THE "S.H.I.P" SERIES

There's S.H.I.P in every RELATIONSHIP. The way one relates with people is crucial in determining how far a person can go in life. Yet still many people downplay on importance of good interpersonal relationship to their own detriment. They take every relationship for granted not knowing it might have been God's way of bringing them into their fulfillment of destiny.

SEEK THE GIVER, NOT THE GIFTS...

2 Chronicles 26:5b "As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success." This scripture passage is referring to a man named Uzziah, king of Judah. He began his reign when he was just sixteen years old. Actually, compared with the beginning of his grandfather Joash, who reigned as king at the age of seven, Uzziah was matured. But how can someone at 16, rule a great kingdom like this? Where lies his strength, wisdom and experience?

SERVANTHOOD...THE WAY TO BEING GREAT!

Matthew 20:26b-27 "...but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." If there is one thing I have learnt and desire to work on more in the coming years, it is the ability to serve others with my gift in humility. It may look like one difficult thing to do, but it is stated clearly that, "the only way to be great, comes through servitude/servanthood.

YOU CAN'T THINK FOR HIM

Isaiah 55:8. "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts" says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you can imagine". God can do things that can blow our minds should we try to understand them. His wisdom is unsearchable, unreachable and incomparable. The way God see things are far above the degree to which our minds can perceive.

OPEN UP FOR A CLEAN UP!

Prov. 28:13 "People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy." A sister shared her story with me and it inspired me to write today's devotional. No matter what she has gone through, she is still standing. The fact that you have faced a lot of challenges this year is no justification for you to stay down. God is fully aware you have had those shortcomings but He still has your name in His palms.

YOU CAN'T DO WITHOUT HIM!

John 15:5b "For without me ye can do nothing." No one on earth can make such a serious statement, knowing very well that man's strength is limited. Jesus is not one of the people you need to make it in life, but the one person you cannot do without. You may 'know book', have a high IQ, have the best links, come from an affluent background and so on. But none of these can substitute the role Jesus plays in your life.

GET A GOOD NAME AND RICHES WILL FOLLOW

"A good name is to be chosen and desired than riches...". Many people these days crave for "riches" at the expense of a good name. Riches in itself is not a wrong choice, but the pursuit of it to the extent that one can do anything, anyhow, anywhere to get it, makes it a problem. You can even find out in the scriptures that 'it is the blessings of the Lord that makes a man rich.'

THERE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT YOU...

Genesis 12:14-16 "And sure enough, when Abram arrived in Egypt, everyone noticed Sarai's beauty. When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to Pharaoh, their king, and Sarai was taken into the palace. Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her..." There are 3 Key things I want us to consider in today's text.

YOUR TIME TO BE FAVORED HAS COME!

SEARCH FOR YOUR RUTH!

Ruth 1:16 "But Ruth replied, Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God." Some people come into our lives for a season and others but for a reason. Some people may not support your vision and may fall off along the line.

YOU DARE NOT QUESTION GOD

Isaiah 44:24 (NLT) "This is what the Lord says-your Redeemer and Creator: "I am the Lord, who made all things. I alone stretched out the heavens. Who was with me when I made the earth?" There is no inventor who made anything and didn't need assistance at some point in time. At least someone had to be present to hold one thing or the other.

LEARN TO SHUT YOUR MOUTH

Proverbs 10:19 "Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut." Sometimes many of say certain things which we don't even take time to carefully consider. And later have to bear the consequences, which could have been averted had we considered the matter thoroughly. Sometimes the best thing to do is to say nothing. It doesn't mean you are too weak or soft. It is simply a sign of wisdom!

TODAY IS THAT DAY

Isaiah 65:21-24 "IN THOSE DAYS people will live in the houses they build and eat the fruit of their own vineyards. Unlike the past, invaders will not take their houses and confiscate their vineyards. For my people will live as long as trees and my chosen ones will have time to enjoy their hard-won gains. They will not work in vain, and their children will not be doomed to misfortune.

GOD IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

Isaiah 65:1-2 "I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, 'Here I am, here I am!' to a nation that did not call on my name. All the day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people. But they follow their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes." If God could accuse a nation like this, then it was a serious matter.

I NEED YOU, YOU NEED ME!

Matthew 7:12 "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." I personally find something interesting about most people these days. They seem to complain about what the don't receive and don't bother to find out what they are equally supposed to give. It is a give and take affair. Instead of saying "People don't like me" why don't you ask "Do I like people?".

YOU SHALL FINISH WHATEVER YOU START

Zechariah 4:8-9 "Then another message came to me from the Lord. Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, AND HE WILL COMPLETE IT. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven's Armies has sent me". I am here today to encourage someone: God is not done with you yet. You shall complete whatever your started from the beginning of the year. You shall not lay the foundation for others to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?

Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loveth at all times...". Some people haven't differentiated between who is a friend and who is not. They put everyone under the umbrella of "my friend". But that shouldn't be the case. In my own simple definition, "a friend may be someone who shares common beliefs and interests with you and who would be willing to stick with you in sorrow and in joy."