The Untold Story (The Journey to becoming a Lawyer)

  

         On the 29th of November 2016. I Kikelomo Olajumoke Akinola was called to the Nigerian Bar. The journey was quite thrilling yet long and challenging . Challenging because law generally is another level of studying but because half way through the journey precisely the year before I began pursuing my law degree  I was diagnosed with TMJ Syndrome.(I never publicly talked about it but I got the certainty that it was time to) It is  a syndrome that affects the jaw and restricts opening of the mouth. In my case yawning, talking ,chewing any solid food(included chips and bread sometimes) and the most painful singing(if you know me you know I sing most of the time)  was restricted .I had constant pain and tenderness on the affected area. I only spoke when it was absolutely necessary to due to the pain. I battled with constant headaches when I studied or had to turn in assignments. I could feel depression so close as my mind drifted sometimes to the fact that I was the type to pray over a cold and get instant healing, pray over malaria and be healed yet I had to wait this time which was new to me however my God was my rock throughout .His grace was sufficient for everyday      even on the days when it got so cold and the pain got worse .He strengthened  me through his word to keep pressing on. He reminded me how he was with me and would never ever leave me nor forsake me. He reminded me that there was no one who ever trusted him and was put to shame. I knew deep down in my spirit that I could not be overcome by it because my King had overcome the world for me. I remember one morning when I got the understanding to trust his word just as much as I trusted those pain killers (prescribed) I had to pop for the pain. I was reminded that his word is medicine and health to my bones so I decided to daily speak his word over my health and over my life and I can't even begin to explain the overwhelming strength and confidence I began to have .I decided to join the band I had always wanted to join. I was certain his word was working in me in spite of the occasional pain. I chose not to get any special treatment for my exams nor let my life be determined by it. 

  Today I can say with tears in my eyes and a heart full of thanksgiving that my God showed himself strong on my behalf. I Kikelomo Olajumoke Akinola was called to the Nigerian Bar
                                             


 I am free from constant headaches , I can eat whatever I want (I missed popcorn so much ) ,I can yawn , talk as much as I want and Sing as long and as loud as I can . I just want to encourage someone out there faced with obstacles on the path to attaining your dreams not to give in. Hold on tight to Jesus . He is your cornerstone your wall won't crumble, He is your anchor your dreams will not sink .They  can come against you but they will fall for your sake. He who watches over you does not sleep nor slumber, he who watches over you has overcome the world ,has overcome the enemy and all his devices and has lifted you high above it. Keep your head up. Never ever give up.Stay strong .Jehovah will see you through.









With Lots of Love

Kike Akinola

For TheFvFactor

 

The Btiter Truth Called Forgiveness

Ever come across the scripture" forgive that you might be forgiven ". If you have something against your brother and you are bringing an offering go back to make amends with your brother before you bring that offering. It may be quite easy to apply in some circumstances and so you adhere to it  but what happens when the weight of the offence in your opinion is unforgivable.
You feel like you have a right to be angry and  apologized to but what if the apology never comes . Do you still harbor all the animosity within you? I mean it is your heart that skips a bit when the person walks into a room, when you hear the persons name or any reference at all is made to the person. The person may not necessarily deserve your forgiveness but you will need to forgive for you regardless. Unforgivness  only allow bitterness and anger in and  clogs up your relationship with God. While most times the other person goes on with life like nothing happens.

Forgive For You

Thus you  need to forgive for you.The type of sin should not be a factor as you cannot afford to give someone the power over your happiness and joy. Yes, you have been hurt and although you are not really to trust anyone, you trusted a person or persons.You expected more simply because you will do the same .However  as one of my mentors says "you cannot be pitiful and powerful at the same time". You have to choose one. Self pity will only keep you from progressing and it  keeps you bitter . The bible says that Christ came that we may have life and have it to the the full till it over flows. A life with bitterness, rage and anger surely cannot be the life God predestined for us . You decide if you want to live the abundant life or not by your decision to either let go or be held bound.

Most importantly you need to forgive that you might be forgiven.Most times  you know what God expects of you and what you should do but you just want to have some form of justice for you.

Matthew 18:23-35 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses. (NKJV)


Thus It is not sufficient to verbally say that you have forgiven the person or persons when you know in your heart that you clearly have not.You need to forgive from your heart  totally like you were forgiven because unforgiveness will not just break you it also hinders your relationship with God. I found that it is a disguised tool used by the enemy to keep us  bitter and angry and  to impede our relationship with God.It may seem difficult but I strongly believe that if God tells us to do something  (forgive) .He says it to us because we can through him. The bible says as he was so are we in the world  if he could forgive peter his beloved disciple that betrayed him we can also forgive what seems like the unforgivable ..How can I do that you may ask ?

Forgive For Jesus
Focus on Jesus .If you remember that Jesus died to save the whole world which includes that individual or group of individuals, it makes it easier. Let God's love engraved deep in your heart compel you to forgive. They may not deserve it but we did not deserve it too when Jesus gave it all up for us by dying on the cross. Selective application on  Gods word on forgiveness will not work. There are no clauses .He simply said Forgive.We are his disciples .We cannot doubt that we have the ability to forgive  because in him sister, we can do all things . I Know it hurts but you can forgive , you can let go if you would only let God help you.

Prayer 
Father you know the depths of my heart . You fashioned me, you see me and if there is anyone that knows how to heal my heart . It is you my creator, my father and friend.Father because of your love for me I am certain that you have more for me .For you promised that you who sent your son will now freely give us all things if we ask. Lord I ask that you heal my heart and grant me your peace that surpasses all understanding .Help me forgive like you will forgive and love like you will love.Today I declare that I am free from the bondage of hurt and pain.



With lots and lots of love

Kike Akinola for The FV Factor

Photo Credit: theverybestquotes.com

Take Heart ; Do Not Give Up

Luke 18 : 1- 8

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying there was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now  there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, Get justice for me from my adversary and He would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself , Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. then the Lord said , " Hear what the unjust judge said . And Shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to him, though he bares long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily . 

Just Amazing! the very fact that Jesus said in the first line that men always ought to pray and not faint means to me that he knew that we can get tired sometimes especially when we have been praying for something for a long time; but we need to be like the widow in the above scripture she did not relent until she got justice. Waiting is never the easiest thing and  it may seem impossible sometimes but Jesus promises us in the next verses that even if it may take a while God will surely avenge His own. I want to encourage us today that no matter what it is . It cannot be greater than our God if He promised He will surely come through. Do not loose hope. Continue to fill your heart with faith by listening to God's word, reading His word and listening to gospel music. Let the voice of God be louder in you . God is still God. God is still faithful. Hold On!

Have an amazing week

With lots and lots of love 

Kike Akinola

If you fancy some inspirationla music You can find click here to http://thefvfactor.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/music%20and%20me listen to our playlist thus far.

Who Is Really Righteous??

  Am I righteous because I go to church every Sunday? try to do right all the time?sing in the choir? head the Ushering department? or because I invite people to church? I mean who is really righteous?

Many times the answer to these questions would be yes because we have this idea that we are righteous because of what we do. I never really asked myself what it really meant to be righteous. I came to the understanding that Jesus had saved me and His sacrifice took my sins away forever. Therefore when I am born again  I am a new creature even though I fall sometimes,I repent. It is all part of the sanctification process. My mind is just being renewed daily and I become more and more like Him as I draw near to Him. However, being the righteousness of God was something I never really considered even though It was one of those quotes from the scriptures I heard people say and probably echoed along with the crowd,I never really understood it.  I was reading my devotional the other day and I was led to read Romans 5 and then I came across this amazing sermon on being the righteousness of God and I was so thankful because God addressed these deep rooted questions. It's been so amazing for me. My hope is that it encourages you today too and that after today you will receive that certainty of who you are and never doubt it again.

What is Righteousness?

Righteousness Is A Free Gift

Righteousness is described as a free gift. Although many of us consider righteousness as something we earn by merit.
Romans 5:15-17

" But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man Jesus Christ abounded to many".

For if by one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.

In this chapter the offense referred to here is the disobedience of Adam which resulted in the reign of sin on the earth and the gift referred to is the gift of righteousness which Jesus offers to us.

Even though some of us reading this have accepted Jesus we still consider that we have to work for righteousness. It is described as a free gift. Which means we do not work for it and it is not given upon merit. It is available to us because of what Jesus did. It may still be hard to grasp but consider this, we are fine with accepting that when a man comes into the world he comes as a sinner automatically due to Adam's offense (Rom 5:16-17) . Even though the only thing he had to do to receive that title was to be born. 
I heard a preacher give this example he said when we come into the world we are automatically sinners irrespective of the how good or charitable we are,we will still have that title and we would not be considered as righteous. The question then is how do we receive this righteousness or how can we be made righteous?

Believe That Jesus Makes Us Righteous And Receive

The bible in Rom 5:19  says  "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners  and by ones man act the many will be made righteous.... Using the example above  you might do right, feed the poor, live a honest life, do all that is considered to be right in the society yet you are still a sinner because you were born into sin. There was nothing you did to merit this and the truth is no matter your good deeds you would still not be considered as the righteousness of God because of what Adam had done that "made all "sinners . Thus it is only when we receive Jesus in our hearts by believing that He died for you and I (the act)and gave us the free gift of righteousness, will we be righteous.

" For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one man's obedience many will be made righteous" -Rom 5:19.The same way we did nothing to be sinners is the same way there is nothing we do or we could ever do to receive his righteousness but believe. Therefore When you are born again you have a new title a new identity and it is in Jesus .

Just like Paul You have been crucified with Christ yet it is not you who lives but you live in the flesh by faith in the son of God, who loved you and gave himself up for you.-Gal 2;20
Therefore you are righteous because  you believe that he has given you new life .The title that comes with that new life or being born again is being the righteousness of God not because of what you do or did but because of all He did. You are as a baby newly born in Christ and the title you bear now is the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus
.

You might still look at yourself and say I am far from being righteous but I want to encourage us today that Jesus was never searching for perfect people all he wants is a heart that accepts his love. I am still not perfect yet he is working his will through me to share his message. Come to him, rest in the potter's hands and let him mold the clay into what he has called us to be. Stop focusing on you focus on him. You are righteous because he made you Righteous.

Thus let us serve in God's house because we love God. Do it not because you are trying to prove a point to any man(and whatever you do,do it heartily, as to the lord and not to men -col 3:23 ) let your focus be on loving your God who showers you with His unconditional love everyday and has given you a title that you might not deserve but you have anyway because you believe and you receive his amazing love in the person of Jesus.



WHY IS IT IMPORTANT WE KNOW 

We will be ill equipped for the battle If we do not know.In the book of Ephesians the bible talks about all the instruments we need to withstand the fiery darts of the enemy. Righteousness is listed as one of the  instruments.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.- Eph 6: 14-16

 The breastplate protects the frontal part of our body and this part includes our heart and the enemy knows that if our heart condemns us we will not have peace with God . Our faith which is the shield before the breastplate will be impaired for we will not be acting in faith when we believe in our own righteousness instead of his.Our boldness will be weakened  we will not be able to come into his presence boldly or  ask him for anything.Our breastplate of righteousness would also be affected  because of our unbelief in  Jesus our righteousness that speaks for us.

Beloved ,if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. This is his Commandment that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment - 1 John 3:21 -23

Thus we leave ourselves open to the fiery darts of the enemy when we doubt Christ's righteousness given to us. I want you to know today that We Have Been Bought With The Price. He Gave Us His Righteousness the moment we accepted him into our hearts .

YOU DO NOT  NEED TO CRINGE ANYMORE BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU JUST CANNOT BE RIGHTEOUS. YOU ARE RIGHTEOUS BECAUSE OF WHAT JESUS DID AND NO DEVIL, NO ACCUSATION, NO MAN CAN DISPUTE THAT. 

Focus On Jesus. The more you focus on him the more you become more and more like him - 2cor 3:18

Declaration

 I am justified because he has justified me. I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and I am loved by God.

Is This Then A License To Sin?

I am of the opinion that there is no way you encounter Jesus, his love and you would remain the same. I love to share one of my favorite stories in the bible about Zaccheus the tax collector who had done so much wrong. Yet Jesus stopped in the midst of the crowd to give his attention to this sinner and he(Jesus) publicly declared that he would fellowship with him in his house.  Zaccheus was so overwhelmed that without Jesus telling him to change his ways, he personally said " Look lord , I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore four fold". luke 19:1-10
I believe that when you encounter His love your heart responds in love to want to please Him and the great thing is that His spirit in us will teach us both to will and do of His good pleasure. I am not saying you wouldn't make mistakes sometimes. My point is once you encounter Jesus and you continually grow in His ways His love would compel you to desire to do good. The amazing thing is that even when you blatantly ignore Him sometimes(not worth it) and learn the hard way (realize there is no you without him)it is His love that always pulls you back in.

The second point is that God cannot be mocked He relates to us based on our hearts. He knows us and he can never be fooled. I  think sometimes we try to do God's work for him. I really do not think it is worth our time bothering about others' righteousness or holiness.  I remember going to church on a Sunday morning some years ago and as I gazed on the road  I saw a night worker(thinking of it now maybe she was not) coming out of a hotel. I felt good with myself for a second because I was spending my Sunday morning going to church and well she was not. There and then I got reminded of the warning Jesus gave to his disciples "To remove the log in their own eyes before they remove the speck in another's eyes" and also judge not that you might not be judged. I remembered that I had been saved by grace and all that I am is by His grace. I should rather focus on me and live the judging to the ultimate judge God.  Therefore focus on you and your relationship with God and pray for others because Jesus died for us all.


Have A Blessed Weekend People

With Lots Of Love

Kike Akinola for TeamFV

Kindly share and if you fancy some inspiring music click here for our song of the week http://thefvfactor.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/wednesday-song-day_29.html

Photo Credit : Thefvfactor and christianitymalaysia.com

                                                       HAPPY NEW MONTH!!!

Wednesday Song Day !!

 Hi everyone.
 I hope your week has been good so far.  This week I want to share with you these amazing songs I recently came across. The songs really capture the perspective of taking the focus away from you and totally focusing on God(Theme in April).I heard the First Song on my favorite radio station and I totally love it. The second one was played in church on Sunday and it is definitely one of the best songs I have heard this year. The songs reminds me so so much of Romans 8 :1
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh , but according to the spirit Of God." .

Romans 8:33 "Who shall Bring a charge against God's elect ?It is God who justifies" .

I just want to encourage you today that no matter the accusations that come against you remember that you have been bought with the greatest price ever given for man the "blood of Jesus" and no one or thing can ever dispute that.  Jesus said " It is finished " you are justified. All of your sins have been taken away and all your sins are covered by His grace.

I hope you enjoy it too.


Song Title; Greater by Mercy Me.

     Lyrics

Bring your tired
Bring your shame
Bring your guilt
Bring your pain
Don't you know that's not your name
You will always be much more to me

Everyday I wrestle with the voices
That keep telling me I'm not right
But that's alright

Cause I hear a voice and he calls me redeemed
When others say I'll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

Bring your doubts
Bring your fears
Bring your hurt
Bring your tears
There'll be no condemnation here
You are holy, righteous and redeemed

Every time I fall
There'll be those who will call me
A mistake
Well that's ok

Cause I hear a voice and he calls me redeemed
When others say I'll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

Woah ohhh ohhhh ohhh
Woah ohhh ohhhh ohhh
He's Greater
He's Greater
Woah ohhh ohhhh ohhh
Woah ohhh ohhhh ohhh
He's Greater
He's Greater

There'll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn't matter
Cause the cross already won the war
He's Greater
He's Greater

I am learning to run freely
Understanding just how he sees me
And it makes me love him more and more
He's Greater
He's Greater

There'll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn't matter
Cause the cross already won the war
He's Greater
He's Greater

I am learning to run freely
Understanding just how he sees me
And it makes me love him more and more
He's Greater
He's Greater

Cause I hear a voice and he calls me redeemed
When others say I'll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world
In the world
In the world
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

There'll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn't matter
Cause the cross already won the war
He's Greater
He's Greater

I am learning to run freely
Understanding just how he sees me
And it makes me love him more and more
He's Greater
He's Greater
He who is living the world

Song Title ;Covered by Planet Shakers

                                                                 Lyrics

Grace, glorious grace, grace, glorious grace
At the cross You called it finished
Grace, wonderful grace, grace, wonderful grace
At the cross all of my sin is

Covered, covered, covered by Your grace, oh
Covered, covered, covered by Your grace

Grace, beautiful grace, grace, beautiful grace
At the cross, love everlasting
Grace, powerful grace, grace, powerful grace
At the cross all of my past is

No matter what I’ve done, no matter where I’ve been
No matter how I fall, You pick me up again
You have removed my shame, You take as I am
You call me justified, now I am covered by Your grace

With lots and lots of love

Kike Akinola for FV

Lyrics by - A-z lyrics.com

Video Credit -YouTube

P.s Please check out the post on "Who is Really Righteous " and Kindly share .

Starve Doubt ;Take The Limits Off God

   
I was in between applications when I clearly heard these words take the limits off God.  Suddenly I was reminded about the lyrics to a song my brother and I sang as little kids "God said it, I believe it, that settles it.  He says I am free , I am free , He says I am healed, I am healed that settles it."
 I remember singing that song wholeheartedly most likely because  my brother had taught me and  I thoroughly enjoyed bonding with him over the song. I do not remember fully grasping the meaning of what we sang but what I do remember was how much trust I had in the promises of my loved ones. I never for once wondered how they will fulfill those promises, all I needed was their word. I remember vividly after a tooth extraction, my grandma promised to handle it.  I remember the peace that flooded my heart after I heard those words; I never doubted for once that she could not handle it.
What has changed? Why  do we struggle sometimes to accept God's word? The most obvious reason is the fact that we grew up. It just so happens that we start to think logically and analyse everything. This can be useful when it comes to certain situations but I have found that trying to process how God will do things when it comes to faith is the biggest impediment to believing . The bible says His ways and thoughts are  higher than ours - Isaiah 55:8-9. It also says in Ecclesiastes 11:5 that as you do not know what is the way of the wind ,or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child , so you do not know the works of God who makes everything" Therefore spending our time trying to figure it all out is not worth it.The question then is what can I do to believe God above everything else?

Focus on God Not You Not The Circumstance
 The answer I found is simply to take his word as it is . The lyrics of the song says "God said it  I believe it and that settles it. The bible says He honors His word more than His name.  In Romans 4:18-20  Abraham chose not to consider the circumstances around him after God promised to give him a son in his old age. He judged God faithful and chose to believe Him above all else  .

 " and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform "
  "not being weak in faith, he did not consider his body already dead (since he was about a hundred years old ), and the deadness of sarah's womb.He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief , but was strengthened in faith giving, glory to God, and being fully convinced that what he had promised he was also able to perform ". 

Thus,  It is not about  our background or history, not about what he says or she says or they say. It is about What God says .


Have Childlike Faith.
 Jesus said we should receive the kingdom of God as little children. Children are open minded as I described earlier ,children take your word as it is . You might say but I cannot help but question how sometimes the reason is because you are still looking at it from your point of view. Choose to focus on God and His word.  Two scenarios came to mind as I wrote this .

The story of the fig tree in Mark 11:14; 20-21
Jesus said to the tree"let no one eat fruit from you ever again " and his disciples heard it . However the next morning when they passed by the tree Peter seeing it said " Rabbi , Look! The Fig tree which you cursed has withered away ." and Jesus answered and said to them " Have Faith in God". We can conclude from his reaction that he was surprised because he did not necessarily believe anything would happen to the tree when Jesus spoke the word.  Jesus admonished him to have faith in God, believe God above everything and everyone else.

I consider how when we receive Jesus as our Lord and savior there are no angels washing our sin away physically but we say the prayer because we believe His word and He comes into our hearts and floods us with  His love , His grace and His righteousness . It is so beautiful, that it cannot be analysed logically, but if I am asked by someone how I know my sins are washed away  I can strongly say I know  because I have encountered Jesus (Rom 10:10) . I may not have seen Him physically but He lives in me, I know it because I believe.To someone who  has not received Jesus it may not make sense but we just know. We have this hope and unquenchable fire in our hearts we  just know how real He is .

The truth is as real as He is in our hearts so also are His words and promises; every single one of them. When He says He will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. When he says kings and queens will come to your rising when he says nothing is too hard for Him. He means it .It may not make sense looking at the circumstance or yourself but if we choose to focus on the word and the one who said them there is no telling the heights He can take us.

The bible in Luke 5 :1 tells of how Simon Peter and some other fishermen had tried fishing all night yet Jesus said to peter cast your net in the water and peter responded we have  "toiled all night but at thy word  we will cast our nets". It was not the logical thing to do since they had toiled all night and caught no fish  but because they chose to focus on His word and not limit God ,by considering how he could do it. There was faith in his heart, he believed in His word and the bible says he received so much his net began to break that he had to signal his partners for help and their boats were so full they began to sink.

Our God is so so able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ever ask or think.Glory Glory to God . We serve a Big God. We serve an amazing God . No one , nothing is greater than him  if he says it He can and will do it . I choose to accept His word like a little child and sing that beautiful song with so much understanding because " IF God says It , I believe it and that settles it"



Prayer
Father forgive me for belittling you in anyway. Be magnified in my heart , you have the final say, you are bigger than my mind could ever fathom and I trust you.


Have an amazing week people


Don't Forget If God says it,we just need to believe it and that settles it.


Lots of love


Kike Akinola for TeamFV


#focusonGodnotyou #TeamFv

Food For Thought ;Wishing Among The Stars!!!!!!

This past week, I had what many refer to as an epiphany or as some fondly call it,
 an" Aha Moment". I know it may seem pretty obvious and glaring but have you really considered it.

You know how Growing up , many of us had dreams , even now, some of us have new dreams and we picture it so much that its basically all we see. We have aspirations, we picture ourselves doing certain things but  that's where it stops.The truth is if we sit back and wish all we want , it will not happen.  It is like believing that God will make your dream come to pass he will make you great but yet you sit at home all day and do nothing about it. Some of us are physically moving but are sitting on the inside. " Show me your faith  apart from your works and I will show you my faith by my works" james 2:18.Basically what are we doing that shows we believe that dream will come to pass ;What Plans and Preparations are we making ? What steps Are we taking ?

A man could wish  to be a pilot all he wants but if he doesn't take the necessary steps that need to be taken to achieve it, it will only be a dream.
I saw an illustration on television about this which stuck forever. A preacher had a jacket in his hands, holding the jacket in the air,  he said imagine the suit is faith however without works "the suit dropping to the floor"  is dead.It is not enough to just believe that I will change the world yet you sit all day on the couch or you are not doing anything in regards to it.

The Bible says in the book of Ecclesiastes that " A dream comes around through much activity" .Ecc5 :13 We  need to take steps or work towards actualizing that dream. Take for instance a little kid who dreams about being a Neuro surgeon someday. No matter how fantastic the dream is , if he does not go to medical school and take the necessary professional exams. It will remain a dream. Things don't just happen . Where do you see yourself? what goals are being set towards achieving it? The Output we will get is as a result of the input we put in and God's Grace. Which is able to take us beyond what we could ever imagine or think of.

I love the story of The spider man lead actress Emma Stone. She had a dream to be an actress as a child but her parents lived outside L A .Rather than ponder  and wish all day about it, she made a power point presentation for her parents convincing them to make the move to L A  in order to pursue her dream and  the rest is history.

The message here is ,nothing happens unless we move,. Our dream may not be as far off as we think. The Question is what are we doing about that dream?


Photo Credit ; Media.licdn

The Set Up a.ka Yes I am Single Part 2 !!!!!!

With the rise of a lot of wedding blogs ,sites and invitations, It could be almost impossible for a girl not to get mesmerized with it or as we say catch the wedding fever.  Even if you do not frequent some of the weddings sites ,  invitation from friends knock at your door .If that is not the case, then maybe a family member might just send one or a colleague at work.

I find it  funny how not too long ago our main concern was to get an education. In the process try to make some friends, join most of the fun school clubs , make the best grades , make some more friends  and nothing else mattered . It was all fun and games . The widely made instruction by most of the parents was focus on what you were sent to school to do no time for boyfriends. Then school ends and they cant seem to have an important conversation without marriage being included. Don't get me wrong .I don't disagree with a genuine question about it but when it becomes so frequent and it goes beyond family to the society as a whole asking questions, it could  mount pressure on a girl. At weddings attended ,one aunt or two must extend pleasantries with questions about marriage and some are bold enough to utter words like "don't worry  next time it will be yours" or "We are waiting for you". Thus mounting unnecessary pressure and dis content in the minds  of people.
A lot of females  get depressed when they haven't met that guy . I mean the sociological and biological clock is ticking so it is only right that one should get worried about the issue. I mean you need a reply to give those people who wont stop asking questions  however , this makes a lot of  people  rush into marriage , make mistakes , hence one of the major contributions to  the high rate of divorces. Don't get me wrong I am all for marriage  , all for love, ( evident in the fact that I watched days of our lives for almost ** years of my life)  and all for relationships.I mean I have saved pictures from bella naija and some other weddings sites and I may or may not have my playlist for my wedding*wink*. However, I feel that nobody should be  pressured into it . Nobody should be made to feel unhappy or inadequate because they are unmarried.. Some of us have even come to believe that that is where our happiness lies but the truth is that there are married people that are truly unhappy and there are single people that are unhappy too so happiness does not necessarily depend on your relationship status changing or a huge ring being placed on your finger or being single either.
               It lies in knowing yourself and loving yourself first .  You only bring to the table who you are , if you are an unhappy person, the fact that a wedding takes places does does not mean that space of unhappiness suddenly disappears( More on this in later post). This unhappiness and desperation has led a lot of people to settle for less and to worry. You should love yourself enough not to settle for someone who does not respect you or treat you right . I know society tries to  put this pressure on however, society will not be there with you when you are sad and you feel all alone in  the marriage.  Nobody should make you rush into anything you are not ready for or make you question God's ability to give you the right person. The one who respects you and loves you  and appreciates you .
 You see, me too , I love love, I love the romantics, and Love to be loved but I am against rushing into a marriage because of society or any other wrong reasons. You are the apple of God's eye. His own masterpiece. A reflection of him made in his image and his likeness . You deserve to be treated right, you deserve to be loved right and treated with honor , " the bible says  that a husband is to love the wife even as Christ loves the church" - eph 5: 25

"Husband, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church - a love marked by giving , not getting. Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty.Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, Dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness". - The Mess Eph 5 : 25- 28

Don't let this pressures undermine what God has planned for you. Let it be resolved in your mind that his plans for you are "Good " .Don't you think finding a good partner is good? Don't you think being treated right is good ? I tell you that as long you are open to marriage , you are being sociable, the right person would come along. You don't need to worry or settle .
 "For I know the plans that I have for you ' declares the lord , plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope". - Jer 29: 11

I know its pretty hard for some of us not to worry about it but worrying really does not help. It is also a demonstration of lack of trust in God. No to fear, No to worrying and Yes to Enjoying yourself, being happy ,holding on to what God says and going about life knowing that  Jesus has got you covered.

Quit Chasing Shadows Embrace You!!!!!

Some say the  most important relationship is interpersonal but I found that  an intrapersonal relationship is much more rewarding because you can only give what you have , if you do not love yourself you cannot love others.If you do not love yourself, you cannot believe in yourself.No matter how many times you are told to if you cannot get passed the barrier of embracing self,It would be a constant struggle to believe in yourself or take on anything else.

One of the major reasons why people don't believe in themselves  is because many of us have compared ourselves so much to others that when you stand in the mirror, all you see is  all the comparisons made out in your head. I mean If only you were as beautiful as.....,If only you had the job of.....,If only you could sing as much as ,if only you looked a lot bit like. The funny thing about it is that sometimes we already have our own thing going or are on the verge of it but because you are so concerned about comparing ourselves with others , you cannot see it and you cannot  see anything about yourself to  love. You cannot hear it when God says you are made in his image and likeness and that when he created you,Yes You , he said you were Good and that's what matters. I mean there is a difference  when somebody else says you are good or you are beautiful and God says  You are "Good". With God it is permanent.Even though' the earth be removed the word of the Lord is forevermore".I tell you, the day  you realise that you  don't need to compare yourselves constantly to others,  is the day you begin to look inward and spend time to discover what God had deposited inside of you. In Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.Sometimes it will require  plastering it on your mirror and saying it to yourself out loud so that your mind and spirit can lay hold of it.That you are not just good, you are God's masterpiece made in his image and his likeness for good works. You are not a mistake .He does not make mistakes . You were not made to simply exist or copy. There is something unique to you that only you can give .You are a light to shine in whatever field you find yourself in.

It's Funny how writing this , I had a major flashback to my childhood days, when we teased one of my cousins of how her voice wasn't anything near Mariah Carey's voice(she really loved her)lol. I mean we did this  from school till we got home. The interesting thing was she would always yell back at us that 'She didn't have to be like Mariah'. Her voice was special just the way it was. On some days, she would say this out loud  with tears in her eyes and that will make us remorseful for the day then we chose another day to pick on her again. She has a pretty amazing voice and I seriously do not know why we did it(Thank God for the blood of Jesus that changed our hearts)but you know what comes to mind now.

 

We were young quite alright but she knew that her voice was unique and regardless of the fact that there might be other people with voices better than hers , she just knew hers was special and she was not going to let us or anybody else put her down or make her see her gift as insignificant.  As long as it was given to you by God then you should not see your gift as insignificant. She was a little girl but she had come to embrace her voice ,embrace her own craft, she was not chasing anyone per say but was more interested in spending time with her gift , nurturing it and investing it as she joined her school choirs, went for competitions and mehn did she sing boldly when she had competitions.

Loving you is what  brings about that self confidence that no man can give.With that self confidence comes courage to stand and  face obstacles that come your way. It helps you embrace your uniqueness,love it and treasure it.The truth is, it is quite frustrating trying to be somebody else or be a copy.It is only a deprivation to the enhancement of  the greatness inside of you because when you are so focused on others, you loose the time to harness, realise and build on the giftings God has placed inside of you.There comes a point in your life where you have to block out all that noise and realise that your competition should be with yourself and In order to achieve anything in your life ,you have to accept that as long as you were created by him,(the manufacturer) there is a purpose for you(product).

I heard a story of a young man who had been coming to church and was trying so hard to give up his drug dealing skills .He had  told his pastor that  was all he knew to do and he was not like other people with degrees or  amazing skills.There was nothing particularly special about him . I love the pastors reply.He told him that selling drugs was an act that required getting the word around(marketing),ensure customers are satisfied (customer service) and managing funds.Surely that can be translated into something more positive.This man had these gifts all along but could not see them because he had spent most of the time comparing himself to others thus limiting himself.

I also came across a story which hits close to home about a young lady who  had an amazing voice but It was not the same as the high soprano pitch voices of some other people in her life ,so to her, it was not sufficient and was not good enough.In spite of the fact that countless people had told her to embrace her tone because it was beautiful,she tried so hard to sound like the others.She thought her voice was ok but it just did not measure up in comparison to the others. Due to this, she was prevented from growing into her own. It was not until  she came to the realisation that everyone had their nitche and it was important to embrace hers that she quit chasing the shadows.
 She entered into true freedom  and became thankful for her gift .Soon enough,confidence came not  necessarily because of what people told her, but because she knew that God gave her that gift , it may be different but it was a gift from God and she will spend time with it,develop it and gain confidence in order to become her own.

The Final aspect which I can totally relate to,  is comparing yourself to other christians. I get looking up to people however when we look up to people , to the point that it becomes the most vital thing to us and we don't know who we are following anymore whether it is Jesus or it is the person,then there is a Problem. Have we forgetten that we are changed as we behold his face from glory to glory.

And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the word of God ] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into his very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another [for this comes} from the lord [ Who is the Spirit. - 2 Cor 3 : 18.

The truth is as long as your today is better than your yesterday then you are on the right track.Everybody cannot be at the same pace, we were not all saved on the same day,our individual relationships with God is unique and thats ok.
Being concerned with how things should be ,what people expect of you,  how things are supposed to be, will only hold us back from his fullness and from living a progressive life.What you need is to" breathe". You live a real life and not an act.You are in contact with a real and progressive God who changes you from glory to Glory.You need to stop trying to the job of the Potter.Let the Potter Mould you into whom he had predestined you to be. Stop focusing on others .Turn your eyes unto him.His Spirit within you is more than sufficient to show you how to will and to do of his good pleasure.

As for you the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you.But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as the anointing is real, not counterfeit -just as it has taught you, remain in him.1 John 2:27

As long as he is Lord over our lives, he will lead us. We know what to do because we are in contact with a God that is alive.Some people have gotten so carried away with what people expect from us or trying to be like others that we don't even remember the last time we spent time with ourselves,with your thoughts or just being still.Neglecting the fact that it is in the stillness that we can be attentive to what the potter is saying .Stop looking to others concerning the path you think your life should take.

My son attend to my words: Incline Thine ear unto my sayings .Let Them Not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thine heart.For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Prov 4:20 -22

Sometimes we just need to cry out and say lord you made me and you said you have given me all that pertains to life.Father Guide me lead me, I don't want to  look to anyone else but you "the Way "because it is in you that I find myself .Father I choose to be thankful for the gifts you have given me, all that I am , all that I have  and for your spirit that guides me and helps me every step of the way .I choose to embrace me,embrace myself in you and choose to live each day in the freedom you have given me

Photo Credit - World Wide Web

'God is busy thinking good thoughts about me,I should be busy Doing the same'

The  other day, I came across the scripture in Jer29:11 that says 'For I know the plans I have for you, plans of good and not of evil,to bring you to an expected end'.I've read and probably quoted that scripture many times like most of us and for me it is such a great comfort and reassurance that God indeed has my back.On this fateful day however, my mind was opened up to another entirely different concept. It was a light bulb moment I tell you. It occurred to me that when God thinks of me his baby girl, All,I repeat ALL His thoughts concerning me are GOOD.This is a Fact.This is the reality.Now based on logical reasoning, and this is pretty simple,it's only sensible I do the same.I mean why not?

For some reason that was life changing for me.It takes the same amount of energy and the same amount of intellectual ability to form a good or bad thought, so why not form good thoughts.Instead of thinking about the 100's of reasons why your goals won't be accomplished, think about one good reason it will and focus on it.Focus on your strengths and not your flaws.Choose to believe God when he says you are wonderfully and fearfully made, in spite of your weakness.It makes all the difference.

A little self-love never hurt anyone.When you think of you what comes to mind?Can you describe  yourself in 3 words?What are your values ?It's important to ask these questions , to see if your thoughts and actions align with what God thinks about you.

A lot of times we ask people what they think about us, and while it is good to get an unbiased opinion about various things that concern us, you cannot rely entirely on another person's opinion of you.

My day to day reality is anything can happen,good or bad but that is OK. In spite of the outcome,everything works out for my good.So basically,there's good in the bad and that pretty much makes it good!

It takes a conscious effort to actually maintain a good attitude when you're on the receiving end of , for lack of a better word 'trash'.This Could mean unfair situations, or unreasonable people, basically anything unpleasant.This post will be pure deception,if I said it was easy,because it's not. What I have found is that it gets easier.The more we practice patience the more patient we will get.The more we switch our aggravated thoughts for peaceful ones in the midst of challenges, the better we get at doing the same in the future.We do all this relying on God's grace.You are a thought away from having a good or bad day.What will it be?


Every day is a lesson;everyday is an opportunity to be a better version of who you were yesterday.I learnt to accept that I don't have all the answers and I don't know everything.Heck I don't even know what I'm having for breakfast tomorrow,What I know is God has a good plan for me, I may not have all the details yet, but I'm content to follow Him daily and enjoy the journey.


Ogunidpe Oyinkan for Femme Vertueuse
 Photo Credit : World Wide Web

The Two Fold Piece Part 2 ;Don't Deny Yourself The Gift Of Jesus!!!!

This is a continuation of the first part Judge Not That You Might Not Be Judged so please watch the video and  read  the previous post first before you go through this second part.

Please ,don't let anyone restrict you from that which Jesus did on the cross for you .Jesus stopped for Zacchaeus a man whom the entire society knew as a man that cheated people.Jesus was open to women who the society had rejected.He sat down with a prostitute and had a conversation with her.Even, a woman that was caught in adultery,

John 8: 1-11 A Woman Caught In Adultery!!!!!

3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act ofadultery. They put her in front of the crow4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 

10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?”11 “No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said,“Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

  Jesus came for you and me and for everyone who would just receive him.He came for the whole world.He illustrates his love such that he would leave 99 sheep for one. You are as important to Jesus as the most holiest person you could think of.He came for the world.The book of John 2:17 puts it this way " For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved"You do not have to measure up to receive his love.Frankly there is nothing we could ever do that merits what was done on the cross. It does not matter your background, how far you have strayed or how lost you feel.Jesus the great healer will heal the brokenhearted,the abused,the lost, the hopeless, it doesn't matter.Jesus the chief physician will fix you, not any man or pastor but Jesus himself.He may work through a pastor or a man, but it is him that ultimately does the saving.Please don't let anyone hold you back.He came for the sick.Those who need help.

Mark2:13-17 Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners 

13 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”.

He came for the sick.He alone understands best what you have  gone through or what you are going through.If you haven't received him into your life,or you were in the fold and you strayed a little.Please do not let anyone hold you back.He says 'WHOEVER' calls upon the name of the lord will be saved. It does not matter who you are are.where you have been, what you did a few minutes before you read this .If you call upon the name of the lord, he is willing and able to save and keep you.Please pray this prayer with me.

Prayer

Jesus today I thank you for your love for me, I thank you father that you love in spite of my wrongs and my shortcomings .I thank you that you haven't given up on me and you never do.Father today I ask that in your mercy,you forgive me my sins you wash me white as snow and you receive me into your loving arms.Lord I thank you for I am forgiven ,Today I receive your unfailing love and I thank you because I am a new creature and old things are washed away.I have a new identity and its in you Christ Jesus.

If you have received Jesus.Don't stop at the entrance .Enter in!! Please go to a church where the word of God is preached and your spirit is fed .Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Even as we exercise to keep our body fit, we need to spiritually exercise.We need to feed ourselves with his word so that we might know him and be able to  "put on the shield of the faith that we might withstand the fiery darts of the enemy .It is important that we do know him,grow deeper in the knowledge of his love for us and it is this love that compels us to want to do things that please him and honour him.He says if you seek him with your whole heart you will find him.We therefore need to "seek"  in order to find him.To seek is to make an attempt to find something.Therefore don't stop at the entrance ,enter in.

We are  so thrilled.Welcome, Welcome ,Welcome  to the Body of Christ and the FV family. We are Super Excited!!!!

We share write ups,songs,videos,interviews and more .Our Hope and mission is to share the love and grace that has saved us and  continues to save and our hope is we all experience him and continually experience him more and more and more and more and more.