Many times trouble comes to our lives when we are un prepared. This may create panic in us while we look for ways to resolve the problem. Some people may become paralyzed with fear while others look for a scapegoat to blame for their misfortune.
David’s reaction when attacked by the Amalekites as reported in 1 Samuel chapter 30 reveals the best way to handle difficult challenges. David and his men in this particular incidence were not home when the unprecedented attack happened. They had gone to fight with the Philistines who turned them back because they did not trust David who had previously fought with Israel against them.
David was in exile at this time and lived with his men in the city of Ziklag, a Philistine territory, which the Philistine king Achish had bestowed on David and his men because David had found favor with him (1 Samuel 27: 5-7). David’s exile had been forced by King Saul’s threat on his life because of Saul’s insecurities.
They arrived back in Ziklag on the third day after being rejected by the Philistines to a scary scenario. The Amalekites had raided Ziglag, burnt it down and taken captive the women and anyone else they found there. “David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive” 1 Samuel 30: 3. So what do you do caught up in such a situation?
1) Express your emotions
It was a distressing moment and seemingly a hopeless situation. David and his men wept together “until they had no more power to weep” but the situation turned to be more distressing for David because “ the people spoke of stoning him” 1 Samuel 30: 5- 6. The men caught up in grief looked for a scapegoat for their misery instead of working together for a solution. Avoid looking for someone to blame or criticize for your predicament. It is useless to do so.
2) Find strength in the Lord
In the midst of all these David “strengthened himself in the Lord, his God” 1 Samuel 30: 6. David recognized that the Lord is our shepherd and a very pleasant help in times of need. Instead of focusing on who to blame or express his anger towards, David found his strength in the Lord. So instead of blaming others, recognize that nothing gets the Lord by surprise. Reach out to him in your weakness and He will strengthen you.
3) Enquire of the Lord
Consult the Lord on what to do before acting. The next thing that David did was to enquire of the Lord whether to pursue his enemies and the consequences of doing so (1 Samuel 30:7). The Lord answered David and said, “pursue for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all”1 Samuel 30:8. Do not be in rush to revenge but wait on the Lord and He will direct your path. Once you receive your answer, act as instructed.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/373610_6-ways-to-handle-unprepared-attacks#ixzz15CHE6cpO
My blogs are inspired by my faith and hope. My writing shows my philosophy of life, my concerns and my passion.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Have you entered the sabbath rest?
“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His” Hebrews 4: 9-10.
Have you ever felt like the Lord was calling you for a conversation and when you obeyed you knew He was warning you or reminding you of something? Well that happened to me not long ago when I was feeling disturbed in my spirit but did not know why. I tend to be like apostle Peter sometimes, where I do mighty things in the name of the Lord but get overwhelmed when I take my eyes from the Lord and view my circumstances from a carnal mind and start drowning.
Let’s face it, the ways of the Lord are hard to fathom and only our faith in Him can sustain us. Sometimes one feels like the Lord does not take cognizant of time or has forsaken them and in the process worry unnecessarily. Jesus reminds us that “which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” Mathew 6: 27. This is where I was when the Lord called me for a conversation.
Sometimes the Lord closes certain doors in our lives that we perhaps previously found our self worth in. He makes us to be totally depended on Him living on a day to day basis. In the process God teaches us to trust in Him and to receive from Him. The Lord may do this by removing you from a place of comfort and move you to a foreign place away from your security. The challenges may be many but it is in this place that you learn to depend on the Lord for your sanity.
As believers we always claim to be depended on the Lord and it is easy to say that when we are financially alright, we are healthy, our relationships are working well, our children are doing what we expect of them among such issues. But what happens when such securities are taken away from us? Will our actions be compatible with what we say we believe? The only way we can know is when we are tested by having such confidence taken away from us.
According to scripture “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him’ Hebrews 11: 6. In the midst of our trials our faith conditions us to know that God is able to see us through and that He holds the key to our deliverance. It will be in the midst of these challenges that the Lord proves to us that He is all we need in the long run, for "He is".
James writes “ Show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe -and tremble!” James 2: 18-19. James is saying that our faith will show in our works. It is not enough to have an intellectual assent about God, for even demons do that, but the truth of what we believe in will be manifest through our thoughts and conduct. And sometimes it is in our trials that our faith is proved.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/367661_have-you-entered-the-sabbath-rest#ixzz15CG0w5O4
Have you ever felt like the Lord was calling you for a conversation and when you obeyed you knew He was warning you or reminding you of something? Well that happened to me not long ago when I was feeling disturbed in my spirit but did not know why. I tend to be like apostle Peter sometimes, where I do mighty things in the name of the Lord but get overwhelmed when I take my eyes from the Lord and view my circumstances from a carnal mind and start drowning.
Let’s face it, the ways of the Lord are hard to fathom and only our faith in Him can sustain us. Sometimes one feels like the Lord does not take cognizant of time or has forsaken them and in the process worry unnecessarily. Jesus reminds us that “which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” Mathew 6: 27. This is where I was when the Lord called me for a conversation.
Sometimes the Lord closes certain doors in our lives that we perhaps previously found our self worth in. He makes us to be totally depended on Him living on a day to day basis. In the process God teaches us to trust in Him and to receive from Him. The Lord may do this by removing you from a place of comfort and move you to a foreign place away from your security. The challenges may be many but it is in this place that you learn to depend on the Lord for your sanity.
As believers we always claim to be depended on the Lord and it is easy to say that when we are financially alright, we are healthy, our relationships are working well, our children are doing what we expect of them among such issues. But what happens when such securities are taken away from us? Will our actions be compatible with what we say we believe? The only way we can know is when we are tested by having such confidence taken away from us.
According to scripture “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him’ Hebrews 11: 6. In the midst of our trials our faith conditions us to know that God is able to see us through and that He holds the key to our deliverance. It will be in the midst of these challenges that the Lord proves to us that He is all we need in the long run, for "He is".
James writes “ Show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe -and tremble!” James 2: 18-19. James is saying that our faith will show in our works. It is not enough to have an intellectual assent about God, for even demons do that, but the truth of what we believe in will be manifest through our thoughts and conduct. And sometimes it is in our trials that our faith is proved.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/367661_have-you-entered-the-sabbath-rest#ixzz15CG0w5O4
Understanding the Peace of God
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” John14:27.
What is peace? When we call on peace what do we really mean? Can we have peace in the midst of injustice? Can we have peace without resolving our conflicts? Can we have peace without rights?
According to Dictionary .com, peace includes the lack of war, a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, freedom from civil commotion and violence in a community, freedom from strife, freedom of mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, and a state of tranquility or serenity. As observed from this defination, peace is dependant on something happening or in the change of circumstances
The peace of God on the other hand is not conditional to circumstances outside our being. The peace of God is a state of being regardless of the circumstances. When we accept Christ in our lives we receive the Holy Spirit whose work in us produces a deep and lasting peace. This peace ensures us a sound mind when we would be anxious and distressed under normal circumstances.
Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict. Paul in his epistle to the Philippians says “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7.
Peace in this regard is a condition of mind that releases you from fear, anger, anxiety and pain even when the circumstances in the natural would warrant a different response. The peace of God is a gift as Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” John14:27.
The peace of God is manifested in those who understand the sovereignty of God. They understand that God is in control of every situation and that there are times that He will allow things that we do not like to happen if it serves the bigger picture. The perfect example is that of Him allowing Jesus to suffer death in a most shameful manner as a way of reconciling human beings to Him.
Jesus who understood the domain of God manifested peace even at His death. This is why it was possible for Him to pray that God would forgive His killers “because they did not know what they do” Luke 23:34. A normal human being would have been angry and exasperated at being so humiliated and beaten for something he was no guilty of.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/357975_understanding-the-peace-of-god#ixzz15CEYKt3x
What is peace? When we call on peace what do we really mean? Can we have peace in the midst of injustice? Can we have peace without resolving our conflicts? Can we have peace without rights?
According to Dictionary .com, peace includes the lack of war, a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, freedom from civil commotion and violence in a community, freedom from strife, freedom of mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, and a state of tranquility or serenity. As observed from this defination, peace is dependant on something happening or in the change of circumstances
The peace of God on the other hand is not conditional to circumstances outside our being. The peace of God is a state of being regardless of the circumstances. When we accept Christ in our lives we receive the Holy Spirit whose work in us produces a deep and lasting peace. This peace ensures us a sound mind when we would be anxious and distressed under normal circumstances.
Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict. Paul in his epistle to the Philippians says “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7.
Peace in this regard is a condition of mind that releases you from fear, anger, anxiety and pain even when the circumstances in the natural would warrant a different response. The peace of God is a gift as Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” John14:27.
The peace of God is manifested in those who understand the sovereignty of God. They understand that God is in control of every situation and that there are times that He will allow things that we do not like to happen if it serves the bigger picture. The perfect example is that of Him allowing Jesus to suffer death in a most shameful manner as a way of reconciling human beings to Him.
Jesus who understood the domain of God manifested peace even at His death. This is why it was possible for Him to pray that God would forgive His killers “because they did not know what they do” Luke 23:34. A normal human being would have been angry and exasperated at being so humiliated and beaten for something he was no guilty of.
Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/357975_understanding-the-peace-of-god#ixzz15CEYKt3x
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Let conscience and thought direct the abortion debate
The debate on abortion is one that seems to divide people based on values expressed as rights. Some people cling on rights of the person aborting (prochoice) while others think of the rights of the unborn child (prolife). The prochoice and the prolife go at each other on an issue that to me is a moral issue. Some moral issues although universal, need to have meaning for the individual to be of any effect.
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008, abortion is the “expulsion of the products of conception before the embryo or fetus is viable. Any interruption of human pregnancy prior to the 28th week is known as abortion. The term spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage, is used to signify delivery of a nonviable embryo or fetus due to fetal or maternal factors, as opposed to purposely induced abortion. Therapeutic abortion is an induced abortion performed to preserve the health or life of the mother.”
If this definition is to be accepted, then it seems there are two types of abortion. One done purposely because the mother wants to regardless of the reason and the other one is done on the recommendation of a doctor with the aim of preserving the health or life of the mother. The word “viable” in this case connotes “capable of living outside the uterus”. We all know that it takes 9 months of pregnancy for a child to be fully matured for birth. Note I use the word child because as far as I am concerned once conception takes place then the child starts developing until he/she is ready to be born.
To justify abortion many try to deny the fact that the foetus is human and therefore deserving protection. Abortion is therefore seen as an easy way out for a woman who is faced with a dilemma of being pregnant but not wanting to carry the child to term. Many times I have heard people say it is just a mass of blood and so it is okay. This is the greatest deception that people have fallen into. I went for a scan when I was 10 weeks pregnant with my son and I was shocked to see all his features developed and him very active in my womb. Yet I was told he was only the size of a pea.
Read more: http://socyberty.com/issues/let-conscience-and-thought-direct-the-abortion-debate/#ixzz0xk1bm2o4
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008, abortion is the “expulsion of the products of conception before the embryo or fetus is viable. Any interruption of human pregnancy prior to the 28th week is known as abortion. The term spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage, is used to signify delivery of a nonviable embryo or fetus due to fetal or maternal factors, as opposed to purposely induced abortion. Therapeutic abortion is an induced abortion performed to preserve the health or life of the mother.”
If this definition is to be accepted, then it seems there are two types of abortion. One done purposely because the mother wants to regardless of the reason and the other one is done on the recommendation of a doctor with the aim of preserving the health or life of the mother. The word “viable” in this case connotes “capable of living outside the uterus”. We all know that it takes 9 months of pregnancy for a child to be fully matured for birth. Note I use the word child because as far as I am concerned once conception takes place then the child starts developing until he/she is ready to be born.
To justify abortion many try to deny the fact that the foetus is human and therefore deserving protection. Abortion is therefore seen as an easy way out for a woman who is faced with a dilemma of being pregnant but not wanting to carry the child to term. Many times I have heard people say it is just a mass of blood and so it is okay. This is the greatest deception that people have fallen into. I went for a scan when I was 10 weeks pregnant with my son and I was shocked to see all his features developed and him very active in my womb. Yet I was told he was only the size of a pea.
Read more: http://socyberty.com/issues/let-conscience-and-thought-direct-the-abortion-debate/#ixzz0xk1bm2o4
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Remove the blocks in your life hindering you to be true to yourself
Recognizing and honoring all your desires is the basis of finding your true self. This involves recognizing your soul’s desire, your mind’s desire, your hearts desire and your body’s desire.
Staying in touch with and honoring all your desires gives you a clear direction in life and ensures personal success. Honoring a desire does not mean you have to act on it. We create blocks in our lives that interfere with the process of our establishing our true desires.
In his book “How to get what you want and want what you have” John Gray identifies twelve ways in which people disconnect from their feelings. These are revenge, attachment, doubt, rationalization, defiance, submission, avoidance, justification, rejection, withholding, reaction and sacrifice. He suggests dealing with such feelings as follows;
1) Get mad not even- When we feel the need to hurt or make someone suffer, we are not in harmony with our true nature of being loving. By learning to release blame with forgiveness you free yourself from the tendency to waste your energy and power in trying to get even. When you let go of revenge you take back your power to be happy and fulfilled within yourself without depending on the outside.
2) Give up attachment and keep desiring- When our hearts are not healed from a loss, like that of a relationship, we continue to hold on to what is no longer available to us. When we learn to let go, accept and trust change we clearly experience that every change no matter how tragic always opens the door to more.
Read More at http://www.bukisa.com/articles/264062_remove-the-blocks-in-your-life-hindering-you-to-be-true-to-yourself
Staying in touch with and honoring all your desires gives you a clear direction in life and ensures personal success. Honoring a desire does not mean you have to act on it. We create blocks in our lives that interfere with the process of our establishing our true desires.
In his book “How to get what you want and want what you have” John Gray identifies twelve ways in which people disconnect from their feelings. These are revenge, attachment, doubt, rationalization, defiance, submission, avoidance, justification, rejection, withholding, reaction and sacrifice. He suggests dealing with such feelings as follows;
1) Get mad not even- When we feel the need to hurt or make someone suffer, we are not in harmony with our true nature of being loving. By learning to release blame with forgiveness you free yourself from the tendency to waste your energy and power in trying to get even. When you let go of revenge you take back your power to be happy and fulfilled within yourself without depending on the outside.
2) Give up attachment and keep desiring- When our hearts are not healed from a loss, like that of a relationship, we continue to hold on to what is no longer available to us. When we learn to let go, accept and trust change we clearly experience that every change no matter how tragic always opens the door to more.
Read More at http://www.bukisa.com/articles/264062_remove-the-blocks-in-your-life-hindering-you-to-be-true-to-yourself
How to conduct effective ministry to people not of your cultural heritage
" In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him ---He is Lord of all" Acts 10:34,36.
The worship of God throughout the world is so diverse and is most of the time connected with a people’s culture. Many religions exist worldwide to sooth human’s deepest need for connection with the spiritual. Christianity has been adopted and accepted as the true worship of God in many societies and ethnicities as it should because before ascension Jesus commissioned His disciples to go “and make disciples of all nations” Mathew 28:19.
Many missionaries have been faithful to this commission and have travelled to many lands to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many have however taken their culture as opposed to the gospel and have caused more harm than good to the communities they have gone to. This is because they have gone with an attitude of superiority instead of humility. The missionary in this kind of scenario has belittled the culture of his hosts and has aimed at changing this culture to what the missionary perceive to be right based on the missionary’s own culture as opposed to preaching the gospel.
Read more at http://www.bukisa.com/articles/263951_how-to-conduct-effective-ministry-to-people-not-of-your-cultural-heritage
The worship of God throughout the world is so diverse and is most of the time connected with a people’s culture. Many religions exist worldwide to sooth human’s deepest need for connection with the spiritual. Christianity has been adopted and accepted as the true worship of God in many societies and ethnicities as it should because before ascension Jesus commissioned His disciples to go “and make disciples of all nations” Mathew 28:19.
Many missionaries have been faithful to this commission and have travelled to many lands to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many have however taken their culture as opposed to the gospel and have caused more harm than good to the communities they have gone to. This is because they have gone with an attitude of superiority instead of humility. The missionary in this kind of scenario has belittled the culture of his hosts and has aimed at changing this culture to what the missionary perceive to be right based on the missionary’s own culture as opposed to preaching the gospel.
Read more at http://www.bukisa.com/articles/263951_how-to-conduct-effective-ministry-to-people-not-of-your-cultural-heritage
The dangers of momentary pleasures
“The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps” Proverbs 14:15
Life is hard no doubt and sometimes it doe seem more difficult for some people than others. Many times we are faced with situations that look impossible and assume that we have to act fast otherwise we will die or lose the opportunity. At such time we may act secretively and refuse another counsel perhaps because we assume by so doing we may waste time or we may be dissuaded against acting as we wish when in our mind that is all we want.
Perhaps it could be greed that takes captive of our thinking or just pure lust. How many people are in heavy debt today because they acted impulsively or were greedy for more? How many have destroyed their marriage because of momentary lust? How many have betrayed loved ones for something they craved for? The problem with such actions is that they lose sight of the future.
At first we may feel satisfied and sometimes even powerful because we have got what we set out to get. However the price for acting impulsively is sometimes too high and cannot be reversed. A good example in scripture of a person who acted impulsively for a moment’s desire was Esau. Esau was Jacob’s older twin brother. By virtue of his position he had the eldest son birthright which entailed a double portion of the family’s inheritance together with the honor of one day becoming the head of the family.
Esau was also his father’s favorite son while Jacob was his mother’s favorite. Esau was “a skillful hunter, a man of the field” while Jacob was “a mild man dwelling in tents”, Genesis 25:27. One day Esau came from working from the field and he was hungry. His brother Jacob in the meanwhile was making some tasty stew at home. Esau asked for some stew from Jacob and Jacob being the trickster he was saw a chance to get what he wanted.
Read more at http://www.bukisa.com/articles/261220_the-dangers-of-momentary-pleasures
Life is hard no doubt and sometimes it doe seem more difficult for some people than others. Many times we are faced with situations that look impossible and assume that we have to act fast otherwise we will die or lose the opportunity. At such time we may act secretively and refuse another counsel perhaps because we assume by so doing we may waste time or we may be dissuaded against acting as we wish when in our mind that is all we want.
Perhaps it could be greed that takes captive of our thinking or just pure lust. How many people are in heavy debt today because they acted impulsively or were greedy for more? How many have destroyed their marriage because of momentary lust? How many have betrayed loved ones for something they craved for? The problem with such actions is that they lose sight of the future.
At first we may feel satisfied and sometimes even powerful because we have got what we set out to get. However the price for acting impulsively is sometimes too high and cannot be reversed. A good example in scripture of a person who acted impulsively for a moment’s desire was Esau. Esau was Jacob’s older twin brother. By virtue of his position he had the eldest son birthright which entailed a double portion of the family’s inheritance together with the honor of one day becoming the head of the family.
Esau was also his father’s favorite son while Jacob was his mother’s favorite. Esau was “a skillful hunter, a man of the field” while Jacob was “a mild man dwelling in tents”, Genesis 25:27. One day Esau came from working from the field and he was hungry. His brother Jacob in the meanwhile was making some tasty stew at home. Esau asked for some stew from Jacob and Jacob being the trickster he was saw a chance to get what he wanted.
Read more at http://www.bukisa.com/articles/261220_the-dangers-of-momentary-pleasures
Developing A kingdom of God mindset
“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” Colossians 3:9-10.
Words are very powerful because what we hear can make or break us depending on what we do with the words heard. The devil cannot make you do anything but he can plant thoughts in your mind through what you hear. He will question what you know by offering a different view and if you are not steadfast about what you believe he will create doubt in your mind. Eventually you will act on the thoughts because as a person thinks, he is or becomes (Proverbs 23:7).
Satan defeated humans in the Garden of Eden through use of words. His words created doubt in Eve and she eventually acted on the words, Genesis 3:1-6. God had already spoken His word concerning the things that Satan tempted Eve with, but she allowed herself to ponder on Satan’s words and the more she thought about them the more swayed she was and eventually she succumbed to the words.
It is not surprising that God had to send His word to repair the damage done in the Garden of Eden. Jesus is the word of God which was and is. Apostle John writes, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. He was in the beginning with God” John 1:1-2.
Read more at http://www.bukisa.com/articles/261204_a-kingdom-of-god-mindset
Words are very powerful because what we hear can make or break us depending on what we do with the words heard. The devil cannot make you do anything but he can plant thoughts in your mind through what you hear. He will question what you know by offering a different view and if you are not steadfast about what you believe he will create doubt in your mind. Eventually you will act on the thoughts because as a person thinks, he is or becomes (Proverbs 23:7).
Satan defeated humans in the Garden of Eden through use of words. His words created doubt in Eve and she eventually acted on the words, Genesis 3:1-6. God had already spoken His word concerning the things that Satan tempted Eve with, but she allowed herself to ponder on Satan’s words and the more she thought about them the more swayed she was and eventually she succumbed to the words.
It is not surprising that God had to send His word to repair the damage done in the Garden of Eden. Jesus is the word of God which was and is. Apostle John writes, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. He was in the beginning with God” John 1:1-2.
Read more at http://www.bukisa.com/articles/261204_a-kingdom-of-god-mindset
The dangers of a Prideful life
Pride makes us blind to our faults. We assume that we are better than others and look down on others that we consider less than us.
Scripture warns in many places about the danger of pride. Pride is always associated with wickedness because it really is a cover up for our failures and insecurities. In Psalm 73:6 the writer suggests that to the wicked “Pride serves as their necklace”. A necklace is a jewelry that enhances the neck while taking away attention on a person’s others qualities that may not be so attractive.
Similarly, a proud person will dwell on their achievements, looks, power or whatever it is that makes them proud because it covers their weaknesses. Some it is the pride of being born in a wealthy family or a privileged class or country but the familiar thing is the assumption that one is better than others.
Jesus also taught of pride that arises out of self righteousness. In the parable of two people who prayed, Jesus showed how pride can make us blind to the condition of our hearts. It can lead to stagnation of faith in the assumption that you know it all. The Pharisee was so full of his works and considered himself better than “other men- extortioners, unjust, adulterers or even as this tax collector” because he “fasted twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess” Luke 18:11-12.
Read more at http://www.bukisa.com/articles/258278_the-dangers-of-a-prideful-life
Scripture warns in many places about the danger of pride. Pride is always associated with wickedness because it really is a cover up for our failures and insecurities. In Psalm 73:6 the writer suggests that to the wicked “Pride serves as their necklace”. A necklace is a jewelry that enhances the neck while taking away attention on a person’s others qualities that may not be so attractive.
Similarly, a proud person will dwell on their achievements, looks, power or whatever it is that makes them proud because it covers their weaknesses. Some it is the pride of being born in a wealthy family or a privileged class or country but the familiar thing is the assumption that one is better than others.
Jesus also taught of pride that arises out of self righteousness. In the parable of two people who prayed, Jesus showed how pride can make us blind to the condition of our hearts. It can lead to stagnation of faith in the assumption that you know it all. The Pharisee was so full of his works and considered himself better than “other men- extortioners, unjust, adulterers or even as this tax collector” because he “fasted twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess” Luke 18:11-12.
Read more at http://www.bukisa.com/articles/258278_the-dangers-of-a-prideful-life
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Four Steps to personal success
The secret of getting what you want and wanting what you have is first learning how to be happy, loving, confident and peaceful regardless of your outer conditioning. Personal success comes from within and is achieved when you are able not only to be yourself but also to love yourself. It is feeling confident, happy and powerful in the process of doing what you want to do.
If you are already happy and you know that you are not dependent on more money to be happy, greater wealth can make you happier but is not the condition for your happiness. The more you think that money is capable of making you happy the more you give away your power to be happy without it. In his book “How to get what you want and want what you have”, John Gray suggests the following four steps in achieving personal success;
Step one: Set your intention- Recognize where you are now and clearly see where you need to go to achieve the right balance of inner and outer success for you. In other words “be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” Romans 12:2. Ask God for the direction of your life.
http://socyberty.com/advice/four-steps-to-personal-success/ for full article.
If you are already happy and you know that you are not dependent on more money to be happy, greater wealth can make you happier but is not the condition for your happiness. The more you think that money is capable of making you happy the more you give away your power to be happy without it. In his book “How to get what you want and want what you have”, John Gray suggests the following four steps in achieving personal success;
Step one: Set your intention- Recognize where you are now and clearly see where you need to go to achieve the right balance of inner and outer success for you. In other words “be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” Romans 12:2. Ask God for the direction of your life.
http://socyberty.com/advice/four-steps-to-personal-success/ for full article.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Exercising Goodness to others
A lot of us would probably do good if we were asked to or if there was something to gain by doing so. How many times have you known that someone needed help and you acted without being asked? What about when someone asked you for help? Did you ask them to come back letter because you wanted them to find someone else to help? Scripture is very emphatic on the issue of helping or exercising kindness to others particularly those in need. The book of Proverbs teaches that “he who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given” Proverbs 19:17.
If society functioned the way God intended it to we would have few people living in the kind of misery that we witness today. Greed and lack of love has infiltrated our thinking and the saying that it is a world where only the fittest survive becomes true. In the book of Deuteronomy God told the children of Israel that, “you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs—. For the poor will never cease from the land, therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your hand,’” Deuteronomy 15:8, 11.
For further reading turn to http://socyberty.com/people/exercising-goodness-to-others/
If society functioned the way God intended it to we would have few people living in the kind of misery that we witness today. Greed and lack of love has infiltrated our thinking and the saying that it is a world where only the fittest survive becomes true. In the book of Deuteronomy God told the children of Israel that, “you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs—. For the poor will never cease from the land, therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your hand,’” Deuteronomy 15:8, 11.
For further reading turn to http://socyberty.com/people/exercising-goodness-to-others/
Important lessons from the Tiger Woods Saga
Tiger Wood’s downfall contains a great and somber lesson for all men: Do not be controlled by your penis. It will ruin your life. Tiger Woods had everything; a beautiful wife and family, athletic achievement and fortune, and the respect of the world. Yet it was not enough because he could not control his penis.
We live in a world where sexuality is glorified as the light of the world. Even simple advertisement for things like food have sexual connotation. Human trafficking for sexual purposes is on the increase because there are men out there willing to pay to for their perverse lifestyle at the expense of another’s freedom. In the glamorous world we have the escort business thriving and call girls being elevated to the place of goddesses.
For full article go to http://socyberty.com/sexuality/important-lessons-from-the-tiger-woods-saga/
We live in a world where sexuality is glorified as the light of the world. Even simple advertisement for things like food have sexual connotation. Human trafficking for sexual purposes is on the increase because there are men out there willing to pay to for their perverse lifestyle at the expense of another’s freedom. In the glamorous world we have the escort business thriving and call girls being elevated to the place of goddesses.
For full article go to http://socyberty.com/sexuality/important-lessons-from-the-tiger-woods-saga/
What is your vision for the New Year?
Enlarge your house with glue
At the beginning of each year many of us have high hopes and dream of how things will be better. We make resolutions and set goals with the hope that they will come to pass. But many of the so called resolutions and goals are not met because while we are quick to make the resolution or goals we do not provide for the ways or means of achieving them. We do not set time frames and neither do we consider the challenges that we may encounter. If we did all these we would be better prepared to meet the challenges ahead and give our dreams the opportunity to come to pass.
Between your dream and its fulfillment you will be tested. Sometimes you might be the only one who believes on the dream and therefore find that you will need faith to sustain you. The story of Joseph and how he sustained his dream is worthy considering. He had to maintain his faith in a hostile environment, and believe in a dream nobody else believed in. He had no dreamer’s support network cheering him on, he had to stand alone. All he had was his faith based on his knowledge of God. God rewarded Joseph’s zeal for Him for scripture says that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” Hebrews
Full article at http://socyberty.com/advice/what-is-your-vision-for-the-new-year
At the beginning of each year many of us have high hopes and dream of how things will be better. We make resolutions and set goals with the hope that they will come to pass. But many of the so called resolutions and goals are not met because while we are quick to make the resolution or goals we do not provide for the ways or means of achieving them. We do not set time frames and neither do we consider the challenges that we may encounter. If we did all these we would be better prepared to meet the challenges ahead and give our dreams the opportunity to come to pass.
Between your dream and its fulfillment you will be tested. Sometimes you might be the only one who believes on the dream and therefore find that you will need faith to sustain you. The story of Joseph and how he sustained his dream is worthy considering. He had to maintain his faith in a hostile environment, and believe in a dream nobody else believed in. He had no dreamer’s support network cheering him on, he had to stand alone. All he had was his faith based on his knowledge of God. God rewarded Joseph’s zeal for Him for scripture says that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” Hebrews
Full article at http://socyberty.com/advice/what-is-your-vision-for-the-new-year
Friday, December 25, 2009
What are you hearing and where is your faith?
What have you been hearing lately? How is this affecting you? What we hear has a way of affecting our thinking and the way we think we become. Daily the media bombards us with news which is repeated on and on and with time we start believing the message. There are many contradictory news that could leave one confused if one were to accept such news as gospel truth. This is why it is important to consider where you get your news from and who you are listening to.
Have you ever felt so confident about something and had such faith about it and then you heard a nay sayer and your faith was completely shattered? I have found every time I attest to something my faith is tested on what I have attested to. Recently something drastic has happened to test the faith of someone that I receive emails from frequently. This person is an inspiration to many in the Christian business sector and writes blogs and words of encouragement to others. Not long ago he decided to venture in the area of healing attesting that God is still in the business of healing. http://relijournal.com/christianity/what-are-you-hearing-and-where-is-your-faith/ for further reading
Have you ever felt so confident about something and had such faith about it and then you heard a nay sayer and your faith was completely shattered? I have found every time I attest to something my faith is tested on what I have attested to. Recently something drastic has happened to test the faith of someone that I receive emails from frequently. This person is an inspiration to many in the Christian business sector and writes blogs and words of encouragement to others. Not long ago he decided to venture in the area of healing attesting that God is still in the business of healing. http://relijournal.com/christianity/what-are-you-hearing-and-where-is-your-faith/ for further reading
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Rule to live by for the betterment of your life
“You can accomplish anything you wish that is not contradictory to the laws of God or man, providing you are willing to pay the price” O G Mandino, (A better way to live)
O G Mandino is one of those writers who I consider to have been inspired by the Holy Spirit in his writings and teachings. His writings resonate with Biblical principles an indication that he found his worth and inspiration from the scriptures. In his book “A better way to live” he states that “when God gave us dominion over the world, He also gave us dominion over ourselves. We each plot our own map. God is our navigator---God bestowed on each of us intellect and talent and vision to map our own way, to write our own book of life in any manner we chose” (P.46). He reminds us that our worth is always determined by our deeds not by our good intention, however noble. Indeed James in his epistle writes “--- faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” James 2:17.
For further reading turn to http://www.bukisa.com/articles/191362_rules-to-live-by-for-the-betterment-of-your-life
O G Mandino is one of those writers who I consider to have been inspired by the Holy Spirit in his writings and teachings. His writings resonate with Biblical principles an indication that he found his worth and inspiration from the scriptures. In his book “A better way to live” he states that “when God gave us dominion over the world, He also gave us dominion over ourselves. We each plot our own map. God is our navigator---God bestowed on each of us intellect and talent and vision to map our own way, to write our own book of life in any manner we chose” (P.46). He reminds us that our worth is always determined by our deeds not by our good intention, however noble. Indeed James in his epistle writes “--- faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” James 2:17.
For further reading turn to http://www.bukisa.com/articles/191362_rules-to-live-by-for-the-betterment-of-your-life
Thursday, November 05, 2009
The process of change
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” Romans 12:2
When we accept Christ in our lives we die to the self and submit to Christ’s leadership as directed by the Holy Spirit. This is not easy because we are used to thinking in a particular way based on worldly standards. Although we have accepted to be drafted into the kingdom of God, we are still in the world and struggle with worldly pursuit that clash with spiritual values.
Paul writes, “I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” Romans 7:22-23. The Holy Spirit teaches us and guides us how to live under kingdom principle and direct us towards the narrow path. We however have input in how change will happen because we still retain our will.
For further reading go to http://www.bukisa.com/articles/184765_the-process-of-change
When we accept Christ in our lives we die to the self and submit to Christ’s leadership as directed by the Holy Spirit. This is not easy because we are used to thinking in a particular way based on worldly standards. Although we have accepted to be drafted into the kingdom of God, we are still in the world and struggle with worldly pursuit that clash with spiritual values.
Paul writes, “I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members” Romans 7:22-23. The Holy Spirit teaches us and guides us how to live under kingdom principle and direct us towards the narrow path. We however have input in how change will happen because we still retain our will.
For further reading go to http://www.bukisa.com/articles/184765_the-process-of-change
The Act of Forgiveness
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” Mathew 6:15-15.
Many times I hear people exhibit in anger wishes for death or some form of evil to someone who has hurt them or committed some heinous crime against them or their loved ones. We live in a world where everyone talks of their rights. People are quick to rush to court to enforce their rights and therefore the element of forgiveness in line with scripture requirements is laughable. We say that people should pay for what they did and when someone gets a sentence that we feel is less than we anticipated we cry wolf. It seems in this era of rights people are more vengeful and they want to draw the last blood. They vow to never to forgive the person for the acts committed against them. This kind of response I have heard with both Christians and non Christians alike.
For further reading go to http://relijournal.com/christianity/the-act-of-forgiveness/
Many times I hear people exhibit in anger wishes for death or some form of evil to someone who has hurt them or committed some heinous crime against them or their loved ones. We live in a world where everyone talks of their rights. People are quick to rush to court to enforce their rights and therefore the element of forgiveness in line with scripture requirements is laughable. We say that people should pay for what they did and when someone gets a sentence that we feel is less than we anticipated we cry wolf. It seems in this era of rights people are more vengeful and they want to draw the last blood. They vow to never to forgive the person for the acts committed against them. This kind of response I have heard with both Christians and non Christians alike.
For further reading go to http://relijournal.com/christianity/the-act-of-forgiveness/
Don't lose your Dream: You are on your way.
” The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all” Ecclesiastes 9: 11.
Have you found yourself in a place in life and wondered how you got there or what you are doing there? Sometimes life just does not seem to add up. Perhaps you were raised up in a nice family, had a good education and expected that everything would work out well for you according to the standards of the world. Today you look at your life and wonder what went wrong or why things are not what you anticipated. You wonder whether it is worthwhile to keep on striving when nothing seemingly seems to work. Well do not give up on yourself or life yet. The most important thing when examining your life is to first establish what your purpose is. You may just be surprised to find that things as they are actually make sense. This will help you persevere in the journey you are in.
For further reading go to http://relijournal.com/christianity/dont-lose-your-dream-you-are-on-your-way/
Have you found yourself in a place in life and wondered how you got there or what you are doing there? Sometimes life just does not seem to add up. Perhaps you were raised up in a nice family, had a good education and expected that everything would work out well for you according to the standards of the world. Today you look at your life and wonder what went wrong or why things are not what you anticipated. You wonder whether it is worthwhile to keep on striving when nothing seemingly seems to work. Well do not give up on yourself or life yet. The most important thing when examining your life is to first establish what your purpose is. You may just be surprised to find that things as they are actually make sense. This will help you persevere in the journey you are in.
For further reading go to http://relijournal.com/christianity/dont-lose-your-dream-you-are-on-your-way/
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