A Heart Devoted To God

            

What does Devotion mean? According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, the word 'Devotion'' means: Constant, strong love for or a loyalty to somebody or something; the action of giving one's time, energy et cetera to somebody or something; ‎It is an earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc. Profound dedication, ‎commitment to some purpose, ‎. The condition of being closely tied to another by affection or faith‎.

‎Again Devotion simply means

TO GIVE ONE'S TIME, FOCUS ONE'S EFFORT, COMMIT ONESELF E.T.C ENTIRELY FOR, ON OR TO A CERTAIN MATTER.

E.G THEY DEVOTED THEIR LIVES TO FOLLOWING JESUS.

Now did you notice these words?

To give ones time: so what are you doing with your time? Do you spend your time with friends discussing vain things or searching the gospel?

Focus ones effort: what do you Chanel your efforts to? Vanity or the things of God? The word of God says seek ye the kingdom first and everything shall be added to you.

When you focus on God and His work beautiful things will begin to happen for you. You will pray less and receive more miracles.

‎Commit ones self:  commitment to God is all you need. If you are not committed you can't give to the work of God. Commitment brings love. If you don't love the Master you can't work for Him. If you don’t have passion for lost souls you can’t pray for unbelievers. So in your walk with the master you must be committed.

Entirely: ‎When you love the Master, you step out of your comfort zone entirely for Him. Not one leg in one leg out.

‎In developing a heart of Devotion for God, you must understand that it takes devotion to God to triumph in life. You must understand that Jesus DEVOTED himself (His life, ministry and time to His Father) no wonder scripture recorded that "in the early hours of the morning He sets himself apart, away from his disciples just to devote Himself to God. Now if we are Christians and say we follow Christ's examples do we devote or heart to Him?

Acts 6:4 said the Apostles devoted themselves to praying and the study of God's word!!! Wow no wonder their shadows could heal the sick? Just shadows??? Imagine wat devoting our heart to God can do.

‎David devoted his heart so much to God that in spite of the raging storm in his life and how Saul sought to kill him, God always came through for Him. He was a worshipper and a man whose heart was shamelessly devoted to God, he messed up and committed sins (you and I haven't even dreamt of) but still he understood the act of REPENTANCE and constant devotion to God.

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‎There are a lot of people in the scripture whose hearts were devoted to God. Daniel devoted his heart to God and decided not to soil himself with meat served to idols, the 3 Hebrew children devoted their hearts to God and refused to bow down to the kings image, Jobs’ heart was devoted to God little wonder he uttered "I know my Redeemer liveth", the Apostles devoted their hearts to God and carried on wit the message of the gospel at the expense of their lives.

Ways to develop ‎A Heart of Devotion to God

Philippians 4:8-9 ‎

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.‎ (anyone who has such attributes n eschews anger, gossips, malice, bitterness etc., will absolutely fare better in having a heart devoted to God).                                   

2. By devoting yourself to the study of the word and prayer.                            

3. By living a life that is in agreement with the standards of the word.

Benefits of Devoting your Heart to God

1.     Helps you trail blaze for the kingdom of God

2.     Makes you a terror to the kingdom of darkness

3.     Makes tremendous power available to you

4.     Helps you spend time with God and draws you closer and closer to him

5.    Provides sufficiency of grace that helps you know you are no longer a slave to sin

6.     Gives you great Confidence

                                                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Fruitful Sisters, 30th November 2015

What is the use of being a christian if it comes with so much pain and attack from the devil?

A lot of times it will never make sense to the human mind why you should seek God knowing it will bring the hosts of hell after you. Why not hide away in your little corner and hope the devil forgets about you?

Afterall, where was God the night you had that accident because of a drunk driver? or where was he the night you were robbed and hit with a gun? Where was He when you suffered and toiled only to have taken away in the blink of an eye? Why did you take a vow of purity only to have your innocence and virginity taken away by rapists?

Know this, God is always in the picture. He was there speaking to the driver not to drink before entering his vehicle, he was there speaking to the robbers to not go on that operation, He was there telling them to not hurt you and just take what they wanted, He was there giving them a way of escape, but they didn't listen and when they raped you He cried. He felt more pain because the little girl He had great plans for had been humiliated, so He made a commitment that He was going to make sure you had Grace(that supernatural power that gives you the ability to do what u can't do on your own), strength for the days you would be weak, restoration for the periods that would be lost and above all, healing for my mind,body and soul.

So,anytime you are going through a tough time, your account is empty, you have been fired from your job, your career or business is at a standstill and you wonder where God is, remember He is right there working it all out.

It may take a longer time than you envisioned, but God is the author of time, He is never late, He is always right on time. If this dry season is still on, it is because He wants it to be so. He saw your full life before you lived a single day. He knew you would be exactly where you are, He knew you would need him,He knew you would hurt and be disappointed and He allowed it so to build your endurance and character that will lead to Hope in Him and that Hope NEVER disappoints.

Don't leave the place of prayer, don't stop believing, dont stop thanking in faith, keep at it and ONE DAY He will show up.

Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour is just not a mouth confession, its in how you live your life, the things you do,say and believe. It's in how you abandon the things of the world to chase the things of the Kingdom, it's in no longer sugarcoating the truth to suit you, you can't serve God on your terms, it's either God's way or NO way.

Make a commitment today to accept His way, no alternatives and no second options.

~~~~ Fruitful Sisters, 19th November 2015

Strife: The "Blessing Blocker"

Have you ever had this "not so happy feeling" when your neighbor, friend, or whoever you know, got something you really desired and wanted but didn't have? When everybody around you is celebrating one blessing or another, but in your life you feel there is nothing worth celebrating, then this feeling of anger and resentment engulfs you?

My friend, you need not pretend, because at one time or another in our lives we all have had such feelings. It is not the feeling itself that really matters but what you do with these feelings afterwards. These feelings come to us naturally and innocently but nipping it in the bud will avert lots of problems in the long run. The feelings of anger, envy and resentment are not good for healthy living.

The best way to conquer them is to do the opposite when they come to us; this entails making up your mind to be genuinely happy for the successes of others while thanking and believing God for yours. Never allow such feelings creep into your heart to stay.

When these feelings aren't handled well it leads to Strife. Strife means rivalry or contention, especially of a bitter kind. God emphatically tells us in the scriptures to always avoid strife and also to never be carriers of strife, He in fact abhors it (Proverbs 6:19 NASB). If God Almighty hates strife then we should desist from it because strife blocks His Blessings in our lives.

Strife is a terrible thing to indulge in and we should always seek to please God. If someone hurts you by his/her actions, go and politely let the person know. Do not go about slandering or causing dissension among people.

We all need to live peaceful lives and it starts from our hearts. 'Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another...If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at Peace with everyone' (Romans 12:14-18 NIV).

~~~~~~~~~~~Fruitful Sisters, 11th November 2015

‪#‎Donotgiveup

So many times we have these perfect ideas of exactly how things should turn out; the age to graduate, the kind of jobs to get, how much that first pay cheque will be and when to start shopping for the wedding dress. And so many times our well thought out plans and perfect ideas end in disappointment when things don't go the way we thought they would.

We are even more disappointed when we have put our faith in the ONE who sees, knows and owns ALL things. Our disappointment is heightened when we have put all our plans in God and then He’s silent, or at least appears to be.

Despite using all our connections, we still don't get the job. Despite praying for "Mr. Right" and living a holy life, he still doesn't show up. Despite attending lectures faithfully and being a focused student, your g.p.a tells a different story. Sometimes, it just feels as though we are in a relationship with pain and, despite trying everything we know, it just doesn't go away.

Sometimes, there is just NO reason to hold on, no reason to speak those words of faith, no reason to get up every morning to try again.

Ah! But I am quite sure this is how Joseph felt on so many days and then Boom! He became Prime minister. If they had asked him what it took to be that person he probably would have called the number of certifications he required, the business schools he should attend, the wealthy friends he needed around him, Prison time would never have been the answer.

I am sure this is how Ruth felt. Every morning looking in the mirror, she would see the rejected woman, the not-so-pretty-one, the one no man wanted. Then came Boaz, the man she couldn’t have dared ask God for, if they had asked Ruth what she needed to attract such a man, she would have said she had to be 'polished', and classy, and roll in the circles of the rich, and do all kinds of plastic surgeries; working on the dirty field would never have been her answer.

I am sure this is exactly how the widow of Zarephat felt. She had just the last meal before giving up, she must have searched every where in the house hoping she would find one tiny handful of garri, or maybe just some pure water .Then Elijah showed up. If they had asked her what she needed to do to stay alive for just one day she probably would have said someone would loan her or maybe just 'dash' her something; giving him her very last meal would definitely have not been the answer.

I can go on and on and on but the bottom-line is this; God’s ways are soooo not our ways.

That job you think is the way, that man you think is the ticket, that friend you think is your only hope??? Think again, God may just be having a good laugh, because what He has in mind is way exceedingly and abundantly far above what you have imagined.

Don’t stop getting up. Don’t stop believing. Don’t stop hoping but always put your hope and your faith in the One who will never let you down. God never fails and He shows up in the most unlikely way but always always on time.

~~~~~~ Fruitful Sisters, 28th October 2015

Meet The Sisters

Omosivie Martins

Recruitment consultant Elite Hunters

Angela Odibo
Business executive with emphasis on Makeup Artistry

Nkiru Emodi
A lawyer passionate about helping people and seeing the best in others

Damilola Agbeniga is a banker. 

She was born and raised in Lagos and enjoys meeting people and impacting lives.

Chris-Iwuru Tracy 
Ex banker......now back to the classroom(M.sc Public Administration)

Allison Obaro

A Lawyer by profession and a practising Immigration Consultant.

She dreams of a day when the world will be a better place for even the most downtrodden individuals

Bukola Adedigba
Market development manager for Sony mobile Nigeria. Co-owner/Founder House of Florence Ltd.

Ayomipo Oyenuga
Designer and make-up artist. Creative director /Co-owner House of Florence.

Adaobi E. Ezeadum
I am a legal practitioner and an emerging Global Entrepreneur. I have vast knowledge in legal proceedings and application of Mediation to disputes. Being a christian sister is the best part of my existence and living. Impacting the world for christ is my high calling. Fruitful sisters as a vision has helped shape my dealings in life to a great extent, and I know the same will be your testimony if you believe. Amen.

Fumbi Onovo
Parts order cordinator at Wartsila Marine and Power Services.

She loves singing, photography and poetry

Ese Okonta
She is a Guidance Counsellor with a love for God and a huge desire to be of help to those in need.

Ubani Amune
She is the Vice Principal / Program Director at a Montessori school which evidences her love for children

Rosemary Onyeka
Dedicated and focused Administration Officer who excels at prioritizing and completing multiple tasks simultaneously ...
Arts, human relations, Problem solving, Self-motivated, supervision, Theatre.

Amara Ugo Eze
She is a lawyer and a Makeup Artist and is very passionate about God, family, women and business.

Efe Oriero
She is a Human Resources Practitioner with a passion for God, family and her profession

Omo Henry-Egbo
Media Entrepreneur
She is passionate about Jesus, people, learning and maximizing life while enjoying each process

Addi-Beji Alero Sandra
She is a Business Executive with a passion for all Godly things.

Funmilayo Ajayi
She is a Human Resources executive who loves swimming, cooking and a good game of monopoly. In addition to being very energetic, she also enjoys making people smile.

Thelma Iniomor
She is a Human Resources Personnel and a Makeup Artist

Onyebuchi Deborah Sez-Elabor
Buchi is a Makeup Artist with a huge heart.
She loves reading, cooking and spreading God's Word

Joy Sikpojie
Human Resources Professional
Joy is a continous learner who is always hungry for knowledge. A certified bookworm, she loves keeping things organized and making positive impacts on the lives of everyone she comes in contact with. Her greatest ambition is to live an exemplary life on earth, but, above all, she wants to make heaven.

Osayuki
Her name is Osayuki. She comes from Edo state and is a Makeup Artist

WE ARE FRUITFUL

My heart is broken'...'it didn't work out again'....'how do I handle this hurt?'... 'who can I talk to?'....'who would understand?'....'who would hug me and give me hope?'...'who will voice out the heartfelt prayers in my heart choked with tears??'.

Those were the exact thoughts going through my head that night as a young student at the Nigeria Law school in December 2010. I needed answers. I needed love. I needed hope. But...there was NO one. No one I could trust. No one I could rely on. I desired and longed for so much, but there was NO one. My mind was full of thoughts of millions of ladies going through similar pain,ladies looking for help but had NO one. I desperately wanted a forum that will help me blossom,fluorish,abound,bloom, I wanted to be heard, I wanted to be understood, I wanted to flourish and I wanted to be FRUITFUL.

Wiping my tears, I went on my phone and started a BBM Group and called it 'Fruitful Sisters', I didn't know what to expect, I didn't know how it would turn out, but I kept scrolling through my phone looking for honorable, virtuous and trustworthy ladies.

Remember that night I believed NO one was available? God was there. All the while He was there, stirring up something even greater and more fascinating than the hurt I felt at that time. From a night of tears, joy did come in the morning, Fruitful sisters was birth.

It's been five years of immense love and impact. There have been arguments, fights and disagreements. Sisters have come and gone, but there have been more moments of joy , love, celebration, hugs, kisses, testimonies and miracles. God has blessed us immensely by bringing women with the right heart for Him together. Women who would go the extra mile for one another, women who would abandon self to help the other, women who would cry with each other, dance with each other and, most importantly, pray with each other.

When you meet a Fruitful sister,what you are sure to find is a woman who is a true believer, totally submitted to Christ and deliberate about sharing the love of God. That is our brand!

In Fruitful sisters, we fight! We make no excuses, we find ways through our obstacles, we don't waver when we are weak, we don't cower when circumstances change because greater is He that lives in us than He that is in the world. We pursue, overtake and recover everything that the enemy has come to kill,steal and destroy in our lives,and even if we lose the battle we always win the war because we are more than conquerors through Him that has loved us.

We are raised to life with Christ and we reign with Him because we look to Him for strength. We reject the lies dat echo in our minds, the lies that tell us we don't have what it takes, that we cannot survive trials, that our best is behind or that humiliation awaits.

Our God ALWAYS causes us to triumph. We are unashamed to represent a kingdom that is unshakeable. By faith we activate every promise God has given us.
We are Fruitful Sisters.

-----Ivie Ogbonmwan, Founder

Fruitful Sisters

Fruitful Sisters are leading ladies who are shamelessly in love with Jesus.

We are passionate about life and are committed to seeing other women excel in Christ in every ramification.

We are never ashamed of who we are in Christ and yes, we sure are fruitful on every side!