GOD. FAMILY. GREATNESS.

God Family Greatness

[inspiredbyisaac]

How Deep is your Love?

Would you consider yourself a Loving person? Ask me this question 3 years ago and I would reply with certainty. But ask me this question now and I would reply 'to an extent'. Let me explain my logic... 

Now I'm talking for myself here and if you’re with me then great! But I've grown to realise something... 

Love is not a mushy thing or a subject for toddlers. It is easy to Love those who are easy to Love, and it's harder to Love them when they are not being so Lovable. 

It's also extremely harder to Love your haters!! Like who wants to grab a coffee with your number 1 critic? I'll pass for now. 

So, what is it about this true selfless, forgiving, non judgemental, always believing in the best, whilst eating a humble pie type of Love that stretches the capacity of our human hearts? 

Personally, I think it's the lack of understanding of how God Loves us and the lack of power to accept that.

We must admit that most of us don’t realise how much Love is lavished on us day by day. We’re plagued and have developed the self infecting mindset about our self value due to what people have said or how they treated us. 

But wait, let me stop there and get back to this subject of Love. 

In the words of the wisest man who walked this earth, 'freely you have received, freely give', now what if we haven't opened ourselves up to receive an increased measurement of God's love?

How do we freely give what we have not received?

Love is a supernatural language that translates us into the best versions of ourselves. 

Love is prophetic as it see's the best even when it's not so apparent. It believes the best when people are acting like the worst and chooses to calls out the highest potential in that person. 

Love is also freedom. It allows people to be ugly and then finds so much joy in discovering the beauty within that chaos. 

Love is sometimes strange. It makes people look weird and do weird things like pick your loved one's nose ( maybe that's just what I'd do LOL) 

And truthfully Love is a risk - it leaves you open to getting hurt. 

But my point is this, Love has so many shades to it that it demands an increase of capacity on your behalf. If you truly want to embody Love, it's going to cost you a price. 

Truthfully, you can’t have the pleasures of Love without enduring the pains of Love. 

I really like this inspirational prayer uttered by my uncle Paul, a legendary spiritual figure, he prayed:

May you have the POWER to UNDERSTAND, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how DEEP his LOVE is. EPHESIANS 3:18 NLT 

This encourages us to take the limits off our Love. I dare you to ask God to reveal to you more and more of how much he Loves you, and ask him to increase your capacity for Loving people. 

To understand God's Love you need to ask him for the power. His love is like a dynamite that if you would fully experience it, you would ignite and explode. His power gives you the capability to experience and demonstrate Love. 

All in all my purpose in writing this is to stir up in you the desire to Love outside your comfort zone and become someone's encounter of Love today ( 'Love encounter' sounds like a saucy dating site but I digress lol... forgive me) 

I believe you can do this. Let me know how it goes. 

Peace out! Isaac Tendo #TheCreativeParadox

[inspiredbyisaac]

Shape world with your Words

The words you speak & the words you listen to sink into your soul and have the power to shape your world. Words have an attractive force. They carry energy, ideas, and virtue.

So the words you are currently speaking have the power to propel or compel certain ideas, people, & environments into your life. In Mark 11:23: Jesus spoke to his disciples saying:

“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says”

There is a direct link between your words and the condition of your heart. A faith filled heart will move mountains with its words. A doubt filled heart will breed more problematic pollution into your life.

Words are like transactions. The words you speak deposit abundance or lack into your life and the lives of others.

The message bible puts it this way: Words kill, words give life; They’re either poison or fruit—you choose. (proverbs 18:21)

Some people are bankrupt with their words. They have nothing positive to say & anything they do say leaves you overdrawn.

With the power of words established join me at exploring ways in which we can use our words to shape our world for the better.

1) Use deliberate words to design your world

I think God is the best teacher when it comes to how we can use our words, why?  Because he invented them.

Then God said, “Let there be light!” So there was light. God saw the light was good. So God separated the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:3-4)

We can see here God intentionally speaking out what he desired to manifest. What about you? What are deliberately speaking on a daily basis?

Confessions, affirmations, and declarations whatever you want to call them are simply you speaking truth, calling into being the things which are not and reshaping your mental frame.

I’ve been practising this habit for abit and it has done wonders to me!

When my mind goes into blank mode I hear the echoes of these positive words, or even when I face challenging circumstances I’m more quick to speak positively because I’ve disciplined myself to speak these words.

Proverbs 23:7 states: ‘As a man thinks in his heart so is he’

So as these positive words marinate your heart and your heart grows to believe them, you change and therefore your world changes.

2.) Words you feed in, are the words you bleed out

Everyday we expose our selves to words. Most recently I had to go on a twitter clear out because there are certain people who use obscene, negative and discouraging words to consistently.

These words harass my spirit and I had to shut it out because it wasn’t building me up.

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)

I see my heart as a treasure chest. What I store in will eventually overflow.

You have to see your self as treasure hunter, look for words of encouragement, words that expand your imagination, words that exuberant with love and joy and store those words into heart.

As proverbs 4:23 says, ‘Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life’.

So by feeding on those upbuilding words your world will start to reflect what is stored in your heart and take a positive direction.

3) Put a muzzle on your mouth

The same way we need to guard our hearts is the same way we need to guards our mouths.

We are stewards of the words we speak. However we live in a society where people can be reckless with their words camouflaged as ‘banta’. 

However Proverbs 12:18 says: “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” So how can we be we become wise with our words?

‘Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.’ (Psalms 141:3)

Becoming aware and mindful of the impact of our words is sign of maturity. Words are tools. People are like houses. Some words are like bricks they build up a person, and other words are like a bulldozers - built to destroy.

So watching our words is a fundamental function that wise practise. As we use our words to shape our world, we need to be deliberate & selective with the words we speak as this creates the atmosphere we live in.

Secondly The words we feed in are the word we bleed out, so the question is what is the quality of your intake? Are the words that you’re taking like junk food or like a healthy salad?

And lastly by putting a muzzle on our mouth we gain the ability to monitor and examine just how we are using our words as tools. Remember, we are stewards of our words. 

I believe words are gifts, and at the end of this life we will give an account of how we used them. So it’s so important we be wise and use it to shape the world for the better.

I hope this blessed you and encouraged you. Watch the vlog for this video: https://youtu.be/fikAkdV47zM

[inspiredbyisaac]

3 Ways to Better your Relationship with God.

There’s a beautiful simplicity in following God, but there’s this thing about us humans; we have the tendency to over complicate things. Especially in relationships! 

I remember when I was young, making and keeping friends was so easy because we loved with our whole heart, we was sincere with our expression, and stayed true to our pure devotion. As a result I have the greatest childhood friends. 

I believe these 3 principles will take your relationship with God into a new level. So let’s explore what each point means in a little more detail. 

1. Love with your Whole Heart

Any intimate relationship requires the investment of your heart. Your heart is the life force of your life. To better your relationship with God you must trust him with the most intimate parts of you. 

I always say that your closest friends are the ones you can be transparent with, tell your deepest secrets to, and share life experiences together - this is the same with God. 

Allow him to enter into the chambers of your heart and give him nothing less than all of you because he paid the full price to be intimate with you. 

2.Be Sincere in your Expression

Your expression is your worship. Any relationship is founded on communication. The deeper the intimacy the more sincerity is found in your expression. 

God is constantly expressing himself to us. Our Father pursues us relentlessly and we have a choice to recognise that and respond to Him. I’d encourage you to be more radical in your expression to God. 

God loves to see you respond in awe and wonder to his amazing Love and care for you. As you show him that you acknowledge Him through your expression, this could be singing, dancing, writing, or even just simply talking to him, let it come from the truest part of your heart. 

God wants the truest part of you, because that’s what he most Loves about you.     

3.Pursue a Pure Devotion 

Your devotion to God is your commitment to know him and to live a lifestyle pleasing to him. However in the world  alot of things demand our attention. So how can we keep our devotion pure? 

I believe it starts from our perspective. When you have something you value so much because of it’s rarity and its meaning to you, you’d do everything in your power to protect it. 

This is the same with your relationship with God. You were created to be a Son/Daughter of God. This is your prime purpose in life: to be known by him and for him to make himself known to you. 

Out of this relationship all of the blessings in your life overflows. So you must protect it from the pollution of being too busy to spend time with Him, the temptation of living a lifestyle that is contrary to His Word, and the persuasion of being infected by the mindset of negativity. 

You must protect your devotion from pollution!

A pure devotion is precious to God and all the giants of faith one way or another had this principle working in their lives, and this took them to discover and demonstrate the wonders and mysteries that eyes have never seen. 

So today I encourage you to take your relationship with God to a higher height with these 3 principles. 

I hope this stirred up your spirit and gave you clarity on how you can practically improve your relationship with your Heavenly Father. He Love’s you so much and don’t you ever forget that. 

[inspiredbyisaac]

Stay Patient & Trust Your Journey

Your destiny was written before its time. Don't worry if it seems like you haven't arrived. We will never arrive in life. This journey of greatness is a process. A series of steps. So stay faithful in the few.

Stay humble and hungry. God hasn't forgotten you. Your life will impact nations and generations but first the change must start with you.

You’re called out to pioneer a path that the rest can follow. There is no room for you to give up now. Destiny is waiting for you. Waiting for you to make a decision that will cause a tsunami of ripples and immerse your circle of influence with change.

You see God usually looks for someone like you, who is willing, available, and devoted to advancing his plans & purposes in your life. I believe you’ve read this by divine coincidence and the spirit is whispering - ‘It’s time’.

So with undying passion it’s time to pursue your dream. It’s time to let go of your limitations and face the possibilities. Cease the moment and savour the flavour because destiny awaits for you so don’t make yourself a stranger.

[inspiredbyisaac]

See yourself through God’s eyes

I grew up without much affirmation. Matter of fact, I grew up with much more disaffirmation than anything else. Words such as ‘You’re dumb’, ‘Why can’t you be more like your cousin’ and other negative words plague the memories of my childhood. You can imagine the power that these words had on my self image.

Just like me, you have words that haunt you whether explicitly or subliminally. It may be the reason why you are not pursuing the desires and dreams that have been placed on your heart.

My point is that words have sticking power. Words can infect your spirit with venom or virtue. In this case I got infected with venom that made me believe I was a good for nothing.

After discrediting myself from the blessings that were coming my way, a dear friend of mine told me to ‘see myself the way God sees me’. Due to my lack of esteem I disqualified myself from the promotion that God was preparing and presenting to me.

I can’t lie building up your self image is an ongoing process that requires reworking of the mind. But as we apply truth and chew upon the delightful promises of God a mindset shift will begin.

Here are 3 truths that have helped me: 

1. I am his poetry

This truth is revealed in Ephesians 2:10. The word ‘Workmanship’ can be translated to poetry. Just think of how beautiful, complex, and symbolic poems can be. Now think of God as the poet of all poets writing a stanza in your life. I am a creative person and to me this gives me freedom to be as out of the box as I want to. I am his poetry and not everyone will understand me and that’s the beauty. I am a unique piece of art!

2. I am hidden with Christ

Colossians 3:3 remarkably says ‘For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God (HCSB)’. My life is a mystery and only God knows the hidden potential and gifts that will be unlocked in my destiny. Not even I know how glorious I am in Christ. Though people may look at me now and think I am worthless, my God calls me a walking wonder!

3. I am expensive

You tend to value things you pay a high price for: a diamond ring, a new sport car, maybe a luxurious holiday. The worth of something is determined by how much you are willing to pay for it and my life is worth God’s life because “He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.” (1 Timothy 2:6a NLT).

God didn’t hold back his bank account when it came to making me his own. With this knowledge I know a lot has been invested in me and it would be stupid to waste this life by making no impact.

These are just some truths that have helped me see myself the way God sees me and I hope it helps you too.

Watch the vlog & subscribe to the youtube channel for weekly inspiration: 

[inspiredbyisaac]

Self Improvement VS God Improvement

A lot of us want to grow closer to God without the brokenness that it requires. Reflecting on my journey there are many times I've tried to better myself in my own strength.

Every time I've tried - I've failed. I can't do it on my own will. Don't get me wrong it's okay to have a plan to improve yourself but don't let that stop the power of the Holy Ghost working on you. 

We can easily become focused on ourselves when He has commanded that we fix our eyes on him - the author of our faith. I had to remember that it's not about me or what I can do because He has written my story way before I was born.

It's about having a heart of surrender. Laying all my being at his feet so he can mould me. It's about knowing the pain has a purpose. And as a Father who dearly loves me he will discipline me for my long term good.

My encouragement for you today is simple. Let go and let God be God. He's qualified at changing people's lives more than anyone else. His motives are the purest and you can rest assured that he who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Glory.

[inspiredbyisaac]

The Biggest Lie I believed 

[inspiredbyisaac]

Prayer: The Release of Destiny

I pray you soak yourself in the atmosphere of worship  and carry the taste of heaven appetising all the places you go. Let the light of God’s love illuminate the hidden chambers  of your heart and never leave you in darkness  may he make you a generous giver of your  time, treasures, and talents for the glory of his Kingdom I pray your eyes are open to the overflowing  opportunities of grace that is paved on your path  with thanks giving. I ask that destiny helpers are sent to guide your feet  and protect you from stumbling and staying defeated I ask that your friendship circle shall build you up in encouragement  and fortify your inner man with endurance to run your race Let all limits in your life be broken right now  May the spirit of inspiration guide you to ideas  that will immediately impact your nation Let the fire for your purpose never been quenched  and may God who is rich in supply  provide you with the energy to pursue  the destiny of the higher calling on your life relentlessly! Let peace be your guard May grace and favour  before God and men increase in your life I pray your heart grows in the understanding  of the vast thoughts and plans  that has been predestined for your life I ask these things on behalf of all who read this and post Amen In the name of The Messiah Jesus

[inspiredbyisaac]

The Mystical Atmosphere of Heaven.

Prayer is the spiritual breath between Heaven and Earth. God adores the sweet smelling aroma of your requests. Did you know that the atmosphere around heaven, around the very supreme being God, is created through your worship and praise? How wonderful!

It is written that there are angels who carry our prayers in sun-like gold bowls that shimmer before the Father's majestic throne. This means that the fabric that weaves our affections and deepest yearning must be of the most highest quality. We can not present sacrifices that God will reject, that would be a waste of a divine opportunity.

God loves the fact that you need him. Its like a father and child relationship, he is so jealous to help us in our needs. He cares for you so deeply that he would submerse himself in the smokes of your cries, in the ashes of your joy, and in your desperate pleads for direction!

Our prayers today affect the atmosphere of heaven. What an amazing thought! With this in mind our attitude towards prayer must change from duty to delight, from earthly to heavenly, and from momentary to continually. May you never see prayer as a religious duty but a heavenly activity! (Revelations 5:8)

[inspiredbyisaac]

The Real YOU

There is great power in authenticity. Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.

There is no service in you trying to fit into someone else's shoe. God designed you to express his uniqueness. Only you can show off his Love like the way you do. No one else can love like you. It's a shame to keep all that awesomeness to yourself!

So stop comparing yourself to what this system tells you to be. Set yourself free. Look to God and ask him to show you who you are. In this you will find that your wings will spread. Your smile shall shine. Your heart will explode at the freedom you find at being YOU.

YOU are a unique idea. A unique expression. A masterpiece. Shine your light today and give us the gift of you - The real YOU!

[inspiredbyisaac]

The Audacity to Believe

In life you have to develop the nerve that urges you to believe in dreams incomprehensible to your mind. The audacity to believe stems from a conviction that the power to make your visions come true lies in the depths of your heart. Your heart is the life force that carries a energy field that repels or attracts the most dominate passions inside of you. 

The fire inside of you needs to be fanned, because at the moment you decide to neglect it the power to believe fades away. Always take risks. Always remain sharp. Never let opinions or experiences of other people dull you down or shape your reality. Surround yourself with quality people that heighten your thoughts.

It all starts with a thought. Once you can hold a glorious thought and refine it into a vivid image, your heart begins to feed off that energy and vibration. God is the highest thought that you can hold within your mind. Be aware of him. Dedicated your life to him. Be open minded to his guiding whispers. 

As you begin to apply this, the courage, the breakthrough, the audacity to believe will be your greatest tool in carving the hands of destiny for your life. Remember, no dream is to big for a man that fearlessly believes all things are possible. Dare to dream!