Categories
The Overcoming Believer

Relationships {2}

“One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The life story of Samson has so many interesting details. Most of us only know about Delilah but she was the last woman he was with ; there were others before. He was a strong man. Physically strong. He could go to war alone. He never needed a back up army like Goliath. I often imagine him as one with a six pack or double , tall, muscular like the men who go to gym but studies say otherwise. Because of this, nobody could actually guess the source of his strength. Nobody asked his parents because there was nothing unsual about him. They , like us, may have thought , it all lies in the obvious but l tell you, God is quite mysterious.

Samson’s life was mostly lived as a fighter. This means that he was a threat to many. He never had army training yet he had an impeccable skill to fight and win. All this wrestling you see on tv, the boxing, all those men put together would still be no match for Samson. Since Samson had all this might, isn’t God mightier? Why do we think God needs our help to fight? Why do we think God never goes to war? A dimension of God is revealed in most characters of the bible. In this story we see God as Yahweh Sabaoth! The bible further goes on to say there was war in heaven. It wasn’t a fight. It was a war. You don’t war with a friend, you may fight but a war has to do with governments. It’s a bigger scale of conflict. The God of Samson is surely, the God of War.

In all that Samson did , the Philistines inevitably became his enemies. His enemies tried all they could to get Samson but they failed because the Lord was with him and he kept his consecration. We seem to be losing battles because we have stopped living in consecration. If you watch porn you’ll definitely lose to the Philistines, why? Because you compromised your consecration. If you drink like there’s no tomorrow like Noah guess what? The Philistines will come and destroy you! The Philistine looks for an opportunity to defile. An opportunity of vulnerability. An opportunity of weakness. The bible says, they tried to find Samson’s weakness to kill him but failed because Samson had committed himself to consecration which was his locks until he started following his lusts. Consecration and Holiness are to protect YOU! A friend of mine said , “Purity is power.” You keep yourself from so much trouble by protecting the secret of your strength.

There’s so much to discuss🥹 not sure lf l will be able to wrap it up in this post. Anyhoo, if you read carefully you’ll realise that Samson’s physical strength was not an equal measure of his inner strength. He had a series of disappointments. His wife was given to his friend. The Philistines then burnt the lady and her father. He had a wound. He had a bleeding heart that was not attended to yet he thought he could just move on. He often found solace in women. He found himself having sexual intercourse with a prostitute he had just met just like many people run to sex , to alcohol, to weed to try and ease pain. Sex does not cure a broken heart. It just feeds our lusts. Let’s not lie to ourselves. Sex will not cure the wound of rape, abuse, divorce, losing a loved one, l am sorry to say. It won’t even cure grief. There’s nothing in sex that heals a broken heart.

What’s more? It puts us in vulnerable situations because the bible says the Philistines tried to kill him even then (please read Judges16) . While you’re compromising the devil has a strategy on how the one time sex can get you pregnant, sick or emotionally attached. There is a plan! The same way God has plans for us, the devil also has his plans. Samson physically looks fine and very strong. I bet many girls liked him, l know l would have. On top of being wounded, he had a lustrous lifestyle. Ever heard of people who have emotional sex? They just want it done to escape from reality for a few minutes. Does the devil have that mercy to allow you chill out with no consequences?

We will have to continue with this topic as l mentioned there’s a lot to talk about. Many people look strong but there’s unstable emotions within that scream “drink one sip” or “go fornicate” or “masturbate , science says it helps” or “cut yourself, feel physical pain to cover up for emotional pain” . There is a place where there’s a balance between physical strength and emotional strength and most people struggle with that – even men. We have men who look like they’re Batista but inside there’s a hole that has been unattended too long and so instead of marrying someone, they womanise and feel absolutely nothing about it! No remorse. Listen, womanising, man’ising (if there’s a word like that) is evidence that we have a lot of problems within. No man of God does that! No woman of God does that! No child of God does that! Why aren’t you content with one partner? There’s a problem within. Why is casual sex nothing to you? Yes I’m also speaking to the brothers who say “it meant nothing to me.” It surely was a win for the devil. You’re the one who lost but just gained a new number of how many women or men you’ve taken to bed.

Samson, in as much as you’re strong and are famous. The inner man is wasting away. Fame is another reason why people end up living carelessly. The likes , the comments, the attention. Be careful. As we continue with this topic I need us to reflect on our lives. Am l weak and vulnerable but often covering it up with “fighting” , with the outer layers? Am l an easy target to the Philistines because I have a habit of compromising my consecration? Am l known as a warrior but many times my weaknesses war against me and win? Does the mighty Samson become a toddler in the face of lusts? I urge us again to consider these things. Let’s meet again tomorrow ❤️

Categories
The Overcoming Believer

Relationship Issues

“One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her. The people of Gaza were told, “Samson is here!” So they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They made no move during the night, saying, “At dawn we’ll kill him.””
‭‭Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Is God interested in who we court or marry? What do you think? Do you think God just waits for us to bring the man/woman and He just says OK? Does God not care about who we so closely associate with? Is it okay for believers to involve God in everything especially “financially” and shut the door on Him when it concerns who we “fall in love with?” Do we get to choose who we “think” we’re compatible with or does He have a say? What do you think? If you think He does have a part to play , how come He hasn’t been playing that part in our lives? Here’s the answer: we haven’t been allowing Him the chance to do so.

We have given the chance to friends to “match make” , to advise, to tell us their opinions but we deny Holy Spirit an opportunity to speak His mind. I don’t know about you but I’ve made a couple of mistakes relationship wise and even when God spoke I wouldn’t listen. I told myself that God will “support” my choice. Let’s take a look at Samson.

We all know Samson’s story with Delilah but have we ever read his full story? He lived in consecration since childhood , praise God for parents who train up their children in holiness. As a parent never exalt your child’s bad behaviour like people are doing in this generation. You find parents super proud of silly children and even posting about it for likes. That child will grow and guess what? They will grow up to be your headache, the one that grandpa can’t cure. If you don’t teach your children how to live , later you’ll need more than one roll of tissue to wipe your pool of tears. Stop laughing in a situation that requires prayer. Always learn from Hannah.

Samson’s downfall was not caused by his parents not following the instructions of the Angel. His downfall was not caused by addiction to porn or drugs. This could be the case for some people, I urge you to seek for deliverance. If you struggle with those things , don’t condemn yourself. The prodigal son said, “I will go to my Father”, do that as well.

Samson didn’t decide to cut his hair oneday because he was “different”. I’m sure there were people who wondered why the young man had all that hair. I’m just thinking about how a spirit can dwell upon a person because of hair. There’s a religion that encourages dreadlocks. Even when we were growing up we always imagined witches to have long nails why? Spirits can capitalise on things that we overlook. I did not say don’t do your nails – I am going to do mine o. Back to the story; Samson didn’t cut his hair even when it would make him look different. The young man stayed on course until there was an issue with love.

The enemy didn’t bother giving him a taste of alcohol , he had tied up the ends on that issue. It the fact when he had a problem with falling in love with wrong people. “It’s not important, l will love again” okay but what if like Samson it becomes a cycle? How come you always get the bad ones? How many people left church because of a relationship? How many stopped praying? How many moved away from God because they fell in love with a Delilah or a prostitute. Delilah was not Samson’s first mistake. He had started with sleeping with prostitutes. Casual meet ups. Fornication appointments. A little fun. Nakedness Infront of the wrong people. Vulnerability with the wrong person. He had a past of putting himself in compromising positions that could lead him to danger. Is it because nothing bad had happened to him before and he thought it would always be like that? You never got pregnant so it will always be like that? He never hit you, so it will always be like that? She didn’t emotionally abuse you, so it will always be like that? Does the hair mean you’re automatically wise? No my love.

“I love him. God will change him. He is the one and I know it.” And you’re referring to the prostitute from Gaza? And you’re referring to Jezebel? You’re talking about a whole prophet of Baal? Is that the one God should change to make suitable for you?

What shall it profit us to gain “l have a man” or “l have a woman” and lose our own soul? Does God have a say? Let’s continue tomorrow.

Please consider these things.

Categories
The Overcoming Believer

Reflection Friday

I LOOKED WITHIN AND I SAW NOTHING.”

Hey family. Please pardon me for posting late especially this week. I am trying to do all l can to be more efficient however from next week l should’ve locked into a good routine becauseeeeeee I’m bringing Christian novels for you!!! Anyhooo let’s do some reflection. I have something to share with you that may help you now or in the future.

I grew up a flexible child. By flexible I mean, I was quite good at school, good at singing, good at writing and story telling, good at acting and just getting things done – leaning more to the creative side. I had lots of setbacks with my education. I did many things past the time I was supposed to. I was delayed in getting employment. I had to take a lot of part time jobs that paid close to nothing. My many talents were hidden and no matter how much l dug , l couldn’t find the treasure within. Boy I worked hard in music, l gave it my all. I did beauty. I did medical stuff. I was a Jack of all trades just seeking for a door to open for me “please!”. At some point I had throat infection for not giving my voice rest and still .. there l was .. no proof of “life” nothing to show that truly I was not a dumb lazy girl, nothing to show that I had talents and was working hard .. and family doesn’t make it easy for those people.

I would look within and find nothingness. I found emptiness. I know your story may be more intense but it’s not a competition of whose is worse, it’s in the courage to even tell the story. I didn’t see a butterfly in me (my name means butterfly by the way) I just saw a worm. I functioned like a worm because as a man thinks so is he. With everything God put in me – l felt like I was nothing. That’s how it is yes? When you’re not serving your generation with a product, a solution or a skill, you feel like you’re a dead person walking. Casper the ghost?! I’m sharing all this with you to pull you out from that room of darkness. The room is dark because you switched off the lights. The light within you.

I tried to escape. I started applying for visas and guess what? That failed too. I prayed. I fasted. I served. I loved my God. I gave it my all. Double Guess ? Everyone who applied after me got their visas and left. There I was .. with a brain I knew was not dull. With energy for dayyyyys! With capacity. With a plan but with no way forward. I would look at myself in the mirror and hate myself. I hated myself for not being like others. I hated my parents for not giving me a silver spoon. I hated rooms full of curious people. I hated the questions , “Where are you in life? What are you doing? When are you getting married? Did you end up graduating? Everyone has gone overseas why’re you still here?”

I hated questions that threatened the peace I fought so hard to keep. My mind was a battlefield. Trusting God seemed like trusting a boyfriend that just cheated 5 times in a month. I will be real with you. While serving on the pulpit sometimes I’d cry not because I was overwhelmed by worship but I was saying within myself , “l am pouring my empty self to happy people and I’m here not even sure what I will eat.” So I’m not the child that nags her mom. Nah. I don’t nag anyone except my brother lol. To me, my mom had done enough already, I needed to find my ground and not keep pulling her purse for what’s left.. I was “worming” through life. Full of skill. Full of talents. Full but empty. A treasure that caught so much dust it now looked like an old piece of metal, rusty and invaluable.

I don’t even know I’m led to share this today. I’m not big on “share your story”. Don’t get me wrong I love to testify but l am not an open book lol yeah I’m a mystery. Solve math not me 🤣. Anyhoo, long story short , God gave me a gift that I myself don’t understand. I promise you , I don’t understand how!! When l get a keypad or a pen and paper, I no longer see Vanessa the worm, l see Vanessa the butterfly. I find treasure within me!!! I find purpose. The mirror gets cleaner and clearer. It took time and SELF REFLECTION. Yes. That’s where this is going. It took digging a little more. Oh I’m lying not a little more, dig , dig, keep digging wells like Isaac! Then l realised; within us shoooo! Within us are treasures God Himself put knowing full well that when we discover them we will smile.

I’m saying to you, you may be looking for treasure in the wrong places. You’re the house of treasures. You! You sit. You pray in the spirit! “Lord I keep seeing a worm but l know there’s more to my life than a couple of rejected cvs. I know there’s a blueprint of greatness. Lord my eyes keep seeing Vanessa the nobody, the one who can’t attend family gatherings because we go with joy and leave with depression , Lord l keep seeing an empty vessel, rusty and good for nothing, show me what you put in the inside of me!!!”

I close by saying, I am proud of myself. This is the first time since l was born that I say this about myself 😭🥹😮‍💨. Vanessa I am proud of you. (Yeah l made it bold) You are a butterfly and more! This is not pride. This is a break out of low self esteem. This is confidence. This is healthy. When you reflect , you’ll find many things to be proud of. Today l present to you, my pride. Click on the link below and see the things God put in me that l never knew of. There’s more in us. There’s so much more. You could be depressed because of your background but eiii when you discover the giant within , David, Goliath will be the boy and you’ll be the giant because there’s only room for one giant and that’s YOU! Stop worrying. Don’t live like I did, anxious, trying to prove a point to people, pressures from social media, no my love. It’s on you! I pray that as you reflect , you find the goodies and gold within YOU. I love you.

Dear brethren, think about these things.

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he [Prov23:7]

Categories
The Overcoming Believer

Chilled Thursday

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

How are you doing??? How’s your heart? I hope you’ve had a good week so far. To conclude our topic this week I have linked a video that you may want to watch. I believe there was more that we needed do discuss on this topic that a couple paragraphs couldn’t cover..

Special announcement to parents , aunts, uncles , infact the whole Yielded Family. We are introducing fun , engaging, educational Bible stories for your little ones. This is one of the perfect ways to introduce children to the Word of God. We live in a world that is targeting children for the enemies agenda. It is more than just promotion of a channel, it is a platform for Christians to have holy entertainment while being groomed in their faith.

I was so shocked to find out that cartoons right now have so much of the devil’s agenda to sow the seed of sin while the kids are still on milk. It is very dangerous for parents to choose content for themselves and their kids based on the number “views” or the “hype”. We don’t want to miss out on certain shows because everyone at work tunes in. You guys know the programmes I’m talking about. I don’t really know the stand of the owners of this website otherwise I was gonna name them but they may take down my posts. The shows that irritate the soul (if you’re nolonger getting irritated please check your fire, you may be left with ashes).

The reason why we have chilled Thursdays is not to sound canal or just to fill a blog gap in the week. It is to encourage the believer to watch and listen to godly content. One of the agendas behind The Yielded Center is to have different activities suitable to groom the believer in-order for us to infiltrate our generation with sound Word. The main goal is evangelism. I encourage you to tune in to the Yielded TV programs as well as commit to read our Blogs.

Today we are uploading our first bible story cartoon and narration for the little ones. We are trying our best to put together a series for the matured believer, it is not easy. When I got the unction to start all this l had no idea how far I’d have to go to create , to put together, to master the art. It is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do but because I enjoy creating and writing, I find myself back there. At some point I gave up but my mind was screaming for attention to create. Anyhoo, by Gods grace we will have more shows this very year. While we wait for the mature believers content, I will start posting Christian novels here , so we will have our blogs in the morning (l will try to commit to this) and then we will have two chapters of a novel every week, those will be posted in the evenings.

Thank you so much for your love and support. If you’d like to share your gift with the Yielded Team (voice overs – kids and adults) please don’t hesitate to reach out. If you want to donate costumes for our upcoming tv shows , you’re welcome to. If you would like to offer your services on the camera , make up or tailoring etcetera , we need you! Monetary support is welcome. Partnering with us to share the links and posts will also be much appreciated! As the Holy Spirit leads us. Follow us on Instagram and Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Here’s the link to our video for today on how to address the Wounds of the Heart.

Watch Now

Categories
The Overcoming Believer

Worship Wednesday

I thank God for you my yielded family. God has been faithful. It can only be God who gives us a word daily. It is not by might not by power , the things of God are bigger than skill. How many people are highly skilled, more talented, more able who are still going in circles? The most talented there is, not backed by any spirit, will still be a failure. All great people you know are backed by a spirit, either Holy Spirit or demonic spirits, even atheists. No one makes it in this life without the support of the realm of the spirit. The making happens in the spirit and the manifestation is physical. So I really praise God for Yielded Center. We are in our 7th month and we cannot say it is my ability to write or use words, this is by God, through God, for God!!!

It’s Worship Wednesday AND I am so excited. I’m excited about the last half of the year. I perceive by faith that people are about to dance like David! As a matter of fact – start NOW! I believe God is opening great and effectual doors. This is why l always encourage us to play our part in positioning ourselves for these things. If Mary was living carelessly she would’ve missed her visitation. Our positions in waiting are different. Hannah should be on the altar like Zechariah. Ruth must be in the field. Esther must be part of the virgins getting beauty treatments. Moses should be by the bushes shepherding. Zacchaeus climb up the tree and be in position! Blind Bartimaeus be sure to shout out – therein lies your miracle. Woe unto intercessors who will not be found in position. Watchmen who aren’t watching. Bridesmaid who are out looking for oil at the wrong time! Everyone should be at their post waiting for the manifestation of prophecy!

Be positioned in worship. Not to be seen by anyone but GOD! Be positioned with your alabaster box. Oh yes be ready with your offerings or seeds. Prepare the jars for oil – borrow now if you can! Fill the jars with water! Get the certificate. Get the sermons! Pray! Eat of the bread of life! Whatever it takes to stay ready, do it. The doors are unlocked! They’re about to open – be positive, positioned and prepared!

“Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭TPT‬‬

As we position ourselves in worship today , let us remember, He has required of us! Of our entire beings. He says come and offer your genuine expression of worship which is more than words ; which is your very own body , soul and mind.