Odelites

I will always stress the point that human beings are born as natural learners #itsjustfacts. We are what we are, do what we do, know what we know because we learnt… inherently and otherwise. Whether we learn or not is a function of our ‘willingness' to learn the things we ‘don't want to' or think ‘they can never be learnt'. It is also a function of the value we perceive the learning will bring. Is it worth the trouble? Are you willing to lose something in exchange of the new knowledge i.e. comfort zone, time, pride, social status? money? It is also a function of who we are learning for? Yourself? Your job? Your partner? Society? You can learn to learn. You can unlearn what you've learnt. Where there's learning there is change. You may be the way you are but you are not cast in stone. If you continue to say ‘that is how you are', if you continue to hold on to what you know, what seems popular and accepted, if you keep saying what you dont know wont kill you or that some things are reserved for certain things to know, have or be… you are simply communicating that you are not willing to learn regardless of the price you have to pay for not learning/unlearning.

You know what you are passionate about despite your lack of knowledge and repeated failure. Don't give up on this things.. the only limitation you have is your mindset and lack of effort.

Make up your mind, make that decision and be resolute. Turn back on your negative energy and pursue positivity, change your perspective and don't dwell on what's lost or wrong, choose to choose wins, possibilities and take on the hurdles. Be resolute on what you want the story of your life to be, celebrate every moment, good or bad for God chose you to LiVe it. Celebrate every win no matter how small.

Like you dish new food on a clean plate, your body in new or cleaned clothes, writing your notes on a clean page, receive and use/ do what you need to on a ‘clean' plate. For real this time. Forget your former experiences, limitations and things that pulled you back. Renew your expectations and lose the baggage. Commit to sustaining your decision to clear ‘the plate', preach it and remind yourself or interested parties that there is no room for anything but newness over here

The first thing God created was light and that for me is an indication that light is a force of and for creation. To call things into existence, be is knowledge you currently lack, to find your way out of confusion, understanding, be aware of opportunities, discernment, health, success, overcoming the enemy, the weapon to use if to declare the manifestation of light.

Whether we are under trial for doing the work of God or through the issues of life the ultimate prize is the pride, self righteousness, wrong perspectives/ focus or sins we lose in the process. And the unpopularly talked about gain is the humility, exposure of our weaknesses, strengths, knowledge, humility, time with God, ministry amongst others.

People's appearances and statuses are not all they're here to offer. A person's value is determined by what they look like or how you class them. We are ever fixated on who fits the bill, and want to associate with what the world has defined as ‘the standards' and we forfeit a salvating relationship, wisdom and substance over what looks like glam and benefit. We are the light and salt of the world, God sent souls not images. Image that we are so obsessed about to an extent that there are terms ‘marginalized', ‘minorities' and ‘delinquents'. If they're missing limbs, were seen in an a composing act, have slurred speech, aren't curvy, aren't excitable or don't wear make up they lack value. There are divides that looking back, to the narrative of the status quo will seem justified but to the real purpose of our creation have proved that wickedness prevailed. We love others according to how much we love ourselves. The story told in our behaviors and choices is that we are unloving the parts of ourselves manifested in others. Not necessarily … the super power we think we profess currently. So is human nature we say, do not conform to the patterns of the world .. we should say

I had the pleasure of sharing with the G4G BW community my learnings on what Work Ethic is, and how to continually work to pursue it. It most certainly isn't ‘working hard', though ‘hard work' sure is a component of work ethic. Work ethic is a play of what i call ‘Attitude Acumen' and a whole array of principles and values that you apply in order to achieve your personal or professional goals. I also shared a measure ( not a tested theory but purely out of my comprehension of the subject) I acronym'ized as ‘SMART' and that is - how you are going about ‘working' must be ‘Sustainable', ‘Mastered', through the requisite ‘Attitude' acumen, recognizable ‘Reputation' (what people would describe your work ethic as in your absence) and how you use ‘Time'. Tune in for the details and more

Just because you aren't sharing it doesn't mean you've got it together, just because you maintain your peace and never ask for help doesn't mean you are carrying it well. Just because you are able to keep taking it all and being ‘strong' does not mean you are carrying it well and by God's standards. The world has taught us to share the pretty, easy looking and happy sides and will always chastise us for being vulnerable.. men will know this one too well.. but in that situation, how you handle your challenges should be aligned to God's purpose for it. God wants to carry those burdens and in turn you must keep focused on running the race, his word, his works, faith, peace, joy, a prosperous life and truth.

We lose ourselves to the strongholds of people's entitlement to how we should live our lives, how they should treat us and what they want your life to be… and that may to some degree dishonor God as well as the needs we need to be paying attention to and fulfilling. There are layers of customs that we've inherited, some are influences of modern day culture while others come from a place of fear and a need for validation.. and all the while we neglect the rhythm of our life, the purpose over our lives and what the spirit needs to go for or avoid at a point in time. This unfortunately results in us pleasing others. Accept that your responsibility and accountability is to your God-purposed life and not others'.

Be confident enough to be doubted and not render yourself inadequate. Be content enough to wait until you bear fruit and see results. Be joyful enough to conquer against all odds. Be brave enough to take a chance or knock on those doors. Be grateful enough to celebrate every achievement and embrace your progress. Be humble enough to cheer others on, and to receive praise and gratification from God vs man.

We have become so accustomed to negativity so much that good things are not easily accepted or celebrated. We find it hard to accept where we are being negative ourselves and continually justify our words and actions into ‘acceptance'. We advocate hashtags to normalize things that are already normal, and we want to ‘abnormalize' we we do not want to accept. Goodness is shunned, and the prevailing aspect is the hypocrisy of not owning up when we are wrong, nor standing up against negativity. We ought to cling to God, and counter the attacks of the negative world, we ought to know that there is no good thing in us except God and we can only win and no grow weary through him.

The struggle to master and accept when, how and from who you get gratified is a matter of Values the spirit said to me. What you value fuels where, how and what you want as a reward for your pursuits and efforts. The money you desire to have, who you want to affiliate with, the validation you require and that desperate need for satisfaction and release. What we stand by will easily determine how soon we break, or how long we withstand the tides and grow our purposed ventures in various facets of life i.e family, business, the kingdom of God, networks etc. The journey comes with understanding what will attract what gratification, when and from who. So if you struggle with incompleteness, with unsatisfied desires, short-lived projects and the like, go back to your foundation- your value system

You can do and be better, but it will cost you. . It is not easy to sacrifice something you treasure or without compulsion, it is not easy to commit because we don't like being accountable and having to be consistent, it is not easy to keep a dream alive, to have to do/start something yourself when someone can do it for you, it is not easy seeing something take more than you were willing to give, it is not easy living through the trade offs… but those are the little big things that will get you doing better

Life comes 'challenge guaranteed' in all stages of our lives, and if you haven't come to terms with that the agony can weigh so heavy and result in resentment, feeling like a victim and it can stunt your growth and rob your from deriving value from each hurdle. So learn 'to make lemonade, and MORE. It sure can be a lonely road through it all, but if there's a gift you can give yourself is to learn to face challenges and refuse to be swallowed by them. Take them for what they are... Take each situation as an exam question, a practical in a lab or a lap to run. Build courage by facing challenges head on..don't whine and over share, increase your competence and wisdom through learning about the challenge at hand..let it give you experience, build resilience through perseverance..don't backdown, use the misfortune to your advantage... reach out and make connections, find new happiness, learn more about who you are, master the problem and learn what causes failure... use it, share it and charge for that knowledge. Diversify those lemons

Be resolute in your mind and heart to be relentless in character. Be not moved by the circunstances infront of you. Press on to what you too desire and have it as any other person who does. Seek God with all your might, never lose sight of the vision. If you don't have one.. persue it and want to live a meaningful wholesome live as well. Be unapologetic and seek that which you know you can have anf give.

In honor of your mercy and love, for demonstating your power by knitting every fibre and being and placing it in my mother's womb, that this is evidence of your prophetic words and manifestation of work seen and yet to be seen. Kept! I bow and honor you Lord

If you find yourself in a space where it takes a lot to get up and live through the day, if you feel discouraged and almost out of hope or energy. . And/or overwhelmed by what lies ahead of you, i encourage you to cling to the help we have in Christ. Deliberately counter and shift your focus to inspiration, to what will secure your heart in peace and strengthen you. Don't go with the melody of the sad song, connect to the frequency that propels you.

Surely we know we aren't able to forget everything... no, not by our might for sure. With God it is possible. I was led to this revelation recently.. to take up course and intercede for my mind to forget the former things and out of slavery. Rarely do we add what we need to forget on a prayer list as we fast and /or pray but that is exactly the burden and warfare we need to give to God in exchange for newness, refreshing and a transformation of mind. In that we will be able to perceive the work he is doing, and not lean on our understanding by inference. We need to forget the former ways of our traditions, former experiences from relationships, former doctrines and the dictates of whatever circumstances we operated in that formed the frameworks of our ways of seeing, believing and decision making that are misaligned to the Kingdom of God. Isaiah 43:18-19, Phil 3:13

We have probably fumbled through many things in our lives, and yes some we've actively pursued. . However, there shouldn't even be times we are passive in the first place. A little sleep, a little slumber! That is to say, whatever met us unprepared, we have compromised... that project, that appointment, that relationship, that battle was compromised and half experienced. The distractions we allow, the pressure we put ourselves in, the blindness to opportunities, what we take for granted, the knowledge we are lazy to attain, the help we shy away from getting and the more we lose sight of the vision steal and has us forfeit value and success. Make sure that you mind is ready, your heart is open, your skill is sharpened. Even at the coming of our Lord, your spirit must be rendered faithful. Those who have ears will hear, and we shall be doers of the Word. So help us God.

Endless lessons

Playing is a virtue and a gift from God, one that we neglect. As a result we find ourselves paying money to get the benefits we could be getting from playing. Playing is a means to an end and in no way devalues you nor is it a waste of time. Playing triggers resolutions for troubles in our emotions, physical and mental health, social needs and relations. Having fun and relaxing are no match for the God given gift of playing, one which we must welcome into our lives. Col3:17, Zacharia 8:5, Exodus 32:6, Ecclesiastes 5:18, 8:15

A catch up episode sharing on random thoughts on a couple of things that add to growth. Be mindful that feeling like you've arrived stunts your growth and opens avenues for others to take what could be yours. Be self aware, it is your superpower to get through this life and stay unwavering. Remember your character evolves with life experiences so you must be uptodate with who you are as you transition. Build your life with your thoughts, afterall 'as a man thinketh so is he', envision it to materialize it.... not thinking at all is as impactful as positive and negative thoughts

We think it is 'granted' that we receive blessings, we take for granted what the giver , our Father feels when we come back to say thank you and are intentional in continually pleasing him. It takes understanding of the mercy laced around every gift we receive. It takes understanding of the love and effort put into a blessing. Unmerited and underserved but provided nonetheless. We testify when we are grateful, we please him, we worship him and we defy the enemy. Say thank you and it is for the gift, be grateful and it is for the Giver

What we endure is for the perfection of our perseverance..we ought to be quick to take a pen and paper or make a mental note of what each challenge or life encounter exposes in you. That is just the order of life. Don't fight it, be open and eager to grow from one encounter to another. We may go about our lives and not know we have weaknesses, or know we have certain traits but possess them as just 'who we are'. We will pick in how we respond what weaknesses we have or general character traits we have. We know good from bad and we must categorically tackle what has been exposed to us. You will know what tempts you, what drains your money, what ends your relationships, what you waste time on. And unfortunately you are back on the same hurdle soon as you fail it by responding to it the same way. What you keep declaring as 'who you are' is an indicator of your repeated failure to change your perception, let the encounter change your heart and attitude and conquer. Love yourself enough to want growth, be attentive enough to win and grow.

Blooming is a process, one that gives us no options, it isn't pretty, it's full of wins and losses. Never mistaken it for an occassion of rounds of applause. In blooming you are seen through your mess, your low lows and loneliness. It demands you to show it, to share it, to deal with it GraceFully. You journey to blooming, you don't bloom at the destination.

If you do not fully let go of certain pleasures, a way of thinking, relationships and societal identities you will find yourself feeding temptation, doubt and utlimately being uncommitted and somewhat hypocritical in some instances. Don't be afraid to set those open ways ablaze, do not fear disappointing people, denying yourself inclusion or destroying what you took time building. Bury it, flee from it, burn it. Don't look back life Lot and his wife or the children of Israel. God is about covenant and total commitment.

The order for the day is to not let anything or anyone get away with planting seeds and actions that steal, kill or destroy us and all that concerns us. How's about today you stop it at the last word said against you, the last negative thought you entertained, the last plotting. How's about you don't postpone countering all guns charged against you. How's about you shut or open doors through the power bestowed upon you. How's about you better your life, enjoy your peace and spread love today.

A word of declaration for you

Ode'lites is hosting brunch; insight, purpose, impartation, connection and a safe space is the order of the day. Attendance is physical but virtual sessions are upcoming incase distance is a barrier. Look out for snipets of the sessions and partake.

Defy the negative thoughys, acknowledge that your thoughts are valid but take control and think about the possibilities of success and that they always outweight the potential for failure.

Power is enact in us, and it is left uncontrolled if it is neglected, not known to exist within you, used passively and not understood.

A counsellor, a financial advisor, a big hug, a demystifier.. an all in one source

There are things that steal your smile now and then, and keep your smile hidden because you continue to be hard pressed and/or meditate on those things. Remember today that the Lord made this day for your to be glad and rejoice in it. Rejoice the fact that you are alive and that's a blessing, that he is right by your side every step of the way, that your faith gives substance to what you hope for, and that it will fetch and manifest your victory. Don't forget to smile, your smile is prophetic, it is a symbol of gratitude and proof of God's grace. Smile because that is your ministry for the day, an imprint of your smile will remain on those who witness it. Your smile will minister to your wounds, your fears and your hope. Your smile will give your tense and exhausted body a massage, a break and strengthening. Your smile is to your body, what a rainbow is to the skies, rain to the ground, water to the thirsy and good news to the hopeless. Count it all joy because you are not heading to your demise but to testify of the goodness of the Lord, to victory and not to demnation. Your smile is an active testimony. Smile

Be intentional about advancing the Kingdom of God, about sharing and embodying the Gospel, and about doing for others as Christ did. The gift you have is for God to shine, not for you to be admired. If you can speak well of yourself, speak well of others, if you can take care of yourself, choose those indeed around you and take care of them, if you can defend yourself, there are plenty who are defenseless and so on and so forth. Life is a function of seed planting in order to reap later, desire for your neighbor to reap better by planting seeds on their behalf or for them now.1Peter4 from 7

We live in a time where 'not resting' gives us a sense of accomplishment, don't get me wrong, hard work is vital.. but so is smart work. I've learnt recently that denying ourselves rest is infact quitting. Quitting on the energy we need, quitting on our health, quitting of a clear mind, skipping on our reflective time, compromising quality of work and overall overwhelming our spirit and risking losing our varying battles. Learn to rest, not quit. Yoke your spirit and life to God at the right time, in the right ways handing him your burdens and allowing him to restore you to settings that will help you move forward and win that you would have otherwise forfeit if you denied yourself rest. Matthew 11:28. Gal6:9. Heb 12:2

I charge you to meditate on challenges that are now a thing of the past, you probably have scars, trauma and great lessons from the experiences... one which is the truth about your helper. He is mighty and he has done over and over. He has made you a shining light to encourage others as they see you still standing. He uses that testimony to firm your faith. He uses all the moment you wished yourself dead, hidden and felt unloved and unworthy as cornerstones to perfecting you. Think about these things intentionally, proactively and not just when your faith fails. Recognise that he is here, he will do it again and you are his to love even when it doesn't feel like it.

Do not forget to thank him. Do not forget to Testify to attest his power and that he is a promise keeper to encourage others. Do not forget to pray to him, praise and worship him and him alone. Don't stop being consistent, desperate and totally reliant on him. Don't forget it is not by your might but by his grace. Don't forget to love him. Don't forget to seek his understanding, his leading. Don't forget that that prayer that manifested is the good work he is busy with, it is his way of fulfilling your purpose and his will through you. Don't forget to give him the battle. Don't forget to stay on the right path. Stay serving, seeking and loving him.

Mental illness and stress related issues seem far removed from the Christian community yet it is everyone's responsibility to play a part in the kingdom to bring solace to those in need. Jesus did say to show compassion to your neighbor, to set the oppressed free and speaking for those treated unjustly. That includes mental illness and stress related issues. Not speaking up and seeking help and/or supporting other going through such adversity does not prove on to be holier than though nor does it deem those oppressed lacking in faith. Well maybe to some extent but Jesus asked if the cup may passiver him because he was oppressed, going through a difficult time. Now if your sister or brother fails to arrive at ' but father your will be done and surrender' we are to carry each other through prayer.. prayer for wisdom first and foremost to know how to navigate such complexities, prayer for love, health and joy to be restored, and for vengeance to be the Lord in such times of trouble. There are many dimensions and contexts, from a pastor having to grieve through the many burials they curate, to a sister who is backsliding all in the name of needing to belong and be embraced to an elder experiencing trauma or trouble experiencing age related issues. Need i even speak on the effects of the pandemic.! May our hearts be full of compassion, strength and zeal for the people of God. Your love may just be what brings others to salvation, to healing and placing a testimony in their mouths and praise to our God. Be gentle, be intentional. #Isaiah58

Being courageous means understanding what you are afraid of, taking it in and confronting it with the power of God over it. It means standing firm abd choosing to be positive and that you will be ok. Being courageous means being ok with failing, not being embarrassed by being human, standing on knowledge that life is a process, with stages and misfortunes dont mean your value has diminished but rather it is being processed and elevated The will to press towards and over what you are afraid of. Choosing action over comfort. Choosing to do the hard things despite the cost

Much like how we deal with any other perpetrator, confrontation is never easy and usually avoided. We become fearful, sometimes helpless and the unfortunate consequence is that our negative thoughts remain our normal mode of perceiving things and living. I am of the view that we ought to be intentional about mastering 'how to manage and influence our thoughts', much as you change an outfit, location or a song to suit your mood and create a vibe, we must apply the same swiftly to stir our thoughts. The saying goes 'if you don't like how you feel, change your thoughts'.. i say further that, if you don't like how your life is change (your words, for life and death are in the tongue), your thoughts for as a man thinks, so is he. Let's love ourselves enough to challenge and influence our thoughts, both good and bad, learn mechanism, be intentional about what we think about, how we think abd most importantly what part we play in how and what others think as well

We are exposed to the patterns of the world rapidly...with trends, empowerment and passions growing or changing as regularly, so are our ways, our understanding and our lives constantly influenced in one way or another. The word says to test the things, to be transformed by the renewing of our minds... how often and aggressively to we seek the Lord to help us search our hearts, grant us his understanding, guard and search our hearts. We ought not to have this cause us anxiety, but to ensure that in all our ways God is glorified above all. For as a man thinks, so is he.

As the saying goes, no one is coming to save you. Unless you do not realise... life has already been pushing you to do much yourself. There are things we don't do though we get stuck on the entitlement, the need and desperation for someone else to come do for us, with us or push you because either you can't or won't make that step into achieving what you want to achieve. You have to be as aggressive as your resistance, discomfort or confusion... do it afraid they say, do it uncomfortable, take the first step even if you don't see the whole staircase. Don't fall victim to the victim syndrome.. just because you have to do it yourself does not mean you are a victim, are abandoned or that life has something against you. Be proud of that step, be brave in that vulnerability and be hopeful of a great outcome. Trust the process of becoming.

Change is inevitable and when it dawns in our horizon it demands different versions of ourselves holistically or specific aspects of ourselves. Be reminded that God is at the centre of it all, his purpose is at play. Even when things seem to disposition you and you don't feel like yourself, you are becoming exactly who you are. It all works together for your good. Jer 29:11

Sedi graced Ode'lites podcast to talk about Service in Christ. She introduces and identifies herself according to her passion and call to service inspired by Matthew 5:16. She strives to any work God calls her to in excellence, love and taking up every opportunity to represent Christ. She rose from what she terms 'the dry pit' and journey through the wilderness into self-discovery, self -awareness and self development and surrendered to God in order to be her true and authentic self. She leaves words that encourages one to not take grace for granted, to continue seeking God and stay immensed in his word as there is no better place to stay like the will of God

Do not allow yourself to be hard pressed by the enemy whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy your lifestory. Be intentional and lean not on your own understanding of what your beginning and ending is. . . Enquire of the Lord and manifest your story while you still live.

The sting of self-righteous is that we take for grabted the unmerited grace granted to us and defile the virtue in being righteous through Christ and not through our pride and condemnation of others. God is being patient that we may repent. Redeem the times and be watchful of what you are zealous about. 2 Peter 3:9, Luke 18:9

A great word shared by Gorata, unfolding the meaning of 'faith it till you make it' poetically in an analogy of a seed planted.

Do we cry on behalf of the unsaved for God's mercy and that they escape his wrath? Are we bothered that there are souls out there dying unsaved? Are we bothered that some people pursue other means for blessings? Are we bothered that some of these souls speak against our Lord?.. probably out of ignorance or hurt?

Do not neglect or be intimidated by the call to change. Remember the journey warrants that you do. Resisting change merely extends your residence in the war zone of the flesh up against your spirit. We change to continue advancing the kingdom, we change to continue to be Christ like, we change to attest to the Power of God. 1 Peter 2:11-12, 2 Corinth 4:16-18, Romans 12:2

A two fold notion to the thought that we are more deceptive to ourselves the most to think that here and now is all there is to life. . . One in that we insist on our judgements and limited knowledge and aren't receptive to different realities and two that we take for granted our acts in the present time that have impact that actually echoe into our future.