6SecretsOfGreatPeople ~ (1) Dreams

In the book the “Alchemist”, Paulo Coelho makes an assertion that “every person when young seems to have a dream but over time there appears to be a genie who works his magic to dry it all up”. Only a few truly end up where they had already envisaged. (Copy and tweet this). Until you understand it’s your God-given right to turn your dreams into a reality, just dreaming will be a waste of your faculties. (Copy and tweet this).  

In the opening chapter of the movie “pretty woman”, a man is shown walking on a street shouting “what’s your dream, everyone comes to Hollywood with a dream”? True and truer again, everyone has a dream and has the right to it. (Copy and tweet this). They also have the right to find the environment that is conducive in which to nurture and turn the dream into a reality. (Copy and tweet this). For me, it was moving from my country of birth into a new place before the fullness of what God created me for could be manifested.

Every human being has something they wish they could achieve. Some after trying for a while throw in the towel and abandon the whole endeavour. Nothing of worth has ever been gotten on a silver platter. (Copy and tweet this). Whatever you enjoy using- be it a car, TV, mobile phone all came through the dream of others. You not pursuing your dream , leaves you unfulfilled,makes you a cheat and the next generation with nothing. (Copy and tweet this).

A wise man said the cemetery represents a place that is rich in dreams, aims and aspirations. (Copy and tweet this). I never understood it until recently when the light hit home. Many died unfulfilled and never achieved their dreams or the “I wishes” of this life. Some were waiting for favourable conditions and others for the help from family or government. Whilst others chose the path of least resistance as they looked at the enormity of the price to pay. 

What is your dream? What eats you up anytime you go to bed or wake up? What do you normally talk about, think or meditate on when all others are busy doing something else? What ills in society do you want to correct? You don't need to create dreams, they already reside in your spirit. Dreams don't only reside in your spirit, they justify your existence. (Copy and tweet this).

The reason why you are still in existence might be because of the yet to be fulfilled dreams that lies untapped in you. As long as you have a dream, there is hope that someday, sometime, someone or a situation might trigger its relevance. (Copy and tweet this). Your refusal to pursue and work your dream out will result in your poverty and lack of fulfillment. One of the greatest injuries you can inflict on yourself will be your inaction to be whom you have always desired to be. (Copy and tweet this).

God is generous to have left something called a "dream" within you. If He did so, then He can also lead you to the resources you need in order to turn your dream into a reality. Great people never underestimate the power of their dreams! If you pay the price, life will reward you with proceeds of your dream. (Copy and tweet this). Great people first start off with their dreams! This is their first secret.

Questions: What’s does having a dream mean to you? Let me know your thoughts

Yours In His Service

Joe Akuoko II

3DangerousTeoplesOfRelationships- (3)The “Trasher”

Ever seen an insect caught in the web of the spider? It’s a sad state of affairs! Inspite of how hard it tries to free itself, it ends up being entangled in the web which finally kills it. (Click here and tweet this). If you’ve been "tracked" up on till now, then am sure you’ve been caught in the deceptive web of the "taker".  Hence you would have parted with that which was saved for the right person. The final showdown will be to see your efforts i.e. love, care, time and money all thrashed. His last name is the "trasher".

I guess there is nothing painful than for someone to take your efforts for granted. The human soul dies so many times when the ones we love take the love for granted. More so when well-meaning efforts are trampled underfoot. Love has a way of weakening even the strongest soul! (Click here and tweet this). In the movie "King Kong" remade, Jack Black is heard saying Love was what killed the animal after the gorilla fell from the skyscraper onto the ground dead. 

Being in love doesn’t negate a person’s responsibility in securing themselves. (Click here and tweet this). Too many of us jump straight away into the arms of a “stranger” without taking  time to study or understand what they stand for- values, vision and vicissitudes.

For those who are in the habit of spurning the love of others be careful. Why lead someone on if you haven't got any plans for a relationship? There is nothing dangerous than a snake that has been maimed.(Click here and tweet this). Not everyone forgive easily and people will always want a payback one way or the other. (Click here and tweet this). The "trasher" embodies the venom of a dangerous cobra on a mission to take hearts and destroy them. (Click here and tweet this). He is set for destruction and none but his/her own deeds will end the cycle. Anyone caught in his web will be a victim.

I sometimes wonder why people still hold on when blatantly nothing is working in their favour in the relationship. (Click here and tweet this). I have met people who assumed the position of a “messiah” in the life of the "trasher" and thought they could change them- save them from what has plagued them all this while. Many convince themselves that its not the trasher's fault but something that happened to them. (Click here and tweet this). Never act like the one sent from above to change such a one. For your information, you can’t change any human being except they are willing to. (Click here and tweet this). On the contrary, run for your life when you encounter one.

If you travelled this far when you were tracked/tricked into believing you had a genuine opportunity to share love with someone, then obviously you’ve had some things taken. If taken, then the last stages of his plans- to thrash your efforts are at work. The only means by which you can free yourself is to cry to God for strength to walk out of the door before something worse than what you’ve encountered happens. Don’t wait till you lose your sense of being before you recognise that everything you held dear has been thrashed by the "trasher". (Click here and tweet this).

To unmask the “trasher”, here are some simple tips-

A.   Accept you can’t change events but can rather change you.

B.    Accept your losses and make amends where necessary.

C.    Pray to God to strengthen you as you make a break from the “trasher”.

Question: Why do people find it difficult to leave the “trasher” behind?

Yours In His Service

Joe Akuoko II

3DangerousTeoplesOfRelationships- (2)The Taker

Hi, my name is the taker and I will take everything from you without any remorse. By the time I am done with you, your heart, money and everything dear to you would have been taken….oh taken for granted. Others saw through me and warned you of my schemes but it fell on deaf ears. They know my history yet because I had you locked down, it was difficult to believe what they were saying. Lol! I doubt if anybody introduces themselves in such a manner yet on the contrary, they do so all the time. I think we get so caught up with getting rid of the sticks we forget the hay.  (Click here and tweet this). 

Lust takes, love gives! (Click here and tweet this). Fortunately for me, am in your life to lust after you and nothing else. Lust has never given so I can’t give anything:it only takes and that is what am in your life for. I am not capable of giving back…I just take and leave you dry. We have two diametrically opposed visions for this spurious relationship. I have become too callous to feel any emotion towards the next person.  How sad that beautiful people both soulishly and emotionally often get taken and so for granted. (Click here and tweet this). 

You probably know a person who might have experienced the scheming and overwhelming power of a “taker”. The takers nature is this- he/she delights in spending the little they’ve accumulated from the previous victim on you. They do so to the point that they’ve you emotionally blackmailed. Obviously if someone does so much for you, it will be difficult to refuse them help when they are in need. (Click here and tweet this). Once they’ve prepared you for their scheme, they come up with all sorts of ideas to rip you off of what you have. It’s even deeper when there has been a sexual intimacy between the two of you. 

For those of you who go about just sleeping with anyone without due respect for the word of God, be careful. (Click here and tweet this). Whenever you sleep with anyone who isn't in your destiny, you carry their ills for the rest of your life until the soul tie is severed. Might sound nonsense for 21st century human beings right?. Hey, God's word never lies. Selah! That is why God’s desire is for one to wait on Him to be given the person who will be your life mate till death do you part. The only thing to severe your souls should be death when you connect with the right person.

I believe people in a relationship should desire to give to each other. Love isn’t only in words but also in deeds. (Click here and tweet this). Yet, when the scale tilts constantly in one’s favour and the others' disfavour, there ought to be a pause for reflection. (Click here and tweet this).  I don’t believe one party should bare all the burden of the other. When respect is at a max, each should strive to maintain their dignity even if the need is so pressing.

My position has afforded me privilege information regarding many who've encountered such situations and done so bitterly. They thought it was their break until they woke up to realise it was only a game by a confidence trickster. (Click here and tweet this). Some don’t only part with their resources but also end up being maimed forever psychologically, all because of the “taker”. (Click here and tweet this). Such individuals are now bitter and suspicious of any potential and genuine helper. 

Finally the nature of the taker is like that of the devil- to steal, to kill and to destroy.(Click here and tweet this). Since ancient times, the devil has only taken and never given back. Even when you think he gives, he takes back more than he gave. However that of Christ is to give and give more than you can even ask for. (Click here and tweet this). To "Take" is only the second name of the taker. Wait till you hear of this third and last name.....

To unmask the “taker”, here are a few simple tips-

A.   Watch out for unfilled promises from them.

B.    Allow your conscience and intuition coupled with the Spirit of God to lead you.

C.    Don’t be quick to part with especially money in a relationship.

Question: Why do people often get caught up in the web of the “taker”?

Yours In His Service

Joe Akuoko II

3DangerousTeoplesOfRelationships- (1) The Tracker

He seems so genuine with his well-rehearsed lines. They bother on sayings like "you are everything to me and without you, my world ceases to exist". They make you believe  as if the songs of Brian Adam -"Everything I do I do it for you” and 3T’s "-I will do anything for you" were written for you. They whisk you into cloud nine without you suspecting what their next strategy is. The tracker masters the art of deep deception and leaves you mesmerize. (Click here and tweet this). They know the chords to strike in order to get you serenaded with their enticing melodies and like the snake, charm you.

She takes delight in chasing after you with every available resource at her disposal. The bible calls her a strange woman! Her assets are continuously flaunted and readily made available to you. She watches your movements better than an undercover agent and will make you believe without you they can't breathe. (Click here and tweet this). After spending so much time to learn what makes you tick, he has enough ammunition to hit you where you’re weak. A smooth criminal I will say he is! Deep within her core lurks a darkness waiting to be unleashed (Click here and tweet this).

“I haven't seen any one wear their trousers so quick" is a line in the movie “hitch”. It typifies the true essence of what the tracker is truly after- to take a part of your life you’ve reserved for the right person in God’s own time. Sadly many of us fall victim to the enticing words of the tracker and like a cobra, their sting is deadly. (Click here and tweet this). Without due regard for this scripture- “woe unto those who device iniquity and work evil upon their beds. When the morning is light they practise it because it’s in the power of their hand”, they wake up and stand in front of their mirror to rehearse their evil deeds. 

With a smirk and an arrogated demeanour, they step out and like the fowler; his snare is ready to entice the naïve soul. Remember that even the devil announces his presence all the time! Yet we are so enamoured with the placebo fed we refuse to acknowledge his presence. (Click here and tweet this).

There are evil souls out there seeking to devour godly and innocent loving people. (Click here and tweet this). Woe onto you Children of God who take things for granted! Such stories are rife especially in these times when society wants you to believe there aren’t any scruples when it comes to love. If it feels good, just go for it as you hear all around. I have dealt with too many of such cases for me not to fore warn you about the deeds of the tracker. (Click here and tweet this).

It brings to mind what the scripture says in 1 Peter 5:8 “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.” This truly epitomises with the nature of the tracker. Tracking is not their only specialty; they master in “Taking”….

To unmask the “tracker”, here are some simple tips-

a.     Pray seriously before you get yourself involved in any relationship.

b.    Allow God to lead you in choosing who to be with.

c.     Be careful of enticing words that seems so good to be true.

Question: What are your thoughts about the “tracker? Kindly let me know.

Yours In His Service

Joe Akuoko II

3SecretsOfProgressivePeople ~ (3) EMBRACE THE NEW WINE

"Jesus saith unto them, fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them,draw out now, and bear unto them governor of the feat. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine and knew not whence it was:~ John 2:7-9

At the wedding in Cana, Jesus gave a fore state of something that was about to happen. Whenever Jesus appears in any situation expect change to happen. He is an extraordinary change agent. (Click here and tweet this). After they had drunk the wine of men and were short of it, Mary approached Jesus for a miracle. He commanded pots to be filled with water and it turned into wine. The captain of the wedding was so moved by the new wine that he accused the bride of dishonesty.

Unbeknownst to them, Jesus had come to introduce a revelation of the things yet to come. (Click here and tweet this). The new wine tasted good when the people drank it, yet they forgot to question why such a wine has never been on the market. According to historians, for a wine to reach such a taste, it would have taken eight years. Yet it took Jesus only eight seconds for change to occur! (Click here and tweet this)

When people are so much ingrained in their old ways, they become apprehensive in trying new things. (Click here and tweet this). They drank the new wine but forgot to question the essence behind it. We are admonished to have the mind that Jesus had- a humble mind. It’s only through this mind of humility that God can impart the concept of the new wine to us.  Anyone in the history of mankind who did mighty things that had longevity exhibited a mind of humility. 

The secret to being great is to understand the power of newness. God’s faithfulness to us is new every morning. (Click here and tweet this). Jesus taught the disciples to pray and ask for each day’s bread. He was making reference to fresh and new revelation and not the old and stale one. Yesterday is gone another day has come, God is releasing fresh and new ideas, be ready to receive your own. (Click here and tweet this). The old wine has lost is potency that is why God is calling us to come and taste of the new wine. Embrace the new wine with all your heart! God is interested in making His partnership with us a win- win deal with his new plans.(Click here and tweet this).

Too many of us find it difficult to quickly adapt to the new things God is doing. (Click here and tweet this). I am often taken aback when believers are quick to label certain new things that are enhancing human life as of being from the enemy. The devil is humankind’s greatest enemy. (Click here and tweet this). He has and will never seek the welfare of anyone. This crossing over from a depraved mindset will be based on how prepared a person is to fill their mind with a new word from God every now and then. You can only aspire to be like him when we begin to think on these qualities; truth, noble, justice, purity, love and good reports. Progressive people are never afraid to embrace the new wine in order to behold the goodness of God.

Here are some steps to take if you want to embrace the new wine~

a.     Identify the last time you embrace something new and question whether is “really” working to its capacity

b.    Learn what the new idea, software, skill etc. entails and what it can do to help shape your life

c.     Refer your fears to experts for further clarification

d.     Embrace new ideas in smaller doses until you are well adept in handling it in full capacity.

Question: Why do you think people struggle to embrace new ideas? Let me know your thoughts.

Yours In His Service

Joe Akuoko II

3SecretsOfProgressivePeople ~ (2) GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE!!

“Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you"~ Genesis 12:1

You’ve heard a thousand times that comfort zones destroy people so therefore get out. Yet every day in and out, it seems many still get caught up in the embrace. Why? Any person used by God was called to leave something behind. (Click here and tweet this) A typical example is Abraham. God demanded that  he separated from his family. Though the promises of God concerning him were enticing, there were things he dreaded. This I believe was the reason why he asked his father and his nephew to come along. 

He brought along the "just in cases" we all sometimes carry along in executing the plans of God.  We make plans for failure and not success most of the times! (Click here and tweet this). God knew Abraham's own people were his comfort zone and without a separation, it will be difficult to do something great with him.God never said anything meaningful to Abraham as long as Lot was with him. (Click here and tweet this).

A Comfort zone can be a character trait, lifestyle or an attitude a person has been familiar with over the years and finds it difficult to let go. (Click here and tweet this). This could be handed down or self-acquired! Such ones will defend their comfort zones with every excuse and weapon available. Comfort zones create illusions about life and make you accept your state and never allow you to aspire higher. (Click here and tweet this). Your comfort zone may seem helpful but in the nutshell do you more harm than good. (Click here and tweet this). 

Elijah was only used to being in command and was not prepared for the other side of his of work. He was accustomed to seeing only the victorious side of the anointing of God but not the testing side.When Jezebel’s death threats shook him, he demanded that God killed him. If you stay too long in a particular place, you create a comfort zone difficult to give up. (Click here and tweet this).

If there is anything you can do, it will be to get out of your comfort zone. A few years, months, weeks, days, minutes and seconds ago, you promised to let go but up on till now, no change. Someday might come and go without breaking free if you don't seize your moment. Carpe Diem! (Click here and tweet this).

When God calls you, he displaces you to reposition you. (Click here and tweet this). God loves to create a disorder in our plans so that His plans will become pre-eminent in your life. (Click here and tweet this). If you don’t move nothing around you moves. Be prepared to enter into a defined state of your life by getting out or giving up your zone. (Click here and tweet this).  One of the most powerful things God did was to hand over your will to you. His mindset was not to control you as a robot but allow you to make decisions and choices on our own because He respects your abilities. Your will is your life! What you decide to do is what will happen and no one can stop it. (Click here and tweet this). 

"Will thou be made whole" Jesus asks the man at the pool of Bethesda ? Jesus never prayed for him but only made mention of what his problem was. His bed had become his comfort zone! May be its time you make the minor adjustments so you can have a major turnaround in your live. (Click here and tweet this). Progressive people are quick to determine if something, a place or thought pattern is becoming a comfort zone. If it has, they are quick to get out!

To break free from any comfort zone, here are some suggestions~

a.     Be honest and identify what your comfort zone is.

b.    Retrace the steps on how you got there

c.     Let your pain of losing out because of the comfort zone motivate you to want to break free

d.     Never forget to pray to God for help in breaking free

Question: How did you/are you planning to break free from your comfort zone? Let me know your thoughts.

Yours In His Service

Joe Akuoko II

3SecretsOfProgressivePeople ~ (1) CHANGE YOUR PERCEPTION!!

“And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking”. ~ Matthew 8:23-24 

He saw men as trees! Quite a revealing answer from a man who had never seen in his life! How in the world could a man who had never seen in his life see people as trees? This had nothing to do with sight but with perception. His perception had been formed based on how maybe he was treated by people or how he thought of human beings. The eyes of his heart had already seen human beings and formed its own opinion. (Click here and tweet this).

We are often told to change our confession without us giving prior recognition for a change in perception. (Click here and tweet this). Perception plays a major role in the way we process our thoughts. Until one is given the tools that will help them perceive right, their confession and subsequently expression will be askewed. Ever come across elegant and beautiful women who have the wrong sense of being? They are intellectually clued on, physically beautiful yet lack a sense of self pride. Ever met men who ought to go higher but have given up on life yet around them is every tool they need? It all boils down to how they perceive themselves.

We were grasshoppers in our own eyes and so were we in the eyes of the children of Anak- this is the report the twelve spies gave to Moses. (Numbers 13:32-33) (1). If God had no plans of giving to them the land, He wouldn’t have spoken some 430 years  concerning it to Abraham.  They perceive themselves in the wrong sense in the face of the giants. Most people have a wrong sense of perception about themselves and unfortunately it affects everything they do. (Click here and tweet this). This mentality is wrong. Sometimes it’s due to a person’s upbringing or it could be self-inflicted.

Words you give ear to plays a major part in shaping the way you perceive yourself. (Click here and tweet this). A person who constantly receives positive and uplifting words is bound to perceive himself and others better than someone who is constantly being told their faults and why they can’t make it in life. Everyone has giants yet not everyone is defeated by their giants. (Click here and tweet this). Guess why? Their perception of who they are in the light of God’s word is the answer. If you can believe what the word say, you can receive what the word gives.(Click here and tweet this). Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible. (Click here and tweet this). It’s about time you begin to perceive yourself differently.

How do you perceive yourself in relation God? How you see yourself in the light of God's word is nothing short of what Jesus asked the former blind man. What you perceived within your members can alter your confessions. Progressive people chew on the word and via that work on constantly changing their perception about a lot of things.

The way out is simply this~

a.     Avoid the company of people who always point out your weaknesses and never give solutions.

b.    Feed yourself with uplifting words/Programmes/ Books.

c.     Concentrate on your strengths and Let God deal with your weaknesses.

Question: What does perception mean to you? Let me know your thoughts.

Yours In His Service

Joe Akuoko II