[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thank you Pst Phil for the thought provoking post. I often get a lot of these thoughts especially in the place of prayer or sometimes in my daily musing. I think the challenge is that we are expecting something very big or may be that sounds “spiritual”. But God could give you an idea how to improve an aspect of your job or department and that could lead to a breakthrough or quality improvement that will make you stand out.

I have learnt that when you feel frustrated about something, its a sign that you can do something to improve it. Like Daniel, we can turn our frustrations to creativity. While working in the Emergency department during my training, I felt frustrated with a part of the system and I set out to raise a survey which showed that about 80% of the staff were frustrated with it too. This led to a robust discussion to change the system. This made me have favour with the Clinical Director there.

The challenge I also experience is that feeling of indifference or just not believing that the little idea can bring about a big change. Sometimes we listen to discouraging voices or feeling that the idea is too big to accomplish. I believe when we prayerfully consider the thoughts that God places in our hearts, discuss with like-minded progressive believers , and take that bold first step to do them, God can use them to do exceeding abundantly, above all we ever asked or imagined.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thanks Nia for the educative post and for clearing a common misconception about the fruit of the Spirit. Its good to know we don’t have to try to acquire each one, then it would defeat the purpose of grace and turn it into a set of rules like the law. When we understand that it is about the results expected from our having received the Holy Spirit, then we can yield ourselves more to the loving relationship. Lovely to think of it. Just like saying the characteristics of a human being is that one is able to talk, walk or act in certain ways, thats same with this.But we have our part to play which is exposing ourselves to the right nutrients from the word of God so these qualities can find easy expression in our daily lives.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

I really love this. To think of it, this happens often even subconsciously. Especially in the western world where the mention of God is like an unusual thing. I’m learning to intentionally use terms like “thank God” or “By God’s grace” instead of saying “thank goodness” or “all things being equal”. Because subtly God is being removed from our language of communication. When you do this, some people are surprised and you subtly plant the seed that you acknowledge the sovereignty of God. Our small communication may be the door to deeper discussion about God and His kingdom. This is what we do here in Kingdom concepts and Kingdom channel is another strategy to disseminate the seed of God’s word in our airspace.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Inspiring comments. Consistency is key. Part of this is setting targets that are achievable and growing from. Don’t set a two- hour target if you only have very limited time in the morning due to work or even family commitments. You can set special days for longer devotion. Also don’t stay too long on a 10-minute target when you know you can do better. You need to stretch yourself spiritually if you want to grow. This is part of godly exercise, strengthening your spiritual muscles.<div>

Does time matter? yes and no. Yes because when you are trying to grow it important to stretch yourself else you’ll not be motivated to go higher and you cannot measure your growth. Also as we go deeper we find that the longer time you spend with God, the more you discover and experience the power of his presence. It becomes easier to do it without thinking. Moses spent 40days and 40 nights and came out with his face glowing. Don’t underplay the effect of longer time in God’s presence. Jesus asked his disciples to spend 1 hour with him, so he had a time frame in mind. You may start with few minutes like I did but aim to grow from there. Conversely, No because God does not function in time and space and just needs your availability and consistency. Also the Holy Spirit can help our infirmities and does not want us fixated or guilty because we did not meet a certain time target. Its not a tick box exercise and definitely not a bragging right, but an active process of growth through relationship.

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[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thanks a lot @purposefaith for the inspirational and creative discussion. Talking about God’s creativity, its amazing how much detail God has on everyone of us that no two people have same finger prints. God pays attention to detail in creativity and wants us to do so.

Talking about this platform, its great to see how far we’ve come from planning some months ago to the where we are now. Kingdom concept has always been about bringing the gospel of the Kingdom of God in creative and accessible ways to our world to ensure there is no barrier hindering anyone from this message and this platform is only one of those powerful tools. Like a seed I see it grow to house many more visions.

Personally, I have had various creative ideas from God whether in ministry or my profession and even my family, some have come to pass and some we are still working on. For example even in little things like buying clothing or furnishing, I have to look in my spirit to be sure it corresponds with God’s vision in my heart. In parenting, we prayerfully hatch ideas for the children’s learning. At work, I think of ways to do my work excellently and keep praying and working to improve which makes you stand out.

I see prayer time as my most important creation time. Prayers are not always about requests but more about seeing what God sees because He has already pre-planned everything according to his purpose. Prayer elevates your perception of things to see from God’s perspective. That way you recreate on earth according to the heavenly pattern.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Inspiring message! There is a season for everything God sends us to do and when we yield ourselves to carry out these tasks, we find ease and supernatural assistance.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

I do wonder about water baptism and its relevance today. Personally I have been baptized twice😃😃 – one by pouring water on my head at about 10yrs old and another by full immersion. I do think it is a significant statement faith. Is there a reason we don’t see it practised as much these days? I would like to know how other people view water baptism.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thanks Nia for the lovely article. We say that life is a constant flux meaning we are constantly changing. Paul says “though our outward man perishes but our inward man is being renewed day by day..”. I love that scripture. It means that in the midst of q changing world we can trust in the regeneration of our inner self. How does that happen, by prayer and renewing our minds with the word of God. Going through a transitional period can be pleasant if we are in a pleasant experience. The hard one is when it seems dark and lonely or when God is stripping us of distractions, wrong friends or habits that we loved. But like a patient trusts the surgeon despite the pain of the operation, when I trust in God’s ever loving plan and faithfulness, I know He will make me the best of me. Those days I remember singing a song that God is able, more than able to accomplish what concerns me today…to make me what He wants me to be.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Really interesting because thats what we are about in this community. We are the lampstand to help everyone’s light shine brighter. Lets bring our gifts on board.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thats so true. God wants us to be solution providers and proof producers not just professing Christians in the marketplace. This is the way we expand the influence of His kingdom.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Very explicit scripture. Thanks Pst Phil for sharing. We have to look and keep on looking at God’s picture against all distractions.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

thanks @purposefaith for the insight into another aspect of this. i think things a definitely a bit different when you start a family. little wonder Paul stated this in 1 corinthians 7 that the married person will have many distractions. These are valid challenges which I also struggle with because its no longer about what you want but you have others to take care of and carry along in any decision you make. Like you said, it not about a set of tick boxes but about a heart that is committed to intimacy. God knows our areas of struggle and sometime ago when I felt guilty for missing a prayer time, this became a ripple effect hindering me further from praying even at another time. The Holy spirit then spoke to my heart that I should leave the guilt and take advantage of the next opportunity. Its not a set of rigid codes but a loving relationship.

However, we need to set the targets for our own development because no athlete that wants to improve goes in without a measurable plan. God wants us to exercise ourselves in godliness. Setting a goal helps us know how much we have improved. But we must not make this become a hindrance or law to us and not a point of competition with others or boasting.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thanks Philip for this. Thats true. The word piety has been lost. Growing up we heard the term Pious man a lot but it seems to be a forgotten or archaic term. I think setting a practical target and growing from there helps.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thank you Jefferson. I think these are practical suggestions. I like the part of using your commute time as well. Yes it is amazing to see how devoted Daniel was despite being the Governor of governors. I think he formed it into a habit just like brushing the teeth or eating food. We tend to struggle now because there’s so much information. Sometimes having a special day in the week set aside for devotion may also help especially if you are too busy during the week.

[Ukemeobong Michael]

Thanks Nia. It becomes easier when we acknowledge that we are not alone in our Christian walk with God. Jesus Christ told us that lo, He’ll be with us even to the end of the age. That way we can be encouraged that He’ll strengthen us in times of need.