[Ukemeobong Michael]

Amen! is what I can say to purposeful living. Thank you@purposefaith for sharing in such a simple yet powerful way. What stands out for me in fulfilling divine purpose is that it can be a lonely path many times because the vision is like a pregnancy, which changes your perspective and lifestyle. Things you used to do like everyone else now change. Even your friends and companions change because you are now incompatible. The vision can even make some people hate you for not being like them anymore. I see why God called Abraham away from his family and country to a new place. Every vision will bring you out to a new place by faith.

Personally, I am becoming more selective and specific in what I get involved with, even if it is in the name of God. All things may be good to do but not all are advantageous or will bring me God’s reward. One of my greatest prayers is to be efficient in the use of God’s grace in those areas He wants me to and not just where people applaud me the most. Stay on course with the vision by faith.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

There is so much darkness with deception and seduction of the wrong information around us in today’s woke world. People almost can’t clearly see right from wrong. Some just want to be politically correct. Our role is to dispel the darkness by Continuous speaking of the truth standing together to breakdown the walls of misinformation against God’s word. The light shines in darkness and the darkness cannot comprehend it.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

There is so much darkness with deception and seduction of the wrong information around us in today’s woke world. People almost can’t clearly see right from wrong. Some just want to be politically correct. Our role is to dispel the darkness by Continuous speaking of the truth standing together to breakdown the walls of misinformation against God’s word. We can’t do it by arguments but by shining the light which darkness cannot comprehend or overcome.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

So important to me. Sometimes people hide behind “talking faith” or positive confession, that they begin to have unreal and exaggerated opinion of themselves. They listen to no one and won’t take correction from anyone. It is however important to not to be falsely humble or have a low opinion of yourself.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thank you@phil4krist for the exposé on this parable of the Kingdom. It admonishes us on the risk of playing religion, not acknowleging the true purpose of God. Jesus told the Jews that they err because they do not know the scriptures nor the power of God. He told them that they suppress the word of God through their traditions (religious mindset exalted above the God of the true worship of God).

I think this parable warns us about the danger inherent in human nature where we covet and cling to positions and privileges of power to a point that we forget its true purpose. This is why the greatest threat to Christianity comes from religious leaders because they do not want their loss of purpose to be exposed by the ones who are demonstrating the true life of the Kingdom. They fight to retain their relevance which is why they didn’t mind lying to kill Jesus even when it was against the law they represented.

We must never lose focus on the true purpose of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ- He came to unfold the Kingdom of God and its influence on this earthly realms. We are His offspring and fruit of the Kingdom.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

I will share my little experience about my evolution of some sort with giving a Christian teenager growing up.
I grew up in the a Roman Catholic background and I learnt early to do certain rites like what was called the Novena or some penance where I would fast in other ways like volunteering to fetch water for the needy students or just sacrifice a part of my meal in the boarding house(which by the way was a difficult thing to do if you’ve been to a boarding school). But these helped me see the world differently. Then after high school, the the Holy spirit would impress upon my heart to give beyond my usual offerings and sometimes I would trek back home because I had given my transport. I would take some food from home to another neighbour who didn’t have. All these I did because I believed that this was my way of showing obedience to God and I actually saw God blessing me in various ways and increasing me in wisdom.
Then I started listening to some prosperity messages and some of them made giving become a bit complex and mechanical to me especially when I was told of different kinds of offerings – from first fruit to seed, to breakthrough offerings and the likes. We were even encouraged to borrow to give beyond our abilities. I started struggling because I wasn’t sure if I was even giving enough. In fact, there was a time I almost believed that the only way to get God to answer your prayers speedily is to give or sacrifice something or that if you are going through a difficult time or delays, it must be that you are not giving enough😁😁.For me giving became transactional and I lost my fulfilment.
Then the Holy Spirit began to teach me again about the basic ways of giving. God is not hungry and is not looking for your money before He can bless you. He cannot ask you for what He has not given you. His commandments are not grievious.He loved us even when we did not love Him back. So you cannot make Him love you more. When He inspires us to give, it is always for our good and to train us to be like Him. Jesus said that if you’re unfaithful with unrighteous mammon, how then can you control divine riches.
Giving cures our selfishness and greed and frees us to see God as our source. We become more like God because then we are not attached to earthly things but use them as tools for God’s glory. Then God can trust us not to become carried away with the fashion and lusts of this world. Only then can the true power of God become more evident in our lives because we have crucified the flesh and have divine contentment. We can say like Paul in Philippians 4 that we know how to have contentment in whatever situation we find ourselves. I believe this is why God tested Abraham by asking him to give his most valuable item- his son. God didn’t need that sacrifice, which is why He stopped Abraham in his tracks. However, He made Abraham an everlasting blessing.For me, I plan my giving every month because God also expects us to organise our lives, but I am also aware that a need may arise to be met in the Kingdom and I will do so as I am led by the Spirit. I now strive to give from a planned, intentional, voluntary, willing and a happy position, in appreciation of God’s blessings and not necessarily so He can bless me (which He does) or to get Him to do something for me(which He does always anyway).

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thank you Nia. I think its a captivating heading. We have been trained in our traditional education system to compete with each other to reach a predetermined goal in order to be termed successful. Unfortunately, we don’t know who set the goal or determines what success is. I often think about it that our examinations are geared to favour those who can memorise data or facts and regurgitate them without recourse to others who appreciate facts differently. I see why homeschooling seems to be a trend though it has its own social challenges.

I agree that as believers, its important to infuse our children with the right concepts about life while we guide them to follow their God-given passions and purpose. In dealing with my children I try to watch how they respond to different scenarios or experiences of life, from food, to TV programs, to individuals, et. This helps me understand how to relate better and engage them better.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thanks @phil4krist for this enriching discussion. I have just shared it on my Facebook page because so many people out there need to hear it as well.

I think this re-echoes the recent discussions on this platform and Kingdom channel live. Life is not a passive process where we say, “que sera sera”- whatever will be, will be or as some talk about “fate”. Also some may misunderstand faith to mean abandoning everything to God without any commitment on our part. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for … There has to be a hope also for faith to work. When we preach the gospel, ww create hope so that faith can be birthed in the hearts of the hearer.

This message is so important to me, because it reminds me about the blog made on this platform at the beginning of this year about Taking stock. It is crucial to have a clear plan on different areas of our lives and then in the middle of it, we take time out for evaluation and reappraisal of how far we’ve come and then see which areas we can tweak for greater productivity. As a student, what is your goal, is it to graduate with a distinction or make a mark in your field? It is possible if we set the right daily targets and work towards it. In my profession, I know my curriculum is very wide and I cannot afford to wait until few months to exams to prepare for it, so I plan to start early. In my family, I look out for how each member can be the best of themselves and try to provide the tools and inspiration to them. I actively choose my friends and relationships to be productive ones. In my personal life, I think of how to raise my standard of living by striving to replace old things to match my current level in life. There were times I couldn’t afford a brand new equipment and had to get the cheaper ones though lower quality, but as I increase, I try not to get stuck in that old thinking too, I can now go for the higher quality that I can afford. In my spiritual life, I look at how to increase my prayer time from just the one hour; how to surround myself with more spiritual materials; contribute more financially and in physical committments to the growth of the fellowship. Financially, I’m thinking of ways to increase my self- worth, productivity and investment portfolio so I can take advantage of God’s grace for my prosperity, even when it meant taking a large pay cut to go into a training position for few years, because I know, I’ll get the pay back after I finish at a higher level.

There’s a lot to say but like Paul says, its good to constantly renew our minds, so we can plan and be transformed into God’s best for us.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Wow! This is a super talent! Such a beautiful art. May God bless and open doors of greatness on him.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thank you@phil4krist for an elaborate and insightful response. Thanks for reiterating that scripture in John 1:4 ” In Him (the word) was life and the life was the light (civilization) of men” Its mind blowing to think of it. Surely Isaac Newton was a great one.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thank you Maureen for your inspiring insight. Its such a great talent your son is displaying. It reminds me of Bezaleel in Exodus 31 who was blessed with artistic gifts to design the Ark of God. It is a great thing that you are exposing him to the influence of the Holy Spirit. There is no limit to what the Holy Spirit can inspire his heart to draw which will always stand out and be a unique blessing to everyone that gets in contact with his art. I see art as a powerful tool that can minister the gospel beyond just words.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

So true! Thanks@purposefaith. We do have the upper hand and access to superior knowledge. The Word of God births Light (development) wherever it goes.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thanks Phil.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thanks Nia

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Lol! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me 🤣🤣🤣