ON ATTITUDE OF PRAYER

How many go into prayer or come before the consciousness of God in Holy Communion in this attitude?
How many cleanse their hands of debt by first thanking God for each individual blessing throughout the day?
How many approach God in prayer in an attitude of profound appreciation for the very life and consciousness which animates their beings?
After all, is not gift of life the greatest blessing that God can give, and if we have it, have we not which is greater than any thing else that we may desire?
To ask for other things than life, or to petition for anything other than the consciousness of God in our beings is to lift the lesser things and insignificant things above the greatest.

If God preserved your life last night, He can't watch you go stranded during the day.
If not, giving you life today will be an unnecessary gift and a wasted effort and with God it is not so! He is perfect!

Don't forget, He gave His life through Jesus death so that we can have life abundantly...and the scripture says,"... how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32!

So, approach God with thanksgiving rather than groaning and moaning, for He has freely given us all things!

1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In everything keep on giving thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (my translation). Also, Colossians 3:15, 17 and Psalms 100:4.

Note: When we are thankful for the very Life He has given us today, we recognize that God exists, and we are acting on the reality of His life as the very source and means of ours.
True thankfulness for that recognizes our total dependence on God and stems from realizing that everything going on in our lives (or that will happen today) and all we shall have is the product of God's sovereign control, infinite wisdom, purposes, grace, and activity.
And if He gave us life, He has made provisions already!

Good Morning
Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo
LiveOutLoud
NOGM

Who are your affiliations?

Who are your affiliations?

2 Samuel 23:8-39, 1 Chronicles 11:10-41

In the passage above, the names and exploits of David's mighty warriors were outlined.

They were nobodies and mere men before meeting following David. They had no records or exploits. If anyone had told them they will do exploits and become mighty warriors, they won't have believed.
They never imagined that they would be the right hands of a King, because then it was Saul who was the king of Israel.

But, they chose to follow this young man, David who God has anointed (I think that must have been rumoured)
They became vagabonds and fugitives with him, when Saul was after his life.
They aligned themselves with David.
These nobodies, vagabonds and rejected followed David.

As they aligned themselves with David, the anointing/spirit in David came upon them.
David was a giant killer, they became giants killers
David was a mighty warrior, they became mighty warriors.

2 Samuel 17:10,"Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave."

Lesson!

Anointing rubs off...it is communicable or contagious, permit me to use that term.
So,
Be careful of who you spend time with. Be careful of those you affiliate yourself with.
When you move with people that smoke a lot, even though you don't smoke it rubs on you and you smell.

Who you are affiliated to determine your destiny. Who you follow determine who you will become.

When you follow the Lord, His spirit comes upon you. You are (at that juncture) empowered to do greater works (exploits you have never thought of)

Align yourself to His purpose,
Align yourself to the right individuals He will send to your path in life,
Align yourself to Him and prosper!

You don't know it yet, you are designed for exploits and greatness!

#meditate

I pray that God open your eyes to see the beautiful rose beneath that bud, and make you willing to come closer to Him and to the people assigned to your life, in Jesus name!

Remain blessed!

Happy Sunday!
Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo
Nation Of Grace Ministries
LiveOutLoud

Don't confuse attachment to assignment

One of our greatest setbacks in life can be the wrong relationship. When I mean relationship, I am not referring only to that of opposite sexes but our relationship with people in general. Relationship which involves people you encounter daily or those you allow and disallowed into your life. Those acquaintances, friends, colleagues, partners, mates, peers, neighbours, pals or whatever you may call them.

It is an undeniable fact that relationships can make you or break you. You cannot effectively honour the call over your life or fulfil destiny if you have a slew of unhealthy relationships in your life.

God works through people to ultimately achieve His will. If He wants to bless, He can use human as a medium. If He wants to speak He also uses human. All these and lot more show that our interpersonal relationship with others matter.

Never confuse those who are only Attached to you with those who are Assigned to you; the Assignment is Priority, the Attachment is an Option.

There are people that have been assigned to you. They have been assigned to you for whatever reason it may be. Perhaps it is to encourage, motivate or inspire or perhaps it’s simply for you to put a smile on their faces or vice versa.
Some people are assigned to us for our growth too.
Some people are assigned to us for a moment in time, for a season or for a lifetime.
These people who are assigned have an assignment and such assignment is a priority.
These individuals if not all, are waiting for you to use your gifts, talents, skills and abilities to serve them – this is the essence of living in purpose.

It’s so important to have people around you who will speak life into your situation when you can’t. People who want to see you living out God’s plan for your life just as much as you do. Not because they want to use you but because they genuinely care about you and want the best for you. When you begin to lose hope, they quickly remind you that your worst days are behind you and your best days are ahead. They refuse to join your pity party because they see potential in you. They have seen God do miraculous things in lives and your life too and, will quickly remind you that He’s capable of doing it again.
Do you have people in your life like that? These people are ASSIGNED to you and bring out the best in you.

How about those that are attached to you...
Do you have people who are ATTACHED to you? How do you know them?
These people don’t really care about you; they only care about what they can get from you. They will use you up until you have nothing else to give and leave as soon as the next victim comes along. A particular mystic group call them vampires that drain the goodness out of you. Theirs is "what do I get in return".

You have to know the difference between those people who are assigned to you and those people who are attached to you -

People who are attached to you are those soul-sucking folks that take away from your life and do not add anything. They eat at your peace, well-being and spirit. Every time you deal with this person you are more tired and frustrated then invigorated. Simply put – they are like leeches sucking at your soul. I stop here

Be careful who you allow access to your life because the people who are ASSIGNED or ATTACHED to your life now will determine where you will be this time next year.
Anytime you take someone with you that God hasn't authorized, it tampers with your destiny. Be warned!

There are some people who are attached to you while others are actually assigned to you.
Know the difference! So I want you to take an inventory of the relationships in your life. Is there someone who has been attaching themselves to you that you need to let go? Are there people who perhaps have been assigned to you? Are there people who you can serve or vice versa?

Even if you may not know who has been assigned to you, I want to challenge you to live daily in an awareness as to who you can be of service to. You don’t have to do anything extravagant, sometimes it can be as simple as listening to someone, being a great friend, sharing words of wisdom to someone at the office and so on!
My Motto: To gain access to my life…you MUST be approved by God.

Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo

LiveOutLoud!

NOGM

Your Destiny Is In Your Hand

A young chap went to a soothsayer to inquire about the hope of his future.

Right before his eyes, the soothsayer drew two circles. One in white and the other in black.

He then put a millipede in between the circles, saying "if the millipede crawls into the white circle, your future will be bright and very great,  but if it crawls into the black circle,  then you are finished and doomed! No future at all!".

As soon as the insect was dropped in between the circles, it began crawling towards the white circle.

This chap was super-excited.

But suddenly, as it got to the edge of the circle, it turned back and began crawling away from the white circle towards the black one.
The boy watched as the insect progressively moved farther away from his desire to his doom.

Then, just when the insect got to the edge of the black  circle,  this chap steetched his hands, picked it up and quickly but carefully dropped it in the white circle.

The soothsayer in shock, never seen anyone intervenes in his own matter, watching all the while, asked the chap what he did and why he did what he did.

The boy smiled and simply replied by saying, "I cannot sit and watch my destiny go down the gloom doom! While I can still  do something about it and  to change its course.  My destiny is in my hands".

He got up and left.

Many of us are behaving like the flip side of this chap.

We leave too many things to chance.

We are laid back.

We Watch things messed up right under our nose and we do nothing to change the course of what we can help.

*Many pray without a corresponding and conscious effort,  forgetting that faith without works is dead.  (it's not my quote !!)*

What you don't want, you don't watch.

*If you do nothing, nothing will happen.*

There's a time for everything under the sun..

There's a time to close your eyes in prayers and a time to open them in action.

May God give us understanding, ameen.

*Take authority over what you can and leave the rest to God.

Have a great week!

Shalom!

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The Mystery of a Grain of Wheat (The secret to eternal life)

John 12:23-24, ‘But Jesus answered them, saying, “...Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” ‘

According to science, after a seed has fallen into the ground and is covered with dirt, it dies and begins germination (Germination is the process of seeds developing into new plants). The process is simple. The seed’s hard protective shell around falls away in deterioration. The cotyledons are empowered by favourable factors like water availability, and temperature. This can only take place after the outer shells open up completely. The (inner)seed becomes filled with water in a process called imbibition. This water activates special proteins, called enzymes, that begin the process of seed growth. First the seed grows a root to access water underground. Next, the shoots, or growth above ground, begin to appear. The seed sends a shoot towards the surface, where it will grow leaves to harvest energy from the sun. The leaves continue to grow towards the LIGHT source in a process called photomorphogenesis.

That's science, you may say.

But Christ Jesus wasn't wrong in John 12:24.

Let's look at the mystery behind Jesus speech.

"As long as a grain of wheat keeps on being a kernel in the head of a stalk of wheat, it remains just that: a lone kernel of wheat among many such kernels. Only when it is detached from the head and buried into the ground by a farmer does it have a chance of producing more grain."
In like manner, Jesus is saying,

The grain of wheat is a LIFE. Its your life and mine too. Also, Jesus was referring to His life too (bible scholars shouldn't get me wrong).
The grain that wants to be productive and fulfilled must be ready to go deep into the soil and dies.

That takes place when a life - that's you - truly come to know Jesus as his/her Lord and Saviour. The seed is planted.

Romans 6:3-4,”...We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Just been planted is not all. The grain of wheat has to give up its shells, its outer husk and die.

You have to die to yourself. The outer shells of your life has be taken off. Self and flesh must be put to death so that growth can commence. Colossians 3:5-7,”Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry… You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.”

When can there be any type of metamorphosis without there first being a death and a falling away of the outer husk, which represents the sin in our lives, or our harden hearts or our attitude or nature? Romans 8:13,”For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.”

All I'm saying is that when you completely loose sight of yourself and sell out to God's nature, His will, His desire and His ways you no longer represent the you that your family had but, old things pass away and all things become new. Your cotyledon (SPIRIT MAN) becomes filled and charged with the WATER of LIFE and the HEAT of the holy Spirit respectively. Your entire spirit man becomes empowered for germination and growth. At this juncture, your spirit is modified - the shoot and roots grow. Romans 8:15-16,”...the spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

At that point, you have taken on the nature and mind of God and become His beloved. Now that's a beautiful death. Colossians 3:3,”For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

And that's also a beautiful ressurection and rebirth because all things have become new. That is the mystery of the born again experience, 1 Corinthians 15:44, “it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.”

That is not all.
You becomes a living epistle written and read of men because what remains is a raised spiritual body that begets others! 1 Corinthians 15:44-45, ‘it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body… So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.’

Now can you understand except the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies it remains alone and unproductive. And, Christ said a life that cannot produce fruits shall be cut off and counted as useless.

If you want to be productive in God's kingdom, you must die to yourself. Only when you do that will you have the opportunity to be fruitful in His kingdom. Moreover, you have Jesus as an example. Philippians 2:6-11,”In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:...”

Though He was equal to God, but He did not count His equality something to be grasped and held onto; rather, He emptied - died to - Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being made in the likeness of men. In other words, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the Father, even though by doing so I was writing His own death sentence.
In conclusion, what Jesus was saying to his audience in John 12 was that only when you die to yourself, refusing to live life autonomously but in service to me and others, will you be amply rewarded in eternity.

Are you dead to self?

Are you alive in Christ?

Who rules your spirit man, flesh or the spirit of God?

If its ruled by the Spirit of God, how far can you go for the Gospel of Christ?

How far can you go for the sake of others?

Do you want to produce fruits?

Or you want to fold your hands, watch others perish and be alone - in the state of unproductiveness?

Remember,
If you are saved you are good. But if you win a soul, you are wise!
Irrespective of that reason of yours, The only reason why you are not winning souls is because you can't preach what you don't practise!

You can't teach what you don't have!
In other words ( rather in a nutshell) it implies you are not dead!

Watch it because whatever hinders you here, will hinder you in eternity.

Mark 8:38, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord. If you are dead to flesh, you will be willing to give up your life for it. Mark 8:34-35, “...Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”

Join in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

And He save you to lead others!

Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo
Nation Of Grace Ministries

The cracked pot

I love this - I hope you do too.

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water..

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.

  'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.

The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'

'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.' 

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.

Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'

 Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

 You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

 SO, to all of my cracked pot sisters, brothers and friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

And send this to any or all of your Cracked Pot sisters, brothers and friends and see what a smile you will put on their faces

Good morning!
Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo

The Mysteries of blessing. PT 3

There are reasons why people don't get blessed.

There are reasons why the power of God don't flow effectively in people's lives.
You may think it is sins...But it isn't for the case of Christians.
So many Christians pray for breakthrough, enlargement of coast etc but God isnt answering. Do you want to know why?
        1.    Read Genesis 22:1 and Deuteronomy 8:2-5
God test people before He can manifest His promise upon a man's life.
There is a big gap between Gods promise and manifestation.
God promise and before He manifest that promise He test the man to ascertain how firm he is in Him, how much he loves Him, how well he can handle the condition when been blessed...
Check the Bible thoroughly, you will noticed that all men of God weye tested before the promise began to manifest....Abraham twice, David several times, Joshua, etc
If Abraham had failed the test do you think the promises will be fulfilled in his life?
If Abraham had not welcome those angels and fed them, do you think Isaac would be born?
If David had killed Saul that night, he won't have touch let alone enter the throne?
Is it not the same God that raise the dead? Is it not the same Jesus that made the blind to see? So is that situation too difficult for Him to handle?
It's not sin that hinders those blessings.
Many Christians don't pass the test. They remain where they are because they fail the test.
Don't take God's promise for His manifestation. Man must be tried before the next level can be unveil for him.
        2.    What delay most times, even after fasting and praying in faith, is because we don't have the capacity to receive the blessing. Are you ready for the blessing? Are you ready for the increase, because more increase more work and responsibility? More population more, more work.
Don't you know if some people received 1 billion dollars right now they will faint. When they recover they become dictator?
The effectiveness of prayer is the capacity to receive the blessings. Why should a man in a small one apartment with small space expect God to answer his prayer for Large refrigerator or big generator set? Where is he putting it. If he thinks of enlarging his coast first then those items will come.
Why should a pastor whose church is small be praying for church increase? God is saying do you have the capacity to receive it? Just expand first and watch how the increase will come miraculously. Some would say, "God I need population in my church" and in reality they are yet not ready to handle that kind of crowd. Such prayer can't be answered.
God I need children, but how do you handled other children or how well are you ready?
If God can block Rachel's womb because Jacob loved her and never liked Leah, open the eyes of your heart to decode when He is dealing with you and correct quickly.
When a man doesn't have the capacity to receive answers, or when God Sees that it will destroy the man, he withhold that which he seek from him.

Remained blessed
May God open your eyes to know His will.
Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo

How to Have a Successful Teenage Life

You may look at me and think, “What can a man his age know about being a teenager?” or “What can the instructors today know about being a teenager?”

Well, believe it or not, I once was your age, and, believe it or not, someday you will be as old as I am now.

Teenage life - the most exciting, challenging, dramatic and perplexing phase of our life.

Teenage is the life changing phase of our life, what we are in the future depends upon who we are in our teenage life. The decisions you make between now and then will determine the quality of life you have. Every decision you make right now is affecting your future — the attitude you have toward family, school and church; the kind of friends and the type of entertainment you choose; the role models you follow and the heroes you admire and imitate — all these have lasting results.

Teenage life is like your second birth, you drastically change both emotionally and physically - puberty; and the weirdest and scariest part is that this phase of your life fetches you with a new era of pressures:
Peer pressure, Parents pressure, Popularity pressure, weight pressure, Skin pressure and Future pressure.

They are not fleeting things without impact on the rest of your life. So you have to be prepared to face them the right way.
Everyone wants to succeed in their life, don't they? Even as a teenager, you can achieve success in your life; it really isn't that hard. Follow the steps below, and successful teenage years will follow suit!

Accept the teen life and learn.

Be glad to be a teenager. You can't turn back the hands of time. You can never be a toddler again. You are developing. Accept the teenage life and grow in/through it!

Teenagers are no different from anyone else. They have many of the same problems adults have, but they are less equipped to deal with them simply due to lack of experience. So, you have to learn or be brooded upon as mother hen do to her eggs before the good ones hatch.

Have a good relationship with yourself.

Do you spend more time with yourself than with anyone else? If you think about it, you literally never get away from yourself — so you had better like yourself.

We are not supposed to love ourselves selfishly, but we do need to love ourselves properly.

We are not to spend our time comparing ourselves with others and competing with them because we will never get to know ourselves.

Never compare yourself to those images of models, actors, actresses, musicians, on magazines, posters or TV. They are falsified images - after series of photo-shop effects and make-up by professionals. What you see is not the true person.

You have tremendous worth and value. In fact, you are a great person to get to know. But like everyone else, you have strengths and weaknesses. I encourage you not to major on your weaknesses but to turn them over to Jesus and let Him be strong through them. His strength is made perfect through our weakness.

Learn to get along with yourself. If you don't, you will always have difficulty getting along with others.

When you meet someone who seems to hate everyone and everything, you can be sure that person's self-image is rooted in self-hatred.

We always assume that we have something wrong with us if someone rejects us, but that may not be true — the other person could be the one with the problem.

Sincerely, rejection from peers and adults will come. That shouldn't cause you to hate yourself. We have different ideas, different hair and clothing styles, taste, etc. With all of your heart accept yourself. Don't forget, you are accepted by God and blessed with God-ordained destiny.

Ovecome your past.

This stage you are in right now is a gift from God. So overcome your the past. Are there things in your past that threaten your future, things of which you are ashamed? Have you made mistakes? Have you failed at something in your primary school days? Are there subjects you hate or found difficult in the past?

This is a new stage to change all that.

Being stuck in the past, whether it is the past from ten years ago or the past from yesterday, is just like being stuck in the mud. You may put out all kinds of effort and yet go nowhere. Why? Because God does not want you to drag your past into your future. He knows your past will poison it.

Your past is called the past because it has passed. There is only one thing you can do with your past — forget it! God has forgotten it, and so can you.

Do well in school and Manage your studies

No matter how boring it is now, education will help you be a productive member in society. Strive for excellence in school; try your best, listen to the teachers, do your homework, study, and get good grades. Doing so will help you get into a better college/university, which will enable you to get a great job in the future. School sets you up on the right track!

So, Manage your studies. Your studies is all that matters in the end. Nobody in your school will care to ask you how many friends you had when you were in school or your skin texture. They will just ask you your marks or grades. If you are dreaming of having a good college degree then focus on your studies rather than your popularity.

Figure out your goals in life and work toward them.

Start thinking about careers you would like to be in, but make a good choice based on your interests and strengths. This could be your job for the rest of your life! You could also work towards non-career-related goals, such as creating your own fundraiser, getting good grades in school, joining a team sport, etc. Challenge yourself and you'll be surprised what you can accomplish!

Don't get into any trouble, legal or otherwise.

It could ruin your future plans. Avoid the peer pressure and ditch the cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs. Abide the law and avoid ending up in the back of a police car. If you're being pressured into anything, walk away. If you can avoid these things during your teen years, they're a lot easier to avoid once you're out of high school and away from peer pressure.

Avoid places and situations that make you uncomfortable. By avoiding situations that might tempt you, you can avoid peer pressure altogether. For example, be weary of going to a party without adult supervision or meeting up with people you know do drugs, immoralities, etc.

Be nice to your parents and teachers.

Many foolishly crave for independence and privacy thinking they are adult already. This results to clashes - in school and at home.

You may complain: I get told to act more mature but I still tend to get treated like a kid. No privacy and independence?

Alot of the mollycoddling is necessary. Don’t get offended, accept and appreciate it. So many children out there have no one to protect them. Be happy to have them. Remember, they're there to help you be the best that you can be. Respect them and value their opinions, even if they annoy you sometimes. Keep in mind that they do the things they do because they care about you and want you to succeed in life. You don't get to choose your teachers or your family, but you still have to put up with them. Learn how to deal with people now, because when you're an adult, you don't get to choose your boss or your co-workers, so learn how to respect them now.

Have good friends to help you out!

Friends are there to support you and lift your spirits. Be with people who make you happy, and ditch the ones who don't. Create a group of supportive, loving friends that can help you succeed in life and live your dreams. Find a few really good friends that will stick with you once you leave high school.

Ask yourself if the people you are around are saying anything worth listening to or are doing anything worth your involvement. If not, make some changes in your lifestyle.

Do what you love.

Adopt a hobby; reading, writing, sewing, singing, dancing, playing a sport, making pottery, etc. It will pass time and help you develop your personality. Experiment and discover new things; you might be surprised to find that you really like them!

Get active! Join a sports team at school or out of school.

Believe in God!

Christ lives in you! He commands your destiny. He is your comforter. He is your Father. Remember, He made you, so He knows you better. If you believe in Him, if you stand on his power, no schemes of men or power of hell can hurt you.

Let analyse this:

1peter 1:24-25,For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

If the word of God is in you, you live forever and fulfil destiny!
If God is by your side you will find life easy.

Live life to the fullest!

You're only young for a short time, and before you know it you'll be an adult that will be lying around saying, "I wish I had done this when I was younger."
Be daring, go out into the world and live life! Life is short, so enjoy it while you can.

EndNote:
… you have a God-given right to enjoy your life and to become all that you can possibly be in Christ.
So enjoy the growth process!

Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world… Ephesians 1:4.

Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo
LiveOutLoud
Nation Of Grace Ministries

Look The Other Side!

A father was reading his favourite magazine and his little daughter every now and then distracted him.

Trying to keep her daughter busy, he tore out one page on which was printed the map of the world. He then tore the page into pieces and asked her to go to her room and put them together to make the map again.

Having done this, the father was now convinced he would read his magazine without any disturbance and also that it would take her daughter the whole day to get it done. But the little one came back within two minutes with the perfect map.

The curious and confused father asked her daughter how she could do it so quickly??
She giggled and said , "Oh… Dad, there is God's face on the other side of the paper, I made His face perfect to get the map right."

Satisfied with the answer, she ran outside to play leaving the father surprised.

In life there is always the other side to whatever you experience.
Too bad, often times we fail to look at the other side.
This other side can be the other’s perspective or the other’s circumstances.
We look not because we are afraid to look at things differently. Or, we allowed ourselves to be so clouded with the situation - groaning ad moaning - to the extent of losing our very selves to fear, doubt, failure and hopelessness.

Regrettably, we miss the opportunity of looking at the other perspective, probably a perspective that is more favourable to us either in the short run or the long run. A perspective that translates into solution.

Always remember this, there is always the other side to whatever you experience.
Whenever we come across a challenge or puzzling situation, look at the other side. You will be surprised to see an easy way to tackle the problem.

Don't pretend as though other option never existed or is never seen.

What people see as obstacles are what some reap as miracles.
What others see as stumbling blocks should be seen by you as building blocks.
The stones thrown at you by others can be your stepping stones when the ground is mudding.

Don't see failure but success.
Don't look at the problems, look at the other side there lies the solution.

I have told people this:
The angels or solutions you seek from heaven, are just beside you here on earth. They are on the other side of the exaggerated problems.

Beauty is all in the way we look at things.
Our lives shall be filled with good people and things, when we change the way we look at situations.

Also, why craving for things that don’t belong to you or that you don’t need? Why crying over that situations? Why complaining?
Do you know that on the other side of that predicaments are greatness, solutions, and suchlike that are meant for you?

All that you may need to do is to change our perspective and look at what you have, differently.

The question is not what you look at, but what you see.
Look beyond what you see http://liveoutloudng.blogspot.com/2017/07/look-beyond-what-you-see.html

We all look up at the same stars in the sky but see different things.
You hear, but are you listening,
You exist, but are you living,
You look, but are you seeing?
You read, but are you learning?
That’s what matters.

Things don’t change, only the way you look at them. Most things that you consider complex in life are actually simple things.
Just try a different way of looking at them.

"The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things." - Anonymous
So, train your mind to see the good in everything.
Positivity is a choice.

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts,
and the quality of your thought depends on what side of life you look at.

God shall open your eyes to see beyond what you see!

Be blessed!

Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo
LiveOutLoud!
NOGM

August Message For You

Ezekiel 47:12
"By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing."

August is an awesomely powerful time each year as God's power blazes us into a fiery new phase. After, His works has been perfected, what follows is the materialization o manifestation of the new phase - which will happen in August.

Isaiah 43:19, "Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands."MSG

In this fiery new phase,
Build the future,
Learn from the past and forget it!
(Isaiah 43:18 "Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history"MSG)

God's delight, what kind of future do you want to see for humanity, yourself and family?
God honoured His children - He is a promise keeper!
So, don’t worry about the how or when, focus on it!
The how and when as it applies to you will surface in your heart and mind and inspire you into creation.
"Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have.
And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds." - Philippians 4:6-7 ERV

In with the new. It’s in you.
Live it, breathe it into your world.

Jeremiah 1:10,"see, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms,... to build, and to plant."KJV

So, plant it!
Be it.
Renew your focus on what you want to create.
Start within.
We have more support for this than it seems.
God is about to surprise you!
So,
Ignite YOUR Soul in August with His words and essence daily.
Spend some time each morning to focus on your desires for the future, yours and humanity’s future.
This is your time, special one.
Be present and gift the future with your Love.

These are the times you've been preparing for.
These are the times you've been made for.
These are your times
Powerful times, indeed.

Awesome August to you!
Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo
Nation Of Grace Ministries
LiveOutLoud

HOPELESS LOVE

Once upon a time all feelings and emotions went to a coastal island for a vacation. According to their nature, each was having a good time.
Suddenly, a warning of an impending storm was announced and everyone was advised to evacuate the island.
The announcement caused sudden panic. All rushed to their boats. Even damaged boats were quickly repaired and commissioned for duty.

Yet, Love did not wish to flee quickly. There was so much to do. But as the clouds darkened, Love realised it was time to leave. Alas, there were no boats to spare. Love looked around with hope.
Just then Prosperity passed by in a luxurious boat. Love shouted, “Prosperity, could you please take me in your boat?”
“No,” replied Prosperity, “my boat is full of precious possessions, gold and silver. There is no place for you.”
A little later Vanity came by in a beautiful boat. Again Love shouted, “Could you help me, Vanity? I am stranded and need a lift. Please take me with you.”
Vanity responded haughtily, “No, I cannot take you with me. My boat will get soiled with your muddy feet.”
Sorrow passed by after some time.
Again, Love asked for help. But it was to no avail. “No, I cannot take you with me. I am so sad. I want to be by myself.”
When Happiness passed by a few minutes later, Love again called for help. But Happiness was so happy that it did not look around, hardly concerned about anyone.
Love was growing restless and dejected. Just then somebody called out, “Come Love, I will take you with me.” Love did not know who was being so magnanimous, but jumped on to the boat, greatly relieved that she would reach a safe place.

On getting off the boat, Love met Knowledge. Puzzled, Love inquired, “Knowledge, do you know who so generously gave me a lift just when no one else wished to help?”
Knowledge smiled, “Oh, that was Time.”
“And why would Time stop to pick me and take me to safety?” Love wondered.
Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and replied, “Because only Time knows your true greatness and what you are capable of. Only Love can bring peace and great happiness in this world.”

The important message is that when we are prosperous, we overlook love.
When we feel important, we forget love.
Even in happiness and sorrow we forget love.
Only with time do we realize the importance of love.
Why wait that long?
Why not make love a part of your life today?

Author Unknown

Good morning!
LiveOutLoud
NOGM

The Mouse Trap

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. “What food might this contain?” the mouse wondered.
He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning: “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!”

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, “Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.”

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!”
The pig sympathized, but said, “I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers.”

The mouse turned to the cow and said, “There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!”
The cow said, “Wow, Mr. Mouse. I’m sorry for you, but it’s no skin off my nose.”

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer’s mousetrap alone.
That very night a sound was heard throughout the house – like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.
The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.
The snake bit the farmer’s wife.
The farmer rushed her to the hospital and she returned home with a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup’s main ingredient.
But his wife’s sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock.
To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.
The farmer’s wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.
The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn’t concern you, remember, when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.
We are all involved in this journey called life.
We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.
Each of us is a vital thread in another person’s tapestry.

Author Unknown

Good Night!
Have a blissful night!

Life truth!

In life,
some may walk,
others may run,
but remember the Lord gave the tortoise and the horse the same days to reach Noah's ark.

Your journey might be rough and tough but you will definitely get to your destination.

Jacob looked at Joseph and saw a good son!
The ten brothers looked at Joseph and saw a useless dreamer!
The travellers looked at Joseph and saw a slave!!
Potiphar looked at Joseph and saw a fine servant!!
Potiphar's wife looked at Joseph and saw a potential boyfriend!
The prison officers saw in Joseph a prisoner!
How wrong were all of them! God looked at Joseph and saw a Prime Minister of Egypt in waiting!!
Don't be discouraged by what people see in you!!
Be encouraged by what God sees in you!!
Never underrate the person next to you because you never know what the Lord has deposited in that person.
Your maid may be a Chief Executive Officer in waiting for a company which shall employ your child.
Your garden-boy may be a president in waiting.
Remember David got the anointing of becoming a King while he was a simple youth herding sheep.
Esther was a simple orphaned girl yet she was a Queen in waiting.

IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW PEOPLE SEE YOU.
IT MATTERS HOW GOD SEES YOU!

God is God:
🏽He doesn't care about *age*, no wonder he blessed Abraham.
🏽He doesn't care about *experience*, no wonder he chose David.
🏽He doesn't care about *gender*, no wonder he lifted Esther.
🏽He doesn't care about *your past*, no wonder he called Paul.
🏽He doesn't care about *your physical appearance*, no wonder he chose Zacchaeus (the shortest one).
🏽He doesn't care about *fluency in speech*, no wonder he chose Moses.
🏽He doesn't care about *your career*, no wonder he choose Mary Magdalene; a prostitute.
🏽He doesn't care about *your past*, no wonder He chose Rahab and Ruth as ancestral mothers of Jesus - a prostitute and stranger.

All I know is that my God never changes
🏽He never made *a promise he wouldn't keep*👌🏾
He never saw *a person he wouldn't help*👌🏾
🏽He never heard *a prayer he wouldn't answer*👌🏾
🖼He never found *a soul he wouldn't love*👌🏾
🏽He never found *a sinner he wouldn't forgive*👌🏾
This is the kind of God I would like to commune with every day the moment I wake up. I strongly recommend Him to you.

Our inner spiirtuality

Our beliefs tend often to be hereditary;
Our beliefs are often determined by family, friends, society, etc - our upbringing.

I admonish all to follow their inner path...which Christ has created and made nonreligious, which only "few" have walked - forget the crowd you see in the religion setting today.

You know,
Often,
Its easier to get the buzz caused by the masses rather than following our inner spirituality.

Religion is like cooking - learn to cook or be forced to live on franchised fast food or live on well sold junk food.
You know junk foods are not good for our health - the spiritual health!

What/How is your relationship with God?
That is all that matter, planet-mates!

Good Morning, earth-mate!
Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo
Nation Of Grace Ministries
LiveOutLoud!

Look beyond what you see

Look beyond what you see, because our eyes are shortsighted, we can't see beyond our nose. Look beyond what you see, because beneath what you see lies the treasures of the earth. Look beyond the rose buds, because after which comes the Rose. Look beyond the muster seed because out of that tiny seed is a gigantic tree. Look beyond what others see - for their paths ain't yours , their sights ain't yours too and they ain't God! Remember, "Not everybody want to be a somebody!" Look beyond the sight of men, for what God sees concerning you is beyond any human conclusion. Look beyond the knowledge of men, for ye are gods! Look beyond the flesh of a man, the enemy is not him but the spirit in him that we wrestle against. They are your source of income! Look beyond the colour of any man - by so doing, you accept the wonderful and diversification of God's work and see them, black or white as a channel of blessings to you! Look beyond the eyes of humans...for through these one can see the very heart of men and know their desire and needs which are your business clues. Look beyond the locality of any place - for beneath the dungs and debris lies your gold and silver. Listen beyond what you hear, because beneath the lyrics, tones, beats and rhythm and suchlike lies the inspirations. Read beyond what you read, for beneath the letters lies TRUTH and power!

Look, Listen, Read, beyond what you see, hear and read - for beyond them lies the: intuition for that invention, answer to your questions, solutions to your problems, ideas for that business, innovations and transformation for growth, progress and longevity. Look beyond what you see - for beyond what you see lies the ideas and your first ten(10) billion dollars.

Two men visited India sometime ago. They saw that the people there don't wear shoes - they walk on bare foot. Maybe, they are fond of doing so. The two men returned to USA with different view. One went about telling people of the strange people he saw that don't wear shoes. "Do you know what I saw in Asia?...People without shoes..." The other didn't just see people without shoes but shoe-making business. He thought and started making easy-to-wear sandals that will be suit their taste. And, that was it - His business empire worth billions of dollars.

You don't know why others are going ahead of you. Do you know why? They looked beyond what you saw! Well, You may have the eyes of a man, see the world with with eyes of God, You may have the mind of man, but think with the mind of God. You may have the brain of a man, but reasoning like God! And live as your Father on earth! Now, look around you again...look around your vicinity again....look at the people around your environment again...tell me what you see? Do it over and over again, if you see nothing! Well well, Look, listen and read beyond what you see, hear and read! And, Hit your limelight! To Live Life Loud and to the fullness. Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo Nation Of Grace Ministries LiveOutLoud

Stay positive always

A man went for an interview in a very reputed Company. While entering the room, he slipped and fell on the ground. Documents scattered all over the place. One might be excused for feeling humiliated.

The man picked himself up. And with a smile on his face he spoke out loudly, "Finally, I have fallen into the right place !"
He was hired the very next moment.

A negative happening turned positive, simply because his attitude was positive.

Trust yourself.
Stay positive.
Stay calm because God your Maker is in control.
Stay positive and
Live Out Loud!
Life is beautiful!

Good Night!
Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo
Nation Of Grace Ministries
#LiveOutLoud

Look, listen and read beyond what you see, hear and read!

Look beyond what you see.

Look beyond what you see, because our eyes are shortsighted, we can't see beyond our nose.

Look beyond what you see, because beneath what you see lies the treasures of the earth.

Look beyond the rose buds, because after which comes the Rose.

Look beyond the muster seed because out of that tiny seed is a gigantic tree.

Look beyond what others see -
for their paths ain't yours ,
their sights ain't yours too and
they ain't God!
Remember, "Not everybody want to be a somebody!"

Look beyond the sight of men, for what God sees concerning you is beyond any human conclusion.

Look beyond the knowledge of men, for ye are gods!

Look beyond the flesh of a man, the enemy is not him but the spirit in him that we wrestle against. They are your source of income!

Look beyond the colour of any man - by so doing, you accept the wonderful and diversification of God's work and see them, black or white as a channel of blessings to you!

Look beyond the eyes of humans...for through these one can see the very heart of men and know their desire and needs which are your business clues.

Look beyond the locality of any place - for beneath the dungs and debris lies your gold and silver.

Listen beyond what you hear, because beneath the lyrics, tones, beats and rhythm and suchlike lies the inspirations.

Read beyond what you read, for beneath the letters lies TRUTH and power!

Look,
Listen,
Read,
         beyond what you
see,
hear and
read -
         for beyond them lies the:
intuition for that invention,
answer to your questions,
solutions to your problems,
ideas for that business,
innovations and transformation for growth, progress and longevity.

Look beyond what you see - for beyond what you see lies the ideas and your first ten(10) billion dollars.

Two men visited India sometime ago.
They saw that the people there don't wear shoes - they walk on bare foot. Maybe, they are fond of doing so.
The two men returned to USA with different view.

One went about telling people of the strange people he saw that don't wear shoes. "Do you know what I saw in Asia?...People without shoes..."

The other didn't just see people without shoes but shoe-making business. He thought and started making easy-to-wear sandals that will be suit their taste. And, that was it - His business empire worth billions of dollars.

You don't know why others are going ahead of you.
Do you know why?

They looked beyond what you saw!

Well,
You may have the eyes of a man, see the world with with eyes of God,
You may have the mind of man, but think with the mind of God.
You may have the brain of a man, but reasoning like God!
And live as your Father on earth!

Now, look around you again...look around your vicinity again....look at the people around your environment again...tell me what you see?
Do it over and over again, if you see nothing!

Well well,
Look, listen and read beyond what you see, hear and read!
And,
Hit your limelight!
To
Live Life Loud and to the fullness.

Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo
Nation Of Grace Ministries
LiveOutLoud

WHY TODAY MATTERS?

Today is not just any ordinary day.

Today is a day that matters.
Today you will have the choice to make a difference in your life and those around you.

Today you will have the choice to smile rather than frown, be grateful rather than selfish, lift up rather than put down, accept rather than reject and love rather than hate.

Today you will have the choice of seeking hope for the future or remain in the hopelessness of the past.

Today you have the choice to laugh or cry. Both will make you feel better.
Today you will have the undivided attention of the King of the Universe.
At that time you can ask Him anything you want.
You can ask for help, plead for a friend or just enjoy His presence.
It all depends on you.

Whichever you choose, today matters.

Make the choice to make it a day worth living.

And don't forget, tomorrow is another day.
Copyright © 2015 Tom Krause

Good Morning, God's Delight!
Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo
Nation Of Grace Ministries (NOGM)

THE MYSTERY OF BLESSINGS (part 1) ...what you also need to know about blessing...

Life is full of contradictions; with every blessing comes a burden which I choose to call: Responsibility.
It’s a blessing to get that bigger house; it’s a burden to have more to clean.
Its a blessing to get large congregation, customers, or followers; its a burden to handle or manage them rightly.
It’s a blessing to have that baby; it’s a burden to get up in the middle of the night and so on.

The mistake we make is wanting the blessing without the burden. That's not reality!
Many want the blessings but want to skip the responsibility. They forget that our Father will not give you 100 when you have not been faithful in handling 20.
He can never give you something that is bigger than you because if He do, it will crash you and you will blame Him.
He looks at your capacity and "shock absorber".

That's the reality!

Until you've the capacity to accept the burdens or responsibility and to handle the blessings, the blessings won't be given.
They come as a package which you have to carry!

Do you know that He only can tell when you are ready? It may seem to you that you are perfectly in shape but in reality (and to God) you are not ready for the next level. You still need to be brooded.
It may look like you aren't ready but to God, you are fully ready!
So just take every stages in life serious and be diligent!
Learn to grow and build yourself there before the next can be showered on you.
Learn from Abraham, David, Paul, Gideon, Moses, Elisha, Joseph etc.
Learn how they develop their capacity - intellectually, spiritually, geographically, etc before God found them worthy.
They had the capacity for the enlargement.

When planning and preparedness meet with Divinity touches, the sky is just the beginning.

The key is to be ready to enjoy the blessings with the responsibility and, to be fully prepared to accommodate the enlargement of coast the blessing will cause.

Don't be that pastor or store owner that seek more members or customers but don't know how to handle 10 members or don't have enough goods to sell and even plans to acquire them.

Get prepare for that which you are believing God for!
Enlarge your capacity and leave God to do he rest.
When He sees your diligent and readiness, He won't hesitate to open the floodgate of Heaven on you!.
He is rest assured that you will not fail and it will not crash and be wasted!

Before the advent of blessings, Divinity touches must meet preparedness - inward or outward.

Make yourself ready because no one pour new wine into an old wineskin or bottle! Those were the words of Jesus.
Be ready for the opportunity!

Stay blessed!

Happy Sunday!
Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo
Nation Of Grace Ministries
LiveOutLoud!

why you didn't die in your sleep

Do you know why you are awake?
You sleep at night and wakes up every morning?
You sleep every night. Closed the eyes as if dead - save the heartbeat. While dead in sleep, the hearts and other organs worked without our effort and knowing.
Suddenly, our eyes open into the dawn of a new day.
And the breath of life kept us alive once again.
Why didn't the heart stops beating?
Why did the eyes open at the early hours of the day?
Why didn't the eyes remain shut?
Who told the eyes to open up? You? You planned it? Nope!
It was God!
But why?
Why you?
Why you everyday?
Many have gone like. They are dead and gone in their sleep. But why you?

You are special!
That to me is an indication that God has a plan for you here. If a device is no longer useful to us, what do we do with it? We disposed it, right?

God wakes you up every morning because He sees something in you. I rephrase: because He have something in you that must be established for all to see.

Do you know what/who you are?
You are a manuscript of a divine letter.
You are a mirror reflecting a noble face.
This universe needs you.
You are a carrier of DIVINITY and His GLORY.
Do you just remove a good bulb from the lamp-holder? You leave it there to fulfill it days gloriously.
God has to ensure you are alive daily so that that GLORY can be fulfilled.
You should rejoice because He is not done with you! No one can predict your movie.
Glory!
Look inside yourself!
You are special!

Enjoy the ride of life!

LiveOutLoud!

Good Morning,
Apostle Julius Ikhide-Iyke Etaifo
Live Out Loud