Emmanuel Okoro (aka MrLift)

Every action is a proceed of thoughts. Your thoughts and your actions work hand in hand. For anything to exist it must first exist as a thought. If it can happen in your thoughts, then it is permissible for it to happen in your life. If it can't happen in your thought, then it does not have permission to happen in your life. "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. (Ps.10.4) One way to live a pure life is to have pure thoughts. If your thoughts are not pure, your life cannot be pure. While the fool says in his heart there is no God, the wicked banishes God from his thoughts.  "This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions". (Col.1.21) The way we were in time past separated from God was first in our evil thoughts and then our actions. And since our thoughts produce our actions, our actions could not be any be

How do you describe someone invisible? That may sound like an incorrect question. So let's rephrase the question. How do you describe an invisible concept or a virtual reality? Any good teacher knows that when you want to introduce an unknown concept, you go from the know to the unknown. That way most students will be able to relate. That was what God did to us when He wanted to show us His invisible self. Jesus told his disciples, if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" (John.14.9) The same truth is what the Apostle Paul explains here : "We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created". (Col.1.15) To see God we have to see the son, and when we see the son we have seen t

There are so many benefits that we have in Christ that we are not enjoying. I remember sitting in a service where someone said that God is our Jehovah Tsidkenu, that is, the Lord is our righteousness (see Jer:23:6) And then that still small voices on my inside said, yes, we say these things but most people do not really believe them. If they did, they will not live under the weight of guilt and condemnation. He became sin for us, now we are the righteousness of God in Christ (see 2 Cor:5:21) "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins". (Col.1.12) In Whom... Who? In Christ, we have redemption through His blood. Our redemption is not because of our good works or lack of it. Our redemption is based on everything Jesus did on the cross. We are not going to have it. We already have it. We also have the forgiveness of sins. In other words, God has forgiven us our sins. We have forgiveness of sins. We are not going to get it, we have i

The reason man was created was to fellowship with God but before we actually got down to that, the man was corrupted by sin. And the man lost his place in the garden of Eden. But this did not take God unawares. He knew that man was going to fall and made plans for man's redemption. While God the Father was busy at creation, the Son was at redemption, and the Holy Ghost at regeneration restoring man to the place of fellowship. "[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, (Col.1.12 Amp) The Father did not only deliver us but He also drew us to Himself because that was the plan all along. To have an intimate relationship and fellowship with the Godhead. We are no longer under the dominion of darkness. We are not under the influence of darkness. God delivered us. But furthermore, He transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. We are now

When the rich young ruler called Jesus good Master, Jesus replied to him that none was good except God. When Adam sinned in the garden of Eden, everyone in his loins became sinners even before they were born. "They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one". (Rom.3.12) That's the reason the Bible tells us that all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Rom.3.23) All of these, man in this helpless state of utter disrepair, shows his need for a saviour. But man was not in a position to redeem himself. None was good enough so God came down in the form of man so that He is akin to man and then able to rescue and redeem man and in so doing qualified man. "Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God 's holy people) in the Lig

"We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul--not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy". This passage is self-contradictory in so many ways yet true. How does one endure the unendurable and how does one grit one's teeth with glory-strength? Sometimes what you need is the tenacity to stick it out over the long haul. Imagine that angels came to rescue Christ at calvary. Jesus said it this way, 'he that endures to the end the same shall be saved. "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved". (Mark.13.13) We are not in this for the short run but the full length, the long haul. God did not promise a trouble-free ride but He promised never to leave you. He said He'll be with you in the fire that it will not burn you and through the

To walk worthy one ought first to be worthy. There are many schools of thought that lead credence to the unworthiness of man but you must understand that if you are in Christ, you are a new creature, a different species and so therefore you are worthy. Let's even make the argument for the unworthy nature of man. Who will die for but a good man even scarcely so. If truly man is unworthy why would God give His best to redeem mankind? You are indeed worthy... Now walk as such... "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God". (Col.1.10) God requires that you walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing. Look at the prodigal son for example. His father did not begrudge him that he collected the portion that fell to him. It was his to spend as he chose. The father did not stop him from going into a far country. But this was where the problem was, he went out with so much expectat

Knowing what the will of God for your life is, is not enough. Is it interesting how Jonah knew what God wanted him to do but consciously decided to go in the opposite direction? So knowing the will of God for your life is not enough, you have to be living it. "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Col.1.9) We do not cease to pray for you... Ceaseless prayer is key to knowing and doing the will of God for your life. Some forces militate against you doing the will of God. And the greatest of these is not the devil but the ones that lie within - your flesh, your desires, and your mind. When you can bring your body under, and align your mind with God's will so that you begin to desire what He desires. And to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will. The things you desire are central to

Thank GOD! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits. Thank the God of all gods, His love never quits. Thank the Lord of all lords. His love never quits. Thank the miracle-working God, His love never quits. The God whose skill formed the cosmos, His love never quits. The God who laid out earth on ocean foundations, His love never quits. The God who filled the skies with light, His love never quits. The sun to watch over the day, His love never quits. Moon and stars as guardians of the night, His love never quits. The God who struck down the Egyptian firstborn, His love never quits. And rescued Israel from Egypt's oppression, His love never quits. Took Israel in hand with his powerful hand, His love never quits. Split the Red Sea right in half, His love never quits. Led Israel right through the middle, His love never quits. Dumped Pharaoh and his army in the sea, His love never quits. The God who marched his people through the desert, His love never quits. Smashed

Love is of the spirit. We have heard of praying in the spirit, dancing in the spirit, walking in the spirit, even laughing in the spirit, and now, loving in the spirit. Love is of God. Anything that loves, truly loves, is of God. The Bible says that God is love. It did not say love is God but that God is love. Meaning there cannot be God without love. "Also he has informed us of your love in the [Holy] Spirit". (Col.1.8 Amp.) Love is the nature of God. God cannot do anything outside of love. Just as a dog will bark, a Lion will roar so will God love. And since we are born of God, the Bible tells us that the love of God is shared abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. (see Roman:5:5) So we can love in the spirit. To love in the spirit means that I do not love by reasons of my senses, that is not directed by feelings and emotions but by the Spirit. That means, even when it doesn't look convenient to love, I love. Little wonder, Jesus says, love your enemie

It amazes me when people fight for their gods. Very early in the scriptures, we see the story of Gideon and what mission God had given him. When he carried out this mission, the men of the city came and said, we have to fight the person who had done this to our gods. "And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar". (Judg.6.31) Paul the Apostle tells us that the gospel is the power of God... (see Rom:1:16) If you want to see the power of God, preach the gospel. Little wonder Jesus said these 'signs shall follow when we preach the gospel. (see Mark:16:15-18) Our text today addresses what the gospel does when it comes into your life as it did for the brethren at Colossae. The gospel... "Which has come to you. Indeed, in the whole world [that Gospel] is bea

"You do this because you are looking forward to the joys of heaven--as you have been ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News". (Col.1.5) It has been said that everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die. That statement is only true for those who do not know the joys of heaven. Stories of those who died and came back to life have been that of, well, let's just say, not-so-happy ones because you cannot compare this earth to heaven in any way. Paul the Apostle says "to die is gain". Why? Because nothing compares to the joys of heaven. We do not really know what heaven is like, that's why we are trying to convince ourselves that it is a place to go to. Sneak peek? The streets are made of gold, there is no crying there, no sorrow, no dying, no more pain. Heaven is the place to be. (see Rev.21.4) Really, it is the place you want to be. Jesus talked about this joy too. And He tells us that, that was why he was willing to end

Is there any such thing as knowing how to give but not knowing how to receive? Receiving is just as important as giving. If you give, the reward or the blessing of giving is receiving. The process may begin with you giving but not end until you receive. Some people though, do not know how to receive. If you learn to give, then you must learn how to receive. Look at giving as a farmer planting his seed and then receiving as the farmer harvesting. No farmer plants and allows his harvest to go to waste. "Not that I seek or am eager for [your] gift, but I do seek and am eager for the fruit which increases to your credit [the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account]". (Phil.4.17) When you give, a harvest of blessings is accumulating in your account. When you give, expect to receive. Jesus said it thus: "Give and it shall be given unto you..." (see Luke:6:38) The blessing of giving is receiving. What is the use of giving if you do not rece

An Isoko adage says, "the name you call yourself is what others will call you. Meeting students, I have had cause to ask them if that was the name their parents named them and they say no. My real name is...and then they tell me. But whatever they call themselves is what other students call them. You are who you say you are, but the truth is, you act the way you become because you think that's who you are. So if you called yourself a policeman when you are a soldier, you will act as a policeman. If you are an eagle but call yourself a chicken, then you will act like a chicken. If you call yourself a failure, that's what you begin to act as. Little wonder, Jabez changed his name in the place of prayer, he declared that he is blessed and God granted his prayers. (see 1Chro:4:9-10). The way you act is a deep-seated product of who you think you are and who you think you are is a product of who you call yourself. What do you call yourself? Who are you? "What

The pursuit of happiness is a legitimate one. Someone has said, it is okay to pursue what you think will bring you happiness, only to be sure it really brings you happiness. A lot of people pursue what they think will bring them happiness but only find out after a long hard pursuit they were down the wrong lane. What you think and what is are not always the same. What is the recipe for happiness? "I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty". (Phil.4.12) We see that most times, the people who commit suicide are people who have seen it all and have it all but yet no happiness. Paul says he has the recipe for happiness and says it is to be content whatever your state. I have learned to be happy with so little as much as with much. If the truth were to be told, he was saying that his happiness was not dependent on what he has - little or much.

Due to the advent and prevalence of Social Media, there is a growing sense of need in most people. It is an entitlement mindset that creates a need where none exists. This mindset creates a craving that the available means cannot satisfy. In the end, they are left with a sense of need. "Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances".(Phil.4.11) We see people putting their best foot forward, posting pictures and videos of themselves at locations that seem out of this world, and then it leaves you longing. Longing for what is not. People living fake lives and then you want to live up to a fictitious standard. And this put you under a lot of strain. It changes you into trying to become what you are not. The Apostle Paul says I have no sense of needing anything personally. I have learned to be quite content whatever my circumstances.  A lot of lessons here. The first is that

Learning hasn't taken place unless there has been a behaviour change. We cannot go around thinking we have learned when it is not in operation in our lives. Practice what you have learned. "Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you". (Phil.4.9) One reason people are not making the desired change is that they have a mental accent and they assume they have learned. The story of the Parable of the Sower in Mark:4:3-8 comes to mind. The different classes of people heard the word and received the word, some practiced the word and got results others did not practice and therefore did not get results. Some heard the word, and received the word but not long, the word was stolen. For others, the circumstances of life choked the word that they could not practice the word. The ones who got results were those who received and pra

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus". (Phil.4.9) One of the most sort after commodities today is peace. Peace is not the absence of disquiet but despite it. It is a state of oneness, of agreement within and without, nothing missing, nothing broken. But the society cannot enjoy collective peace except there is first individual peace. It is the accumulation of individual peace that will bring about collective societal peace. Peace is not the absence of war but the presence of justice and equity. And it is only God that gives lasting peace. The peace that God gives supersedes all else. The peace that God gives is a guard over your heart and mind. It keeps worry away. The previous verse tells us how to achieve this peace. It says it is by making your request known to God with thanksgiving. The reason this peace from God passes all understanding is that it is there despite the troubles of life

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns". (Phil.1.6) The instruction is very clear, instead of worrying, pray. Do not fret or worry. 'Why worry when you can pray' is how the songwriter puts it. Worry seems to take up a lot of space in our hearts and mind. If you can't help worrying remember that worrying can't help you. Our text suggests a different strategy for worrying. It says to turn your worries into petitions and praises. It says petition and praises should shape your worries into prayer. So instead of dwelling on negative thoughts about an area of concern, I will open my mouth and let petition and praise shape that concern into prayers to God. Truth is prayer will do you more good than worrying. Worrying changes nothing but prayers can move mountains. Prayer is talking with God, praise is talking to God but worrying is negative self-talk

"Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!" (Phil.4.5) How clear can it be further expressed? I am not against you. Jesus is not against you. God is not against you. One of the proofs of the presence of God is the presence of peace. When God is not present chaos and darkness reign. Genesis tells us that the earth was formless and darkness was upon the face of the deep. Then God spoke light. People are meant to live together in peace. The absence of peace is the absence of God. The absence of God is the presence of darkness and the presence of darkness is the absence of peace. The Master is about to return. Matthew 24 foretells some of the things happening right now. Take heart and don't be moved. This is our consolation, there is rest for us. To you who are troubled, Paul says, rest with us. "And to

We live in a world today that validates the practice of God's word. When the word says you are healed, sickness will come to test that word. Mark tells us that persecution arises for the word's sake. "And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended." (Mark.4.17) Your word will be tried. It will be tested. The Psalmist says that the word of God is tried seven times. (see Ps :12:6) That brings us to our text. It says "Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!" (Phil.4.4) Someone would ask if it was possible to rejoice always. It says delight yourself. In other words, make yourself happy. Now if the word of God says delight yourself, make yourself happy, for that word's sake, you will see a thousand and one reasons why you should not delight yourself. But that is exactly when you

The church began with a great sense of unity. I dare say one of the reasons the early church experienced so much power is because of the unity that they walked in. We see several records of this in the book of Acts of the Apostles. (see Acts1:14, 2:26, etc) But as the church began to grow we see disagreement began to creep in. (See Acts:6) Unity is very powerful. Little wonder Paul says to the sisters Euodia and Syntyche to settle their disagreement. "And now I want to plead with those two women, Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. (Phil.4.2) Settle your disagreement because you belong to the Lord. Jesus prayed that the Father should make them one as we are one. "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (John.17.21) So God's will is for us to live in unity. The only reason Paul gave to the disa