D: SPIRIT MEAT 30/07/2014

From Rev and Rev (Mrs) Olusola Areogun
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STEPS TO FOLLOW YOUR SPIRITUAL FATHER OR YOUR LEADER PROFITABLY (1)

2 TIMOTHY 3:10 – 12 

Not everyone that had opportunity to come around a father or a leader became what the intention of God was for giving him or her that opportunity. Some of them did not know how to take the right posture and receive what they were to receive because they did not know how to receive. To receive properly, you need to:

1. Establish a link. Let God guide you. Don’t force yourself on them. Allow them to open their hearts to you. Remember you are the one that needs them not vice versa.

2. Sow their words into your heart. The words of a father must be treated specially and different from that of an instructor. Treasure every moment you have to drink from their well of wisdom. Separate them in your estimation from others. They are your divine links to the bank of wisdom in heaven. Get their materials and soak them into your life. 

3. Sow your seeds into their life. Find out what they like and enjoy and sow it to them. Do your research very well. Your gifts are not requested for but don’t neglect to do it properly. Don’t be a thief around them, be a giver. 

4. Be present when they are functioning in their field of expertise or calling.

Be alert to the things that make them special –whether it is decision making, hearing from God etc. That is what you are around them to learn. 

PRAYER: Father , show me areas I am taking a wrong posture around a leader you have placed in my life and help me to develop the right posture needed for me to receive what you want me to receive for bringing me into the relationship in Jesus name. 

DAILY BIBLE READING : 2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27, Romans 13:1-14, Psalm 23:1-6, Proverbs 20:11

C: Fulani Boy Singing Fuji

A good friend of mine sent this to me long time ago and i still find it funny and interesting till date. Enjoy!

Kingdom Poetics

My life, My love.
My heart, My desire.
My possession, My obsession.
My profession, My devotion.
My vocation, My dedication.

The truth I know, the truth I obey.
The life I love, the love of life.
The God I know, the God I serve.
The hope I have, the hope of glory.

The stranger I will not follow.
The strange life I will not live.
The strange places, I will not go.
The strange things, I will not do.

I live my life for Him alone.
I give my life to Him alone.
Him alone my life I give.
Him alone my life I live.

My obedience, He loves.
My disobedience, He abhors.
My Salvation, His desire.
My destruction, His regret.

My inabilities, His abilities.
My weakness, His strength.
My failure, His success.
My folly, His wisdom.

Beautiful in Holiness, the rose of Sharon.
Dreadful in praises, the Lord of Host.
Glorious in all situations, the joy of the whole earth.
Awesome in majesty, the Almighty God.

Your life, my life.
Your heart, my desire.
Your possession, my obsession.
Your profession, my devotion.
Your vocation, my dedication.

To no one but You my life I owe.
To no one but You my life I live.
To no one but You in life I serve.
To no one but You, You are all I love.

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, honour and both now and forever. Amen.

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C: Creative Singing, You gonna miss me when i'm gone

David Murray : How Do Sinners Help Sinners Stop Sinning?

How Do Sinners Help Sinners Stop Sinning?

David Murray

Christians are not only called to repentance but are also called to call others to repentance. This is often one of the hardest tasks in the Christian life. How do we approach someone who is sinning in a way that will help lead them to repentance?

An Informed Approach
If we want to help a sinner stop sinning, we need to study sin. We can do this by studying our own sinful hearts and the way sin begins, develops, and expands there. Though probably not on our summer reading list, we can also study sobering and searching books on sin.

• John Owen, Overcoming Sin and Temptation: Three Classic Works by John Owen
• Thomas Brooks, Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices
• Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins
• Jeremiah Burroughs: The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin

A Humble Approach
Remember that you are a sinner. Before we start rebuking sin in others, we must rebuke it in ourself first and most.

A Gentle Approach
Whether the person has asked us for help, we are offering help, or a friend has asked us to help, we need to approach humbly, quietly, and lovingly. Raise the subject in the context of the Gospel of Grace and our own need and experience of it for our own sins and struggles (Gal. 6:1).

A Hopeful Approach
Although the sin may be wide, deep, high, and long, the Gospel is wider, deeper, higher, and longer. The goal is to help the sinner see the seriousness of sin, the misery of sin, and all that God can offer through the Gospel to conquer both.

A Biblical Approach
Phrases to avoid: “I think…In my opinion…I don’t agree…”

Phrases to use: ‘The Bible says…God’s Word tells us…The Scriptures are clear…”

A God-Centered Approach
We cannot fix anyone; only God can. Point the sinner away from yourself and to:

• God’s sovereignty: He is in this, is in control, this is part of His plan, and He can even work it for your good.
• God’s holiness: This is both our model and our motive (1 Pet. 1:16).
• God’s wisdom: God knows all the answers and has a solution.
• God’s power: especially when we feel our powerlessness.
• God’s love: Willing to forgive, heal, accept, restore (1 John 1:9).
• God’s Son: Show them the suitability, sufficiency, willingness, and ability of Christ to save.
• God’s justice: He won’t stand by and see His law broken and smashed to pieces. 

A Realistic Approach
Be realistic about the sin. Call it what it is. Don’t soft-pedal or soft-filter it.

Be realistic about time. Rarely will a person change immediately or perfectly.

Be realistic about the difficulty. There’s going to be resistance, pain, failure, and disappointment along the way.

A Wise Approach
Choose the right place (not Starbucks).

Choose the right time for you and the other person (not too little time, not too late, not too busy and stressed).

Choose the right words: take account of the person’s world, vocabulary, education.

A Questioning Approach
It’s often better to question than to accuse, at least to begin with. Try to get the person to supply the answers and draw the conclusions rather than you telling them. Tomorrow, we’ll look at some good questions to ask when trying to help someone stop sinning.

A Prayerful Approach
Pray without ceasing: before the conversation, during the conversation, and after the conversation. Pray for the person and with the person.

What else have you found helpful in these difficult though necessary conversations?

Oqui's Heart, Body & Soul : HOW TO BUILD TRUST IN A RELATIONSHIP

HOW TO BUILD TRUST IN A RELATIONSHIP

Building trust in a relationship can be difficult. People think they know how to, but sometimes it doesn't work with some people. Building trust is a very important part of a relationship, and without it, relationships can be very stressful. Want to know how to build trust in a relationship then? 

1. BE PREDICTABLE. A lot of people believe that mixing things up makes a great relationship. In other words, always planning something new to surprise the other. First, although surprises are nice from time to time, stability and uniformity will strengthen, and are far more important in a relationship. Uniformity sounds boring, and we would all like some surprise in our life, but you need to be predictable to make things work in the long run. Predictability builds trust.

2. BE RELIABLE. Trust is just another way of saying you can rely on someone. You trust your partner to do certain things no matter what at all times. This trust builds security in a relationship. The same thing is true when you are able to depend on all the other things that happen in a relationship to be just as reliable.

3. MEAN WHAT YOU SAY. Your partner can read your face better than anyone else. If you are lying, or trying to hide some true feeling by not quite saying all that is on your mind, they will be able to tell. They might even think you are cheating, which can tear down the trust in your relationship. When they know they can trust whatever comes out of your mouth without hesitation, then you are building a bond that can be unshakable.

4. HAVE FAITH IN YOUR PARTNER'S CAPABILITIES. In other words, if you believe at all that they are not competent in some things, or all things they do, your trust in them will not be solid. If this is the case, you need to be up front with them on the issues in an honest and loving manner. This will allow you to work through this and keep the trust with each other.

5. BE UP FRONT WITH EACHOTHER. Don't keep anything hidden, nothing should be privileged and kept from the other. You have to know that sooner or later all things come to light, and the consequences of not being completely truthful will kill the trust, and ruin your relationship.

6. DON'T BE RELUCTANT TO SHARE YOUR DESIRE WITH EACHOTHER. Too many people never let their partners know what they need. Don't let your partner wonder, or try to guess what they should do for you. It is essential this happens with both partners. If only one partner is being catered for by the other, there is a chance one will feel smothered, or the other might feel neglected. Either scenario is not good.

7. BE WILLING TO SAY NO. It is ok to listen to your partner needs, and try to fulfil them, but sometimes it's just as valuable to say no. You can't do everything all the time, and you will actually earn some respect when you refuse to do something once in a while. Taking a stand, and imposing your own will, can actually enhance the trust between you.

8. EXPAND YOUR RELATIONSHIP CONSISTENTLY. There will always be reasons for growth. Through good times and bad, you must always be willing to stand tall and face all trials. When we listen to each other, even if the things you are hearing might hurt your feelings, you must face them in order to strengthen your relationship. If you don't do this, like a vine without water, your relationship will wither and die.

9. TRUST YOUR PARTNER! How can your partner trust you when you don't trust them? Having trust takes two people, and without one person building trust too, it's like a fish without water.
There can't be a lasting and enduring love if there is no trust in it. For there to be be trust, the goal and purpose of the relationship must be known and specified. When the goal of the relationship is known, then the boudaries can be set. The boundaries of the relationship must be strictly adhered to, no matter the circumstance. When the goals and the boundaries are in place, then you start looking out for consistency; which is simply defined as aligning your words and your action. If the person is speaking for the goals and boundaries, but is acting against it, then it simply means that s/he is being inconsistent and should not be taken seriously, except there is a change in the positive.
With these few points of mine, I hope I have been able to convince and not confuse you that trust can be built successfully in a relationship. Thanks!!!