Born for Such a Time Like this!

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time(if you don’t understand your season), then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed and who knoweth whether thou are come to the kingdom for such a time as this(to fulfil your purpose)(emphasis added)”.

                                                                                                        Esther 4:13-16

Her story is unique and daring. It is an example of an individual who was born for a particular purpose within her season. Hers’ is one that brought deliverance to a nation in exile. She nearly became lazy about her season and the purpose that came with it until she was prompted. Esther was a Jewish orphan in the care of his uncle Mordecai. Vashti the present queen misbehaved and no other punishment suited her better than being banished from the presence of the King and her royal estate given to another. A decree went out that the great King Ahasuerus was looking for a wife.

I am not sure of the thought Mordecai had concerning his niece, but it had to be a divinely inspired one, enough to send her into the beauty contest of her days. The bible describes her as being fair and very beautiful. It was divine enough for Esther to gain favour before Hegai- an eunuch. He gave her seven maidens to tend to her needs. The result, she won but that was just the beginning of the plans of God for her life.

The reason why she won was given a meaning by the plot of Haman to destroy all the Jews. Mordecai told Esther perhaps the reason why she became queen was not because of her beauty, but may be God allowed her into such a position in a season like that to bring deliverance to her people. Esther concluded by defining her purpose at the helm of the throne by asking for a united fast for divine revelation on what to do next. 

She defied the conventional law of the land that stated a person could only appear before the King when his sceptre had been lifted to you. She dared the law because she had empowered herself through prayer and fasting. The end result- Haman’s plot was nullified. The gallows he ordered prepared was used to hang him. The Jews were spared and victory was achieved.

When God allows us to live in a season it is because we have been chosen to solve problems. When we become aware, boldness to act is what follows. Your failure to understand the destinies of others are tied to yours will create a sense of lethargy and a lackadaisical attitude towards the season and the purpose God had destined for us.

Stone Achan!

“But the Children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accurse things for Achan the son of Carmi, the son Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accurse things so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel.”

“So all Israel stoned him with stones and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones. They raised over him a great heap of stones still there to this day. So the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Achor to this day.”

    Joshua 7:1, 24-26

Achan and his subsequent demise truly epitomizes a nation or and individuals’ desire to do away with evil once and for all. Have you ever dealt with a situation and wished it never reared its ugly head again? It is similar to that of Achan and what he did but the implications were quickly realised and retribution swiftly passed.

God had always warned the nation of Israel regarding the spoils of war. Depending on the war, the people were either allowed to possess the spoils or refrain from it. God being a strategist understood that a young nation like Israel needed financial backing and often times will use war as a means of providing that need. Most of these accursed things were reserved under the name of God with the intention of it being used nationally when the need arose.

Achan had a problem which only exacerbated his situation; he was dealing with a spirit which has plagued many believers up until now- “the thievery spirit”. He was a thief who desired that which had been reserved for God. The spirit of thievery took over his senses when he saw the beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels. Though an individual’s doing, the crime became a national catastrophe and cost the nation in war. Achan’s inability to curb an insatiable desire created the worst generational curse that received instant justice. What did his sons and daughters do to be killed in cold blood? Nothing! Yet because of his inability to deal with this weakness in character, a whole generation was wasted.

The Israelites did not compromise when the Lord revealed the cause of their defeat. They dealt with the issue with severity. When Lazarus was commanded to come out of the tomb, he came out bound by grave-clothes. His motion was impeded as long as he was bound and was only free when it was taken off him. For leaders, I guess the greatest pain is to see someone struggle from that which they have been warned.

We struggle with generational curses and tendencies because the mind of a child believes that whatever the parent does is alright. My mother raised me and though old now, I still struggle with certain tendencies and “self -beliefs” passed on to me by her. This might not be necessarily true or applicable to my current life. I truly believe that if our parents had fought and buried some “Achans” in their lives, we probably will be free by now. I can go on and give you a list of casualties who had no one to deal with the “Achans” of their blood line.

The Israelites dealt with the issues of Achan first by identifying the problem and separating it. Then went further and stoned his entire family and possessions. They did not just end there but burnt him and his possessions and afterwards raised a heap onto it never to look back. It seems some of us have some stoning to do! Be it that unholy alliance, corrupt dealings, immoral sexual drives etc they all need to be taken through this process. It is only when we do this that consecration and victory over that which we use to struggle with will become real.

“Wilt Thou Be Made Whole”

“When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case he saith unto him, wilt thou be made whole?

“Jesus saith unto him, Rise take up thy bed, and walk.”

                                                                                      John 5:6, 8

Thirty-eight years at the pool of Bethesda? Take a minute and think on what you could achieve in thirty-eight years. I believe others had come and gotten their healing whiles he laid there waiting on the stirring of the waters. We are not told how old he was before being brought to lie by the pool. When asked if he wanted to be whole, the lack of the help of man became his answer. He had “the people syndrome”! He blamed everyone may be from the mother or father through to the siblings and forgot that after blaming every one, he still had to find a way to get out of that place. Jesus wanted to free him but he was so enamoured with “the people syndrome”. It took the gracious mercies and love of Jesus to identify and deal with his problem.

First Jesus asked him – will thou be made whole? A question signifying that his healing had everything to do with how “whole” he could become. Wilt thou be made whole- an opportunity for every one of us to ask how bad we want God to consecrate us. Wilt thou be made whole- a desire of the almighty God to close the chasm of separation. The question I ask everyone reading this book is the same as Jesus asked the man by the pool of Bethesda- will thou be made whole? If you are willing to be made whole, read on.

The answer that followed from Jesus was shocking. He actually spelt out the problem of the sick man and the solution for it. Just when he had spent time thinking of people as being his problem, Jesus revealed his real problem- the bed on which he was lying. The man had become so numb to the reality of life and the power of God to change things that the deception of his bed had caught up with him. Jesus told him to take his bed and walk. If you knew that the lifestyle, attitude, relationship was blocking you from walking in the power of God. Would you give it up for God?

Sometimes we blatantly know what the problem is but because of the familiarity coupled with the fear of losing ground, we refuse to accept the bed as being the problem. If we underestimate the bed we lie on, we will struggle with consecration. I hope as you take time to read this book, you will have the audacity to confront the bed on which you are lying on, be ready to fold it and subsequently walk free. The journey of consecration begins from here! This is where it all starts!

Association

“Do not be deceived, evil communication corrupts good manners.

                                                                                                        1 Corinthians 15:33

Psychology defines association as the connection between two events that results in learning. This means man who is by default associated to something, will eventually learn from it. Association is a natural phenomenon that begins without anybody’s involvement. Man is associated to the spirit, physical and the synthetics of this world. We are admonished by our parents, to choose the right friends because of the influence peers have over each other through relationship.

Everyone who belongs to any association adheres to the rules and regulations of that union. You can’t be a member from a distance. A typical example is that of real supporters of any major football team. You don’t support by word of mouth but through paying membership dues and being present at football matches. Association is everything in our world. Even though vision is given individually, its pursuit and subsequent achievement stems from the people we relate to. The book of Proverbs is full of what association can do to an individual.

Association denotes character and success. You cannot align yourself to fools and expect to be great. There are two types of association I believe that we all sometimes find ourselves in- negative and positive associations. David had the privilege of being associated to Nathan the Prophet, and was guided on the issues of the nation. The bible records how ordinary men and women became great under the leadership of David. David escaped from Saul only to be the champion of all kinds of people. In his troubles, people who were in distress, debt and discontented joined to make him captain over their lives. At some point they were called the Mighty men of David in the book of Chronicles.

Can you imagine if Saul had not chased David? All these would-be great men will never have become what the Lord had intended them to be. To me this is one of the greatest success story every written or told. Their greatness was in their alignment to David. Am not sure how you see this story, but I believe it should push you to question who you associate with. These men had a positive association and were never the same. Do the people you align yourself to have what it takes to help your gifts, talents, skills and abilities? If not then I guess you are in the right wrong company.

Judas walked with Jesus during His three years ministry and never achieved anything because of his negative attitude towards association. He was part of the twelve hand picked by Jesus but never understood the concept thereof. He never overcome his desire for filthy lucre which subsequently led to his betray of Jesus. Most believers behave similar to what Judas did. They only want the miracle but not the relationship. What they easily forget is that it is the relationship that sustains the miracle. Judas had a negative association with Jesus.

Many are searching for the right place, person or purpose to pursue. However one might define it, your relationship will determine how far you get in life.  The reason why many are dissatisfied and move from one place to another is because of the associations they have. Out of the many there could be one that deserves your investment of time, money and also attention. 

Remember whatever you are related to, by Psychological terms, you will learn from it. By so doing you add value to your life. You cannot desire the best when you are connected to the worst in thought, action and also in environment. Your life could be better if you can make that shift once and for all. Fear will keep you bound if you don’t break from toxic relationships. 

After all you can’t force friendship. Associations are built based on integrity and values. Whenever any group in an association become obsessed with only benefitting and not adding value, the purpose loses its significance. I trust it is time for you to re-evaluate the associations you find yourself in and become convinced either to leave or to stay and enhance its significance in your life.

Position Yourself Strategically

"And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out,and say,Jesus,thou Son of David,have mercy on me."~Mark 10:47 

Position yourself strategically sounds to me the very posture the blind Bartimaeus took in order to change his life once and for all. For sometime now, the Spirit has been urging me to shed a light on this subject. The difficulty however for many is to identify the usefulness of being positioned intentionally or strategically to receive of that which God can bring into their lives.

In our times, to win is to be very wise in what you choose to involve yourself in. The path of life is generously placed before you and what you'll do with it will determine who you'll become. However many unfortunate ones like blind Bartimaeus have found themselves struggling to make meaning our of their predicament. Yet I am a firm believer of the fact that God is still turning bad stories around in our times too. In the same place, Bartimaeus was reduced to a sub-human, there the Lord proved his love. Yours is not as bad as the devil wants you to believe. Its takes revelation to make the difference between where you are right now to where you're destined to go to. Interestingly, revelation from God knows no colour, background or situation but only a prepared Spirit. For there is a Spirit in man and the inspiration of the Almighty gives him understanding. 

What God might cause you to do will not make sense to the natural mind because it cannot receive of the things of the Spirit. In the Spirit of Bartimaeus was the revelation onto freedom yet in his outward was the evidence of his struggle. The only medium through which a person can break free from the shackles of life is through revelation. Bartimaeus caught the revelation that Jesus would be coming his way and wasn't prepared to remain the same. His Story is synonymous with that of the woman with the issue of blood for twelve years and also that of Jabez. Everyone of these identified the need to position or pray strategically in order to change their circumstances. Its really important we catch the revelation on what to do in order to move to the next level.

Bartimaeus' only means of asking for alms became the conduit through which he reached out to Jesus. His voice became the only available tool for his redemption. Many are echoes and not voices in this life. Their words contain no power, wisdom, revelation or conviction for it to be heard. He was so smart in calling out Jesus' name based on the titles the bible had given him. He knew Jesus to be full of mercy, and that he was truly the Son of David. 

When he started shouting, many tried to shut him up but let him off when he used the correct codes to reach out to Jesus~ Jesus, thou Son of David have mercy on me. He caught the attention of Jesus only when the right words were used. When Jesus called him, he cast away the old garment in order to embrace the new that was coming his way. Jesus asked him what he wanted to be done for him. Bartimaeus could have asked for money, power and many things people pray for even though they don't need it yet he asked for his sight because with his ability to see, he could get all that he needed to make his life better. Truly he was healed of his blindness after so many years of struggling and was free to exercise his God given ability just like any other human being on earth.

To position yourself strategically is to know where to be at a particular time, the words to say and to whom you have to speak to. With these in mind, plan the next move and decided to go for it. God is waiting on you to make the right move for Him to bless it.

Think On These

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear
is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness,                    
that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?
Actually who are we not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people
won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine as children do.
We were born to make manifest
the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And when we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
-Marianne Williamson

You Can Have It

"Your pace is legal. Some run, some walk, some crawl. Reward in life is for those that endure and finish."

I came across this tweet by a friend I follow and it really made sense to my everyday living. Many have been caught in the instantomatic idea of our time and do assume all things should be the same. The difficulty for most I come across has been the ability to accept they are unique and with that comes a different calling or purpose in life.If care is not taken, the tendency to measure yourself with the successes of others will leave you lame and unable.


The pressure of life increases with every passing minute. The greatest coolant you have will be the knowledge that your pace is legal. Its been mandated by God who created you and truly blessed you with everything you have.The steps of the righteous individual is ordered by God. Every place, situation, circumstance you will face in life is well planned by Him. To rise to the challenge of being you demands a deeper introspective search and also a recognition of talents, skills and abilities. I have always postulated whenever someone controls your money, knowledge and relationship, they will control your life.


Some run, some walk, some crawl but the reward of success in this life is for those that endure and finish well the race of life. Life is a race but learn to stay in your tracks and develop yourself. Never measure your future with that of any one living. At best learn from them... at most be yourself.God respects those who respect His ability to create a unique person like yourself. One walk at a time, one run at a time, one swim at a time and you will surely get to the place of your intended purpose. At the end of the day, society, friends and even your conscience won't be interested in what others did but what you did with your uniqueness.