4SignsThatLeadsToCheating - (1) LackOfContentment

Cheating doesn't mean you have to kiss, meet or have sex with a third party. (Copy and tweet). Once you find yourself deleting texts and e-mails so your partner won’t see them, you are already there. Hiding your phone calls from your partner, cutting off Skype, Tango or Viber conversations whilst pretending you aren’t getting reception etc, then cheating is going on. (Copy and tweet).

One of my friends said something the other day which really made sense - cheating begins in the heart and not only when the act has been consummated. (Copy and tweet). It’s interesting how many assume cheating is only in the consummation. There is the thinking, planning and execution of what you desire to do. The person you lust after on Twitter, Facebook, in your mind…oh what about the undressing of people with your eyes etc..??? (Copy and tweet).

Easily you can lose interest in the person you promised to love till death when you lack contentment. (Copy and tweet). I told a men’s meeting the other day that for most men, the major problem is the second look. The first doesn’t create any problems until your mind tells you to go for a second look. It takes the second look and that is what always leads to cheating! (Copy and tweet).

Looking over the fence you might think the grass is greener until you actually go over.  You will find out that there are some dead grasses even with the so-called green grass. (Copy and tweet). Until you learn to tend your own, you will forever be stretching and maybe overstretching your neck to look at the other side. (Copy and tweet)

In dealing with a lot of cases, the challenge has been to really decipher what the root cause is. I can confidently say that in my books the lack of contentment is one of the major reasons why people cheat. No one is perfect but learning to be happy with the person you are with goes a long way to help you be steady. To like someone can be instantaneous but to love someone is to learn to work with them. (Copy and tweet). Relationships is a partnership not a one sided event!

Being content allows you to be at peace with who the other is and what they bring along into the relationship. Contentment is the underpin for longevity. (Copy and tweet). The lack of it stops a person short from getting to the place of their intention.

Here is a simple 3minutes step to help you

A.   Identify what creates the discontentment

B.    Learn to talk about it

C.    Work towards appreciating each other

Talk About it-

A. What does it mean to be content in a relationship?
B. What do you think creates the lack of contentment?

In His Service

J. Akuoko II

YOU'VE BEEN CHOSEN 1.2

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; …. - Jeremiah 1:5

From my little walk with God, anytime men set up conventional means by which they expected Him to prove His power, He bypasses it in order to usher in something His way. (Copy and tweet).  God loves using the unconventional means to prove himself!  No one chosen by God became great based on the standards of men of his days. It’s always been by God’s own methods which never resonates with that of men. (Copy and tweet).

If you are going to measure your calling by man’s standard you will never amount to the pedigree God called you to. (Copy and tweet). When I look back, the early days of in ministry were quite embarrassing.  Ministry wasn’t the job people around thought of for an academically brilliant young man like myself. As I look back, everyone I was measured by is nowhere close to how far God has brought me. (Copy and tweet).

To be chosen by God is a privilege! (Copy and tweet).  Everyone that experienced this privilege came out with tonnes of testimonies and experiences that has transcended generations beyond them. Interestingly God has never gone for the prudent nor the well positioned. (Copy and tweet). From Elisha the farmer, Japheth the son of a harlot, Esther the orphan, David the shepherd and others who became mighty men and woman of God, it’s evident that you don’t need earthly accolades before being chosen. (Copy and tweet). Infact if God decides to choose you, no power or authority will be able to save you from his hands.

God chose us for a purpose. The scripture is very succinct in explaining what God’s desire is when He chooses you. When He chooses, He ordains and then commissions. (Copy and tweet). In our case we are to go and bear fruit and that the fruit should remain. No one is chosen without a seed. God gives seeds to the sower and expects it to be sown. Every endeavour on earth starts with a seed. (Copy and tweet). Whatever you are doing now might be what you’ve been seeded for.  The evidence of a gift in a person is the fruit they bear. Your fruit should determine your seed which will inadvertently show what your calling is. (Copy and tweet).

Many of us have been marking time for far too long. Whilst others are waiting for favourable conditions before they make a move. (Copy and tweet). They are waiting for the approval of men as opposed to that from God. The God who has chosen you understands your weaknesses. (Copy and tweet).  Do as He has told you and receive the blessings do you. When you do something with your gifts, the glory goes to God and the goods come to you.

The gift or the calling upon the life of a person will make room for them.

Until a gift or calling is in motion, the doors to certain room destined for you won’t happen. (Copy and tweet). When you make the move inspite of your challenges, doors to certain rooms in your destiny will open. The reason is simple- great men have places they gather. It will take your gift to access the place great men gather. (Copy and tweet).  Anyone chosen by God ended well as long as they obeyed the instructions concerning their calling.

Talk About it-

A. What does it mean to be chosen by God?
B. Do you know exactly what you've been chosen in?

In His Service

J. Akuoko II

YOU'VE BEEN CHOSEN 1.1

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; …. - Jeremiah 1:5

The ring has chosen you …you didn’t choose the ring is a popular tagline from the movie “green lantern”.  When something possesses you, it won’t stop until the purpose for which it did so is accomplished. (Copy and tweet). God reserves the absolute power to choose an individual for a purpose He has designed. Normally, it’s always to bring glory to his name and the profit to the person who has been chosen. (Copy and tweet). Apart from those who are chosen for the ministry per se, many have also chosen but for different purposes. (Copy and tweet) Everyone has been anointed for a particular calling and it’s your duty to find it out.

I had always wondered why certain individuals in the bible had to endure the shame of sickness and poverty without explanation. Traditionally it was a belief held amongst people that someone ill or so would have had to dabble in evil for the predicament to have happen. (Copy and tweet). Many at times after they’ve been healed, Jesus will be heard saying go and sin no more. It was my belief they got into that predicament because of the sin in their lives. (Copy and tweet). However, this question by the disciples after they saw a blind man by the road side brought about a change of perception – is this man sick because of his sins or that of his parent? Jesus answered and said he isn’t sick because of any of the held beliefs but that the glory of God will be manifest. (Copy and tweet).

People were chosen and permitted to endure their sicknesses, poverty etc because God wanted to use their situation to bring glory to His name. Truly our ways are not the ways of God! I believe they were also to serve as witnesses apart from the disciples. (Copy and tweet). In the mouth of two or three witnesses a matter is established.  The mad man at Gadarenes is a typical example. He endured evil until Christ brought him liberty. (Copy and tweet). He went about the Decapolis –ten cities testifying of what Jesus can do. If all would have rejected the son of God, it wouldn’t have been those who had a personal encounter with Jesus. (Copy and tweet).

Many of us have been chosen or for the want of a better word “sequestered” for the master’s use. (Copy and tweet). I had the privilege of knowing that God had called me at an early age. Funny enough at that young age and nearly frustrated with the events of life, I honestly didn’t understand what it meant by God choosing you.  Being chosen sets you apart from the rest. (Copy and tweet). I can confidently say that now in my middle thirties, I have a clear understanding of what befuddled me back then. The promises have kept me going inspite of the difficulties that I have encountered.

My calling came through a prophecy. What if no prophecy had been rendered would it have negated the calling of God? It wouldn’t as prophecy isn’t the only way by which God calls His chosen.  Jesus said the work of God is plenteous but the labourers are few. (Copy and tweet). Alas, many are being called into the work of God from outside the orthodox means. (Copy and tweet).

The era has passed where orthodox means were used to measure the calling of God. (Copy and tweet). Jesus spoke of a parable of labourers who were hired at different hours of the day but were paid the same amount of money. What kind of farmer looks for labourers just when the work is about to finish and yet pays everyone the same? The unorthodox God does that! Some are being called through sickness, pain, loss of children, loss of business and other unholy avenues yet it is the same God. (Copy and tweet). 

Talk About it-

A. What does it mean to be chosen by God?
B. Do you know exactly what you've been chosen in?

In His Service

J. Akuoko II

ASSOCIATION 1.2

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

                                                                                                       1 Corinthians 15:33

May be and a big may be, the prodigal son might have fared well in the country he took his goods to until something happen - he joined himself to a citizen of that country and I believe that brought about his spiralling into doom. (Copy and tweet). His association to a native of this STRANGE country brought down the curtain on his life and whatever he had left. (Copy and tweet).  Don’t we as Christians and good people often associate ourselves to STRANGE things, places and people?

Judas walked with Jesus during His three years ministry and never achieved anything because of his negative attitude towards association. (Copy and tweet). He was part of the twelve handpicked 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. (Copy and tweet). What they easily forget is that it is the relationship that sustains the miracle. Judas had a negative association with Jesus.

If you are the type searching for the right place, person or purpose to associate with it, kindly understand it takes both prayer and patience to do so. (Copy and tweet). The reason why many are dissatisfied and move from one place to another is because of the associations they have. Out of the many associations here and there, there could be one that deserves your investment of time, money and also attention. Once found, go for it. (Copy and tweet).

Remember whatever you’re associated to by Psychological terms, you will learn from. Whether evil or good, something is learnt. Whatever you learn will enhance your life in a way by either adding or taking value away. (Copy and tweet). You cannot desire the best from an association 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 associations. (Copy and tweet).  

You can’t force friendship. Associations are built based on integrity. (Copy and tweet). Whenever an individual or person in an association becomes obsessed with only benefiting and not adding value, the purpose loses its significance. (Copy and tweet).  I believe 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. (Copy and tweet). The greatest association on earth right now is the one we have the Holy Spirit of God!!

Talk About it-

A. What does association mean to you?
B. Can you share how both a positive and negative association did to you?

In His Service

J. Akuoko II

ASSOCIATION 1.1

“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. (Copy and tweet). This means a person who is by default associated to something will eventually learn from it. Association is a natural phenomenon that begins without anybody’s involvement. (Copy and tweet). Man is associates on three levels - to the spirit, physical and the synthetic of this world. These all impact us in one way or the other. Your ability to thrive is dependent on how well you are able to manipulate all the three levels to your advantage. (Copy and tweet).

Everyone who belongs to any association adheres to the rules and regulations of that union. You can’t be a member from a distance. (Copy and tweet).  A typical example is that of being a supporter 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! Though vision is given individually, its pursuit and subsequent achievement stems from the people you associated with. (Copy and tweet).  

Association denotes character and success. You cannot align yourself to fools and expect not be like the foolish and vice versa. (Copy and tweet). However one might define it, your association will determine how far you get and turn out in life. (Copy and tweet). There are two types of association we all find ourselves in - negative and positive associations in a general sense.

David had the privilege of being associated to Nathan the Prophet and was guided in all issues of the nation. Often the Bible will say "and David inquired of the Lord" with regards to issues pertaining to the well-being of the nation and himself. This could have meant David praying directly or consulting the Prophet for answers. This is a typical representation of a positive association. The bible records how ordinary men and women who associated themselves became great under the leadership of David. (Copy and tweet). People who were earlier called distressed, indebted and discontented were later known as David’s Mighty men. (Copy and tweet). This is a great example of a positive association.

Can you imagine if Saul had not chased David? All these would-be great men would never have become what the Lord had intended them to be. (Copy and tweet). 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? (Copy and tweet). If not then I guess you are in the right wrong company.

Talk About it-

A. What does association mean to you?
B. Can you share how both a positive and negative association did to you? 

In His Service

J. Akuoko II