RUNNING THIS NEW YEAR WITH DETERMINATION AND DILIGENCE

RUNNING THIS NEW YEAR WITH DETERMINATION AND DILIGENCE

It is plausible to attest that living to journey in this life without principally practicing principled determination and diligence is the inability to fix our eyes on Jesus Christ; a risk indeed.

The matter of determination and diligence which is taken for granted by many, has become a matter that has led many people to failure in life. If then, is determination and diligence worth it?

The question, ‘is determination and diligence worth it?’ Crystallize and catapult our hope from hopelessness and our optimism from pessimism. It gives us light when we are covered with darkness. It shapes our mindset for a better future when we are down-casted about life and the future. It gives us joy when the veil of tears envelops our eyes. It brings us to life so that we can fight for a just cause. Determination and diligence are like twins that are inseparable; they are like the two kidneys in man which are needed to work for proper functioning of the human system, when the two kidneys develops fault, the human system is at risk. Determination and diligence are two words that have made many to set the world alight in their time and make them leave worthwhile legacies, even when they are no more alive. Many people are hopeless about life simply because their diligence and determination is unquantifiable and non-qualitative. Everyone has a task in life to meet and accomplish, hence, without diligence and determination, it’s dicey to accomplish it.

Determination is based on something special, which is, what you want to achieve at each stage of life. Several people are diligent and determine to achieve wrong things. Is that worth it? For others, they have positive view to the future, but yet, they never put on the garment of diligence and determination. Is that worth it? Many have failed severally but want to succeed, yet they have not worn permanently the cloth of diligence and determination. Is that worth it? All these illustrations are happening right here before our very eyes, but yet, we see nothing wrong with them. If so, what next? Are we to sit in our comfort but greatly dangerous zone waiting for miracles to be done? Are we to expect much failures, defeat and complains than success, victory and comply in our lives? If we put on the full garment of determination and diligence, can we truly be happy at the end? These are but questions that should serve as flash backs to our lives.

With the power of determination, one can be what he wants to be. One can stand among the high caliber of people he wants to stand. It is a unique feature of life that can stand one out from the crowd and bring one into the special few persons that are positive and optimistic. The bible confirms that in proverbs 22:29 which says, ‘Hast thou seen a man diligent in his work? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before the mean”. Your work determines how you will be determine and diligent. Your work through determination and diligence determines your end product, your passion to be diligent tells you whether you can stand among men of relevance, class, wealth and purpose or not.

It is in diligence and determination that our desires are truly acknowledged to bring about success. Without a driving force to compel us to victory, how can success be achieved? That driving force is the diligence and determination that ought to be applied in every area of our lives. That is why I confidently say that ‘When diligence and determination is on the increase, failure can never take away the chance of success. So, success is very much certain with determination and diligence.

It is a realistic assertion that our hands being in our pockets when we want to climb the ladder is very much difficult and impossible, therefore, to make the sky our limit or even our starting point, we must be determined in our heart and be diligent. Hoping to reach a greater height in life will be much more unguaranteed when we lack determination and diligence. In view of that, diligence and determination is worth it. That is why Proverb 10:4 says ‘Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth”. To attain wealth, determination is a key prerequisite.

Many try to reach the apogee stage, but end up at the nadir stage, because of the inability to put on the garment of diligence and determination. On that milieu, determination and diligence makes one climb another rung of one’s ladder; for success is a ladder that one must climb to reach the top. A failure should never blame life when he has never made effort to ask if he his determine to rise from his failure. A man confused about life should not confuse life, because life gives us what we give to it. Therefore, we must take full advantage of this diligence and determination available to us on a platter of gold. This full advantage is taken by understanding, need for hard work and a step of faith from where we are now.

Failure is impossible when true diligence and determination is in practice, likewise, success is of greater possibility when diligence and determination is put into practice. With diligence and determination we can do whatever thing we want to do, we can move from where we are to where we want to be, and can live the life we want to live. My echo of wisdom to you this New Year is that, “You can rise from your fall when determination and diligence is put into work. Take the step to journey through the life of fulfillment and victory with diligence and determination. Never keep sitting, stand to your feet and run the race of life with determination, diligence, desire, discipline and devotion (faith) in God”. Even in the quest of winning souls for Christ this New Year, without determination and diligence, boldness and courage, it is very difficult to execute that responsibility. Let us arise therefore from our slumbers and shine the light of God with determination and diligence.  “Let us run this 2014 with determination and diligence.” You can follow me on twitter using @samsondan38.

 Words from the great men of diligence and determination.

“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination”(Tommy Lasorda)

“Decision and determination are the engineer and fireman of our train to opportunity and success”(Burt Lawlor)

 “Determination is the wake-up call to the human will’ [Anthony (Tony) Robbins]

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve problems of the human race” (John Calvin Coolidge)

 ‘He who labors diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labor” (Menander)

 “Patience and Diligence, like faith, remove mountains” (William Penn)

“To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent” (The Buddha)

Remain Blessed as you Journey through 2014…….!

YOUR LIFE BEFORE YOUR GIFTS

OFFER YOUR LIFE BEFORE YOUR GIFTS

There is no uncertainty that the deepest attachment of Christmas to man can be the highest detachment to God almighty. To break this statement into a more simple language, our Christmas would never make meaning if we have not opted to view and apply the celebration of Christmas as from Gods perspective. Hence, what are our already desired thoughts to Christmas this year? Are they of good or of bad? It should interest us that no matter what/how it might be, if there is no understanding to the genesis and meaning of Christmas, celebrating Christmas is thus meaningless.

Many years ago, I was meant to believe that Christmas is a time to get new clothing, a time to eat and drink to the fullest. A time to visit places like zoo’s, wild life parks, museums, PRTV, NTA among several other recreational activities. I was meant to believe that the season of Christmas is a time to say ‘happy Christmas’ to somebody and expect money in return, if need be, go from houses to houses ‘aiming at money’ in the name of happy Christmas. Though it is not bad, but, is that the true meaning of Christmas? That should be a celebration of the new born king without an encounter.  It is indeed period without understanding what Christmas really meant. But now, I realize that even though Christmas is a moment of celebration, it must have to be celebrated with meaning. And this meaning can only be actualized when we give positive answers to certain germane questions as to whom this new born king is; a reason for commemorating Christmas.

Do you have anything to offer to Jesus Christ this Christmas?

Offering your life this Christmas precedes the offering of your gift. The 3 wise men did not only visited Jesus but they offered something precious (gifts) to the new born king. They did not only offer precious gifts, but they offered good worship to the new born king. What do you have to offer to this new born king this year’s Christmas? The bible says, “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.(Matthew 2:11). These 3 wise men didn’t offer their gift before the fell down and worshiped the new born King; instead they offer their life through worship before offering their gifts. What do you have to offer to Jesus Christ this Christmas celebration? That is why I said that, ‘If you don’t have gold to offer to Jesus Christ, offer good worship, if you don’t have frankincense, offer fervent fellowship and love for others, if you don’t have myrrh to offer to Jesus Christ, offer your mellifluous (sweet-sounding) body’. Also note that if you don’t have anything to give, you can give yourself to Jesus. Offer yourself to the service of God can be the best way to celebrate your Christmas this year.  When we offer our body to Jesus Christ, we would live to enjoy this year’s Christmas with meaning. Instead of people to offer their bodies to God, they offer it cheaply for immoral activities. God expect us to offer our body as a living sacrifice. The only way to bring meaning to this year’s Christmas is to offer ourselves to God Almighty. What have you prepared to offer to this new born king this year, your life or your gifts?

A room for the new Born King

            Christmas is a moment of creating a room for the new born King in our hearts. Many years ago, a man (Inn keeper) misses the opportunity of being the first earthly host of Jesus Christ. When Joseph and his pregnant and in-labour wife approached the inn keeper, he said that there was no place in the inn. This made the messiah to be born in the manger. The bible says, “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” - Luke 2:7. Make room for Jesus this Christmas. Everywhere you go this Christmas, represent Christ. There is benefit that accompanies creating room for Christ. This was what the inn-keeper miss and he became the greatest looser in history. Let us not be like the inn-keeper this season. Create room for Jesus and your celebration of Christmas this year will be meaningful.          

            In our today’s world, Christmas is coined to be something different. It is a time when evil and frivolous activities are on the increase. It is a time when many people visit their churches for the first time in a year. It is a time when many people have to travel to their villages for the first time in a year. It is a time when people wash their carpets for the first time in a year. It is a time when people eat and drink to satisfy their bellies. It is a time when the Church is filled to capacity. It is a time when people visit places like zoo, people’s houses, wild life parks, amusement parks or even museums. It is a time when people will say ‘happy Christmas’ to expect money in return. It is a time when people compete on who will first finish plenty bottles of alcoholic drinks. It is a time when people make their hairs for the first time in a year. It is a time when people opt for new shoes, dresses and do all sort of make-ups. If all these are they thoughts of many people about Christmas, is it truly the Christmas? If no, what then is the real meaning of Christmas?

            Christmas is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed holiday celebrated generally on the 25th of December, yearly. It’s a red-letter-day that must remain indelible in our lives as Christians. The Gregorian calendar is not complete if 25th December is not given due recognition, hence, the birth of Christ must be highly recognized in our lives. Of a truth, ‘Christmas celebration will never make meaning if we have not received and recognized Jesus Christ into our lives’. About 60% and above of people who celebrate Christmas, celebrate it without understanding the meaning of Christmas. They celebrate it blindly because people are equally celebrating. They eat because people are eating. They practice lust instead of love and later get lost, and at the end of the day, they call it the spirit of Christmas.

How much love would you give this year’s Christmas?

It was love that made it possible for our almighty God to send His only begotten son (Jesus) to save us from our sins. We must love as Christ loves. Love entails giving and sharing. So therefore, we must share that which we have with others this Christmas. We must learn to love other people this Christmas with sincerity. The expenses that we opt to make, please we should include that of those who cannot be able to afford. When we practice true love this Christmas, we would make many people happy. We should meet a need this Christmas. Therefore, we should find a need and meet it. Youths of today, have devised ways to practice lust instead of love, a lust that leads to their lost. If we must enjoy this Christmas, we must love with good motive and not with wrong motive. Love is of the essence, and we must love to make this Christmas lovely. How have you decided to love this year’s Christmas? a question that must not be left unanswered this season of Christmas..

                What have you already thought of Christmas?, have you thought of another routine and normal Christmas?, have you thought of doing unholy things this year’s Christmas again? How have you programmed your Christmas this year? If this is your reason, please pause, and check very properly before celebrating this year’s Christmas. Offer your life before your gifts has come to challenge us to celebrate a meaningful Christmas. Therefore, we must realize that Christmas is a moment of love and sharing. It is a moment of encounter that should be contagious. It is a moment to find a star that should lead us to where God only designed it to stop. It is a moment of renewal of the heart. It is a moment of opening our hearts while Christ himself is standing at the door knocking very hard. It is a moment of taking the good news of the new born king to the world. It is a moment of joy and happiness. It is a moment of celebration. It is a moment to grow to find favour with and God. We must bring light to this Christmas, and to do that we must have Christ in us. Christmas is a moment of reaching the unreached; like the poor n t he widows. Christmas is a moment to care for those who are sick, a visit to the hospital can make a lot of difference. And I can boldly say that ‘Christmas celebration without Christ is a waste of time’, ‘Christmas celebration without Christ is meaningless’, ‘Christmas celebration without Christ is disaster’, ‘Christmas without Christ nothing but crisis.’ Christmas is come again, and we should celebrate it well. Never celebrate a Christmas without meaning, for a meaningless Christmas is an unhappy Christmas. This write up has come to stir our hearts on how to offer ourselves to Jesus Christ before offering our gifts. You must first know the new born king (Jesus) before you can celebrate this Christmas very meaningfully.

“God is here. This truth should fill our lives, and every Christmas should be for us a new and special meeting with God, when we allow his light and grace to enter deep into our soul”.

Happy Christmas and a prosperous Happy New Year to you all.

WORRY, A WEIGHTY MATTER OF CONCERN TO GOD!!!

DO YOU WORRY ABOUT EVERYTHING

AND PRAY ABOUT NOTHING?

Mr. Johnson was a very rich man who lived in a very big city. Though rich, yet, never had peace of mine. He worried that he may not enjoy his wealth if death knocks at his door. He complained that he cannot travel to his village due to the so call ‘witches and wizards’. He worries so much everyday of his life. There live another man called Mr. Jonah. This man is very poor and lived in a very small city. He worries about everything. How can I get money to take care of my family? How can I train my children to higher institution? Where would I live if my rent expires? These and many more were this poor man’s worries. These two stories are not quite different from what is happening nowadays. Both the rich and the poor keep complaining. Today, many people live and sleep with different worries about life. We worry about everything, but pray about ‘nothing’. From a practical perspective, It is not incorrect to say that worry is necessary, but though not a necessity of life.

Worry has now become part and parcel of our society. Everywhere one goes comes complain by people. Some persons complain on ‘unimportant things’, while others on ‘important things’. Even among the Christian brethren, there is such an increase in worries and a decrease in prayers. This ordinarily is not an incorrect assertion. It has become not incorrect by look of things to assert that in our present generation, worries precede prayers. This in a real sense supposes to be the reverse.

          My very great encounter with this commanding statement “Don’t worry about anything! Instead pray about everything.” (Philippians 4:6a) was an eye opener to receive answers to the germane questions of life such as; what will I eat?, what will I drink? What will I wear? Where will I live, perhaps if our landlord drags us out from the house? What will I even give during this year’s harvest? This bible passage helps us to channel every problem in a proper way to the only master who can solve them all.

          In context, Paul just reminded the saints about God’s nearness, and follows with the exhortation that believers should not be fearful, anxious or wavering. Worry is what gives a small thing a big shadow, it is useless and unnecessary. Worries have now formed the cardinal problems of many Christians today. Though, we would have reasons or circumstances to worry about, but the bible clearly says we should not worry but pray about everything (worries inclusive). Dwight Pentecost puts this famous passage in proper perspective asking as “Do you ever find yourself worrying? Do you know that scriptures calls worry a sin? When you realized that you were worrying, did you go to God and confess it as sin? Worry is just as much a sin as adultery, or murder, or thief. Yet how often we as believers treat it lightly when we find our stomach tied in knots because we have worried ourselves into nervous frenzy”. Apostle Paul in this bible passage is not saying that there are not means to worry, but he is saying that believers are to avoid this subtle and debilitating sin. God expect us to take everything to Him. There is no greater source of spiritual strength than the self-assurance that the Lord is near. He His near to answer us, help us and provide for all our needs, no wonder Thomas Nelson could boldly say that, “Anxiety harasses the soul; enfeebles, irritates, raffles the temper, is a sign of mistrust and failing obedience and distracts the mind from communion with God”

The opening expression “Don’t worry about anything!” conveys a force of command. Many people ask ‘what will I do to raise money when my children are driven for school fees? How can I wait for one month before I receive my salary”?, How can I get money to get things going? When will I get the desired work/Job? When will I get admission to tertiary institution or even when will I finish my school? All these are but few among numerous worries.

          It is intriguing to know that anything is anything, and nothing absolutely means nothing. This literally means ‘not even one thing’. We should not worry about even one thing, for God would answer us of all of our worries if we pray on all of them. That was why Charles Spurgeon says, “our anxiety, does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strengths”.

          What does worry do to an individual? As established earlier, when a man worry about everything, it’s an evidence of a lack of trust in God and His unfailing promises. To that, worries lead to sadness, it destroys and even kills. It depletes ones energies, devitalizes the physical man, and weaken the whole spiritual nature. It greatly reduces the spiritual statute and impoverishes the whole spirit. “Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.”(Leo Buscaglia)

What then is the remedy for worry? The bible says “Instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done”-Philippians 4:6b. Therefore, People who are spiritually balance react to trials with thankful prayer. Such prayer is the antidote to worry and the cure for anxiety. The divinity of prayer is not in view here, but rather its priority and the attitude the believer brings to it. That is why Bengel says, anxious and prayers are mutually opposed as fire and water. Thus, prayers and thanking God for the condition we are in is what would be obtainable at the period of worry. God is capable of solving every of our problems and challenges we are passing through in life today. He expects us to Believe and Trust in Him.

          It is captivating to know that nobody lives without a need. It is these unmet needs of today that turn up to become worries tomorrow. The solution is prayers. We should pray about our worries and not worry about our worries. Even when many people pray, they do it casually and not with total trust in God. When we pray and hope in God, it’s an indication that we think God can look after us. This is what we have failed to do as His Children.

It is conclusively correct to assert that when our hope is in God, we will have peace in our heart. The bible confirms that when it said, “Then you will experience Gods peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now dear brother and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”- Philippians 4:7-8. As an appeal, we are to worry about nothing because we can pray about everything. “The more you pray, the less you'll panic. The more you worship, the  less you worry. You'll feel more patient and less pressured.” - (Rick Warren)

RESPONDING TO YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES!!!

RESPONDING TO YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES!!!

            Responding to your God given responsibilities is a step of being in the right place you want to be in Life. When you have not started responding to these responsibilities, you have not started the journey of life. Life begins not only after you are born again, but also when you begin to respond to the responsibilities you are born to carry out. This can also expressed itself in the form of showing off our fruits of repentance.

Responsibility, in its conceptual meaning, explains how an individual has the authority to decide his own life’s activity even when not been supervised. It is also the ability to choose one’s response to life issues. As people under the authority of Christ, consequently, men and women of authority, we have a better panorama to carry out our responsibility(s) with ease.

            Let me asked this question, “Are you responding to your responsibility?” This question traverses everyone on the facet of this earth, hence, an indispensable command from God Almighty. The Bibles says, “Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to” (1 Corinthian 7:24). From the above quoted verse, it can be drawn that we ought to be responsible to God Almighty. And then to others, through the special task God called us to. That special task is the responsibility that we all are called to carry out. Therefore, everyone’s task is as unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it.

            Responding to Your Responsibilities embodies some germane questions. It seek to address the question of; what is your responsibility?, how responsible are you?, to whom would you be responsible to as you live?, why is responsibility necessary to you?, what is the self-implication of not carrying out your responsibility God asked you to at definite time?, should you be responsible to only those who are responsible to you?, at what time should you respond to your responsibility? and, how can your responsibility be measured?. All these above mentioned questions are of great thoughts that ought to be answered as the subject matter-are you responding to your responsibility? is to be unveiled.

            Before carrying out and responding to your responsibilities, you need to know what your responsibilities are. To do that, you should understand painstakingly that you have the ability to touch lives positively, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly. Impacting to others life’s is an opportunity that can take place everywhere you find yourself; in your family, environment, school, workplace, market place, among friends, in the Church, among others. What a man is skilled at gives a better chance to be responsible to his generation. “Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it” (1 Chronicle 15:22). Responsibility then is not an aspect of reciprocation; do me I do you affair. It’s not a matter of, if not until someone does something for me; I can’t do anything for him, but an aspect of responding to others need by any means at the right time. Your Responsibility should make you capable of consciously choosing how you respond to any given situation.

In our today’s world, responding to our responsibilities is a passive issue, if not passive, it is left in the hands of leaders. Even in the Church, responsibility is believed to be the concerns of the Church leaders etc. Like in the Church, it should be noted that congregations has responsibilities to carry out. Both the leaders and the congregation have something to offer, in order for Church health and growth to be accelerated. It then counts for all hands to be on deck to make for the unity and growth of the Church.  In his words, Williams Pollard says, “It is the responsibility of leadership to provide opportunity, and the responsibility of individuals to contribute”. We have the mandate to contribute to life. The Bible says, “Son of Man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me” (Ezekiel 3:17). God gave Ezekiel a very solemn responsibility of being a watchman. Ezekiel’s aspect of responsibility was to warn the people of Israel of God’s judgment that would be the inevitable consequences of their wickedness. Ezekiel was responsible to tell them about Christ, so as they might live, for God do not want hell to become the ultimate end of sinners, in the same vain, the righteous not to turn from their righteousness to do what was wrong. On this background, we have been giving a mandate as a rare privilege to warn as many we see or know are moving on the wrong track of life. Everybody should be the focal point of our responsibility. In reaching the unreached even when the times are hard, our responsibility is measured. Gerald Vann says, “To help all created things, that is the measure of all our responsibility; to be helped by all, that is the measure of our hope”. It then points out that even when things are not working well for you, there comes a hope of a new tomorrow. Responding to our responsibility helps us to respond to the challenges we face in our lives. Bear in mind, waken up everyday of your life is a kick at the cat; an opportunity to carry out your responsibilities to achieve something better in life. Akin to that, we are born to respond to the clarion call of service, a responsibility that should be carried out. That is why Josiah Charles Stamp says that, It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibility”.  God expects us to respond positively whenever the need arises. We must stand out to respond to the clarion call of service from the crowd. Life is all about DONATION and not DURATION.

Life is a gift, and it offers us privilege, opportunity and responsibility

 to give something back by becoming more - (Anthony Robbins)