ITS A BAIT!

"In the meantime, Saul's daughter Michal had fallen in love with David, and Saul was delighted when he heard about it. Here's another chance to see him killed by the Philistines! Saul said to himself...(1 Sam. 18:20-21;NLT) Some favors could turn out to be traps set to cause our downfall. But I decree that every weapon formed against you shall backfire. Saul's intention of giving David his daughter to marry, was not because he wanted David as a son-in-law, rather to use his daughter as the bait to get him killed. Saul asked David to bring 100 Philistine foreskin as the bride price. "But what Saul had in mind was that David would be killed in the fight...When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and how much his daughter Michal loved him, Saul became even more afraid of him..."(V25b,28-29). Someone may also be trying to set traps for you at your work place, marriage, ministry or school. It doesn't matter how far they may have gone, it won't work. For I AM is with you! AB@TWD...Inspiring Hope!

I SMELL A RAT!

"A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning will be taken as a curse!"(Prov. 27:14,NLT). Someone may be thinking, then must we not greet when we meet our friends at the beginning of a new day? Our text is more of an admonition. Be suspicious and wary of the man who always flatter you with a loud voice and go out of their way to do so. It will turn out to be a curse instead of a blessing. The scripture is an idiom about excessive flattery. It is not to be regarded as genuine and sincere. Be wary of 'friends' who are always singing your praises and never find faults with you. There are friends who are there for benefits, and those who are there to create conflicts. Genuine friends stay with you through the good and bad and may not even give you reasons why they are. They just stick closer than a brother. Beware of people who are always showering you with praises as if you are superhuman with no mistakes. "A lying tongue hates it victims, and flattering words cause ruin". (Prov. 26:28, NLT) Sometimes you must smell a rat to stay away from trouble! AB@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

NOTHING WILL BE TOO HARD FOR YOU!

"You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile...You drench the 'plowed ground' with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges. You soften 'the earth' with showers and bless its abundant crops. You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the 'hard pathways' overflow with abundance."(Ps. 65:9-11,NLT) Before you proceed, I want you to go over our text please. Note carefully any sentence with words like earth, ground, pathways. And answer this question: What was man made from? If you are thinking as I am, your answer will be 'The Dust of the Earth'! "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground..."(Gen. 2:7,KJV) So anywhere you see anything related to the ground put yourself there and claim it. "You take care of the EARTH and water it, making it rich and fertile. You drench the PLOWED GROUND with rain...You soften the EARTH with showers and bless its abundant crops. You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the HARD PATHWAYS overflow with abundance." Nothing will be hard for you! AB@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

WHEN TO ATTACK!

"And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the philistine."(1 Chro. 14:15,KJV) There are different strategies for different battles. Just like in football, there are different game plans for different matches. And you mostly would need a signal as to when to go in for the kill. It is at your opponent's weakest point that you can take advantage and win. Even when David got behind the army of the Philistines he was not to attack until the very moment he heard a sound in the tops of the mulberry trees. And that was the success plan. David was bound to fail had he missed it. This sound was one of "a going", meaning the sound of a mighty army on the march, which struck terror to the Philistines and caused them to be confused and panic stricken. The Arabic version say the sound was the "noise of horses' hoofs". "When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, go out and attack! That will be the signal that God is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army"(NLT) When do you attack? AB@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

GET IT STRAIGHT!

The word of God is to be believed in its totality with no exceptions. You would ask yourself, why many accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour but find it hard to accept He is their healer too. Isa. 53:5 paints a picture that He is both our Healer and our Saviour. 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV) reads ''Who his own self bare our sins in his body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed'. God isn't only your Saviour, but He has already paid all your hospital bills on the cross of calvary. So it is spiritually and physically inappropriate for you to be oppressed by sickness. And don't for a minute think that your Loving Heavenly Father will punish you with sickness. A house divided against itself can not stand. Jesus Christ cannot pay for your sickness and His father will punish you with sickness, it is IMPOSSIBLE. Jesus Christ came to earth to give us both Salvation (Romans 10:9-10) and Healing (Acts 10:38). Get it straight! IA@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

FAITH MIXTURE(2)

"...Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in His prophets, and you will succeed."(2 Chro. 20:20,NLT) This means the men of God in every nation have an important role to play in its prosperity believe it or not. "O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord: Give the Lord no rest until he completes his work, until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth."(Isa. 62:6-7,NLT) As the Lord opened my eyes into this scripture, it dawned on me how sometimes we underestimate the power God has given to His chosen prophets in our land. A typical example that the Spirit of God drew to my attention was when our currency started depreciating and a servant of God stood to pray for its rise. The reactions from even Christians was shocking. But God's word says, we can change ANY SITUATION, no matter how bad it is, if we mix the word of God with faith. AB@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

FAITH MIXTURE!

"Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish."(Isa. 46:10,NLT) The word of God can be so assuring, but until it is properly mixed with faith, it wouldn't yield results. "I will call a swift bird of prey from the east-a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding. I have said what I would do, and I will do it."(V11) God can use anything to fulfil His plan for your life. He can turn the heart of Kings to your favour. "It is the same with my word. I send it out and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will PROSPER EVERYWHERE I send it."(Isa. 55:11,NLT) Did you just read that? It doesn't matter the situation you may be in, when you allow God's word to settle on it, things will change. How are you receiving the word you have heard? "For unto us was the gospel preached as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it."(Heb. 4:2,KJV) Get the right mixture! AB@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

NO MORE TIME WASTING!

"Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them."(Titus 3:9-11,NLT) This scripture appears to have a serious tone. In that, the writer doesn't mince words but emphatically states that some discussions and arguments are useless so we shouldn't engage in them. And those who try to bring divisions must be avoided completely. This is to teach us ways to be productive in using our time effectively and efficiently to become more profitable in life. Many lives are being wasted away due to unnecessary arguments on irrelevant topics. The next time someone comes to you with any discussion and you realize it wouldn't add any value to you, gently excuse them and find something profitable to do with your time. Time is precious, so use it wisely! AB@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

WHO IS YOUR PARTNER?

Have you ever been in a company of three where the other two have a common ground say the same tribe, school, church...etc and instead of chatting about things common to all of you they begin to talk about their former school, church or even more painfully switch to their native language? When this happens you can feel so left out. At times it feels as if they are gossiping about you especially when they chat in an unknown tongue with much laughter. It can be very offensive and could cause separation. In much the same way, the Spirit of God ministered to me that challenges that come our way should be like the 3rd party to us as christians. Our fellowship with God should make those challenges feel left out even though they are around. When we associate ourselves with God we've got to speak our native language which is His word. Has God told you that your ministry will go international and touch lives yet you don't even get a LIKE on any social media platform when you share an inspiring post, so want to speak the language of failure? Or you have been exchanging words with bus conductors over some few coins when God has said you are a billionaire? Beloved never talk the problem, but instead keep associating and speaking one language with God, and in no time the challenge would disappear. But if you decide to associate and speak one language with the challenge then you would gradually be pushing God away. Who then do you have a common language with, is it GOD or THE CHALLENGE? Enjoy Lunch. RA@TWD...Inspiring Hope!

RUN, AGE IS CATCHING UP WITH YOU!

 "Someday the light of the sun and the moon and the stars will all seem dim to you. Your body will grow feeble, your teeth will decay, and your eyesight will fail..."(Eccl 12:2-3,CEV). Few years ago I was six. Mom and dad organised a super cool birthday for me. I felt like a princess as I blew the fire off my six coloured lit candles at a go. It felt magical. I remember it like yesterday, but amazingly I am grown already. Dear, time is flying like the passing wind, unable to catch it to suit our pace. If you have any childhood memories, it should prompt you on how fast the days are counting. In no time you will be celebrating your 70th birthday. If you have anything to do for God it must be NOW. "Keep your creator in mind while you are young. In years to come, you will be burdened down with troubles and say, I don't enjoy life anymore.."(Eccl 12 :1,CEV) Let us be about His business because tomorrow your grandchild will be wishing you a happy 80th birthday! Be on your toes, for the clock is ticking and you've got little time. KY@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

CONDITIONAL BLESSINGS!

"Can worry make you live longer? Why worry about clothes? Only people who don't know God worry about such things. Your father in heaven knows that you need all of these things. But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what He wants. Then other things will be yours as well."(Matt 6:25-33 CEV). There's a deep revelation to this passage. Please take time to carefully meditate on this scripture. It states categorically that you do not need to worry about anything when you are about God's business and obey His word. Your needs will be catered for without worrying. It will be a reward for your service to God. You don't need to be anxious about tomorrow when you make a concious effort to meet the conditions of God's word. All other things including your wants shall be added to you. Why worry about what God has already taken care of? 'When you make God's business your business, He makes your business His business.' Such blessings are conditional. KY@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

EQUAL TREATMENT, FAIR GAME!

"Don't condemn others, and God wont condemn you. God will be as hard on you as you are on others. He will treat you exactly as you treat them."(Matt 7:1-2,CEV) Have you ever wondered why you go through that pain, hurt and disappointment? Has it ever occurred to you that what you may be going through is because of your attitude towards another person? Do you ignore others and treat them as though they don't matter? Do you demotivate your subordinates by the words you utter? Do you meet your wants and neglect the needs of others? Change your ways today and watch things turn around in your favour. The next time you take an action, think of how you would feel should God take similar actions against you. Change your attitude towards someone today. Have the mind of Christ! KY@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

THE PHYSICIAN'S ADVICE!

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength."(Prov. 17:22,NLT) The cause of many sicknesses these days can be attributed to the high rate of depression. The above scripture confirms that. A merry heart is 'healthful', but one dejected will develop many bodily illnesses. Nothing ruins health more than grief, continual worry, fretfulness, bad tempers, hatred and the likes. We should therefore rid ourselves of such health-destroying agencies. Sometimes we can even accuse the devil for things he may not be aware of, because His mission statement has always been "To steal, kill and destroy." He mostly comes subtly with thoughts of fear, and tries to destroy anything that can empower you to overcome him, especially your joy. But resist the devil by staying happy always. He knows the joy of the Lord is your strength, and so would attack you from there. Never trade your joy. Stay cheerful, it is your emotional medicine! Endorsed by- Snr. Doctor Jesus. AB@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

ARE YOU A SUPER-MAN OR SPIRIT-MAN?

"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies..."(Rom. 8:11,KJV) Many of us have a desire to achieve great things. But even though we may have the determination to succeed, our strength alone cannot help us; we need power from God. When Jesus said "And you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you...", He meant power to do great things. Whenever you try to do things with your own strength, you are behaving like a super-man. But when you yield to the power of the Holy Spirit and rely on His strength, then you are more of a spirit-man. Paul admitted that it was Christ at work in Him and not his own might, when He said: "I can do all things, through Christ who gives me strength." It is good to give your best shot, but there is a point where only God can take you and something He alone can do. When you get to such a place, don't become a super-man; allow the Spirit of God to be in control. Just yield to Him! AB@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

YES YOU TRIED...

"The horse is prepared for the day of battle, BUT VICTORY BELONGS TO THE LORD"(Prov.21:31NLT). The first question that is most likely to come to mind after reading this text is: If victory is the Lord's (or belongs to the Lord) why do I have to fight any more battles? But can you be quite for just a minute? Shhh! You would realize that even when you think you are quiet there is a part of you that keeps processing information and doesn't go on break. That is your MIND! Even when you are asleep, your mind may be roaming and combing through your unfinished projects. And by the time you wake up you are already tired for the new day. That is why you need to allow God to give the shots while you follow Him. Your strength can do only a little. Only God can see you through to the end. The Message translation of our text reads: "Do your best, prepare for the worst-then trust God to bring victory." Yes you may have tried, but it is time to rest in God. He has your victory in His hand, so partner with Him and you shall win! AB@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!(Isa. 26:3,NLT) I wonder why at some point in life some things just don't work as expected. And its like the prayers don't satisfy, words of encouragement no more edify and you've made so many mistakes that you cannot rectify. The pressure from work, expectations from family, programmes to attend, deadlines to meet, goals to achieve are all part of the battles that go in your mind. How do you cope with the mental load as a Christian? The best remedy is to FIX YOUR THOUGHTS ON JESUS and not on the problems! So many thoughts can find their way into your mind without your permission, so it is your responsibility to control your thought life and fill your mind with positive things. "And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."(Phil. 4:8,NLT) What is on your mind? AB@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

BEHIND THE SCENES!

"So we don't look at the troubles we can see now, rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."(2 Cor. 4:18,NLT) The KJV reads "...for the things which are seen are temporal: but the things which are not seen are eternal"(Permanent). What you are seeing may appear real, but the truth is that it has a short lifespan. "For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!(2 Cor. 4:17,NLT). There is a purpose in every adversity as a child of God. "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.(James 1:2-3,NLT). This is spiritual capacity building! "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later."(Rom. 8:18,NLT) God is not done with you yet. He is working behind the scenes. You shall soon manifest! AB@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP!

"And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for."(1 Jn. 5:14-15,NLT) Here is one key to answered prayer many of us are yet to discover. It is truth hidden in God's word, and until the eyes of our understanding is enlightened, we may not see it. Here is the point: God doesn't answer our prayers because we use good vocabulary. He hears us because we ask for what pleases Him. And that is the difficult part, because most of our requests are self-centred and out of selfish ambition. "And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong-you want only what will give you pleasure.(James 4:3,NLT) So the problem is not with God, but with our motives. What are the reasons why you ask for the things you ask for? If they are genuine then God will gladly answer at the appropriate time. "And it is impossible to please God without faith..."(Heb. 11:6,NLT) Before you make your request, examine your motive. Look before you leap! AB@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

CHANGE CLOTHES!

Sometimes as hard as it may be, you may have to allow certain things to go in order to enjoy life. You can't keep holding on to the past and its regrets. It is time to change clothes! Here is how David handled a painful loss in his life. "Then on the seventh day the child died. David's advisers were afraid to tell him. He wouldn't listen to reason while the child was ill, they said. What drastic thing will he do when we tell him the child is dead? When David saw them whispering, he realized what had happened. Is the child dead? he asked. Yes they replied, he is dead. Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and CHANGED HIS CLOTHES. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the Lord..."(2 Sam. 12:18-20,NLT) The enemy is happy when you appear depressed, frustrated, and miserable. But just like David, get back up and change your countenance. God has greater things ahead of you, so replace the spirit of heaviness with the garment of praise. Change your clothes! AB@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©

HELPLINE SERIES:THE CONCLUSION!

Let us meditate on the following scriptures as we conclude on our helpline series. "So we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?" (Heb. 13:6,NLT) We are terrified by the threats of mere men because we are not conscious of the helper we have got. It is time to wake up. "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea."
(Ps. 46:1-2,NLT). If God is our helper, there is no need to fear. "We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield." (Ps. 33:20,NLT) And lastly the Lord says: "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."
(Isa. 41:10,NLT) Now let us join our hearts and say this prayer: "Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. With God's help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes."
(Ps. 108:12-13,NLT) It is an undeniable fact that, we can not do without God's help. He is already willing and ready to help, all He needs is that you turn to Him. Will you call on Him now? AB@TWD...Inspiring Hope!©