You are your own competition

YOU ARE YOUR OWN COMPETITION

 

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!

 

Strive to do good

Strive to do good

The heart of God is summed up in these words that are credited to Mother Teresa of Calcutta. As humans we are raised in a world where we often find it easier to throw a punch back than to turn the other cheek. As Lamario Houston said “It’s hard to love the killer behind the gun.” Yet our Lord Jesus loved us so much that, while we were still sinners Christ died for us. Not only that, imagine this. You are trying to help someone but that person seems to be doing everything against you. They seem to be fighting against you. All along they don’t seem to realise that all that you are doing is not for your own benefit but theirs. Would you continue to help this person? The honest ones will mostly answer ‘No’, yet we forget that this is what Christ went through all his life, and on his way to the cross, and on the cross, and still continues to go through every day. He came to save us, yet most of his days were filled with troubles caused by us the ones that he came to save. Yet he was put on the cross by those he came to save. I know this was for a purpose. I believe this is what kept Christ going. This is what should keep you going. Galatian 6:9 says “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”Finally I urge you brothers and sisters in the faith, Strive to do good!! Even though it may cost you, as love always does, do good anyway. For as Galatians 6:9 says "...for at a proper time we will reap a harvest..." the key being, "if you do not give up." My favourite version says "...for in due season we will reap a harvest." I declare as surely as the Lord sits on the throne in heaven, your season will come, and you will reap a harvest. Just do not give up!

Take a knee:

Dear Heavenly Father I commit myself to doing good. I ask for the grace to turn the other cheek and continue to do good even when it hurts. For in due season I will reap. I honour you and give you glory.


In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.Kindly share this article and bless someone else. #GodSpeed

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Find attached a free beat by Croft and this teaching.

http://www.mediafire.com/download/6xfsqnw0jn9we7t/RIOT.zip

HE WONT SEND GOLIATH AGAIN

HE WONT SEND GOLIATH AGAIN
We have been taught so often about how much of a fool the devil is. That is all true, but we are never taught or rather reminded that he is not a complete idiot. After all he was created by God himself. The message you are about to read came to me as a word in season for myself. It came as salt in my wounds...my self inflicted wounds. Indeed the word of God is sharper than any two edged sword, this word cut me deep. It cut me right where it hurts. The major error that we make as believers is that we are too focused on what is seen on the surface that we end up missing what God seeks to do inside of us. It is like one that has a tumor inside. See on the surface everything is well, yet inside there is a war. There is such devastation within that if left too long this tumor can destroy everything. Yet on the outside everything looks rosy. For the surgeon, to get to the tumor there is some flesh that needs to be cut. The problem is not the flesh itself, but what lies beneath it. God wants to deal with the inside, not what is on show. He is after the heart. May the sword that is his word begin to work on your flesh right now in the name of Jesus.
Before Goliath:
The bible speaks of a small boy much like some of us. It says this boy was herding sheep....he had a domain that he was faithful to. He was so faithful to it that he often risked his life to protect it. Brothers and sisters in Christ, if you've ever wondered why God hasn't promoted you. Why God hasn't elevated you, look at your domain. God looks at how well you do with what you have before He puts you in charge of greater things. This is the same principle that Jesus taught in the parable of the talents. The one who made the most of what he was given was elevated the most. God saw the love that David had, the skill that he had to lead sheep...and elevated him to lead a great nation. Before you get to where God has set for you, there will be obstacles. What you must understand is that some obstacles will not present themselves to you, you have got to present yourself to such obstacles. You are rewarded accoring to the magnitude of the problem that you solve. You need to identify the problem yourself. You see opportunity does not always shout when she walks by your house, you need to always have your eye outside the window in order to spot her and pursue her. Which is what happened with David in this case. He was not in the army, he was not even big enough to fit in the armour. Brethren when great opportunity comes there are always a million reasons why it is not yours...maybe your age, background, race or time. Whatever it is something will come against you. He wont send Goliath again... It is up to you to stand up and refuse to be refused.
The key is to view things differently. That's what separated David from the trained soldier. Sometimes your lack of qualification is your qualification. Had David undergone the required training he would have been aware of what a man the size of Goliath could do. Yet David had gone into battle fearless, because his training had been different. Instead of knowing what Goliath could do he knew what a sling and a stone could do. He knew what a mighty God could do.
AFTER GOLIATH:
When you have conquered your problem you are bound to be elevated. It may not be instant, but it will happen. Congratulations. If you have not gotten anything from this message so far, let it be this next part that you get. The devil will not send Goliath again!!! You see, you can not face the same problem twice. You must refuse that. If you face the same problem more than once, it means you did not fully conquer it the first time. This is the significance of David cutting off Goliath's head after defeating him. The devil, as cunning as he is...he has no power to resurrect. He may duplicate but he can not resurrect. Do not look away from your challenge, do not go into celebration before you cut the head off. The problem is only overcome when it is headless.
Im speaking to someone out there who is struggling with addiction. Im talking to someone who feels powerless against this addiction, because it keeps resurfacing over and over again. I declare right now that you wield the sword of the spirit. I declare that head of addiction chopped off as you swing you hand in a chopping motion. That addiction will not resurface. That addiction will leave you this instance in the name of Jesus. That nudge you feel, to go back to it...I declare that the strength of the Lord that walked with David as he faced lions and bears, that same strength that stood with him against Goliath will stand with you. I usher you into victory in the mighty name of Jesus. Addiction you have no control over her...you have no control over him in the name of Jesus.
Prayer:
Father God all glory and honour be unto you. We thank you for this word in season, we thank you for all addictions that you have cut. All captives that you have set free by this your direction. Be glorified father.
AMEN
Scripture: 1Sam 17:1-58
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support this year. Merry Christmas!!!!

Are Social Networks Evil?

I have read and heard so many people talk about the negativity that is embedded within the very foundations of social media. Facebook and Tweeter have been constantly on the receiving end and have been branded by some religious factions as "evil". The main barrier we pose ourselves as humans is blindly following a leader without ever taking time to consider the validity of what they teach, more so without weighing it against the bible.
I do not care who said, that facebook or twitter is evil...the only opinion that ultimately matters is that of the heavens. What opinions can we draw from the bible about social media? Well I'll take you through it. By definition social media is a platform for communication and sharing media. The key word there being a "platform". Let me take you to the story of Nicodemus (John 3:1), Nicodemus was a leader in the religious circles. He had a "platform" to voice his thoughts and understanding before the high priests and other leaders. We are not aware of how he used this platform in the past. All we know is after meeting Christ he is later seen to use this same platform to defend the Lord when his colleagues.
Thought pattern number 2 is, if social media is a platform for communication we could also say that it is an extension of our tongues which are also platforms for communication of what our heart hold. The bible says out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks(Matt 12:34). The mouth is therefore that platform that is used to express what the heart hold. The bible also says that the tongue holds the power to life and death(Pro 18:21). So from this we understand that a platform has the power to kill or to give life. The bible also says "I set before you life and death, choose life."(Deu 30:19) Therefore what is set before us is always an option of life or death, but God goes on to say that we must "choose life". This does not take away the option of death. As with any situation where there are options, some will choose one and others the other, yet the fact remains that there was an option.
What we seem to forget is that facebook and twitter may be the most successful and most efficient but there are not the first forms of socia media networking. Social media is primitive, letters, radio stations, newspapers, tabloids, magazines and many others are all forms of social media which date back to times before the internet. If we say that facebook is evil, why then have we not said that letters are evil? As a matter of fact letters have been used to directly kill more people for generations than facebook and twitter have. We have all heard about parcel bombs...letter poisoning and so forth.
That being said, many are exposed to harmful things such as pornographic material and hate speech, to only name but a few. These have undoubted fatal effects to the indivuals. On the contary we could also see that millions have also and are also being reached, encouraged and lifted by the gospel of a ressurrected Christ through this same platform.
I'll give a few physical examples. Think of a knife. Sharp as it is...it can be used to kill. Yes? It can be used to give life. Yes? Murders use a knife to stab and kill their victims, yet surgeons will use this same knife to restore life. Shall we then say the knife is evil because it has been used to kill? I think not...why then is it the murderer that is incacerated if it is the knife that is evil? The murderer has a choice, to kill or to give life and in this case he chooses to kill.
I wish we would stop making excuses as believers, blaming social media for our failures as parents. Yes social media will have a significant effect, but the bible teaches us to train a child in the way that he should go and he will not depart from it. Have you trained your child how sacred the act of sex is? Have you trained your child to respect women? There is the answer to why he is stuck on the social media feeding on pornography.
If you and I play our parts we would not make a scapegoat of social media network. Rather we would use it positively. We would appreciate how it has allowed us to reconnect with long lost friends and family.
Thanks for taking your time to read this. I trust you have been edified. Let me take this chance to invite you to partner us in prayer this month. Follow the link below or find us on facebook "The Prayer Relay Movement"
http://guardianrecords.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/prayer-points-for-november.html?m=1

You were made for such a time

Many of us will never reach their destination. I've heard people say to others, "You have an advantage in life." Well the truth of the matter is in this race of life we are never running on level ground. Some as we often say are born with a silver spoon in their mouths, yet most of us have to dig ourself out of deep pits that we are born into. This is not an excuse however for not making it. In the story of Esther the word of God says she entered the land as a captive, well so did Joseph. For now we will stick to Esther. The good Lord is a Lord who calms the storms, therefore there is need for storms to exist in our lives for him to take action. If we look at the story of Esther she felt helpless when she was told of the plight of her people, which according to Modecai could become her own as well.

We are all in the same situation...many are feeling helpless at the state of their economy, helpless at the instability of the markets, and the terrible state that the job market is in. I'm here to let you know that you were placed where u are for a time as such as this. Joseph was thrown in the pit...the lowest place...but in God's plans he was placed in that place for a time as that which the merchants would come and buy him. He was put in Potiphar's house for a time as that which he would be tempted and finally accused. The Lord seeks to elevate you far beyond the reach of your accusers. There needs to be accusers though. Just as Judas was in the centre of God's plan for Jesus' glorious destination,..some of you accusers are there for a purpose. Their persecution will open doors that would not have otherwise been open.

What is your excuse for not reaching higher altitudes? Is it your race?...is it where u were born?...is it where u live? I'm here to tell you that you were made, born where u were born, raised were u were raised and now live where u live for a time such as this. Picture wen young Joseph was forcibly removed from his coat of many colours and thrust into a pit. He could have been with his father but he was taking food to his brothers for a time as that, that he would be thrown into a pit that would start his path to being governor in a foreign land. God knew that famine would strike his land...so he sent Joseph forward...raised him to a position that would control the food. He was placed there for a time as that which the famine would come.

God positions you in a place, that very place where you are in right now for a specific purpose. Whether you are in the pit or the palace, it is the best place to be for such as time as this. Had Joseph's brothers not planned to kill him, Reuben would not have intervened and advocated that Joseph be cast in the pit instead, Had Joseph not been in that pit Judah would not have thought it better to sell him than to let him die, Had the Ishmelietes not passed by Judah and his brothers would have not had anyone to sell him to, Had he not been sold to these specific people he would not have reached Egypt, Had Joseph not been a slave he would not have worked in Potiphar's house, had he not worked in Potiphar's house Potiphar's wife would not have wrongly accused him.

Have you ever considered the fact that at the time that Joseph was working in Potiphar's house there were men that were put into prison, men that Joseph would not have ordinarily met. For Joseph to meet these men he needed to be in prison. That's where Potiphar comes in, your accusers or haters as they are known nowadays are there not as barriers but as catalysts to your destiny. The same way that Judas was a catalyst to Jesus' destiny. Had Joseph not met these men he would not have interpreted their dreams. Had he not interpreted their dreams his skills would not have reached the ears of Pharaoh. Proverbs 18:16 says that "A man's gift will make room for him, and bring him before great men." Think of it, the great man need to hear about your gift before they summon you. Your time in prison, that time where you feel you are at your lowest may be the very time that God is enhancing your CV, and putting it into the right hands.

Had Joseph not gone before Pharaoh he would not have interpreted that dream, that dream that elevated him to governor. Wait a minute let's go right back to the beginning of Joseph's story, the bible says he had dreams that saw him ruling over his brothers, and he told them. I have had people say be careful who you share your dreams with, but think of this...had Joseph not told his brothers of this dream they would not have hated him more. Had they not hated him, he would not have ended up in the pit. God is a perfect planner ladies and gentlemen...so never ever despise where you start, or where you are at this very moment because "YOU WERE MADE AND PLACED THERE FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS."

Scripture References:
Story of Esther_Book of Esther
Story of Joseph_Book of Genesis 30:24 to Genesis 50:26

Grace Is Gods Unmerited Favor

The Grace  of God

Today's scripture

1Cor. 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Devotional

Grace is God’s ability given to us and placed upon us. You are saved by grace, which means that there is nothing you can do to earn your salvation; it is a gift from God.  It is what God has done for you. I have also seen that the disciples prayed that God’s grace would be given to one another often. The bible says there is a gift of grace, just like there is a gift of faith, leadership, encouragement and others. When we depend on God totally for His ability( grace) to work through us, then we look to his ability working through us, and we no longer  have to consider only our own ability but that God is working through us.  That is where the power to overcome difficulties and also to minister to others is found. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

http://www.prayerforyouth.com

Praying Often

Praying Often  

Today's scriptures

Luke 5:16

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Devotional

Have you withdrawn to a lonely place to pray lately? A place where it is just you and God? Our verse tells us that Jesus withdrew often to this quiet place. When I think of the word withdrew, I get an understanding that Jesus was connected with people all the time, therefore, it was noticeable by his disciples when he withdrew. If praying often and being alone to pray was that important to Jesus, then it should be as important to us. If you haven't withdrawn and prayed in a while, gotten alone with God, make a commitment today to do so!  Consider staying in that lonely, quiet, place and praying for awhile. Could you pray for one solid hour? 


http://www.prayerforyouth.com/JL/Praying_often_25.html