Showing posts with label The Favored One. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Favored One. Show all posts

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

Topic: The Favored One - Part Twenty-One.

Text: ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 

TFO Keynote #61: Faith is always looking forward, never backward. Our destination is God. All that we want is in front of us. Nothing that we want is behind us. (Hebrews 11:9-10)

“Every great move forward in your life begins with a leap of faith, a step into the unknown.” ― Brian Tracy.

“Never give up hope. All things are working for your good. One day, you'll look back on everything you've been through and thank God for it.” ― Germany Kent.

"The future, though mysterious, is not the gray blank many of us expect it to be. The future is the storehouse of God’s merciful plans, if only we had eyes to see them." ― Scott Hubbard.

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV)

“Real change is difficult at the beginning. Without the familiar to rely upon, you may not in as much command as you had once been. When things are not going your way, you will start doubting yourself. Stay positive, keep the faith, and keep moving forward – your breakthrough may be just around the corner.” ― Roy T. Bennett.


TFO Keynote #62: There are prerequisites to God's promises. They only become real in our lives when we receive them with faith. That is, we meet our own end of the bargain. (Hebrews 11:11-12; Matthew 9:20-22)

“True faith is never found alone; it is always accompanied by expectation. The man who believes the promises of God expects to see them fulfilled. Where there is no expectation, there is no faith.” ― A.W. Tozer.


TFO Keynote #63: Faith is seeing everything in the face of eternity and trusting in the faithfulness of God. (Hebrews 11:13; Job 19:25, 14:14; Matthew 5:30) 

"Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs." ― Jonathan Edwards. 

“Faith is like a radar that sees through the fog.” ― Corrie Ten Boom.

"My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him." ― Psalm 62:5 (NKJV)

“Notice the word ‘hope’ (in Psalm 62:5). The Hebrew term literally means ‘a cord, as an attachment.’ Every one of us is hanging on to something or someone for security… if it’s someone or something other than God alone, you’re hanging on by a thread – the wrong thread.” – Beth Moore.

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." ― 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NKJV)


TFO Keynote #64: Faith is the assurance that I have today for the place called there. (Hebrews 11:14; Proverbs 29:18) 

Faith is the persuasion of my vision and mission.

Nothing risked, nothing lost—and nothing gained.

"For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland." ― Hebrews 11:14 (NKJV)

"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." ― Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)


The Saint.

Friday, 4 November 2022

Topic: The Favored One - Part Twenty.

Text: ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 

TFO Keynote #57: Man's belief is limited by his vision. What you see is what you believe. What you believe is what you see. You are limited by what you see. You are limited by what you believe. (Hebrews 11:7)

Vision motivates. Vision prompts action.

Faith is a kind of attitude of trust or assent.

Faith is an intellectual act whose object is truth.

Vision evokes awe and releases the imagination.

What you cannot see with your mind's eyes you cannot have.

What you cannot see with your mind's eyes you cannot believe.

“What you see is evidence of what you believe.” — Wayne Dyer. 

Vision is the song your heart sings. Vision is specific and unique to you.

“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe.” —St. Augustine of Hippo. 

“The moment we want to believe something, we suddenly see all the arguments for it, and become blind to the arguments against it.” – George Bernard Shaw.

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” — Hebrews 11:7 (NKJV)


TFO Keynote #58: Faith is being sold out to God's word. It is trusting God wholly. (Hebrews 11:8) 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." — Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)


TFO Keynote #59: Faith is surrender to God, His will, and purpose. (Hebrews 11:8)

A surrender is an act of worship.

There is no worship without surrender.

God only uses vessels surrendered to Him.

Surrender is a death experience. It is dying to self.

Surrender is to be willing and obedient, to be sold out.

"Surrender is Worship of God." — St. AndrĂ© Bessette.

“God is not looking for gold vessels or silver vessels. He is looking for willing vessels.” – Kathryn Kuhlman.

"When we surrender ourselves to God, we worship him. Surrendering doesn’t lead us into worship; our surrender is our worship." — Laura Story.

"And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." — Philippians 2:8 (NKJV)

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. — Romans 12:1 (NKJV)


TFO Keynote #60: God cannot use you until He has broken you. (Hebrews 11:8)

"Faith, without trouble or fighting, is a suspicious faith; for true faith is a fighting, wrestling faith." ― Ralph Erskine.

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." — Hebrews 11:8 (NKJV)

"God had no children too weak, but a great many too strong to make use of. God stands in no need of our strength or wisdom, but of our ignorance, of our weakness; let us but give these to Him, and He can make use of us in winning souls." — D.L. Moody.


The Saint.

Monday, 10 October 2022

The Favored One - Part Nineteen.


Text:
 ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 

TFO Keynote #53: Faith is shown in a devoted WALK with God. (Genesis 5:24; Luke 10:42)

“The great problem in contemporary Christian living is not learning the right things to do but how to do the right things.” — John Piper.

“Walking by the Spirit is what we do when the desires produced by the Spirit are stronger than the desires produced by the flesh.” — John Piper.


TFO Keynote #54: Faith is what qualifies us for God's approval. It is what causes us to please God. (Hebrews 11:5)

“Faith involves a commitment “to believe in a God,” “to believe God,” and “to believe in God.”” — Anonymous.

“Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe.” — St. Augustine of Hippo.

"The approval of God is not earned but received. It does not come to you on the basis of merit, but on the basis of mercy." — Colin Smith.


TFO Keynote #55: Faith is the belief that God is in the very present moment; and that He is a rewarder. It is not about doing good. It is about doing God. (Hebrews 11:6; 13:5; Romans 12:1)


TFO Keynote #56: Faith is having godly fear. Having godly fear is faith. It is magnifying God in our hearts and being. (Hebrews 11:7)

To fear God is to take refuge in Him – to draw close to Him.

Fearing the Lord is to appreciate His character. [Proverbs 2:1-5]

Fear of God refers to a sense of awe, and submission to Him.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” — Proverbs 9:10.

“Unlike worldly fear that creates alarm and anxiety, godly fear is a source of peace, assurance, and confidence.” — Elder David Bednar.

Working out our salvation with fear and trembling implies a heightened sense of reverence for God by living our lives in ways that testify to the fact that we are saved. [Philippians 2:12]

Fearing the Lord means to be in reverent awe of His holiness, to give Him complete reverence, and to honor Him as the God of great glory, majesty, purity, and power. [Exodus 19:16, 20:18-19; Deuteronomy 5:22-27; Psalm 33:8-9]


The Saint.

Tuesday, 27 September 2022

The Favored One - Part Eighteen.


Text:
 ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 

TFO Keynote #50: Faith is a differentiator between those who fear God and those who don't. (Numbers 14:24; 2 Corinthians 4:13; Genesis 4:6-7, NKJV; Matthew 7:21-23, NKJV).

"Faith is a differentiator in success." — Kelly Chillarege.

"When others have faith in us we climb higher than we ever knew we could. When we have faith in ourselves, we can fly." — Kelly Chillarege.

"The difference between faith and fear is our FOCUS. What we focus on becomes magnified, especially when we face tough circumstances." — Billy Graham Centre.

"Faith is a reasoned assent of the will as monk scholars defined it. It is an act of trust based upon reason. Almost everything we believe and hold true is ultimately built upon faith, such as faith in reason itself, that the universe is intelligible, that life is meaningful, etc. Faith is the basis of virtually everything." — Tom More.

"Faith and fear work in the spirit realm, and they both work to produce results in one’s life, but these forces are opposite. Faith is constructive; fear is destructive. Faith is grounded in Truth; fear is grounded in lies. Faith is based on the promises of God. Fear is based on the deceptive lies of Satan. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God; fear comes by hearing the lies of Satan." — Jim Vaught.


TFO Keynote #51: Faith is the way to understand God. If we don't trust Him we cannot know Him. Until we submit to Him, God will not reveal Himself to us. (Hebrews 11:3; John 3:3)

"Faith is about trusting God even when you do not understand His plan."— Joel Osteen.

"Having faith is having trust. You have to trust with your entire being that God has your back that he will help you and take care of you. He knows what is best, but to truly embrace what he has planned for you, you have to fully trust. Our trust is not foolish, for our God is both faithful and good."— Kennedy Lane.


TFO Keynote #52: Faith is that thing that drives you towards exalting God in your heart as holy. It has to do with our relationship with God. Faith is a differentiator. You need faith to live right. (Hebrews 11:4; Galatians 6:7; Matthew 22:14)

Faith is the eye with which we see the invisible. It is the hand with which we touch that which we cannot touch with human hands. It is what we use to bring into being the things that have been provided for us in the invisible realm.

“Faith and doubt go hand in hand. They are complementary. One who never doubts will never truly believe.” — Hermana Hesse.

The absence of doubt is not a prerequisite for faith in God. But a disregard for doubt accompanies our decision to trust him.

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” — Thomas Aquinas.

“Faith isn't the absence of doubt. It's belief without proof, not without question.” — Rosemary Clement-Moore.

“There can be no faith without doubt. No strength without temptation. (Rafael)” — Sherilyn Kenyon.

“Faith is not the absence of doubt; it is continuing to follow Jesus in the midst of doubt.” — J.D. Greear.

“Life is doubt, and faith, without doubt, is nothing but death.” — Miguel de Unamuno.

“Faith is not the absence of doubt; it's the means to overcome it.” — Steven Furtick.

Faith is the end of limitations and the beginning of limitless possibilities. 

“Faith which does not doubt is dead faith.” — Miguel de Unamuno.

“Faith, without doubt, is addiction.” — Salman Rushdie.

Faith is a choice, not a feeling.


The Saint.

Saturday, 10 September 2022

The Favored One - Part Seventeen.

Lekki Expressway, Lekki-Lagos, Nigeria.

Text:
 ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 

TFO Keynote #48: Faith is substance. It is tangible. It is not the past, nor the future. It is assurance. (Hebrews 11:1) 

Faith gives substance [life] to the things we hope for. (Hebrews 11:1)

"Faith is not faith in faith, but rather faith is in the person of Christ." — Pastor RĂ©ne Brown.

"Faith is the confidence that what God has said is true, and God will perform it." — Pastor RĂ©ne Brown.

Faith is the essential nature [essence, relevance, value, solid, strength, wholeness, standing] of the things we hope for. (Hebrews 11:1)

Faith is the "hypostasis" [Greek: literally "a standing under," foundation, assurance, guarantee, confidence, title deed] of things hoped for. (Hebrews 11:1)

"Faith without hope is dead. You cannot have legitimate faith and not have hope. The two must not be separated. Faith enables the believing soul to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen." — Pastor RĂ©ne Brown.


TFO Keynote #49: Faith works with vision, not with sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

One of the greatest friends of vision is faith.

"The eye should learn to listen before it looks." — Robert Frank.

"One of the greatest enemies of vision is sight." — Myles Munroe.

"Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others." — Jonathan Swift.

"Faith has to direct our actions, steer our thoughts, and stampede all over our fear-induced lack of trust." — Esther Dorotik.

"Walking by faith means allowing God, who sees the end from the beginning, to lead the way through all areas of life." — Esther Dorotik.

"Faith cannot thrive in the hostile environment of self-reliance. Only through surrender can we, like Abram, walk by faith, not by sight." — Annette Marie Griffin.


The Saint.

Friday, 19 August 2022

The Favored One - Part Sixteen.


Text:
 ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 

TFO Keynote #46: Faith is what I have for the things I don't have. (Hebrews 11:1; Matthew 6:32-33) 

Faith is the fuel of our spirit. Without faith, our spirit dies.

“Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God.” – A. W. Tozer.

Faith is trusting God even when you don't understand His plan.

"Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation." – Andrew Murray.

“A faith is a necessity to a MAN. Woe to him who believes in nothing.” – Victor Hugo.

The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38; Habakkuk 2:4)

"If you have worry, you don't have faith. If you have faith, you don't have worry." – Jack Coe.

"Faith enables the believing soul to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen." – George Muller.

"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe." - Augustine of Hippo.

“Faith is not believing in my own unshakable belief. Faith is believing an unshakable God when everything in me trembles and quakes.” – Beth Moore.


TFO Keynote #47: The technology for getting all our wants and needs met is seeking first, God, His kingdom, and Righteousness. (Matthew 6:33) 

"Habit 3: Put first things first."  Stephen Covey.

God's righteousness is our alignment with the original creation.

What does it mean to seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness?

"I suggest we get our priorities right—first things first" (English Idiom)

“Put first things first and we get second things thrown in; put second things first and we lose both first and second things.” — C. S. Lewis.

God's kingdom is the original state of all things. For all things were subject to him till sin was found. Sin is corruption. A deviation from the original creation.

“Putting first things first means organizing and executing around your most important priorities. It is living and being driven by the principles you value most, not by the agendas and forces surrounding you.”  Stephen Covey.

Important matters should be dealt with before other things. Stop allowing the seeming urgent to interrupt the important. Urgent is temporal. It is occasioned by the neglect of the important. Important is eternal. Let sense have the day.


The Saint.

Saturday, 13 August 2022

The Favored One - Part Fifteen.


Text:
 ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 


TFO Keynote #43: Faith comes from knowing where your strength comes from; knowing where/what/who your source is, and comparing your challenge to Him. (Matthew 6:30; Psalm 23; Isaiah 42:13; 2 Chronicles 20:15) 

But, there is a God in Heaven... (Daniel 2:28a)

We are the sheep of His pasture. (Psalm 100:3; 97:5)

God is with us like a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; 2 Chronicles 20:15; Isaiah 40:22)

"Faith is the confidence, the assurance, the enforcing truth, the knowing."  Robert Collier.


TFO Keynote #44: Your faith or the lack thereof is influenced by the people you surround yourself with. Evil communication corrupts good manners. (1 Corinthians 15:33)

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with“. - Jim Rohn. Your association is affecting your personality. Wisdom is choosing who, when, where, and how you associate. You are the responsible party for the vessel called YOU.

"When you walk with someone, something unspoken happens. Either you match their pace or they match yours."  Sidney Poitier. 

We are spirits. We are energy, and our energy and spirit is in continual interaction with our environment. One is seeking to gain mastery over the other with a resultant effect governed by the law of averages, taking quantity and intensity into consideration. We are all in a state of continual influence - influencing and being influenced. We are the result of the influences of yesterday and will be the result tomorrow of the ongoing influences of today.


TFO Keynote #45: Man is God's intent for creation. Every other thing on earth was created to serve man in fulfilling God's original intent of His glory shining forth through man, His prototype.

God created man in His image and according to His likeness so that man would receive God as life and express God in all His attributes. (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:8)

The reason God created man in His image inwardly and with His likeness outwardly was not for man to do anything for God or to “be God’s friend”, but so that man and God would be organically one and God would be expressed through man on earth.


The Saint.

Sunday, 24 July 2022

The Favored One - Part Fourteen.


Text:
 ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 


TFO Keynote #40: God is in the quietness of faith, not the worry, the noise, the earthquake, and the fire. We need to each find our rest in the quietness of faith. Our power is not in ourselves. It is in God. (1 Kings 19:11-13; Psalm 46:10-11; Isaiah 30:15) 

Big things come in small packages. (Numbers 13:33; 14:6-9)

“I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn’t need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about.” – Henry Ford.


TFO Keynote #41: Worry is a result of a lack of faith. It is the result of an inability to think, reason, and remember. (Matthew 6:25-31) 

Worry is a lack of hope. (Proverbs 12:25)

Worry is primarily based on fear and uncertainty.

Worry does not benefit us physically, mentally, or spiritually. 

Worrying is a waste of valuable time and accomplishes nothing!

All worry does is steal your joy and keep you busy doing nothing.

“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.” – Swedish Proverb.

Worry comes from thinking we might lose something important to us. 

"Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due." – William Ralph Inge.

Worry is a lack of faith. It is the concern, or belief that something we do not want will happen.

Worry is the false belief that everything depends on you – what you do, or not do. It is taking responsibility for the things that are outside your control.


TFO Keynote #42: If you cannot think, you cannot have faith. Faith requires knowledge. It requires a basis. (Matthew 6:25-31) 

Belief without a basis is a presumption. (Numbers 14:44; Romans 12:3)

Faith demands our ability to think. (Hebrews 11:3; Matthew 16:5-12)

There is no faith without knowledge. (Romans 1:18-21)

Knowledge is the foundation for faith. (Romans 1:18-21)

If we are to have faith, we must have knowledge. (Romans 1:18-21)


The Saint.

Friday, 15 July 2022

The Favored One - Part Thirteen.


Text:
 ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 


TFO Keynote #38: Worrying leads to compromise. (Matthew 6:27)

Worry is a stealer of rest and joy.

To worry is to lose trust/faith in God.

Worry makes good bad, and bad worse.

To worry is to doubt - God and yourself.

To worry is to give the devil a legal hold against us.

“Don’t worry. It may never happen.” ― Anonymous.

To worry is to break the hedge of protection around us.

Worrying is a letting down of our defense. It opens us to negative energy.

Worry is a negative expression of a lack of control, either directly, or indirectly.

"Worrying is using your imagination to create something you don’t want." ― Abraham Hicks.


TFO Keynote #39: The Just trust God through the "WAITING SPELL." (1 Samuel 13:8-14; Isaiah 28:16; Job 14:14)

Hurry is a demon.

Patience is a virtue.

To wait is to be patient.

Wisdom is learning to wait.

It is always too soon to quit.

To wait is not to be compromised.

To wait is to be in control of oneself.

To wait is to be like a city with walls.

“Rivers know this: There is no hurry. We shall get there someday.” ― A.A. Milne.

The "waiting spell" is the "in-between" of life. It is when the character is built and destinies are affirmed or lost.

“Patience is the ability to accept trouble, suffering, delay without getting angry or upset, I feel like if you can master patience you can master anything.” – Big Sean.


The Saint.

Sunday, 3 July 2022

The Favored One - Part Twelve.


Text:
 ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 


TFO Keynote #36: All truths are parallel. If you can find a truth in one realm, you can apply it in every other realm. (Isaiah 28:16; John 14:6)

All truths are parallel.

Truth is the aim of belief.

Truths are found, not created. (John 8:31-32; Proverbs 25:2)

Truth Exists Whether We Know It or Not.

Truth is that which accurately reflects reality.

Truths are universal laws. Universal laws are truths.

The truth may hurt for a while, but a lie hurts forever.

People need the truth about the world in order to thrive.

“Falsehood is so easy, truth so difficult.” – George Elliot.

Truth is a person. His name is Jesus Christ. (John 14:6, 1:1; Isaiah 28:16)

“To say of what is that it is, or of what is not that it is not, is true.” — Aristotle.

"The truth is like a lion. You don't have to defend it. Let it loose. It will defend itself." — St. Augustine.

“Truth is like surgery. It hurts, but cures. The lie is like a pain killer. It gives relief, but has side effects forever.” – Unknown.
 
Truth does not rely upon our affirmation of it, nor is it in any capacity adjusted by our obliviousness or changed by our pie-in-the-sky consideration.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." — John 1:14, NKJV.

"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." — John 1:17, NKJV.


TFO Keynote #37: Worrying is instinctive. We think by worrying we can change the past or the future. We are emotional, and hence are more prone to doing things that appeal to our feelings. Feeling like a thing does not make it right, or the will of God. We need to judge all spirits and emotions. (Matthew 6:27; 1 John 4:1-6) 

We are emotional beings.

On autopilot, we are led by our emotions.

We need to judge all spirits and emotions. 

Our programming determines and controls our emotions.

Feeling like a thing does not make it right, or the will of God. 

We are more prone to doing things that appeal to our feelings.

Our feelings and emotions are good servants, but terrible masters.

We worry when we lack vision. (Isaiah 40:22; 42:13; Proverbs 18:10)

We fret because we fail to see God, as He is. (Isaiah 40:22; 42:13; Proverbs 18:10)

Worrying is instinctive. It is a part of the fall. (Romans 3:23; 7:13-25)

Faith is not instinctive. We have to rise up to it. (Ephesians 4:24; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16)

We are deceived to think we can change the past by worrying. (Matthew 6:27-29)

We dread the future because we compare it to our past and our present. (Numbers 13:33)

"Self-absorption is always a temptation to young people, and if their religion is of a sort to add to this self-absorption, I feel that it is a serious mistake. If I had my way, the whole subject of feelings and emotions in the religious life would be absolutely ignored. Feelings there will be, doubtless, but they must not be in the least depended on, nor in any sense taken as the test or gauge of one's religion. They ought to be left out of the calculation entirely. You may feel good or you may feel bad, but neither the good feeling nor the bad feeling affects the real thing." ― Hannah Whitall Smith.


The Saint.

Saturday, 18 June 2022

Topic: The Favored One - Part Eleven.

Text: ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 


TFO Keynote #34: Anxiety challenges the existence of God. (Luke 18:1; Hebrews 11:6)

The battle is not yours. It is the Lord's. (2 Chronicles 20:15; 1 Samuel 17)

The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. I will not be anxious. What can man do to me? What can life or death do to me? (Hebrews 13:5-6, Philippians 4:6-7)

The Lord is my Provider. I am fully cared for. I lack NOTHING. (Psalm 23; Matthew 6:24-34; Psalm 100:3, 95:7)


TFO Keynote #35: We are not here to be secluded from the world. We are here to overcome the world. We are here to witness the person, the presence, and the power of Jesus Christ. We do this by embodying him in everything that we do, every day. (John 17:15; 1 Peter 3:15)

We are not here to be secluded from the world. (John 17:15)

We are here to influence and overcome the world. (John 17:15; 1 John 5:4; Matthew 5:13-16)

The world is to see Christ through us. We are here to witness Him. (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Galatians 2:20)

We are here to witness the person, the presence, and the power of Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 3:8-12)


The Saint.

Tuesday, 7 June 2022

The Favored One - Part Ten.

Westside, Houston, Texas, USA.

Text: ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 


TFO Keynote #32: There is never going to be a situation that will justify our being worried. Worry is a fruit of fear. Worry is not the way of life. It is never going to progress you. Worry will rather take from you than give to you. (Matthew 6:25; Isaiah 28:16)

Worry is an offspring of fear, which is a corruption of faith.

Fear is not of God. Therefore, worry is not of God.

Worry is anti-God, and anti-godliness.

Worry is not the way.

There is never a good enough reason for worry.

Worry is a thief. It robs today of its bloom, its shine, its life.
The devil can only steal your goods if you let him steal your joy. Your joy is the gateway to your riches.

You plan, not worry. Worry is fear. Worry is submission to defeat. Planning is staying on top of the situation. Worry is negative energy. Planning is positive energy. Worrying disempowers you. Planning empowers you. The same situation, different approaches. Which would you rather take?

Worry opens the door to negative energy and all that is evil. It only gets worse, on the pathway worry opens.

Worry creates a monster where none exists, a nightmare in lieu of a dream.

Worry is devilwood, the devil's movie industry.


TFO Keynote #33: We should bring everything to God, our source. He is the reason why we should not worry. (Psalm 23; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Psalm 23; Luke 18:1; Hebrews 11:6) 

God is our source.

God is enough for me.

God has our lives figured out.

"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." - Luke 12:7, NKJV.

With God we are unstoppable.

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith." - 1 John 5:4, NKJV.

"Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying: “I will sing to the Lord, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!" - Exodus 15:1, NKJV.

We are called to be warriors, not worriers.

With God we are more than an overcomer.

God is our sufficiency. We are complete in Him.

God is our help. We are not helpless. We are helped.

Our confidence ought to always be in God, not in our own self.


The Saint.

Wednesday, 1 June 2022

The Favored One - Part Nine.


Text:
 ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 


TFO Keynote #30: Faith is running to God to be covered by Him. It is trusting God in all things. (Proverbs 18:10; Isaiah 28:16) 

Faith is running to God.

Faith is trusting in the name of the Lord.

Faith is trusting in God, completely, and in all things.

Faith is seeing and trusting in the heart of God, even when we cannot see his hands.

"Faith is the 'yes' of the heart, a conviction on which one stakes one's life." — Martin Luther.

"Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends." ― George Muller.


TFO Keynote #31: Worry is the way of the fallen man. The fallen man wants to worry. Worry is not of God. It is not a tool in the arsenal of God. (Matthew 6:25; Isaiah 28:16)

Worry is akin to the carnal man.

The spiritual man does not worry.

Worry was occasioned by the fall.

In the beginning, there was no worry.

Worry is not a part of the first creation.

Worry does not work the future you desire.

Worry takes from you. It does not give to you.

Worry does not work the righteousness of God.

Worry is not an original creation. It is a corruption.

"Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear". – Corrie Ten Boom.

“Worrying has never solved anything yet. Prayer, thought, action – yes. Just worrying, no!” – Conrad Hilton.


The Saint.

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

The Favored One - Part Eight.

Landmark Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Text:
 ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 


TFO Keynote #28: Strong Faith is not that which suddenly comes on us. It is built by practice and exercise. (Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Timothy 4:8-10; Matthew 6:33)

We have each been given the faith we need to live the life we have been given. It is a measure and it is right. (Romans 12:3; Matthew 25:14-30)

Our measure of faith can be likened to our talent or gifting. It was given to us to profit thereby. (Romans 12:3; Matthew 25:14-30)

Our measure of faith can expand or contract depending on our use or not of it. It expands when we exercise it. It contracts when we don't. (Romans 12:3; Matthew 25:14-30)

Our measure of faith is to cause us to be all we have been created to be. (Romans 12:3; Matthew 25:14-30)

There is something known as the gift of faith. It is one of the power gifts. It can be seen as faith turned out to move on the behalf of others, as the Holy Spirit decides to manifest Himself. (1 Corinthians 12:9)

There is something also known as the fruit of faith, better known as faithfulness. The same thing. It can be seen as faith turned in to produce character in the bearer. (Galatians 5:22)


TFO Keynote #29: Fasting, biblically speaking, is an act of self-humbling. Fasting is a way of bringing our physical being under control. It is a kind of circumcision whereby we cut off the excesses in our life (1 Kings 21:29; Psalm 69:10; Psalm 35:13; Ezra 8:21; Isaiah 58:3-5; Matthew 6:16-18)

Fasting is bringing your soul under control.

Fasting is the humbling of the soul. (Psalm 35:13)

Fasting is an act of self-humility before God. (Isaiah 58:3-5)

Fasting is not just from food. You can fast from anything you need to gain mastery over. (Daniel 10:3)

Fasting is an act of calming the soul, in a bid to communicate and or have communion with God. (Ezra 8:21-23; Acts 13:1-3)

“Fasting is an act of self-humbling by declaring our need, and also by showing us afresh how weak we really are.” ― David Mathis.

Christian fasting is a spiritual discipline, which means it is a habit or practice that helps us to grow in our faith and turn to God for help in accomplishing our calling in the world.

God's expectation for us is not just a once-in-a-while or intermittent fasting. We are called to live a fasted life, where all that fasting entails is a part of our life, on a continual, everyday basis.


The Saint.

Thursday, 19 May 2022

The Favored One - Part Seven.

Photo/Credit: Fulani Settlement, Abuja-Nigeria / The Saint.

Text: ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 


TFO Keynote #26: You either have Faith or Worry. You cannot have both. (Matthew 6:25; Isaiah 28:16) 

Faith is of God, life, light, and all that is good.

Worry is of the devil, death, darkness, and all that is bad.

Faith is the belief something good, that we want, will happen.

Worry is false faith: it is the belief that something bad, which we do not want, will happen.


TFO Keynote #27: Worry will always knock on our door. It is part of the normal stream of life. We need to answer it with faith, not fear. (Matthew 6:25; Isaiah 28:16)

"Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere." — Erma Bombeck.

“Worrying is like paying a debt you don't owe.”— Mark Twain.

“Worrying is like praying for what you don't want.”— Robert Downey Jr.

"Faith is like a muscle, the more you use it, the more power it becomes." — Anonymous.

"Faith is like WiFi. It's invisible, but it has the power to connect you to what you need." — Anonymous.

“Faith is seeing light with your heart when all your eyes see is darkness.” ― Barbara Johnson.

“Faith is a choice to trust God even when the road ahead seems uncertain.” ― Dave Willis.

"Faith is about trusting God when you have unanswered questions." ― Joel Osteen.

“If one has faith, one has everything.” ― Ramakrishna.


The Saint.

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

The Favored One - Part Six.


Text:
 ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 


TFO Keynote #24: Faith is proven by the infallible Word of God; and the constancy of His person. (Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 7:24-27)

"Do you so believe? Prove your own self by the infallible Word of God. If you do not have the fruits, effects, or inseparable properties of faith, you do not have faith." – John Wesley.

Faith comes by hearing the good news. Fear comes from hearing the bad news. (Luke 8:18; Mark 4:24; Romans 10:17)

Faith comes from knowing God. (2 Peter 1:3-4; 1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22; Psalm 103:7)

Faith is guaranteed by the boundaries God has set. (Acts 17:26; Jude 21-23; Job 38:10)

Faith is guaranteed by the person of God. (James 1:17; Hebrews 6:13)


TFO Keynote #25: If you have faith, you will have its FRUITS, EFFECTS, and PROPERTIES. (Matthew 7:16-27)

"Do you so believe? Prove your own self by the infallible Word of God. If you do not have the fruits, effects, or inseparable properties of faith, you do not have faith." – John Wesley.

Faith is a catalyst for growth. (Hebrews 11)

Fear is a catalyst for destruction. (Hebrews 2:15; 1 John 4:18)

Faith without works is dead. (James 2:14-26)

Faith works the works of faith.

"We are saved for works not by works." ― Jack Wellman.

"If faith without works is dead, willingness without action is fantasy." ― Idle Hearts.

There is nothing like hidden faith. Faith has fruits. Believe the fruits. They are true.

Faith is visible in the things you do and do not do.

The fruits you bear sell you out as to if you have faith or fear.

Faith does what faith does; fear does what fear does. QED.

Do you have faith? Show it by your life. Show it with your works. No explanations are needed.


The Saint.

Tuesday, 3 May 2022

The Favored One - Part Five.

Text:
​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV.


TFO Keynote #22: Faith brings you into a place of rest; a place of ordered steps; a place where God carries you. (Isaiah 28:16; Hebrews 4:2)

Faith runs the kingdom of God.

Without faith, we cannot access the kingdom.

Without faith, we cannot access God, all that He is, and all that He represents.

All God has for us is accessible ONLY by and through faith.

God is a spirit, not flesh. Faith is the operational word.



TFO Keynote #23: Jesus is the foundation of our faith. (Isaiah 28:16; Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus has been tested and found faithful. (Isaiah 28:16; Hebrews 5:8-11; Revelations 5, 6)

Jesus is the author (pioneer) and finisher (perfecter) of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus is our faith. He is our foundation. (Isaiah 28:16; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Hebrews 12:2)

It is not Christianity if Jesus Christ is not the pioneer, the foundation, and its completion.


"Do you so believe? Prove your own self by the infallible Word of God. If you do not have the fruits, effects, or inseparable properties of faith, you do not have faith." – John Wesley. 

Friday, 29 April 2022

The Favored One - Part Four.

Photo/Courtesy: Abuja, Nigeria. By The Saint.

Text: ​“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 

Keynote #20: Whoever believes will not make haste. God is NEVER in a hurry. He dwells in eternity. God does not make haste, and everyone who works with God does not make haste. (Isaiah 28:16)

God is NEVER in a hurry. A day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day to Him.

God dwells in eternity - eternity past, present and future.

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." - 1 Timothy 1:17, NKJV.

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, ‘Destroy!’" - Deuteronomy 33:27, NKJV.

God finishes his work, ever before He starts. (Romans 8:28-30)

Nothing catches God by surprise. He has planned for all possible contingencies. (1 Peter 1:19-20; Revelations 13:8)

Haste is an indication of unbelieve, a lack of rest, and also a lack of internal congruence.


Keynote #21: When there is anxiety in your life, you don't have faith, and you are beginning to walk unjustly. The just shall live by faith. When the just stops living by faith, the just starts living unjustly. (Isaiah 28:16; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38)

Anxiety and faith are not bedfellows.

You are either going to have faith or anxiety. You cannot have both.

The just shall live and walk by faith, not by anxiety.

When the just starts giving place to anxiety, he or she stops being just.

The just can neither walk nor live by anxiety.

When the just stops living by faith, the just starts living unjustly.

Anxiety does not work the righteousness of God.

Faith works the righteousness of God.

The righteousness of God is by faith, not anxiety nor by works.


The Saint.


Sunday, 24 April 2022

The Favored One - Part Three.

Landmark Beach, Lagos, Nigeria / The Saint

Text: ​
“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 

Keynote #15: Faith is being able to hand over the things you cannot do into the hands of someone who can do the things you cannot. Your inability to hand them over to Him is called a lack of faith.

Keynote #16: Faith is the ability to see a future you want that makes sense of your present.

“Faith is not opposed to knowledge; faith is opposed to sight. And grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.” – Dallas Willard.

Keynote #17: Faith is not opposed to knowledge. We bring God over knowledge. (Romans 10:17) 

Keynote #18: Faith is opposed to sight. It brings God over the sight, to see Him overriding it. (2 Corinthians 5:7) 

It is what you see, not what you are looking at that runs your motors.

The just shall walk by vision, not sight.

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." – 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Keynote #19: Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning. (Galatians 2:21; James 2:14-26)

Grace will not work unless you do. Remember it is only as powerful as your belief in it. Without faith, grace is of no use.

You need faith to make the grace upon your life not be in vain.

You cannot earn God's grace, but you can render it effective or ineffective.

Grace comes from God. Faith comes from you.

Faith, not works, is the way you receive and cause grace to be effective in your life.

God is merciful and full of grace, but He will not force Himself on you.

“Faith is not opposed to knowledge; faith is opposed to sight. And grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.” – Dallas Willard.

The Saint.


Tuesday, 19 April 2022

The Favored One - Part Two.


Text: ​
“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”” ― Daniel 1:11-13, NKJV. 

Keynote #10: Faith is not hope. Faith is not presumption. Faith is a substance, matter, that which we can lay hold on today, right now. Faith is always present, not future, nor past. That which is not present is not faith. (Hebrews 11:1)

Keynote #11: Knowledge is not power. It is applied knowledge that is power. (John 3:3; 5; 1 Corinthians 8:1; John 8:31-36; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 6:1-3.)

"We cannot have faith unless we have an active imagination, because our imagination is where our faith gets expressed." – Dr. David Harris. 

Keynote #12: Faith is the ability to see that which you believe and or hope for. Faith is the belief in something which is not visible but can be seen. It is not sight. It is vision. (Hebrews 11:1; 2 Corinthians 5:7.)

Keynote #13: Without an active imagination you cannot have faith. Our ability to imagine is the limit of our Faith, for what we cannot imagine we cannot believe for. (Hebrews 11:1; 2 Corinthians 5:7)

"The life of faith is a life filled with expectations." – Dr. David Harris. 

"Nurture great thoughts, for you, will never go higher than your thoughts." – Benjamin Disraeli.

Keynote #14: Faith is in the present moment. Being lost in the past or future is anxiety. Where anxiety exists, fear exists. Where fear exists, faith and love do not exist. Anything not done out of faith and love is missing the mark. (Matthew 6:25-34)

Being lost in the past or future is anxiety.

Anything not done out of faith and love is missing the mark.

Anything you do out of fear does not end well because God is not there.

“Faith is not opposed to knowledge; faith is opposed to sight. And grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.” – Dallas Willard.

The Saint.


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