i-EXPERIENCE SEMINAR - UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LAGON. ACCRA

"And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I will make my up jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

For, hebold, the day cometh, that shall burn as oven; and all the proud, yea , all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fearmy name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." (Malachi 3:18-19, 4:1-2)

Life is always moving forward. Either we know it or not, our lives are in constant state of transition. We are continually being transported into the new, the different, the unexpected and the untried. Nothing on earth lasts forever, everything changes! One of the greatest tragedies in life is that only a small percentage of the world's population responds effectively to change. The consequence greatly contributes to causes of frustration, depression and wasted potentials.

This present generation is living in a time when there is a convergence of worldwide changes that is creating a transitional tide in human history. We are in such a strategic period in history when major events occur in chain-reactions, bringing with them significant transformations in social, economic, political and spiritual conditions. Things are not only changing, but changing at a very high speed. The aftershocks of the 2008 stock market crisis and its ongoing fluctuations, international recession and the growing unemployment rate has rock nations and worldwide markets. The austerity measures  presently imposed in most countries in Eurozone and the current uprisings engulfing Arab nations clearly portrays that even the mighty are capable of falling. There is no doubt that the end result of all these happenings will soon have its reflection on the continent of Africa. (Matthew 7:24,25)

It is ever known that security thrives on what is certain, however, we are presently entering into an age where nothing will be guaranteed. Job security, food security, shelter and even welfare will become threatened. Just as globalization of world economy begins to take its toll on businesses, there will be more mergers and acquisitions in big corporations resulting in more job losses. Such a change that must redefine the economic roles of spouses in marriage if the family must keep being united. The global campaign for transition into e-governance and a cashless society may never go without its consequences. With the emerging possibilities of using paycards on net and at different cashpoints, be sure the numbers of workers in both our financial institutions and government services will be significantly reduced. Industries are now being transformed from manual operations to automated systems. No wonder the global cutback in workforce together with the indefinite embargo on job vacancy in different establishments. Without a doubt, all these consequences are coming irrespective of the surging world population and the yearly increase in the number of graduates storming the labour market for survival. We are all experiencing change in a large scale. Most people who are not prepared for this change may definitely found themselves living in such an unsettled times throughout history; while others may simply surrender to the inevitable becoming victims of fear, hardship and distress (Matthew 25:1-13). “The future has a way of arriving unannounced” (George Will).

When God gave us climatic signs and seasons, little did many know that He was teaching us how to prepare on time for change and to remain relevant during transitional periods. When leaves change color and fall off the tree and the weather getting cold, everyone knows what season is coming. The wise thing to do is to prepare for it; in your house, your clothes and even in your kind food intake. By doing these, your internal position is maintained even though the external condition changes. It is very important to understand the signs of the times in order to be relevant irrespective of what season. (Matthew 16:3). In these present times, how does a student remain relevant after graduation from school? What keeps a couple going on in marriage at the same passionate level where they started from many years ago? How can a business maintain its delivery of purpose in such a changing and competitive world like ours?

i-Experience Seminar is an exceptional mentoring forum aimed at preparing people in spirit, soul and body for greater life through higher biblical principles. It’s all about life; it’s all about true liberty; it’s all about bringing out the best of God in you. Securing a better now and tomorrow can never be most assuring. Join me and host of others on the 3rd of March at Mensah Sabah Hall, University of Ghana, Lagon by 10am; as we unveil to you how to be empowered for relevance in a changing and competitive world. Thank you!

                                   
 Excel Agboola (Pst.)

 excelagboola@yahoo.com

FRAMING YOUR WORLD

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” (Heb 11:3)

All things are created twice. There is an inner or first creation and there is a physical or second creation. Everything that was made manifest in the physical has its source rooted in the invisible. Hence, to control the physical you must learn how to operate in the invisible realm.

It’s a pity that many bear the consequence of their ignorance today in form of sickness, oppression, poverty, failure and others, just because they failed to understand that things that happens in the supernatural are many fold greater that things happening in their natural world. Most failure begins in the first creation, while the very time that wrong situation manifested physically was simply the second creation. Had they this understanding, they would have given a greater focus and concentration to their unseen world than the physical things happening around them.

In similitude to what God did at creation, our worlds are framed by our words. We create what we see physically through the invisible words that we speak. Our spoken words are the medium of transition from the first creation to the second creation. Your word is the link to the creation reservoir lying within you.

WINNING WITH INNER CONVERSATIONS

“Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD. There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” (Ps 4:4-8)

Briefly, let me highlight how to help newly introduced God’s Word win the conversation in your mind (Pro. 4:4-8):

i. “…Stand in awe, and sin not…” Nothing deflates your spirit like sin, and if you are not born again, you have no regenerated spirit. In essence, you spirit (which is your link to God) can’t partake in the conversation or meditate on God’s Word. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor 2:14) Things of God can only be understood by those whose spirit is alive. Making your spirit come alive requires your sincere confession and believing Jesus as the Lord and Saviour of your life. (Rom. 10:9,10)

ii. “…Offer the sacrifices of righteousness…” Righteousness impacts the spirit of discernment. This begins as you present your body as a living sacrifice and move away from things that dampens your spirit (1 Thess. 5:19). Engage often in spiritual exercise of fasting and prayer to increase your sensitivity. This equally means you diligently guard your heart against information coming from the world through your physical senses as they have a way of forming false beliefs in you. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12:1, 2)

iii. “…put your trust in the LORD…” Filled your spirit man with God’s Word and let His Word become foundation for your beliefs. (Col. 3:16). Whatever you filled yourself with is what springs up in you in your moment of decision. Words are spirits (John 6:63) and when spoken, they impact the spirit of the speaker of their targets. “And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.” (Ezek 2:2). The more you fill yourself with the Word of God, the more you rub minds with God. And this is what changes you into a person of His likeness possessing the same Spirit and belief with Him. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Cor 3:18)

iv. “…There be many that say, Who will shew us any good?” Following God’s Word is like walking on waters. There will always be things on scene contending with the Word and trying to take your attention off the path of life. My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.” (Prov 4:20-21). Learn to maintain focus and avoid distractions.

v. “…Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace…” Let the peace of God encompass you as you rejoice in the infallibility of His Word against all odds. Walk in faith rejoicing and praising the infallible power of God. Imagine what was been said concerning Abraham; “Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Rom 4:18-20)

PATH TO QUALITY INNER CONVERSATION

“Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.” (Ps 4:4)

When the angel came to Mary with the news of her giving birth to Jesus, Mary wondered “…How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34). When Peter answered Jesus’ demand to let down his net for a drought he said “…Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing…” (Luke 5:5). Also at the time when Zacharias was told by the angel of God’s intention to give a baby and even at his old age, he replied “Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.” (Luke 1:18). We may also recall when the angel met with Gideon and called him man of valor (Judges 6:13-15). All these were examples of expression that arose through inner conversation. And perhaps you are reading this material and you wonder how the Word of God sent to you will gain higher voice over other issues and opinions troubling your mind; then join me in this thought for a change experience.

Often times we find yourself between different opinions at a time of trying to follow what God’s Word says. We found God’s Word sounds to us too good to be true. Here it’s far easier for us to believe the verdicts and suggestions of our lawyers or doctors more than what the Word of God says to us. I believe the reason is due to what kind of word we give most of our attention to per time.

“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.” (Prov 4:20-21)

Let’s consider the word “attend” in the light of the service of an “attendant” or a “waiter”. An attendant is a person escorting or providing services to another individual. He/she waits on you until your request is made. And whenever you need a service, he is always nearby for your beckoning. What kinds of words you “attend” to most of your time is what determines what comes closer to you. Your attention will always determine your direction. This is why most of the time; God loves to fully secure your attention before He starts speaking His Word to you (Exo. 3:4).

One good reason why God wants you to keep His Word close to you and attend to Him all the time is so as for you to find a good “partner” to converse with at a time of taking major life decisions. And note that every such word that find a place of rest or attention in your heart as “partners” are what eventually turn out to be your beliefs. Likewise when we give ourselves most to the words from the world, we found the same kind of word surfacing as beliefs inside of us and having effect on our what kind of choice we make.

Man’s mind is the platform for his reasoning, while his heart is a synergy of his mind and spirit. Whenever a man hears God’s Word, the first place the word settles is in his mind. It’s in this place that conversation arises between the spirit of the man himself, together with his beliefs (those words that have already gained root on his mind) and the newly heard God’s Word. This conversation is what determines the allowance to be given to this ‘new’ Word in gaining entrance into your heart.

“My son, attend to my words…keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them…” (Pro. 4:20-22)

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Ps 119:130)

Whenever the Word remains in the mind without entering the spirit (heart), it simply turns the recipient to only a hearer and not a doer. Such Word can easily be displaced by any other stronger conviction (Matt. 13:20,21).

Every entrance of the Word into the heart of man makes it easy for him to comply with its dictates since such word has also gained root in his spirit. Your mind is simply a battle ground for conversations, while whatever gains entrance into your heart will definitely direct the affairs of your life because it has come to where the issues of life flows (Pro. 4:23). No one doubts or struggles with light at it arrival; every darkness and confusion leaves on their own accord. This now makes it easy at this point to find direction in line with God’s will as your conformation is now with His Word (Rom. 12:2).

ENGAGING QUALITY INNER CONVERSATION

“I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.” (Ps 77:6)

“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matt. 19:26)

Permit me to share some of those things I learn recently from a mentor who has been a great influence in my life. I can remember vividly in his phone call, when he said me, “Excel! Begin to take steps to walk on waters just as Peter did”. Ever since then, those words have refused to leave me. Hence I found this medium a great opportunity of sharing my thoughts.

There comes a time in the life of a man when the Word of God would come expressly about his eternal plan for him, but the inadequacy of the human mind to conceptualize and translate it to reality makes it become a hard nut to crack. The account in Matthew 14:25-28 further stressed on man’s inability to sometimes see and think like a creature with superior nature. There is nothing as important as developing your spirit and mind to the level of God’s Word and seeing the Word more from God’s own eye view. This is because to hear the Word is different from comprehending it, while after comprehension, we are still left with the last hurdle of building enough courage to walk in it. This was why God told Joshua:

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh 1:8-9)

When Peter heard the word “Come”, there is no doubt that a discussion was triggered right inside of him. In the presence of his senses, his spirit began a conversion with the spirit of the Word (John 6:63). “What if you never come out of this alive?” his senses may have interrupted. Then comes the voice of his spirit aided by the spirit of the spoken word saying; “But has His Word ever failed?” “All this while you have been with Him, has He ever failed you once? “Can’t you see that the One that bid me come is right there standing to see His word fulfilled” “Can’t you see that as He also walks on water, He is only setting an example to prove I can do the same?” “If there will be any failure, not here in His presence!” “As long as he is with me, I can do anything He asked me to do without letting fear paralyze me!”

Never be surprised that Peter’s action was a product of his internal ratification and conviction as he engages quality inner conversation with the spirit of the Word. This is the essence of meditation. He despite the physical turbulence of the stormy water and began to walk from his inside (insight) on the water. It doesn’t matter what your own position is today; what matter most is your belief that His word is enough to take care of your need. Faith is the spiritual bridge that links humanity to divinity, and it is activated through quality conversation on God’s Word in your inside.

LIVING FOR LIFE

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15KJV )

One sure thing that will keep God in our minds forever (whether as believers or not) is His giving. Starting from the breaking of the day till it’s going down; His giving is not only unrestricted but also unlimited. On His arrival, Jesus likewise took the same reputation and gave all along with His life (Phil. 2:4-8).

People hardly remember you for what you say, but what you do to them. Your action will always speak louder over your voice. The world may call it “giving back”; I call it “living for life”. If you want to keep living for life in the minds of others, you’ve got to give to live.

“It is not the style of clothes one wears, neither the kind of automobile one drives, nor the amount of money one has in the bank, that counts. These mean nothing. It is simply service that measure success” – George Washington Carver

Today, names like Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King Jnr, Nelson Mandela to mention few, can never be forgotten through their various service contributions to humanity. They are such individuals who in the beginning may not have much financially, nevertheless gave selflessly to the service of humanity. There is no life as empty as the self-centered life and there is no life as centered as the self-empty life.

“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20KJV)

Even when you give to God’s kingdom, ensure such institution is in service to humanity, for God is not waiting in the counting room to take a delivery of such fund for another project in heaven. God’s will is to invest heaven on earth; that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And since nothing touches heaven like changing humanity in spirit, soul and body, kingdom funds are meant to propagate the Kingdom of God on the earth through service to man. The purpose for Christ coming is man, to change the man so that the man can change the world.

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”. (1 Thess 5:23KJV)

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1 John 3:16-17KJV)

If you are successful, it becomes possible for you to live for a while and leave an inheritance for yourself. This I called monuments. But if you desire to live more and create a legacy, then you need to leave inheritance in others. Monuments may soon wear out with time, but legacies lives forever in people’s minds. Prosperity is nothing without posterity. You can’t build properties without building people and expect the same to last long. It takes built people to manage what prosperity builds.

“Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity” – Horace Mann

If you help others achieve what they want, they would never need an encouragement before they help you achieve what you want. The reason is because you are already living in them. Your strong desire to add value to others will surely turn to an opportunity of adding value to yourself. Often times we find ourselves in a situation of our purpose competing with our profits, but we should not fail to remember that profit is created to serve purpose and not to compete with it.

I conclude with the story of how Nobel Prize came to being. It came through a change of heart when Alfred Nobel, a Swedish Chemist and an inventor of industrial explosives, saw his own obituary in the newspaper. His brother had died and the newspaper editor had written about the wrong Nobel, saying that the explosive his company produced had killed many people. It was then he was able to see how his short life may cause a timeless influence. Thereafter, Nobel vowed to promote peace and acknowledge contributions to humanity through the giving of Nobel Prizes.

The truth I learnt from this story is that notwithstanding what you have or who you are, your status has no permanent effect on people as how much it personally affects their lives. It’s sometimes possible for you to know what the hearts of people will say about you after your departure from here. External power has a limitation of bringing external change, but influence is the material of internal power which last longer than the giver.