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Isn’t amazing that we take God for granted so often.

We step out of our homes in the morning and return safe in the evenings and we assume that we kept ourselves safe throughout the day.

We travel by air, road, sea …and think we arrived safely because we boarded the right vehicles.

We eat different meals in restaurants, cafeteria, “buka” and conclude that we had no case of food poisoning just because we washed our hands properly or dropped by at the most hygienic eatery.

We use our computers and they don’t crash so we boast that it is because we use this antivirus and that security software.

We are promoted on the job and enjoy breakthroughs in our businesses and we grin because we think all the wonderful things we enjoy are a result of our intelligence and wit.

Hmmm…

We must always appreciate God for the good things we enjoy.

Truth be told-there are people who are smarter, faster, stronger and more discrete than us who still err and experience major mishaps.

We aren’t blessed because we are “all that”.We are blessed because of the goodness of God.

If this bruises your ego, I have no apologies.I tell you the truth, you are blessed the way you are because of the mercies of God so the next time you are tempted to boast of your string of accomplishments, watch it…give God ALL the GLORY.

Thank God.

Let that be your watchword this weekend.Thank God.

Reflect on His goodness and let Him know how grateful you are.

Thank Him…now.

I’ve had a very busy week.

I was at my sisters’ introduction on sunday after preaching in the morning.

I travelled back to Lagos on Monday.

Had a series of meetings and spoke at The Rock Foundation Mission on Tuesday.

Attended my sister’s Court Registry wedding on Wednesday.

Dealt with a few business issues on Thursday.

Was privileged to attend an auspicious occasion with my mentor on Friday.

I haven’t had as much time to rest as I would love but in the midst of all the activities and engagement, I haven’t forgotten to laugh.

I have seized every opportunity to laugh.

Different people have different pastimes,.Laughing is one of mine.

I laugh at jokes.I laugh at some jokes that are not even funny.

I laugh to myself…sometimes at myself.

I avoid this but let me confess, sometimes I laugh at people.(Please don’t tell anybody-good thing is I laugh at you with you, not behind your back…)

Some weeks somebody saw me laughing and asked if I had just won a lottery or if my wife just had a baby.(Just for the records, I’m still single as at June 12, 2009)

A few days ago, my brother said something that made me laugh.He didn’t think it was that funny so he said,”o ma an rerin gan sha” which means you sure do laugh a lot.

Well, it’s not like I laugh 24 hours a day.That would mean I’d be so busy laughing that I wouldn’t have time to live.

I don’t laugh 24 hours a day but I do my best to laugh as often as I can.

King Solomon said, “A merry heart doeth good like medicine.”

This probably explains one of the reasons I haven’t used medication in over ten years.(Well, except you vitamin C in that category).I say this to the glory of God.

Too often, we get caught up in the tension of everyday life that we forget to keep our hearts merry and our lives joyful.We forget that we need the oil of joy for the engines of our emotions to perform optimally.We focus so intently on what we are yet to receive and forget to celebrate and thank God for what He has given us so far.

So let me ask you, “Are you too busy to laugh?”

When was the last time you had a really good laugh.I’m not talking about a complimentary smile to pacify a friend who just shared a joke.I’m talking about heartfelt,rib-cracking laughter that brings unsolicited tears of joy to your eyes.That may lengthen your life bey a few days, weeks, months or who knows, years!

Don’t say there’s nothing to laugh about.You bet there is…even if the only reason to laugh is that there’s no reason to laugh.(Does that make sense?)

Do yourself a huge favor, brighten your life with joy and let your laughter bring hope to somebody around you.

I hope I’ve been of help.

If you are still frowning, it could be I’ve done a bad job or you are just…

Meanwhile I have a gift for you here.

If you haven’t read the first part, you can do that here.

Let me give you the other points Dr. Maduka shared.

• Accept that EVERY ENTERPRISE NEEDS PROFFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT.

His words :”When we started, I and my wife made all the decisions but we later realized that we needed to hire professionals to expand our business…”

• Forge a TEAM OF EMPLOYEES.

His words :”Don’t just get a group of people.Get able and willing people who understand your vision and help you to accomplish it.“

• Come up with a STRATEGY FOR WINNING in an unpredictable environment.

His words : “You know the government policies change almost every six months in this our country…we have to always study and come up with ways to win no matter what tthe challenges and policies are.”

• RESIST THE TEMPTATION to show that “you  have arrived.”

His words :”…Even after I had made a lot of money, nobody knew.I kept on living a normal life.I was driving the same car, wearing the same clothes…living in the same house I was living in when I was still struggling…Avoid the social pressure to look successful…this shoe I’m wearing, I have had it for fifteen years.Isn’t it still looking good?”

When he said that, everyone erupted in laughter.

• KEEP TRACK OF ALL THE ACTIVITIES of your organisation.

His words :” Don’t just spend without having proper records.Have the details of everything that goes out and everything that comes in.

• GET YOUR PRODUCT into the market.

His words:” Know your customers and keep in touch with them…”

• ANTICIPATE CHALLENGES

His words :”Problems always show up.You must prepare for them to win”

If you ask me, that’s a lot to think about.So I’d let you do just that.

Think about it.Remember, WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT, YOU BRING ABOUT.

Meanwhile, scroll down and leave your comment in the box.

If you haven’t downloaded you copy of just do it…DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BOOK HERE.

P.S. Dr. and Mrs. Cosmas Maduka have a book titled “From Trials To Triumph”

You can get copies from bookstores nationwide.

Enjoy your day.

If you are a real dreamer,you would have achieved some things this year.

If you are real dreamer, you would have also had a fair share of delays,disappointments and perhaps detours.

There were some things on your to-do list that you haven’t checked off yet.You have some pending projects, unfulfilled dreams.You know what I’m talking about.

You thought you would be married by now.

You thought you would have completed the building by now.

You thought you would have sealed that deal by now.

You thought you would be a graduate by now.

You thought you would have started that business  by now.

You thought your debtors would have paid you by now.

You thught you would have paid all your debt by now.

You thought your ministry would have grown by now.

But…

You were disappointed, delayed and you are about to conclude that you have been denied.

I know how you feel and I just want you to understand that it is not over yet.If God created the entire  universe in six days then He can empower you to accomplish your goals within the last seven days of this year.

A lot can still happen but you have to try again.

That old proverb comes in handy, “If at first you don’t succeeed, try again!”

Don’t get bitter, get better.See every disappointment as the initiation of another appointment.See every setback as a setup for a comeback.See delay as opportunity to refine yourself and perfect your craft.

Remember that life is in stages and men are in sizes.Make up your mind to grow bigger at every stage.Get better.Grow stronger.You remember that when you were a kid, you didn’t start walking the first day you tried.You learnt how to stand first.The you learn’t how to stand without holding on to anything or anyone.Then you tried to take your first step.You fell several times yet you tried again.Eventually, after several weeks or months you were walking by yourself, then you started to run.

if you didn’t give up[ as a child, then you cannot afford to give up now.

Try again.

Make friends again.

Make that call again.

Submit that proposal again.

Build that business again.

Go for it again.

If you don’t go, you’ll never know.So do it again and one day, you will have a lot to gain.

May this month be filled with misty mornings and sweet sunshine

Fulfilled dreams and accomplished missions

Pleasant surprises and precious prizes

Mounds of miracles and loads of love

Great opportunities and open doors

Faith and fortune

God’s grace and goodness.

Enjoy your month!