“What do you want Me to do for you?”

“What do you want Me to do for you?”

Mark 10:46-52
 
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus
 
46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.
Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”
50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”
52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

The next time...

The next time someone does not live up to your expectation of them, or does something far beneath your expectation, don't get mad, pull a Julie Andrews in Maria on them and thank them sincerely for the awful thing they have done, calling it it what it should have been i.e. if they left a nasty message for you on the phone, tell them what a lovely phone call you got from them, and mean it! what this does is that it elevates YOU above the murky fray, and deprives your denigrator of the satisfaction of knowing that they "hit their mark" .... In people whom you expect "more" from pull a "Pauline" move on them and praise that which they have done and later on address that which they have not i.e. I thank my God that you fall behind in no gift; but that fornication thing, emmm we're gonna have to talk about that... Having said that, I thank God.... lol just joking! But seriously try it! It works!!!! Peace y'all..

A Word To Live By

'One hit wonder' or signs and wonders?

One hit wonder
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success. The term is most often used to describe music performers with only one hit single.

One-Hit Wonders
1. “The Macarena” by Los Del Rio (1996)
2. “Pass The Dutchie” by Musical Youth (1983)
3. Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin (1988)
4. “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell (1984)
5. “ You Gotta Be” by Des’ree (1994)
6. “ Electric Avenue” by Eddie Grant (1983)
7. “ Kung Fu Fighting” by Carl Douglas (1974)

Isaiah 8:18
18 Behold, I and the children whom Jehovah hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from Jehovah of hosts, who dwelleth in mount Zion.

Acts 2:43
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.


Romans 15:19
19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ;

MURDER THEY WROTE - EPISODE 2

Her hands were shaking as she punched in the numbers on her phone… Brring brring it started  ringing…. ‘Rizzo here’ the gravelly voice at the other end growled. ‘If you have something to say, say it fast cos you must have something goin’ on that’s why you got this number’… Er er… ‘Spit it out lady I haven’t got all day’… he snarled impatiently…. ‘I would like you to teach someone a lesson, and I understand that you have ways of doing this’…. ‘They don’t call me Mamona Rizziconi for nothing… anything money, I’m your man… I can help you make it, lose it, give it away, or be forced to give it up… so whatchyouwant?’ ‘Well this person has been very mean to me, he has a duty to give me money and to care for me, but he doesn’t do it and he prefers to spend his money on HIS clothes, his cars and his toys so I want you to help him lose his money’. ’Well, it’s gonna cost you’ Rizzo said. 'I’ll pay you!’ She said quickly. ‘I don’t have a lot of money like I said, but I’ll give you whatever I have’. ‘How’d you get my number anyhow?’ Rizzo asked. ‘My friend Offencia gave it to me. ‘Ahh Offencia she has sent many a one my way, and I have taken care of all of them’ he snickers evilly. ‘Don’t you worry Rizzo’ll take care of things...I’ll call you back with the details and I’ll tell you how it will go down…. Don’t call me. I’ll call you.’. Click.



Do you recognize the voices on this recording? The Defendant’s attorney asked Flan who sat in the docket and just kept on weeping with her face buried in her hands… 'How could she have done such a thing?' She thought. How could she have exposed her family to such evil? How could she have known that Mamonia Rizziconi would befriend her husband and lure him into a gambling addiction? How could she have known that they would lose their lovely home and have to withdraw their son from the school he was so excited to have been admitted into? How could she have trusted someone like Offensia? How could she have been so stupid as not to realize that she not to be trusted and would give her up and spill her guts at the slightest sign of trouble? How could she have gone on to hire a man whose business card had read – MAMMONA RIZZICONI – RELATIONSHIP KILLER. ‘THROUGH THE LOVE OF THE DOLLAR WE MAKE AND BREAK EM’ how could she???? ‘Please, answer the question ma’am’. Flan just kept sobbing… The lawyer said: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I present:

THE FIRST WITNESS:

OFFENSIA VALERIA – THE FACILITATOR, ALIAS OFFENSE

Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.

Matthew 18:7
Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Offense
1.
a. The act of causing anger, resentment, displeasure, or affront.
b. The state of being offended.
2.
a. A violation or infraction of a moral or social code; a transgression or sin.
b. A transgression of law; a crime.
3. Something that outrages moral sensibilities: Genocide is an offense to all civilized humans.
4. The act of attacking or assaulting.
Source - The free online dictionary

THE SECOND WITNESS:

MAMMONA RIZZICONI – RELATIONSHIP KILLER #1: AKA  MAMMON

Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luke 16:9
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Mammon: Etymologically, the word is assumed to derive from Late Latin 'mammon', from Greek 'μαμμωνάς', Syriac 'mámóna' (riches),[1] and was an Aramaic loan word in Hebrew meaning wealth[2] or possessions,[3] although it may also have meant 'that in which one trusts'.[4]
The Greek word for "Mammon", μαμμωνάς, occurs in the Sermon on the Mount (during the discourse on ostentation) and in the parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:9-13). The Authorised Version keeps the Syriac word. John Wycliffe uses "richessis".
The Christians began to use the name of Mammon as a pejorative, a term that was used to describe gluttony and unjust worldly gain in Biblical literature. It was personified as a false god in the New Testament.{Mt.6.24; Lk.16.13} The term is often used to refer to excessive materialism or greed as a negative influence.

Source - Wikipedia

Please allow us to take part in your deliberations based on the evidence presented in this singularly disturbing case. Members of the jury?

© OluPero Mettabel Okulaja, July 8, 2012

"Princi-pearls"

The key to future success lies in not allowing past failures paralyze present action.

© Mettabel Okulaja, July 5, 2012

The Book - the Voice of one Woman

The Voice of One Woman
The Book - The Voice of One Woman: A phenomenal book for phenomenal women... Our voices becoming One Phenomenal Voice!

Please share this trailer with your friends, families and loved ones...

Much love,
Mettabel Okulaja

Gethsemane to glory…

Gethsemane: Meaning – Oil press – A place where through travail in prayer, submission to God’s will brings about supernatural strength and ability that elevates purpose above provocation

Hebrews 4:15
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.

Isaiah 53:7-9
He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn't say a word. Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence. Justice miscarried, and he was led off— and did anyone really know what was happening? He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people. They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man, Even though he'd never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn't true.
Mathew 26:62,63
62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
63 But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

Mark 15:2-5
2 And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto them, Thou sayest it.
3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.
4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.
5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

A beautiful tribute...

A dear friend wrote this note to me about her thoughts on The Voice of One Woman book launch (excerpted)... I hope she doesn't mind me sharing it... but it was so beautifully written, that I just had to... Thank you.... You know who you are, and the Lord bless you indeed.

The Voice of One woman Book launch:

Saturday was beautiful! The School II Bistro was moderately lit with dim lights and candlelight. Tables were decorated with rose petals. There was a band playing as poem after poem was read. What I liked best about it was that she didn’t just read each poem by herself, she got others to do it and for one of the poems, there was an accompanying dance! The very last poem was done in a call and respond manner and that was very nice…interactive. Hors d'oeuvres served...we got to take leftovers. Need I say more?

Her work was obviously geared towards empowering women and the proceeds from the book sale went to a Charity that works with female victims of domestic violence/abuse etc. I particularly like the verses that reinforced accepting our femininity as beautiful or just teased the senses and here is a verse that just makes me smile all the time:

I am She
Black, White, Latte
Moccachino, Cappuccino
Every creamy delightful shade in between :-)

I wrote the above on Mon to a friend who was unable to attend the book launch. I was high from inspiration on Sat so much so that I read your lines on the phone to friends over and over on Sun.

.... I wanted you to know that what you did on Sat, your prose, seeing you all organized helped me remember and hold on to the fact that God is making something beautiful out of me.

Thank you for being a source of inspiration and a reminder to keep my dreams alive.

Find my page now on FB
https://www.facebook.com/Thevoiceofonewoman

I'm Not Liking This!!!!

01 The Difference is Change

01 The Difference is Change

So…You’re ‘Born- again’… So what???

 

 

 

So…You’re ‘Born- again’… So what???

 

John 3

King James Version (KJV)

3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

² The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

³ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Born:

1.

a. Brought into life by birth.

b. Brought into existence; created: A new nation was born with the revolution.

 See:

1. To perceive with the eye.

2.

a. To apprehend as if with the eye.

b. To detect by means analogous to use of the eye: an electronic surveillance camera that saw the activity in the embassy yard.

3. To understand; comprehend: I see your point.

4. To know through firsthand experience; undergo: "He saw some service on the king's side"

 Enter:

1. To come or go into: The train entered the tunnel.

2. To penetrate; pierce: The bullet entered the victim's skull.

3. To introduce; insert: She entered the probe into the patient's artery.

4.

a. To become a participant, member, or part of; join: too old to enter the army; entered the discussion at a crucial moment.

b. To gain admission to (a school, for example).

5. To cause to become a participant, member, or part of; enroll: entered the children in private school; entered dahlias in a flower show.

6. To embark on; begin: With Sputnik, the Soviet Union entered the space age.

7. To make a beginning in; take up: entered medicine.

8. To write or put in: entered our names in the guest book; enters the data into the computer.

9. To place formally on record; submit: enter a plea of innocence; enter a complaint.

10. To go to or occupy in order to claim possession of (land).

11. To participate in; take an active role or interest in: enter into politics; enter into negotiations.

2. To become party to (a contract): The nations entered into a trade agreement.

3. To become a component of; form a part of: Financial matters entered into the discussion.

4. To consider; investigate: The report entered into the effect of high interest rates on the market.

3. To take possession of: She entered upon the estate of her uncle.

From the above, we can then say:

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be Brought into life again, he cannot perceive the kingdom of God.

 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be brought into life of water (The Word) and of the Spirit, he cannot participate in; take an active role or interest in, or take possession of the kingdom of God.

Romans 12: 2

Galatians 4:4

 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

Ephesians 5:26

King James Version (KJV)

²⁶ That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Reformation Study Bible

John 3:5

Born of water and the Spirit. Some suggest that the “water” is the release of fluid that accompanies physical birth, but linguistic considerations point to understanding “water” and “Spirit” as referring to a single spiritual birth. Many interpreters understand “water” here as the water of baptism, but such a reference, before Christian baptism was instituted, would have been meaningless to Nicodemus. Others find a reference to John’s baptism, but Jesus nowhere makes John’s baptism a requirement for salvation. Probably the statement refers to Old Testament passages in which the terms “water” and “Spirit” are linked to express the pouring out of God’s Spirit in the end times (Is. 32:15; 44:3; Ezek. 36:25–27). The presence of such rich Old Testament imagery accounts for Jesus’ reproof of Nicodemus (v. 10): as a “teacher of Israel,” he should have understood.

Generously provided by Ligonier Ministries

What are you waiting for?

God Builds Faith by Giving a Dream by Rick Warren

Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. Ephesians 3:20 (LB)
When God wants to work in your life, he'll always gives you a dream—about yourself, about what he wants you to do, about how he's going to use your life to impact the world.

There are many examples in the Bible of this. God gave Noah the dream of building an ark. God gave Abraham the dream of being the father of a great nation. God gave Nehemiah the dream of building the wall around Jerusalem.

How do you know when a dream is from God or when it's just something you've thought up yourself? The Bible tells us that God, "by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes." (Ephesians 3:20 LB)

In other words, if a dream comes from God, it will be so big in your life that you can't do it on your own. It also will never contradict His Word! If your dream is something that the Bible speaks against, it's not from God.

Talk About It –

God may be speaking to you now, but you just don't recognize it for what it is. Do you have a dream that you believe will serve other people? Where do you think that idea came from?
What dream has God given you? What are you going to do now?

I've got the Power!

Love Would Not Let Me Be

"They" could have made me hate myself,
But Love would not let me be

Would have had me filled with self-doubt and fear,
But Love would not let me be

Had me distrusting at every turn,
But Love would not let me be

Love hoped in me, trusted in me.
Kept no record, of my wrongs.

Was patient with me falling short,
Showing me nothing but His kindness and grace

Love loved me in my unloveliness,
Helped me to "see" the beautiful in all things.

Saw through my rudeness, the expression of hurt,
Pulling me closer, than at arm’s length.

Showed me without competition or envy
That there’s room for us all to grow,
Freeing me from all that confined.

Love drew me to the secret of intimacy.
When haughtily puffed up, I would have walked away.

Love looked out for me at every turn.
Refusing to budge, when I provoked no love,
By passion, His gaze solely fixed on me.

Love rejoiced over my every step.
Always; believing in me,
Always seeing the good in me.

When others mocked at my past mistakes
Love cheered me on, till truth prevailed.

What would I have done without you love?
How could I bear this without you there?
Lifting up my head, helping me to endure.

I owe my all to you love; I owe all of me to love.
I owe my heart to the most eminent of hearts.
The greatest of those who do not fail.
The one who by faith, against all hope,
Believed in the hope, that I founded in love,
Would in love at last be found…

© OluPero Mettabel, May 25, 2012




1 Corinthians 13
New King James Version (NKJV)

The Greatest Gift
13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,
but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,
and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,
and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child,
I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.
Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

"Princi-pearls"

The people who make history are the ones who refuse to take no for an answer or accept status quo...

ZEITGEIST! - The 'spirit' of the times!

Zeitgeist : interesting word this is, meaning: ‘The spirit of the times’ - Zeitgeist is the general cultural, intellectual, ethical, spiritual, or political climate within a nation or even specific groups, along with the general ambiance, morals, sociocultural direction, and mood associated with an era. The sons of Issachar had Zeitgeist:

  1 Chronicles 12:32

Of the sons of Issachar who had an understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; The child of God who catches the zeitgeist of the times, feels the pulse of the universe and the heart of God, feels the direction of the flow of the blood and the Spirit and can move in that flow… they are not afraid of it, neither do they distrust it, for the beat echoes in their hearts and the same blood flows through their veins… Let your prayer, my prayer, our prayer today, be to catch the Zeitgeist of our times and seasons, and the heart of God for the ‘now season’. But he who will catch the Zeitgeist must be well acquainted with the originator of the spirit and must be able to discern the direction and dimensions of His breath…. The ‘Ruach’, interestingly also means Spirit or breath of God… Oh how my heart yearns to catch the wave of His Spirit, for surely He is here, and I MUST know Him! In Him, through Him, and by Him, I MUST catch the zeitgeist of my time, my kairos, my ‘now’ moment….

ZEITGEIST! What a word!

The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age: Mark 13:2-4

2 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” 3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”

Shalom,

Mettabel.

The book of Remembrance

Is there such a thing as 'The book of Remembrance'? Does God actually keep a record of the things we have done for, and in Him with a purpose to reward? The bible records that He does.

  In my research, I found the following writing:

'This Book of Remembrance holds every act of faithful service done for the Lord. Every encouraging word, every unselfish deed, every sacrifice made, the Lord has carefully placed there as a witness to the universe that you are indeed His child'. Author: Amazing Discoveries™.

A lot of God’s children, I hear His Spirit saying, at this time, feel, as though they have been forgotten by God, that He is not making, or has not made good on His promises concerning them. Despair and discouragement have become their daily robe, wrapping it around them to protect them from the hope that they feel will Surely be dashed to pieces again….

I write today at the direction of the Lord to these dear people of God, that they should be encouraged, that God says that He is getting ready to open up the ‘Book of Remembrance’ concerning them, to make good on His promises. He says that He is not unfaithful, neither forgetful, but has kept a record of their faithfulness, and acts of kindness, has recorded the deeds, and kept them, that He might establish His promises concerning them, at the set time.


  Psalm 102:13
You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come.

It has come, for you who have remained steadfast trusting the Lord, neither looking to the right nor to the left, despite the hardness of the times, and the leanness of the fat…

  His Word said concerning Mordecai, who had been faithful to the king and the kingdom, yet had not forsaken God’s people, but sought a deliverer for them – Esther who he carefully groomed for many years, hoping upon hope that there would be a voice  for God’s people, raised  to prevail against their enemies.

 Esther 6:1-12
6 That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. 2 And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. 3 Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.”
 4 So the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. 5 The king’s servants said to him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.”And the king said, “Let him come in.”
 6 So Haman came in, and the king asked him, “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?”Now Haman thought in his heart, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?” 7 And Haman answered the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, 8 let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!’” 10 Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew who sits within the king’s gate! Leave nothing undone of all that you have spoken.” 11 So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!” 12 Afterward Mordecai went back to the king’s gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered. 13 When Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened to him, his wise men and his wife Zeresh said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him.”

He also made it so that the one who had sought to destroy him (Mordecai), was totally annihilated.

Another who had seemingly been forgotten, buried under the dross of broken promises by those around him was Joseph; but did the Lord forget what He had destined concerning him? No… At the ‘set time’, the right time, the records were pulled in heaven and the ‘Book of Remembrance’ concerning him, was opened, catapulting him to his destiny IN ONE DAY!

  Psalm 102:13
You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come.

Yes, He will arise, and He will have mercy, He will arise and, He will remember:

Exodus 6:5
 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have REMEMBERED My covenant.

So again I say unto you who have been waiting, seeking, and holding on to my promises, the set time has come! I open the ‘Book of Remembrance’ and  will cause that which I have purposed to do, to be established and to be displayed, for all to see. Rejoice this day for on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, And there shall be holiness; The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. Obadiah 1:17 because a ‘Book of Remembrance’ had been written concerning them says The Lord.

Malachi 3:16

[ A Book of Remembrance ] Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name.

What shall we say to these things?

"Princi-pearls"

The expression of gratitude without the use of platitudes, changes the attitude, and shifts the paradigm of aptitude, giving one the latitude to attain higher altitude, and the opportunity to affect the lives of multitudes, with greater amplitude....

 © Adepero Mettabel Okulaja

Don’t sweat it! Everything Has Its Time…

Ecclesiastes 3:3
3 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

Philippians 3:13
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

The rise of Woman, the fall of Eve and the resurrection of WOMAN By Adepero Mettabel Okulaja

This woman We know as Eve...

Before the fall, her identity was incorporated into man. Adam had given her the name woman  recognizing her as a part of himself Adam! Note that he had named all the other creatures, but none of them was his perfect fit.

Genesis 2:23-24

23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.... so in essence Adam first named her Woman and her first name was Adam! i.e. Adam-Woman and Adam was Adam-Man.... This means that when the Lord came to fellowship with Adam in the cool of the evening, He did not just fellowship with Adam-Man, He fellowshipped with Adam-Man and Adam-Woman.

Then Adam-Woman who was supposed to be Adam-Man's wife wandered away from him and allowed herself to be tempted of the devil in the form of the serpent, which culminated in the fall of man and bondage under the curse.

Genesis 3:1-2

1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

After the fall, Adam separated himself from his wife when God came looking for them - Genesis 3:12

Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”

Thus, began the blame game! Because of sin, that which had been cleaved from was now being cleaved away from, and Adam then gave her a name that identified her no longer with himself, but with him whom she had allowed herself to be allied to - the serpent.

So what this shows us is that in the beginning, there was no separation or differentiation between man and woman because they were one - They were both called Adam! but after the fall Adam separated his own identity from his wife... which is what sin brought - separation not only from God but from his helper Adam-Woman and  then renamed her Eve, note the difference - In the first instance - SHE  shall be called "Woman" and in the second, he started  the name-calling - Adam called his wife's name - notice the separation: his wife...

Genesis 3:20

20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

So Eve now under grace now must go back to her first estate Adam-Man, and Adam-man must accept her back and restore her back to HER original estate - Adam-Woman, ending the blame game, the curse, and the Tyrannical Lordship that was a consequence of the fall, back to the place where Adam said: This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man....

I AM WOMAN, MY NAME IS ADAM-WOMAN. That is why under grace the bible states prophetically in the book of Isaiah speaking of God's children  said:

Isaiah 34:16

16 “Search from the book of the Lord, and read:
 Not one of these shall fail;
 Not one shall lack her mate.
 For My mouth has commanded it, and His Spirit has gathered them.

I AM A WOMAN!

"I am She.
 My name is Woman,
 Female, Lady, Damsel,
 All that embodies the completion of male...."

Copyright, The Voice of One Woman by Adepero Mettabel Okulaja

The punishment of criminals...

The punishment of criminals...
 Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.

Hebrews 12:12,13 12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.


 The punishment of criminals should serve a purpose. When a man is hanged he is useless - Voltaire (21 November 1694 – 30 May 1778)

"Princi-pearls"

When petitions are made "in the Word", they are answered from an eternity based paradigm; and when asked "of the World", are responded to, based on mortally flawed and finitely limited viewpoints... So to live a life of limitless potential, needs must, that we look to the God who dwells in immortality, and rules from eternity, rather than to a man who at his best, still is limited to his  present moment, and his experientially limited  principles...

Luke 1:37
"For with God NOTHING will be impossible.”

"Princi-pearls"

Situations do not bow to beautifully worded prayers, they bow to the WORD OF GOD! Speak WORD not beautiful and mountains will move.... 'It is written'....

Whatever things are what????

Whatever things are what????

Philippians 4:6-9

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

What I say to myself

Today, I told myself: You were born to be great!; Born to be part of a plan greater than you... What did you tell yourself today?

Jeremiah 29:11
The Message (MSG)
11 I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

What "THEY" said...

 

What "THEY" said….

Numbers 13:27-29
27 Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.”

Numbers 13:31-33
31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” 32 And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 There we saw the giants[d] (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

The Voice of One Woman

Many thanks to Pastor Tony Oliha and the New Wine Church family for receiving me and The Voice of One Woman… What a blessing!!!

The Voice of One Woman - Another great review!

Another great review!

A must read, for women of all ages, and even men!, April 3, 2012
By Casi4life

This review is from: The voice of one Woman (Hardcover)
I waited until I finished reading the whole book, because I wanted to take in the depth and meaning behind each page; and when I say EACH page, I really mean it! Each page will leave you reflecting on different ways we as women deal with our experiences, feelings and how to go about taking something positive and meaningful out of them.

I'd say the best way to describe this book is as an anthology of poems, anecdotes and messages, adequately referencing relevant biblical scriptures. It primarily deals with self-image and how to embrace who you are, and all of who you are and believe that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made..." to quote Psalm 139:14. Though it has a more mature focus, as a young woman, I can testify that these eclectic and well-written pieces are highly relevant at a stage in ones life where you are questioning yourself so much; continually struggling with media representations and whether or not you "fit in".

My personal favorite poem is "I'm a Girl, and I Like it." I love the "tongue in cheek" nature of the poem, while maintaining the message of embracing your own femininity and being comfortable in your own skin.

AND to the men, reading this book I believe will give an insight into the complexities of women, as well as a few tips on how to flatter them while you're at it!

Amazon.com reviews

WHO ARE YOU?

                                                                                                                                                    

Ephesians 2:19
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Chosen:

Selected from or preferred above others

Royal:

Of the rank of a monarch (King)

Holy:

Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred

Peculiar:

Distinct from all others

"Princi-pearls"

What we place our focus on, becomes our reality...If we place our focus on the things which are seen, we walk in cooperation with our senses, and our senses will define our reality. The same of necessity applies when we set our focus on the things which are unseen, We walk in cooperation with the Spirit and our present reality becomes subject to His force and power, which will of certainty result in CHANGE i.e. Divine altitude, latitudinally defining the attitude of that which is seen.... Selah.



II Cor 4:18

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

I had fainted, but...

I had fainted, but...

Isaiah 40:30-31
30Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.


Wait: Strong’s Concordance
1) to wait, look for, hope, expect
2) to wait or look eagerly for
3) to lie in wait for
4) to wait for, linger for

Psalm 27:13
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

"Princi-pearls"

 The mark of God's grace, the making of HIS-tory...

His birth, His death, His resurrection; Our lives, our souls saved, our battles won; our destinies fulfilled; our minds renewed, our bodies healed; faith once lost, but regained for all time... The mark of God's grace, the validation of OUR lives, in the foreshadowing and making of HIS-story...

Romans 8:29-31

King James Version (KJV)

 ²⁹For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

 ³⁰Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

 ³¹What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

"Princi-pearls"

Has anyone noticed that the negative "tions" are in actuality correct as the exception rather than the rule when it comes the establishment of truth? - Misconceptions, assumptions, presumptions, presuppositions, etc.... Do not base your life on these things... they have been the death of many a valuable relationship. In fact, guard your heart violently against these things.

© OluPero Mettabel, 03/21/2012

"Princi-pearls"

Sowing and reaping:

If you want to be lover, love another deeply
If you want to be rich, give freely, and with joy
If you want to be powerful, concede power to the other
If you want a child, let a child in need into your heart
If you want a friend, show yourself friendly
If you want a husband, rejoice with a bride
If you want a wife, celebrate with a groom
If you want to live forever, surrender your life to the one who gave his in death
Give and it shall be given unto you; Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he reap

Go ahead... Live!!!!!

John 10:10,11
Amplified Bible (AMP)

10The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
11I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep.

Mettabel Okulaja, MD-The voice of one Woman

Here is the trailer introducing my book - The Voice of One Woman... Please take the time to watch, and feel free to share with your friends and family! May the voice of the One who made us all, inspire us to arise and walk in our destinies...

Love, love, love…The only thing guaranteed to last forever!

DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE IS POSSIBLE!

‘It is time to go’ I heard these words clearly in my heart about three and a half years ago. 'Go where?' I didn’t want to go! I was comfortable; I had established friendships, built relationships…
Why now ????
But the Lord continued to speak those words insistently into my heart. So, I gathered my cloak of courage around me, and announced my imminent departure… Of course, it was not a welcome move, (for which I am grateful, because if people are eager to see you go, then….). Many did not understand why I was making the move and till date still do not, but I thank God because His Word says ‘Looking unto JESUS (not people or ambient conditions), the author and finisher of our faith’. It was tough! I had to walk this way alone for a while, but through the process He kept me, and comforted me, He groomed me, smoothed and is still smoothing my rough edges, He adjusted my attitude, and then began to speak his plan into my ears… ‘Do this, do that, read this, listen to that, go here, well you get the picture…’ I began to see things in a new way. The Holy Spirit became the teacher of the Word who made me go wow! Every time He taught me something. A few days ago, I held copies of a book in my hand, and the Lord clearly spoke to my heart – ‘See … through me, you have been able to accomplish that which you did not even know was possible, because you heeded and obeyed when I told you to come away with me’.

I UNDERSTOOD!

I look back now and contemplate what the Lord has done, and I am grateful that I did not allow my flesh or circumstances to dictate what to do. I look at words spoken and written, contacts made, video clips produced, and I marvel at how the Lord has enriched my life, and I look forward to more!

In explaining what had happened to me, the Lord broke down the passages below and expounded on the course of events that have led me to where I am today… I just love the Lord!

Here’s Matthew narrating:

Matthew 14:25
 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.

In the “fourth watch of the night”… What does the fourth watch mean? Here goes… The Jews, like the Greeks and Romans, divided the night into military watches instead of hours; each watch representing the period for which sentinels or pickets remained on duty. These watches would last respectively from sunset to 10 P.M.; from 10 P.M. to 2 A.M.; and from 2 A.M. to sunrise. After the establishment of the Roman supremacy, the number of watches was increased to four, which were described either according to their numerical order, as in the case of the "fourth watch," Mt 14:25 or by the terms "even," "midnight," "cock-crowing" and "morning." These terminated respectively at 9 P.M., midnight, 3 A.M. and 6 A.M.
 © Smiths's Bible Dictionary

This means that Jesus went out to the disciples sometime after 3 am - the last watch of the night. Now taking this narrative in context, Jesus was the one who sent the disciples ahead of him to the other side via boat. So in essence:
1. They were doing the Lord’s bidding, and
2. Even though they were doing what the Lord wanted them to do, the waters were still turbulent.

So, at a time that was dark, turbulent and close to dawn, Jesus came to his disciples doing the apparently impossible! WALKING ON WATER! Turbulent waters no less!

Matthew 14:26-27
26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Do not be afraid?? I would be petrified! And those were the exact feelings I experienced when the Lord started speaking to me about doing the seemingly ‘impossible’ things He wanted me to do, after He had sent me off from the stable ‘land shore’ that I had been on, into the turbulent waters albeit at his command.

So Peter (Who’s nature by the way I thoroughly identify with) now said:

Matthew 14:28
28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

In modern day language, this could have been what he said: 'If you are truly the one asking me to do this, help me to do what you are showing me is possible, even though right about now, I can’t even wrap my mind around it'

And Jesus spoke a word – ‘COME’

Matthew 14:29
29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

So… at the WORD of the Lord Peter left the boat (the same situation as another or others), and the other disciples and began to do the impossible – i.e. WALK ON WATER, but note he walked to go to JESUS.

When God calls to do the impossible, it will usually involve stepping away from one's comfort zone – one's boat, one's peeps, one's usual ‘modus operandi’, but this Peter did at the command of the Lord, and he began to do what he previously thought was impossible!

Now I used to think that Peter began to sink when he ‘took his eyes off Jesus’, but according to the verse below, that was not the case! He knew the waters were turbulent, yet he stepped out; but what made him falter and begin to fall? Let’s see:


Matthew 14:30
30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, HE WAS AFRAID; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

When he saw that the wind was boisterous, HE WAS AFRAID:

The problem was actually not the the boisterousness of the wind, it was Peter's fear of it!

Now let’s look at the object or noun in this verse: The wind, and the adjective: boisterous and see how everything comes together.

Wind  n.
1.
a. Moving air, especially a natural and perceptible movement of air parallel to or along the ground.
b. A movement of generated air
2.
a. The direction from which a movement of air comes: The wind is north-northwest.
b. A movement of air coming from one of the four cardinal points of the compass: the four winds.
3. Moving air carrying sound, an odor, or a scent.
4.
a. Breath, especially normal or adequate breathing
b. Gas produced in the stomach or intestines during digestion; flatulence.
5. Music
The brass and woodwinds sections of a band or orchestra, wind instruments or their players considered as a group. Often used in the plural.
6.
a. Something that disrupts normalcy
b. A tendency; a trend: the winds of change.
7. Information, especially of something concealed

Looking at these definitions this could actually be descriptive or representative of the presence or arrival of Spirit of God! Don’t take my word for it, see what the Word says:

John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

So, this to me means that we cannot do the impossible as in this case, without the Holy Spirit’s presence!

Boisterous adj.
1. Noisily jolly and lively; unrestrained or unruly,
2. Durable
3. Strong
4. Massive
5. Marked by or expressive of exuberance and high spirits

Strong's Concordance with Greek and Hebrew Lexicon:
Boisterous:
2478. ischuros is-khoo-ros' from 2479; forcible (literally or figuratively):--boisterous, mighty(-ier), powerful, strong(-er, man), valiant.

Remember Jesus had been praying before all this happened…

James 5:16
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic AND BOISTEROUS in its working].
* Addition and italic emphasis, mine.

But this doesn't sound like the Holy Spirit? He's not boisterous! Really? Well let's read on, and you decide.

Now normally when we think of the word boisterous, a negative connotation is implied, but from the dictionary and concordance definitions listed above, it could also be said to be something that is of massive proportions, mighty, valiant, strong, very energetically positive, marked by, and expressive of exuberance and high spirits, that destroys normalcy and status quo!


Remind you of anyone?

Acts 2:1-3
 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

So why was Peter afraid? Because he was clearly not in control and did not understand what was going on (Anyone been there?) HE WAS PETRIFIED!

Please note that a distinction is made in the bible between the TURBULENCE of the waters, and the BOISTEROUSNESS of the wind… As has been shown they are very different – The former speaks of physical conditions – the ‘seen’, and the latter speaks of spiritual force – the ‘unseen’

2 Corinthians 4:18
While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

And note also that Peter was clearly ahead of his time (as he usually is – he saw, and he wanted to do immediately!)…

He had not yet been introduced to Holy Spirit so was not familiar with His workings!

When one is afraid of the move of the Spirit, one can no longer walk by faith, to do the impossible!

So, what did Jesus (The Living Word) do when Peter faltered and began to sink, like we all do? He caught Peter and steadied him, when Peter cried out to him.

Matthew 14:31
31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

When in a situation that the working of the Spirit is beyond our sphere of understanding and out of our comfort zone, when we cry out to Jesus (The Word), He steadies and grounds us, so that we do not sink!

THIS has been my journey: I was in a boat, the waters were turbulent (I had no inner peace), The Lord bid me come, I went to Him, I started doing the seemingly impossible (at least to me), I did feel the boisterousness of the wind, I did start to sink, BUT I cried to the Lord, and His WORD steadied and grounded me and still continues to do so, for I know this process will continue to recur in my life, at greater, newer, and deeper levels.

So you out there reading this piece - Is the Lord stirring the waters in your heart? Is he bidding you to come? FEAR NOT! Step out of the boat and walk towards Him, DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THE BOISTEROUSNESS OF THE WIND - He is not against you. And if you are, let the Word steady and ground you and you’ll see YOU WILL WALK ON WATER!

 Jesus and Peter DID get back into the boat, and the wind ceased, but through this experience, Jesus foreshadowed the move of the Spirit that was to come, demonstrating it to Peter so that when the time came, he was not afraid and was able to lead the rest of the disciples into the new dispensation! Isn’t God awesome?

 Again from the Word:

1 Corinthians 2:9-10
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

Acts 2: 14-21
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

**The third hour of the day:  The first watch, the Third Hour, would be from 6 to 9 A.M. our time - the very next watch or shall we say, the very next dispensation…. Selah.

Reference: http://doweknow.com/html-files/hours-of-prophecy.htm
 
The days of doing the impossible are here!


© OluPero Mettabel, 03/10/12

The Voice of One Woman

The Voice of One Woman my first book by God's given grace, is now live!!!! And available for sale at Xulon.com... The publisher's website!!!

Book Summary

Who am I, really? Who was I created to be?

Growing up, these questions constantly plagued my thoughts.

I was obviously created female, and I was sure God had a purpose for my life, but I never quite understood the relationship between who I was, and my purpose here on earth. I heard conflicting messages about womanhood from the media, family, friends, and acquaintances.

I didn’t totally understand the feminine mystique, but what I did know was that I didn’t fit perfectly into the much-touted “ideal” feminine mold.....

Through the process of God working in me, I have been inspired to see myself as a deliberate work of creation; to see myself as woman, grown up from girl, imperfect but wholly beautiful. I have been inspired to enjoy who I am, and to look forward to who I want to, hope to become--

I found my voice.


To purchase, please click on the link to the publisher's website below.... Buy for yourself, your friends, your wives, mothers, sisters and all the women in your lives!
The men are not exempt! I have been told by some that it's a life-changing read!


http://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781619047976

"Princi-pearls"

Guys if you find a wife, a woman like this, grab her, marry her, hold on to her, treat her well, be faithful to her, respect her, NEVER handle her with a less than tender touch.... As a matter of fact, cherish her like you would your most valuable asset, which she will turn out to be, if you do all of the above... So help you God.....

Proverbs 31:10-12
The Virtuous Wife

10 Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.

.... But be aware SHE comes with a warning label!

1 Peter 3:7
 A Word to Husbands

7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.....

He that hath an ear..... selah

Really.....

OluPero Mettabel

Chaos, chaos, all around chaos… Aha! But with illumination comes understanding!

Chaos, chaos, all around chaos… Aha! But with illumination comes understanding!

Genesis 1:1-3

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

Ephesians 1:15-19

¹⁵ Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints¹⁶ do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,¹⁸ the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power…