The Weekend Bite™ Online: Part 2, May 2017

Hello friends, trust the weekend has been great. As May winds down, we anticipate a bright and beautiful June, filled with the excitement and energy summer brings. Our focus this weekend on The Weekend Bite™ Online is #decision.

A decision is the process or action of coming to a conclusion or position based on a consideration. We make decisions everyday on little factors such as what to wear, what route to take or what to do. However, there are also big decisions which have the capacity to affect our lives in more ways than we can imagine.

Sometimes people find it easy to make decisions, while others struggle because of the existence of several variables that limit their ability to think clearly and arrive at a reasonable conclusion.

Confusion, fear and wrong counsel can impede our ability to make good decisions. Sometimes we allow ourselves to be haunted by our past failures, perceived inability or discouraging statements made by others. We can see several roads before us but lack the confidence to decide on which to take. The fear of the unknown of what could lie at the end of these roads could freeze us in our steps such that we stand at the junction until valuable time is lost.

So what do we do when faced with indecision?

 

First thing is to outline your goals. Forget the fear of the unknown; forget what other people think. What do you want to achieve? Your indecision will affect no one else but you. It will be you dealing with the insecurities and feelings of personal failure when you think of lost time void of any achievements.

The next thing is identifying and eliminating any reason for past failure in those areas. Did you fail because of lack of dedication, diligence or confidence? It's time to stand to your feet and make the necessary corrections.

Then you've got to identify what you need to do to attain these goals and decide to take the necessary steps. It's time to run the race down the road you choose.

It is great to pray for direction when making decisions. However, we must not allow ourselves to be knocked down by how rough our chosen road is. Instead, decide to keep going until you get to where you want to be and fulfil your goals and dreams.

Decide to make quality decisions and remain accountable and responsible for whatever you choose. Focus on your goals and decide to never give up until you attain them.

The quality of our lives is a product of our decisions. Take some time, think deeply, meditate, research, resolve and do! Get your decisions in order today and everything else will be settled. Remember the value of time is in how you use it, don't waste it being burdened with indecision. Take a leap of faith and fight it out even till the end!

May we have the wisdom and insight we need to make the best decisions for our lives!

Cheers!

© LAW Afolabi, May 2017

The Weekend Bite™ Online: Part 1, May 2017

Hello friends,

Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Bite™ Online. This one is called #diversions.

A diversion is something that turns you away from your course because of a particular reason. Diversion signs appear on the road sometimes because there is a road work or accident ahead. This may cause you to take another course which was not part of the original route to your destination. In effect, the journey may take a longer time and be more stressful, even though you still get to your destination.

Similarly, on the road to fulfilling our dreams, we may encounter many diversions on our path. There may be problems, disappointments or rejections that take us momentarily off our route. A journey that should have taken hours or days suddenly stretches into years because of the number of diversions we encounter. We get weary, tired, distressed and frustrated and soon we consider giving up altogether. Suddenly, the destination seems farther than ever before and we doubt our ability to make it there any time soon.

So what do we do when faced with life's diversions? Is giving up an option? Grumbling along the way will certainly make the journey worse than it has to be. If you find yourself on an unexpected long journey, you might as well find something to keep you focused and lift your spirits. 

Play some encouraging music that will gladden your heart. Speak positive words about your situation  and keep reminding yourself that if you keep going, you will get there. Pray for the grace to stay on track and never give up. And yes, keep going, with the determination that no matter how long the journey takes, you will get to your expected end. Keep your eyes on the road ahead until you arrive finally at your destination.

Most importantly, don't take the fact that you had to take a different path lightly. There will be lessons to learn, people to influence and be influenced by and opportunities to take advantage of; that will all add up in relevance to that expected final destination.

So next time you experience a diversion, don't let it annoy you as it usually does.  Rather, embrace it joyfully, knowing fully well that if you keep going, you will arrive at your destination better and stronger than you ever imagined.

All the best on your journey; you will surely get there!

Cheers!

 

© LAW Afolabi, May 2017

HCC Women of Purpose Conference 2017: Nuggets for your Rising

I had the great opportunity to attend The HCC Women of Purpose Conference on the 1^st of May and it was extremely inspiring.  I was also honoured to do a poetry reading. If you haven't read it yet, you can view it here.

The Theme of the Conference was Woman of Honour Arise (Isaiah 60:1-3). There were inspiring sessions by women who have successfully established businesses in fashion, shoe-manufacturing, beauty and career development. Listening to them speak and tackle questions from the audience further proved that you can do anything you set your heart to do once you gave passion, knowledge and determination. 

The purpose of this post however, is to share some nuggets of salient truths raised in the message by the Guest Speaker, Rev. Celia Apeagyei-Collins[1]. One or more of the paragraphs below might ignite a fire in you to pursue your goals and dreams.

• A rose does not have to be seen to be smelt. Don't rush to the front-line but prepare yourself for what is ahead.
• Don't wait for everything to be perfect before you testify. God does not always perfect the miracle before he demands the testimony.
• Everything you can tolerate in your life, you will never change.
• When God tells you to arise, it's because He is not satisfied with where you are.
• Being fed up creates the appetite needed to move to another level.
• When God releases a Word, it has the capacity to find you wherever you are.
• If you are not moving forward in leaps and bounds; you are likely to be sliding back.
• Make up your mind to go forward with your life in spite of all else.
• Whenever you want to arise, God will stretch you beyond your current convenience.
• Men wait for your success before they applaud; but God waits for your effort and keeps clapping.
• Honour gives you influence and impact in life.
• The role of women in a fallen world is to progressively transform society for good.
• Mental laziness is revealed when you are not creative.
• To fulfil your dream, get direction concerning it, energy to pursue it and detach from those keeping you from fulfilling it.
• Arise out of mediocrity and laziness; stir yourself up to rise again with purpose and intention.
• Take responsibility for your desired change. You will not arise until you have a great sense of significance.
• A seed may be small to you but if you put it in the ground and water it, it will amount to a glorious harvest. Make up your mind to do something with your seed!

A lot more than this was shared; but if you meditate on the points above, it should be able to inspire you. One thing that was emphasised was the need to research into your desired area and to invest in knowledge and skill-gathering before venturing in. This will subsequently enable you deliver exceptional results.

In conclusion, it's important that we make up our minds to never give up on our dreams. Instead, let us arise and become all that we were made to be!

Photos: Harmony Christian Centre

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[1] Celia Apeagyei-Collins is the Founder and President of the Rehoboth Foundation, a cutting edge Equipping Organisation offering Leadership/ Vision Development Consultancy, Motivational and Mentoring programmes, Executive Coaching and Business Strategy services. An award-winning leader, Celia has been listed as one of the top ten most influential black Christian women in the UK.  Some positions she has held include: Director/Trustee for OM (Operation Mobilisation), Vice President for TEARFUND, Steering Committee member of the National Church Leaders Forum (NCLF), Director/Trustee for Churches in Communities International (CiC International) and Advisory Council Member of Cinnamon Network.

20 Years of God's Faithfulness

Poetry Reading at HCC Women of Purpose Conference 01/05/17**

When I think about God's goodness
And His faithfulness over the years
I am struck with awe & gratitude
For redeeming me from all my fears

Oh Yes I arise to acknowledge His goodness
For 20 years and more
Thanking Him for His love & faithfulness
His name I will adore

When the storms of life raged
And almost consumed me
His words stopped the waves
And calmed the roaring sea

Oh Yes I arise to acknowledge His goodness
For 20 years and more
Thanking Him for His love & faithfulness
His name I will adore

What a mighty God we serve
Such a gracious God he is
Giving us more than we deserve
In spite of all, we remain His

Oh Yes we arise to acknowledge His goodness
For 20 years and more
Thanking Him for His love & faithfulness
His name we will adore

He watches over us day and night
He never slumbers or sleeps
He protects us from all evil
Our enemies fall into the deep

Oh Yes we arise to acknowledge His goodness
For 20 years and more
Thanking Him for His love & faithfulness
His name we will adore

Who has seen the righteous forsaken?
Or their children beg for bread?
God does not discard our supplications
He gives us more instead

Oh Yes we arise to acknowledge His goodness
For 20 years and more
Thanking Him for His love & faithfulness
His name we will adore

When men's voices rose in accusation
And they asked where is our God?
He arose in His awesome power
And silenced them like a flood

Oh Yes we arise to acknowledge His goodness
For 20 years and more
Thanking Him for His love & faithfulness
His name we will adore

Through every trial and temptation
Our assurance remains kept
Through every test and tribulation
He's our ever present help

Oh Yes we arise to acknowledge His goodness
For 20 years and more
Thanking Him for His love & faithfulness
His name we will adore

We will tell of your goodness
We will sing of your salvation
We will bow before your throne
In humble adoration

Oh Yes we arise to acknowledge Your goodness
For 20 years and more
Thanking You for Your love & faithfulness
Your name we will adore

Thank You Lord for loving us
Even when we don't know
Thank you Lord for keeping us
Even when we've gone low

Oh Yes we arise to acknowledge Your goodness
For 20 years and more
Thanking You for Your love & faithfulness
Your name we will adore

We have gathered here today
Women of honour arising
Our lives will show forth Your goodness
As we reach a new horizon

Oh Yes we arise to acknowledge Your goodness
For 20 years and more
Thanking You for Your love & faithfulness
Your name we will adore


 © LAW Afolabi,  May 2017

** '20 Years of God's Faithfulness' was written in celebration of the Ministry's 20th anniversary; acknowledging God's faithfulness in the lives of members throughout this period and for years to come.

The Weekend Bite™ Online: Part 2, April 2017

Hello friends, sure we are enjoying the beautiful weather. Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Bite™ Online. This one is called #Excellence.

Excellence refers to being exceedingly good and outstanding at something. This can be a test, task, job or role.  It signifies not just getting the job done but meeting a high standard in our execution. 

The beauty of excellence is that we can make it our lifestyle, ensuring to put in an extra effort to make our work top-notch. There is a popular saying that 'Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well. When we adopt an excellent approach, we take ourselves to a new level of operation which ultimately has great rewards.

I've heard of several people who employed this strategy in simple or menial jobs and it opened doors for them. A good illustration is a cleaner who always dressed corporately but diligently ensured to deliver an excellent cleaning service. Soon a man who had noticed the cleaner for several days came up to discuss with him and discovered that he was actually a graduate who found it difficult to find any other work. As fate would have it, the cleaner's major was directly related to a vacancy in the man's company and he was invited for an interview.

Sometimes our excellent work is what opens doors for us. Even if no one commends you, do it for your own satisfaction. Don't worry about any other person. If you think they are not watching, they are, and when the time is right, your work will speak for you.

It doesn't matter what it is that you have been assigned to do. It may be below your capabilities or level but doing it with disdain has no benefit to yourself. If you make excellence your default principle it will rub off on everything you do and eventually those around you.

Therefore I beseech you to choose excellence always and let it elevate you.

Cheers!

© LAW Afolabi, April 2017

The Weekend Bite™ Part 1, April 2017

Hello there! Sure you're beginning to enjoy the sunshine and beautiful weather. A new season has that effect of invigorating the senses! Our focus this weekend on The Weekend Bite™ is #courageous.

To be #courageous is to be brave, daring, and not discouraged by danger, pain or uncertainty.  Life will always have challenging and scary situations. This may relate to a new phase, environment or task. It is normal to feel incapable or scared about what the future holds. However, if we allow ourselves to be paralysed by fear, we will never fulfil our dreams or attain or goals. Instead, we will remain in a bubble, potentially terrified by any and everything that rests without. 

Being courageous does not mean that you will never encounter fear or terrifying situations. Being courageous means that even in the face of fear, you press forward to achieve your goals against all odds. It may seem difficult or daunting but once you get yourself to take the first few steps, you will begin to get stronger and eventually your fears will no longer be in view. Rather, your eyes will remain fixed on your end goal and your joy will begin to be full.

So if you are faced with a seemingly impossible situation, please do not allow yourself to cower in fear or timidity. You do not have the spirit of fear but one of Power, Love and a Sound Mind. You are able to accomplish anything you set your mind to do.

Don't listen to negative or discouraging comments. People may tell you that no one from your background has accomplished anything good but that should not be your concern. What did not work for others may very well work for you- if you believe it, it shall be so! We allow ourselves get sucked into the hole of failure when we let our minds become subject to such limiting beliefs and repeat them in our speech. Instead of reiterating the common saying that no one has gotten there; say to yourself: "I will get there".

You can have all that you see, if you believe and remain courageous to overcome every challenge on the path to fulfilling your dreams.

No matter the weather, environment or situation; chose to be courageous and you shall be victorious!

Listen to 'Courageous' by Casting Crowns and be inspired:

Best Wishes and of course, cheers!

© LAW Afolabi, April 2017.

Excerpts From The Weekend Bite™ is available bi-weekly on Twitter via @lolawilliams02