by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Oct 25, 2017 | Uncategorized |
The number of those who have resolved to become ten times better than others, even in the midst of the challenging environment, is amazingly on the increase. They have shown that even in the midst of difficulties it is very rewarding to inculcate a winning culture.
It takes courage, faith, and perseverance to stand out for what is winsome. Excellence is a decision. It’s price is not money! There is no traffic jam on the road to excellence. Therefore, you can decide today to adopt a winning lifestyle, and spread the aroma of an adorable godly lifestyle. You can be ten times better!
YWAW warmly welcomes new members. We currently have more than 30 international and national individuals. Together we are a powerful tool for positive influence and for promoting a winning culture in every facets of life.
The group is open to individuals or groups who are committed to living and promoting a lifestyle of excellence through a flourishing partnership with God. We are the Daniel generation that believes that through a godly lifestyle we can be ten times better than our contemporaries.
YWAW AT THE OLD PEOPLE’S HOME
Benefits of becoming a member of YWAW:
As a member of the YWAW initiative you can benefit by:
- being part of a team that is committed to achieving, living and promoting excellence in all of life’s ramifications.
- benefit from motivational messages, insightful ideas, and empowerment programs that would help model a character that is fashioned after God, and a winning lifestyle.
- being part of our humanitarian projects within and outside the country, as well as having the privilege to contribute morally, spiritually and financially to the needs of the society and the world at large.
- building and leveraging your career by participating in career development programmes, social and community services, national and world events, and advocacy activities that will promote positive change.
- Benefiting from spiritual edification, capacity building activities, networking and sharing expertise with others on professional and personal levels.
- being part of a team that promotes godly purpose through a lifestyle of intercession, reconciliation, humanitarian service, social justice, and demonstration of love among people of all race and religion without prejudice, thereby building a better society.
Become an Author
YWAW welcomes writers and authors to contribute to the regular publications of informative, insightful articles on the website and the social media. We welcome stories, spiritual edifying articles, true-life experiences, testimonies, current affairs that would empower, inspire and motivate the viewers, as well as promote godliness and a winning culture.How do I become a member, part we or author?
To be part of this great movement, kindly apply for membership by filling the form on this link:
https://yeswearewinning.com/join-us/
You can be ten times better! Yes, we are winning!
GreatMark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Oct 24, 2017 | Uncategorized |
The news of a 40 year old man diving into the Lagos lagoon in a suicide endeavor was very disheartening for me. I wished he was alive to tell us why he chose to die in that manner. Could this be another case of frustration and hopelessness or is it a demonic manipulation? Search me!
A similar incident was recorded few months back, on March 19th 2017, to be precise. This ugly incident happened on the Lagos third mainland bridge where a medical doctor by name, Dr. Orji dived into the lagoon on a broad day light and died in the process. This incident was said to be a result of frustrations and depression.
On Friday, 20th October, 2017, Mr, Adekunle Oluseyi John, an native of Ondo State was said to have jumped into the lagoon from the new Lekki-Ikoyi bridge, after he pulled his clothes, and left some belongings including his mobile phone and ATM card at the point where he dived into the lagoon.
No official reasons has been alluded to this unfortunate act, however, it is may not be unconnected with psychological effects, such as depression or frustrations. For Dr. Orji, a phone call from an unknown person was said to have preceded his action. He was said to have ordered his driver to stop the car, and he got down and dived into the lagoon.
Every suicide crime is usually premeditated. Dr. Orji left a note with his house address, while Mr Adekunle took some time to remove his clothes and other belongings before he jumped into the lagoon. Thus, these persons must have thought about their action, and may have concluded that the only way was to stop living.
People who’ve survived suicide attempts have reported wanting not so much to die as to stop living, a strange dichotomy but a valid one nevertheless. Some proven reasons for suicidal include the following: depression, guilt, frustrations, psychotic reasons to mention a few.
There are so many cases of suicide attempts which are not in the news. The fact remains that someone dies of suicide every day. According to the Cleen Foundation, between 1994 and 2003, about 2, 305 suicide crimes were recorded in Nigeria.
Body of Dr. Orji after suicide.
What about the Lagos lagoon makes it suitable for suicide? Is there a diabolical attraction from the lagoon for those attempting suicide? I’m still wondering. Does the victim hope to draw much attention to their death by choosing to die in the lagoon? That’s not impossible, I think. Some people who commit suicide don’t usually want to die but do want to alert those around them that something is seriously wrong.
There is no doubt that the Lagos State Government is doing much to ensure sanity in the state. However, the mobile patrol team should be more frequent on the bridges, and also put up measures to cob activities that could endanger people’s lives. Also, the Lagos State Transport Management (LASTMA) should be at alert always to ensure vehicles packed on the bridges are closely monitored and towed quickly if found faulty.
Our religious organisations should devote more time to preaching hope rather than concentrate on “making bread out of stones.” A situation when someone who has a great need is squeezed to provide money in order to solve his problems can be very devastating. It is not impossible that Mr. Adekunle John has been to a church, or even many churches, where he was told to bring some money to get his problem solved. Not enough reasons for suicide though!
Our religious organisations should provide an effective counselling program that would help those who are discouraged to find hope in the midst of the hardship in the land. Furthermore, closer attention should be paid to members of our churches and mosque in order to have a more intimate knowledge of who they are and what they do.
I’m sure the latest victim of suicide in the lagoon has a family, and friends who may have an idea of his predicament. Let us be our brothers keepers; let us watch over one another and provide support morally, emotionally, socially etc, and whenever the need arises
Besides, the fact remains that, the man who commits suicide has chosen a direct entry to hell fire. Even if he prayed for forgiveness before he committed the dastardly act, he cannot find mercy because he has chosen to devalue the precious life God gave him and cast aspersions on God’s ability to save him. It is a very unfortunate way of exiting this world.
Life is full of troubles but no one problem is peculiar to you. We all are afflicted in one way or the other. According to Osward Wilde, “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” There is no amount of frustrations or hardship that is justifiable to commit suicide. Many people have been in more terrible situations and through hope, determination, courage and faith in God, they have surmounted their challenges and are today channels of blessing to their families and the world at large.
The truth is, there’s no mountain that you cannot climb; and there’s no river that cannot cross when you trust in God, and God alone. A favorite psalms reads, ” The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want…” (Psalm 23:1). The moment a man cast aspersions on the goodness of God, he is opened to attempt anything evil, even suicide. To such person, life becomes useless and winning life’s battle becomes impossible and irrelevant!
It is devilish to give up on life. It is ungodly to commit suicide! Every life is precious to God, and so He desires an intimate relationship that would help nourish and preserve our lives from the troubles of this life and from the pending calamities. The troubles of this life won’t get any better. As the earth approaches its end, the scriptures says, Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken (Luke 21:26).
Since all these things must be, what manner of man you ought to be? You must have your anchor on the unchanging God. People will disappoint you, policies and procedures will fail you. But God cannot fail you no matter what betides. Connect with God, the source of life, and you will surmount the hardship of life.
Life is good. You are winning! Yes, we are winning!
https://yeswearewinning.com/2017/03/21/not-one-see-list-also-depressed/
GreatMark
by Indulge | Oct 14, 2017 | Uncategorized |
It was broad day light but to me it was night. My day was about to be turned to darkness. Everything would change within the twinkle of an eye. My dreams are shattering little by little… My name is Halima, I am the second of 8 children of my parents. And this is my story, a journey to self-actualization.
I had dreams of becoming an engineer. I had hoped to break out of the mold, and be a woman who would not be tied down by circumstances or become a liability. But my hopes were cut short by my dad. My wedding day has been fixed for middle of the year without my knowledge. I was just rounding up with my junior secondary school examination when my life turned upside down.
I got married to a man whose name I won’t disclose. He promised my brother scholarship and a business venture after school. My father got a brand new pickup van, which helped boost his agro-business. My family’s status changed in the twinkle of an eye. At 13 I was married!!
Let me spare you the gruesome details of my experience. But it is noteworthy that I suffered physically, mentally and emotionally. I had a child at age 15. She was beautiful. He married me because he wanted a female child. No one ever longed for a female child. What a contrast you would say!
She was his new love and because of her, he showed me so much love and affection. You all are wondering why I just had my first child at age 15? I lost my first child at age 14 due to immaturity; I wasn’t matured enough to carry a baby, let alone birth the baby.
But medical jettisoned because our culture permitted. It was the survival of the fittest; it was either I stayed alive and the child dies or I die and my child lives. The doctors saved mine instead of the baby. I cried for days and nights but the pain didn’t go away. I was only permitted to bear the pains for a while before I was forced to carry another pregnancy at the age of 17.
When Awa started showing signs of maturity at age 10, my husband would say weird things like, ‘in three years time; your dowry would be paid just like I did for your mother.’ I thought it was a joke, until I began to notice different men come in with gifts. She was just 12. I knew I couldn’t allow my child go through same fate as mine. I needed to act fast to prevent a re-ocurrence.
I woke one morning and my husband had travelled for business in a different state. He usually stayed away for 2 weeks before returning home. On this day, the first wife had gone to visit her sick mum. The second wife went to the market to ply her trade.
This was my clear chance of escape, I had thought. I packed all the monies and valuable jewelries I could lay my hands on.. And I ran as far as my legs could carry. I mean that both figurative and literally. I took the next available bus to the West. I had an aunty who had lived in the West since after her National Youth Service program. She had lived and worked there, and has been married for 20 years.
At 28, I and my child became class mates. I was attending an adult education program when she was preparing to write her high school exams. I was confident that my dreams would be fulfilled no matter what. I started a small business with the money I stole, rented an apartment and enrolled my self and Awa in a public school.
Today am a graduate of chemical engineering, I own my firm and my daughter is a proud medical doctor and she owns her own hospital in the western part of the country. She is happily married to a man from the western part of the country too. I never remarried, but am happy and satisfied at the outcome of my life. My day light finally did not end in darkness.
The escape of HALIMA from a life she was forced to live was a journey to self-actualization. Your attitude in life determines your altitude. According to Kahil Gibran, your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.It is not the challenges that destroys a man but the attitude in the midst of such challenges.
The excuse that your environment has plunged you into this unfortunate situation, and that there’s no way out is not tenable and a lie! You can change your situation by self determination and ultimately by your absolute faith in God who has made you for his good pleasure. You are not created a mediocre and as such don’t stay down!
Where’s Halima? HALIMA ran away from slavery into a life of freedom where she can pursue her dream. You might need to leave your environment for you to make appreciable progress in life. Or perhaps what you need is a change of mentality and attitude. You need to stop lying to yourself about your situation. You can still achieve your aspirations even at this age .
You can break out of he mold; you can fulfill your dreams. You can win! You are winning! Yes, we are winning!
GreatMark
by Indulge | Oct 11, 2017 | Uncategorized |
Life was everything I could ask for; a rich father, two loving sisters and my beautiful and caring mother. We never lacked a thing; life was a bed of roses, so to speak. I didn’t have to sweat or whine over anything. I’d though my life was defined by this until much later. I never even thought I would be writing this Kina story at all. I had always thought everything was going to go smoothly and if at all I was going to share any story it was going to be like the Cinderella’s story.
Every adolescents always had a maximum of five days monthly menstruation, but mine was different. When it got very worrisome, I was flown abroad for medical checkup and was diagnosed with menorrhagia. I usually have my menstrual period a maximum of six times in a year (that is every other month). Although, I was cool with it because I didn’t like the pain that accompanied the monthly flow anyway.
On this faithful day it was time to be on my period, but unlike my previous experiences, this particular flow didn’t stop after seven days. I had thought it was because of my plenty sugar intake because I attended two of my friends birthday party and I had lots of cakes and sweets. This flow continued for weeks and then one month, and then the second month.
I began to look pale even though I managed to keep my parents and friends from knowing what i was going through. When i couldn’t bear it alone, I had to open up to my mum who took me to the family hospital. To my amazement, I couldn’t get a treatment that would immediately stop the flow as I had expected. All I got was plenty prescription drugs.
So, I started using drugs to start and stop my monthly flow, and whenever it came I was always stained or smelling, It was really bad, trust me! I had to stop going to school. My parent got private teachers who came home regularly to teach me and prepared me for my entrance examinations. I was only15 years old, and I could imagine my life and dreams fading away little by little.
What could I have done wrong, I’d thought crying with no consolations. Oh… I forgot to add that sometimes the drug won’t work and I would be on for a whole month or more. I was shattered. My family tried so much to make me feel loved and happy but it wasn’t what I needed. I had this vacuum that needed filling. I was like the biblical woman with the issue of blood. I thought mine would never have an end. I became hopeless to say the least.
As I was trying to adjust to the changes in my life; guess what, my dad passed away. I can’t even start narrating that story because it still feels like a dream. He was happy and well one minute and the next he was gone. I felt alone; I could predict the next possible action but it was looking like it was going to take forever for it to happen. Anyways, it finally happened.
A month after my dad’s burial; his family came and drove us out of the house and took over his possessions. Guest what, they said my dad had no male child, as such my mum and I are not entitled to inherit his possessions. My uncles were the favorites, and so my Dad’s properties became a family house for his siblings. My mum was still in shock of his death when all these was happenings, so you can imagine her frustrations.
I cried for days, but what was the use of the tears. He was dead and buried already. We moved back to my mum’s family house somewhere in the western part of the country. All was going well; we had to change to public school, our meal became 001 or 100 or 010. We settled in fine thinking the bad days are over, little did I know that more was on the way. Two years later my mum died.
At this time Ella was in 200 level; I just finished my high school and Ceci was just in her second year..Okay so Ella and Ceci are the two loving sisters I talked about in the beginning. Ella adjusted quickly to these changes but it took Ceci a much longer time to adjust to the environment. She couldn’t get hold of the fact that she wasn’t part of the high and mighty anymore and there was no dad to shower her with attention. It was pretty difficult for her so she started seeking for attention from people no matter whom they are; male or female, old or young.
So, after mummy’s burial we were all alone in this world. Again, I expected mummy’s death. Don’t ask me how or why? It was logical. We needed to survive. Ella and I picked up a side job so we could stay alive. Though it wasn’t helping much we could survive on it. We threaded on, we lived on in spite of the hardship.
I got an admission into the university. Ella was in her final year already. As I was thinking that everything was coming back into place, another thing occurred. Ella was raped by her boss at work. This worsened everything. The only thing that was restraining Ella from prostitution was the oath we swore to our dad; to keep our virginity for our husbands. But now it was gone. It was the dawn of a new day for her… everything was gone! She swore to make guys pay for her boss’s mistake. I didn’t know how to prevent her not to.
10 years after my continual blood flow started, it was as if as the years went by the case worsened, drugs stopped working long time ago. My years in school was a living hell. The school identified me and defined me by my situation. It was worse than being a thief or a cultist. My gist spread abroad the whole campus. At the beginning it was terrible but now in my final year I wasn’t bothered anymore, I had so much joy and peace. I was going to graduate with a second class upper.
This was how it happened. It was a cold Friday morning and I had an 8 a.m lectures. After the class ended I was on my way back home (I didn’t leave on campus because of my ailment and financial reasons) when it started raining heavily. I had an umbrella but it was of no use. The rain was terrible. I ran into a building to keep myself warm until it would stopped raining.
I was already dripping blood as usual. As I looked up to my surrounding still lost in thought I realized that everyone’s attention was on me. Unknowing to me, I took shelter in a church or a fellowship building. I felt so much anger and pain and shame on the inside of me. I was angry at God for allowing so much evil to happen to me and my family. What could we have done to deserve all these sufferings, I;d thought.
I tried to leave but it was as if an invisible chain held me captive on same spot. Suddenly, the thought go my childhood flashed back. I used to go to church because I was forced to. Dad was a religious man, and he wouldn’t allow any one stay back at home on Sundays. But this time it was different. The look on the faces of my spectators wasn’t that of compulsion. I saw happiness and bold smiles as if they were collecting gift or it was party.
I was spurred back to reality with these words “Your situation or circumstances doesn’t define you, neither does fame; wealth; poverty or other earthly possessions. Christ defines you; Christ is your hope of glory!!!” It felt like these words were spoken by God Himself; it was loud and clear. It revived me. I knew I was in for a change!
This was enough reason why I shouldn’t leave the church, I reasoned. I wanted to understand more. Like what was the meaning of the statement “Christ defines my life!?”. As I continued to pondered on this the service came to a close. The rain stopped immediately the goodness was shared. I waited till everyone left. I wanted to meet the preacher for him to expatiate. I wanted to understand more.
I finally met the preacher an he explained to me in details. I left the building with some hope and felt the joy I never had felt in my life. The issues of my issues of blood wasn’t in anyway important to me like the ecstasy of being assured that my life is only defined by my relationship with God and not my problems.
I got back to my room, freshened up, and went straight to bed, anticipating an amazing restful night. It was only the next morning I observed that I was dry; the flow had stopped! I didn’t believe it at first, I thought I was dreaming. My dear friend, that was how i was delivered from a 10-year constant menstrual flow. And more than that God gave my life a new meaning, and made me a glory among those who had rejected me.
I write this story to commemorate the International day of the Girl child. Since 2012, 11 October has been marked as the International Day of the Girl. The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.
My friend, your story too can change. You can find your life meaning and purpose through a flourishing relationship with God. You are well defined by Christ. You must know that “Everyone gets knows down but you must define yourself by the day you get up.” Like, me you can say, “I am winning”! You are winning! Yes, we are winning!
Story by Titilola Ogunwale
GreatMark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Oct 7, 2017 | Uncategorized |
In 1947, thirty three years after amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorate by Lord Laggard, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first Premier of the Western Region of Nigeria, agitating for true Federalism government described Nigeria as a “GEOGRAPHICAL EXPRESSION”, and till date, those observations that prompted such thoughts still manifests in our polity, endangering our unity, and still shaking the foundation of the nation called Nigeria.
I think that if a couple had married for fifty seven years like our nation, and they are still finding it difficult to understand one another, then, perhaps a divorce or separation may be the solution for a better life. Although, in God’s plan for couples, they should live together for life. But due to the hardness of man’s heart, sometimes, it might be advisable to separate from one another to avoid unforeseen life threatneing circumstances. Mind you, I do not support divorce, neither do I seek to promote a divisible Nigeria!
The architect of Nigeria’s misdemeanor uses different means to cause hatred and division that further promote their evil agendas. Unfortunately, many of our youths are falling prey of their antics, and have offered themselves as instruments of destruction.
Ethnicity, Nepotism, Religiosity, Animosity, are some of the ways they get at us as a people. In truth, God has brought together different tribes and ethnicity, culture, and religion to form a nation called Nigeria. The first stanza of our former anthem bears credence to this fact:
“Nigeria, we hail thee, our own dear native land,
Though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand Nigerians all
I’m proud to serve, our sovereign Mother-land.”
Our diversity is our advantage; our population should be our strength. Nigeria, the most populous nation of black Africa stands in a vantage position to be the economic giant of Africa. Our population and diversity should place us at forefront of economy growth, security, and human capital development and technological advancement. Unfortunately, what should be our strength have become our undoing. What should unite us have turned into our misfortune, that threatens to break us.
One tribe want to dominate another. The animal farm syndrome of “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than the rest” is the better way of describing Nigeria. One religion want to overshadow the other. Today, Christianity is under severe attack and marginalization, all because some people want to propagate what they called “the religion of peace” in a crooked and unacceptable way.
An anonymous don sometimes said, “Quota system is never the best way to develop people, because it avoids grooming of the best, rather, it promotes sectionalism”. Quota system in Nigeria has bred favoritism. Genuine and sincere do not have their way again, rather, the unqualified are the most preferred for leadership positions rather than the intelligent and wise leaders.
Furthermore, immorality, disrespect for elders, immodesty, sensuality and godlessness are what is being promoted and celebrated in our society today. And the referential fear of God has been replaced with the worship of satan, money, and worldly cravings. Man’s inhumanity to man, kidnapping, rape, ritual killings, yahooism and other fraudulent acts have now become the order of the day.
THE CAUSE OF THESE MENACE
In the past, Christians were the ones being found in many positions of authorities in this nation, partly because they were the well-read in the society. Apart from the core north where Islam thrives, other parts of this nation were economically, socially and politically dominated by Christians. The seed those called Christians sowed is what we are reaping today. We taught them how to become rich by sly means. There were many slogans in vogue then, such as, “Money for hand, back for ground”. “Rub my palm, I rub your chin”. “Nothing goes for nothing” to mention a few. Many of these lifestyles were promoted by so called Christians, and today, these things now hurt us.
In our tertiary institutions, hardly would you see other religion boys and girls dressing nude. When you see Rasheedat, Nurat, Khadijat, etc. They dress covering their bodies properly. However, it is Samson who will dress sagged. Elizabeth that will dress to kill.
Then, what have we to preach to these so called unbelievers. Our lives exudes obnoxious aroma; and our disposition does not project the life of Christ. The name of our God has been dragged to the mud by our compromising lifestyles, yet we complain of economic hardship and persecution. If we live and do right, we can never be moved!
THE WAY FORWARD
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chro.7:14, NIV).
The word of God to King Solomon has drawn us to the solution facing us in this nation. It means the healing of this nation lies on us, the believers.
- Spiritual pride has taken us away from God. We have jettisoned the place of prayers. We have neglected sincere men of God for our self aggrandizement. While marabouts and hirelings thrives, sincere men of God suffers. In fact, it is only when we are in troubles that we remember to pray. Our works, socials, and worldly things are much more important than our devotion to God. We are quick to tagged those who pray as people in troubles, forgetting that when we pray, three things we strengthen our relationship with God and proclaim His authority on earth.
The life of a Christian, who prays is described in Psalm 91 (Read the whole Chapter). Hence, we should start praying sincere prayers that would establish God’s will in our nation. We should not only pray because of the miracles we want, but more importantly because we want to see God’s will done, and we want to be an instrument of change.
- We need to sincerely seek for God. Genuine Christians genuinely seek for God in genuine manner. Seeking for God means we are pursuing a godly lifestyle (Read Acts 11:26). Those who will seek for God will learn at His feet. They want to listen to what their leaders will say and go back home to study their scriptures like the Berea Christians. Those who truly seek God are the who have a personal relationship with him, and not just a church-goer 1Thess. (2:11-13, NIV, Acts 17:11, NIV).
- We need to turn away from sins. There are sinners in Zion, ruling the Church. “And now this admonition is for you, O priests. If you do not listen, and if you do not set your heart to honor my name,” says the Lord Almighty, “I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not set your heart to honor me” (Mal.2:1-2, NIV).
Like the Israelites of old, we groan on why calamities befall us. We blame God for our misfortunes, forgetting that God has said, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach”. Until fornication, stealing, unfaithfulness, drunkenness, orgy, worldliness and every vices is removed from among us, we will still continue to go through these calamities.
THE REFORMATION
The only Reformer who can help us to sort and solve our challenges as a nation is God, and until the Christians start doing living true to their profession and calling, we shall continue to hobnob in difficulties and backwardness. Not forgetting that we are the salt of the world, and we are the light of the world. Simply put, we are the ones that God want to use to change and rule this world, particularly Nigeria. Therefore, let’s go back to our God in sincerity, let’s go back to our base. God never leave us without a promise;
- God will hear us from Heaven.
- He will forgive us all our trespasses, and
- And He will heal our land.
He is the Great Physician. You are winning! Yes, we are winning!
Message delivered by Rev. S. O Abimbola on Nigeria Independence day, Oct 1, 2017, at New Nations Baptist Church Ikeja, Lagos.
GreatMark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Oct 5, 2017 | Uncategorized |
Amazed at his life of devotion coupled with his acknowledgment of God and his sacrificial disposition, God made a splendorous visit and his approval of the sacrifices was confirmed by His request to King Solomon, “In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” (2 Chron 1:7).
Mr. Solo pressed the right button of surpassing grace, he provoked God by the gift of giving, and God surprised him with a blank cheque. One would have thought that he would ask for peace, prosperity and victory over his enemies, but he never though those were important as the gift of wisdom and knowledge. And so he asked, “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?” (Vs. 10).
God is provoked by our sacrificial giving, especially such that is not borne out of compulsion or manipulations. “In all things and at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Cor. 9:8). This is the unending season, when surpassing grace is available to you to abound in plenty. Therefore, for an unending good season, you must always press the ‘GIVE’ button.
The grace of giving surpasses the grace of praying. The grace of giving will make people you don’t know to credit your account. Praying will grow your account with credits from you whereas giving will make others credit your account in multiple folds. This was the experience and testimony of the Macedonian church.
Mr. Solo surprised God with his request for wisdom instead of riches. His concern about providing a godly and enviable government surpassed his personal desires. This made God blessed him with riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before him and after him possessed. The desire to fulfill God’s mandate on earth to the benefit of humanity should be the prioritiy of our leaders in all aspects of leadership.
Those who begin with the service of God, are likely to go on successfully in their own affairs. It was Solomon’s praise, that what he undertook, he went through with; it was by the grace of God that he prospered in it. When our lives are pleasing to God, He smells good aroma, and this provokes him to bless us beyond measure.
Every blessing God gives you must:
1. Meet the need of God’s people.
2. Make men offer praise to God on your behalf
3. Cause an overflowing expression of thanks to God.
Like Mr. Solo, your account will be credited by everyone who benefits from your gift. It will be a networking of blessing. The is a sure secret to wealth creation.
What prompted the declaration of God that sowing and reaping season shall not cease in Genesis 8:22 is because Noah built an altar and sacrificed clean animals to God. And this burnt offering gave a sweet and pleasing aroma to God. Yes, a sacrificial giving provokes God to release blessings on the giver.
Such act of giving that is pre-empted by a life whole offered to God in righteousness will provoke the outpouring of God’s goodness that would in turn cause an overflowing expression of thanks to God by the beneficiaries.
When the season squizes a child of God he cannot but produce a sweet juice. A season of recession is not an excuse for you not to give. You can give your life for a good course. You can give your time, your resources to the things that gives God pleasure, and benefits humanity. To have an ending good season you must give the best even when you are squeezed.
Let us then stand in awe, and sin not. Let us fear the Lord’s displeasure, hope in his mercy, and walk in his commandments. Let us cultivate a lifestyle of praying and giving. By so doing, like Mr. Solo, our good seasons shall never cease!
You have surpassing grace. You are winning! Yes, we are winning!
GreatMark
Reference: Article inspired by the message by Rev. Tayo Oladokun at the Annual Prayer Summit, NNBC Lagos.
