gentleman still have his dreams going? Why would his vision still be strong for the goal he always had at that late stage of life. There are many factors that should have seen to this gentleman giving up on this dream, from personal tragedies to proximity to the office; which many could have considered as a good enough alternative, to the obvious obstacles that has to do with age and the potential for delivery on a dream at that late stage of life.

As I read about and listened to the broadcast corporations shelling out information about this gentleman, I just firstly remembered Caleb. The octogenarian who still stood firmly on God’s promise of allotting His people a place in the promised land. Caleb like many others received the promise, but not many stuck to it until they got the promise fulfilled. Sticking to God’s promise and ensuring he does his bit is not a new characteristic of Caleb at 85, but when he was 40 he was chosen as a leader to spy the promise land and he was one of the two who came back with a good report whereas the majority came back with bad reports.

Caleb made a statement that I think we should all borrow and stand on when it comes to the promises that we have received from God and the dreams we have ahead of us. Caleb said

“So I am asking that you give me this hill country that the Lord promised me. You will remember that as spies, we found the Anakim living there in great, walled cities, but if the Lord is with me, I shall drive them out of the land.” Joshua 14:12

Caleb never gave up on the promise God gave him 45 years before and was still happy to go up and fight for the promise. I don’t know Mr Biden personally, but can equally see that he was not going to let go of his personal dream of being the USA president and he did something about it.

What’s your dream? If obstacles attempt to stop you, which they most likely will, will you give up? Will you give excuses of your age, strength, life, challenges, etc? I want to implore you today that you should dust your dream book off and start dreaming again, start taking action towards your vision and goals again.

Never let anyone distract you from going for your dream because God is waiting for you on the other side of the promise. What’s your dream and make sure you keep going for it until you achieve it.

God is on your side!

ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER!

Today marks the beginning of the second lock-down in 2020 in the United Kingdom as the Coronavirus spread needs to be managed by the government. As much as many understand the need for the lock-down, conversations are being had in many places about the effects of the lock-down on people.

As I was finishing my spin class on Wednesday morning, my trainer decided to encourage everyone in the class by telling us that she has been finding comfort in the bible verses I had sent to her last week. According to her, she was feeling really low at the beginning of this week because, not only is she self employed, but the second lock-down will see her husband going to work while she is by herself at home. She mentioned how hard this new lock-down was weighing on her mind and decided to meet up with another lady and read some bible verses to lift her spirit up.

According to her, upon reading these bible verses, she felt as if the words were speaking directly to her and there was a huge comfort and sense of peace she received from them. She shared this with the class and said; do not allow yourself to become overwhelmed during this new lockdown; if you’re feeling low, reach out to me. I’ll be available to listen to you or just chat with you so you know you’re not alone and that everything will be alright.

As she spoke, many of the students in class appreciated her and acknowledged the fact that lockdown 2 is proving a difficult one for them, even before we start it…but one of the ladies said – part of the solution to heaviness of heart at this time is to be kind to one another, look out for one another and listen to one another.

This is so true – taking on the concept of ‘one another’ is one of the best gifts a Christian can give to their immediate neighbour. When you look out for someone, you will equally never be left alone. Caring for and encouraging others is a seed that yields continuous benefits.

God’s word says

‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.’ 1 Thess 5:11

God expects us to encourage and build each other up. Make it a point of duty that you will look out for someone else within these weeks ahead and will help someone get through these tough times. Sow the seed of kindness and you will never lack kind destiny helpers yourself. Build someone up with your words of encouragement.

God will watch over and keep you safe in Jesus name

PB