A TALE OF TWO HOUSES, WHICH IS YOURS? PART 2

Remember the story of the two ladies and their houses before they went for a vacation. And what happened after they came back.  Here is the part two and now we are about maintenance and repair. Brother Olumide Obatuyi and sister Toluwanimi Ibikunle have shared with us what ought to be done.

The  mind is what i would like to describe as the relay system of the entire body. It is the point between our external environment and the internal emviroment which is the spirit, which is one of the reasons why it is very sensitive. It picks every signal, every impulse, every beat sent to . As a relay system, it can pick every information directed towards it. 

From the story of the ladies that went on a vacation and the states in which they left their houses, we know it's important that we guard this relay system. The truth is, that in a world like ours where there's so much useful data and garbage data flowing everywhere, filtering this things can be almost impossible. Social media, radio stations, movies, the news and every other media outlets available. Now that we know its impossible to stay away from garbage without loosing touch of the important things on these platforms, we realise that we need a higher force, a superior power which is the Holy spirit. The one we can trust to make right all things. 

With this alliance, it is easier to win this continous battle for our mind. The next important step is conciously increasing the database of edifying information. Meditate on God's word, spend time with him. By this, the information formed behind the relay system stays positive. Build for your mind a beautiful database of the God kind of information and remember to flee from the non God kind of information because it's impossible to serve two masters. Yield to the holy spirit and purge yourselves of the negatives. 

It's beautiful living in a clean house, it's a more amazing experience with a clean house. For there is therefore no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus. In yielding to God's spirit and building the God kind of database, our minds are safe. 

SISTER TOLUWANIMI IBIKUNLE

First I must say that the entire write up is a particularly creative one. A creative write up impregnated with a vital message.

The power of the mind.

An entity no man has come very close to accurately defining but whose importance is particularly very central to the human life. 

Therefore, it is hardly surprising like you said, the bible’s insistence on it being continually renewed.

As a tripartite human (Body, Mind and Spirit), a lot depends on how a man designs the organogram of his life. A lot depends on which of the components takes driving seat. Little wonder, there’s a phrase called “Being LED by the Spirit” meaning being driven by the Spirit. 

For a Christian, a Spirit-led life is the recommended lifestyle. Reason is not far-fetched. The wisdom of God flows through the very drive of the Spirit in a man’s life.

The mind is a factory. An absolute chaos for a site (well except when ordered by the One who is Divine). 

Guard it jealously! Spiritually renew it religiously! 

BROTHER OLUMIDE OBATUYI

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In addition to and due to the fact that the contributions have covered majorly what needs to be known, I will be a bit selective of instances. My question to you is "Where does your focus lie?" Do you remember that God is your source and entirety when trials and temptations come or do you let them overwhelm your mind? Or when fear sets in and your mind is in state of unrest? Or when you feel doubtful? Once you realize who your entirety is, you will rest on and focus on the promises of God and this brings us to one of the reasons why you constantly need to renew your mind with the word of God, your faith is built up.  

Remember when Peter was walking on the sea, he lost focus and began to sink he let himself get carried away by the storm. But when he had his eyes on Jesus he wasn't sinking. Do you know that when you are facing trials and you have your eyes on Jesus, you can live happily above it and come out stronger and better. So let not your mind be troubled. 

 There is something that commonly affects a lot of people, this is words that other people say to them. Someone may say something hurtful to a person that goes a long way in attacking their self esteem which makes them question their abilities or who they are. The person's thoughts about the hurtful remark may linger and then as a result of constant exposure of their minds to them, The feelings of disbelief, anger, fears, resentment etc if allowed comes in and constant worry of whether they are good enough or not so the mind is constantly battling. 

We need to understand that the devil's lies are very unrealistic unless they are believed. 

  The devil tries to incorporate his lies into feelings to make one feel a certain way, the truth is; this feelings are deceptive they do not determine actual realities or results.  What actually makes this people succumb to what's being said about them isn't because it's true, it's because the lies have been meditated on that they eventually believe it. It's even worse when someone close to their hearts is responsible. As a result of the trust, it's easy to get hurt and it's easy to believe this lies. Even if it feels  true to you, let's say a weakness is pointed out, it doesn't limit what God is able to do with you or for you, it can't also limit you because you can live above it. God can work with it and make it a life changing story for other people who are brought to the knowledge of your story. Remember God's strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. 

Do you realise who you carry in you? Because when you focus on him, you will surely keep your head up!  2 peter 1 vs 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Hence, you are complete and have been made whole. Always remember God says you can or you are because he has sufficiently made you so.

  God's word says that he that began the good work in you will surely complete it. Forgive, keeping a grudge won't help the state of your mind. Forgive and move on. And if the source of this provocation requires you to stay away from them, do so.  As believers, our words should be seasoned with salts, that we may know how to talk to one another. Colosians 4 vs 6.

At the end of it all, the state of your mind is important, be conciously selective of the things you watch, listen to or think on. Meditate on the word of God regularly, its the light to your path. 

Guard your heart wth all deligence!

KEKENYE UBULOM

To get the full message of  "A tale of two houses", visit the part 1 of this message on the blog. God bless you

HOW IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD FARING FROM YOUR END?

Psalm 73vs 28; But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.

A relationship with God cannot be over emphasised. A lot of times we under rate it. A song writer says the holy spirit is more real than the air he breaths. It's the truth!

 A lot of people believe in the existence of God, they are Christians but it's difficult for them to accept the fact that God is actually near. Your relationship with God is based on how you see God. At this point i will ask, Who is God to you? Do you believe he is close as the bible says? Or as people testify? What is it that is hindering you from experiencing this closeness?
Have you ever felt so close to God at a point in your life then later something happens that makes it feel like God is completely far away? I mean, you concluded that when people say God is close, they are probably exaggerating it. Sometimes this can happen and then we end up keeping malice with God that it's difficult to hear him again, because we've driven him far away. God never left.
One could also unconciously keep him at a distance when they stop meditating or fellowshiping.

Just as other relationships with people needs you to spend more time with them to understand them and understand what they mean when they speak, thats how it is with God. You need to spend time with him. Just like relationships with people that requires you to be quiet sometimes to hear them speak, while spending time with God, you need to be quite for God to speak sometimes. Also, be opened to the fact that God can choose to speak to you through any means or anybody he chooses and at any time.

There are several things that can hinder us
from hearing from God. The most common is noise. There is just so much noise. Your life may just be so noisy that its difficult to actually hear when God speaks and when you go to the place of prayer, you would probably be doing most of the talking. It can be to the extent that you are just religiously talking and you are not even concious of what you are saying maybe because you believe prayer is all about you doing the talking. Imagine going on a date with someone you want to get to know and all they do is talk about themselves without giving you a chance to speak.
 Another noisy place is the mind. Sometimes, our minds are far more busy than we are physically busy.

Have you ever had a best friend? Like  a close friend you loved dearly and you felt you could completely trust? How were you two relating? How did they make you feel? Can you apply that in your relationship with God? When you have this kind of  a relationship with God, you do not necessarily need to go to the place of prayer before you can hear from him. He can just speak to you any where and anytime. God is always willing to speak but how you are opened to hear is important as well.
Please do not miss out on having this relationship with God, it is a privilege. It is so sweet and life saving. You may not realise it, but God is a total romantic! He can't actually help it😁.

Even the things you think are too absurd to talk about or ask, he wants to know about them. The amazing thing is, there is a twenty four hour access.

I don't know exactly what is stopping you from hearing from God or what it is you think is. if you can figure it out, do and pray concerning it and  if you can't, pray to him concerning it.

Study the word of God, it's the easiest and simplest way to hear from God. It's very precious.

 God's love amazes me a lot of times and his love is totally uncomparable. Go talk to your best friend
Acts 17 vs 27;
that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

DON'T GET DISTRACTED

What are you focused on? A lot of people who are walking with God are not completely focused on him. They walk with God with their egos at the forefront, it may be a concious or subconcious act.

This is actually based on how one sees themselves and then their focus is shifted. They think they need something to hold on to and make them feel complete.
It can be noticed when they are serving God. What comes to their mind is; What do people think? Were they able to impress this people? Can their ego be boosted with this? Are they elevated before people's eyes by what they do? It's like using God to get approval from people or to get fame and some people don't know they are doing it.

 Don't get me wrong, it's different from when one is concerned about their works and if it reflects the righteousness of God, or how their works are able to change the heart of men and bring them to God.

As believers, our essence, existence, service and totality is in Christ. Hence, we should see our selves through Christ. That's how God sees us. We should understand that our service is to God and he sees the heart. If one's focus is based on what's on the outside, only what the eyes can see or what they think makes them complete outside Christ, once they are stripped off these things, they tend to crumble and their self esteem gets hit. For example, you are a good singer and then you wake up one morning and realise you are not able to sing anymore. What is going to be your reaction? What will you fall back on? Will you believe that you are complete?
Without those things you feel makes you who you are, will you still believe you are complete in Christ? Think about it.
These things don't actually complete you. They can be lost just as beauty fades and do not forget God always has a plan. It could also be that you think a human being is what makes you complete.
Galatians 2 vs 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Aside seeing our completeness in other things, we may be tempted to see ourselves through our imperfections and forget that God's strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. It is about seeing your self above every fleshy or physical imperfection and being focused on your perfection and identity in Christ. This is how we ought to see other people too. Colosians 2 vs 10 says; and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

You are valuable, you are loved. You don't need to seek out something to make you feel complete because you have already been made complete in Christ. You may lose something but you haven't lost your completeness. Have faith in this, be rightly focus and rest on the completeness that Christ has given to you.