When everything seems awry, I turn to God. He's always in the business of working wonders. I've realized that it's essential to share my testimony whenever I receive answers to my prayers. Sometimes, amidst life's challenges, we tend to overlook the power of prayer for the smallest things. Instead, we rely solely on our knowledge, teachings, or skills. However, putting our faith in God can yield far greater results. Even when our faith wavers, it's important to remember the teachings, like those in Matthew 7 of the Bible.
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Matthew 7:7-8 King James Version
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened
My parents instilled in me the belief that prayer is the ultimate key, and I can attest that when we pray sincerely, God sees our hearts and responds. As Matthew 17:20 in the King James Version states, faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.
I recall a time when I had a workable target to meet. Initially, I attempted to achieve it through my own efforts, but I fell short. However, after praying to God, I not only met the target the next day but repeated the success. God has bestowed upon us the privilege to communicate with Him through prayer. His nature remains unchanged; He desires us to ask, and He will answer.
Even during times of distress, when praying seems arduous or we lack the desire, I believe God eagerly waits for us to reach out. Prayer truly unlocks doors to the impossible. With unwavering faith, I've experienced remarkable outcomes. Though challenges may arise, persistent prayer yields triumph.
Indeed, prayer possesses the power to transform any circumstance or emotion. It serves as the conduit between us and God, enabling us to receive His blessings. Let's not forget the importance of prayer amidst life's hustle and bustle.
Always remember these verses
1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
Jeremiah 33:3
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Important read: 34 BIBLE VERSES THAT REMIND US THAT PRAYER IS THE KEY
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In times of trouble, we may find ourselves weak in prayer, but we should always remember that prayer is key and that God has given us all we need to pray to Him and receive help in times of need. Remember what a privilege it is to carry everything to God in prayer.
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
Jeremiah 33:3:
Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
James 5:14-16:
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Matthew 21:22:
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
Psalm 23:1-6:
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Luke 4:4:
And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”
Matthew 6:33:
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:9:
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Matthew 6:1-34:
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Revelation 1:1-3:22:
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
James 5:16:
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James 5:1-20:
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. ...
James 1:27:
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Philippians 4:6:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
John 14:14:
If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Philippians 4:7:
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
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As you go through life, you’ll encounter situations that test your faith. You can think of these as trials that define the direction of your spiritual path. Do well, and you’ll emerge stronger. Do poorly, and your life will start getting out of control.
In this post, we take a look at some of the signs you’re being tested and what they mean.
You’re Being Asked To Sacrifice Something
While we might like to have it all in life, it’s not possible. Time, money, and resources are all limited. Eventually, we have to make decisions about what can stay, and what must go.
We have examples of sacrifice in the Bible, notably when Abraham offered up his son Isaac on the mountain as a test of faith.
In life, you will face similar tests. You may have to sacrifice a career for a family or time for a project that you want to complete. Whatever it is, giving something up is a test of faith that everything will be okay in the end.
You’re Being Asked To Give Up Control
God is always probing our hearts, trying to figure out what we’re made of. The idea is that we surrender and place our total trust in our faith. Doing this is a kind of proof that we’re giving everything over to a higher power.
Tests of the heart come in all shapes and sizes. Some involve work, while others can affect your health.
Through these processes, we come to be stronger people. If we can show faith in the most challenging of conditions, then it means that the rest of our lives will be a breeze.
Things to keep an eye on in life are things that deal with our emotions and how we treat other people. These factors may have a detrimental impact on our future.
*1. Fear
Prevents you from seizing opportunities.
*2. Ignorance
*2. Ignorance
Prevents you from making good decisions.
*3 Anger
*3 Anger
Prevents you from seeing clearly.
*4. Envy
*4. Envy
Prevents you from focusing on yourself.
I am a product of God's mercy and healing power. Grace has carried me throughout my life. God loves me so deeply that I can't tell it all. My heart is overflowing with gratitude, and all I can say is thank you, Jesus. My health has been in shambles for a while, and I told God that you'll be with me whatever happens. There were fear and unpleasant thoughts, but God was with me through it all.
I believe I needed to rest and comprehend a lot of what was going on around me because God continued offering me reasons to trust him. I had to learn to relax and take things easy. This illness taught me, patience, endurance, and true profound love, as well as the fact that God is real. God has been executing a million amazing miracles since my birthday this year. My heart is overflowing with gratitude, and all I want to do is keep worshipping him. This breath in my lungs is something I don't take for granted since there have been days when I feared for my life, days when I wondered what would happen if you fell asleep and didn't wake up. There was a day I hallucinated throughout the night due to the side effect of the drugs I took and couldn't sleep until morning.
If you're reading this and you're hoping for a miracle, keep your trust in God strong and never give up because God is real. Words fail me when it comes to expressing my feelings. I owe a great debt of gratitude to my parents for teaching me how to pray and for instilling in me the importance of putting God first above all else. God set me free, healed my body and saved my life. I am already loved by God and that is enough for me.
On July 8, 2021, I will receive my Master's Degree in Business Administration and also attend the graduation ceremony. God has a lot in store for me. If there's anything else I'd like to add, it's that God exists and that he hears and responds to prayers.
It is the Million big miracles for me.
Shiloh 2020 'Turnaround Encounters
1. The reward of service is more service.
2. The subject of instruction is what you can never outgrow in life.
3. Giant is made by asking giant questions and making giant enquires.
4.You are as limited as the inquiries you make.
5. Nobody regrets serving God.
6.You are limited in height by the instructions you take.
7.Protection is inside instruction.
8. Those who give thanks don't run empty tanks.
Clean up if you want God to show up.
There are things you need to put off before God can step in.
Ministering, monetization through vlogging and blogging as a Christian believer or Church.
As we all know we are in the internet age and our duties as believers are to capitalize on different tools to reach out to people. This is a great way to channel your own inner desire to share God’s message while doing what you love.
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (New King James Version (NKJV).
As a Christian living in this time, not everyone shows up to the church, and using the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 that placed restrictions on worshiping together as brethren, this brought the realization of the importance of a Christian understanding the use of these tools to preach Gods word including monetization of your platform as a vlogger/blogger.
Some people like to watch videos while some like to read, so this is where the difference between a blog and vlog for ministering alongside monetizing your platform comes in.
Today we are going to be focusing more on blogging than vlogging because this is a very broad topic.
What is a blog?
A blog is an online journal or informational website displaying information.
Who is a vlogger?
A vlogger is somebody who creates and uploads a video blog to pass for informational or learning purposes.
What is the purpose of a Christian blog/vlog?
The main purpose of a Christian blog is to connect you to the relevant audience and content while teaching the word of God. This entails equipping a web page with tools to make the process of writing, posting, linking, and sharing content easier on the internet.
Christian blogging is a way to take the Gospel to the people where they are. More and more people are turning to the online world to find answers and information on a variety of topics – including Jesus Christ! Starting a ministry blog is such a life-changing experience – both for you as a Christian individual, the church as an organization, and for those who come across your content. We are no longer bound by the confines of our church because the Internet makes it possible for us to connect with others literally around the planet.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2020
POWER IN PRAYER
TEXT: PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7
BIBLE TEXT: Philippians 4:4-7
Charles Spurgeon postulated that "True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that -it is a spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth." This comment about prayer is quite instructive. Prayer is a spiritual exercise. It is talking with God as a child does with his or her earthly father. The Bible contains promises which cover every aspect of our lives. Jesus advises His disciples to always pray and not to faint or be discouraged. Prayerlessness leads to murmuring, complaining, and defeat. The Bible has records of youths who were prayerful and succeeded in their Christian lives. Young people like Daniel, Jabez, and David were known for prayers. God answered their prayers and that is why we can still hear about them today. There is power in prayer to bring down solutions to your problems. Are you facing challenges in school, home, or place of work? Spend quality time talking to God about your needs and He will surely answer you. Make all your requests known to your Heavenly Father who cares about you.
Challenge: Pray until you breakthrough.
Prayer: Lord, teach me how to pray.
Quote: There is power in prayer.
In the world, bearing your father's name as your last name is now a tradition that has eaten deeply into the minds of people. Have you ever wondered why 80 per cent of persons on earth bear their father's name as their last name? To be frank I know you haven't because it has done on you as a tradition that you must bear your father's name as your last name.
The question is does your mother and you as a woman, not have equal rights of choice as your father/husband?
Years ago, women education was seen as an irrelevant subject to discuss on, women were married out early to men they knew little or nothing about, they had to obey and do as it pleases their husbands because they had no contributions to the family. Women gave birth and the men named the children and the children bear their father's name as their last name. Women had little or no life than bearing children and taking care of their homes. This led to early marriage, woman slavery etc. But there's one most important thing that this act gave birth to. It gave birth to a tradition that has consumed the minds of women till date even as they are now educated, business-minded and productive.
When a person is not educated he/she has less knowledge of things going on around them. This was the problem that captured women into accepting such a tradition of answering their husband's name after marriage. In recent times, the world has tried to correct itself and we have moved and grown to understand the importance of education for everyone as it can help the world to become a better place. Women and men go to school and sit in the same classroom, work the same jobs and basically do the same functions. Why do women marry and still change their last name to their husband's name?
This was born out of a tradition that never favoured women, women were seen as less and had no power to anything in the old-time since all they contributed was nothing, hence decisions were made by their husbands. This tradition is the one that sees the man superior to the woman in all things. Most especially the last name of a child. God created man and woman, a woman was never an afterthought she has always been part of the man. So both the man and woman have equal rights to the child but the mother plays a vital role in the birth and upbringing of the child so she has more rights to the child than the man. So why should the child answer the father's name?
Women go through childbirth. Some die in the process, no one remembers their names, nothing to continue their names. But a man's linage continues by his name. This is sad. Women do almost all the training of a child, some while working and some a full time stay home mum. Yet women are seen as less and no name acknowledgement is given to us. If a woman dies her name never continues, the man remarries and both the children of his new wife and late wife bears his name. If a man dies the children still bears his name.
If you say this act of taking after a man's name is tradition and you really want to keep to the traditions of your land and what your forefathers taught you then you need to keep to all the traditions. There are lots of traditions we do not follow, the truth is we pick what favours us by choice.
Children should have the right to choose which names they want to answer:
In essence, why should a child bear just their father's name as his/her last name? Why not the mother's name? A woman carries her child for nine months most times more or less. she endured the pain and gives birth, starts taking care of the child right from her body and yet she gets no acknowledgement. The man names the child, the child takes his name, the woman being his wife answers his name.
PS: If you say names are used as a means of identification, please do not forget that people answer the same names and so this is not even an excuse to continue this.
This is a total look down on women, our name and where we come from means a lot and should be strongly acknowledged. Children should be allowed to bear their mother's name, women should have the choice of answering their husband's name or not. Women have been looked down on for a long time and it is time for the things that matter to men to also matter to women.
The choice is yours, please stand firm to stop this tradition that started a long time ago which was born out of the look-down on women.
I am very open to hearing your views, please let me know what your take on this tradition is.
Today is the 1st of January 2020, and I am so excited about my new projects and family. I wish you all a happy new year and a beautiful, stress-free vision for 2020.
Photo by Jill Wellington from Pexels
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