The Mystery of Life (part 1)

Life is like a puzzle. All the puzzle pieces must be fix together to get the expected beautiful picture or a whole. In the cause of you picking, you may not like a particular piece but, you have to fix it irrespective of your desire. You know there are some that maybe good to you but it wont fit to a particular part. Well, most times we maybe wrong. But, the Maker Himself is never wrong. After the picking and fixing - the completion of this awesome journey - you will be glad to have humbly pick and fix every pieces. At this moment in your journey of life, you are exactly where you need to be. Believe it or not, you are! You may think: Others have gone ahead of me, I have gone ahead of others, I have been too slow in life - Absalom and Adonijah (sons of David) lost their lives because they were in a hurry to be king. I am suppose to be up there not here. But, this is not the final picture of the puzzle! Keep picking and fixing! If it was by choice, the Israelites won't have chosen the long journey over the Red sea. They have to go through that! Deuteronomy 8:2-5 (MSG)

"Remember every road that God led you on for those forty years in the wilderness, pushing you to your limits, testing you so that he would know what you were made of, whether you would keep his commandments or not. He put you through hard times. He made you go hungry. Then he fed you with manna, something neither you nor your parents knew anything about, so you would learn that men and women don't live by bread only; we live by every word that comes from God's mouth. You learned deep in your heart that God disciplines you in the same ways a father disciplines his child."

Then in verse 16:

"the God who gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never heard of, in order to give you a taste of the hard life, to test you so that you would be prepared to live well in the days ahead of you."

You chose to be here, with the collection of choices that you've made along your path that brought you to this point. Even if it was a sinful mistake that brought you to where you are right now, they are all in the past. They are part of the puzzle too. Don't fight it! You can't change the outcome of those choices...you are here already! But, you can decide tomorrow! Live righteous and allow God! There is a reason you are here, There is a reason you are in this struggle, challenge, or time of darkness or wilderness...no one that won't pass his or her wilderness period in life. Life is giving you what you need to help you learn and grow into your true and higher being. If it were not so, God wont have allowed it in the first place. All stages are there to refine or brood on you for a better you in the glorious future. The "you" before isn't fit for the glorious future. The "you" has to refine or brooded upon as hen brood on her eggs for 21days until they are hatched. Check the life of Joseph: he had to be a slave and prisoner to become a better, humble leader. If not, he wouldn't have been a proud leader. Check the life of Moses: he had to be a Shepherd for years - learning how to lead a flock until he was ready to lead our Lord's flock. He was trained in the palace on how to write, so he wrote the laws and books. And the list goes on and on. If you want to move forward past whatever struggle you're facing, You need to first accept where you are by allowing yourself to be here, so you can stop resisting it and let go back into the divine flow of life. Most people would complain and be grieved over what they know they can not change. If after making knives or cutlasses, the maker ignored the sharpening process - where the knives have to go through harsh and thorough process - there won't be useful knives or cutlasses. Same with pottery works, blacksmith and Goldsmith works. Such is life! Allow God to lead you! Everything happens for a reason. Later, you will know why you have to go through such stages. In the very end when you look at the bigger picture and the "you" later, you be glad to know and allow God! You have a glorious future for your "future you" than you can currently believe. You have an awesome place in the destiny of this world. You are made for something greater! You are more powerful than you can currently believe, and Even if you don't believe in yourself, I believe in you! Good night! Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo LiveOutLoud Nation Of Grace Ministries

Lose your life to live it at it's best

Our vigour is fleeting;
Our years are brief,
Our youth passes quickly-
Time's ever a thief;
But hope yet becomes us -
death's sting hold no power,
We have a REDEEMER - an unfailing tower! - Gustafson

Life at its best is very brief.
Though people say life has three stages:
The morning (Prime)
The afternoon (middle age)
The twilight (old age)

There is no guarantee that a person would live through all the stages. Life can terminate at anytime.

Psalm 103:15-16 - "As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more."

James also compares the ephemeral existence of life to a vapour or steam. It is steaming this moment and disappear the next moment.
James 4:14-15 - "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then away."

Also, because life is short, doesn't permit you to lose your hands and look!
You can’t control the length of your life, but you can control its depth.
You can't control the breath, you can live every moment at its best.

Surrender is the secret to life at its best!
To whom do you surrender? To Materialism, Instinct, Fear, Humans, Family, Death, Career, Money, or God?

Study the life of Abraham. His heart must have pounded as he stood on Mount Moriah with his son Isaac. He has given all to follow God.
Remember, God asked him to place his promised son on the altar and yet retain his confidence in God’s love and integrity. Imagine!

Jesus said in Matthew 16:25,"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

You must be willing to give to Christ what is most precious to you.
He wants more than your spare time and leftover possessions;
He wants to be Lord of everything in your lives.
Only when you are willing to let go of what you love the most can you experience the freedom that comes by yielding to Him.

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live. —Van de Venter

When it was clear that Abraham was ready to slay Isaac, an angel stopped him and provided a ram instead. Abraham had totally surrendered his all to the Lord. And his son Isaac was returned to him. He became that which God has spoken - the father of nations.

"I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." —Genesis 22:12

Let God have your life; He can do more with it than you can!

He is the architect.
He is the creator.
He knows why He put your soul in that container (body). He has a reason for it. He has a plan if only you can let Him have his way!
Did you choose to be born?
Did you choose the daily you were born into?
Did you choose to be you?
Can you have your yesterdays?
Can you tell the outcome of tomorrow?
What wakes you up when you sleep?
Do you know that there is a thin line between life and death?
Who are you?
Someone is out there who knows all.

He knows the beginning before the beginning began!

You are alive, huh?
Your life matters because birth is God saying,“You matter.”

Let Him have your life so as to live that life at its best!

A spiritual truth: If you are alive, your life matters. Here are 50 reasons why:

I have no Yesterday in my bay,
Time hastily swept it away.
Dead, gone and lost in the wave,
A price I have to humbly pay.

Tomorrow nobody knows,
It may not be mine to own.
A mystery darken with coal,
with presents or woes ready to unfold.

Today, to me was a sweet gift,
On the lap, I humbly receive.
"Open the package!" my heart bleat.
Its mysteries - I feared - are revealed,

But, with the Creator of all lives,
Faithfully by my earthy and lonely side,
Everyday I enter with blinded strides,
Is conditioned to favour me in all sides.

As myself and I approaches any day -
dim, dark, lighted, blue or stale -
Yesterday, tomorrow and today -
They have no choice but to pay,
And bear fruits for my insatiable clay. - Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo

Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo
Nation Of Grace Ministries

Banish fears from you

"I can't do it, what if something happen?"
"what if I die?"
"I am afraid, I don't know what the future hold for me"
"What if I am made to stand before people to sing?"
"There is somebody watching me"
"Boogie man is coming"
"what if I make the wrong decision?"
"what if I don't make it?"
These and many more are some of the expressions we make when we get to our crossroads. Fear, fear, fear. One of man's greatest, if not the greatest enemy.

Someone wrote: Fear is the mind wandering into the unknown and leaning toward the worst of whatever that unknown could be.

Often you wonder what’s on the other side of that decision, or crossroads, or on the other side of your life at present. While wondering, two sides (better and worst) flash into your heart and, because you don’t know what lies ahead, fears step in. It gives you no option but to focus on the worst possible outcome. As a result of its present you are held back instead of moving forward. Well, what may lie ahead of that decision of yours might be good but fear holds you down.
Fear cripples you with that treacherous feeling in the pit of your heart. It comes out of no where and stops you in your tracks. You wonder why you’re not moving forward. You wonder why others are living out loud or living the dream but you aren't. You make excuses like "I don't want to risk my life", "there was not enough capital that's why I back out", etc and blame circumstances or luck for the outcome of your life. You refuse to acknowledge what’s stopping you.
You can’t see what's stopping you, you can't smell it or put a hand on it. That's why many religious fellow will call it one spiritual name or evil factor. Of a truth, its an invisible force powerful enough to scare the living daylights out of anyone who yields to it. None can do that except fear and you can’t do anything until you face it and conquer it.
Fear can hold you back in your career, your relationships, and in achieving your dreams, from success and eventually from living the life you want. Fear can stop you in your track.

You are afraid to act on opportunity, because you are uncertain; you are blinded of the path ahead. If you don't crush it, it will crush you and later you'll blame it on bad luck or devil. If you want to live out loud, you have to banish all fears and truly live. You may not do things or say what’s on our minds for fear of what other people may think. You don’t get into that marriage or relationship for fear of failure or suchlike. Some won’t even attempt to date for fear of rejection. Some won't grow up for fear of change. What is it about fear that grips us so?

Someone wrote: Fear is over thinking what may happen and what could happen. The reality in fear is the unknown over-exaggerated in our minds. It’s the enemy, because most things we fear never happen. We just imagine what it would be like if it did. Sometimes that keeps us from accomplishing a great thing had we not feared it.

Some people are used to be afraid of dogs. They see a big dog and start sweating or take to their heels. Be it big or small dog. What ran through their minds at the sight of dog is "what if this dog bites me?" "Dogs are dangerous." It happens to me too. Not only with dog, with height also. The truth is, most of the dogs I encountered didn’t even know I existed but I shrieked in fear of them. That’s what fear does. It makes a situation that doesn’t exist — come alive in our minds. These dogs and many other things you fear aren’t concern about you but still have power over you. It's the power you gave it in your mind. Fear only has the power we give it. For a very long time I have flew at very sight of a dog but when I understood fear, I walked right by dogs and stuff I feared with no problem.

Everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear. - George Addair

Let's look (in summary) at the top fears that hold people back and identify which fears presently are our enemies.

1. The Fear of Rejection - Many people avoid entering into new relationships or trying to meet new people due to a fear of rejection. Even married people often avoid approaching a long-time spouse to ask for something due to a fear that the person will say no. Whether you’ve got a fear of your boss declining your request for a raise, or a fear that the attractive person won’t go on a date with you, don’t let the fear of rejection hold you back and do it anyway.
2. The Fear of Failure - One of the top fears in the world is a fear of failure. Many people won’t try something new unless they’re confident they can win. Failure is a normal part of life and learning from failure can help you find eventual success.
3. The Fear of Uncertainty - The fear of uncertainty often prevents people from trying something different. They often worry, “What if I don’t like it?” This fear can prevent people from trying new things or doing things differently from the way they’ve always been done.
4. The Fear of Loneliness - Sometimes people stay in bad relationships or resist living alone due to their fear of loneliness. Learning how to tolerate feeling lonely and finding ways to keep yourself company can help manage the fear of loneliness.
5. The Fear of Change - We live in a rapidly changing world. However, many people fear change. As a result, they resist it. The fear of change can cause people to become stagnant and they may miss out on a lot of really good opportunities in life.
6. The Fear of Loss of Freedom - Although we should have some fear of the loss of freedom, some people allow this fear to hold them back. Many people enjoy the freedom they have as a single person and as a result, they avoid serious relationships due to a fear that they won’t be able to tolerate the loss of the freedom. Although some loss of freedom does accompany a serious relationship, it’s important to balance independence with dependence and maintain some freedoms.
7. The Fear of Being Judged - People who worry that they’ll be judged negatively by others often shy away from social opportunities or chances to advance their career. People who adopt this fear often exaggerate how others will perceive them negatively and underestimate their ability to tolerate not being well-received by others.
8. The Fear of Something Bad Happening - Bad things happen in life. It’s inevitable. However, when people constantly fear something bad happening, it often restricts their activities. They may avoid doing a lot of things or going to certain places due to an unrealistic fear that bad things may happen.
9. The Fear of Getting Hurt - We should all have some fear of getting hurt. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t look both ways before you crossed the street. However, people who have a big fear of being emotionally hurt often refuse to enter into relationships. They may avoid friendships, keep family at an arm’s length, and skip romantic relationships due to a fear that they won’t be able to handle getting hurt.
10. The Fear of Inadequacy - One of the top fears many people share is that they’re just not good enough. They may pass up opportunities for a promotion or may decline an opportunity to lead a group because they worry that they’re inadequate. Often, they overcompensate for their fears by trying to be a perfectionist but remain plagued by thoughts that they just don’t measure up to other people.
By Amy Morin

How to conquer fear

Fear is your own making and it is in your mind only. Like someone said, we are prisoners of a non-existing threat of our own creation. So, don't be scared of fear; face it and make it disappear.

True, it is in human nature to fear and be cautious. But most of the time, fear kills your desire to take up an initiative for success.

Dale Carnegie said: Fear leads to inaction which in turn breeds doubt and more fear.

Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit at home just to brood about it. Go out and get busy.

"Do the thing you fear the most and the death of fear is certain." - Mark Twain

If Gandhi had made fear a part of his character, India would have never got freedom.
Look at Neil Armstrong, if he had been scared of the danger of going to and landing on moon, something no man has ever done, he would not have gotten into that Rocket. Imagine if you were the one.
See the Ethiopians, they fought fear and push back the white away from their land.
How about Mandela, Martin Luther, Martin Luther King Jr, Helen Keller, Paul in the Bible etc.
Success does not come to those who make fear a constant part of their persona. Success goes to them who are fearless and undaunted in the face of failures and challenges.

"Your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure." - Bill Cosby

The best way to get over fear is to face it. Whatever you face you win. It’s human to be afraid, it happens. Just don’t let it stop you.

Face your fears!
Go for that career.
Go on that date.
Take any road at the crossroad.
Make that decision.
Approach that lady.
Sing out loud.
Put on that outfit and don’t think twice about what anyone else thinks.
Be afraid and do it anyway.
Stare fear down and make your moments memorable
banish all fears and truly live.

Live out loud!