Spirituality Archives

Category: Spirituality (page 1 of 3)

A collection of blog posts about Christianity and faith

June 15, 2021 / 0 Comments

The secret of increase: Here is The Lifelong principle

Here is a simple story to illustrate the principle of knowing the secret of increase. It is famously called The Parable of the Sower:

“Consider this: There was a farmer who went out to sow seeds. As he cast his seeds, some fell along the beaten path and birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell onto the gravel that had no topsoil. The seeds quickly shot up, but when the days grew hot, the sprouts were scorched and withered because they had insufficient roots. Other seeds fell among the thorns and weeds, so when the seeds sprouted, so did the weeds, crowding out the good plants. But other seeds fell on good, rich soil that kept producing a good harvest. Some yielded thirty, some sixty and some even one hundred times as much as he planted! If you’re able to understand this, then you need to respond.”

You are like the Farmer

Farmer planting Seed:
Secret of Increase by Zamai Banje — Photo by **Karolina Grabowska** from **Pexels**

The job of every farmer is to have a great harvest. Every farmer is intentional and obeys the laws of the land. This applies to Christians too. You must obey the principles to ensure an increase.

Sadly, many people are still bound because they don’t know these principles. They possess the old mindset which revolves around having ungodly thoughts, wrong philosophy gained from deduction and personal experience.

What is The Secret of Increase

To know the secret of increase, you need to understand the power of God in your life. In John 8:32, Jesus Christ affirms you shall know the truth, and it shall make you free.

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Jesus Christ, John 8:32

There is no increase without freedom. Truth is the access code to freedom. This means if the word of God is the Truth, then the Word is the secret of increase.

Your level of increase does not depend on how long you have been a Christian. Rather, it depends on how much you know about God’s Word and how it impacts your faith and thinking.

The Four States of the Heart

To gain freedom, there must be a hunger and strong appetite for the Word. The parable of the sower shows how we can identify the states of our heart and how to apply the secret of increase.

The seed from the parable is the Word of God, and it’s incorruptible. The potency of the seed can be maximized or minimized on the soil (your attitude). There are four states of the heart. Please do a self-audit as you examine each state:

Photo by **ATC Comm Photo** from **Pexels**

1. The Pathway or Wayside Heart

This is the high traffic mind that cannot be still enough to incubate the Word. With the pathway heart, there is no appetite for God’s Word. This happens because the heart is full of personal ideologies and half-truths.

These are people who forget the word immediately they finish hearing it. They are easily distracted and find alternative ways to fill their hearts. This could be social media, Netflix or obsession with work.

What is the Solution if you have a Wayside Heart?

Desire the Word. Be more receptive and intentional. Change your attitude towards receiving God’s Word.

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.
1 Peter 2:2

2. The Rocky Heart

This is a heart full of emotional reactions. It has a mental assent of the Word without strong conviction. The rocky heart is excited at what is possible but fails to take action.

This set of people usually engage the teachings with emotions. Yet, they forget God’s Word when tribulations and negative circumstances come. When you have a rocky heart, the teachings you receive remain at the head level. The head level is the level of awareness

God’s Word first creates awareness in your head before it brings revelation and faith to your heart. The Power of the Word only comes alive when you move from awareness to revelation and faith.

What is the Solution when you have a Rocky Heart?

Stay in the Word and diligently seek Him.

But without Faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6

3. The Thorny Heart

This is the heart full of worldly worries, glamorized social media lifestyles and status consciousness.

If your outlook becomes influenced by the affairs of the world, it eventually chokes the Word of God. When you have a thorny heart, you see God as the access to material wealth, rather than the centre of your existence. You begin to see God as a tool, rather than a father.

What do You do if you have a Thorny Heart?

Make God’s kingdom your first priority. Don’t live to please others.

Read this article (INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS THE RIGHT WAY) to learn the proper way to build relationships.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33

4. The ‘Good Ground’ Heart

This is the heart that is receptive, amenable and humble. It is open to instruction and desperate for transformation.

When you have the ‘good ground’ heart, you delight in God’s Word and meditate on it daily.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
But the delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalms 1:1-3

Final Words

It’s possible to exhibit various states of the heart depending on the situation. Keep vigilant watch over the state of your heart at all times.

Growth will only happen when you locate where you are and move away from there.

Prime Source: Elevation Church Sermon on March 14, 2021.

August 13, 2020 / 4 Comments

Salt and Light: When your Purpose meets Brilliance

Have you ever read a specific verse in the Bible from a different version and had a profound perspective? This is how I felt after reading Matthew 5:13-16 from the Message. After reading these verses and sharing my thoughts, I sincerely hope it gives clarity and understanding in whatever you do. Read closely because it is also the sole reason on why you and I are here on Earth:

Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.
MATTHEW 5:13-16 MSG

Salt of the Earth: Be Valuable

In those days, salt was so valuable and useful that it was used as money. Today, America’s sea salt company identified over 14,000 uses of salt. It’s obvious that to live a healthy life, salt must be part of your daily diet. This is how you should be. Be the salt of the earth. Be extremely important in offering value. Here is how to be the salt of the earth:

Salt and Light: When your purpose meets brilliance — Photo by Jason Tuinstra on Unsplash

Be Salt. Preserve the peace in your environment and those around you. Try to be peaceful with all men (at least from your end).
Be Salt. Listen critically and cleanse the impurities. Dissociate from bad people and remove corrupt communication. Do what is right at all times.
Be Salt. Add ‘taste’ and ‘spice’ to the lives of others. Bring the individuality and uniqueness of your mentors, peers and juniors. Be a beacon of positivity and wisdom.
Be Salt. Know your origin. Just as how salts originate from the ocean, know you come from a place of abundance. You are limitless and vast. You are from a source of never-ending wisdom, strength and creativity. Knowing your self-identity also boosts your self-worth.

You are the salt of the Earth. Don’t forget this.

Light of the World: Be Visible

The Sun. The Moon. Electric bulb. Candle. These are symbols of life, tranquillity, innovation and restoration respectively. All because they produce light.

Salt and Light: Where your purpose meets brilliance — Photo by Dyu – Ha on Unsplash

This is who you are. The light of the world. You are never meant to be hidden. People need you to survive. Embrace this philosophy wherever you go. Here is how to be the light of the world:

Be Light. Give life. Let your attitude, actions and words always spread positivity and joy. People should feel energized, encouraged and elated when they see and hear you.
Be Light. Be visible. Share your story. Share your talents in whatever you can. You cannot be hidden. You are meant for the top. Strive with excellence and the urge to learn. Be spectacular in your doings. Always show up strong.
Be Light. Illuminate. Enlighten people around you with your exposure, experience and expertise. Don’t be a lonely light in the midst of darkness because it will eventually consume you. Light others up literally. Always seek ways to bring out the potential in others.
Be Light. Innovate. For instance, the Sun, fire and lighting powered by electricity give us energy, the power to stay active at night and improves our lives at a faster pace. This is how you ought to be. Stay active. Come up with new ideas. Improve constantly. This is the only way you can shine brighter.

FINAL WORDS

I know life is not perfect and throw bad situations at you. There are certain times when you might feel useless, unimportant or confused on what to do with your day or life in general. Or when waves of loneliness or darkness consume your thoughts which in turn affect your attitude and actions.

Please stay strong in those moments. Stay in constant contact with the Creator. Seek advice from positive friends. And one thing is certain.

Never lose sight of who you are. You are Salt and Light.

August 8, 2020 / 0 Comments

Faith for the Modern Millenial – Read This For Strength

FAITH. How best can you describe this intangible force with tangible words? I have slightly discussed the theory of faith in a previous post. The good news is we all exhibit faith at every point of our lives. It is that gut feeling and confidence you have in something or someone. It is the belief that something will come to pass at its own time. Strong rooted faith is really indescribable and cannot be fully expressed. But here is a perfect definition of faith:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
HEBREWS 11:1 NKJV

A similar concept would be defining faith as ‘receipts’ for life purchases. It is what you hold on to before the ‘package’ arrives. If you have ordered a product online, you must know this feeling. When you purchase a product online, you get a confirmation order or receipt that your package is on its way. Most times, you must have inserted your card details and pay even though you have not physically seen your item.

This belief comes from trust in that system. You strongly believe the person at the other end would fulfil his other part of the deal. Your faith in life should be strong and more unwavering than this system. You should wake up and do your work, knowing your ‘package’ (your goals, desires and aspirations) will finally be delivered to you at its time.

However, there are times when your faith wavers. Especially those days when the ‘package’ takes longer periods to land for you. At those moments, it seems delay is gradually turning to denial. Don’t worry. I have got you covered. Here are some tips to stay true to the end:

Faith for the Modern Millennial — Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash

KNOW YOUR ULTIMATE SOURCE OF FAITH

Yeah. Having faith in temporal things simply leads to constant faltering belief. These temporal things include: your goals, money, health, career, medicine and even your innate wisdom. Having faith in these things is fine. You need to have conviction in them to thrive and become your highest self (being successful in all aspects of your life). However, there should be a central anchor of faith on which your other convictions rely on.

That anchor is God through his Son, Jesus Christ. Yes dear, he is your rock on which you should firmly build your house on. He is the ‘delivery guy’ who always delivers at the appointed time. Learn to trust in Him.

IDENTIFY YOUR MAJOR SOURCES OF DISTRACTION

There’s a reason we must specifically identify major sources of distractions. This is because the only way you avoid all interferences today is to live in a cave disconnected from people, the internet and the entire world. (Even the wandering mind can still be a distraction at this point).

So here is what you can do. Take your time to identify the major activities that distracts you and causes your faith to waver on certain days. Then unplug them. Or readjust them in a way that boosts your faith and resolve.

For instance, in the past few months, I discovered a major source of my distractions. Social media. I was always online. And it began to affect my mental health and outlook towards life: Unhealthy Twitter trends and threads (it’s shocking how some people are ready to ruin others in the name of banter and grammar correction).

This app is too sensitive for me. You could say I love my life and suicidal people would get offended.
TWEET FROM @qgatss (chivo) –

The seemingly endless Instagram feed. Overwhelming information on Facebook (I was in so many knowledge-sharing groups and communities. I forgot to share my own knowledge or apply most of them I learnt on a daily basis)

Yeah. Those were my major sources of distractions. Here is what I did:

I started slowly by setting countdown timers on my dominant social media apps (for example Twitter – 1 hour, Instagram – 30 minutes, Facebook – 30 minutes, WhatsApp – 1 hour 30 minutes) Once the allotted time elapsed, the specific app shuts down for the rest of the day. Achieve this strategy through ‘Digital well-being and parental control’ on Android OS. P.S: I must admit I removed the timers on some days, but the discipline got stronger as the weeks went by.
I eventually uninstalled the apps. It felt unnatural at that time. But I did it at the end.
After setting up a plan on how to manage my social media, I re-installed Instagram and created a new account (which you can FOLLOW HERE). With this new page, I was now deliberate with whom I follow and the content I create and consume. The plan is to replicate this tactic with other social media platforms.

In sum, everyone has a way of managing their major distractions. Just make sure you do what suits you. Identify. Then unplug.

STRIVE TO BECOME THE MEN OF OLD

This sounds very strange, right? Advising you to be like ancient men when there are so many successful people to emulate today sounds absurd. Yet, what you learn from the people of old are their core values, principles and astounding faith. In this context, the people of old are the successful individuals mentioned in Hebrews 11:4-35.

The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.
HEBREWS 11:2 MSG

To imitate them, through your faith:

Pursue excellence like Abel
Stand apart like Enoch
Prepare ahead like Noah
Believe till the end like Abraham and Sarah
Understand the power of your words like Isaac, Jacob and Joseph
Sacrifice every other thing for the right reason like Moses
Seek peace like Rahab

Yeah. This is the end. Do all the above and experience stronger bouts of faith as modern millennials. Cheers.