Are you worried at all this New Year?
Are your enemies too much for you?
He says: “…and they that strive with thee shall perish” Isaiah 41:11
Do you feel alone?
He assures: “…I the God of Isreal will not forsake them” Isaiah 41:17
Do you think that task is impossible?
He says: “…I will make the wilderness a pool of water” Isaiah 41: 18
Is the path slippery and you think you may fall?
He says: “…and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee” Isaiah 42:6
Do you think that fire would burn you?
His words: “…when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned” Isaiah 43:2
Is your life under threat?
He vows: “…therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life” Isaiah 43:4
Thinking He did same in the past and might not help this time around?
He promises: “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing” Isaiah 43:18,19.
Wondering if your finances would be enough?
He says: “And I will give thee the measures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places” Isaiah 45:3
Afraid your past sins might keep Him away from you?
He reminds: “I girded thee, though thou has not known me” Isaiah 45:5
What shall we then say…If God be for us, who can be against us?…He that spared not his own Son…how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?…Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8: 31-39)
The one who watches over Israel is telling you today: “…Fear not; I will help thee” (Isaiah 41:13)
– justoc okenna igbokwe
Make yourself accountable. Know that accountability is a sign of strength not weakness because it means that you have a good character. Understand that no one is beyond the need for accountability. The more you attempt to do for God, the more you need to be accountable. Trust God to help you do the right thing in private as well as in public. Think and pray about other people you can ask to be your accountability partner. As partners, ask each other the hard questions and be willing to challenge one another to remain faithful in all areas of lives. Accountability will help protect your testimony as a Christian and make you a successful witness for Christ. Be accountable to someone else before you require the same from any other person.
Pay attention to life’s details such as returning phone call or writing thank you notes. Know that if you are great in little things you will build integrity with others. Be loyal to Christ and to the people you have important relationships, such as your spouse, sibling, children and Christian friends. Show people that they can rely on you. Work diligently at your tasks, giving everything you undertake your best efforts.
-gabriel ajibade
Keep confidences. Strive to be a person other people can trust. When someone gives you some information on the condition that you don’t share it with anyone, make sure you don’t. Offer other people wise counsel. Live with integrity. Nurture a passionate devotional life, spending time daily reading and meditating on the Bible. Balance your life with fun. Let it be visible that you aren’t one of those stereotypical, overly serious and no-fun religious people. Give yourself permission to enjoy life and laugh at your at your own foibles.
Have courage. Refuse to back down when taking a stand is necessary. Refuse to keep quiet when speaking up is necessary. Refuse to look in the other direction whenpressing on is necessary. Never compromise your convictions. Be willing to confront people lovingly when necessary. When facing a problem or challenge, concentrate only on finding solutions. Forgive others and seek to be a peacemaker.
– gabriel ajibade
Being a person of influence to those around you require that you are a little kinder than is necessary in every situation. Treat people the way you want them to treat you (Luke 6:31). Ask God to give you genuine care and concern for people. Commit to being available to people in need and express God’s love to them. Never look down on anyone. Realize that by underestimating a person, you’re de-valuing his creator. Expect God to give you plenty of opportunities to touch people’s life. When God presents an opportunity, take it or it will be lost.
Learn to say ‘no’ with sensitivity to people’s feelings, so as not to offend them. Refuse to be negative; always strive to embrace the positive in your attitude and relationship with people. Ask God to help you discern the appropriate way to encourage people in every situation you come across. Everyone thirsts to have a taste of God’s love; this love is what you have and what you can give.
We live in an age where most believers are only committed to their education, ordination and profession, but God expects you to be committed to people.
– gabriel ajibade
No matter your station in life, you can update yourself so that you can be a person of influence to those around you. In the next few weeks, you will receive a series of articles designed to challenge you to leave “the rest” behind and move on to higher level in your walk with God. This is the first part:
Update your life by taking cognizance of how God has directed your steps, orchestrated your schedule and allowed you to experience certain things to make you more usable and stable in your walk. Understand that your only assignment is to be in God’s will at all time.
You don’t have to be particularly smart, strong or rich for God to use you. Know that God looks for faith, purity, holiness and obedience. Seek to develop those qualities. Surround yourself with the very best people, listen to them, learn from them and let them be a challenge to excite your passion to live for God. See, the world does not remember the rest, it only remembers the best.
– gabriel_ajibade