ATTITUDE

ATTITUDE

In life there are many things that we encounter differently. And we also come at different cross roads at different or same intervals but what keeps one on the right track and leaves one at the cross road is attitude. In 2011, the Year of Great Things as youth if we are to see it fulfilled in our lives and Church , we need to deal with the way we think, reason, see things and the way we do things. And that will only be possible if we work towards changing our attitude.

What is attitude?

From the American Heritage Dictionary 4^th Edition Attitude is:

A state of mind or a feeling; disposition

There’s a saying that explains best the state of different minds.

1. Simple minds discuss People
2. Ordinary minds discuss events
3. Great minds discuss ideas (not just ideas but great ideas).

From the dictionary attitude is explained as a state of mind. And so today I what us to look at the link between Attitude and Greatness (How your state of mind connects you to greatness or failure).

There are certain things that define your personality, your fulfillment and your value. Your attitude is very important. Attitude is the way to altitude. We can say something that is right with the wrong attitude and that destroys the right thing we said.

A lot of people in life are not necessarily doing or saying something wrong but they just have the wrong attitude. Many times we hear wrongly not because what is said is wrong but we have a wrong attitude in listening. Did you know that one of the reasons certain people find themselves a step forward and two steps back and then some other times everything looks to be fine yet spiritually they are not fulfilled? It’s the wrong attitude. Sadly a lot of people who have a wrong attitude hardly discover they have a wrong attitude. So they blame everyone else around them for the things that go wrong about them. They think someone else is responsible yet no one is responsible but they just have the wrong attitude.

Your attitude can define your personality; it can define your fulfillment. Do you know that there are people who are not fulfilled? There not fulfilled at home. They are not fulfilled in their jobs. They are not fulfilled in their families. That’s why there are multitudes of youths who are still in the exodus. They move from one job to another, from one ministry to another, from one relationship to another, from one marriage to another, name it. Why? It’s because they are not fulfilled and their wrong attitude. They keep saying I wish I was born in this family, I wish I was the daughter of so and so, I wish I was the one appoint to be the pastor of this or that. They are full of wishes only.  Their wrong attitude makes them think that those people they wish they would be are their problem for not being.

One time a young man who would have been an assistant Pastor now in some Church decided to leave Church and went to begin up his own church. Years down the road he failed in ministry and later started saying ‘I would be the one in that position’

Now look what exactly happened here? This young man simply had a wrong attitude. The wrong attitude will always make you not to see the future but see things at the present level. It demands for right now things, right now blessings, right now favors name it.

                                               

There is so much to learn about Jesus. Many times in your life when you want to make progress find out about the master’s attitude and find out those whom Jesus praised. Did he praise anybody? And why did He praise the ones He praised? You can also study the Old Testament and find out, those whom God praised why did He praise them? What was their attitude and what was in their character that impressed God?

                            

Let’s look at some examples of people whose attitude made them lower and made others great. Greatness comes when we have the right attitude. And so let’s look at what Jesus said about John the Baptist and John’s response. In Luke 7:28 “I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” And also in Matthew 11:7-11 “As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind?  Why then did you go out? To see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings' houses. Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.  This is he of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.' Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (RSV).

Why did Jesus commend John the way he did? First of all John didn’t know Jesus as well as you do but look at John’s answer to the question his disciples asked him in John: 3:22-27. “After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.  And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.   For John was not yet cast into prison. Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.  And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.  John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.  Ye yourselves bear me witness that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.  He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.  He must increase, but I must decrease.” (KJV)

If John was in our days, where people love to be praised, John would have decided to compete with Jesus by saying I am the Baptist

Verses 28-29

John’s attitude was the right attitude. There people who are not fulfilled in life because of their attitude.

In the book of Esther about Harman’s attitude. 3:1-6 it speaks of Mordecai not bowing to Harman. In our days it can be likened to someone’ not greeting you. Let me ask you a question if someone doesn’t greet you does it reduce anything from you? No it doesn’t but what makes people want to be greeted so much? It’s the wrong Attitude.

The wrong attitude in you over works your body. For example it took Harman strength to pursue for the destruction of the Jews but at the end his time was wasted, his strength was misused and his body was destroyed

The wrong attitude looks for things like favor, honor, positions etc while the right attitude seeks after the one who gives things and that is God.

In 1peter5:5-6 the Bible tells us to avoid the temptation of measuring ourselves with others.

 “And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for-- God has had it with the proud, But takes delight in just plain people.  So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time” (MSG).

Another person we should look at is Moses. First and fore most, from the history of Moses we see that much as he was a leader, he did not enter the Promised Land. But I want us to look at why God said Moses was the meekest on earth?

Exodus 32:10 Let me alone now, give my anger free reign to burst into flames and incinerate them. But I'll make a great nation out of you.

Here we see God very angered by the sins of the people. When God wanted to destroy the people he told Moses that as for you Moses I will make you great. In our days if some people were to be Moses they would have said “glory, glory or thank you God” why because our wrong attitude always loves to lift our selves. Moses would have decided to say ‘see I am highly anointed’. But let’s see what Moses said to God;

Exodus 32:32 and now, if you will only forgive their sin. . . . But if not, erase me out of the book you've written."

Moses attitude was always towards the saving of souls not there destruction. Moses is a man who always went to God for an answer.

Wrong attitude also sees no death even when there’s a hooting. Today in our country there’s a debate going on the ANTI- HOMOSEXUALITY BILL. Now if our leaders’ state of mind is the right one, should there be anything to debate about on homosexuality?  Even when they are seeing death and destruction a head of our young Generation yet they still rally behind the interests of homosexuality why? They have the wrong attitude. Fellow youths and the entire Ugandan society, I want you to know that from the research carried out many people who are supporting homosexuality are not really homosexuals but they are people / leaders with the wrong attitude towards money. They don’t mind of your children as long as they get the money.  And for those who sodomize our young generation what makes them do that? It’s because they adopted their master’s attitude, the Devil. And who can stop them? It’s people like you and me who have the right attitude.

Finally I want to tell my dear friend reading this message. Inspite of the age, color, Country etc the issue of attitude is very vital to all of us. Therefore having read this message I believe with all my heart that for this one more time you will begin doing things the right way and with the right attitude. Having the right attitude about things and life made Joseph a prime minister in a foreign land. Remember Joseph went through a lot but that did not change his attitude about the master’s plan for his life. That’s why he went through the Pit, Potiphar’s wife, the Prison, and now the Prime Minister. What made him overcome it’s the right state of mind. Thus you are a candidate of greatness in this year 2011 if only you change your attitude about life.

May God bless you

Mr. Bril Emma Opanyi

JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY & FOREVERMORE

SOMEONE IS AFTER YOUR CHILD!

SOMEONE IS AFTER YOUR CHILD!

Praise the Lord friends, parents, Political leaders and all the concerned citizens of Uganda, and everywhere this message reaches. I am so grateful to share to you what God has put upon my heart for the last 7 years about the monster who is after your Child. I want you to know that we are in tough and hard times as a country and as well as parents when the evil one is not at rest till our children are totally destroyed just as his mission is to steal, kill, and destroy.

In this message I want to share with you some of the sad stories that should make you and me to take a step to protect the well being of our children who are the future leaders of our nation. First and fore most I want you to know that our children have been trapped from all corners with acts of abomination like homosexuality, Lesbianism, monsters of abortions, implementers of early marriage and Sex, Child sacrifice enforced by those who are in hunt for unknown riches, Agents of Child trafficking and many immoral acts like harlotry masters who have bought your daughters with a lump sum of money to go sell themselves on streets where the devil is eagerly waiting like a lion to eat them up.

Below are some of the sad stories that have and are still to befall our children if we don’t act:

1.      Last month an issue was forwarded to me of a 9 year old girl who was molested by three foreign gentlemen who kept using her and could pay the girl’s guardian big sums of money. This they did for 2 full years and later now left the girl hurt with too much pain.

Many parents have left their responsibility of Child up bring to un- known guardians and house Mets who have sold the future of their children to abominable acts like lesbianism and homosexuality.

2.      Last year during a news hour on Bukedde TV a local television station in Uganda commonly known as “AGATALIKO NFUFU” a man who looked a responsible father was caught in an act of Child sacrifice. He was found guilty of murdering someone’s naive baby in exchange for the so called ‘Riches’. And in the name of law the police are still handling the case.

3.      In an interview, a young girl of eighteen years that has been on one of the streets of Kampala who sells her self for money  when asked why she goes on the street for sex, she had this to say: “I don’t care, I have come a long way ever since when I was 14 years. And as far as I can get money for survival no problem. I sleep with men for 5000 shillings half day and 10,000 shillings for full day” This young 18 year old was tested and found HIV+. But all is because someone introduced her to early Sex in exchange for money that can’t satisfy this life.

4.      A young girl from a born again family background kept disappearing from home and would come back after sometime. However, this bothered the parents, leaving them worried. After having some time with the girl, I took her through a deliverance prayer and confession. Then she began to confess and abruptly she stopped. So startled she said: “I can’t pray this prayer” ‘Why not’ I asked and she said: “Because they are angry with me. They don’t want me to say the prayer” who are they? She responded “I don’t know”

Whenever they told her to run away she always did and would come back after some days when in her senses. This young girl was influenced by satanic seductions at the school she was studying from but after changing the school this girl normalized and she is now free. You may be surprised that there are many Christian children and teenagers like Jane populating our schools, attending our Churches, and living in our homes. They hear inner voices telling them that nobody loves them; urging them to disobey their parents, and disrupting their attempt to attend church services that may help them attain Spiritual deliverance.

And finally, last year I was so hurt when we lost a young potential youth who past away because of being damaged by the acts of homosexuals. These foreign men kept doing what is called enema - an act of extracting human feaces from the bowel before sodomizing the person. This left the young man with damaged lungs, with different infections including AIDS. Unfortunately after all the performed medication he still passed away.

All concerned Ugandans I want you to know that our children, young loved ones are the major targets of Satan’s strategy. He only seeks to destroy our Churches and families by seducing our children away from their parents and from God.

Last years Markerere University campus News Letter reported that 1000 campus students/ youths were recruited by Homosexuals. Also on Thursday 23^rd.12.2010 in an International New broadcasted on one of our local radio stations called ‘RADIO ONE’, It was reported that over 4,000 Nigerian young girls were being forced into sex slavery in Mali.

From the above stories, how many of the kind are happening in our societies? If you and me don’t stand up, then we will have a generation where the old burry their young ones. Parents there’s nothing so painful on earth than to see children who would have been your safety/ security when you are old dying at young ages before your own eyes. Parents, beloved, it’s time we speak out and save our young innocent generation from that someone who is after them.

What is the way forward if we are to safe guard the young innocent generation from the traps of traitors like homosexuals, lesbians, and hunters of wrong wealth through Child sacrifice, harlotry, abortion etc all which lead to acquiring of killer diseases of this new era that even some of which doctors can’t explain them?

1.      Speak Out. You and I we need to alert our people by opening up our mouths to speak. If we don’t speak the right things to our children, then the evil monsters who have entered our community will speak out wrong things to our young generation. Beloved our voices need to be heard. In the parliament you leaders who are after the good of our children speak out!

2.      Lead your Child to Christ. The next step to protecting your child from the influences of New Age, Satanism, occults, Homosexuality, Child sacrifices by hunters of wrong wealth etc. is to help our children establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Especially to born again Christians don’t assume that your Child is a Christian simply because you are a Christian and take them daily to Sunday school.

3.      Put Christ at the center of your home. A Spiritually healthy family is one where Christ is the very center. Just as the planets center around the sun, so a family should center around Christ. The most important of all is making sure Christ is at the center of your life as a parent. As someone once said, “you can’t share what you don’t have”. Remember your child’s initial perspective of Christianity will come from the example of godliness you portray as a parent.

4.      Establish consistent Family Devotions. You can help shield your child against dark influences by nurturing him or her with scriptures and prayer. Colossians 3:16 “Let the Word of Christ--the Message--have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God!” MSG.  One of the best ways to teach your child consistently is by having a time of family devotions every day as often as possible. Last year it was a hard time for one family in Bugolobi a Kampala suburb that lost a little baby to Child sacrifice because of a house maid who knew not the things of God that when persuaded by evil people she was quick to sell off a child’s future through cold blood. Parents, family heads etc it is very vital to have a prayer alter at home where daily you gather as a family to pray. However much you are tired gather all your children including your maids, workers and security guards and pray Spiritual warfare prayers. Remember ‘a family that prays together stays together!’  Again and again I have seen this kind of prayer disarm all evil plans aimed at destroying families. As we still talk about the evils that have invaded the traditional family, do you know that most of these evil negotiators of homosexuality, lesbianism, murderers etc have invaded our families in the name of Help, help yet on a strong mission to steal, kill and destroy? I am not saying you shouldn’t help but open your eyes cause if you are not spiritually alert how will you know? A parent who is not saved how will you discern and fight this spiritual battle we have encountered as a family and country at large? I believe we are in the last days when we really need to repent and give our lives to Christ for those who are not yet saved.

5.      Teach Biblical Values. Teach your child biblical values when he or she is still at a grasping age. The reason why the young generation is dying slowly by slowly is because much of the lifestyle our children are coping up with is shaped by the perpetrators of evil which has brought godlessness in them. It is important that you help your child to fully understand and apply to his or her life Biblical values. Moses in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 instructed the parents of Israel to impress the commandments God gave them to their Children. Deut 6:6-7 “memorize his laws. And tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you're at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning. ” and other translations say in verses 7, “You shall whet them upon your children": that is, that they may imprint them more deeply in their memory.”Children need to know that God is interested and involved in every dimension of their lives and that the Bible applies to their daily lives. And in Proverbs 22:6 says; Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

6.      Celebrate each Child’s Uniqueness. A child is safer in a community where he feels accepted and welcomed. Today in our homes we have done things as parents that makes some children more special than others thus caused many children in homes look for somewhere they can be accepted hence a chance to come hand in hand with someone who is after them to destroy them. The healthy Christian home is one where differences in appearance, ability, and performance are not allowed to be a source of divisiveness. Our children are growing up in a world that rewards the prettiest, the strongest, the wealthiest, and the smartest. As your child competes with his or her classmates and friends for recognition Satan can take advantage of your Child’s sense of inadequacy, disappointments and failures tempting him to find acceptance and satisfaction by dabbling in the wrong thoughts and activities.

7.      Make prayer a priority. It’s been said that Satan believes in prayer, not because he practices it but because he suffers from it. We need to help our kids recognize the invaluable resource for resisting the devil that is available to them in prayer. They need to know that God is interested in everything that concerns them and that He answers prayer. Prayer will become significant as your children see it practiced by you. Let me ask you, how often do you pray together as a family apart from meal time and bedtime? Whenever there’s need in a family, do you turn to the Lord first or you pray as a last resort? The importance you give to prayer in your home will significantly shape the importance your child gives to prayer.

8.      Child dedication. Many people including believers have taken little note of the aspect of dedicating their new born babies to God. Child dedication to God authorizes God to take full control over your child while child dedication to Satan also assumes ownership of the child to the devil. Last year a Child of one of our church members was kidnapped and because this sister dedicated this child after birth to God, the kidnapper’s mission to sacrifice this kid was aborted. In relation to this a brother in our church had his young daughter whose birth canal was normal during birth but after a few months it closed. This child was to undergo a serious surgery but a day before going for the appointed day by the doctor for surgery, the brother brought the child to one of our pastors for dedication and that night the birth carnal that had closed mysteriously opened miraculously and went to normal.

Parents the aspect of dedicating your children to God is very important as it will always propel God to fight for your child.

Finally, I want you to know that if you keep quite, and then know that someone is after your child’s soul, Your brother/ sister or your relative seeking to destroy him or her. Recently I was looking at the Gay Manifesto that can’t allow me keep quite about this evil that has befallen our land. Below is a quotation from the gay manifesto:

Gay Manifesto

Michael Swift

First published in Gay Community News, Feb. 15^th-21^st 1987

(From the Congressional Record, with preface restored in blue)

We shall sodomize your sons, emblems of your feeble masculinity, of your shallow dreams and vulgar lies. We shall seduce them in your schools, in your dormitories, in your gymnasiums, in your locker rooms, in your sports arenas, in your seminaries, in your youth groups, in your movie theatre bathrooms, in your army bunkhouses, in your all male clubs, in your houses of Congress(Parliament), wherever men are with men together. Your sons shall become our minions and do our bidding. They will be recast in our image. They will come to crave and adore us. …… !

My dear friend together we can fight the evil that has penetrated into our land. Remember with one voice, one heart and one vision we can change the destiny of our land and stop the acts of the perpetrators of evil. As our motto says “For God and my country” let us fight all un-godliness and raise the banner of righteousness. Remember righteousness exalts a nation and sin brings reproach to it.

God bless you!

Mr. Bril Emma Opanyi

Brilemma@yahoo.com

+256 775 585176

JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY & FOREVERMORE

THE POWER OF A VISION

THE POWER OF A VISION

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

^{Proverbs 29:18}

   ^A Vision refers to the mystical experience of seeing as if with the eyes the supernatural or a supernatural being.

Having a vision or being a visionary person therefore gives you an inner sight of seeing beyond your physical status. Visionary people will always see a way out while still in a turmoil and perceive a ray of hope striking amidst darkness which is contrary to the visionless.

God wants us to have a vision that we may not perish. He wants us to have a hallucination of where we are going, who we are and above all who He is.

We should realize that the lack of vision is the beginning of destruction of a Christian. Our text above quotes that where there is no vision, the people perish meaning if people can’t see their future from the present then destruction is certain. Vision is meant t be for every man and woman, implying that a man without a vision is actually walking towards devastation. We should not aimlessly like a goat or any other animal as though our destinies have already been well designed as for these creatures which only await their death. Much as God has designed your future already, He wants you to have a vision and plan of it as well. Therefore failure to visualize this future will result to destruction/ death. Jeremiah 29:11says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

You see, God wants to give you an expected end but this end is revealed to you in the present. Please you have to realize that you can’t expect what you have never seen neither got any idea of. This is what a vision is; it is seeing your future/end from present so that you expect it. Once comings and goings surprise you then you have to re-examine your live whether vision is your drive.

A vision is a key factor for every human being to succeed in life whether as a student, doctor, house-wife, carpenter, pastor or business oriented person.

 A student needs to have a mental picture of success throughout his/her time in school because this will help him/her to push on and press on with reading even at the time when you feel you are not scoring the grades you need. So, lack of a vision for a student therefore will mean dropping out of school because of discouragement or will develop a bias attitude towards certain subjects they are performing well in. Likewise a married man also ought to have a vision for his family. The expected end of your family is most times what you see, why? Because your subconscious mind follows what you program it to do. For that reason if you have no vision then the mind will have no future programs or preparations. This will lead to making decisions under pressure and down to influence of the surrounding circumstances. So the man’s family will end-up suffering insufficiency, lack of proper care as for the children and also misunderstandings between the couples because of lack of together planning.

Let us look at one of the magical ways on how a vision can easily shape our lives for pleasure.

1. VISION KEEPS YOU FOCUS.

It is interesting to know how some one will stick to one task for a very long time for as long as it is not yet accomplished, even amidst challenges. This will only take a person with an expectation of the end result of that activity in question. Contrary to the visionless, they will venture in so many activities without success in any of them because they begin and don’t finish but leave it underway. We have to realize that much as many different people in one way or the other may pursue similar courses, not every one of them emerges winner, because some people are not focus to their target or what they want to be in life.  

-May this festive season be a time when your mind will be opened to think positively towards the God given goal that is ahead of you 

-May you see success and may your name be called success in Jesus name.

-May you encounter many victories for the Glory of God.

- I pray for you that not only will you see results but you will be a good result and answer to many.

- May mercy and goodness follow you all the days of your life. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New 2011, The year of Great Harvest

MR. BRIL EMMA OPANYI

Tel: +256 (0)775 585176

brilemma@yahoo.com

JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY & FOREVERMORE

SPECIAL PICTORIAL 2010

Artist Sarah Kisakye of VCCM performing at the 2010 3rd term back to school party

Youths giving a keen ear to the word of God during a back to school party

JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY & FOREVERMORE

True & Sincere Love

 Complied by Brilemma Resource Center

AN  EXCELLENT  EXAMPLE  OF A   LIVING   TEMPLE !!!.

HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED OR WITNESSED TRUE AND SINCERE LOVE?? 

Lovers and spouses are innumerable in this world.... BUT how many of them are true? How many are sincere in their love? How many mean what they say? How many will pack their bags and leave once their love’s leg is amputated? Once their love has a stroke and is paralyzed? Once their love’s face has been distorted in a sudden accident? How many? HOW MANY? Alas. ....... Very few.... very few can look past the ugly outer cover and reach into the inner heart and still love it.... You may fall for the beauty and figure of someone, but in the long run, its ONLY the person’s character and faith that counts... One such beautiful example....

 

  This is the True Love Story I ever heard

Rose is a mother of two

If it were you would you go shopping with her? And how many leave their shabby looking wives at home cause they feel ashamed to walk besides them what about such a situation? friends this is sincere love that we all need

She must be lucky

(Rosemarie “Rose” Siggins)

This is an example of a Tension free family life

I really want to speak to all who are reading this message. you may be in a relationship or even a marriage that has nagged you to maximum and you have reached a level of calling your husband or wife 'this thing' Useless man or woman, nonsenses etc. i want you to pose for a while and instead thinking of appreciating the fact that God gave you that man or woman.  Learn to appreciate your spouse's effort and help him or her fight that weaknesses and surely God will bless you.                                        HAPPY DECEMBER 2010

 FOR MORE INSPIRING LIFE CHANGING MESSAGES CONTACT US:

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HAVING SUCCESS GOD’S WAY

HAVING SUCCESS GOD’S WAY

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." - Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

As we come to the close of this year 2010, there are many questions perhaps that you have and are still asking yourself. It may be in your marriage, Job, Finances or even concerning your health especially as per success is concerned. My friend did you know that at one point King David a man after God’s own heart also had the same questions to ask about why the evil one seemed to prosper and succeed?

Psalms 73:3-17(CEV)

“Because it made me jealous to see proud and evil people and to watch them prosper. They never have to suffer, they stay healthy, and they don't have troubles like everyone else. Their pride is like a necklace, and they commit sin more often than they dress themselves. Their eyes poke out with fat, and their minds are flooded with foolish thoughts. They sneer and say cruel things, and because of their pride, they make violent threats. They dare to speak against God and to order others around. God will bring his people back and they will drink the water he so freely gives. Only evil people would say, "God Most High cannot know everything!" Yet all goes well for them, and they live in peace. What good did it do me to keep my thoughts pure and refuse to do wrong? I am sick all day, and I am punished each morning. If I had said evil things, I would not have been loyal to your people. It was hard for me to understand all this! Then I went to your temple, and there I understood what will happen to my enemies”.

Today I want to share especially to the youth this important message on success- success God’s Way. In the world today there are many things that have made people say he or she is successful. But below I want us to look at few things that should be looked at as success (Biblical view of success)

Contrary to the world view of success, I believe a life of success is based on those things that are of great value in the eyes of God. A life of success will exhibit signs of inner spiritual maturity and not outward signs of material acquisition. 

The Bible repeatedly describes the behavior, beliefs and actions that will lead to a successful life. And below are some of the most notable inscriptions of spiritual maturity and a level of true success in life:

1. Faith in God.

The spiritually mature person leads a life of success by putting their trust solely in God. They realize that to trust oneself is foolishness, and to trust others without question is naïve. They recognize the sovereignty, wisdom, and divine direction of God, and apply His Holy Word to their life on a daily basis. That is why we are told in Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.” (RSV)

2.  An Ability to Love.

Love is giving. Love flows from having received love and value from the Lord. Spiritually successful people are givers. They are motivated to help others succeed, even more than they want to benefit themselves. ‘A successful person is someone who notices his failures and strives to make others under him or her not to fail in the same area” Bril Emma Opanyi.

The above can not be done except with a heart of Love. That is why when you examine Proverbs 3:3-4 says: “Let love and loyalty always show like a necklace, and write them in your mind. And it continues in verses 4 saying there God and people will like you and consider you a success.” Do you know that because of the great love that Christ had for man kind it is what the father based on to make Him succeed? By you cultivating the spirit of love in you for God and for others with no doubt it will propel you to success that is God’s way.

3. A Joyful Outlook on Life.

 True joy is not rooted in the material accessories money can buy rather true joy is rooted in an awareness of the greatness of God and the many blessings He showers on us on a daily basis. Joy flows from the inside out, and is not based on external things, people, or situations. I have met with people who in the eyes of men they seem to have all material things that youth are running after yet in the long run they don’t have joy. My friend there’s nothing sweeter than the joy that God gives.

Years back I thought getting married to a white way all that would bring me joy. But I realized a shortly after I had made a move to marry a white how deep a great hell I had made for my self that was going to make me live a life of regret and cursing my self.

Many youth want so much to hook up with foreign partners very quickly not for any good reason but to attain resources instantly. That is exactly why many youth have fallen in the trap of homosexuals, lesbians and sexual harassers hence living a life of pain because of the Joy that has been stolen in search for quick success.

4. A Peaceful Spirit.

 Striving for “outward success” can keep us restless, always on the hunt for something to quench our anxiety, fears, or unsatisfied yearnings of the heart. Genuine peace is a feeling of wholeness and calm that stems from knowing one is in right relationship with God. Spiritual mature people have a genuine peace that stays with them even when the world outside is falling apart.

5. Patience.

Spiritually mature people realize that true success in anything is very rarely gained overnight. Success comes from being able to persevere, endure and when necessary, wait for the desired result. Spiritually mature people have learned that long-lasting fixes and cures take time, slow-cooked meals are generally far better than fast food. Rewarding relationships require patience and take time to build. Often, success is sweeter and more sustainable when it comes slowly! In a service at church my senior pastor George Oduch gave us a testimony of a boss in one of the renowned funds organization who wanted his junior to sign for a big sum of money that had no right accountability. But the junior because he was born again refused and the boss hated him so much but later when the Global fund issue came, the Boss turned to the junior and said: ‘if you had signed for the money I would be hunted by now’ and he thanked the junior for refusing to sign. Today both the junior and the Boss stand in better positions to succeed because of a patient and upright heart of the junior.

6. Attitude of Kindness and a Humble Stance.

True success carries an attitude of humility, courtesy, and respect for others. A spiritually mature person allows others to express their opinions and make their own choices - while still being strong enough to express and make best decisions for their own good. Before God, the successful person meekly carries the attitude, “Not my will, but your will, be done.” Worldwide over the generations nations are getting saved from all kinds of demonic oppressions and from sin because of the humble stance Christ had and still has. Jesus gave His will just for me and you that we may succeed today. That is why whenever I think of the nails, thorns, and humiliation He humbled Himself for, I cry tears and even stand a chance to worship Him and Him alone.

7. Self Control.

The successful, spiritually mature person has developed willpower and restraint, seeking what is best for all involved, in the ways and times that are most beneficial and appropriate.
When we seek to develop these godly characteristics, we are well on our way to creating a life of success that is God’s way!

Finally, I want to encourage you child of God to know that the above will not only make or qualify you to be a successful person but it also accounts for who you will be when the day of the Lord comes. In James 5:8 says “You also be patient, establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at Hand”. If God gives the opportunity I will share with you hindrances to obtaining success God’s way

May God bless you and crown up this year 2010 with greatness and make your life successful in Jesus name. Amen.

Mr. Bril Emma Opanyi

JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY & FOREVERMORE

Threats to oneness and intimacy in marriage relationships

THREATS TO ONENESS AND INTIMACY IN MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIPS

For sometime I have been asking my self why many Christian couples are not enjoying their marriage relationships. And in this message I unveil to you some of the reasons why it’s hard to find true oneness and intimacy in many marriage relationships.  I want you to know that today in our generation many marriages are deeply influenced by the culture in which we live, and of which much of the influence does not encourage marital oneness. Most couples have not adequately prepared for the gravitational pull of difficult adjustments on the marriage relationships. 

Now let’s look critically at some of these threats to oneness and intimacy in marriage relationships:

1.       A complex culture

In today’s world there’s much that is driving the wedges of isolation deep in to relationships between husbands and wives. Most people today don’t realize how deeply we have been influenced by the sociological changes over the last 100 years. The world chart graphically portrays a strong cultural current that has swept the family far from it’s moorings of commitment and stability. Our culture has come to think of the family as a risk, not the harbor and haven it used to be.  That is why today a lot has been introduced to our families that have deprived the family values that contribute so much to oneness and intimacy in marriage relationships.

Quoting from an international official who said: ‘the fall of traditional family is a triumph for human rights’. Our culture has been so much poisoned by these abominable practices that have separated families hence a threat to oneness and intimacy.

Today more than 70 percent of people in different countries live in cities. We are so much urban, Mobile and constantly tempted to compare what we don’t have with those who appear “to have it all”. These comparisons have turned out to be one of the most lethal forms of poison for any marriage.

Over the past 100years, oneness and team work was not an option if the family was to survive, the pressure to survive forced families together unless today where selfishness is eroding the cement of commitment causing marriages to crumble.

The complex cultures we are living in have reached a hint where divorce is advertised as an option. A century ago, families might have starved to death if one of the mates chose to bail out hence divorce was not an acceptable alternative.

2.       Selfishness

Harmony in human relationships has always been difficult to achieve. The greatest test of harmony is marriage, where two imperfect creatures seek to defeat isolation and become one. Two people going their own selfish, separate away can never hope to experience the oneness of marriage as God intended it.

On illusion marriage couples fall for in this new age of liberation is belief that they can both be “independently successful” and still have a great marriage. A few couples seem to make it work, but most do not. Isolation is never defeated when each spouse operates totally independent of the other. The only way to unity, oneness, and a successful marriage is through mutual dependence. If each partner doesn’t control “self” and subject it to the Creator of marriage, the marriage dies.

As I have counseled and spoken to couples through physical engagements and internet Charts ,I have seen the corrosive effect of selfishness and independence in marriages. Men stubbornly ignore the needs of their wives. They prefer spending an extra hour or two at the office. I once met a pastor who frequented Christian bookstores and libraries with the sole purpose of avoiding his wife. And I have counseled women who spend countless hours shopping, not for their families but to avoid responsibilities at home and gratify them selves.

Often these self-styled independents spurn counseling .They do not want any help or, if they do concede to enter the counselor’s office, they defy being taught anything by anyone. Arms crossed, head held high, they refuse to hear anything their mate or the counselor has to say. They are   miserable, lonely people, and so are those who have to live with them

But marriage frozen in the isolation of selfishness didn’t start out that way. People get married with “stars in their eyes.”They don’t see reality when they’re dating or during the engagement. They wear blinders equipped with special lenses that filter out all the unpleasantness. Some are so desperate to love and be loved that they deny reality. Engaged couples are in love with romance because things are going their way. It’s a special time they don’t want to be bothered with the truth or obvious facts that suggest there could be some problem down the line. Instead, they want to experience this thing called “love.”This is exactly why it’s very hard to correct two people who have fallen in a wrong relationship.

Many couples think marriage promises fun that will never end. Nothing in the world arouses more false hope than the first four hours of a date or the first day of the honeymoon.   

Then reality sets in. Comedian Benny Fields said it well: “The glances over candlelight that seemed so sweet do not seem so amorous over shredded wheat.”The lovely person who, during the engagement was an ideal now starts to become an ordeal. Selfishness begins to rob the relationship of its romance in tiny but significant ways.

Humorist Sam Levenson summarized the problem when he said “Love at first sight is easy to understand. It’s when two people have been looking at each other for years that it becomes a miracle.”

Many people say ‘There’s no hope. I can’t change him,’ or “What is the use? She will never be any different” I want to tell you that marriage offers a great  opportunity to do something about selfishness that is why you need to learn as couples to apply a plan that is bigger than human self- centeredness.

Many marriages are just like that. We can’t stand the isolation but we desperately need to learn how to live with the sharp barbs and quills that are part of coming together in oneness.

Is there a way to have oneness and intimacy without the pain driving us apart? I believe there is.  And the best answer is in the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. Instead of wanting to be first, we must be willing to be the last. Instead of wanting to be served, we must serve.  Instead of trying to save our lives, we must loose them. We must love our neighbor (our spouse) as much as we love ourselves. In a nutshell, if we want oneness and intimacy, we must.

Marriage provides the opportunity to live life for someone besides yourself and to avoid the terrible judgment, what keeps letting us down is the mentality of “I can’t depend on anyone”

The key to solving selfishness is learning you have to depend on someone else because you really have no other choice. To experience oneness and intimacy you must give up your will for the will of another (your spouse). But to do this you must first give up your will to Christ, and then you will find it possible to give up your will for that of your mate/ spouse.

Unless you come to this “giving up of the wills” and learn to depend on one another, selfishness will cripple or destroy your marriage as you face the inevitable difficulties that are bound to occur.

3. Extramarital Affairs

It’s true that extramarital affairs are often sexual in nature. But there are other types of affairs and one them that I want us to have a look at is “Career” Often people escape the reality of their mediocre marriages by pursuing wealth and materialist desires, or through the affair called “Busyness”

Our desire to escape is promoted by the pressures of the secular culture in which we live.  In unban centers today comes a barrage of advertising TV Commercials, films and public relations schemes, all designed to teach us that we should seek self-satisfaction in life. Unfortunately many mates enter their marriages with this programming aspect mounting up their expectations and fantasies to compare themselves with what they see on TVs and so they ask themselves this question “How come my love life doesn’t match up with the one led by my favorite TV hero or heroine? Why can’t my mate be that cool, that sexy and that romantic?”

Let me up your eyes and mind, you must know that you are comparing your relationship with your mate to a fantasy that’s been developed with a multimillion shillings, dollars or pound budget and so it’s easy enough to be duped into thinking that you deserve exactly what the fantasy on the screen depicts. As the scriptures tell us “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the world’s” (Romans 1: 22-23) and also Romans 12:2 also speaks more about this.

It is no wonder, then that so many people take the next step into an extramarital affair. Instead of finding happiness and fulfillment in the real world with a real Husband, real Children and a real God, they bail out and chase after the illusions conjured out of their fantasies.

Therefore, escaping reality to pursue fantasy ultimately results in a retreat to emotional solitude. Discouraged and lonely, we stop caring. We have become passive, bored, resigned to mediocrity and as a result it has caused many marriages which began well to end up in divorce.

There are many more threats to oneness and intimacy in marriage relationships. But as you analyze each of the threats to oneness and intimacy I have detailed, you should be able to pinpoint specific areas in which your relationship is affected and work on them so that God’s purpose for your marriage is fulfilled and also enable you to defeat isolation so that you can experience intimacy and true oneness.

May God bless you

Mr. Bril Emma Opanyi

JESUS IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY & FOREVERMORE