Remote Locations

Living in a developing area could be so challenging especially with the difficulties of communication, access road, electricity, portable drinking water and other basic amenities and infrastructures. Of course you’ll understanding what’s involved most especially if you recently relocated from the towns and cities.
When you’re in need of something which ordinarily could be fetched in the nearby superstore or even kiosk in the ‘developed’ area, you have to travel some distance away if not go to the market in fact.
Not only that, in the developed area; people within the neighborhood, the environment and other things around you may serve as sources of inspiration at one time or the other. But the case is quite different in the developing areas. And of course you can imagine what a remote area which may be thousands of kilometres or miles away from the suburbs would be like, if you have not had an experience of it before.

If you’ve worked in a remote location you’ll understand what I’m talking about. Life is completely different as from home.
When you’re retiring to/from work base, you don’t move unprepared else you’ll return several number of times with self-annoyance.

For those who out of circumstance find themselves living in such an environment, they probably don’t have any option other than what is obtainable there.
Either you’re alone in isolation or with very few number of persons who are engaged with a responsibility.
Its either they seek ways in collaboration with others to gradually transform the environment to suite their taste or completely depend on whatever is available to them.
Sometimes you have no neighbours to chat or discuss with, no friends to visit, no connectivity to the media, internet, power, no one share problems with, get/give advice or you may gradually become redundant in your reasoning etc.
While we count the unending list of disadvantages living in the remote locations, there are also few benefits attached of which I’m only gonna share one with us.

I like to illustrate this using the experience of the four thousand crowd Jesus fed(spiritually & physically) in the wilderness across Dalmanutha.
When the crowd followed Jesus and the disciple to a desolate place to hear the word, they spent three(3) whole days just to have an encounter from Jesus’ word. The scripture never mentioned if they all had food right from onset. It never also pointed out their worries from the short disconnection from friends, family and their usual life. But presumably they were very much comfortable with that isolation from the other part of the world just to have an encounter, a suiting word, a burden relieving word from Jesus Christ. (Mrk 8).
It reminds me of undergraduate days in schools when no other environment will provide an ample opportunity to quench the hunger and taste to hear from God other than an isolated places some kilometres away from the hostels and lecture halls.

They weren’t only satisfied and comforted by the word, but in the midst of possible hunger(as humans) that may ensue, all their dependence were on Jesus who they know wouldn’t leave them go without additional blessing(spiritual or physical).
And so it is with us most times. God allows us find ourselves in some arid, patched and bereft places/situations of life; where we are left with no choice than to wholly and completely depend on Him.
When we’ve come to full realisation that He’s able to make All things out of whatever bared and bleak situation we find ourselves, we can then trust in His providenceand depend on Him as our Only source of help in all circumstance of life.
So no matter the degree of desolation in the remote we eventually find ourselves, and no matter what situation we’re in, certainly we can trust God to do far exceedingly above our imaginations(Eph3: 20), the things we cannot do for ourselves all from His glorious wealth of riches(Phil 4:19).

P.S: I believe you’ve been blest by this short piece?
All you’ve got to do is trust and find confidence in God in any circumstance of life you find yourself and believe He makes All things beautiful in His time.
God bless you.
Shalom!

Patience

Photo Credit: AwakenDesign

Hello readers,
How’s your day and week going?
I really do apologise for this long break reaching as many as has anticipated something from my end. There are just times when other things seem to take much more attention/ allotted time than required; even though it ought not be so since others are also important.
I do really appreciate you for your understanding. Much thanks.

Today, I like to be sharing with us on patience- a virtue so rare especially in today’s world. Not many people in fact consider it a virtue and as such, it can only be found in just a few and minute proportion of humanity.

When you consider the makeups of great people and the contributing virtues that brought them where they’re today, patience is never left out.
The word patience is defined as any of the following:
Ability to bear pains or trials calmly or without complaint.
Manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain.
Not being hasty or impetuous.
Steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity

Everyone of the definitions above apply here, so calmly and patiently read through even if I’m not able to touch an area that applies to you( hopefully I will).

Each bit or stage of our decisions and plans requires a quantum of patience in other to achieve desired goals and expectations.
Let’s begin gradually.
When everything we plan is progressing/ working smoothly, patience helps you wait for the next stage even though it gonna take place in few seconds. Of course what gives you the assurance is the fact that everything is in order and will go easily.
On the contrary, when the unseen/unexpected occur, disrupting the smoothness and easy-ride in our plans(short-term or long-term); the tendency exist for agitation, nervousness, fear and worries.
Being calm in the midst of this adversity or the resulting pains(worries of unsuccessfulness/lack of actualization) that ensue requires virtue – patience.
No wonder the scriptures will admonish; “Be careful for nothing but by Prayers and Supplications with Thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God” Philp 4:6.
Patience tells you that instead of worries, substitute Prayers.
Patience tells you that instead of pain, identify the particular issue and bring it to God.
Patience tells you to substitute faith for fear.
Patience tells you that instead of shouting aloud in regret and hopelessness, shout aloud of the things God has done.

(N/B: Calmness isn’t idleness and applies differently in either short-term or long-terms.)

On the short-term, every action that must be put in place to achieve desired goal within set time is necessary. While our actions are also necessary on the long-term, it require much of waiting, praying, listening, praying again and even waiting/more actions.
Patience does not require sitting idly except we receive that expressly as an instructions from God.
It will requires an understanding of the situation and allowing every divine and natural circumstances that must take its course to play.

Patience never walk alone but alongside faith and action.
But this action must be the correct one, applied correctly and in due time.
Abram at a point lost sight of God’s promises after a long waiting even though he sealed it with sacrifices (covenant). By the wife’s conviction he took a wrong step( wrong action), loosing faith just as Sarai did.

See how she concluded it ” The Lord has kept me from having any child…” Gen 16:2.
It seems He forgot that covenants never fail except the terms weren’t sealed.

Oh my God! The pressures are to cause us lose faith, take the wrong action like Abram and Sarai, but my prayers in such moments has always been God’s wisdom to take necessary actions to avoid idleness and mounted pressures(and I think yours should be same or even more).

While some people are naturally endowed with patience, it is important to state emphatically that full manifestation of patience is indeed a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22) little wonder it is a lacking virtue in so many even yet, our differing strength for patience.

As a way to patiently wait on God, we must always remember how important we are to God. Like the stars in the sky, God identifies each one of us by a name, checks on us momentarily, knows and sees what we go through.
So whether you aspire to reach the peak of excellence, achieve desired/set goals, patience can give them to you. Even if your circumstance has drain all the strength you’ve got for patience, don’t lose hope in God, be encouraged and seek Him to top-up.

“‘To whom will you compare me? 
Who is my equal??’ asked the Holy One.
Look into the heavens. Who created the stars? He brings them out one after another, calling them by their names. And He counts them to see that none are list or have strayed away…Is a 40:25ff.”

Yet even when our strength seem exhausted, waiting on God is a sure way to regain strength and vigour,soar higher and remain at the top.

P.S: If this has blessed you, you can’t afford to hunger and crave for patience and if you think your strength is exhausted, trust God for more and remember He is ever mindful of you.

Singing…

1. At the foot of the cross, where grace and suffering meet
You’ve shown me your love through the judgement you’ve received
You’ve won my heart X2

Refrain:
Now I can thread this ashes for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Come in to kiss the feet of mercy
I LAY EVERY BURDEN DOWN at the foot of the cross.

2. At the foot of the cross, where I’m made complete
You’ve given me life through the death you bore for me
You’ve won my heart X2
Refrain

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Consider the Joy

Everyone of us encounter temptation and obstacles(impediments) in life. Be it an obstacle to our physical dreams and aspirations or to our spiritual race. These obstacles abound to impede our speed, break us down or probably destroy us completely. Mind you, some are there to make us stronger and come out better than we’re though.
When it comes to our spiritual race, there they exist in greater percentage, and have no regard for any so long as you’re determined to follow Christ and to finish strong.
If the devil could tempt Jesus and make effort to ‘deceive’ the author of a book using the lines of His writeup, then neither I or you is free from the devil’s temptation and deception.
In fact, if you do not experience any, maybe you need a proper check if you probably aren’t playing game with the devil.
Remember, Jesus already forewarned us of this, though, not as those without hope or without the necessity to overcome but as a reminder to emphasize its certainty and our preparedness and determination to scale: “… here on earth you’ll face many trials and tribulations but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”John 16:33.
Now even in the absence of other things, the hope from Christ is enough to help us scale.

It’s one thing recognising a temptation and another determining to overcome it.
As a lad in the Lord, so many things will still remain unclear as to what constitute sin and as a result, a swift departure from the path may be certain due to ignorance.
Well, today, even I myself don’t know how true it is for someone to say s/he is ignorant of the makeup of sin.
Our world today advertise sin per seconds, most children even know what’s sin than the adult.
Yes they still need guide and discipline in other not to consider some acts as ordinary especially in our present world where technology brings everything too close.
They require discipleship, nurtured in the word, constant guide along the right path and the help of the Holy Spirit.
Uncle Peter advised: ” As new born babe, desire the sincere spiritual milk that you may grow thereby.” 1Pet 2:2

For the adults, the challenge is not the recognition of sin and its forms but resistance and complete obedience to God.
Severally, when the urge to fall to these temptation ensue, you will hear the Holy Spirit speaking within you, developing ideas and grace to resist but when our flesh has craved and is completely immersed in these things, aligning with the prompting of the Holy Spirit becomes an issue. This results to war between the flesh and the spirit. Remember these two are never friends and can never be.
In Gal 5:16ff, Paul listed out the outcome of any decision made under the control of the Holy Spirit or the flesh.

” For our old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires which are contrary to our sinful nature. These two are constantly fighting each other, AND OUR CHOICE ARE NEVER FREE FROM THEIR CONFLICT.”

Whenever we’re faced with temptation, its a game of winning or loosing depending on your level of growth in the Lord. And for every game, someone must win, whereas the other automatically becomes a loser( its not optional).
For the loser, a saddened and heavy heart is sure, especially when you’ve putted in your best.
And for the winner, a heart full of joy and jubilation.

Two things are significant about winning: the Passion to win and the willingness to offer permission to the Holy Spirit for assistance(Strength).

And you know the Holy Spirit is meek and gentle in character. He will teach us, caution us, help us see a bigger picture as to make better decisions but the choice is left to us.
So many of us desire desperately to win in every of our spiritual battles. That’s why when there’s a call for rededication, you see tears flow, broken and remorseful hearts that felt shouldn’t have been found wanting.
One thing is sure for each of those moments we failed that grace was and is readily made available to us but our willingness to permit the Holy Spirit to help us becomes our major issue.

I personally can recount of some battles I’ve lost. The regret, remorse and pains that filled my heart may sometimes end up keeping me from moving ahead or even believing I can again overcome. Of course grace has really played significant roles in my life on these occasions and its never taken for granted.
On the contrary, I can never forget some I’ve won and at each end of the battle I feel the joy deep within my heart especially when I don’t expect it to be easy.
That joy keeps me going and boasted to believe I can win similar one or even greater subsequent ones.

No wonder the writer of Hebrew records and encourage; “Therefore since we are surrounded by so a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight that does so easily ensnares us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame; and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:1-2.

The passions and desires of our sinful nature will always hunt us and only when we remember that we’ve nailed them to the Cross of Christ, recognise the grace made available to us and consider the glory and joy which will be God’s and ours respectively, can we overcome its urge and subject them continuously under our feet.

May we find grace to overcome always. You shall overcome. Amen.

P.S: If this piece has encouraged you, all you need do is appreciate God and let’s seek ways to continuously win the battles of the life cos we’re wired to win.
Don’t fail to reach us through the details on our contact page if you have any issue you’ll like us to share, write or encourage.
God bless you.
Do have a great week ahead.