TRY ONCE AGAIN! 
19102019
© Israel Ayanwuyi, 2019 

Those pains we feel when we have tried something again and again, yet failed are one of the most serious distress a man can encounter, you know? Dammit! It is a serious one to experience in all of our doings. I know pain is a norm to every mortals and perhaps immortals, too, but let us focus on what really concerns us—We mortals.

Most times we get to end of the road after we've strived to make a turn over but failed. I've just got this  to charge your spirit to successfully make it through on trials.

You know, in Luke 5, Jesus was doing his Father's work on the shore —preaching— and he had a need for a pulpit when great crowds pressed on him to listen to the word of God. He made a business proposal to Simon Peter to use his boat as pulpit to teach the crowds.

Peter had worked hard all night and he didn't catch a thing[fish].
Peter didn't stop Jesus from using it. Jesus stepped into one of the boats, and asked Simon, its owner, to push it a bit into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

And when Jesus had finished, profited from the business, he had to make Peter gain and share from the partnership as well.

HE instructed Peter to go DEEPER, and let down his nets to catch some fish. Peter had no reason to let those nets down because he had done more than try from his own capacity overnight but he just had to let them down again at Jesus' word.

Lo! This time, their nets were so full of fish that they began to tear and  his shout for help brought his partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and even on the verge of sinking.

Peter and his partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him.

Do you notice Peter would never have this reward if he had not agreed to partner with Jesus? Do you also notice Peter would never enjoy this natural benefits if he had not agreed to go DEEPER at Jesus word?

Peter took a wise step, he succumbed to support Jesus business and Jesus paid attention to his need and business also. Peter included Jesus in his life affair. Peter took instruction from Jesus to go deeper and he had the reward.

Peter got this reward when he didn't even ask for any reward. It came to him naturally because he had submitted his will for the Kingdom establishment and propagation, first.

Peter and his partners further received an honour to co-labour with Jesus to be his disciple[fishers of men], by the selection of grace and partnership. They had honour to be his first apostles who joyfully shared in everything, including his suffering and glory in his Father's Kingdom. What honour, success, prosperity and achievement can be above this?

In divine connection, you should never miss transaction with the person of Jesus Christ; without him, you are with no shape, just like an amoeba. It is from Jesus office everything receive definition and success. 

The life of Peter, whose name previously was Simon—a weed tottle to and fro by the riverside—received definition and drastic change when he entered into the economic of the discovery of Jesus, his name changed to "The Living Stone" —Peter, upon which I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 

Beloved, will you also try once again? But this time, you must include Jesus in your trial, you must do it with him. Pay attention to God's business first. He is able to work excellently far above your imaginations.

For you are the descendant of Abraham, the LORD calls you blessed. Amen. Be encouraged!

Scriptures excerpt from Luke 5:1-11; Mathew 16:18; Matthew 6:33
Source - https://bit.ly/32VqkQY

YOUR STORY
© Israel Ayanwuyi, 2019

Although it may not be easy, decision to follow Jesus always worth it as it involves forsaking our own life and ways totally for the life and way Jesus had made available for us (note that I said totally, not partially). From the scriptures, the first four disciples Jesus made—Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John which are sons of Zebedee—had to completely leave what they are doing and follow Jesus instantly. Don't you think this kind of faith worth speaking about? They were not doing part-time of their fishing work and following Jesus, they followed completely.

As far as salvation is concerned, we owe the world a true life story of what our past and present life look like. Is there a distinct difference from your past life and present? Are you still working in partiality? Or you are having a little touch of your past?

Me: What is your salvation experience?
A: Sometimes I used to steal but now I only steal from my parents.

Bible: If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Ephesians 4:28

B: I used to slay everyday with my dresses, words, hairstyle and makeup but now I only do that on Saturdays for Owambe party or Sundays.

Bible: Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

C: I always express I love you in words to everyone around me

Bible: Dear friends, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. I John 3:18

D: I used to feel guilt of my past sins when I was of the world

Bible: Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. I John 3:20

E: I pray once in a week, during cooperate prayers or when in church/fellowship.

Bible: Pray without ceasing. I Thessalonians 5:17

F: I cry or run out of God whenever I face challenges or trials.

Bible: I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33

G: I used to back out my integrity at the face of tribulations.

Bible: You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14

H: I always succumb to peer pressure because I cannot stand alone.

Bible: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. I Peter 2:9

I: I get angry easily but now it is only once in a while.

Bible: And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Ephesians 4:26

Through Jesus Christ, the Father, God, called us to be perfect as He is—like Father, like son [Matthew 5:48]. I bring you a message to come hither, you have all it takes to live perfectly as God is. For He said, my grace is sufficient for you(More than you need). Decision to follow Jesus Christ is one you truly have to make, be determined, persisted and consistent about.

Forsake lukewarmnesss, selfishness, idolatry, cheating, ungodly and seductive dressing, immorality, strife, anger, pride, jealousy and many others.

In all of these things, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Pay deliberate attention to your growth and pursuit in God. Whoever save his life shall lose it but whoever forsake his life shall find it, only in Christ Jesus. Be encouraged!

The Journey Is Still Far
06012019
© Israel Ayanwuyi, 2019

A number of times, I have read about Elijah, but recently, I gained a fresh insight from his experience after he killed all prophets of Baal. Will you follow me?

Elijah laid down and slept under the broom tree when the angel of the Lord touched him and said, "Get up and eat!" Elijah didn't waste time; he ate and lay down again. Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”

Food is a vital ingredient for human existence. It is from food that we derive physical strength, and many things can be avoided by regular intake of food. The second coming of the angel was therefore a very clear reminder or revealer for Elijah to know that the journey ahead was very far!

Quite interesting. If there was no second coming of the angel, Elijah wouldn't have realised the extent and demand of the journey ahead, definitely. Also, the angel of the Lord came to Elijah and asked him to eat because where he was wasn’t the place God had in mind to be his final destination.

You may say without any doubt, "Elijah was subtly tired". Someone perhaps might say, "His angst destabilized him". Actually, in truth, the man lacked strength and courage at that very time, and consequently, he lost visions, ideas, and maybe even consciousness to know what would be happening next about his life.

Many a time, we do have potential abilities to execute plans, visions and ideas, but they remain recessive inside of us. We lack strength! We lack courage! We lack reminder!

A lot of people have gone astray because they lacked someone to encourage them. A lot of people are backsliding each day because they forget the new creature that Christ has made them to be, through his suffering, death and resurrection.

They need the strength that we can only get by knowing that God loves us each so very much that His one and only son, Jesus himself, died a horrible and humiliating death on our behalf. It’s the strength that we get every Sunday or fellowship as we sit and listen to God’s word in its truth and purity as expressed in sermons.
It's  the strength that we get as we sing songs of praise to Him. It’s the strength that we get as we join others in fellowship; as we sing hymns, pray, confess our sins, give our offerings and partake of the Lord’s Supper together.

Isn't it sad that some people are out there who lack this strength, reminder and courage?

Please, as the writer of Hebrews encourages us, let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

Child of God, no matter where you are today, it is not God’s final destination for you. As long as there is still life in you, there are yet more grounds to cover and more territories to conquer. Beloved, your journey is still far and the future is still wide open. You need to be encouraged! You need to start encouraging someone today! Ask them about their life with God. Ask them how is their relationship. How are they executing the will of God? Ask if they are still living as the Lord has intentions for them. Push a text, call out to someone today and continously. Ask how they are doing in the Lord. Be encouraged and encourage others!

Source - https://bit.ly/2Ri4TVK

If this message is worth it, kindly forward to others whom you feel need your encouragement. Today, I call you blessed!