Time is life. It should not be taken for granted. Time is clothed with opportunities. If lost, it might be difficult to be regained. Most things in life can be stopped but, time is one of those unstoppable giants. Even if a person decides to pause his/her own time, the real time will still be ticking away. Solomon in his wisdom, capped it all in (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8), where he enunciated the seasons and phases of life.

Time revolves, each turn it makes leaves a change on you and I. We grow older every day. It’s a hard talk, but it’s true. You were once a baby. Now you are a youth/adult. . Failure to plant seeds in the rainy days, might leave one with nothing to survive when the land gets dry. Work while you may.

Taking more about time, it passes swiftly. I remember my childhood years, growing up was pretty fun and exciting. The point here is; those lovely innocent years filled with so much energy are long gone. There will never be a younger me; I might not have the privilege of having all my friends and families together like before. That’s the truth about life; – make use of the time within your disposal and enjoy every phase of your existence. Any day that passes in a year, swims down to history, never to be recalled again. That is why we should ensure every day of our lives counts.

Time spent on unforgiveness, worry, bitterness, jealousy, anxiety, fear, keeping malice, angry etc. is a wasted time. Use the time you have to love yourself, love Jesus, serve humanity, spend quality time with friends and families, and learn new exciting things. More importantly;

Rejoice Evermore (1 Thessalonians 5:16)

We have but only one life. We have limited time here on earth.  What are you doing with the time you have? Paul the apostle, while rounding up his life’ journey, made one of the most remarkable statements ever;

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing”. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Can the above statement be said of you and me? That is a record of a life well spent and a time optimally utilized.

Time is God’s gift to you and me. He expects us to live it purposefully. There are gifts and talents God blessed you with, are you using them to His glory?

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12).

Build a legacy. You have the time. You have today, maximize it.

By Deborah Yemi-Oladayo
Used by Permission

FURTHER READ

• Leaving a Legacy for Christ
• How Will You be Remembered?
• Never Too Old

The post Time: God’s Gift to You and Me can be found at Thoughts about God.

The story of the Fig tree is very instructive and evenly related to our lives.

The fig tree was extremely important for both nutritional and economic values in ancient times. The bible used fig trees severally to depict the prosperous times in Israel.

It is important to note that, the Fig tree in our text was planted for the purpose of bearing fruits. So, when the owner of the vineyard came to take fruits from the fig tree, he was not happy that the tree had no fruits. He ordered the keeper of the vineyard to cut down the tree as it was using up the soil for nothing. Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ (Luke 13: 6-9)

One afternoon, I came outside to get a feel of some real fresh air, as it was burning hot inside. The breeze outside was so cool and soothing as it swings the flowers and trees in the garden to its rhythm. Watching this awesome work of God, I reaffirmed the important purpose of every creature, even the breeze fulfills a vital role of cooling the weather to keep us from burning because of heat.

Are you living a life that gladdens the heart of God? Are you fluffing Gods purpose for creating you? Will God get fruits from your life if He decides to check in on you personally? Like the disappointment displayed by the vineyard owner, God is displeased when we do not bear fruits that is expected of us.

Time is almost running out, begin to work towards impacting your generation positively. There is work to be done for God, there is more to life than just passing by. God wants you to use those skills and talents He deposited inside of you to change lives and build the world. You can start just where you are, do not wait to start tomorrow, the time is NOW!

“For the earnest expectation of the creature is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God” Romans 8:!9

By Deborah Oladayo
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Story of Shining Your Light

• Did You Know You’re Someone Special?

• Bloom… Where You are Planted

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The post Purposeful Living – Lessons From the Fig Tree can be found at Thoughts about God.

“Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6

David and his men returned from a battle, only to discover that their entire city had been burnt down and their sons, daughters and wives were taken captives by the Amalekites. The people were so pained that they threatened to kill David for their misfortune.

Something stands out in this story, the bible tells us that instead of feeling depressed or settling for fear, David chose to be strengthened in the Lord, amidst the dilemma. He gave the enemy zero opportunity to minister fear to him or suggest other unfruitful acts. What a dynamic way to manage a crisis!

Time and time again, we tend to find ourselves at a crossroads that drains our strength and leaves our imagination with little or no hope. David found himself right in this dark tunnel, when the men of Ziklag threatened to stone him, for the disaster that befall their land.

Hope is restored and strength renewed when we invite God into our situation and allow the Holy Spirit to direct our actions. When this is done, our reasoning is coordinated and we make the right choices. Further in the above scripture, David with God’s direction, went to Ziklag and recovered all the captives. Imagine what would have happened if he had chosen to respond to the situation emotionally.

Many times, life thrust difficult moments at us, in different shades. If you are experiencing one right now, pause, take a moment and strengthen yourself in the Lord. This is done by filling your heart with God’s word and promises – So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17)

Always strengthen yourself in God’s word, for clarity, help and divine direction concerning any situation.

By Deborah Yemi-Oladayo
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• Up From Depression 

• Hope for Those without Hope – by Mike Woodard

• When the Storm Doesn’t Stop – A Devotional by Max Lucado

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The post Be Strengthened In The Lord can be found at Thoughts about God.

During the intense 2020 pandemic lock down, I was pregnant. It was a dire uncertain time for my family. News of the terrible happenings around the world gripped me with fear of the unknown. Accessing antenatal care during the pandemic in my region, was in Gods hands. There was absolute tension everywhere.

Did I mention that I was barely five months into a new job when COVID broke out? I was unsettled I would lose the job, as the company started losing its major business segments. In my fidgeting moments, a clam voice whispered, I am with you in this.

In the seventh month of my pregnancy, during one of the routine scans to determine why my stomach was bulging rapidly out of control, it was discovered that I had a medical condition that I am thankful I cannot even remember its name now. The gynecologist announced that the pregnancy was at risk and there were chances the baby will be abnormal. I held hands with my husband and called unto God for help. Again, in my fidgeting moments, a clam voice whispered, I am with you in this.

I lived each day at a time. I prayed. I worshiped and I hoped in the Lord. On the ninth month, my baby was delivered without a single complication. She is normal and super healthy! My company downsized, even with the last come, first to go rule, God preserved my job.

Are you experiencing such an uncertain time like I did, and you are wondering how you will ever get out of it?

God is saying, I am with you in this.

When we hear such comforting words from the Lord, what does it mean? It means:

1. I am strengthening your faith and teaching you to solely depend on me in trying times.
2. It means, Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, When the Lord commandeth it not? (Lamentation 3:37)
3. It means, The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8)
4. It means, I want to be glorified through your challenges.
5. It means, The Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. (Psalm 121: 5,6)

When we are in the middle of a storm, we tend to allow fear of the unknown to grip our hearts – I have been there. Listen, for every situation we go through, Jesus is right there with us. He was there with Daniel in the lion’s den. He was with Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace of Nebuchadnezzar. He was with Paul and Silas in the prison. Beloved, Jesus is there with you.

Listen again, His clam voice is whispering, I am with you in this.

By Deborah Oladayo
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• I Am With You – by Phil Ware

• Jesus is With You Always –  by Charles Spurgeon

• The Peace of His Presence – by Sylvia Gunter

The post I Am With You In This can be found at Thoughts about God.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” Isaiah 55:8, 9

My parents wanted me to become an Economist but I wanted a career in Mass Communication. I set off, weighing my options and chances without consulting God. Then came series of delays, disappointments and frustrations – God had a different agenda. Neither my parents’ plans nor mine met His priority list. He knows the future; He has a different assignment altogether wrapped up for me. The best way to make this happen was by allowing my arrangements to be interrupted through orchestrated disappointments so that, His divine will could be done in my life. Today, I am happy and fulfilled – God has positioned me where I am meant to be.

Can you relate to my story above? Are there times you got stuck with your aspirations or life pursuit? Your answer is simply the same as many others out there. Life is filled with dreams, and cravings. Daily, we find ourselves engrossed with lots of desperate visions. Little do we truly consider the future validity of our longings in the light of God’s purposes for us.

Pause and ponder over some disappointments you’ve encountered in life. Do you think they all happened by mistake? There are such disappointments that happen in life that were allowed by God to stop us on our tracks and prevent us from making grave mistakes. It could be disappointment in our relationships, carrier path, where to settle down, who to marry or businesses to engage in.

God is an All-Knowing God who sees the end from the beginning. Human beings are limited in their knowledge and see just the present. In our text above, the phrase “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts” connotes the huge disparity between God’s wisdom and our limited understanding. We are confined to our little thoughts while God is universal.

It is not all problems and disappointments that are destructive. Lots of them are organized compasses that redirect us to our places of purpose. What are you presently passing through? Heart break, delays or inexplicable circumstances? I want to encourage you that, there is a message behind that heartache. Like a loving father, God is protecting you from an unseen havoc. It might seem painful right now but, if you choose to obey God and let Him have His way, you will be happier at the end.

LET GO AND LET GOD.

By Deborah Yemi-Oladayo
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• God’s Plan or My Plan? – Don Myers on Discerning God’s Will

• We Plan – God Directs – by Katherine Kehler

• Trusting God’s Plan in Trouble – by Charles Stanley

The post When God Interrupts Our Plans can be found at Thoughts about God.

It was our yearly retreat and I had paid for an apartment where my family would lodge.

I felt very disappointed when the lady in charge allocated a poor apartment to me, plus she was rude and reluctant to change it. In front of a few persons seated, I had made a big deal out of the entire issue, maybe because I had expected fairer treatment. We settled it eventually. However, there were checks here and there in my spirit.

After unpacking and settling in, we decided to take a quick nap before going for the evening session of the program. While my husband and children slept, my eyes were wide open. In the cool warmth of the afternoon breeze, a gentle voice spoke out within me.

“What happened earlier today wasn’t entirely your fault but, you should have let it go. Not because you do not have the right to demand for a change but because, you are a light. Many times, you can be very right but because of me, allow things to flow. Just a little action taken on impulse, can disorientate souls (who you may not know) from being saved.” He said. The voice was tender, corrective and not condemning. That was the voice of the Holy Spirit. He knows how to practically uproot weeds that stole their ways into the vineyard. I immediately asked for forgiveness, we settled it amicably, like a Beloved Father and her loving daughter. Then, I had an assuring peace.

You see, People can get on our nerves a lot of times. They tend to take us for granted over the limit but the Lord is saying “you might be right, but because of me, allow things to flow” Yes, ignoring a rude behaviour overtly is a tough thing to do, especially when, in a snap, you can hurl down the world on the offender. Here, let us learn together. Even when it hurts, let us trust God to plead our cause.

This reminds me of our Lord Jesus Christ in 1 Peter 2:23. “Who when He was reviled, reviled not again, when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously”. In order to fully pattern our lives like Jesus, I have learned that, we should endeavour to live as He lived. We are the light that brightens the dark areas of this world. Therefore, in every facet of it, let our light so shine, that others may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven. (Mathew 5:16)

It is still the wee days of the New Year, what are those attitudes that God through this message, is impressing in your heart to drop off, in order to enjoy His fullness?

Let nothing stand as a barrier to Gods blessings for you this year.

By Deborah Oladayo
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Understanding theHoly Spirit

•   Bible Studies

•  Spiritual Oxygen: Are You Getting Enough?

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The post Letting Go, Even When it Hurts can be found at Thoughts about God.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

A lot of people we meet daily, walk around with plastic smile on their faces but with heavy hearts. Beneath their designer clothes and expensive accessories lies a broken and shattered person who longs for someone to share his/her thoughts with.

As little and insignificant as a warm smile and kind words might seem, they can be the emotional healing someone is longing for. Have you ever passively said things like, “it’s going to be alright” or “God will see you through” to someone and their faces light up like one who was rescued from drowning? Really, some people go through bad times, difficult moments, loneliness and deep financial crisis but, still appear like any other in the streets. Be mindful of how you treat people.

It is possible that, you might also be experiencing some slippery times in your own personal life or relationships. At such times, God expects you to exhibit your spiritual maturity by reaching out to people in same kind of need and exhort them. There was a period in my life that, I was out of job and needed one desperately. To my amazement, people started approaching me with resumes, asking for prayers and needed to be encouraged. Initially, I felt reluctant to respond to them. I was like, ‘what will I tell these guys?’ but when I yielded to the Spirit’ promptings, prayed with and encouraged them, I totally forgot I was even searching for a job, God gave me peace.- whatsoever you sow into the life of others, God will multiply in your own life.

Therefore, your empathy, a loving smile, words of encouragement or even a handshake can go a long way into assuring those going through challenges that someone do truly care for them. We are to be like Jesus and shine as light into the blurred areas of people’s lives. Do not let today pass by without showing practical love to someone in need.

MEDITATE ON THIS: You are an answer to someone’s prayers. Help them to live.

By Deborah Yemi-Oladayo
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

19 Ways to Encourage Others

Four Ways to Pray for Friends and Family

I Like to be Encouraged

Lessons from Odd Places: Words that Saved my Life

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

The post Someone Needs Your Love can be found at Thoughts about God.

Oh what a beautiful place to be!

When you get on the Lord’s side, miracle becomes your daily experience. You are sure to win on every angle. You know why? Because The Lord of lord’s will be committed to make your life an epitome of His goodness.

The Levites experienced it, in the land of Israel. From being under a curse by their father Jacob, they became a descendant of honorable priests unto God.

Joseph experienced it. He was crowned the second in command in the land of Egypt – a country he went into as a slave.

Daniel experienced it. The plot to have him devoured by some angry lions was annulled. Instead, he found favor with God and was among the rulers in the land of Babylon. .

You see, God is God.

He is unchangeable.

He can never fail anyone who has taken the bold step to stand separated for Him.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever Hebrews 13:8

Don’t be discouraged if things are not working as smoothly as you may want them to work out now. Do not shift your stand. God cannot lie. He will come. through for you. Just keep the faith alive.

“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” Psalms 37:25

By Deborah Yemi-Oladayo
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  God is GOOD -by Katherine Kehler

• God is Good—All the Time – by Helen Lescheid

• God Works for the Good –  by Charles Spurgeon

The post When You Are On The Lord’s Side can be found at Thoughts about God.

Last term, my son came home with a mid-term project in Agricultural Science – to plant beans in a container. Excited, he bounced into action, and within minutes, a container-garden was set up on my balcony. Then came the real drama, he practically made the balcony his resting room. His young restless mind wouldn’t allow the planted beans to breath. He watered and checked on it every passing hour.

The first two days of this project were question – answering days for me. I gave out practically all answers there is on plant germination. On the third day, when he could take it no further, he poured out all the sand in the container to see what was delaying the beans from sprouting out.  By the time he was done with harassing the seeds, he pushed them back into the sand, but they weren’t the same again. In the process of examining the seeds, he had unknowingly damaged the tender shoots. Now, the beans took longer than necessary to germinate again. He was heartbroken, he sucked, he whined, he waited…

Have you ever been caught up in any web of impatience? I have been there before. Impatience is like a virus that eats up our faith. It clouds our hope and generates unnecessary heat within us. An Impatient person sees days as decades and months as millenniums. An impatient mind feels a dream takes longer than necessary to be actualized. It asks the question; “when will it ever happen?”  Impatience makes the heart anxious over unanswered prayers, it is forever agitated.

King Saul, out of impatience offered sacrifice to God which was not in his place to do, the effect? He was rejected by God, and that led to His disgraceful death. There are numerous accounts of impatience in the scriptures – none of them ended well. Many a times, impatience arises because, we put pressure on ourselves or, we allow pressure from the society to sink into us. Whichever way, being impatient isn’t God’s best for anyone.

God is a God of time and order. He requires us to uphold that very important Christian virtue – patience. The scripture tells us in Hebrews 10:36 “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. You see, no-matter how impatient we get about life, the clock will not tick faster than it has been programed to. The sun will never set at midnight. Summer won’t take the place of winter, no, they all must obey God’s aligned time and order.

Is your heart impatient over a prolonged answer to prayer? Are you anxious to hear that good news? I want to encourage you to wait patiently, take things easy and trust God’s faithfulness. Yes, God is faithful, He will fulfill all His promises to you, only do not run ahead of His set time for you.

Renew your mind constantly with the word of God and set your eyes only on Jesus. Whenever your heart slips off into impatience, say this out to yourself:
I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES!

By Deborah Yemi-Oladayo
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  The Rewards of Patience – A Devotional by Charles Stanley

•  Developing Patience – Thoughts by Charles Stanley

•  Salvation Explained

The post Impatient Heart, Be Still can be found at Thoughts about God.

Challenges, commotions, fear of the unknown, sufferings, death, evil amongst others characterizes our society presently. It is constantly from one evil occurrence to the other. There are joblessness, marital wars, terrorism, earthquakes, famine, volcano eruption…the endless struggle for survival continues. The hearts of many are already failing them; the younger ones are faced with a daunting bleak future and infidelity is now the order of the day.

There is uncertainty everywhere.

Right in the face of these storms of life, many are being misguided and they are not seeking help appropriately. The more they tend to run faster than their shadows, the more entangled they become with disappointments. Some resort to alcohol, hard drugs, immorality etc. to manage the stress and hard breaks but the truth is that, those methods can never solve any problem else, it aggravates the issues to other ordeals because; evil can never be used to fight evil.

In the midst of all these alarming disorders, there is only a place where you can find abiding peace which lasts forever; that is in JESUS.

You see, it is only in Christ that you can find real peace which flows like a river, the best rest for your aching soul.

That is why the bible tells us in (John 14: 27)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

You can only experience this peace when you accept Jesus into your life as your Lord, personal Savior and Friend. He is the answer to your life questions, Jesus is the only reason for living and without Him, life is absolutely meaningless. Jesus is a friend who stands by you when all persons have deserted you. He is the only helping hand you need inside that pit of agony and pain that you are in right now. Only Jesus can set you free.

God is not interested in your past life of sin and mistakes as long as you will confess and forsake them.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to cleanse us from our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

There is a fountain filled with the blood of Jesus, which was shed on the Cross of Calvary for your unrighteousness and the forgiveness of your sins, it is still available now to wash all your sins away. Devil might try to condemn you and the guilt of your past life might be flashing through your mind, but note this: the bible says in 1 John 3:20

“For  if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our hearts and knoweth all things”

So what are you waiting for? Give Jesus a chance in your life today. He is standing at the door of your heart knocking. He loves you, He cares for you and want to give you peace. Please do not ignore this call.

By Deborah Yemi-Oladayo
Used by Permission

Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive us of our sins and to make us what He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of our will.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

Further Reading

•   God Is…

•  More than a Father

•  Salvation Explained

The post Overwhelming Peace can be found at Thoughts about God.