Tag: Attitude

The life of man on earth 7.0 (the visit)

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I have been writing about the life of man on earth. It is a series that delves into the life of Job.

Today, I continue with Job’s friends’ visit.

Job’s friends came to visit him after his calamities, and they were surprised at how they found him.

He was their friend, and of course, was a wealthy fellow. So, the condition they saw wasn’t a good one.

They cried and kept mute for days without saying anything. 

There are good and bad sides to how Job’s friends responded to his new condition.

Sometimes, all you need to do to help someone is to say nothing. Keep your mouth shut!

You don’t know whether your words might hurt more or alleviate the problems.

Job’s friends tried to keep mute, but they could not sustain themselves for a long time before they start ranting.

We can learn to speak less and listen more.

These days, everyone wants to speak. Everyone wants to “be heard” There’s no crime speaking your mind, but in the multitudes of words, we often misspoke.

Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. Proverbs 10:19

Lastly, entertain only friends who are going to lift you and not pull you down.

It is, for me, a daily decision because you cannot tell which friends are going to be nice to you “down the stretch” In a short time, most friends are cool, but not many cannot sustain themselves for a long time.

So, what type of visit are you entertaining today? What friends are you keeping?

The life of man on earth 6.0 (the discouragement)

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Some people barely live their life, and many are almost giving up on life. 

Trust me, I am right there with you, but Job was much more right there with you.

Job experienced the most bizarre situation in life when he lost everything in a day. Everything!

Job’s wife told him to “curse God and die” That’s his wife telling Job to give up!

Then Job’s wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!” Job 2:9

I believe Job wouldn’t expect this elevated level of discouragement, but he wasn’t discouraged.

The bible says that Job did not sin against God despite all his calamities.

Life is not that easy.

You made every effort to succeed, but there are many challenges and discouragement easily set in. You are not alone.

Job’s friends did not help the matter. Instead, they make it worse. I know some friends are not encouraging in times of need. Job had a similar experience too. So, you are not alone.

David was so stressed because everyone that surrounded him was against him, but he encouraged himself. Encourage yourself too!

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6

Jesus was also stressed out in His last days that he persuaded the disciples to pray. No, they didn’t! And the temptation was too much for them to bear as they all abandoned Him when He needed them most.

So, you are not alone; I am sure of this. Many people are going through what you are passing right now.

Be strong and take courage because there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Peace!

A sophisticated world

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The world has changed since the time of the old and is still evolving rapidly.

God still works mysteriously in and around the world to effect His infallible words and purpose.

The believers are affected in many ways. Unfortunately, there is little choice.
The believers are affected not because God is not with them or for them but because the world is against them in many ways.

However, the significance of how desperately wicked the heart of man cannot be over-emphasized. 

The causal effects of many evil happenings in the world are not because God is incapable of doing anything. Instead, it is because man is constantly wreaking havoc ever since creation.

Talking to God like a friend– the dialogue

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In my previous post, I emphasized that God is not a mysterious being that you cannot approach neither is He hidden in a place that you cannot come near. 

I said that He is your friend and also your heavenly Father. So, be free to say it all.
He hears everything.

I also said that those who spend more time talking to God acquire depths of His understanding and His ways and must be respected and revered. The reason is that they represent God and are often His messengers.

Lastly, I said Avoid distraction! We often focus on talking to people at the workplace and different places in our lives and usually give them undivided attention. Give God your heart and mind.

In my final post, I am saying that you should turn your conversation into a dialogue. Wait on God intermittently to hear Him speak a word to you. Be keen on what He is going to tell you. 

Look for insight into His word. There are possibilities of scripture flashing through your mind. Take a pause and search the word as it comes alive in your mind.

As you talk to God, He is also willing to speak to you. So, allow Him to say something to you too.

God is closer than we can imagine, and He is willing to engage in a conversation with us.

The closer we are to God, the better our relationship is.

 

Talking to God like a friend– how can I?

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In my previous post, I stated that God is approachable. You can come to God and be yourself. You can use every word available, and you need not be careful of expressing yourself in God’s presence.

How can we do this successfully? The question is like saying how can I be a good friend of God, or at least His “buddy”?

First, you need to try and know Him and His ways. You cannot be a good friend to anyone without knowing them.

The best way to understand God is through His words. Learn His words, and you would have known a good chunk of who God is.

Develop a new habit of talking to Him every time, especially using your mental faculty (mind), is a great thing.

Avoid distraction! We often focus on talking to people at the workplace and different places in our lives and usually give them undivided attention. Give God your heart and mind.

You can avoid distraction by turning distraction to your notepad. Yes, turn distraction to your notepad! Whenever you remember anything or something that tries to catch your attention, write it down while you are talking to God, but never leave the presence of God.

Don’t stop talking to God even if you are distracted. After a while, you would train your mind to focus when you are with God.

Lastly, even if you don’t know what to say, the bible says that the Spirit will help us pray. The Holy Spirit understands God and can communicate with Him clearly than we can. So, He will help our minds say things that our mouth cannot utter.

Sometimes, He will help you speak in different languages called “tongues”

In all, you will know God more when you talk to Him often like a friend.
Give it a try!

Talking to God Like a friend– there are levels

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In my last posts, I made it clear that anyone can approach God. Anyone can talk to God at any time. You can use simple words and communicate your minds and feelings to Him.

God listens to every word, and you need not be careful to say what is on your mind when you go to pray.

Remember Hannah when she asked God for Samuel. She prayed passionately, expressing her thoughts and feelings. So, do not forget to tell it all when you pray.

However, there are levels to this approach. Different people approach God in different ways.

Some spend few minutes talking to God, and some spend hours and even days talking to God. God deals with individuals differently.

Moses spent days on the mountain talking to God one on one. Jesus often woke up early before others to pray, and Paul spent days praying, admonishing the believers to keep on praying.

The takeaway from this is that those who spend more time talking to God acquire depths of His understanding and His ways and must be respected and revered. The reason is that they represent God and are often His messengers.

Therefore, I believe it is foolishness to disrepute His messengers and shepherds.

If indeed they are called by God, they’re most likely operating at a different level than you are, and when you disregard them, you are simply saying that God, I disagree with what you are doing.

The way a one-year-old toddler communicates is different from the way a full-grown man does.

There are levels to talking to God.

Talking to God as a friend– use every word

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In my last post, I stated that God is not a mysterious person and that He is approachable.

Today, I am saying that when you talk to God, say every word that you can.

First, I have to explain that God often comes to our level of understanding to give or explain things to us. He does this for clarity purposes– so that we’re not in the dark or confused.

So, when you approach God, you mustn’t try to be “Mister Right”. “Mister Right” don’t get anything from God.

Say what’s on your mind. Voice your concerns. Don’t reserve or mince your words. Remember, the bible says “make your requests known unto God.”

Ephesians 6:18 says “…..with every prayer”, and prayer is talking to God. So, we can say that — with all talking to God.

Therefore, when you talk to God, say what’s on your mind just the way it is. Say everything and don’t reserve.

He’s your friend and also your heavenly Father. So, be free to say it all.
He hears everything.

Talking to God as a friend

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God is not a mysterious being that you cannot approach neither is He hidden in a place that you cannot come near. 

God has appealed several times that we should talk to Him. Moses was so close to God that he “saw” the rear back of God. He talked to God directly.

The bible clearly says that “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

God is a Spirit which means He is everywhere because He is Omnipresent. Therefore, He can hear you whenever you call.

We miss a lot when we do not talk to Him about our needs and desires. We can talk to God about anything and everything because the bible says “make your request known unto God.”

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
 

You can use the same energy you use in whining and complaining to talk to God the same way you talk to a friend. He is near to hear you.

A grateful heart

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Ponder on the good things that happened this year than the bad things that happened,  and be thankful to God for His goodness. 


It is good to praise the Lord. It is good to gaze upon His majesty, to proclaim His love in the morning, and His faithfulness at night.
Oh, it is good to worship and praise the Lord.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

Praise the Lord ! Give thanks to the Lord , for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Psalms 106:1 NLT

Give thanks to the Lord , for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.
Psalms 107:1‭-‬2 NLT

Give thanks to the Lord , for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
Psalms 118:1 NLT

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 NLT