Great men do not become great only by the quality of their dreams. It is the quality of work they apply to the quality of their dreams that produce quality accomplishment.

Dr. Schuller says you must never allow anybody tell you to take care (even though they may have good intention). To take care or take it easy means you are going nowhere. Matt. 11:2; “from the time of John the Baptist the heaven suffereth violence and the violent taketh it by force”.

For the achievers, life must have a sense of urgency; “can’t wait to touch lives”, “can’t wait to give the world something of value”, “can’t wait for barrier to be broken”, “new territories to be taken”, “new areas to be developed”.

Dreams are cheap, every idiot can dream, wandering out of the dream is a major work. There are too many dreams but an external work is the twin sister of dream. So work out your dream.

Somebody once said there are three kinds of people in this world.

• Those who make things happen

• Those who watch things happen

• Those who wonder what is happening - this set is, in fact, the most pathetic because they do not even know what is happening.

We have computers today because somebody took a chance, we have airplanes today because somebody took a risk, we ride cars today because somebody somehwehere at some point woke up from their dream to activate and bring it to reality.

People go to the moon today because someone dreamt of it and didn’t stop there but went ahead to activate it. Today, we enjoy electricity because someone did more than dreaming. We have phones today and even Internet because some people somewhere didn’t just stop at dreaming.

Whatever it is we enjoy today is a function of someone taking a further step beyond their dream, someone somewhere at some point took a chance.

Jesus took a chance and risk, gave salvation to the world, he did not stay in heaven and just dream.

John 9:4 – I must do the work of him that sent me

You can make things happen; you do not have to be forever telling the stories of great men. It is not enough to read (his-story); it is time the world read your story.

I believe with all my heart that what gave David the throne of Israel is that he was found working. Unlike his so-called famous and matured elder brothers who sat all day at home whiling away all their lives. I Samuel 16:11

Can you imagine, David’s greatest USP (unique selling proposition) for the leadership of Israel was “Behold he keepeth the sheep…”

When David showed up with his dirty boots and smelly hands, Samuel said, “that is the man we are waiting for”.

Don’t sit at home like David’s brothers, go out and work. David’s elder brothers, Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah and for others were rejected because, they were at home, having siesta and disaster caught up with them. I always tell youths that I am privileged to talk to that, “siesta is a privilege of the rich and the achievers, young guys who fall in love with siesta usually marry disaster.”

Eliab lost the throne because of siesta

David had the dream in his heart but he was getting his hands dirty and his feet in the mud, this is what it takes to get your dream activated. Do not sit back and expect favourable condition, there may never be a favourable condition. You are the one to create it. Do not be a passive observer of events that affect your life and destiny. Take charge and take control. Stop saying you are unlucky, put your dream to work. Those who rely on luck never do anything meaningful with their lives.

HOW DO I ACTIVATE MY DREAM

1. First of, commit your life to Christ

2. Receive direction

3. Start small

4. Go to work

Job 1:10 – “the Lord will bless the work of your hands”, even satan knows this.

“I am not a failure, I have a dream to fulfill, I have work to do, as I go to work, my dream shall be achieved, I am an achiever, I am a success, the royal blood of Jesus runs in my blood, I am going places, I am making it, in Jesus name. The world is waiting for me to deliver.”

If God says I can, then I can, I can, with help of God.

“Lord, work on me.”
“Develop my mind.”
“Develop my discipline.”
“Develop my spirit.”
“Develop my character.”

Because when you become better, your life becomes bigger.

However the case may be, here are some tips to excel and thrive in such a toxic environment or relationship.

1. Recognize the Truth

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32 KJV)

The very first step is to be down to earth and truthful to yourself. You must promptly and sincerely identify and analyze the situation. Are you indeed in a toxic situation, or are you the one just being dramatic?

You must first establish this in order for you to know how to ‘detox’.

2. Identify the specific ‘toxin’ and the trigger

Don’t only recognize, you must also be able to identify and point specifically to the area of challenge and what triggers it. These are the things we mean by toxins.

For instance, is he a bully, a narcissist or just a sadist? You must be able to ascertain whether you are not even the problem in the first place.

Once you know the trigger, you can know how to survive or whether to cope or flee. Once the trigger has been identified, there could be workarounds.

Generally speaking, toxins in a system are dangerous and unhealthy; as such, you must avoid them, or, if you can’t, manage them.

3. Detach yourself from the triggers

How do I do this, because I’m in this with you?

For instance, you can just say in your mind that, ‘I don’t know why you’re like this, but I’m not going to be like you.’ The truth is, irritable people who are superior to you in status cannot stand excellence or intelligence, and this is a result of their background. Often, they have a faulty upbringing, with a lot of ‘baggage’ to drop on whoever.

Greet/Meet with a smile. Never attempt to stand up to the toxic attitude gesture. Never go into a shouting match with your boss or a toxic person. Never be caught arguing or shouting, because no one ever wins a shouting/arguing competition.

A ship will always remain afloat as long as the water hasn’t gotten into it. But once water can seep in, it is only a matter of time before it’s going down.

4. Have an Escape Plan

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (I Corinthians 10:13)

When it’s impossible or difficult to detach, the next best alternative is to have an escape plan.

This might even be more difficult, for instance, if you’re a stakeholder or close to leadership, yet you must still develop an escape plan while continuing to lend your voice to address the prevailing wrongs.

We all know man’s entry into this world, but we don’t know their exit. A ‘Plan B’ is recommended for safety, whether it is difficult or otherwise.

You must develop an exit strategy and note that exiting will involve costs. You must be ready to count the cost of exiting.

Don’t die where you’re not loved, especially when you notice this. But make sure you’re right or doing the right thing. Your prayer at this juncture should be for God to show you the way of escape.

5. Transcend expectations

Beat deadlines. Draw attention to yourself by your excellence. Work on your Key Result Areas (KRAs), also called Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Identify your deliverables and be a master in what you do.

In addition, set a personal goal for yourself. Identify and draw a line between your job and your work. With this, you can easily transcend.

Don’t sell your time, but your talent. Don’t make yourself available for every nonsense around. No one pays you for your availability; rather, it is your value that is paid for.

6. Guard your Heart

Don’t become that environment. Learn to stand out, and do not allow whatever you are going through to define or change who you are.

When you realize that your parents, boss, etc., are toxic, make a decision not to be like them. Yes, they may be your parents, and as such, you cannot detach so easily, but you can dare and decide to be different from them.

7. Heal

Words can break the bones. So heal from whatever pain or toxin. Quickly arise and move on, keeping your escape plan in view.

You publish your future, your greatness, not your pains. The person who hurt you has moved on; it means nothing to them because it’s not just their duty, in fact, it’s their nature to hurt people.

When you are hurt, don’t bleed on anyone; rather, heal. It is then that you can relate better to people.

8. Practice Discernment

Discernment is a gift of the Spirit, and every child of God ought to covet this gift. I can safely say this is key to coveting a gift of the Spirit. When you have this, you know you are truly loved. You can easily ascertain when you are being deceived.

9. Serve the Lord with Joy

“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11

God is the only rewarder; serve God, and don’t expend all your energy and life on an earthly cause. What testimonial does heaven have concerning you? What can stand as a memorial for you before your Creator? What can speak on your behalf when you are absent?

Conclusion

As a boss, managing a toxic worker might be a handful. As we earlier established, it is mostly a function of their upbringing or background. Know that God can use you to help them. The first thing to do is to separate them.

In the case of toxic parents, some might just be disciplinarians and not necessarily toxic. A simple way to determine this is to ask yourself: Is he/she unapologetic? Do they give your merit to your siblings, etc.? If the answer to any of these is a ‘yes’, then you can conclude that they are toxic.

Knowledge comes by information. However, revolutionary information must be timely and relevant. God wants you to be informed about both secular and spiritual things so you can always be steps ahead of opposition. People often suffer and pay dearly for their ignorance and which would continue until they decide to take responsibility for knowledge. Any knowledge you get on a platter of gold (or without a price) will not make a revolutionary difference.

Being raised by informed parents is a major blessing in life. This keeps one on a vantage pedestal such as to enhance one’s life’s journey – it becomes easy and fast too. Many are where they are in life today because of the people who nurtured and raised them. When you are nurtured by the wrong people, you may end up tortured by life except painstaking efforts are made towards necessary adjustment.

Ignorance

times, out of ignorance, people move from one place to another believing that their problem emanated or is a result of their location. However, sometimes, without the necessary information or knowledge, one’s location is rather inconsequential. In other words, a man may find himself amongst very influential and wealthy people, yet be poor if he fails to develop the requisite skills to leverage that company.

Ignorance is a killer. There is a thin line between the prosperous and the poor and it is called knowledge, which is gotten from adequate information. Information brings about transformation and the informed will rule over the ignorant (the uninformed). Presently, we are in an information age. In fact, a management expert opined that we are in the age of wisdom where we must go beyond information to giving expression to our innate voice on earth. By implication, a man may be very knowledgeable in the “wrong” field in life and therefore fail to fulfil his destiny. Giving expression to your innate voice on earth is a function of living your purpose as designed and living your own mark on the sands of time. Ignorance has made derelicts of many potentially great destinies.

Knowledge is a continuum. It exists in levels; a champion in a particular environment may turn out to be a sheer mediocre in another because his knowledge has been eclipsed. What do you know? Don’t celebrate it, rather, calibrate it. Get information. Strive to always be ahead because your contemporaries aren’t relenting either. Except you are informed, you may never meet up to fulfil your destiny.

Unbelief

In the secular world seeing is believing, but with God, the contrary holds. Waiting to see before you believe disqualifies from seeing at all. When you believe, it automatically triggers the glory of God to manifest in your life. The glory of God is the presence and the acts of God made manifest in every of your endeavour.

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? (John 11:40)

Hebrews 3:12. Do you believe the revelation God gave you? Don’t allow challenges make you doubt God. A man who does not believe God has no future. You can’t stand your contemporaries probably because you fail to believe or trust God in what He has committed into your hands. Have faith and believe in God.

Unconfessed sin

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverbs 28:13 KJV

Pride is what makes people try to cover their sins. Whenever you make an attempt to cover up your sins, you have just begun to dig a grave for yourself. The reason is the more you try to cover or wriggle out, you find yourself going deeper and deeper in other sins.

For you to go far in life, there are things you must settle. When you stand before God, don’t attempt to cover your sins, confess them to the God for He sees in secret. Confess and forsake your sins so that you can prosper.

Unforgiveness

One of the easiest topics to preach in then Bible is Unforgiveness. Many preach it but hardly practice or live it. Some people walk in unforgiveness as easily as they take in air. This can pose as a major barrier to your next level. When a nail punctures your tyre, when you remove it, you don’t keep it, instead, you dispose of it. (Matthew 18:32).
Forgive all those who have offended you.

Idolatry and Occultism

Man in his quest for power has the tendency to dabble into all sorts such as worshipping self-made gods, performing evil rituals, to mention a few. idolatry and occultism are sins that God does not take lightly. Once you join an evil association or cult, exiting same will be very difficult, and if you eventually do, you may just be in for another battle as the consequences of same will linger around for a while. (Deuteronomy 18:9-16). Repent of all evil such as idolatry and occultism.

Curses

Malachi 2:2. Malachi 3:9.
When you are cursed by man, you could find a remedy, but when you're cursed by God, no man can help you, except for His mercies. You can’t sow evil and reap good. Be careful in your daily dealing with men and with God. A man who is cursed will struggle until the curse is broken. Unbroken curses often incapacitate people and stop them from reaching their destinations in life. Confess and break every known and unknown curse haunting you.

Demons

Luke 4:40. Demonic suggestions and oppression has stopped many from living a victorious life. Demons play tricks on the minds of people thereby enslaving them. Prolonged sicknesses are often times demonic oppression. Every affliction is sponsored by a demon. Don’t let the devil win any mind or body war over you, exercise your authority always and stay on the offensive. Cast out the demons afflicting you.

Prayer Points

• Blood of Jesus, go to my foundation and deliver me from everything that wants to stop me.

• Oh, Lord, deliver me from ignorance in the name of Jesus.

• Oh Lord, give me access to the information that will make my life easy in Jesus name.

• Oh Lord, forgive the sins of my father and let our headd be lifted in life.

“You shall remember the Lord thy for it is he that give you the power to get wealth.”

Let’s briefly x-ray this scripture by considering the following elements;

* You - who are you and who you should be?

~ Entrepreneur characteristic

~ Wealth mentality

~ Millionaire’s attitude

* Remember God

~ The Source

~ The Owner

~ What our attitude should be to worldly possession.

* He gives thee

~ His willingness and readiness to release wealth to you

~ It is a gift

~ Wealth is a gift

~ Whatever we have, we were given

* Power

~ It takes power to get wealth

~ Spiritual power

~ Knowledge power

* The Covenant

~ The Abrahamic covenant in Genesis 12:2

~ You qualify for the covenant blessing too

~ Galatians 3:14, 29. The blessing and responsibility of the covenant is in Deut. 28:1-8

Stop praying for money. God does not give money or wealth, rather, He gives the power to get money/wealth. He gives the ability and capacity to produce wealth.

Here are some of several ways to make money;

• Stealing

• Begging

• Borrowing

• Inheritance

• Earning

Proverbs 13:11 says “wealth (not earned but) gotten in haste or unjustly or from the production of things for vain or detrimental use (such riches) will dwindle away, but he who gathers little by little will increase his riches.”

We are not talking about overnight success or sudden wealth, but the sure way to wealth. Talking about you and wealth, here are salient points to note;

1. A man’s harvest in life will depend entirely on what he sows. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. (Galatians 6:7)

2. Make it your ambition to ‘mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you…so that you will not be dependent on anybody.’ (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)

The key word here is “ambition”. How ambitious are you about working with your own hand or about starting your own thing?

3. Wealth can only be created through starting your thing; your business. Has it ever occurred to you how many salary earners end up being wealthy?

Let’s talk about the capacity God gives;

The plans of the diligent lead to profit. (Proverbs 21:5)

I am the Lord God who teaches thee to profit, which leads you in the way to go. (Isaiah 48:17)

These scriptures give the roadmap to profit and plenty in business.

• Effective planning must precede action (Luke 14:28)

• Revelation instead of Information

• Mapping direction to your destination from start.

Again we see that God does not give profit; planning, revelation, direction leads to profit. By implication, success, prosperity and wealth creation in life rests with you. Joshua 1:8 confirms this. “For then thou shalt make thy way prosperous.”

Human life cycle

1. Dependant

2. Scholar

3. Employee

4. Self employed

5. Business owner

6. Philanthropist- your money works for people

Here’s the balance sheet of your life;

Facts to note:

1. We are all in business, though passively. Every day we negotiate, sell and we earn.

2. Someday, everyone will end up in business actively. Whether you start at 20 or at 60, eventually we will venture into business. Why don’t we start now?

3. Learning the art of buying and selling is a basic requirement of starting a business. Remember, no matter the quality or value of the product/service, selling is what converts it to money.

Why go into business?

Here are some of the wrong reasons one can go into business.

1. I am tired of my job. Please, get another job because going into business might entail doing some of the things that tire you on your job. Luke 16:12

2. I want to be my own boss. Being a boss comes with responsibility for success or failure of the business and that takes a lot. It takes leadership and its demands. Are you ready for that?

3. I want to get rich quick or solve my financial problems (Matthew 13:22). Many who intend or wish to start a business are looking for instant gratification; they want to overnight success. But let it be known to you that building a business is a high risk venture with a high failure rate. Research establishes that 90% of all new start-ups fail in their first ten years; so think again.

4. I have a brilliant idea. If a brilliant idea is all it takes to build a successful business, then everyone will be a millionaire overnight. Growing a business requires not only capital, but also thorough understanding of the business, competence, cash flow management, a capable management/business team, diligence, leadership skill and most importantly, the ability to sell. So now you see why it takes more than an idea to build a business.

5. I want to be free. Do you realize that entrepreneurs work even longer hours than employees? There’s never going to be a free time in business; it’s up to you to create the time you want.

6. I am the best in my workplace. In business, team work is more important and valuable than individual skill and input.

7. I have gained a lot of experience from this job, it’s time I quit. If you have gotten adequate experience from your job and you want to quit, then my best advice is this: Get another job. This isn't enough reason to want to start a business if you're not ready for the demands of same.

8. I have a enough money to start a business. If money is all it takes to float a business and to be successful, then we wouldn't have so many business failures in history.

9. I want people to know I can run a business. Business isn't and can never be for show off.

10. I want people to work for me too

Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than you. Each of you should look not of your own interest but also of the interest of others.

The progress to business profit should be

• Solution or value: There must be a value you're bringing to the table. It can come in form of a solution to a problem, it can be in the form of value, whatever be the case, there must be an offering.

• Service: Whatever you have as an offering or solution, present or package it as a service.

• Profit: Sell ot and make profit

Foundation of a good business idea include:

Talent: if you are talented in a thing, don't dwell on talent alone. Take a step further by refining the talent, sharpen it. That you're talented in a particular area isn't a guarantee for success, it's only a pointer to your area of strength. The inherent wisdom in this is to polish the talent.

Knowledge: just as talent is a basis, so also is knowledge. There is a need to step on the next rung on the ladder of success.

Interest: this is good, at least, it shows your degree of readiness in the field. You could be talented in something and not have interest in developing it further. But when there is talent, which is backed up by interest and is followed by seeking right and requisite knowledge, then you're positioned for success and invariably wealth.

Skill/Experience: This is the peak of it all. Just a little sharpening of one's talent can make all the difference. With your talent, you have located or identified purpose, acquiring skill/experience spells that you have taken a step further to go beyond just doing it because it comes naturally and taken it to the next level. You have put a touch of professionalism and excellence, adopting best practices in the field/industry. You have taken a decision, not just to be one of them, but to be the best of them. Then the sky is set for your success.

Consider the figure as depicted below:

How can I deploy my ingredients of wealth? Package into the form of;

• Service

• Product

• Solution

How can you generate ideas or create opportunities?

• Creating solutions to problem

• Selling solutions

• Capitalizing on business failure

• Providing better customer service

• Providing cheaper variant or selling same product at a lower price

You can start by inventing or investing in a business solution or product. That means you start from scratch, buy an existing business or buy into an existing or successful business idea.

Testing a business idea

1. Talk to your prospective customers

2. Talk to your prospective sales people

3. Talk to people already in that business

4. Talk to your banker

5. Talk to the Lord

Contributing factors to success in business

1. Your selling skills

2. Right pricing

3. Customer/client base

4. Good customer service

5. Accessible and attractive location

6. Your employees

7. Capital base

8. Business ethics and principles

9. Good accounting and accountability

10. Engaging the right partnership

11. Have a good mentor

12. Regular meeting with stakeholders - employees, vendors and suppliers

13. In-depth knowledge and study of competition (Competitive Intelligence)

14. Study the market (Market Intelligence)

15. Create a niche for your business

16. Network or supply chain

17. Ensure adequate cover or protection of your business; law and insurance.

18. Get the right business name

Your goal is to stop working for money; that money should work for you while you take holidays. That is season of rest.

‘I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.’ Philippians 4:11

Christ is derived from the Greek word “Christos” and it means “the anointed and his anointing”.

Hence, the reason you can do “all things” is because of the anointing of God upon you. It is because you are a Christian, the anointed one. It is the same meaning derived from the word ‘power’ as used in Deuteronomy 8:18. You are called to business to make money for Kingdom purpose. God is backing you up. You are anointed for this!

You will make it in Jesus name!

Share Femi Akinola

The earth is the habitation God placed man to dwell. It is interesting to note that it isn't occupied by man alone, the earth is inhabited both by man and spirits. Just as there is the physical market, so also in the realm of the spirit, there is a market. In this market, you go out of your way to get what you want, what you deserve.

[3] And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. [4] And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. [5] In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

[12] behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. [13] And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

[15] And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

I Kings 3:3-5, 12-13, 15

The spiritual market is characterized by sacrifice. When sacrifice happens, events are turned around. When God sees sacrifice, protocols are broken. From the scriptures bearing the account of Solomon, we see how he availed himself of this universal principle. Going by his pedigree (according to the scripture), he wasn't even supposed to reign as king at all in the first place. But he was smart to operate this principle.

You don't get to posses your possession automatically, rather, you buy it with a price. There is a market existing in the realm of the spirit. You don't pray to transact there. For you to transact, you must speak the language of the market. The medium of transaction isn't prayers. But there's a price attached to everything you need or will ever get.

Even Jehovah demonstrated this when He had to slay His Only Begotten Son to win the whole world back to Himself.

In life, for you to get what is yours, there are prices you pay and you wouldn't have to suffer the fate of others.

View life as a supermarket. When you visit a mart, you either pay the price for what you want and collect it or quietly walk away. You cannot possess what you do not pay for.

You don't go or approach a bank to cry and expect to be given money. Life is not for people that cry but for people that pay for it. When you approach a tollgate, it's either you pay and proceed (gain passage) or you remain there. Likewise, when you get to the tollgate of life, it's either you're ready to pay your way through or you remain there for the rest of your life. Where there is no price, there's no worth.

"Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's." 1 Corinthians 3:21 KJV

There's nothing you see anyone possess that you cannot have but you only need to find out the price to pay. God said to the children of Israel, "I have given you the land, but you have to pay the price to possess it." Here, their contention for the land is the price. If you're going to live the ground, you must be ready to pay for and buy your own portion of the earth.

People buy their portion of the earth from the altar of blood. The market from which you buy will determine the quality of what you buy. In this context, you can buy with either of five commodities; you can buy either with your time, your sweat, your tears (this is the level of fasting and prayer), or you can buy the earth with blood.

Unfortunately, none of all these commodities is backed up with (or by) a covenant except the last, which is the blood. Talking about blood, there are also levels of blood based on the source, we have;

• The blood of an animal

• The blood of a man

• The blood of a woman

• The blood of a virgin

• The blood of an innocent child and,

• The blood of a fetus

The last is the top in the hierarchy - the blood of a fetus.

Also, there's no sacrifice that can function without an altar and of course, there are two types; the godly altar and the satanic altar.

Any man you see that appears to be "successful" on earth has visited an altar. They approached the altar and bought what they desire, they didn't cry for it. They paid the requisite price for their desire.

In the book of 2 Kings 3, the king of Moab sacrificed his only son (and heir to his throne) to buy victory even against the children of prophecy. Battle can exist at the level of time, sweat or even tears to the level of blood and once there's blood, spirit is involved, and sacrifice is involved. In a family, once sacrifice happens, either good or bad, that sacrifice affects everybody.

“There are three things that bear witness on earth, the spirit, the water and the blood.”

I John 5:8

The Lion of Judah sacrificed Himself and I am yet to find out or come across which of the so called religious leaders died or gave his life for anyone?

The Bible says Jesus gave His life as ransom for us (Matthew 20:28). Jesus gave his life so that you can come to Him. If you're going to manifest, you're going to buy your portion on earth.

If you just pray, they will pass you by. Because there is a place if prayer and there is a place of sacrifice. For God to win back humanity, He didn't just pray, neither did He wish, but He paid the ultimate sacrifice.

In Psalm 126, verse 1, what we see there is at the level of testimony, and tears, but advancing and going further down to verse 5, it has metamorphosed to the level of sacrifice, and when sacrifice is involved, blood is involved.

If you don't want to remain a ‘story of irrelevance’ on earth, you're going to have to come to the side of the covenant. Make your decision that nothing will take you to the wrong altar.

This world is a market place and just as there are two types of market, so also do we have two types of altars and priests.

"Have respect unto the covenant: For the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty." Psalm 74:20 KJV

Of all the variables of Time, Sweat, Tears and Blood, the only one that enters into covenant is BLOOD. Sacrifice is the level of covenant. If you're visiting the dark altars, your payback time is very close because what you cannot afford will soon be required of you.

This dark market (the spiritual market) trades in souls. Which market are we talking about?

“And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:... and slaves, and souls of men." Revelation 18:11-13 KJV

This is the dark market and merchants and these merchants trade souls of men. If they can take somebody's soul, they can take their health, glory and even virtue.

The spirit realm is real, infact, "more real" than the physical.

What to do?

First is salvation and repentance. You have to be genuinely give your life to Christ and repent.

After which you engage in warfare prayers against the market of darkness. We have teachers who are agents of darkness, when they lay hands on children, those children are done for.

Don't give people access to your body anymore. Your body is a market and sex is an access.

Find God, find yourself

Know God, know your purpose

Love God more than you love yourself. When you love God, here's what happens;

"Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life." Isaiah 43:4 KJV

Finally, you must buy your portion on earth. Are you looking for anything? Buy it, it's on the altar.

You're wearing a wig of ₦250,000 when the altar you service hasn't seen ₦250,000 before? The day an ordinary he-goat of ₦200,000 will be sacrificed, you will be a cheap prey. Buy your portion on earth.

Father, help me to buy my portion on earth.

God bless you.

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“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” (Emphasis mine)

Let me briefly take you aback for a quick refresher. In Revelation, it is recorded that the devil is on a rampage to devour and wage war against mankind.

With this foreknowledge, you must be mindful of this: to win the battle of life, there are principles of battle you must embrace. Life’s battle isn’t won by physical arms or ammunition. Rather, it is fought and won on the wings of wisdom. The wisdom here is to learn the tactics or strategy to fight and win.

“and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:20 KJV (Emphasis mine)

Sacrifice gives you authority; it gives potency to your action. Sacrifice lends credence to your requests or heart desires. This is why even God could not save mankind from sin and destruction without sacrifice.

In the spirit realm, we fight by the rules (principles) and not by weapons. It doesn’t matter whether you are of God or of the devil. There is a universal principle, and it is the principle of sacrifice.

“...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Daniel 11:32b

This presupposes that as a child of God, fighting your battle and engaging the rules, in like manner, if the people of the heathen (who do not necessarily know God) engage the rules appropriately, they will be a formidable match.

Sacrifice makes spirits follow you. Having recognized that sacrifice is fundamental, the next step is to aim for the higher, or better still, the highest bid. To win whatever challenge you are facing, you have to be the highest bidder - to be ready to give up (or release) more than the enemy is ready to give up.

Consider the potency and efficacy of God’s word;

“For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” Psalm 138:2b

15 But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. 16 And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches. 17 For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts. 18 And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand. 19 And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.” 2 Kings 3:15-19

This was the Word of God to the “children of prophecy”. From the scriptures, you will see that the first prophecy (of verse 17) was fulfilled in verse 20. Also, the second prophecy (of verse 19) was fulfilled in verse 25.

“...And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in their country. And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kirharaseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.” 2 Kings 3:22-25

Now, this reveals the connection between your offering and your supplies. Let’s make progress.

“And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not.” 2 Kings 3:26

Why was the battle against him? Because there were forces against him. And why was the battle sore against him? Because there were two things against him, prophecy and offering. Take note, prophecy and offering, not sacrifice.

That you have a physical explanation for your problem does not make it a physical phenomenon. It definitely has spiritual grounding and undertones. And you must be quick in discerning if the battle is spiritual or otherwise. Stop approaching the battle of life logically or strategically. You must approach it with wisdom, applying the rules of engagement.

It is good when you have prophecy; it can be likened to a compass, but it is not enough. A compass cannot move you from one spot or point to the other; it can only give you direction. Despite having prophecy, you need “fuel” to move, to propel you to your destination.

“And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not.” 2 Kings 3:26

The closing clause tells us he didn’t succeed, ‘but they could not,’ and very quickly he proceeded to the principle of the highest bidder.

Recall that the so-called “children of prophecy” had also previously given an offering before proceeding to battle, perhaps the reason the sacrifice of the Moabite king didn’t ‘gauge’ according to verse 26. And what did he do? It is good, in fact, necessary for one to be smart. The king of Moab showed that he is an old timer in matters of warfare. He is indeed a veteran. With the sudden turn of events at the battlefield, he realised he was not only losing his men, but he was fast losing out in the battle, and he had to engage the principle of the highest bidder. He immediately switched and sacrificed “his only son who was to reign in his stead”.

“Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.” 2 Kings 3:27

“…There was an outburst of divine anger against Israel, so they broke off the attack and returned to their homeland.” 2 Kings 3:27 (New English Translation)

At this juncture, he had broken the bar. His bid(ding) had surpassed that of the children of Israel, and that was his saving grace. The Bible says, there was an outburst of anger against Israel (the chosen), against Israel, the children of prophecy. They carried prophecy, yet there was an outburst of divine anger against them because their enemy (opponent) carried a bigger sacrifice.

Israel lost, not because they didn’t have the prophecy, not because their prophecy isn’t authentic, not because they lost touch with God, and not because God was not on their side, but because their enemy raised a greater sacrifice than theirs.

I have always taught that life answers, not to promises or prophecies, but to the highest bidder. It doesn’t matter whether the carrier is of God or of the heathen. It is simply a matter of principle. “And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Luke 16:8 KJV

What makes you more formidable than the enemy? It is your sacrifice, not your prayers. Here’s the difference between the Moabite king and that of Israel. If you are going to win that battle in the walk of the spirit, there’s something called the highest bidder. In the realm of the spirit, what matters is quality and not quantity. Despite his 700 men, he still was losing and couldn’t push through the opponent, until he sacrificed the life of his son, who was to reign in his stead. That, of course, had a greater point value (PV). In academia, they would say it had a greater credit unit.

Offering is a free will and given out of love. It has its limit in the realm of the spirit, but sacrifice is painful; it involves shedding of “blood”. The Lord didn’t pray or wish to have the world to Himself; He sacrificed what was most precious to Him - His only Son, Jesus Christ.

Offering is willing, but when you sacrifice, you command spirits. Spirits are at your disposal; things happen in your favor in the spirit realm.

Are you there, you have given up all hope in the battles of life, it is time to raise your game and switch to sacrifice. The enemy fighting you has sacrificed painfully, they have sacrificed blood but you are praying. Don’t be deceived, boy. It is not a matter of prayer, but that of the highest bidder.

Whenever you want to fight or engage in any spiritual battle, ask yourself these three questions;

👉 What am I ready and willing to offer in this battle?

👉 Am I ready to give it what it takes?

👉 Am I the higher (highest) bidder?

Receive wisdom and prosper.

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Proverbs 3:5 NKJV

Just as there are pitfalls in life, so also there are pitfalls in business. To succeed and thrive in business, these pitfalls must be identified and avoided.

1. The Pitfall of Compromise

Compromise is when your pressure puts your principle to test. You’re so much pressured that you begin to reconsider your stand. The pressure of ‘I want to be great in life”, “I need to get married or I must succeed”, “I need to pay my house rent”, to mention a few... are all enough to make you want to cut corners. In the pursuit of success, you are tempted to cut corners.

Someone casually said and I quote, “there’s no way you can come out of poverty without compromise or cutting corners, because the system is so designed to make people poor.” Now, my take on this is that I beg to disagree. The Bible says, the blessings of the Lord makes rich and adds no sorrow with it. So when anyone tells you that, just remind them of this scripture.

“A false balance is abomination to the LORD: But a just weight is his delight.”

Proverbs 11:1 KJV

In business and career, integrity could appear expensive but compromise is costlier, in fact, more expensive. Do not cut corners or take shortcuts because shortcuts will cut your life short.

“Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.”

Proverbs 20:17 KJV

God doesn’t bless soiled hands. Many are suffering today because of the shady things their fathers have put their hands into.

2. The Pitfall of Greed

This is the trap of “not enough...” , “I need more...” “I want more...”, “more money...”, etc.

“He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; But he that hateth gifts shall live.”

Proverbs 15:27

Has it ever occurred to you that one of the major reasons people take the life of another dances around greed?

“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, And he addeth no sorrow with it.”

Proverbs 10:22 KJV

Why not seek purpose? Because once you’re in purpose, there’d be provision. For every vision, there is a provision. There’s nothing wrong when you pursue the blessing of God, but when money becomes ‘your purpose’, then joy disappears because you live for it and what you live for becomes your idol. When money becomes your idol, the more you chase after it, the further it goes away from you, you can never get it.

Greed only makes you lose your conscience. God will never bless any man whose character will change because of money. He will only bless that man who refuses to change his ideals, his standards, because of money.

3. The Pitfall of Overworking/Exhaustion/Fatigue/Overload

This, we can also refer to as the Pitfall of Workaholism. This might appear impressive on the surface but behind it, you are hiding fear.

“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.”

Psalms 127:2 NLT

“It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?”

Psalm 127:2 MSG

This scripture is telling us that it’s not your sweat that will prosper you. You’re expected to work hard, no doubt, it’s even better ro work smart, yes. But it is God that gives the increase, that will bless the work of your hands.

Rest isn’t for the weak. It is for the wise.

4. The Pitfall of Pride and Self Aggrandizement

There is a natural tendency for one to tend to puff or arrogate the success or blessings of God to himself.

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James 4:6 KJV

God is in the business of giving grace unto men, but there’s a class of people He personally resists and withholds His grace from, the arrogant. God cannot stand pride. The moment you become a victim of this pitfall, you have practically pitched your tent against Jehovah.

You need to remember that God brought you thus far. Always bear in mind that pride is a crashing force.

“Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.”

Daniel 4:37 KJV

The trap of pride is forgetting who lifted you, who helped you to succeed, who brought you thus far.

“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”

Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV

Pride makes you turn your ‘success’ into an idol. Once the enemy realizes you have become a victim of pride, they immediately move on to their next target. They don’t need to waste their time or effort on you anymore because they know God Himself will help them pull you down. The Most High will do the work for them.

What’s making you to puff? What do you have that you were not given? God will bless and lift you but cannot tolerate your ego. The higher you rise in life, the more you should reverence the One who has lifted you because He can drop you.

There are some memories you should keep, some ‘rags’ you should keep, it will help you remember where God is bringing you from, it will help you to respect people and behave yourself wisely.

5. The Pitfall of Wrong Partnership

“ Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark?”

2 Corinthians 6:14 MSG

Be mindful of those with whom you associate or transact business. There are people who already have covenant with darkness, don’t yoke your business with them. These are not mere unbelievers but they have covenant with the devil. This is another pitfall to beware of.

Choose partner prayerfully and by character and not by speaking in tongues or meeting in church. Watch out for red flags. He hates believers yet you are yoked together in business. One wrong person in your business is enough to bring down that empire. One wrong partner can drain all that you have laboured for in life.

85% of artists have been initiated into wrong dealings. They have entered the wrong studio and have been signed into satanic record label deals that is going to haunt them for a long time.

6. Pitfall of Losing Your Purpose

You must not allow your career to kill your calling. Your calling would take precedence over your career.

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

I John 3:8 KJV

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

Mark 8:36 KJV

Jesus, while on earth, did not forget or lose focus of His purpose. Many succeed publicly but they are actually private failure. Don’t be one of them. Don’t lose focus of your calling. Your purpose is your calling, keep it in view and run with it.

Once that career, partnership, relationship, or whatever alliance, costs you your peace, your faith, your identity, your purpose, please you must drop it immediately.

Work from the place of identity; work from identity and not for identity. Sometimes, your seeming biggest success might be your biggest distraction. You might be climbing a ladder which unfortunately is resting on a wrong wall.

7. Whatever you’re doing, what is speaking for you?

As a business, what is your corporate social responsibility to the world. Can you identify with God with that business of yours?

Avoid this pitfall by prayers, immerse your life in the word. Can you serve God in that your business that you’re doing? Is there any Kingdom alignment in that your business that you’re into?

If you’re able to consciously avoid these pitfalls in your business, the sky is your limit. God will see to it that you prosper.

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Have you ever stopped to wonder why Jesus cited the serpent as example in a number of His teachings?

“Stay alert. This is hazardous work I’m assigning you. You’re going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don’t call attention to yourselves. Be as shrewd as a snake...” Matthew 10:16 MSG

Your sojourn on earth is an assignment. You are sent to this earth on a mission - a mission to fulfill your destiny. And Jesus is reminding you that it’s not going to be a jamboree, neither would it be business as usual. Christ could only compare it to sheep running through a pack of wolves. I don’t know if you get the import of that analogy. Let’s think about it for a while, how is sheep supposed to run through the midst of wolves and come out alive? That is what your destiny sojourn here on earth is likened to. May you fulfill it in Jesus name.

Without much ado, let us attempt to dissect these traits in the serpent that are so special that Jesus had to call our attention to.

1. The Serpent keeps (or protects) its head

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:11,17 KJV

When you see a snake, your first or primary target is its head. So also, the first target of the enemy is your head. The first target of the wicked is to make you lose your salvation. Did you wonder the reason the scripture says “take the helmet of salvation.” The helmet is generally meant to shield the head from possible danger. Protect your head. Ensure your helmet of salvation does not fall off.

Don’t allow relationship, association, friend, work/job or even marriage take away the helmet of salvation from you. You’re into a relationship that isn’t glorious, this will work against your salvation. Stop toying with your helmet of salvation.

2. The Serpent doesn’t fear anything it’s pursuing

The snake might be only three feet, yet it can pursue a rabbit or animal much bigger than it is. You must learn to fear nothing. Pursue your goal without fear or intimidation. Fear not and pursue your goal.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

Where exactly did fear emanate from? In your life, at what point did you allow fear get into your heart? If your goal isn’t big, it is because you have limited your God, you fail to understand that you serve a big God.

If you can dream it, you can achieve it. The serpent has enough, in fact, more than enough enemies. Every creature wants to attack the snake, yet in the midst of all these, they survive. They have learnt to not only survive but also to thrive in the midst of enemies.

Wisdom is moving amd thriving in the midst of enemies without attracting unnecessary attention.

3. The Serpent has a virtue of silence

The serpent can exist in the same environment with its prey without being noticed for weeks, or even months.

“For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; ...in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength...” Isaiah 30:15 KJV

Silence is golden. It is, indeed, a strength. When you begin to learn silence, you begin to think more, you begin to hear God more and receive direction for living.

“Be still, and know that I am God...” Psalm 46:10 KJV

God admonishes us to acknowledge His ‘Lordship’ in stillness. You expose the thoughts of your heart to the enemy when you talk. The more you talk the more vulnerable you become. When you can keep quiet, it becomes difficult for the enemy to get you, as it is easier to entrap you by the words of your mouth. You must learn the art of keeping silent and talking at appropriate moments.

“You have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth.” Proverbs 6:2 NIV

For the enemy to get you, all they need do is wait for you to talk. If Eve had remained silent when she was being engaged by the devil, she wouldn’t have fallen that cheaply.

Planning for the future is activated in silence. It’s easier for you to hear God when you keep quiet. The Bible says, be still and know that I am God. God wants to talk to you but you are too noisy, you have become too lousy to hear God. It is difficult for Him to get your attention.

4. The Snake Studies

The snake is a very studious creature, earnest in its intent. Little wonder it hardly misses its target.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

When last did you study in your field of endeavour? How updated are you in your profession. If you are not current, you cannot be correct. If you are not going to die in your casual work, you better begin to study.

What is it that you’re doing? How much have you invested in your profession/career? When last did you invest in books/ebooks? You have a massive budget for luxuries and frivolities - expensive wristwatches, bone-straight hair, and so on. How dare you use a wig of ₦250,000 when there’s nothing in that head.

Don’t die in your little corner as a mediocre. Study. You call yourself a minister, and in a whole month, you have not read a single book.

You say you are a student and you are always on tiktok and twitter... Whatever you find yourself doing, my brother, learn more, add value to yourself. Add value to your services and whatever it is that you have to deliver. You are a designer, learn more, add more knowledge. What value have you added to yourself? What knowledge have you added to your life since you got married? You cook and people get irritated, because you have failed to embrace study.

When you increase your learning, you increase your earning. As you feed your belly, feed your mind too.

The scripture says, study to show yourself approved. When you fail to study, shame is imminent. As much as you strive to enhance your looks or physical appearance, also invest in your mind and ability as well. Don’t pay attention to the container and undermine the content.

5. The Serpent is Patient

The serpent can patiently wait for hours and keenly observe before striking. No wonder, it hardly misses its target.

In your destiny pursuit, you must be patient. Patience is a virtue, it's also a fruit of the spirit. You cannot afford to keep playing to the gallery.

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36 KJV

Without patience, you cannot receive the promise. Between your prophecy and the performance or fulfillment, there is what we call patience.

“If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, Till my change come.” Job 14:14 KJV

If you refuse to wait you will waste. Your destiny is colourful, your tomorrow is glorious, but you must learn to wait.

6. The Serpent keeps good Company

If I care about you, I will ask about and want to know the company you keep. The wrong person around your life is enough to ruin your destiny.

‘Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV

Watch a woman that has several friends, it’s just a matter of time, she’s the one that will kill the husband. You will never see a snake in the company of dogs but snakes alone.

You want to go into a particular business, with whom? The Spirit of God is what makes the difference.

7. The Serpent possesses hypnotizing power

“Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Psalm 45:7 KJV

To fulfill your destiny assignment, you must be anointed. You must be filled with the power of God. You must carry fire. There is a problem when the enemy can just take you for a ride and go scot free.

8. The Serpent has life and death in its tongue

The snake can kill both its prey and itself. In like manner, you as a believer should be careful because the power of life and death is in your tongue.

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:6, 8 KJV

Be mindful of what you are professing with your mouth. Make sure you don’t use your mouth against yourself. Also beware of people who are fond of cursing and don’t provoke them to wrath so you don’t inherit curses.

9. The Serpent hides and flourishes

“Go home, my people, and lock your doors! Hide yourselves for a little while until the Lord’s anger has passed.” Isaiah 26:20 NLT

Stop attracting humans, particularly enemies, that you cannot handle. The testimony and miracle you expose when still young and tender can be terminated.

“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.” Luke 1:80 KJV

The Bible says, even the child remained in hiding, in the desert until the day of his showing forth. Growth takes place in hiding. There is glory in hiding. What ascribes the value that gold has is the fact that it is hidden, same goes for diamond.

Have you ever seen a pack of snakes before? You never will. It is only one you will see while others are behind in the cave.

“And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.” Genesis 13:14-15 KJV

God has a lot in stock for you, but He needs you to see the big picture. What you don't see, you can't possess. May God open your eyes to help you see and grant you grace to pursue your destiny Assignment to fulfilment in Jesus name.

The 10th month is a month of revelation - revelation of hidden things.

“And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.” Genesis 8:5 KJV

In the days of Noah, after the flood, the waters were so much that even the mountains weren’t seen. But on the first day of the tenth month, the hidden mountains began to be visible. In the same manner, every challenge in your life is being removed beginning from today. Every flood of shame, delay, trouble, pains and bitterness, is abating and everything that has kept you hidden is being revealed in the name of Jesus.

Ten (10) does not only represent completeness, it is also a revelation of divine order. Jesus, teaching in His days on earth, told parables of 10 lepers, 10 virgins, to mention a few.

While pronouncing His mission, Jesus declared ten (10) “I AMs”. In John 6:35, He said, “I am the bread of life…”. In John Chapter 10, verses 7 to 9, “I am the door…” and in John 10:36, “I am the sheep…”. He didn't stop there. “I am the ressurection and the life…” (John 11:35), “I am the true vine…” (John 15:1-5), “I am the living bread…” (John 6:51), “I am one that beareth witness of myself…” (John 8:18). All these are declarations of Jesus. In all there are ten, do you now understand that the number ten (10) isn’t just a figure, but a mystery? Jesus closed His I Am declaration with these; “I am the good shepherd…” (John 10:14) and in the sixth verse of the fourteenth chapter, He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life…”

That is not all. When God was dealing with the children of Israel, He gave them 10 commandments because it represents completeness. It also represents the law (Exodus 20).

I mentioned earlier that the number 10 does not only represent restoration (Luke 15:8), it is also a sacred number. He says, after you have laboured, give me a tenth of your increases. Do we now see that ten isn't just a number, but a mystery?

Let us proceed. Begin to count, the tenth book, from Genesis, is 2 Samuel. Here, it was recorded that David was enthroned and Saul came down for his sake. Any enemy of your throne shall be overthrown for you.

10 is a powerful number, and the earlier you know this, the better. Noah took over from the generation that failed and began a new generation. When it gets to 10, things turn around. It represents the glory of God.

Esther would have died a nobody but she was elevated and was brought into the palace in chapter 2:16, in the tenth month. I'm sure you don't think these are mere coincidence. The Bible says, “… and the king stood up on seeing Esther…” Esther replaced Vashti, may you not be replaced in this tenth month.

It was in the tenth month that Haman met his waterloo. Esther contested and won. Where you have been losing, you begin to win in this tenth month. Whoever contends with you shall live to regret their actions.

Esther didn’t destroy the life of Vashti to be elevated. God Himself orchestrated her journey to the palace. You don't have to pull down anyone to fulfill prophecy or achieve God's counsel upon your life. Don’t deliberately bring anyone down because when you start, God will not be behind both fighters.

The instances or examples of ten (10) in the Bible are numerous, we might not be able to exhaust it in a hurry. Let me try to close with this;

“And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee.” I Kings 11:31 KJV

Solomon is one of the greatest kings that reigned on earth. Yet God rent his kingdom into twelve and gave ten portions of it to Jeroboam. From the great, high and mighty, wealth will change hands to you.

Finally,

“...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 KJV)

This scripture is God’s desire for you - ten over ten. In this month of 10, according to John 10:10, may you score tenoverten. May you have life and have it more abundantly.

Cheers to a new month and new beginning.

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It is so exciting to eventually be reaching out here. It's been an intent deep in my heart to reach out to as many via this blog. I am elated, to say the least, this is seeing the light of day.

Here in this space, from time to time and as providence permits, I will be sharing of my thoughts, experiences, lessons and even mysteries. This may include, though not limited to, my story, writing, life insights, and what have you.

My goal, or essence, is simple: to forthrightly dispense information, secrets, and possibly, mysteries, connect with people who resonate, hopefully spark ideas or encouragement, raise sons and daughters and build followership along the way.

What you can expect here:

• Personal reflections and revelations

• Lessons on this journey

• Recommendations, ideas, inspiration, and instructions worth sharing

As the scripture says, “…precept upon precept, line upon line…” I’m starting small — one step at a time, one post at a time — but I’d love for you to be a part of it.

If this sounds interesting, hit the Subscribe button so that new posts land straight in your inbox. It would cost you nothing, and you won’t miss a thing.

Thank you for reading my very first post — cheers to new beginnings.

See you in the next one,
Femi Akinola