the watcher

As we end this month today it is wise to remind ourselves that we do need time to rest. After a stressfull day or week, after a series of challenges or it could even be after a glorious time in His presence, maybe even for days and weeks and maybe with fasting. It may even be after a spiritual battle. There is an urge to unwind. Even our Lord was tired when He was walking the earth as man: John 4:6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Remember also that after the long fast He was also hungry: Matthew 4:2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. It is normal for us to get tired or want to unwind, we are human, thus we have an earthy body. The body may begin to look for an outing, a time to unwind, or to breathe a bit, away from all the toil. It is at this time that some may fall into temptation. Depending on the level of christian maturity, one may desire to try out something new. If

Ephesians 5:5 Being certain of this, that no man who gives way to the passions of the flesh, no unclean person, or one who has desire for the property of others, or who gives worship to images, has any heritage in the kingdom of Christ and God. Very scary truth, but the Heavenly Father wants us to beware of: Exodus 2: 4-5a  "You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;  you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. When you read the old testament you have to read it without the veil. 2Corinthians 3:16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. That is the gift of God, liberty from ignorance of Grace and who the Heavenly Father is. Today this image goes beyond literally worshipping graven images as in pagan worship but just as the enemy has modified other types of deceit, the images have also been modified. What is an image? A re

Proverbs 24:10 If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small. 2Timothy 2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. We must understand that as long as we live here on earth there will be times when the storm would rage. When things may not look as we want it to. Then our faith is challenged. Truely it is an illusion to the believer, yes because just as the disciples were afraid with Jesus in the boat the same way we may become afraid thinking we are alone. But we are never alone: Hebrews 13:5b For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Let us be reminded that nothing stands to be accepted as true or as what it is, till it has passed its own test. 1Peter 1:7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, Revelation 2:2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that yo

Romans 9:20 No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” Job 40:2 "Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me: No matter the level of maturity a believer seems to attain, there will still be some things that are not fully comprehended. I remember teaching once in a youth conference, that if you have not questioned your faith before or asked about God's existence before, you may still do so once in this life time. So get it clear and over with once and for all. For because many religions abound and intellectuals have found their way in, questions about the truth will arise. However, we know that there is only one truth: John 14:6 Jesust him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. The doubts, unbelieve and questioning could be a total distraction from achieving quality fu

The worst decisions are made when they are made based on feelings. Proverbs 28:26  He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. We as humans were made in the image of God and we therefore carry His attributes, we have feelings, yes God do have feelings from the little we know of Him. Acts 17:29 "Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. So ofcourse we get angry, we are excited, we laugh, we love, we are unhappy sometimes and so on and so forth. "The issue is not how we feel." This cannot be over-emphasized. Many a great men, inventors, achievers, and leaders would never have made it if they had depended on their feelings. Feelings can be a fraud, feelings decieve 😀 Yes the mood will change, we could get depressed, discouraged, delayed, disappointed but we can not afford to give in to them. We s

Psalms 3:3 But your strength, O Lord, is round me, you are my glory and the lifter up of my head. When you do not understand the glory you carry then you rest in the gully. For you then, like a prince who is trapped in a pauper's body, waste away royalty. If any man is in Christ he is not just significant here on earth, the heavens respond to him, recognises his sonship and therefore he draws from the heavenly bank. It is not the same as the rain that falls on the good and bad but this is dinning as a member of royalty. 1Peter 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: We cannot just afford to sit idle, or to stereotype ourselves, ofcourse we cannot be found to be mediocres. For the Lord does not deal with lazy people. No! Romans 12:11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. It is not easy, even when

Colossians 1:10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Most people get acquainted with you because of one good nature or the other. Even places of employment take you in because of one good quality or the other they believe you have. As a believer this must be so for Christ instructed us: Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Your good friends came close to you because of those good characteristics you carry. (although some might just do so because of what they can get from you). True believers should attract people of like minds, for that is what scripture teaches: Psalm 119:63  I [am] a companion of all [them] that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. Thus all that we do must be good, for we follow the nature of our Father: Matthew 5:45,48 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your F

Psalms 24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. Jeremiah 32:27 “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me? Our Heavenly Father knows all and has all things in His control. It is wisdom to trust Him in all things. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. We have our desires, plans, goals and expectations. Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. We bring them to God in prayer. Proverbs 19:21 You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. Sometimes things don't happen the same way we expect it to, we then forget all and focus on the exact thing we desired. Jeremiah 29:11-12 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when

Psalms 116:14 I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people. There was the time we seeked God's face for one thing or the other. We desired so much that we could even have gone to the length of making a vow or promised to do, this or that, when the Lord brings it to pass. Was it when we waited on Him for * admission into school * marriage * children * work * promotion * health/healing * money * a house * deliverance from one problem or another * academic success * help on behalf of family or friend * a position of authority * a breakthrough The situation could have been in any measure. Will we forget all the promises, all that we determined in our heart to do? Do we forget all the good intentions? NO! God told the children of Isreal Deuteronomy 6:12 "then beware, lest you forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Funny enough they did forget! 1Samuel 1:11 Then she made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if Y

Proverbs 5:7 So now, my sons, listen to me. Never stray from what I am about to say: Joshua 22:18 'but that you must turn away this day from following the LORD? And it shall be, if you rebel today against the LORD, that tomorrow He will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel. *We can't base important actions by the way we feel, or the situation at the moment. *we feel excited at the moment so we . . . *we are annoyed at the moment so we . . . *we don't feel like talking to anyone now so we . . . *we feel so hungry now so we . . . *we feel so aroused right now so we . . . *we don't feel like praying right now so we . . . *we don't feel like working right now so we . . . *we don't feel like listening to what the Spirit is saying now so we . . . *things look difficult right now so we . . . *we don't have money right now, so we . . . *we seem to be delayed today, so we . . . We need to take a deep breath! Have we thought of tomorrow! Wonder what Cain, Es

Psalms 122:1  I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD." Just like many who were faithful in scriptures, David loved to go to the temple, He was a worshipper. He knew it was the house of God. Jesus showed from a child that He did not disregard being in the temple. Luke 2:46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. We have a greater privilege today we worship without the veil. Not the building but temples coming together to display His glory. (That building is just a physical edifice till people gather in it) People redeemed, empowered to be sons. * We hear and teach the word * We worship . . . sing, praise and even dance * We pray Psalms 147:1 Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. Today after going through the events of time, our eyes can see that things change yet what

Esther 4:14b and who is to say that you have not come to the kingdom even for such a time as this? Every human is relevant, no one was born a mistake. Thus once we come into this world we occupy a space and our relevance is revealed as we grow. *When that individual comes in contact with God's word and receives salvation in Christ Jesus, the person actually begins to live. For no matter what impact a man seems to achieve in this life, man remains disadvantage till man is put right with his creator. This is why every human who died before Christ was revealed remained in the lower place. However when Christ came He set all free. Halleluyah. Thus our salvation is the first step, for our eternity is more important than our brief time here on earth. Selah* Revelation 1:18 I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. While we still live on earth we must remember: Where we occupy now is for a purpose, we have relevance ther

Proverbs 19:20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. One of the greatest attributes of leaders is humility and it always comes with the patience to listen. No matter how much we know and no matter how high the experience, there is an advantage in choosing to listen. Ofcourse what we hear may not be of importance all the time, yet being able to listen could save us a lot of headaches and stress. In line with this, it is important to listen to God and we know that he speaks to us through: * His word * His Spirit living in us * people John 8:43 "Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. Psalms 62:11 God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. We don't have the power to predict all things but we do have the will to choose to listen to those above us, below us and those with us. The Holy Spirit then helps us discern the right direction and also the wisdom to know th

1 Corinthians 2:10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. The interpretation of things, happenings and events are as a result of various factors. * What we have experienced, * what we have been told and * eventually if we have the opportunity, we get to see what exactly is. This is why we need the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Some where opportuned to see Jesus physically as a person. They saw him as a man, son of a carpenter, a prophet, some saw him as Elijah returned. Only Peter had at that time the previlege of knowing who exactly he was. Matthew 16:16-17 And Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, S

Proverbs 14:30  A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones. Most times when envy is mentioned it is assumed to be from someone of low estate(status) feeling hatred or displeasure over a person of higher estate(status). In reality we also experience envy, the other way round. Most times our judgements and conclusions are based on limited or errorneous information. It could even be an unconscious / conscious  neglect of the truth. So how do we know we have envy in us. It is by the thoughts we have towards the other person. Does the person just annoy us for no reason, do we find ourself wondering why that other person is always happy or not complaining. Is there an urge for you to see things go wrong with the person. Envy is dangerous and as the scripture says . . . it is rotteness to the bone . . . it is a cancerworm that must not be found in us. 1Peter 2:1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, Titus 3:3 For we

We canNot say we are of Him and do the will of the enemy, no we must live according to Him who we belong. Luke 6:46 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? If we are of God, our life must show it, by the daily obedience to His Word. The only way to know His word is by studying them, then the Holy Spirit keeps reminding us of them. John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. We should remember that whom we obey is who is lord over our lives. Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness. So, who controls your life? Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Thus we pray so that we are always in communion with Him, we do not give room for the

Proverbs 15:31 The ear that hears the reproof of life will abide among the wise Proverbs 4:24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. The soul is the first component of media created by God. It is a media because it is the mediator between the spirit and the body The soul receives from the senses and deposits in our spirit. Let us understand that it may not just be . . . * entertainment but containment Media: the medium between the source and the object Media means to interprete The media controls the message, not the source The media can * corrupt * clarify * pervert * protect or * destroy the integrity of a message. Proverbs 9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. It is our duty to guard what media is fed to us, our places of influence, our family and children(s) * check the media in your house * check the media in your car * what do your children listen to? * who is feeding y

Matthew 7:12 "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Isn't it ironic? When you face difficult situations and challenges, you expect people/friends to stand with you, you pray and expect miracles . Yet, when you see others face their own challenges, you start imagining what they must have done wrong or maybe they annoyed God or did one evil or the other etc. You soon forget this happens to all. The same thing goes for prosperity when the Lord opens a door for us and we have abundance of wealth or a breakthrough we expect others to rejoice with us, more so, some would even find it hard to give to others. What is our reaction when someone else gets their breakthrough, do we get suddenly suspiscious without reason. Do we expect the person to reach out to us. It is better to stay on the side of being an encourager than to seat as a judge or prosecutor. Jesus said, Matthew 7:2 "For with what judgment you judge, you

Psalms 143:8 Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for I do trust in You; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Psalm 5:3  My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up. The love of God towards us, in that we * are alive today * are in good health * have food and can eat * have sense organs and can use them * have people around us, and we can communicate with them * have something to act on (even worry about) * are saved through His Grace in Christ Jesus * can come boldly to His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) We could go on to talk of family, source of income and so on or do we talk of our eternal assurance. Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.  Let us today cherish God's love, put aside the worries and request and just give Him praise. For all the

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. After all said and done, one will need to prove where one's strength lies. Proverbs 24:10 If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small. Challenges, trials, even in times of peace, much work or when one is at rest. Where your anchor is rested, will definitely be questioned and tested. David was a king with great military might and with soldiers who could give their life for him yet he said: Psalms 20:7& 8 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Isaiah said: Isaiah 31:1  Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD! When the time comes we will discover that: 1Samuel

Isaiah 59:21 "As for Me," says the LORD, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants," says the LORD, "from this time and forevermore." Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. We know that the only way to be God's child is our believing in His Son and accepting Him as our Lord and Saviour then He now lives in us by His Holy Spirit. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name: Revelation 3:20  "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Acts 2:38  

The battle begins and ends is in the mind. Selah! Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. We know we live in a world where we do not have total control over all that happens. Information is communicated to us through many sources consciously or unconsciously through * tele media * social media * radio * paper media * friends * colleagues * family * employer/employee * government and their officials * people we come in contact with casually * religious leaders * lecturers/teachers/facilitators all these sources seek to feed our mind one way or the other and if they persist enough they reach our soul. There is therefore the need time and again, to "purge", yes to purge ourselves of all unwanted elements, toxins or negativity. The same way we gather up a lot of unwanted substances in our feeding, toxic substances in different degrees. We need to keep detoxifying our system now and again to save us from the negative effects of th

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. The fact that you have faith is enough reason for you to expect your faith to be tested. For truly you cannot say you have strength until it has been tested. Our faith in God is definitely not limited by our feelings or our emotions. We cannot trust our feelings and emotions, they fluctuate day after day. Neither can we ignore the temptations and worldly influence, thus we hold on to faith. Explaining God intellectually is actuality a futility. He is Spirit and cannot be limited by the five senses. That's why the law was actually a bondage. Faith is the only way, for our fathers of old who pleased the Lord were those who walked in faith. It is not wisdom trying to live to please a Spirit based on our senses. It has to be by faith. For God is Spirit. Salvation itself is a product of faith. Romans 10:10 For with th

Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" The world and all its issues are like a big sea which each of us have to walk on. Every step we take leads us forward progressively to fulfil our goals, to accomplish our purpose. I saw this definition of afloat in the dictionary. Definition: Afloat making successful progress under one's own steam. For us to stay afloat, we need to do these * stay light: get rid of all unnecessary burden of sin, guilt, hate, tribalism, religions, worry and so on. Romans 13:12 - 14 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.  Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and lewdness, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. * Focus on Jesus Hebrews 12

2 Corinthians 4:16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. Many a great thing we could achieve, many accomplishment we miss just because we feel it is too late. Do you know that your greatness is tied to tough decisions you have to make. Proverbs 16:9  A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. The idea, that great revelation came to you because you have a part to play to bring it to pass. Daniel 2:22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what [is] in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. The first thing is to discover your pathway with God this you can only find in Christ Jesus (John 14:6), then you allow the Holy Spirit lead you all the way but also remember that you can BEGIN TODAY! The road to success is not a smooth highway. We must learn when to slow down, speed up and even when to park and rest awhile, but in all we must keep progressing. Having the destination in mind. You w

Psalms 146:5 But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. A friend, do people still know the meaning of the word? I know what it means to feel alone. When you turn here and there and it feels there is no one to lean on. When you feel there is no one to discuss that issue with. Really it is not wise to put your trust in man. Many do not want to be betrayed again. Why go through the hurt . . .but . . . Proverbs 20:6 Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man? Man was not created to be alone. God still says so, not just about a wife or a husband, but having someone you can lean on and who also looks up to you. Many fear to lean on others because of the betrayal of trust and unfaithfulness from people they have leaned on. However, we have a faithful friend in Christ Jesus, thus as His friend we can be real friends to others. The mind of God still surpasses our fears and doubt. No matter what happens

Ephesians 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, We should have this in mind that the trick of the enemy from the beginning was to make man feel that it is all about him. He did it with Eve . . ."Did God say . .  .no you . . ." and he continues with all men in the same fashion, even with Christ in the form of a man, he wanted to make it all about man but Christ countered him by bringing the focus back to God. John 8:44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. Genesis 1:27  So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. One thing we most times forget is that many have come before u

As we experience a trying time in our nation, there is need for us to be reminded that we live in a world that is full of noise.  A lot of things coming in from every corner, most of them not very healthy for us, we must change our frequency. If you are to live in faith you should hear the voice of the Lord above all the noise. Psalms 62:11 God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. Jesus said His own will hear and thus they would follow Him, they would not follow another. John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: So many things seek our attention. * Some are very important * Some are not that important * Some are a mere distraction As we go about our duties and roles, as we make plans and follow our dreams, it is important to listen to the Father and He speaks to us through His Holy Spirit. No wonder the character of the Holy Spirit is patience. We must learn to patiently listen, because yes he would surely speak. The love of

1 John 4:7-8 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. Talking of love! There are many stories and definition of Love. Yet the greatest of all is the one of Him who is above all things and from whom all things have their origin. He is the one who made us, "human" come to existence. He is the Heavenly Father, God the Almighty. 1John 4:8  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God is love but His love is not an abstract one, His love made Him sacrifice His Son for us, that His blood will cleanse us from all sin, and then grant us the right to be children of God. 1John 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. God loves us, and in return what does He expect from us? Simple -  to love Him also. He even commanded it. D

Psalm 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: As we begin this new and blessed month, we should remember the blessings of the Lord. For He is the one: * who heals our disesases * who protects us * who provides for us * who fights our battles * whose power cannot be contested * who sacrificed His Son for us * who called us back when we were lost * who forgave our sins * who has eternal inheritance for us In Him * our families are blessed * our work prospers * we are above principalities and powers * we are gods * we are healed. There is the tendency to forget what God has done for us when we face new challenges. However we must remember that His plans are for peace and there is no evil in it. Glory to His name. We could get so preoccupied with the issue and forget who has been good to us. Lamentations 3:22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. If we remember His goodness then we should trust that He who did it for