Archive for January 2011
A time to receive
The World English Dictionary defines faith as a strong or unshakeable belief in something,
especially without proof or evidence. Aptly, the Bible in Hebrews 11:1 define faith as
“…being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.†Verse 3 of the same
chapter goes further to elucidate or shed more light by relating faith to our believe that the
universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was
visible.
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To believe is an exercise in faith. It entails taking a position of certainty regarding an
outcome, although no clear or verifiable evidence exist. From the biblical perspective, people
who believe are certain of the truth or existence of God; and that he rewards those who
earnestly seek him. They believe in Jesus Christ and the gospel; and that through him
everyone who believes is justified. Believing means that doubt should not only be put in
abeyance, but discountenanced or discarded completely. A believer is certain about an
‘approval’ by God (blessing/promise) not visible to the physical eye; and proceeds to receive
 it, all by faith.
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What you receive is directly related to what is believed. Receiving from God requires that you
embrace and acknowledge Him, accept and collect what He has made available to you.
Believing in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, confessing and acknowledging His forgiveness,
knowing that your prayer is answered, and receiving the reward often unseen in the instant,
completes the circle of faith. A provision that already exist in the spirit realm is then made
manifest in the physical.
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Receiving, therefore, is a function of asking and believing. However, do not ask without
end or believe only by reason of your senses; for to do any of these is in itself an expression of
doubt. Persist and persevere not in asking, but in waiting for manifestation believing that
what was promised has been given. In Romans 4:18, the Bible accounts that “against all
hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been
said to him.†Also in healing two blind men, Jesus had asked them “do you believe that I am
able to do this,†and the restoration of their sights followed their response in the affirmative.
Jesus touched their eyes and said “according to your faith will it be done to you†– Matthew
9:29.
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God is eternally active in the business of ‘approval’; saying yes to demands placed on Him by
his people. Appending his stamp to douse your fears and tears, taking out infirmities, pulling
down burdens, flattening mountains, standing for you, with you and by you; translating needs
into deeds of glory. The word of God tells us in Psalm 145:13b that “the Lord is faithful to all His
promises…†Therefore, entertain no question on the trustworthiness of the Almighty to keep
His word. His faithfulness to His promises is absolute.
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In Matthew 17:17 Jesus exclaimed: “O unbelieving and perverse generation†– five words
that sum up our scepticism. As a consequence of non-belief, the disciples of Jesus could not
heal a demon possessed boy because they couldn’t muster enough faith to chase the demon
out. In verse 21, taking them to task and affirming the truth, Jesus said …â€if you have faith as
small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will
move. Nothing will be impossible for you.†Elect today to start receiving, taking in your grip
and operating in the promises already made manifest. The onus is on you to receive.
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                                                                                             Victor & Jolomi Awani (15-01-2011)
  Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011 Victor Awani
[Translate]Go past a dream
Your dream is the mental blueprint of a goal; aspiration laid out in a drawing board. It is the
conscious road en route a destination still in design format. Your dream is your vision; what
you aim to be or accomplish within a set or undefined time frame. A dream in this context,
vary from thoughts, images, emotions, or revelations that play out in the mind while you sleep.
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A grain of rice fresh from the field is raw until it is cooked; and there’s no gainsaying that an
inedible meal is of no value to the hungry. We eat to douse the pang of hunger, and above
all provide the body with the needed fuel for sustenance. In the same vein, we can liken an
unprocessed dream to an objective or idea in raw form. Until it is activated into fruition, it stays
as a mere imagination deep in slumber. A dormant desire miserably consigned in the recesses
of the mind.
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Translating your dream into reality require that you set out on the right foundation. Primarily,
your goal must be such as would glorify God and bless humanity. It should rest on a solid
rock and in consonance with His will and purpose for you. Revolve your aspirations around
God; for unless he builds the house, the builders labour in vain – Psalm 127:1. Accordingly,
dreams need His stamp of authority to actualize; a power that your weaknesses and the vagaries
of life submit to. Therefore, place your demand on God; for whatever you ask according to His
will you will have – 1 John 5:14. It may also please you to know that the blessing from the Lord
is sorrow-free; for He adds no trouble  to it – Proverbs 10:22.Â
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The end of a matter is said to be better than the beginning; yes! But to have an outcome, there
has to be a commencement. A vessel at the port of departure cannot be said to have set sail;
or its cargo delivered until it docks at the port of discharge. To be airborne you must commit
to boarding before lift-off; only that which is on board will arrive. Get your dream off the
starting block; put some teeth to it, and work out the manifestation of your vision. Break the
circle of procrastination and stagnation; shift from talking a dream to executing the dream
because “…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead†– James 2:17.
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Go past a dream; however, be mindful that working it out is not always smooth sailing.
The voyage could encounter rough weather and storms; run aground or hit an iceberg, among
other hiccup. Challenges will rear their heads, delays and the boredom of waiting, and even
the temptation to change the course of your journey just before the end. Times such as these
require the strength of will and conviction to see your dream through. Do not be feeble kneed,
eschew fear, remain focused and courageous, but “…have no confidence in your flesh†–
Philippians 3:3, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being
trapped – Proverbs 3:26.
                                                                                           Victor & Jolomi Awani (01-01-2011)
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Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011 Victor Awani
[Translate]Clean up the slate
Tomorrow shall come; the aftermath of the past
Yesterday was present in all that has breath today
It came with all it had; a box of gifts or a cache of grief
Some packages came suitably as soothing cushion or balm
Others were hurled as bricks; tearing down everything on its path.
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When goodness took up residence, we felt shielded like warmth in wintery weather
We laughed at the tickle; the profound joy that it brought
Celebrated the successes; endeavours wearing the crown of victory
We cheered and clinked glasses to continuity; an endless stream of happiness
We danced to the beat of triumph, in hard and freestyle fashion.
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When pain thrived, it wreaked hopes and goals
We bled of tears; saddened by the disappointment that rubbed in
Expectations were torn apart, lost in the tsunami of failure
Emptiness overwhelmed the atmosphere; a vacuum like utter silence reigned
In disbelieve we mourned our fate, the seeming end of a dream.
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Yesterday is past and today is here; the triangle of life is pending until tomorrow is born
Waiting in the wings; the arrival of a new day, a fresh hope, another chance
Like yesterday and today, tomorrow shall bring forth another package
Either the chances to laugh, cheer and dance, or suck in the bricks of pain and tears
Beside God, tomorrow is unclear; hidden in the womb of the unknown
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Do not contaminate tomorrow with the filth of yesterday
To pour new wine into old wineskins is a warm-over of the old order; “…the
skins will burst, the wine will spill and the wineskins will be ruined†(Matthew 9:17) Â
Today is a time to wipe the slate of old; the period of new beginning
An opportunity to retry or start afresh; to take a better shot at your dream
It is a time to refrain, amend, correct; straighten the crooked path
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Cash in on today; the negotiating chip between the past and future
Seek the ever-present help (Psalm 46:1); access your destination via a novel route
Jettison the ways of yesterday; ask for a new song, place your trust in God
Try a potent partner; He that offers you the strength to do ALL things (Philippians 4:13)
Clean up the slate; wipe off the dirt and start anew.
                                                                               Victor & Jolomi Awani (01-01-2011)
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011 Victor Awani
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