Guarding our hearts and mind.

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Philippians 4:8 above talks about the kind of things we should think and meditate upon. Proverbs 4:23 also says that we should guard our hearts with all diligence because out of it are the issues of life. Not forgetting Romans 12:2 that says we should be transformed by the renewing of our mind and shouldn’t be conformed to this world.

All these, just tells us the kind of things we should occupy our minds with. Recently, I was reading a book titled ‘Hey God, why is it taking so long’ by Lynette Hagin (great book by the way, I suggest you read it too). In it, she talked about staying in the Word of God. Now, this does not mean praying for 24hrs or reading your bible all day. It just means surrounding yourself with the things of God. It could be by playing gospel music while commuting (again, be careful with the kind of so called gospel music you’re listening to. Always make sure the lyrics are in line with the Word), listening to messages while driving, reading books, communicating with God and so on. All of these just help to renew, minds and focus our minds on the things of God and ensure that our gaze is permanently fixed on Him.

Also, I found that as I read that book on my way to and from school, I noticed my mind was always focused on God. While on other days when I watched programs that I thought of as ‘entertaining’, somehow, my mind started roaming and thinking thoughts that I really did not want to be thinking. But it was as a result of what I had taken in. Hence, we need to guard our hearts.

 It may seem easy to do for some of us, but I did not find it so easy. There are so many distractions in the world. But then I realize that serving God is a conscious effort and it’s a choice, we work at it. I remember writing on a piece of paper ‘Lord, I want to have a more intimate relationship with You’ but then the time I spent in His presence seemed to reduce when it was supposed to increase. It’s not magic, how was I supposed to hear Him when I was focused on the cares of this world, I did not take time to listen to Him and follow His leading, but I was rushing about taking care of my daily business, which technically should be His business. Even in the natural, our relationships with people become more intimate when we spend more time with them. It’s just the same with God.

If you’re like me and you’ve found yourself time and time again desiring a more intimate relationship with God but never really see it become a reality; the solution to this is in James 4:8. ‘Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…’. Draw near, move closer, spend more time in His presence. If you’ve been spending 30mins in your daily quiet time, increase it.  You’ve been spending countless hours watching TV, start reading your bible in that time. I know it might not sound so easy and there’s a tendency to going back to our old ways after sometime, but remember the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:27, he constantly disciplined His body and brought it under subjection.

Dear brother and sister in Christ, I have no doubt that there would be testimonies as we spend time thinking the things of God and spending more time in His presence. I’m still in the process of implementing these truths, so please pray for me as I would be praying for you also. God bless you!

Give thanks!

No one chose where to be born, whom to be born to, how many siblings we should have and so on. These are decisions made by God because He is the creator of all things. The bible says that there was nothing made without Him (John 1:3), this is inclusive of you and I.

In view of this, we should learn to say thank you. It is so easy to forget the things that He’s done and how far He’s brought us. Instead, we focus on what we don’t have, the things He hasn’t done. We look around at others and crave what they have. Learn to say thank you for all those things that seem ‘normal’. The food we eat, the covering over our ahead, being alive up until now, the beautiful people He has placed in our lives. These are really great miracles that God does daily for us, don’t be an ingrate, say thank you. You go to school (even if you say it’s the worst school around), some are not even in the right frame of mind to be taught. You wake up each morning, God kept you through the night; remember, you did not pay Him to watch over you. He does it because of His unconditional love, grace and mercies. Say thank you. Don’t fall into the category of those that don’t appreciate what they have until they loose it.

You say you’re going through so much right now and you don’t know where help is going to come from, but yet you call Him a mighty God. What does mighty mean? Hebrews 11:6 ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ The Bible says you must believe that He is, don’t just say it, mean it. Is it possible for the challenge to be mightier than God? No! He hasn’t brought you into this world to leave you. The moment you submit yourself totally to Him, you become His own. He would NEVER leave you. You are the only one that can decide to leave! He is able to do exceedingly above ALL you can ask or think according to the power that works in you (Ephesians 3:20). In 2 Timothy 1:7, the bible says He has given us the Spirit of power of love and of a sound mind. This power is the same power that Jesus had while He was on earth. The same power that raised p the dead, the power that healed the sick, the power that cast out demons, the same power is at work in us. It’s now left for us to decide whether or not to use it. We need to understand that in doing these things, it is through Him because without Him, we can do nothing. The question is not whether or not God is able, the question is can we receive it? You would only go as far as your faith would take you. When faith stops working, fear steps in and in that state, it is impossible to please God.

The summary of these is just to learn to see and seek God in everything (Matthew 6:33 ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you’) Say thank you for your past, say thank you for present and say thank you for the beautiful future ahead. Yes, the future indeed is beautiful (not saying this to console you, but because I’m certain that He’s planned a great future for us. We are His own, His children, the lights of the world, the salt of the earth!)

Meditate on Ephesians 2:10 and ask the Holyspirit to explain and interpret it to you .He is your teacher!

I love you! xxx

The express image of the Father

Text- Genesis 1:27,31; Matthew 5:48, Ephesians 2:10 (AMP), Habakkuk 2:3, Romans 12:2

Be blessed as you listen and share!