Tuesday 28 January 2014

Birds of the same feather don't have to flock together


Birds of the same feather don't have to flock together.

Bird of the same feather dont have to flock together
About a year ago I ran into the ever-so-common statement "Birds of the same feather flock together". However for the first time I actually put some thought into it. I decide to question and analyse this statement instead of doing what we often do "accept it because everyone else does." After reading that statement I started to pose questions to the one who had posed it, my argument was so well delivered that he and others backing him conceded. Don't get me wrong, I do somewhat agree that birds of the same feather do flock together. However, are they really effective when they flock together? Are they?

Take this example for instance. An ever bright light that is Christ was sent to a dark world. And that was very effective! Christ himself said in Mark 2:7, Matt 9:12, Luke 5:31 But when Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick." To be very effective Christ had to be in a place where no one was like him. A light is brightest when it is surrounded by darkness! Someone else said to me "Stars are brightest when it is darkest!" Unfortunately I feel that as believers in Christ we have forgotten this. We seem to be more interested in creating our little "holy" cliques. Don't get me wrong I understand the significance of surrounding oneself with like minded people. The Great Commission will however never be fulfilled if we refuse to move out of our comfort zones. Matthew 28: 19-20 says "19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Let's explore this verse. He says GO, which means leave. Get out of your comfort zone and reach out to others. He says "make disciples of ALL NATIONS", which means to reach out to all people. At this point I have to mention that it is very sad to note that the ones who need to hear this gospel the most are the ones that we neglect. We stick around in our little "holier than thou" cliques pointing out how the world is falling apart, what are you doing to make amends to it? What are you doing to reach those people? If we spent less time discussing the problems that we have identified and actually used that time to try and fix those problem we'd be a better world! How many more people would come to Christ if we spent more time loving them and less time pointing out their fault?

The most effective birds are the ones that break away from the flock

In our day and age would Jesus spend his time on Twitter and Facebook posting about how John the Baptist is failing or has fallen? Of course not, yet that is what we spend our time doing. Jesus spent his time furthering the Kingdom, he did not go around chasing after or criticising the Pharisees. If you read through the scripture, they are the ones who always came to him! Focus more on your own mission and less on how the next person may be failing on theirs! Jesus would have ordinarily been expected to flock with his own, the Jews. Yet what made him most effective is that he went direct to the ones that needed him most! At times to be effective you have to move from your own people. Go where God says for you to go. Abraham's greatness begins when he decides to leave his own people and follow God. To leave the birds of his feather and have no one to flock with, but God. Saul's greatness as chronicled in the book of Acts begins when he decides to follow the Lord that he had been persecuting, and go against his own people. Against all who had supported him all along! I could go on and on with examples Nichodemus, Rahab, Elisha, the disciples (their own feathers were fishermen, but they left to become fishers of men!).

Being an effective flock

As a flock we ought to remember that we are in the time of the end. The church has no time to look at one another and compare faults. There is a world out there that needs to be reached. The church needs to realise that no matter what our denominational differences are we are a part of one body, the body of Christ. We need to remember that our mission is not to see who fills a bigger room and gathers and bigger congregation. Our mission is to reach out to those who do not know Christ! We ought to remember that those whom we look down upon because of the "filth" on their feathers are no different from where we were before we were cleansed by his blood. We ought to remember that it is not by our own wisdom or skills by which we are in Christ, it is by his grace and mercy! If we remember that we will be more tolerant of others and love others more. Should we choose to flock together, let us use the power of our number to cast our net wider and reach more souls.

Moreover we need to remember that the religious regarded Christ as a filthy and sinful man, yet he was the truth! Just because you can see someone else's wrong does not make you right!

To summarise:

Be your own man. Follow Christ and not man. Don't be afraid to fly alone, after all eagles fly solo.

I challenge you today, commit to be different. Commit to be more accomodating. Commit to love and not criticise. Commit to be an extension of Christ to all around you. And remember "BIRDS OF THE SAME FEATHER DO NOT HAVE TO FLOCK TOGETHER!"

Tuesday 21 January 2014

You are your own competition


YOU ARE YOUR OWN COMPETITION

Be better than YOU
 
Probably the most commonly thrown word nowadays is “Haters”. I do it for the “haters”. Cheers to my “haters”. If you do it for your “haters”, what do you do for yourself? It’s time we did a re-evaluation and got certain things clear. Look around you right now. Do you see another you? Absolutely not, unless of course you see your reflection.  You are you only own competition. I’ll put across to you a few points.

1.       No one else is exactly like you: No matter who you are, what you believe or where you are from, there is no one else exactly like you! They may look like you, sound like you, but they’ll never ever be exactly like you. You are unique

2.       Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Let us underline YOU. It does not say for “them”, “us” or “all of you”. YOU, there is singular. In the limited time that YOU are on this planet, YOU have a purpose, a unique assignment. YOU are crafted in such a way that YOU are equipped for YOUR purpose. YOU are made to outlast all the trials and tribulations that are along your way.

3.       No one has walked the same path: Before Christ was sent down to earth, there was no one who had walked the path that he’d walk. No one has walked the path that you will walk! Yes, the paths may have some similarities but they can never ever be identical.

4.       How high do you aim? A few years ago I was the captain of a chess team. I’d play and beat everyone around me. I felt invincible. At that point I found comfort in my unbeatable status and became stagnant. I had nothing to chase, because I was ahead of everyone I could see. This only got tried and found wanting when we went for chess tournaments, where I met people who could beat me. The lesson in this is that you can only run faster if there is something ahead that you are chasing. Do not chase your “haters”, chase a BETTER YOU. By chasing a better YOU, you’ll always run faster, because no matter how good you become there is always going to be room to be better! I remember watching Usain Bolt break the 200m record. Right at the end of that race, I saw him begin to relax and glide across the line. I couldn’t help but imagine what would have happened had someone been hot on his heels. Perhaps he would have further sliced the record time. What have you failed to reach or what in Bolt’s case how much further could you have reached had you had your eyes focused on your real competition “A BETTER YOU”. Bolt is a legend though, no one can take that away from him!

5.       Be better than YOU:  Your aim should not be to be better than such and such an individual, be better than YOU! Your aim should be to be the best you possible! You are great today? Your aim should be to be greater tomorrow. When you are greater, you aim should shift forward to being “GREATER than greater”. Never stop learning. Never stop developing! Whether you know it yet or not, there is a greater individual inside of you. Greater than what you expect!

 
To summarise: Forget everyone else in this race of life! Focus on you. And I don’t mean that in a selfish way at all. Go ahead always love others and care for others, it is important. However don’t ever let your altitude be limited by those who you think are running the same race you are! Your race is unique! You route is unique! Your path is unique! The results will also be unique!

 

Wednesday 15 January 2014

Then they say, "Don't judge me!!"

dont judge me
 
Title: Don't judge me
Whether you are religious or not you have more than likely come across the phrase "Don't judge me!" It is often used by individuals who feel as though others are viewing themselves as being more righteous than them. For many Christians it has become a smoke screen against correction. It is very important to be able to distinguish between the two. If you'd allow me, let us explore this phrase.
Origin of statement:
No one can really say when this phrase was first used. However it is drawn from the scriptures:
Mark 7:1 1"Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2"For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
Luke 6:41 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
John 8:7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
Others include Rom 14:10, Rom 14:13 Luke 6:37 and 1 Cor 4:5

Context:
If you read carefully, all these scriptures were directed at self-righteous believer who were faulting other believer in the same areas that they were failing. Jesus tells the one that has not sinned to cast the first stone! From the verse we can derive the proper context of that statement. A judge is one that weighs evidence against and accused and decides if they are guilty or innocent. Now imagine taking a known murderer and having him be the judge of a murder case. That would be preposterous, and unimaginably hypocritical. That is the essence of not judging, for we all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. However, take a second scenario: If I see you walking on a path that I know to be slippery and warn you that you will fall, am I being judgemental? Absolutely not! There is no element of me being better than you. I did not say that you are doing a wrong thing, I simply pointed out a possible outcome of you actions. Furthermore a judge also renders a verdict, which in this case I do not.
I say judge me please:
If I was going the wrong way on a road that you know and you didn’t notify me I would be absolutely livid when I find out that you knew all along. Perhaps if you tell me I will rebuke you and get made, it is in human nature to want to always be right. However no matter how adamant I am that I am going the right way, your comments will make me re-examine my path. And if I choose to ignore you warning and continue until I fall, the blame is all mine. However, if you do not warn me, the blame is also on you.
Scriptural reference:
Pro 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Galatians 6:1-2 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
James 5:19-20 “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Gentle correction:
Galatians 6:1-2 is the scripture that should teach all those who are found to be judgemental. Correction ought to be gentle and done in love. It should not be done in public or in a place that could bring ridicule to another person. Furthermore, correcting someone does not make you right. As believers we ought to remain coach-able throughout our walk with Christ, we never know who he uses to minister to us. The bible recounts how he has used the least among us. He surely uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. You may be 88% good at something and someone else may be 68% good at the same thing. If they pointed out where you are wrong, you should not ignore their advice because you are better than they are. For their 68% knowledge may include some of the 12% that you lack.
Closing:

Mat 18:15-17 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone…

Friday 10 January 2014

Croft's Take me Away



Here it is if you haven't seen it already. Croft's video "Take Me Away" off his album Elevated.
Album free download link below



Wednesday 1 January 2014

January 2014 Prayer Points

January 2014 Prayer Points


At the start of any journey, the traveller needs to know where he/she is heading or at least that he/she is heading the right way. When the Lord is leading you, you may not know where you are going but you know that where ever he will take you, is for your greater good. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for WELFARE and not for evil, to give you a FUTURE and a HOPE.” If you would let the Lord lead you, this is where he will take you. To a place where you will fare well! When you are given a FUTURE it means that whatever is ahead of you is already been sorted before you get there! It means that no matter what situation you are in, you have hope! In the power that is vested in the name of Jesus Christ, I bless your year! I bless your footsteps; I bless all that is ahead of you in this coming year! May it all glorify Jehovah! By God 2014 will be your greatest year yet! This month we want to take this time to commit this year to Jehovah, and ask that he would guide us through it!

Take a knee:
Alpha and Omega. You are the beginning and the end. Lord as we begin this year, I ask that you would begin it with us, and that you would lead us, and also watch our backs. Lord I pray that our eyes be fixed on what is ahead and not held back by past failures and challenges. I declare that this is a greater year than any year that has come before, in Jesus name. May your kingdom come, and may you be glorified in this season. Lord I pray that many hearts be drawn to you in this eleventh hour. May we desire you more than ever; I pray that we may not move unless you are ahead of us Lord. We will not go unless you lead us father! In Jesus Christ’s name I pray. Amen

00:00 to 01:00 First Fruits
·         Strength and faith to give God our first fruits for this year. Proverbs 3: 9-10
·         Hope and faith in God to deliver his promises in accordance to our faithfulness to Him and his Word. Nehemiah 10:35
·         An understanding of the concept of first fruits. Deuteronomy 26

01:00 to 02:00 Vision
·         Father reveal a new vision to us so we may not perish. Proverbs 29:18
·         Father grant our young men visions in accordance to your Word. Joel 2:28
·         I entrust my future into your hands Father, knowing that your vision is the best.

02:00 to 03:00 Planning
·         I thank God for the plan He has for my life. I pray that I may act in accordance to it. Jeremiah 29:11
·         I pray for guidance as I set goals and plan for the year. Proverbs 19:21
·         I pray for the enlightenment of God’s people that they may understand the importance of planning and goal setting.

03:00 to 04:00 Prayer
·         I pray for unparalleled growth in my prayer life in this year.
·         Father enable me to be a warrior in my prayers, for strength in intercession. Ezekiel 22: 30
·         Father I pray for prayers that touch your heart, that move you, prayers that change lives. 1 Samuel 1: 1-11
·         Father I pray that you may help me be righteous so my prayers will be powerful and effective like never before. James 5: 16

04:00 to 05:00 Fasting
·         Father teach us how to fast in the appropriate manner. Isaiah 58
·         Father I pray for a revelation pertaining to the importance and necessity of fasting in my life. Matthew 17:21
·         Father I pray for strength and self-control as I fast in this year.

05:00 to 06:00 Thankfulness
·         Father I pray that we may not be part of the unthankful generation. 2 Timothy 3: 1-2
·         Father I pray that we may not be among the 9 lepers who didn’t come back and give thanks. Luke 17: 11-19
·         Father I pray that you may make us a thankful generation, take away the Spirit of ungratefulness. Psalm 106: 1
06:00 to 07:00 Renewal
·         Renew my spirit Lord. Rid me of any weariness
·         Teach me to wait upon you, and have my strength renewed Isaiah 40:30-31
·         Restore my soul oh Lord. Guide me on a clean path. Be glorified Psa 23:3

07:00 to 08:00 Conquering New Territory 1Chro 4:10
·         In this new year, Lord enlarge my territory
·         May all conquests I enter in this year become new territory
·         May you glory be seen in the victories I will have over any and all obstacles in this year

08:00 to 09:00 Preparing for Challenges
·         Lord I ask for strength in view of all challenges ahead
·         Humble me, teach me to listen to your lead
·         Give me the right preparation for the Goliaths that lie ahead of me, as David had lions and bears to prepare

09:00 to 10:00 Spiritual Growth
·         Lord more than anything increase my desire for you
·         Open my eyes to see you clearer as I pursue in this year
·         Raise me to a greater level in the spirit in this season

10:00 to 11:00 Spiritual Wisdom
·         I pray for divine wisdom and knowledge that comes from the Lord. Hosea 4: 6
·         I pray for wisdom even in my business transactions- to know when to invest and start new things.
·         I pray for the wisdom that King Solomon possessed. 1 Kings 3

11:00 to 12:00 Renewed Relationships
·         In this year I declare and decree that all broken relationships will be mended in the name of Jesus.
·         I declare and decree that there will be a renewal in my relationship with my spouse, my children, my parents, and my family. I declare that discord and dissension is not of the Lord, but that unity, love and forgiveness shall be my portion. Galatians 5: 19- 23
·         I pray for godly friendships. That God will reveal to me friendships worth keeping and worth pursuing. 1 Corinthians 15: 33

12:00 to 13:00 Renewed Relationship with God
·         Father I yearn to know you and to be a man/woman after your own heart. Acts 13: 22
·         Father I long to know more of you this year, I pray that you reveal yourself to me in this year. John 14: 21
·         Father I pray that I may lead a life that is pleasing and acceptable to you. That my heart may be a dwelling place for you. Ephesians 4: 1

13:00 to 14:00 Prayer Relay Movement
·         I pray for a renewal in this movement in this year
·         Father I pray that we reach new souls and impact the lives of those around us
·         Father I pray for our fasting this year. That it may be God-inspired and that it may change lives
·         Father I pray for prophesies,  visions and success for those involved with this ministry

14:00 to 15:00 Leadership and Book Sales for the Movement
·         Father I pray for the leadership of this movement, I pray that they may be filled with the Holy Spirit, that it might impact them as it flows down to every member of this movement.
·         Father I pray for our book, 100 Daily Declarations. I pray that it might be a tool and a weapon in our lives and the lives of others. I pray that it may impact the world positively.
·         I pray that this book may reach all ends of the earth

15:00 to 16:00 Our Churches
·         Father I pray for a revival in our churches.
·         Father I pray for the leadership of our churches. 1 Timothy 2
·         Father I pray that this year may see a year of great victory, great growth and great prosperity for the Church.

16:00 to 17:00 Evangelism
·         Father I pray that we may carry out your great commission with a renewed passion and renewed zeal. Matthew 28: 18-20
·         Father I pray that we may not be lacking in zeal this work as we bring your word to those who do not know of it and its goodness. Romans 12: 11
·         Father I pray that you may empower and renew the strength of missionaries posted all over the world doing your great work.

17:00 to 18:00 Ministry
·         Father I pray for the ministries that abound in your kingdom
·         I thank you for the leaders of these ministries and their visions for your work.
·         Father I pray for the extension of your kingdom, be it in Children, Women, Youth, Men, Young Adults, Single Adults, Couples, Community, Poor and Homeless, Sick, Elderly, Prisoners. I pray that you may establish and grow these and other ministries.

18:00 to 19:00 Financial Provision
·         Father I thank you because you are Jehovah Jireh our provider. Genesis 22: 14
·         I thank you because indeed I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor their children begging for bread. Psalm 37: 25
·         Father I pray that you may continue to provide for me as you have always done. That indeed as I contribute towards your work in the form of my time, money, energy, and all resources at my disposal, you may be faithful and multiply it by a good measure as you pour it back to me. Luke 6: 38

19:00 to 20:00 Faith
·         Father I pray for audacious faith in this New Year.
·         Father I pray that you may plant faith as small as a mustard seed as that is all I need. Matthew 17: 20
·         Father I pray that you may help me to put my faith into action as faith without works is dead.  James 2: 14-26

20:00 to 21:00 Hope
·         Father I thank you because you are the hope of glory in our lives. Colossians 1: 27
·         Father I thank you because you give hope to the hopeless
·         Father I pray for the war-torn regions of the world, bring hope and peace to South Sudan, Syria, the DRC and other places plagued with war and hopelessness. I believe you can do this because you are the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9 :6

21:00 to 22:00 Love
·         Father I thank you because love is what brands us as belonging to you. John 13: 35
·         Father I thank you for your love that is the foundation of our being and faith.  John 3: 16
·         Father I pray that you may help us to show true love to all men as you do.1 John 4: 8

22:00 to 23:00 Revelation
·         I pray for the opening of my spiritual eyes. Ephesians 1: 18
·         I pray that God may reveal the plans he has for me in this year. Amos 3: 7
·         Father I pray that I may have a revelation of who you are and what you can and will do for me.

23:00 to 00:00 Mercy and Grace
·         Father I pray that in this year your goodness and mercy may follow me anew. Psalm 23: 6
·         I thank you because I don’t have to wait for a new year for new mercies, but that they are new every day. Lamentations 3: 22-24
·         Father I thank you for your grace, I thank you that it is enough for me yesterday, today and forever. 2 Corinthians 12: 9


Download these prayer points in pdf or in doc formatThank you for taking your time to be part of this Movement. I assure you that God is doing mighty things and has even more amazing things planned for us. Let me take this moment to invite you to our facebook page “The Prayer Relay Movement” https://www.facebook.com/groups/419806371379959. We are now also on InstaPray @PrayerRelay and @100Declarations. Let us stay connected and support each other on this journey of life. In the next couple of month we will be launching our expansion plan. If you’d like to be a part of this, please don’t hesitate to be in touch. Contact Don on mkwnyd@gmail.com.


#GodSpeed
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