Wondering how someone with whom you both began a particular journey, at the same time ends up being miles ahead of you? There were two women who were both married into the same family to two brothers. There came a time when they had to decide to stay back in their own homeland or to go with their mama-in-law to her homeland. One decided to return and the other went with mama. When this beautiful lady arrived at mama’s homeland, word quickly spread that there was a foreigner in town.

Reading chapter two of the book of Ruth, Naomi no longer had a field to harvest from since it was sold prior to her leaving for Moab. Ruth, seeing and knowing that there was nothing to eat rose up, told mama she was going out to see if some kind person(s) would allow her glean so they atleast get food to eat for that day and Naomi told her to go praying she meets a kind fellow. She found herself in a relative’s field and she gleaned there.

Reading through, I can only imagine how many fields Ruth must have gone to and be sent away or if she just happened to find herself in Boaz’ field. Let’s assume she had been to several fields and was sent away from each of them but never gave up till she arrived at Boaz field. I see a determined woman right there who was not going to take “Rejection” as her middle name. She wasn’t ready to go home to an old woman and tell her she couldn’t get food. Even if all she got could just be for mama Naomi, she was ready to get it and to get it the right way. Ruth could have as well gone about begging for food but No! She decided to work with her hands despite she was a foreigner in another man’s land. A land she chose to come to and call home. This act of hers plus the good report about her earned her a lifetime of eating from that field.

The story of this woman addresses different situations we can find ourselves in in Life and the way we see and handle it is a decision we have to make. Take time to ask yourself these soul-searching questions.

• Am I comfortable with where I am faith-wise, job-wise, career-wise, marriage-wise, character-wise and so on?
• Am I ready to make that right decision even if it will cost me some relationships?
• Am I comfortable with sitting on my behind and waiting to always be helped by family and friends?
• Do I choose rejection and go for the short cuts to achievements?
• Do I always take every NO for an answer, shivering and crying all over the place when I am turned down?
• Do I mind taking the long journey to permanent success and victory or the short cuts which always leads to temporary success and victory?

Ruth’s decision to leave her homeland and become a foreigner in another land earned her Gods Favour. She didn’t say, “Oh I am a foreigner”, instead she was industrious and was divinely positioned in Boaz’ field and never lacked any good thing.

When the jobs are not forth coming, get up and do something. Don’t be a burden on people because you haven’t gotten what you desire and are too lazy to take a step towards success. The little things add up to become big. Wherever you find yourself away from home, don’t say I don’t know anyone here and sit on your behind waiting for success to come knocking at your door, go out and who knows where you will find yourself. There are so many Boaz’ field out there. You cannot find them sitting at home of sleeping in bed.

That DECISION is all it takes!

PRAYER: Dear God, I am so sorry for my past laziness. I am so sorry for taking every No as an answer. I am sorry for letting rejection put me in a position of laziness. I have come to the understanding that he that is faithful in little, much is given to him. I choose today to begin this journey to success irrespective of how long it may be. I choose to wake up and go out and be successful. I choose to stand up, go out and provide for my household. Set within me a determination to be at my best and succeed. I ask that this day you position me in Boaz’ field that you have prepared for me. I decree that I remain attached to the source of divine Favour. Plant helpers on my way in every area I shall find myself on this journey to permanent success and victory. When the temptation to cheat and take the easy way out comes my way, give me grace and strength to overcome. I choose your help above all else because you are faithful. Help me put my total trust in you. This I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Ruth Series – Part 2

©BLArticles2016

Picture credit : Google

If I was to take my time to do a survey on the issue of decision, I am sure I would have a lot of people tell of how they wish they didn’t make that decision. In every home where the father is existent, God who made him the head also made him the one to have the last say in matters regarding his family. Oh how many homes have fallen prey to wrong and rash decisions.

There was a family of four in a country which was experiencing famine at that time. The father decided to take his whole crew to another land that had all they needed. On getting there and settling down, the man didn’t live long enough to enjoy all there was which made him leave his home country for. After a while his sons followed. The wife and mother was left all alone with her daughter-inlaws.

As I read Ruth chapter one verses one through to five, I wondered if Naomi had prayed for her husband, perhaps they wouldn’t have left Bethlehem-Judah in the first place but trusted in God to see them through the famine or if at all they left, her husband and sons would have still been alive. Every woman, young and old, should learn and make it a lifestyle of saying a word of prayer over her MAN. Don’t say I am not married, it is not too early to start praying. If his decisions are wrong, you will suffer from it. If they are right, God-led and God-inspired, you will enjoy the blessings of it.

It is not shouting and finger pointing that would do the magic here. Don’t say because he makes wrong decision, you become the one who makes decisions for the family. It is not your place to do that and sorry to say, you are heading for grave disaster if you are continue. Like someone said, “Men are the head of the family and Women the heart”. Do you know that right decisions are deeply thought through? So if you are the heart, know that your position is so important. Just as a well heart pumps blood to all parts of the body, a praying woman is synonymous to a well heart.

Always say a prayer over your MAN.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I bring my Man (mention his name) before you. Lead him in every decision he makes that concerns him and the family. Let his decisions be in line with your plan and purpose for him and this family as a whole. Father, he would not be in a hurry to decide and he would not make any wrong decision. Forgive and have mercy Lord where in the past, we have made wrong and rash decisions. Father right them today and save us from the consequences of them. Forever lead us Lord and don’t let challenges cause him to ever doubt you or your promises. Let them make him trust you even more. This I pray in Jesus Name. Amen.

Ruth Series – Part 1

©BLArticles2016

As the year began on Thursday 1st January, just like everyone grateful to see the new year, I was much more because I looked forward to a miracle. I looked forward to a year of bliss as some days later in the 1st month of 2015, I became a year older. I remembered asking God for one birthday gift – A MIRACLE. I was losing a priceless treasure and all I wanted was to hear that I didn’t.

Unlike most people, my year started with a loss exactly 12 days to my birthday. I sunk in mild depression and was almost inconsolable. Funny enough, I was able to put on a smile everyday at work like nothing happened only to retire home and sink into my husbands embrace covered with great sadness. He encouraged me and gradually I picked up the pieces of me and had a wonderful birthday. 

As the year continued, I prayed for joy for each day and chose happiness and love. I was indeed happy because God blessed me, He blessed my family, He blessed my friends and there was so much good news all around. Amidst all the goodness, there were decisions I had to make. There were mistakes I made as well. I made new friends as well as lost “so-called” friends. 

Recounting the year is a personal journey for me but briefly I’ll share few of the many things I learnt in the course of this year:

• Don’t hold on to anyone or anything which constantly gives you reason to question your decision to keep holding on.
• When you are truly and genuinely happy for those around you, God sees your heart and gives you reason to be happy as well.
• When you wish and pray for good things to happen to others, good things happen to you without your knowledge.
• Forgive people who offend or take advantage of you. God daily forgives your shortcomings and overlooks them.
• When you bless the lives of those who cannot bless you back, you are showing them what God’s love is all about.
• Don’t lend a helping hand because of what you will get in return.
• When it comes to money, only lend out an amount you can part with to someone who is always lending. Never lend from someone to give another. When you don’t have, be yourself and let them know you can’t help them at that time.
• Just as excess weight deprives you of moving around and if not well checked can cost your life. Watch your life, your thoughts, your desires. Let go of all excesses in every forms. Simplicity with God in it is the most beautiful way of Live.
• Most importantly, always tell the truth with your mouth, your actions and your deeds.
• Last but not the least, be YOU – don’t pretend to be who or what you are not. 

  As 2015 gradually folds away, let us count the blessings we have for they greatly out way the losses we have experienced. Do not enter the boat of 2016 with any baggage. Sort out the needful and the wants and enter 2016 light and filled with all positivity. Be happy and be hopeful for a better and greater year.

Thank God for a beautiful 2015. Have a very beautiful 2016 with God.

With Love from,

Phebe Olaniran

(Writer for BLArticles)

Research has shown that over 70% of people suffer from hunger. Sometimes if you have never experienced it, you will not understand. I am not one who can say this from experience but I have lived where people suffered from this. 

I am always governed by this phrase, “owe no man anything but love”. Water can keep one going even if he has no food to eat that is why water is said to be life. We are gradually wrapping up this first episode of “12-days of sharing LOVE” and to everyone who has participated in one way or the other, I appreciate you. To others who want to, it’s not too late to join.

Today’s gift is, “SHARE A DRINK”. As you step out to go get a drink for yourself, kindly get another for a friend. This could be your desk-mate or your room-mate or even the cleaner that you pass in the hall way.

  I am one that don’t like surprises but get me a chilled cup of orange juice or even a bottle of water and see how wide my grin will be. I promise you that I would be so so happy. That’s exactly how someone else would feel today.

Welcome to December!!!

©BLArticles 2015

Disclaimer: This article is not to praise anyone neither is it aimed at hurting anyone. Everything written here was by an imperfect human who believes in a perfect God. You can learn from what I share on this blog but let God direct you and give you true wisdom.

I can almost imagine the wait. Yesterday I didn’t post any written gift from my box of LOVE. It was an “open cheque” kind of gift. You were to decide what to share, why sharing what and who to share with. What did you share?

I have a dear friend who went through a major physical, emotional and spiritual test over the weekend. Her challenge seemed to weigh me down such that I couldn’t find the right words to say to her at the time. I was short of words and it was so obvious.

Usually, people say once you have walked a particular road in your life, you will be the best to help someone else walking that same part. Sometimes it’s not always so. As much as I care for people, I am always almost dumb when a storm hits such a one. I checked up on my dear friend to know how she was doing and handling the big test. What she sent to me was nothing but encouragement. In this situation, who was to encourage who? She encouraged me in spite of what she was going through.

  Today’s gift is, “ENCOURAGE SOMEONE”. You can never tell what someone is going through. They may look so fat and all smiling but may be so sick and depressed. Don’t say, why do I need to encourage him/her when it’s obvious I need the encouragement? Sometimes you have to encourage someone to encourage yourself.

Welcome to December!!!

©BLArticles 2015

Disclaimer: This article is not to praise anyone neither is it aimed at hurting anyone. Everything written here was by an imperfect human who believes in a perfect God. You can learn from what I share on this blog but let God direct you and give you true wisdom.

I always looked forward to Christmas as a kid because, aside from wearing new clothes, we ate food like fried rice and chicken and we had the opportunity of visiting friends. Some other Christmas, we were at camp with other church members and yes we wore our new clothes there and the rice prepared and shared that day was special too.

Growing up, I never placed so much importance to clothes and food on Christmas Day anymore. It became like every other day to me just that it was Christmas Day. At some point, it was at the end of the day I remembered, “Oh today is Christmas!”

We are surrounded by people with great needs and just as we have been sharing LOVE in various forms this past 5 days, I want to encourage you on this Sunday Morning, Afternoon or Night (whichever applies to you) to plan towards putting a smile on one person’s face this Christmas. As you sit on that comfortable couch watching TV or as you stand making that delicious Sunday meal or even as you lie on that cozy bed of yours, think of someone that would look back and remember that because of you, he/she/they smiled and were very happy.

  
I am not asking you to buy someone a brand new car or build a house for someone or do something so out of the ordinary; but if you can, why not. All I am asking is that today, take your pen and write down what you wanna do for atleast one person for Christmas. Maybe buy that little child a toy, give that single mother some money, whatever it is is up to you. Just plan.

WELCOME TO DECEMBER!!!

©BLArticles 2015

Disclaimer: This article is not to praise anyone neither is it aimed at hurting anyone. Everything written here was by an imperfect human who believes in a perfect God. You can learn from what I share on this blog but let God direct you and give you true wisdom.

My husband is so used to me calling out for help especially with things that my hands can’t get to. So now, instead of calling, he’ll just ask if there’s anything I need him to help me with. 

Help is something that can be difficult for people to ask for, not because of pride or anything but because they might not take “turning them down” very well. Look around you, there is someone who needs help. It might be an old person who needs to cross the road, it might be a pregnant woman who needs to sit in transit. It might even be your wife trying to zip up her dress or your child trying to tie the laces on his shoe.

The gift card opened today from our box of LOVE is “Help Someone”. So today as you go about your day, lend a helping hand.

  WELCOME TO DECEMBER!!!
©BLArticles 2015
Disclaimer: This article is not to praise anyone neither is it aimed at hurting anyone. Everything written here was by an imperfect human who believes in a perfect God. You can learn from what I share on this blog but let God direct you and give you true wisdom.