My Vision + Song of The Day: Be Thou My Vision (4 Him)

Vision is the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom while Ambition is a strong desire to do or achieve that vision.

What is your vision, what is your ambition?
Personally I have had several dreams since I was a child. At first I wanted become a doctor so I could find the cure to HIV/AIDS, then a little later I wanted to become an Architect because I was good at Technical Drawing so I went into T.D Class and honestly didn't feel fulfilled. Truth be told I never sought Gods will in going there, I just imposed my desire on Him and asked Him to bless it.
After being miserable for a while there, I cried out to God for help and in an unusual way, one which did not seem to be a blessing at the time (Will talk about this in detail in another post), He made it possible for me to switch to The Arts, which ultimately made it possible for me to study Mass-communication for my Undergraduate Degree and then Film and Television Studies for my Masters.

However in as much as this was in line with His will, I did not discover my true vision and ambition until when I was doing my Masters. It was then that God opened my eyes to see that He was the One I was truly seeking all my life. Yes I had things I wanted to achieve, but deep down inside I wanted to achieve those things to make Him proud.
I had achieved success before but they never gave me the satisfaction I somehow knew was meant to be the satisfaction for true success.
On a particular morning, God took me in hindsight through my whole life and showed me how he had been there for and with me, even at times when my still growing mind could not perceive it.

Looking back, I could clearly see His hand upon me, His love, I could see how He carried and shielded me even when I when I did not have the intellectual sophistication to request for His presence in such a way. Then He explained Matt6:33 to me in yet another way. He told me that He had cared for me in totality even when I could hardly grasp what that meant. He had provided everything I needed even when I did not know what my true needs were, had revealed Himself to me even when I did not know exactly Who I was seeking, and that in sight of all this I should give myself over completely to seeking Him, following hard after His will because "I've got you". In other words don't let all those ambitions occupy your mind, I have taken care of them all..Let Me be your ultimate..You will be who I created you to be (Psalms25:12), just stay focused on Me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aurILJtBA4U
The song for today says it all. I was introduced to it by my Parents who used it to dedicate their Marriage to the One who instituted the institution. "Be Thou my vision" is my constant request to God, because there are many times I loose sight of what is truly important and my World is in a mess, but then He focuses my gaze and everything is alright once again.
"I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings , becoming like Him in His death, and so somehow to attain the resurrection from the dead."(Phil 3:10&11)
Looking for that 'something' that is missing in your life? Focus your gaze on Him, and that dissatisfaction will be taken care of.

Be Spekky...Be Spectacular
(Matthew 5: 14-16)

Are You Breathing? + Song of The Day: Let Everything That Has Breath (Ron Kenoly)

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."(Psalms 150:6)

Breath check 1..2,
Inhale...exhale..1...2
Blocked nose? Open your mouth...inhale...exhale 1....2
Oxygen mask? Are you suffocating?No?...1....2

Do you have breath? Yes? Then PRAISE THE LORD!

Breath here signifies life (Gen 2:7). The verse above does not say let everything that has a car, or a job, or everything that has never been disappointed or maltreated, or everything that has had an absolutely perfect year "Praise the Lord". No. As long as you are alive praise God. When there is life there is hope.
"Everyday is another chance to get it right this time" Lauryn Hill sang this line in the song "I've gotta find peace of mind". There she shared about how the enemy had convinced her that she would never find peace of mind because she would be forever be chained to him..but then she found God to be her peace of mind "You are my peace of mind, that old me is left behind" and she could clearly see the height of Gods mercies in the way every new day He gives us the chance to live right, to make Him proud, to bear fruit that will last.

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassion's never fail. They are new every morning great is Your faithfulness (Lamentation 3:22-23).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSh6Z9BbO6U

This year many of us at different times have done things that we know are not pleasing to God. But because of His mind blowing mercies we are still breathing, we are still alive, we have a future and a hope, we have breath!

Today and everyday, acknowledge His mercy and praise Him. Acknowledge His love, His compassion's that never fail and praise Him. "Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord."(Ps150:6)

Be Spekky...Be Spectacular
(Matt 5:14-16)

Appreciate The Phase + Song of The Day: Count it All Joy (Bebe & Cece Winans)

As a child I wanted to grow up super-fast and make my own decisions. All the adults seemed to be free to do whatever they wanted and I was not. I remember telling my Parent's several times in impatient desperation "I can't wait till I grow up" and they would tell me to savour every moment of my childhood because one day I would miss it. I could not see how that was possible then, but I see now.

I miss the beauty, the simplicity and the trustworthiness of the world I saw through my eyes then, and I am sure one day in the future I will look back at this present time and miss the beauty and uniqueness present at this stage of my life. "There is a time for everything" Ecc3:1 and "He makes everything beautiful in its time" Ecc3:11. Savour and maximize now, because today's beauty is now. Your eyes may not be mature enough to see today's beauty today, but someday not too far off you will see it and be thankful.

I definitely do not want to be a child again, but my childhood was beautiful in its time and my entire being will forever be grateful to God for that.

 Be Spekky...Be Spectacular!

Still on Gratitude! + Song of The Day: Take a Little Time (Andrea Crouch)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daKdrp7tCi8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
The song for today says it all!
The United States of America is known for setting aside a day towards the end of each year on which they acknowledge their blessings and give thanks to God.
I feel it is an excellent tradition especially when its true essence is understood. Today is that day in the U.S ( + some other countries).
As God's children, everyday should be Thanksgiving Day, because there are always innumerable things to be thankful to God for.The leper who returned to say thank you after being healed, was restored to perfection, anyone seeing him after that day would never have known about his history as a leper. Luke17:11-19
You may be like "this situation has caused a lot of damage, so yeah Father I appreciate the awesome things You've done but what's destroyed is destroyed"...
Forget that, and pour your heart out in gratitude for every single thing He has done! He made the entire universe out of nothing, sincerely give Him thanks and He will do what you were not even expecting. You can not fake it with Him... Sincerely pour your heart out in gratitude.

Be Spekky...Be Spectacular!!!

My Tribute!

GOD IS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!!! Day by day I get more an more blown away! Wow! He truly does know how to take the glory! He's so involed in the intricate details of my everyday life and I will will never be able to fathom why! All I know is that He is God, He is my King, My Lord, My One!!!! He sees me, He knows me, He calls me by name, He sheilds me and transforms the tears that drop from my eyes into diamonds.

He builds my confidence when people mock the gifts He's given me and He teaches me how to use those gifts to please Him (Ps25:12).

HE IS GOD!!! What was I before He transformed me? Nothing but dust to be trampled under feet! He breathed into me, gave me His life and said "Rep Me on Earth"...who am I? So unworthy yet justified by you!!!! Words would never ever be enough!!! I'm 'rambling' because I can't find the word that totally encapsulates my Gratitude!

Ive got to shout it out loud! GOD IS AWESOME!
He has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and the weak things of the world to put to shame the things that are strong (1Cor1:27)!

Thank you Father!
#mytribute

Be Grateful! + Song of The Day: 10,000 Reasons/ Bless The Lord (Matt Redman)

Are you grateful? Think about that for a minute.

Everytime the Fathers and Mothers of the Faith e.g Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Samuel, David, Moses, Mariam, Joseph, Daniel etc saw the hand of God, their praise knew no bounds. Even when they were in terrible situations they would praise God for showing up for them in the past, and for being God all by Himself.

Let us get into the habit of being grateful to God for the 'teeny weeny' things as well as for the gigantic things.
Personally, I want to start writing down the things I am grateful to Him for on a daily basis. I do not want to be like the 9 lepers that took His acts in their life for granted.(Luke11:17-19).

Let's proclaim and meditate on the following scriptures all through today and be truly grateful to our Father all the days of lives on earth, and our lives with Him in eternity:

Psalms 103: 1-22 (NIV)

Praise the Lord , my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord , my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt5VnHYc-4k&feature=youtube_gdata_player
The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord ’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Praise the Lord , you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord , all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the Lord , all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord , my soul.



Psalm 9:1-2 NIV

I will give thanks to you, Lord , with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

Be Spekky...Be Spectacular!!!

WOW!!! + Two for Tuesday's: All Things Bright and Beautiful (John Rutter)& How Great Thou Art (Cece Winans)

Psalm 8:3-4 NIV

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

For a minute stop whatever it is that you are doing and think of how minute you are in comparison to every single thing God has made. Think of the land, about its soil that enables plants to grow, about its firmness that enables foundations to be laid and Skyscrapers to be built. Think of how it serves as a barrier to the sea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlhV80QPUuI&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Think of water in every form of its existence, in the air as vapour, in the freezer as ice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIWMZJxWAmE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Look at the Birds, the sky, just take time to deeply observe anything you lay your eyes on. Don't stop there, think of the things beyond the Earth. The Sun, where does its unending energy come from? God of course..the stars, the Moon, the planets, the galaxies, the Solar System. God made these things and they do not come close to all that He is!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ya12I036lg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
The most amazing part is that this God in all His AWESOMENESS is mindful you and I. He loves us, died to save us and remedy our relationship with Him.
You are child of God, in Him you are not minute at all, in Him you are like Him because He gives you access to all that He is! Him making us a big deal without us being worthy one bit is another mind blowing thing about Him. Revere Gods awesomeness today, don't ever become so used to going through the motions that your are blind to see how great He truly is.

Be Spekky...Be Spectacular!!!

RECEIVE!!! + Song of The Day: Go Get It (Mary Mary)

Last year, I had a dream. In that dream myself and a friend where somewhere and then two Angels approached us and began to hover over both our heads with packages from God. I patiently waited for my package to drop, but the Angel kept hovering. Before I knew it, my friend jumped up and grabbed her package. I was still waiting for mine to drop and then a few seconds later the Angel flew away with my package. I was extremely upset because I did not understand what had happened. I woke up and pleaded with God to explain the dream to me and He graciously did.

The thing is I am am person who detests the Idea of claiming to love God in order to get what he can give. It deeply hurts me when people only care about what they can receive from God and not about actually desiring to know Him more. So...I would always tell Him things like "if You never do anything else for me...I'll still love you". He told me He was absolutely pleased with me on that because I had discovered  that He is THE TRUE TREASURE (Deut18:2), but then He told me that when He decides to bless me as an expression of His love or as a benevolent reward, or when I legitimately ask Him for something, I should NOT dishonor Him by refusing to or being ill prepared to receive what He decides to bless me with.

By blessings I do not mean material alone, but also blessings of spiritual significance. For example Elisha had served Elijah faithfully and He desired a double portion of the anointing upon Elijah. If he had been the way I was in my dream, He would have felt that him seeing alone would assure the passing of the Baton. Elisha took it personal and inasmuch as he believed in his heart that he had received it, he vocally and loudly confessed it to properly take hold of it "My Father! My Father! The chariots and the horsemen of Israel" it was after this that the mantle actually dropped.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRDcSC5bq-Y

Even with Gods greatest gift ever, Jesus, observing Jesus' death and resurrection is far from enough. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life" (John3:16). Romans10:9-10 says:

 "That if you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved".

 Here again believing and confessing are emphasized as being significant for receiving what God has freely given. "I believed; therefore I spoke. With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak." Here again  it is vividly evident that belief and confession go hand in hand.

God also led me to James1:6&7 "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from God;"

Obviously, I was having a faith problem. As I was writing this God opened up Heb11:6b to me in an entirely new way. "...because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
I had been of the opinion that earnestly seeking Him meant I should not expect anything from Him. I did not want to be greedy. He showed me that to please him I must believe that He is, and also, my diligent search of him should be combined with the absolute belief that He will reward me...with more of Him (Jer29:13), with every spiritual blessing (Eph1:3) and with every material thing I need (Matt6:33).
Always seek Him above all else, He will forever be THE PRIORITY, but always be prepared to graciously receive what He freely gives in honor of Him.

In summary...
* Receive what God gives you in honor of Him and to His glory. Celebrate His love and benevolence.
* Without faith nothing can be received from God
* Your faith and your confession go hand in hand

This week do not let anything stand in your way of being Spekky...Be Spetacular!!!

HELP!!! + Song of The Day: Iranlowo (My Help by Bukola Bekes)

Today, stop looking down in despair. Stop looking to men for the scraps of help you feel they are capable of giving.
 The lame man at the Beautiful Gate focused on Peter and John. He desperately needed help, but most likely, the only things all his years of begging had gotten him where a permanent spot at the gate, and then food plus manageable clothing. Yes, these where problems, but those things that men were helping him with weren't the real issue. He was not anorexic, wasn't a nudist desiring to change, and I'm pretty sure that begging was not his desired occupation.
His expectations where low solely because of who his focus had been on all of his life.

What Peter and John did was change his focus. They pointed him to Jesus who was the only source of the help he truly needed, and he did get the true solution which he had thought to be impossible (Acts3:1-8).

 Jesus is the only one that can get to the crux of the matter(Heb4:12&13), and then remedy your situation in its entirety. Who are your eyes fixed on? Because whatever anyone apart from Jesus does for you would be like taking Paracetamol to deal with a brain tumor.
Cry out  "JESUS!I know You are all I truly have. Help me because I am helpless and hopeless without You".(Psalms34:5)

He says: "I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah41:10b).

Today as always...Be Spekky...Be Spectacular!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7caRck1H7g&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Iranlowo Lyrics and Translation (Based on Psalms 121)

E mi o gbe oju mi (I will lift my eyes)
sori okewani (To the hills)
nibo niranlowo mi (where does my help come from?)
yo wa ti wa (From where will my help come?)
Iranlowo mi yo to wo Oluwawa (My help is from our Lord)
ti o da orun oun aiye (That created the Heaven's and the Earth)

Chorus
Iran lowo mi (My help)
La to do re ni (Is from You)
Oba to da oun aiya (The God that created the Earth)
Ran mi lowo (Help me Lord)
Ran mi lowo (Help me)


Verse 2:
Ohun ki yo je ki ese mi koye (he will not suffer my foot to be moved)
Eni ti pami mo (he that keepeth thee)
ki togbe beni kin sun rara ooh (neither slumber nor sleep)
He no dey sleep ooh

chorus
Iran lowo mi (My Help)
la to do re ni (Is from God)
oba to da oun aiye (The God that created the Earth)
ran mi lowo (HELP me Lord)
Oluwa ran mi lowo (Oh Lord help me)

Oliver Twist! + Song of The Day: More (Cece Winans)

He rose from the table, and advancing, basin and spoon in hand, to the master, said somewhat alarmed at his own temerity-

"pleas, sir, I want some more."The master was a fat, healthy man, but he turned very pale. He gazed in stupified astonishment on the small rebel for some seconds, and then clung for support to the copper. The assistants were paralysed with wonder, and the boys with fear.

"What!" said the master at length, in a faint voice.

Please, sir," replied Oliver, "I want some more."

The master aimed a blow at Oliver's head with the ladle, pinioned him in his arms and shrieked aloud for the beadle.

(Dickens, 1837).

The interpretation of the dramatic response Oliver received in a country like Nigeria would be "HEEY! ABOMINATION O!", and believe it or not this is the Christian experience that many of us have had.
How dare you desire to know God beyond what the Pastor has taught! Have your quiet time in the morning, pray before you sleep at night all the other 'involve God in every part of your day' is just overrated, it's for the fanatics! "O so you are now one of those extremely spiritual ones huh?". "Leave all this biblical stuff till Sunday, haven't you had enough already?".
The truth is most of us are far from satisfied. We know there is much more of God to be seen, but we are so scared of advancing in Him because of how we will be ostracised by those around us especially and unfortunately by our "siblings" in Christ.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9EyuNFN0vg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Look back at your life and try to remember the times you made giant leaps of advancement in your relationship with God. How many friends where as comfortable with you as they had been before. I'm sure a few but definitely not the majority.
Are you hungry for more of God? I am! In fact I told Him about it last night, told Him I needed to see  Him with much more clarity, told Him I was no longer satisfied with where I was. Told Him: "Father I have read about You and seen You manifest in my life over again. I have seen that you are absolutely awesome and amazing, but I know I have seen less than a micro glimpse of You, so here I am again asking for more."

The amazing thing about our God is that He is not like the master in Oliver's situation. God says "Open your mouth wide and I will fill it" (Psalms81:10b), He says "I will pour water on thirsty land..." (Isaiah44:3), "If anyone thirsts let him come to Me and drink"(John7:37), "All the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me, I will by no means cast out" (John6:37).
Come boldly (Heb4:16) and freely receive unlimited access to the unlimited God who alone is able to limitlessly satisfy your hunger for more. The well will never run dry, you will never thirst again as long as you stay connected (John4).
Just like Oliver, do not let the fear and the reservations or even the disapproval of others get in the way of your getting the true nourishment and satisfaction you need. They will stay unsatisfied and malnourished while you go from strength to strength. Pray for them but do not let them hold you down. Remember, God is not like the unkind master who hurt Oliver because of his audacity to ask for more. He will not reject your plea, but instead He will welcome you with open arms and fill you to the point that you will begin to overflow, and  then be used by Him to feed others. (John7:38).

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matt5:6). We should have the Psalms42:1&2 attitude all day, and every single day for the rest of our lives.

Today as always Be Spekky...Be Spectacular!

The Treasure Hunter! + Two Songs of The Day: Confe$$ions (Lecrae) & Fools Gold (Andy Mineo ft. Shobaraka)

Your phone beeps, and you check to see the amount of money in your account. You then lay your head on your pillow and close your eyes in an attempt to sleep. You turn to the left and then to the right, but because you've got your mind on your money and your money on your mind, the sleep is no where to be found.
You tell yourself "I'll sleep when I'm rich...the God I serve won't fail me, I will be rich, I must be rich, I won't suffer like my parents did...never...I must be rich, I must have money...God make me rich, please make me rich...money, money, money...and then you fall asleep.
Who do you think you are truly serving? Be absolutely honest, who?
Are you really attempting to use the power He has freely given you through Jesus to turn stone into bread, instead of using it to please Him and further His agenda and fulfil the purpose for which He created you?
Lecrae says it perfectly in his song "Change"
"Is Christ just a means to money plus health? You're the master, He's the dummy? No!"
Your motto is "get rich or die trying!". If you were to actually die chasing money as your ultimate, you would have died wasted."Vanity of vanities" says the preacher, "all is vanity"(Ecc12:8).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg5NneaxvqU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

God's Kingdom and His righteousness are the the things we should be desperately seeking and panting after, and our benevolent King has bountifully made provision for all our needs in His Kingdom Welfare Package. (Matt6:33).
The reason many of us haven't been beneficiaries of that package is because we are still seeking the "things" in the guise of seeking Him i.e "so you said I'll get the money if I seek God? Niiice, let's do this!"
Are you really trying to scam the God that created all things seen and unseen?
You may get the wealth if you continue down this path, but it will never be enough and that's because your true desire is to be who He created you to be and not a false treasure hunter.
Bounce money off the throne of your heart, and let God take His rightful place in your life. You ultimately will have no regrets!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv2MYFqwHkE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Be Spekky...Be Spectacular!

What's For Breakfast? + Song of The Day: Fill My Cup, Lord (CRC Worship)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4l2yY2r95g


Matthew 4:2-4 NIV

After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”   Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’  ”

Wondering why you are living but never feel truly alive? The solution you seek is in a diet change. You need a balanced diet for your entire being and this diet is what Jesus gives insight to in the verses above "Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God".

There was a time when I was stagnant, and even dropping in my walk with God and God re-explained Galatians 6:7&8(NKJV) to me:

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life"

The emphasis here is not on offering and tithes, its on how to properly invest in order to reap the life only God can give. Do not be deceived, there's no other way around it. Its not by crying or meeting 1000 pastors. Simply change your diet!

Pastor Faith Oyedepo once told me that before she has her physical breakfast, she feeds on Gods word, and over the years I've been able to appreciate that principle in my own life. I won't pretend that I've stayed with it strictly every single day since then, but I definitely have seen first hand the importance of binging on Gods Word.

The table is set (Psalms 23:5), Bon Appetite!

Remember to Be Spekky on this first day of the week, Be Spectacular!

Tick-Tock Goes The Clock! + Song of The Day: Young (Andy Mineo ft. KB)

Do you really think you are too young to start taking life seriously? WAKE UP!
Recently God showed me how much I had been using this same excuse and how displeased He was with my philosophy. He truly does correct us out of love (Heb12:6 &Prov3:12).

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil." (Eph5:15&16).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h46Hx0pyik

If God were to do a time-out for you at this exact moment, would your excuse for an embarrassing score on His board be that you are young? I assure you that would definitely not cut it.
He has placed soooo much in you. please do not waste it by pouring out your life out for nothing, you would be terrified at the out outcome.

Try putting reminders on your wall, phones and laptops etc about the irreplaceable value of time and the need to use the time He has given you in the way He desires it to be used.
Still planning on watching 7 series back to back today? Rethink that and invest this precious gift of time wisely. There are those who wished they had a second longer but did not, and all they have to show God for their lives are the excuses about why they wasted the time they had. His grace is sufficient, take advantage of it and be wise about your time investments. Even in this remember to be Spekky...Be Spectacular!

Today's Theme: In the Palm of His Hand & Song of the Day: In The Midst of it All (Yolanda Adams)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BB0yJGF86Js

Wow, Saturday already! Isn't God so faithful!

Interestingly I had a dream that I lead this song just a few minutes before I woke up, so I strongly believe this is something God wants us to remember today and everyday. 

Isaiah 43: 1b&2 (NIV)

Fear not: for I have redeemed you,

I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you:

when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze. 

I know many of us have had a frustrating and intimidating week. It could be that you have done things that we swore you would never do,  and you feel you have disappointed God terribly, or maybe a person you trusted greatly let you down in a big way. It could even be that you lost someone that you loved very dearly. 

Although it may look like the time to turn away from God, this in fact is the time to run into His everlasting arms, and allow Him to be your EVERYTHING in whatever you are going through because He is with you in the midst of it all. So in this knowledge, do not relent today in being Spekky...Be Spectacular.

Today's Theme: Love, & Song of The Day: Love - Kirk Franklin

Buenos dias everyone!
I woke up today with this song in my heart, and once again I realized that many of us (myself included) do not have the true picture of love engrained in our hearts and minds. We have watched movies and celebrities to the point that their incomplete portrayal has become what rules our daily expression of love. The 1Cor13 description of Love is what we need to start paying attention to, and also start living by.
Have an amazing day filled with bountiful joy! After all our heavenly Father made it, He truly does love us.
So today as always: Be Spekky...Be Spectacular!!!
Love - Kirk Franklin

Song of The Day: Lucky Ones (Lecrae ft Rudy Currence)

Morning everyone! Hope you all are well rested, if not just depend on God to sort you out :). Truly hope you enjoy this song because the quality of music that seeps into your soul has a lot to do with the overall quality of your day. Today as always: Be Spekky...Be Spectacular!!!

The Lucky Ones (Lecrae ft. Rudy Currence)

The Spekky For Spectacular Book Club: November

Book of The Month!!! Yay!!!

So, a couple of us are now members of this amazing book club, and each month we will be taking on a deeply edifying book. The books could be of any genre (Motivational, Fiction, Poetry, Themed Articles etc.) and at the end of each month we will be posting all our book based discussions on the blog.

We would love for you to join us in this exciting adventure and discuss with us in comments whatever things you would love to share from your readings. Please do spread the excitement! Remember: Be Spekky...Be Spectacular!!!

Myles Munroe: A Purpose Driven Life

The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life lived without purpose" Myles Munroe.

Words can hardly ever quantify true emotion, but I'm sincerely grateful to God that he used you and your lovely wife to show the world purposeful living literally. Today my consciousness of time, purpose and meeting God with bountiful fruit to show was re-awakened...In your life God was glorified and in your death He still is being glorified.."O death where.is thy sting?"..Its so amazing to think that even as you are already with God, the seeds you planted are still ripening and reproducing. That is the true legacy of one who is truly the Lords.Thank you for letting your light shine sooo bright. To God be the glory.Wake up y'all there's so much to be done. "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few"(Luke10:2).

Myles and Ruth Munroe.

Open Up!

Letting people in or letting them get close to the point of seeing you for who you really are, is one of the hardest things ever. What if they get close enough to see your unhealed wounds? What if they can’t handle your not so beautiful elements? What if they are more in love with the “you” they thought they knew from afar? And worst of all, what if they bring to light the things you hated about yourself and thought you had dealt with?

Their closeness and their inability to handle the burden of your imperfection can be absolutely disheartening and condemning, leaving you hopeless.

A few years ago I went into a relationship with Someone, and based on my numerous interactions with people I instinctively held back. I wasn’t going to risk Him seeing my imperfections, NO WAY! So he could hurt me like the rest? No way! But for the first time in my life I was absolutely wrong. Over and again he asked me to open up and I would hide because He was flawless. Why would someone so perfect stay after seeing me for me? After all, everyone I had thought could handle my transparency couldn’t even when they tried, so why would He?

 I heard once about a lady who had a similar (much more intense and literal) experience. (John 8:3-11 MSG):

The religion scholars led in a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses in the law gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?”…Jesus bent down and wrote something with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again he wrote some more in the dirt. Hearing that they walked away, one after another beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood and spoke to her “Woman where are they? Does no one condemn you?” “No one Master.” “Neither do I. Go your way from now on do not sin.”

AMAZING RIGHT?

Also with Simon Peter Jesus foresaw his repeated denial of Him (John 13:38), but instead of condemning him helped him back up and gave him responsibility over what He cherished most on earth (John 21:15-17), He helped him up and gave him a clean slate.

He has said to me over and again:

I took you from the ends of the earth. from its farthest corners I called you, I said ‘You are my servant, I have chosen you and have not rejected you: So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:9&10).

Jesus will never condemn you, He knows that you see your mess and that you have struggled in vain to clean it up. He won’t beat you up about how you’ve failed to change over and again, instead if you allow Him, He will help you, clean you up, hold your hands and give you the power to be right. I can’t help but be in love with Him, He is absolutely amazing!

*Singing* Mercy said no I’m not gonna let you go, I’m not gonna let you slip away, you don’t have to be afraid…(Mercy Said No by Cece Winans).

As always Be Spekky...Be Spectacular!!!