OK is a New Year, what next? This dreadful deadly disease is still frolicking around. I guess it is our faith, is it really? Or is there something we can do to appease our God? I have seen countless videos of people professing the end times or even claiming to know the exact date/time. Social media can be detrimental to our health, spiritual life, emotional stability and our overall outlook of life. Proceed with Caution! Stop being overindulged of the things that have been fabricated to suit their purpose; geared towards fame, greed, monetary gains or status quo. Even the devil can make a video of His coming, because he knows what you want to see/hear just to capture your attention. Who becomes the prey now? YOU/US! Yes no doubt with our present predicament, we don’t need prophets to tell us we are facing the end times, however, no one knows exactly when that will happen except our Heavenly Father. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come”. Matthew 24:42.

When you see these signs happening, look up! The return of Jesus is imminent – a preacher once said ‘we should plan like Jesus isn’t coming for 100 years and live like He is coming back this afternoon”.  Jesus’ return can be 120 years, months or an hour from today. Matthew 24:36 states “ But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”. I don’t know about you, but I have seen enough in this life not to trust anyone, but God Himself. As you can see, everything we need to know or all that is happening today has been foretold in the Bible including what we can do to prepare ourselves for His forthcoming. Rather than focusing/watching every single video that comes through social media, please use this time to prepare and seek His face – whatever your itchy ears wants to hear, He himself will make it known to you if you seek Him wholeheartedly.

As long as you are breathing , you are not too far away to find Jesus. “He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment–to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,  in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory”. Ephesians 1:9-12. You are not too famous to come to Jesus, He is a treat to the world – you need to allow His love to call you to find Him. I tell you the truth, God can use anyone to fulfill His purpose from an alcoholic, to a thief right down to those we may refer to as scumbags. Try and taste the goodness of the Lord and you will be amazed at what He has in-store for your life. After all, he did not come to save those who are without sin “ for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost“ Luke 19:10. You are welcome just as you are, you don’t need to look like anyone else or put on a mask to be able to come to God, He sees your heart and knows your dealings, so why hide? The good news is, we are not left to figure things out on our own, God is our guide who teaches us how to live. 

When I am moved by something, I turn to share, so that others may have that same experience. How has your year been so far? Have you gone back to old habits or are you still holding yourself accountable to your New Year resolutions? If you are like most, the answer is the latter, according to the New York Post, “before the first month even comes to an end, most people have given up on their annual commitment”. That is because we are doing it all wrong “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans”. Proverbs 16:3. Now that we are aware of how we should go about, let’s start afresh. There is still 11 months left, don’t lose hope, you can still catch-up – if only you do it with His plan and purpose for your life. According to Dave Ramsey, there are seven areas to focus on at the beginning of each year; which include: Spiritual, Family, Financial, Career, Social, Physical & Intellectual. “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish”. Luke 14:28-30. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG9JRn8mVb0

Everything in life requires planning, failing to plan is planning to fail. Is a gradual process but eventually you will see the results unfolding right before your very own eyes. Resolutions are not something I struggle with, except I have made a conscious decision not to embark on a particular goal – I am a very disciplined, calculative and steadfast individual, I follow through to my words right down to the letter. Some of my spiritual goals at the beginning of this year was to look for A – Z names for The Lord & A-Z scriptures that can be easily accessible when faced with a difficult situation, this can enrich, edify our prayer life as well and make our relationships well vested. I have multiple names for each letter, however, I would like to share one of each letter with you so as to benefit your prayer life as well. (Anointed One, Blessed Redeemer, Creator, Deliverer, Eternal Spirit, Forgiver, Great Physician, Healer, Intercessor, Jehovah, King of Kings, Lamb of God, Majesty, Nazarene, Omega, Purifier, Rock of Ages, Shiloh, Teacher, Unchangeable God, Victor, Winner, Yahweh, Zion). Incorporates these names into your prayers and you will be amazed how much it can boost & strengthen your relationship with Him. 

As for the financial aspect, I would tell you what a friend once told me and has done wonders for my financial growth. ‘You can save even from the dollar you make’. Those few words carry me through my university days right to my fulfilled savings habit. When it comes to savings, stick to these five areas unfailingly – retirement, education (if you have kids), debt (mortgage, credit card, student loans etc), vacation, rainy day fund & entertainment. This will give you the confidence, empowerment, and self fulfillment you have been yawning for. As far as my career goals are concerned, I am one of those who cannot envision myself in the same department for more than a couple of years. I feel like there is a lot out there for me to learn, why should I restrict myself to the same position, when I have the option, zeal and willingness to acquire a broad experience across the organization? The only constant thing in life is change! Is ok for people who want to remain where they are, but for someone like me, we need constant change to intrigue and arouse our curiosity. “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well”. Ecclesiastes 11:6.

As for my family and social life, I make it habitual to prioritized family time by creating time for each other. Vacationing is one of the ways we can reconnect, rewind, relax and rejuvenate on all levels with nature and the people that matter the most in our lives. Even Jesus Christ rested “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31. This year, I am trying to strategize my family priorities from God, Children and Spouse to God, Spouse and Children. I am not sure if this is even possible, but I do know God has a way of working all things for His Glory. I never thought I had a problem with putting my spouse second, but since he has brought it up several times, is only fair if I take a closer look and make some necessary adjustments. Kids are a temporary arrangement, they are here for 18-21 years and leave thereafter to start a life of their own, except for millennial’s who will stay a little longer, but would eventually leave  at some point, or we have to kick them out the door. Our spouses on the other hand, are in a “for better or worse situation” we are stuck with each other, we are in it for the long run. Is good to start building that perfect foundation from the onset, so we don’t become strangers when the kids are finally out of the house. Knowing what is missing and what needs to be worked on is one of the best ways of reconstructing our relationships. “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them“. I John 4:16.

I consider my physical well-being as part of my wellness, mental health and physique. I want to be comfortable in my own skin irrespective of what others think. I am doing it for me, what I expect for myself, how I would like to present myself – with that in mind, I would never have any regret or blame anyone about my decisions in life. I won’t stand here and tell you it is easy, nothing is! But having that willpower, determination and consistency will surely yield results.“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 -27. As far as my intellectual development is concerned, I engage in critical thinking activities like panel discussions, research, write, read quotes of influential individuals and most importantly, read the Bible to acquire wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the reality of our society.

Everything that is happening in the world today first existed in the Bible, and the only way to get solutions is to go back to the roots where it first originated to seek the tactics and strategies they used to overcome it. “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As Obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance”. 1 Peter 1:13-14. Now you know my secrets to making lasting resolutions. Don’t just read it, do something about it! I can sit here and preach all day, or you can read countless books, but if you don’t act on it, it is all music to the ears. Life is all about taking chances, getting messy, taking risks and learning; as you stumble and fall you will eventually get back up again! According to Wayne Gretzky “you missed 100% of the shots you don’t take”. XOXO

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