Man plan and God laughs

The joy that fills my heart, I always heard people talk of butterflies in their bellies I never got understand what they meant till I had my first encounter. It’s more of a sick feeling but somehow you like the cause to the sickness than the sickness. I try not to get ahead of myself but can’t get things in order despite my calmness I keep losing it, I cant deny it he’s there. I keep tossing and turning eagerly waiting for morning to rise so I can keep on with him, it’s not a dream or fantasy its real because I’m living every minute of it.

Thus this far you have carried me through, five years of stay in this land of Malaysia (as some would say it) have been a great and more journey that was filled with all manner of emotions and life experiences. July 2007 I touched down in Asia with solely intention of spending the exact specified time that's my course schedule, little did I know that the Almighty God had better plans for me. Long story short four years turned to be five years and a few months on the side having accomplished what I came for, it was not because of my hard working that earned me the good results but the grace and favour of God along with endless mercies that patched up here and there. Anyone can start, in fact we can all start something in life but it’s only a handful that will see it to the end of what they started, I purposed to be tenacious and persevere and I finally attained the mark I have set for myself.

I was like a little bird that knew it’s time for it to learn how to fly but was lazy to make a few attempts on its own, till the mother bird pushes out of the nest to fall down and on its way down its compelled to stretch its wings, flap a few times and get hold of the wind tide so it can fly well. Despite what my parents taught me I just refused to grow up, I never had boarding school experience or Christmases away from family nor school holidays far from loved ones. I was just in that corner till I made a decision to come over and that’s where I felt the pushing off my parents care and protection, from crying when I’m faced with a hard decision or crisis to handle right there then wait for someone to tell me what to do to solve the situation to immediately respond to the situation then cry later. Hahaha I still don’t get it why I used to do that but somehow I felt its consoling.

 …from an arrogant and full of attitude girl, to this constantly growing beautiful inside out young woman who has gone through immerse transformation that currently allows her to now live on her own, get married and sure will make a good wife someday and mother. …from a person that needed an intermediary to mingle  with ‘other friends’ to a slightly sociable woman that still needs more fixing and I will keep pressing on till I achieve the mark of the high calling, I won’t give up on this one till i get it right.   

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails (Proverbs 19:21) we all plan in life, to accomplish one or two things but the most important thing is to know that God plans for our lives prevails over all. One of greatest teachings I learnt and will forever cherish.

I believe this is my write up for this year unless the Spirit of God says otherwise, to be honest with you all that I have been writing and posting here and on Facebook every month was NEVER in my plans for 2012. I knew I had a little passion of writing but never thought it will blossom like it did, which clearly shows that our plans seem to be myopic at times and its only when we allow His divine plans to move that we see a clear picture.Its through these write ups that I touched few people, one way or the other and they appreciated how I listened and obeyed Gods command to change or heal one area of their lives. As you welcome 2013 plan wisely but do not forget to be ready to adjust or cancel some in order to pave a way for Gods.

   ***Lets plan but make a room for Gods plans to take over….

by 

Kesego Ramoleko

Humility

Humility is accepting correction on the things you know how to do, letting someone correct you does not say you missed it but rather says you are willing to keep quiet about your little knowledge and listen to gain more wisdom on the matter. Proverbs 1:5 KJV  A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.

Humility is going beyond the expectation of being humble and the pressure you get from the outlined laws of nobility that compel you to ‘act’ humble but it is  knowing that you cannot live without humbling yourself before others, more like pieces of a puzzle. It does not matter if you are that piece in the middle that has most of the picture figured out, the truth is you cannot be complete without other ‘useless’ pieces that are on the sides.*No man is an island

Humility is stooping low, getting your reputation and status muddy because you see something precious under that mud, something that can be washed or molded into a beautiful and fearful being. In the majestic and fullness of God, He saw it fit to come- kneel down on earth and dirty His hands by taking clay to shape you then give you His breath.

Humility is acknowledging the position or rank you are holding but yearning to step down and serve those below you, understanding that reaching out to others is when you serve and not being served. If Christ sat down and washed His disciples feet, teaching and showing them the importance of humility as a service you render to your subordinates what then makes us think that, that cannot be our forte.

Humility is knowing exactly what meekness is and making sure you do not mix the two. Submitting to both elders and youth has little to reflect on your genuine character, being able to stand in long queues can only tell people that you are patient enough but when you start thinking you are not cut out for queues that is the starting point of pride. Telling your pride to fall off and you step on it no matter how hard it may seem then accept that the world does not revolve around you is HUMILITY, continually training yourself to be patient and not let your ego be easily provoked is (meekness) a step of growth leading to being humble.  

I can list them all but I usually believe we all know God according to the way He has revealed Himself to us, and how we expected Him to manifest in our diverse situations. To a young lady that was attacked by robbers and she called out God for help, that woman would know God as a helper and saviour  to a family that does not know where to expect its next meal from and a friend passes by to give them food would know God as their provider but the truth is knowing God in a certain way does not mean that is His fullness.

***Sidetrack***

When you teach a child about a square and tell him that when drawn on a piece of paper it appears to have four sides but in actual fact it has six sides, they may not understand immediately how you mean. It is only when you go to the box company and buy freshly cut and packed boxes, bring them home and show him practically that when its hallow- opened both sides it reflects four sides but when you close and seal both ends it becomes six sides.

      

 

When you plan on putting something inside either to protect it or preserve it you will need to close one end first then will you be able to put in that particular thing of yours then close the top part, so when the box is just new you will be need to bend the side flaps of the box where it is already marked for you to bend then seal it.

I have explained two things above, one about the sides and the other about shaping the box; the first explanation would resemble how we get to know God, if you have not seen Him perform a miracle for you and fight for you in court that does not mean He is not a miracle worker and an advocate for His children. During our daily endeavours we come across a lot of things that challenge and push us towards the cliff but how we respond matters, instead of  reacting ask God to teach you how to walk through those diverse situations. The second and last explanation refers to how we can allow God to bend and mold us into better people so that we can hold and store precious things within us.

The truth is all this can be easily achieved but it is required of us to be humble enough to hearken unto the voice of the Holy Spirit, in order for us to throw away nasty attitude and build in a new character that will sustain us throughout (John 14:26). At times I find it hard to open up some areas of my life and allow God to sweep out the dust and scrub the stinky mould that has accumulated over the years due to my pride but I must do it if I'm serious about moving forward.

Talking or sharing about humility is not a walk in the park kind of thing for me because I struggled for a long time to learn and apply a few that I talked about in here, my hope is you will also do the same and allow God to show you the importance of humility.

TO BE CONTINUED… on the importance of humility.

By Kesego Ramoleko

He will not come to ask about your beauty or gifts that have no evidence But He will come to reference the deeds that manifested as a result of your faith.

This is totally different from what I normally share with you guys, I want us to speak in real terms and not hide in the name of irony. (You will soon get a complied version of such very soon)*Let’s call a spade a spade and not an agricultural tool

Quite a number of us ladies are often carried away with a philosophy or two minutes resolutions, no offence but to not speak the truth of what is it would be self-character assassination. Some out of a hand full know and understand the perception of having faith and working it out also know that see things that are not as though they were actually works. We really thank God for the faith and having the ability to work it out. We as people desire a lot of things and most times we leave it at that, they became desires we once had.

Ladies, women, women of God, and daughters of Sarah however way you prefer to be addressed, I need us to be honest to ourselves so that we can amount to the price we really are worth and perceive ourselves as. This is not only for born again, spirit filled, tongue speaking, and twenty four hours praying women but for every female being out there.

We grew up from different backgrounds; some from nuclear, single, extended, blended, orphan families while others have no education background, no friends, and no nothing that really gives hope for tomorrow despite all these we find ourselves wishing to be married at some point in life hence we resort to either working hard to get to get married properly or we throw ourselves to all manner of men we meet. We go out of our way to make sure we reach the junction of marriage but I want us to cross check on few issues here; whether we hustle to have money in order to beautify and polish our ‘strong points’ or we make ourselves spotless and innocent looking young women none of these can buy the right protocol that approves your day dreamed marriage.

What is the point of buying a 250 pair of shoes, 150 worth of dress, perfume that cost 500, put on 150 hair weave and whatever price the hand bag will cost you then ‘LOOK LIKE’ a million dollar person when in actual fact you worth 10 dollars because it’s only a matter of time that they wear out and are compelled to return to your true nature of being a hustler. I say invest where it’s wise so that you will be able to retain that million dollar look. No man in their right mind senses will want to take a woman that is going to be a burden and will always ask for things without making efforts to plan so that at some point she also gives instead of receiving.

I do not know about you ladies but I am hungry for success; I want to know and explore what God has given me for the purposes of being somebody in life. I want to be able to day dream about my wedding knowing I have the means to pay for whatever coasts attached to it, I want to be able to wish for a blissful marriage knowing I have thoroughly prepared for it and will make it work. I want know I have considered all issues of marriage and did not deceive myself with the thought of marriage is a smooth sail in the snow based on the notion that I am a Christian therefore nothing bad can transpire, we thank God for the faith He has given us but reality is that even Christian marriages go through trials and tribulations. Whatever the case be I know I do not want to be one of those ladies that are so eager to be married so that they throw away their surnames because somehow it embarrasses them, hence in quest for a man in fact a rich man to be married to. Let’s say you get that wish granted the question is how well are you going to manage those riches bearing in mind that you the one that never learnt how to spend what you had; now what more of the money you did not sweat hard for.

He is going to need to reference a few things before he settles his thought on you, therefore you ought to have a good background that will support his plans in the future. Build your own resume of actual deeds not faith talk based, allow that faith to manifest and give you the proper results, and remember without works is as good as dead.

(Focus scripture)

Ruth 2:11  NLT

 "Yes, I know," Boaz replied. "But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers

Ruth 2:11  NIV

Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband--how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.

Boaz who later married Naomi referenced all these acts that Naomi did, he did not ask her but he told her I have been told about how you have gone out of your way to be the woman you are right now and this alone makes a man wonder to what extent will she further her skill and character, after I make her my wife. Naomi did not speak or explain her herself too much, her actions advocated on her behalf and when she made these choices she was not aware that at some point in the future they will work at her advantage. If we could build our character and allow God to mould us or imitate your mentor on how they behaved I believe we will all gain knowledge.

There are two aspects to this issue: First, that you as a woman should make goals to explore every talent you have in order to make a living for yourself, be business minded; look for areas you can invest your energy, skill and capabilities, be someone in life, come out of your cocoon and step out to the real world, it’s better to fail having to have made an effort than not a single  attempt  this is what brings major regret in people at a later stage of life. If you think you can knit, go buy wool and start knitting a jersey for your sibling, niece or nephew, if you can bake then be a good friend with the kitchen. Here I am thinking I may have the potential of being a writer and an author of so many books in the future, I’m giving it a try despite the wrong spelling and bad grammar I have but practice makes perfect right. I am curving a way to make a better life for myself and few of you that have seen and read my ‘write ups’ are a witness to this.  

The second issue is character, we usually hear people say character keeps and from Naomi’s story you can attest to this saying.  Purpose to be a woman that will bring a difference in people lives, learn to go out of your way to make decisions that will not only benefit you but multitudes, make certain sacrifices and prioritize on valuable relationships not only man and wife relationship but any form of relationship you have with a friend, father, mother and neighbor in fact this is Naomi’s story she sacrificed for these relationships. Naomi thought she was being kind to her mother in law but not knowing it was her passport to her second marriage and a privilege to being the great grandmother of our Lord Jesus Christ.

My main point is he will not come looking for what inches of shoes you wearing or label you putting on because all of that could be but for a moment. He is looking for a wife, he is searching and listening but he cannot hear about the things you have done for yourself and others. He is waiting to hear about  :

•         How you survived in a foreign land and overcame the challenge
•  How you failed one thing many times but  did not give up till you passed
•         How you visited the sick in the hospital and spent your free days in orphanage centres 
•          How you missed a close friend party because you wanted to help someone you just met
•     How you prepared a meal for your siblings out of an empty fridge that had only bottle of cold water
•     How you opted not to buy another not needed pair of shoes for yourself but use the money to buy your cousin, uncle or father a pair of shoes and jeans
•     How you chose to skip girls outing because you had to spend extra hours in the library just to prepare for exams coming in a month time.

Is it not funny how we neglect the very things that will earn us a good living we all day dream of?

He is looking for the attributes that will assure him that you are truly a woman waiting to be made a wife, your value does not depreciate but appreciates daily, he is looking for a woman that will not walk away when marriage hits an iceberg, he is looking for a woman that will manage and spend the riches you both own, he is looking for a wife in you but it seems like he is only getting the girl in you irrespective of name title you have given yourself.

If you have him right now, then you will know that some processes of getting to each other were not necessary simply because he found what he was looking for. If you looking or have spotted him and you wondering why he has not said anything to you, it could be he is waiting to hear about your deeds but are busy sitting down day dreaming about him/marriage. Get on your feet

Please get me right, I am not saying go out there to be miss independent and step on the brothers heads because humility and respect are also vital, I am simply saying have time to define who you are and do not wait for marriage to give you an identity.

Where did the inspiration to write all this come from?

I looked at myself in the mirror on a Sunday morning as I dressed up for church and the thought of will I be able to maintain this beauty if yes how and motives being what exactly, I realized that after I take off these clothes I will go back to being a student that depends on monthly stipend   or by God’s grace i find a job immediately after I graduate and I keep depending on this monthly salary. Am I prepared for what will happen if I do not get a job right after university or I get retrenched at my work place, will I be able to keep this fabulous look or I will be forced to go back to value I'm worth? This marriage I'm so eager to engage into, has any of my actions really advocated for me or the poor man was attracted to counterfeit. All these questions ran through mind moreover the scripture that later provoked the writing and sharing of this message was taken from the two services I attended in church that Sunday morning.

Let the husband man be the first partaker (2 Timothy 2:6) and to whom much is given, much is expected (Luke 12:48). I am not in any way better than you ladies but I know as I write this I ought to live by example.

                                    This is the ‘fabulous’ look that triggered what I shared with you above.

By Kesego Ramoleko

*Please share this message; give it to some you think needs to hear such words, talk about. 

BEHIND HER STRONG FACE THERE IS A WORN-OUT HEART

A lot is expected from her

She grew up with much praises to a point where she did not take glory in them

She learnt how to be responsible from a young age

She learnt to take up on task and not wait to be told to do so

She learnt not to trust man, even though she did not fully know who Christ is but knew that He is somehow connected to prayer

At times she beats herself to not having proper childhood like the other kids had. Hihihi (I can imagine Christ whining over the fact that he didn’t have the chance to play football, go to parties and so forth) but the beauty of being called to a defined purpose that is attached to a time frame is that you cannot just do things haphazardly.

At times she would realize she walked over a tough situation but did not feel the pain during the process, a thought dropped in her suggesting maybe she lost a sense of feeling and numbness has taken over. I mean logically speaking that is the only explanation you can deduce  from not crying when; You were emotionally thrown out of the family, when it seemed like you want to befriend people that see you as trash.

At times life did not make any sense…

… but through all this the “amazing” thing is friends, family and strangers saw her smiling. Her smile is often likened to shiny stars, when you have them on through one touch- hug, handshake those shiny stars will be all over you and that’s what they need most times one small touch. Her smile was that infectious but deep down its all dark.

She was termed ‘STRONG’ when in actual fact she in not, yes the little life experiences she endured made her strong therefore when people call her strong they speak from these basis and come to her seeking for advice and she assisted where possible.

Behind every smile: there was an ugly face that had a lot of pain
Behind every sparking eye: tears have rolled down because it was too much to carry
Behind a big heart: there were issues- cries of anguish and secrets that needed to be released
Behind a loud and jolly character: there was a person that went in her room and sadly cried till no voice came out

BEHIND HER FACE THERE IS A WORN-OUT HEART

No matter the state of her heart, she had to be strong for herself and people that believed in her. Christ had to keep on being strong even when He did not want to but all He had in His mind was Gods will should be done. In the midst of whatever you go through, keep being strong because someone next to you in class, at work or where ever, that person is drawing strength from you.

I know as much “Christianly” as you can be at times some questions will always come to you:
Where is God?
Is He watching me go through this and He’s not doing anything about it?
He keeps bringing prophets, friends, pastors and His word to me that He’s there with me but I cannot feel, touch nor see Him
It like you are the only person going through a tough time but the truth is someone else next to you is probably thinking the same thing.

All manner of questions come flooding to you and you have all the scriptures you can use at your disposal but what you really need at that moment is a knock at your door and God comes in then you bombard Him with these questions. At times you yearn for a one on one (face to face) conversation with God because you somehow feel a messenger cannot deliver your message the way you want.

Most times you are afraid to go for a heart scan because what the doctors will discover  will only be  strings of veins and arteries, any other things is invisible the veins and arteries are there to keep blood flowing in the entire body. If they do not deliver according to their purpose the leg, mouth, tongue, toes, fingers, ears and arms will start demanding for sustenance of blood circulation not necessarily knowing the condition of the heart at that current stage.


It is not a coincidence that the heirs of salvation throughout the globe are called the BODY OF CHIRST, doing different ministerial calls that are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 but connected to each other.
When a church of God in San Diego goes through a difficult time, another in Accra Ghana is crying for intercessors to stand with them in prayer…(one that is in Gaborone ought to stand in the gap)… Christ felt this pain and the demands too high to carry but He had to be strong for me and you, for these nations.

We can lay these imaginary facts and say maybe we are blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets which most time I relate their function with that of intercessors. Platelets “help the blood to clot and clotting stops the blood from flowing out of the body when a vein or artery is broken” we all know the purpose of intercessors. Now let’s say the pinkie finger of the Body of Christ is here in Malaysia, this automatically makes you inquisitive to know where the knee or the eye lids are.

Funny enough when the ankle on your right feet itches, it’s either your right or left hand fingers instantly go scratch that place this is due to the so called reflex action getting signals from the sensory neurons. Sensory neurons that I like to think connote the work of the Holy Spirit who sends us to stand in prayer and support one another because we are one body and surely the toes in that feet cannot scratch the ankle.
We need to be strong for each other because you never know the person you are healing with your smile when you just failed your exams, you received bad news, you got retrenched, faced with debts but once you smile you are being strong for that person.

This thought has kept me going till date

He did not promise us a sweet smooth sailing but He prepared us for diverse circumstances that we will encounter on the way, He walked through this path before us. If we could look carefully in the jungle we are in we will find a small trail that leads us to the woods, dangerous animals, dark places but His tracks are a light and guide to us in the midst of darkness.


Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105)

Christ has gone before you, He is that older brother/sister, younger brother/sister, and those cousins, mother/father, the family you wish you had. He is right there with you all the way. You know how I know all this; I just came out of some situations I have shared with you here and I came out strong, smiling and being loud as usual. All this as a result of the expectations that friends and family had on me, Christ is the only person that understood my pain and collected my tears when I was hurting.

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book (Psalm 56:8)

I thought I was living a pretentious life but He told me, then it would mean He also was pretending to care and die for us on the cross.
There is a DNA in the blood of Jesus Christ and that is the LOVE of Christ, the love He has for us.

WHAT ELSE CAN WE MINISTER WITH EXCEPT THROUGH OURLIVES WHO ARE THE TRUE LIVING GOSPEL
                                                         AND
LAST TIME I CHECKED JESUS CHRIST PREACHED WITH HIS VERY OWN LIFE TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE.

I have done my part, what is your story?

By Kesego Ramoleko