Don’t be too serious!

It has become normal to start the year full of energy, enthusiasm, highly spirited, and full of live. Many fired their hope, aspirations, dreams and great expectations with dry fasting and prayers. During this period, listen to people; it is not difficult for anyone to be a motivational speaker.  Whatever approach adopted as an individual in starting the year with; all is well! While I believe nothing is wrong or bad starting on those notes. I will encourage you to take it slowly, not too seriously (not complacent though) but steadily and consistently.   

Occasionally, relax, crack jokes, look funny and be funny. Make yourself happy. Visit friends and party when necessary. Enjoy your life. Attend live events. Release your nerves. Remove tension. And renew your mind. Do ‘crazy’ things and laugh it all out! For even your maker says; ‘But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!’ Hab 2:3 TLB. You will win because; slow and steady win the race.

Quit the struggles

Having tasted wisdom

Foolishness becomes a taboo
Wisdom simplifies matters before me
Wisdom magnifies the microchip solution hidden in a matter
She doesn’t cry to be heard in public domain
Wisdom amplifies the voice even in silence
She fly without losing colour
Wisdom bridges the gap and shorten long journey
Light surpasses darkness
Revolution incomparable to resolution
Fulfillment is higher, superior and better than success
With the instrumentality of wisdom;
Hope dashed is better than hopelessness
Just as Wisdom is better than strength
And Strategy is better than energy
Quit the struggles; get the multifaceted Wisdom
Wisdom offends, defends, preserves, sustains and retains
Oh depth of Wisdom I pray!

THE MAGICAL WORKINGS OF LUCK

All for Luck! Luck? Yes, luck! Few words generate arguments and contention like it. The religious mind contends and preaches against it. The free mind is neutral about it. The indolent contends for it. Some pray for it. Some pray against it. Some clamour for it. Some shout it down. Some wait and waste for it. Some work for it and work into it. And, some accidentally, by chance or providence walk into it. 

Truth be told; aren’t you appreciating the way things fall in place for some? Aren’t you amazed at the way things happen for certain people? Aren’t you amazed at the speed, the frequency and the accelerated promotion of some? Aren’t you unnecessarily agitated for the remarkable rising to stardom of some? Aren’t you jealous of others occasionally? Aren’t you envious and desire the way it is for some? Haven’t you nurtured, and questioned the impartiality and fairness of God and nature? Has it ever occurred to you some people seem to monopolize and customized God so to say? I mean – that God seems to be at the prompt service; give attention to the prayers, need and aspiration of some than others? Aren’t you hungry, angry, longing, yearning and praying for that little luck or favour to smile upon you? 

Wisdom Today Speaking, yes, we all did, and do at some point in time in our life. Although, those guys might not even be able to explain the way it happened. A very critical, but balanced view will help. The word luck may not be in the holy book or in the constitution of any nation. In fact, depending on your religion affiliation, philosophy and school of thought – you may/may not believe anything called luck. Nevertheless, I believe in luck. Assuredly, there might be many ways to kill a rat, but, only one way is needful per time. There might be many formulae to solving a problem; but you only need one per time. Ultimately, there might be many ways to the market, but you must know yours per time, because, you can’t access all the routes at ones. The need to identify your way per time is Key to making things happen in life. This is simply Labouring Under Correct Knowledge – LUCK! Because sometimes, and most times, 'a handful of luck is worth more than a truckload of wisdom'.

Change is geography

Change simply means geography, relocate, re-position, exposure, and environmental. What’s your definition of change? Change, most often when used, connotes attitudinal, character, orientation, manner and mentality transformation, renewal and refinement. But the major enhancer of the aforementioned is geographical, locational and positional change. Change of environment or exposure to a new world leads to mental upgrade. When you relocate or change environment…it radically and drastically alter your attitude, culture, values, manner, character, orientation, thinking, perception and mentality. You definitely wear a new look altogether. A new you emerge with time. We are products of environment! The first question God ever asked humanity. Where are you? A question of geography but the man supplied a biological answer, ‘I am naked’. Where you are (place, environment and geography) determines your definition and concept about life and consequently your economy. Change simply means relocate, geography, re-position, exposure, and environmental.

The Litmus/Acidic Test of True Wisdom

The test of wisdom is not in how vast you are in learning.

It is not in how much you know.

It is not in how much you can offer/deliver.

It is not in how intelligent you are.

It is not in how dull you seem to be

It is not in how clever, smart or slow you look.

It is not in how oratory you are in speech.

It is not in how eloquent you are in speech.

It is not in how accurate your judgment is.

In fact, it is not in “how always right, correct, precise and accurate your judgements are! ”

                                         

It is in how humble you are.

It is in how corrigible you are.

It is in how much you are ready to take correction either when you are wrong.

It is in how much you can swallow your pride.

I mean it is in how much you can swallow your pride when conversation or discourse does not go your way.

It is in how much you could swallow your pride even when you are Right but the issue, matter, discourse or the point of discussion does not go your way.

Prov 9:8-10

Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;

rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;

teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

NIV

You could be Praised for 24hrs and forget the Praise so soon but, always remember that little insult in the midst of the 24hrs. Somebody could praise and commend you for the next one hour but the only thing you will not forget is the area of disagreement. And this is pride. You must learn to swallow your pride. Perhaps you need to know that;

You will not always have your way because, your most honest advice, opinion will be rejected one day!

You will not always have things done in your own way even if/when you are Right!

You will not always win the argument all the times.

You will not always be right all the times.

Therefore, you must learn to always tolerate and celebrate others because, he that compete with another is not complete. Your most accurate counsel and advice will face rejection and opposition willfully or otherwise one day. Would you kill yourself for that? You must always learn to swallow your pride to give others the chance to reign or have their way also. You must imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.

Ahitophelic Case Study!

2 Sam 16:21-23; Ahithophel answered, "Lie with your father's concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench in your father's nostrils, and the hands of everyone with you will be strengthened."

So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he lay with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel's advice. 2 Sam 17:1-12 NIV

Ahithophel said to Absalom, "I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David.

I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king

and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed."

This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.

But Absalom said, "Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say."

When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, "Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion."

Hushai replied to Absalom, "The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time.

You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops.

Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, 'There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.'

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.

"So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba - as numerous as the sand on the seashore - be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle.

NIV

When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father's tomb. NIV

Caution of Wisdom

The more you know the more your teachers reduces. 

The more you know the more those who will correct you will be far away from you.

The more you know the more your teachers become little in your sight.

When Solomon thought he knew and nobody was wise enough to correct  him

his wisdom become corrupt. May you and your wisdom never be corrupt.

                                               

Adigun Timothy

Without taking anything away from this piece, I think James 3:13-18, will compliment this write up very well!"...Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom...." Often times, what people have is knowledge [ acumination of facts, experienmental results and figures of proof], not wisdom and no matter your status, knowledge puffs up! But if a man has wisdom, the litmus test is "...a good conversation with meekness ..", which you called Humility! Nice one bro! Thank you sir! Your write up is always a blessing, thought provoking! God bless you, God bless Word of God Service!

  Oluwapelumi Johnson Olatuyi  This is Top Secret. A person that lives in Humility is a wise person.

Adegoke Victor I'm coming across this write up for the first time sir and i must confess, it really ministered to me. It's precise, complete and inspirational. Wisdom from another perspective which i think is exceptional. God bless u for this and many more coming. I've been blessed!

Favour Folorunsho  yes, very unique write up and so much more healthy for the mind, wise saying is only for the wise for it is too hard for the otherwise. ... I blessed the Lord for Pastor John A.

Nicholas Ogwuche  This piece seems to encapsulate what wisdom is all about, awaking my consciousness to the fact that wisdom is indeed the principal thing. bless you sir!

Oyediran Funmi Oyebisi Its inspiring and inspirational. I`m blessed. May the Lord bless the works of thy hands pastor.

Ajibola Christopher Thought provoking prov 4:7bkjv with all thy getting get understanding,prov17:24akjv wisdom is before him that hath understanding,17:27bkjv a man of understanding has an excellent spirit It takes the understanding of God to apply wisdom. Thank u sir. Humility, even the Almighty God says in his word to the Humble I God humble myself. There is a greater power in humility. 

                 

TO ALL MY TRUE BENEFACTORS

It is not everybody that is thinking about YOU. And, to be candid, you are not, and cannot be thinking about everybody too. Differences abound between; 

1. Asking before receiving,
2. Thinking for you, and
3. Thinking about you
By way of illustration; you may need to either humble or humiliate yourself to ask some people for help, which may or may not guarantee receiving. Many may be thinking for You, perhaps because you engage or pay them to. But, none of those is applicable for those thinking about You.
 
Second Kings Chapter number four verses nine and ten confirms; she said to her husband, "Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually. 10 "Please, let us make a little walled upper chamber and let us set a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lamp stand; and it shall be, when he comes to us, that he can turn in there." NASU

Unfortunately, those thinking about you are not just few, but rare to come by.  Sampling or conducting opinion poll of your so-called friends, associates, partners, colleagues, well-wishers and even family members will attest to this dangerous truth. Selah. Therefore, discern, connect and appreciate those people that are thinking about you, your family, your peace, comfort, well-being, future, dream, career, project and ministry. Do not be ashamed to ask. Do not neglect or despise those that are thinking for You. But, appreciate specially and treat with honour and dignity those that are thinking ABOUT YOU! I sincerely appreciate those that are thinking about me and my ministry; Gideon Ayooluwa Olatuyi, Adigun Timothy, Agbonfioror Philips, Oladele Abiodun, Komolafe Kayode Kingsley, Deaconess Oyewole, the Oyewoles, Oluwatobi Titilayo OJD and a host of others whose names are not mentioned for want of space. Because, it is a blessing and rare honour to have you all thinking about me!

Handling losses. . Redeeming the time

You cannot win everybody or everything at every time. And you cannot lose everything and everybody at the same time. The good thing about life is, you don’t need to win everybody’s vote or endorsement to be successful.

                                               

 Men and Women will always walk in and out of your life whether you like it or not. Borrow a leave from the the perfect master, Jesus Christ, ‘After Jesus said these things, many of his many followers left him. They stopped following Jesus. Jesus asked the twelve apostles, ‘Do you want to leave too?’ John. 6:66-67.(ERV).

It wasn’t that Jesus left them, they left him. Just as Lot separated himself from Father Abraham and not the reverse. Jesus lost at least 5000 – member congregation that day as a result of his undiluted and UN-compromised message and teaching. I guess losing was not a big deal to him because, he was even asking the 12 if they were ready to follow suit.

Losses are real. But, you can handle them. Crisis will come even without legal invitation. In fact, it may not even be your fault. Shaking is coming. God will shake away certain people and things from you. And, He will use certain things to shake you away from certain things or people. Get ready so that you won’t be caught unaware and unprepared.

What are your losses? Is it your Joy, Happiness, Family, Mother, Husband, Wife, Children, Salvation, Dignity, Reputation, Significance, Honour, Position, disposition, Mind, Integrity, Health, Wealth, Fortune, or Prosperity to mention but few? Don’t lose focus...Don’t lose God! The big questions are, how do I handle my losses, regrets, disappointments, wasted years, wasted efforts, misappropriation and the likes and at the same time redeem the time? Well, who else could teach us than the man who once lost all and recovered all: The Prodigal Son. Listen to his story.

‘When he came to his senses, he said, how many of my Father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my Father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you..So he got up and went to his Father’. Lk. 15:17-20. (NIV). 

Reflection: Before you blame the withes, wizard, government, economy, politics or anybody take enough time to reason out, ruminate and reflect on your past and the cause of your predicament. What do you think you should have done that you didn’t do or that you did that shouldn’t have done? The Prodigal son took stock and did not

blame any because, haven come to his senses he knew he was the problem not the situation he found himself. Saul told his servant if we can’t find what is lost, don’t get lost. When you find yourself other lost things will locate you.

Decision: The man made up his mind without further consultation. Indecision is a decision in disguise. Decision enhances performance. He decided to go back and he did. Stop regretting your Lot. Make up your  mind now on what next to do and go ahead and just do it, period!

Humility to reconcile: Restitution breeds reconciliation. Once you are ready to restitute, the result is you’ll be reconciled. Do you have enough humility to confess, amend, adjust and feel sorry? Why not reconcile with your creator, sponsorship, business partners and associates or may be your next-door neighbor today! Pick your phone and call him/ her now for reconciliation! Do it NOW! And put the devil to shame!

Embrace hope: There is always hope. No hopeless situation but hopeless people. Your case or situation is not hopeless. No loss is fatal hope is greater than loss, and faith is greater than failures.

Count your blessing: Being shortsighted will blind you to left over treasures and blessing. The devil strategically and systematically launched his attack against Job to destroy him. However, Job did not lose everything or everybody. For instance, the wife was alive, his three wise and wealthy friends and God’s  breath in his nostril were  the left over in his hands?  How are you handling the pieces or the remnant? Anything in your hands and in your life can multiply. It begins with doing something tangible, reasonable and profitable with it. When there is life there is hope!

Recovery prayers: To undermine the place and power of prayers is to be crippled eternally physically and spiritually. Sometimes its isn’t that we don’t pray but we don’t pray prevailingly. And if you fail to travail prevailingly in prayer, you will prevail travailingly in hardness. The prayer of the righteous the bible says make things happen. James 5:16-17. If you fail to pray, you pray to fail. If you don’t pray regularly you will die gradually. Therefore Pray! Pray! Always Pray! Understand !