Using Stumbling Blocks as Stepping Stones

I have particularly blessed by this entry from Brian Tracy.Hope you will rich principles that will move your life forward.

Using Stumbling Blocks as Stepping Stones
By: Brian Tracy

Everyone makes mistakes and the busier you are, the more mistakes you will make. The only question is "How well and how effectively do you deal with the inevitable ups and downs of life?"

In this newsletter, you learn the difference between a positive and negative worldview. You learn how to benefit from your mistakes and how to remain positive in the face of adversity.

Let the Light Shine In
This is achieved through the simple exercise of self-disclosure. For you to truly understand yourself, or to stop being troubled by things that may have happened in your past, you must be able to disclose yourself to at least one person. You have to be able to get those things off your chest. You must rid yourself of those thoughts and feelings by revealing them to someone who won't make you feel guilty or ashamed for what has happened.

Using Stumbling Blocks as Stepping Stones
There are two ways to look at the world: the benevolent way or the malevolent way. People with a malevolent or negative worldview take a victim stance, seeing life as a continuous succession of problems and a process of unfairness and oppression. They don't expect a lot and they don't get much. When things go wrong, they shrug their shoulders and passively accept that this is the way life is and there isn't anything they can do to make it better.

On the other hand, people with a benevolent or positive worldview see the world around them as filled with opportunities and possibilities. They believe that everything happens as part of a great process designed to make them successful and happy. They approach their lives, their work, and their relationships with optimism, cheerfulness, and a general attitude of positive expectations. They expect a lot and they are seldom disappointed.

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Flex Your Mental Muscles
When you develop the skill of learning from your mistakes, you become the kind of person who welcomes obstacles and setbacks as opportunities to flex your mental muscles and move ahead. You look at problems as rungs on the ladder of success that you grab onto as you pull your way higher.

Two of the most common ways to deal with mistakes are invariably fatal to high achievement. The first common but misguided way to handle a mistake is the failure to accept it when it occurs. According to statistics, 70 percent of all decisions we make will be wrong. That's an average. This means that some people will fail more than 70 percent of the time, and some people will fail less. It is hard to believe that most of the decisions we make could turn out to be wrong in some way. In fact, if this is the case, how can our society continue to function at all?

Cut Your Losses
The fact is that our society, our families, our companies, and our relationships continue to survive and thrive because intelligent people tend to cut their losses and minimize their mistakes. It is only when people refuse to accept that they have made a bad choice or decision-and prolong the consequences by sticking to that bad choice or decision-that mistakes become extremely expensive and hurtful.

Learn From Your Mistakes
The second common approach that people take with regard to their mistakes, one that hurts innumerable lives and careers, is the failure to use your mistakes to better yourself and to improve the quality of your mind and your thinking.

Learning from your mistakes is an essential skill that enables you to develop the resilience to be a master of change rather than a victim of change. The person who recognizes that he has made a mistake and changes direction the fastest is the one who will win in an age of increasing information, technology and competition.

By remaining fast on your feet, you will be able to out-play and out-position your competition. You will become a creator of circumstances rather than a creature of circumstances.

Action Exercises
Now, here are three steps you can take immediately to put these ideas into action.

First, imagine that your biggest problem or challenge in life has been sent to you at this moment to help you, to teach you something valuable. What could it be?

Second, be willing to cut your losses and walk away if you have made a mistake or a bad choice. Accept that you are not perfect, you can't be right all the time, and then get on with your life.

Third, learn from every mistake you make. Write down every lesson it contains. Use your mistakes in the present as stepping stones to great success in the future.

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Shortcuts are Always Short-sighted

by Rick Warren

Noah did everything just as God commanded him. Genesis 6:22 (NIV) "A shortcut says, 'God, I think I can reach this goal a whole lot quicker my way than your way.' " One of the pitfalls you will face as you chase your dreams during this Decade of Destiny is the temptation to take shortcuts. These are the detours that come in life that tempt you to try to cut corners as you run toward your goals but these shortcuts will only get you off track. These may be moral shortcuts, ethical shortcuts, spiritual shortcuts, financial shortcuts, even relational shortcuts, where you start skimming in your relationships. Shortcuts are always short-sighted. They distract you from getting where you need to go and from what God wants you to do in your life. When we look at the life of Noah, we see he doesn't try to cut corners. Noah did everything just as God commanded him. The temptation to take shortcuts is present throughout scripture - Jesus was tempted by the devil to take a shortcut. The devil told Jesus to jump from the top of the temple and, when the angels caught him, it would prove to everyone he was the Son of God. And they would all worship him. But Jesus followed God's plan. Jesus was meant to die on the cross, not jump off a temple. God's plan was that Jesus would be glorified through suffering, not through showing off. When you see a shortcut, it's usually a temptation to cut the corner financially, ethically or morally - just take a little shortcut. But you are also saying, 'God, I think I can reach my goal a whole lot quicker my way than your way.' Sarah had a promise from God that she would have a baby, but by the time she was 80-years-old, she decided to take a shortcut. She told Abraham to get her handmaid pregnant. 'That will be our baby'. But that wasn't God's plan at all. He provided Sarah with her own baby, and Sarah's shortcut led to problems that have lasted for generations. Shortcuts are always short-sited. Noah could have said, 'Lord, do we really need all of these animals? You know, why don't we just leave half the species here. The Sierra club will never know; Green Peace isn't around. We can just call the ones we leave extinct animals.' But the Bible says, Noah did everything just as God commanded him. To reach the dreams God gives you, you must do things exactly as God tells you to do them.

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The Three Primary Virtues

Posted by Brian Tracy on Aug 11, 2009

Adam Smith, in his important book The Theory of Moral Sentiments, wrote that excellent people have three primary virtues: prudence, justice, and benevolence, in that order. Each of them is essential to the others and to the living of a full life in society.

Virtue #1: Prudence

The virtue of prudence refers to your developing the habit of providing well for yourself, your family, your friends, your co-workers, and your company. This requires that you think intelligently and honestly about the very best course of action to maximize your opportunities and minimize possible danger and threats. The habit of prudence means you investigate every investment carefully, think ahead about what might happen if you were to take a particular course of action, and take intelligent steps to guard against setbacks and reversals of fortune. The most successful people are those who are prudent in the conduct in all of their personal and business affairs.

Virtue #2: Justice is Blind

The second habit for you to develop is the habit of justice. This refers to your commitment to the establishment and maintenance of laws in society that protect the person and property of every individual. The American republic has endured for more than 200 years because it was carefully established by the founding fathers on the basis of law, not men. At every level of our society, specific laws are prescribed and laid down that are applicable to all people, regardless of wealth or station in life.

John Rawls, the Harvard philosopher and author of A Theory of Justice (Belknap Press, revised edition, 1999), once presented a question to his class that has been repeated often through the years.

Imagine that you could write the laws and create the circumstances of your society. You are given the power to prescribe the economic, social and political relationships that would exist in your country throughout your lifetime.

There is only one limitation on your power. You would set up this structure without knowing into what sort of family or situation you would be born. You would not know in advance what sort of physical condition you might be born with. Whatever system of laws and customs you decided upon, you would then be required to live by them for the rest of your life. What kind of structure would you design in this situation?

The answer to this question is the very essence of the concept of justice. The statue of justice, holding the balances and scales in her hand, is blind folded. True justice is therefore applicable to all people who live under a certain system, irrespective of their background. When you make the habit of justice an organizing virtue for your own character, you will insist that, whatever the relative power of the parties, everyone be treated fairly and justly in the resolution of any difficulty or dispute.

The habit of prudence is essential for personal success. The habit of justice is essential for the creation of a society within which a person can pursue his or her own best interests with the greatest of possibilities. The rule is that you should never want or demand anything from anyone else that you are not perfectly willing to accept for yourself.

Virtue #3: Benevolence

The third quality you must develop is the habit of benevolence. This is one of the hallmark characteristics of the truly superior person. Aristotle referred to it as one of the eight essential virtues, that of “generosity.” Most people are psychologically and emotionally structured in such a way that they are only truly happy and satisfied when they feel they are doing something that serves and benefits other people. When you give freely and generously of yourself to others, whether it is to members of your family or to members of the public, you feel more valuable and happier inside. When you dedicate yourself to serving your customers with the very best quality product or service of which you are capable, not only do you feel a deep sense of personal satisfaction, but you also put yourself on the side the angels when it comes to personal and business success. You remember the principle: “The more you give of yourself to others with expectation of return, the more good things there are that will come back to you from the most unexpected sources.”

The regular practice of prudence, justice, and benevolence leads naturally to feelings and actions of kindness, compassion, and tolerance toward other people. You become more open minded and flexible. You develop greater patience and understanding. You are less judgmental or demanding of others. You become a better and finer person.

Action Exercise

Imagine yourself to be a person of complete honesty and impeccable integrity. Is there any behavior of yours that you would change?

How To Handle With Frustrations

Sunday 4th of July, 2010 was a glorious day. We had a great time in the presence of God as we watched the women handle the church service climaxing their National Convention. Getting back home we had so much to share together. My wife took time to feed baby, after which she slept. That gave us some space to take care of a few things with regards to our trip to Uyo, Nigeria the following day.

A few minutes later she woke up and that with a scream. We thought it was a normal wake up blues but were shocked beyond measure as we realised this was beyond normal. We did everything we could but she wouldn’t stop. More than an hour had passed yet my baby was nowhere near consolation. Carrying her, I was asking her what the problem was. She could only look at me and cry some more. I was so frustrated. At that moment I wished my baby could speak to me. I guess it would have been very strange for a four months old baby to speak but I wouldn’t have cared. I just needed clues.

My wife had asked me to pray for baby and we did. We prayed again and again but baby was really screaming. I left them in the room and came to the sitting room where I was ironing a few clothes. Standing before the ironing board, I began to scream, pouring my frustrations to God. I couldn’t take it any longer. I knew no reason why she should be crying that way and the One who knows why would have to do something about it or tell us what to do.

Somehow, I felt the need to bind any strange force afflicting my baby and that I did with very strong passion. Moments later I didn’t hear her voice again. My wife brought her to the sitting room and I noticed the screaming had reduced drastically. We wanted to go to the hospital but noticed she was really calming down and then it stopped and started to eat. A little while later she slept and that was the end of that shocking encounter.

Why Frustration?

The following morning while I was praying, I began to understand the reason behind frustration. I saw that lack of understanding leads to frustration. We couldn’t understand why our baby was screaming and so we were frustrated. Baby possibly wanted us to understand what was bordering her but there was communication breakdown. She couldn’t speak our language and we didn’t understand hers. And so frustration set it. Thank God who can understand the language of children and what a wonderful thing He did! He consoled her and put an end to our misery.
Delay can also be another formidable reason for frustration. No one actually likes delay. We want what we want when we want it. This is fostered by the times we live in. Ours is a generation of quick fix. Computers and other technological products have helped us reduce so much time required for many things. We don’t like to wait for anything. So when there is a delay, frustration sets in.

How to Handle Frustration

Be Calm
This is always difficult to do when you have a very frustrating situation but if you can do it, it will enable you to overcome the situation. Speaking through the Psalmist, God said, "Be still and know that I am God." That day I just kept quiet. Initially, I didn't know what to do and it will foolish to try to do something when you don't know what to do. Calmness helps you know what to do. Anxiety dissipates energy. That's why you can't be productive when you are under anxiety.

Take it to God
It is important we take our challenges and difficult issues to God. This is because He has perfect understanding of all things. He speaks and understands all languages and is all-powerful, so He’s aptly qualified to handle anything confronting us. We need to pray always for understanding and insight into issues because we can’t solve a problem we don’t understand. That’s why Solomon insisted on us getting understanding. He knew that life will be a bundle of frustration when you can’t understand your assignment in life and the challenges facing you.

The Power of Understanding

Understanding, among many other things will give you confidence.
When you understand a problem, you can confidently handle it. You can’t be afraid of a person or a challenge you understand. Confidence is the key to victory. It releases boldness. It gives you a winning edge. It enables you to handle your challenges calmly and surely. Confidence, according to Microsoft Encarta, is self assurance or a belief in your ability to succeed. It was confidence that made Paul to declare, “If God be for us who can be against us”. With such confidence, no wonder he was a great success. Confidence is the key to success and it draws it strength from understanding.

Secondly, understanding gives direction. When you understand a problem you can move confidently in the right direction and solve it. Direction is vital if we must win the battles of life. Direction means sense of purpose. Without a sense of purpose failure is inevitable. Nothing was created without purpose and when purpose is not known, Myles Munroe says, abuse is inevitable.

Again understanding provides security.
We can only secure a destiny we understand. Without understanding there is no security. Many people give away their lives for nothing because they lack understanding. There are many things you won’t do when you understand who you are and what you are supposed to do with your life.

Next, understanding provides peace and joy. Lasting peace and joy is a function of understanding. There are many things that want to steal your peace and drain your joy but when you understand the situation then you don’t have anything to fear. You can relax and be rest assured of victory.

Finally, understanding leads to promotion. Your promotion in life will be tied to your level of understanding. The more you understand your purpose in life and pursue it the more greatness you will enjoy.

You are Fully Equipped

Hi, I recently came across this lovely, insightful and inspiring peom by Edgar Guest and felt it will be very beneficial to you. Take time to go through the five stanzas and you will be glad you did. Hopefully, it will start you off or further you in your journey to excellent and successful life. Have a great time.

EQUIPMENT – BY EDGAR A. GUEST

Figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You’ve all that the greatest of all men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes,
And a brain to use if you would be wise,
With this equipment they all began,
So start for the top and say, “I can.”

Look them over, the wise and the great,
They take their food from a common plate,
And similar knives and forks they use,
With similar laces they tie their shoes,
The world considers them brave and smart,

You can triumph and come to skill,
You can be great, if you only will.
You’re well equipped for what fight you choose,
You have legs and arms and a brain to use;
And the man who has risen great deeds to do
Began his life with no more than you.

You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose your place,
You must say where you want to go,
How much you will study the truth to know;
God has equipped you for life, but He
Lets you decide what you want to be.

Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win,
So figure out for yourself, my lad,
You were born with all that the great have had,
With your equipment they all began.
Get hold of yourself and say: “I can.”

Currents of Favour

Watching waterfalls could be a very exciting and an informative thing. You will see how things and people have little problem swimming or flowing with the tide. You will also notice how it could be very difficult if not impossible to swim against the tide. Swimming against the tide obviously means to swim against the water currents and that can be disturbing.

In our lives also, it is possible to swim along or against the tide. Sometimes, I see people struggling to succeed in one thing or the other and it baffles me how very difficult it is for people to understand the reason for their struggles. Definitely, we will face challenges on our way to achieving greatness. But to swim against the tide is quite another thing. It leads to unnecessary failures and heartbreaks.

What do I mean by swimming against the tide? I mean trying to achieve success in any endeavour contrary to the principles and laws that govern success specifically or generally. Every durable success must be on the platform of principles. To succeed otherwise is to build on sinking sand.

It is important to understand that favour is like a river with high currents. When we swim along with the direction of favour, we struggle less and succeed without much difficulty. Swimming against the currents of favour is an energy sapping exercise that ends in futility. If you are doing something over time and there is nothing positive to show for it, take time to examine and re-examine what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. There should be a measure of success that should go with our endeavours. It may not be in the immediate but the signs will be there and the certainty of success will keep you going even when there are no tangible results.

To swim along the currents of favour, firstly, we must understand the direction of favour. Favour isn’t everywhere and in everything at least for an individual. If you get into a business or project you are not supposed to, then you are swimming against the currents of favour. You need to be sure that what or who you want to be involved with is what or who you are supposed to be involved with. You need to find out from God if you are in the right, else you will struggle unnecessarily.

Also, you could have a good idea but a bad location can sabotage your prospects. So, currents of favour, has to do with understanding the right location for what we want to do. Not all locations are good for everybody and everything. Companies site their building in strategic places that will enhance their businesses. We must know the right location for us if we want to succeed.

Moreover, not having the right people to work with can lead to swimming against the currents of favour. Right people will determine the success and durability of a project or relationship. When you work with wrong people, you will be wondering why all your efforts are not yielding commensurately. It will be like putting money in a bag with holes. Be careful with the people you identify with because they can make or mar you.

Next is diligence. The lazy man cannot but swim against the currents of favour. This is because it takes diligence to harness opportunities and openings and this is an impossible thing as long as any man is lazy. In spite of great difficulties, a diligent person will rise to greatness. Work does not kill only laziness does.

Understanding these things will enable us to keep swimming along with favour and experiencing great results and successes that are almost unimaginable.

WHY?

I am a thinker and the art of thinking requires that we sit down and ask questions. I understand that in Philosophy, questions are more important than answers. This is because questions provide the raw material for great results and achievements. Every great result achieved has been a direct product of questions. The more questions we can ask, the more raw materials we generate to work on issues and pressing problems. He is a failure who doesn’t ask questions because he will live within the range of the status quo.

Recently, I noted that I’ve not been doing a particular thing for a long time and the question was, “why did I stop doing that thing?” I had stopped for certain reasons which though may be genuine but were not sufficient enough to make me withdraw. It’s almost amazing what can happen when we begin to ask the question, why? If we are sincere, we will discover that why is so crucial, maybe more crucial than we can imagine.

What is so important about this question, ‘why’? Firstly the question, ‘why’ reveals the motive behind our actions. Why are we doing what we are doing? Why do we want to get into that business? It’s important to realise that intent precedes content. Intention is more important than action. This is because if our intention is wrong then our actions, no matter how good they may appear, will not be right. They can only be manipulative at best and seductive at worst.
Secondly, why defines our scope. It helps us to know region, our sphere of operation. Coca Cola Company is not into software development. Understanding why helps us to concentrate our energies to the right direction. Why helps us to focus. It limits us and maximizes us. It strengthens our resolves and invigorates us.

Thirdly, why helps us to know the resources we need to achieve our objective. It is important to understand why as it will enable us to know how and where to channel our resources. Lack of proper understanding of why, has led to so much waste of scarce resources. Because many people haven’t asked why they were created, they tend to dangle from one thing to another. This leads to waste of both time and energy. We cannot afford to waste our time on earth as we are not staying here forever. We have limited time and for us to maximize it we must ask the question, ‘why’.

The question why opens our latent resources. When you begin to ask why, you will begin to discover that you have what it takes to move far forward than where you are now. You will suddenly discover that you are more than what you are now. It will be a case of scales falling off from your eyes. You will remain where you are presently until you ask why.

Who do you direct your why to? Our most important questions must be channelled to God. This is because He is our Creator, our Manufacturer. He alone knows who we are and why we are. We must find out from Him. This we do in prayer and looking at the manual He gave us, the Bible. Inside that book are all answers you’ll need and more. No one knows a product like its manufacturer and no book can be more explicit than the manufacturer’s manual. Get the manual of God for your life and study it, then watch how your questions will be answered.

If you are still the way you were years ago, the reason may be because you haven’t asked the question why? Ask yourself, why am I single? Why am I poor? Why am I jobless? Why do I feel lonely? The more whys you can ask the better. Give your life a thorough look. Don’t settle for less when you can be more. Don’t settle for a mediocre life. Those who got to the topmost tops didn’t get there by wishing, they got there by asking why. They moved when the changed their reasoning about themselves and their situations.

The time to move forward is now but that will happen if you begin to question the status quo. The future belongs to the one who will ask why. You will never know what you can do until you begin to question yourself about you are doing and where you are. The time is now. Get up and take your destiny. Challenge your challenges and watch how thing can change. Don’t ever fail to ask this all important question, WHY.

The Joy of Accomplishment

What a joy it is to accomplish something new! It could be so refreshing to see the end of your toils and labours. It could be finishing a project, completing an assignment, graduation or anything else. The same feeling accompanies each of them. There is that deep sense of fulfilment that goes with accomplishment. The more we have such feelings the more life we add to our existence on earth.

Everyone can enjoy such rapturous feelings but not everyone does. This is because not everyone is accomplishing something of worth. Many are busy, very busy but with little or no accomplishment. If we must have the joy that comes through accomplishment then we must accomplish. We must accomplish things of worth.

The beauty of accomplishment is that it creates an opportunity for joy not only in our lives but in the lives of others. It increases our influence and multiplies our effectiveness. It positions us for greater accomplishments. It builds our confidence and emboldens us. If all these things happen through accomplishment what then does it take to accomplish?

Firstly, there must be a worthy cause. A cause is what makes something happen. Without a cause nothing can happen. You cannot build something on nothing. A cause is a vision. It is a direction that ensures a destination. It is a reason. Life is a cause and is sustained by a cause. So anyone who does not understand the cause of his or her existence will be a wanderer. There is a reason for our existence or else we wouldn’t be alive. If we want to find out the reason for our existence we must get back to the Cause of our lives. That Causeless Cause is God. He alone knows the reason for our existence since He created us. Our lives will have no meaning and know no true fulfilment until we get back to our Maker.

Secondly, when we have found our reason and meaning from God, we will begin to know the required decisions to make and goals to set. This will require mental efforts. God gave us minds so we can think. It takes proper thinking to have a fulfilled life. No man was created a zombie but unfortunately, many spend their lives living like zombies. Thinking is the hardest form of work and that’s why many don’t engage it. It seems easier to live like a robot than to sit down and do some real and critical thinking. For many their brains have been on vacation for many years. A statistic has it that of all humans only five percent think, fifteen percent think they are thinking but are not and eighty percent will rather die than think. The sole reason many lives stink is because they don’t think. The prodigal son of the Bible remained prodigal, wining and dining with pigs and people he didn’t like, living where he didn’t like and doing jobs he didn’t like as long as he refused to think. The day he sat down to think, an end came to his stinking life. He was able to gather the broken fragments of his life and made something beautiful out of it. One moment of real thinking will save you from a lifetime of stinking.

Thirdly, real commitment is a must if we want to have a lifetime of joyous fulfilment. Lack of commitment is a singular most formidable reason why many people fail in life. The reason is that commitment takes up time and energy and many don’t know what and when to give their time and energy. Since we don’t have all the time, we must understand proper time management if we want to succeed. It will actually cost you everything to achieve something of worth. Half commitment is the recipe for failure. It is the cause of failed marriages, businesses and careers. It takes more than contribution to succeed. It takes total commitment.

An illustration from the book ‘2000+ Bible Illustrations’ will buttress this point: “The difference in a contribution and total commitment is usually the difference in failure and success.
A chicken and a hog were walking past a church building one day when they noticed the Sunday morning sermon posted on the outside bulletin board, "Helping the Poor." They walked a ways when the chicken suddenly came across with a suggestion. "Say, Brother Hog, why don't we give all the poor people a nice breakfast of ham and eggs?" The hog thought a moment and replied, "That's all right for you to say because for you it is only a contribution, but for me, it's total commitment!" Jesus succeeded in His mission because He was totally committed to the task before Him. He was willing to give up everything, even His life, for the cause He believed in. No one really succeeds in life until he reaches the point that he is willing to lay down his life. Jesus said, "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone." Disraeli said, "Nothing can resist a will that will stake even existence for its fulfilment!"”

Finally, the issue of focus comes to play. Broken focus is a serious malady. It is the mother of a thousand failures. It is the harbinger of sorrows and perpetual regrets. You will never succeed without focus. This is because focus fortifies commitment. Focus is concentration. It is determination to succeed in a cause. Focus says no to other good options and pays no listening ear to myriad distractions. It takes patience and endurance to be focused and focus produces desired results. Focus means the main emphasis. The greatest challenge of life is to keep the main thing the main thing. It is so easy to get distracted. Focus requires concentrated effort and that effort is what many don’t want to apply. Fulfilment requires focus. No focus no fulfilment.

I believe it is time to enter the realm of accomplishment and partake of the immense joy it brings. Don’t allow yourself to be shifted out of purpose of God for your life. This is your time.

DON’T GIVE UP!

One of the easiest things to do in life is to quit and give up. This is because we naturally wouldn’t want to put or leave ourselves under the crushing weight of contrary situations. We want to run away from dangers and hide in the face of difficulty. It’s just natural. It’s just human. But life is not made to be lived on the realm of softness. And of course, it is important to note that life is tough. Life will bring you to a point when you have to choose between quitting and continuing. And at this point, many quit.

Why do we quit? We quit when we are not getting the expected results. Lots of time we get into businesses, relationships and others things with expectations. Some of these expectations are realistic while others are not. But as long as we retain unrealistic expectations we are bound to be disappointed. Sometimes our realistic expectations are not forth coming as at when expected and so we quit. We quit doing what we know is right. We quit believing in the power of our dreams. We quit. Unfortunately, many people don’t realise that often times the breakthroughs lie just after the quitting point. We don’t realise that our salvations are nearer than when we believed and so we quit. Had we persevered a little longer, maybe our victory would’ve smiled at us. But that eludes us because we did quit.

Also, we quit because we were ill-prepared for our endeavours. The Scriptures enjoin us to sit down and count the cost of any endeavour before embarking on it. But most of times, we let our emotions and enthusiasm override our reasons and start without adequate preparations, only to realise that we would need more than emotion can offer. Not to prepare is to prepare to fail. We must count the cost of the journey before starting. The beauty of a project is in the completion. Abandoned projects make ugly sites and that is the reason many lives are ugly. We cannot go forward in life by abandoning what we started but we will not fare better if we don’t prepare before starting.

Furthermore, we quit because of lack of courage. The worst state in life is a state of discouragement. It’s a pathetic state. Not even God can do a thing worthwhile in the life of a discouraged person. Before any major assignment in life God will work in the heart of the person to put courage there. This is because only a courageous person can win. Lack of courage is more dangerous than lack of talent and skills. When courage leaves success leaves. This is because success and courage are partners.

Finally, we quit because important people around our lives don’t believe in us. It could be very distressing to anyone when the people who are supposed to aid you become your detractors. It could really be disheartening when your supporters turn against you. At such moments, it is easy to quit. But you see it is still possible to win in spite of your oppositions. If you believe and are fully convinced in your course of action then go on. No one can stop you without your consent. If you refuse to consent to negative views and opinions they can’t stop you.

Are you convinced about what you want to do? Are you facing discouragement right now? Be assured you are not far from your breakthrough. This is not the time to giveup; this is the time to go up. Keep moving. Keep keeping on. Keep believing. Keep trying. Without the last breath of your life keep fighting. You may be faint be don’t give up. You may be knocked down but don’t give up. Rise up and move. The snail may be slow but with steady inputs will get to its destination. May God grant you the grace to continue and cross to the other side called victory.

Birthday!

My birthday was on Oct. 3 and it’s a date I cherish as it offers me opportunity to cast my mind back in retrospect and see the manifold blessings of God for which I owe Him thanks. God has been gracious to me on every side and I have so many reasons to thank Him.

On my birthday last year, I was single but this year I’m married to the most important woman on earth. To make things wonderful, her birthday is also Oct 3. So you can imagine what a memorable time it could have been. Is it a coincidence or what? I think it is a coincidence orchestrated by God. I deeply appreciate God for the privilege to be married. I did an article on the greatest treasure we can ever have recently on my other blog: http://realmenonline.blogspot.com/ , I think it will wise to check it up.

Every year our birthday comes around and that should tell us many things. Firstly, it is important to know that we don’t have all the time to waste. With each tick of the clock, we are getting closer to our graves. We can’t retrieve lost times and so it becomes important to maximize the time we have left on earth to do worthy things that will affect humanity for good and bring glory to God. We must live with eternity in view because whether we like it or not, we can’t stay here forever. To do this effectively, we need to understand our purpose and pursue it with vigour. There is no place for laziness and laxity. We must live like people who have no time because we don’t have much it to make our contribution.

Secondly, it tells us that God has given us a whole year to improve ourselves and the society at large. The question is -have you improved in the last one year? Someone has said that in the next ten years the world will still be the same except for two things: the books you would have read and the people you would have met. What are the books you have read in the last one year? How have they helped you in your development? If you are still thinking the same way you were thinking by last year it’s a sign that you might not improved much. Who are the people you have met and how have they affected your life in this last one year? Are you getting better or worse? You are the only one who can answer these all-important questions and you have to answer them.

Thirdly, it tells us that if we don’t do anything about our state we will still remain where we are now by next year. Someone also said that the only thing some people do is to get old. You can’t afford to live your life just to get old. You are created to improve on yourself using all the available resources God has made available to you. It’s time to get better and move forward. One of the finest truths I have discovered is that anybody can get better. It is important to make sure that we keep improving every year. Don’t let next year meet you where you are today.

In conclusion, I pray for you that you will be all that God has designed and empowered you to be so that by next year you will have something to celebrate.

Victory through Stability

Below is a copy of my recent preaching in church. It was well received and impactful. Hope you will find it inspiring.

Text: 1Cor 15:57-58

INTRODUCTION
God?s will for us is to live a victorious life. That is the only time we are fulfilling His plan. He desires to see His children enjoying constant and consistent victory in every endeavour of our lives. Nevertheless it will take a stable live to enjoy victory.

But we live in a world of changing standards. There seems not to be a definite and concrete yardstick for measuring ideas, opinions and beliefs. Yet in the midst of such relative world, God expects us to be stable and absolute people. In reality victory is tied to stability. No one will willingly trust an unstable person. If therefore we want to attain the victorious life that is possible in Christ, we must trust God for grace to be stable and walk in the principles that will ensure our stability

STABLE: Steady and not liable to change. In this message, we shall consider the qualities of stability by taking STABLE as acrostic for vital qualities.

S- Secure: firmly fixed; well guarded and strongly fortified or protected. Psalm 57:7, 108:1; 112:7, 34:5, Heb 12:2 Num 21:1-4 John 3:14, 15

T- Temperate: mild or restrained in behaviour or attitude: 1Cor 9:25 Titus 1:8; 2:2

A-Accommodate: to adjust actions in response to the needs of somebody; to allow for something: to be adaptable enough to allow something without major change. Eph 4:2 Col 3:13


B-Balance: Harmony: a state in which various parts form a satisfying and harmonious whole and nothing is out of proportion or unduly emphasized at the expense of the rest; emotional and mental stability. Prov. 4:20-27. Balance in business and family life and others

L- Loyal: faithful. Prov. 25:13, 28:20 Dan 6:4 Matt 24:45, 25:21 Luke 16:10 1Cor 4:2

E- Endure: ability to bear prolonged hardship; persistence over time Ezk. 22:14 Matt 24:13 Mar 4:17 2Tim 2:3, 2Tim 4:3, 5

In conclusion, let me ask you in the words of Ezekiel 22:14, can your heart endure? Can you go through the processes needed for your victory in life? Many people started well but faded away because they couldn't endure. Allow God to take you through the processes needed for your much desired victory.

SUCCESSFUL LEADERSHIP

I had the priviledge of teaching a top leadership class in church yesterday. It was a life transforming session and I feel it will be a blessing to you.

TEXT: Eph. 5:1, Ex 20:1-21, John1:1-14, Matthew 5:1-48, John 13:1-17, 1Cor.5:1-13, 2Cor 1:4-11
INTRODUCTION:
God designed us with success in mind. He equipped us with all the necessary requirements for success. Also, when He selected us, He empowered us to succeed. It is therefore God’s will for us to succeed. This is because our success brings joy to His heart and blessings to humanity. He wants us to succeed in whatever endeavour we find ourselves in (Psalm 1:1-3). The essence of this training is to show us God’s strategy for lasting success. As we imitate God we will replicate His kind of success in our leadership endeavours.

DEFINITIONS
Successful: Having the intended result; turning out well; fruitful, positive, effective and thriving.
Leadership: Ability to lead i.e. the ability to guide, direct or influence people.
Successful leadership therefore is the ability to lead people to the actualization of the intended result.

TWO PATTERNS OF LEADERSHIP
1. Formal Pattern: this is leadership carried out in accordance with established or prescribed rules. It connotes proper organization and adequate structure. It incorporates policies, and procedures derived from established principles. A successful leadership must have formal structure. The leader must be grounded in the organization’s fundamentals and functional procedures. He or she cannot afford to be a novice. There must be proper descriptions, duties and expectations to and from the organization. This will enhance his or her chances of success.

2. Informal Pattern: this means leadership that is free of ceremony. It connotes relaxed and casual rather than ceremonious and stiff. This brings life to the organization and enhances the probability of success for the leader. The leader has a serious duty to merge the two dimensions of leadership patterns if he or she wants to be successful.

ILLUSTRATIONS
1. GOD. The Old Testament deals basically with the formal leadership pattern. God took time to lay down laws, judgments, precepts and statutes while in the New Testament, He stripped Himself of the formal robe and identified with us in the person of Jesus. Because He effectively merged the two patterns, we can deal with Him personally and more effectively. The informal galvanizes and clarifies the formal. Ex 20:1-21, John1:1-14

2. JESUS. Jesus took time to further teach His disciples formally and also spent time with them informally. He knew them personally, identified with them in difficulty and ensured freedom of expression among them. He ensured there was no class distinction among them. Matthew 5:1-48, John 13:1-17

3. PAUL. Paul also dealt with both the formal and informal. 1Cor.5:1-13,2Cor.1:4-11

CONCLUSION
Max de Pree said, “The best management (leadership) process for today’s environment is participative management based on covenant relationships”. There is no better place to implement this than in the Church. If we want to be truly successful as leaders, we must be both formal and informal. May God enable us to make this a reality in our lives and leadership endeavours. Amen.

Make Your Choice

Being a man is not easy. Indeed, it could cost you everything in life to be a real man. It is appalling to see majority of people go through life without actually becoming the man of their dreams. Many end up as failures and wonder why after all their efforts.

One thing emerges as I look at the Scriptures and life in general. I see that you cannot use a crooked means to attain a straight end. The means determines the end. If the means is wrong, then the end will be wrong. The advent of computers and internet has raised our options and multiplied our choices. But technology cannot take the place of principles.

Life follows established patterns. The most potent being the pattern of choices and consequences. Every choice has consequence. The consequences may be delayed but not denied. It may take a long time but will surely manifest. While we don’t have the power to determine consequences we have the power to make choices. We have the power to choose our life patterns, values and priorities. The consequences derive their origin from our choices.

The Scriptures say, “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were empty, and the travellers walked through crooked ways” (Judges 5:6). Not only is this true in times past, it is very true in our time. There are highways and crooked ways. Incidentally, the crooked ways are more appealing than the highways and many easily choose them. Shortcuts will cut your life short. The success attained following crooked ways is transient and temporal. True success can only be found in the highways of diligence, honesty, competence and host of other time tested principles. The choice is yours. I have made my choice and it is the highways. What about you?

Before God Gives

There is no day or moment when heaven is not been bombarded with requests from people all over the world. We have many desires and requests and sincerely believe that God who has promised to answer us will always do as He has said. But unfortunately, things don’t work that way. That you spent hours and days in prayer requesting for certain things from God wouldn’t mean your requests will be granted. Certain things will have to be in place.

Abraham was given the promise of a son by God and since he believed God and waited patiently for God’s promise, he eventually received the promise. But the promise wasn’t really his until his encounter with God at the Mount Moriah. God told Abraham to sacrifice this beloved son of his and waited to see what he would do. Abraham obeyed God in totality and God assured him of His eternal blessing on him and his offspring. Why did God send Abraham to the Mount? Why would God instruct Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son? God wanted to deliver Abraham from Isaac.

The issue of deliverance is a cardinal one. We pray for many things but get no answer because God has not succeeded to deliver us from what we are asking for. God will not give you what He hasn’t delivered you from. Because God delivered Abraham from Isaac, He gave him Isaac. If you want anything from God, trust God to deliver you from it else you may not receive it eventually.

Why does God do this? Because anything He has not delivered you from has the potency to destroy you. It has the power to replace God in your life. It can blindfold you from the ultimate purposes of God for your life. It can transform to the end instead of the means. So for these and other reasons God keeps working in you to prepare you for what He has already prepared for you. Until He achieves this deliverance in you, He may not release the answers to your requests. Therefore allow God to tidy up His work in you and watch Him bless you beyond your wildest imagination.

He is trustworthy

Weekend was very stressful for me. I had to teach for hours in the Bible School, attend a serious night vigil and so couldn't fully be in a dear brother's wedding. Woke up this morning needing rest but would have to go to church. I had to deal with a distressful stomach bite which we suspect might be ulcer. But I believe God I'll be alright. Sometimes the greatest thing we can do is wait and trust God for the manifestation of His faithfulness in our lives.

You see, if we live for God we can trust Him for His timely intervention in every area of our lives. He heals, He delivers and protects. He guides and guards His own from the intentions of the devil. He will not deliver you to the will of your enemy. He will stand by your side and offer wisdom and timely assistance. He is trustworthy.

Open Door Sensors 2

Doors really do open! Challenges can be dealt with and obstacles can be removed. It's possible to get into your inheritance no matter how long. I believe nothing should permanently shut doors of opportunities against you.

In the last article on open door sensors, I presented following God as the key to opening doors. In this I want to say another sensor for open doors is Prayer.

Peter was imprisoned by Herod but prayer was going on in the church to God for him. As a result of the heartfelt prayers the Iron Gate was opened to Peter.

Incidentally, it wasn't even Peter who did the much praying. It was other people. Do you have people you can confide in and trust that they will support you in prayers as you face difficult situations? It's very crucial. Don't live life in isolation. Don't be a recluse.

Learn to trust people and watch your life move forward. People, good people around your life may be all you will need to get to the next level of life. If Peter was a bad person, he would've died in the hand of Herod.

Quality Life: The Power of Words

Quality Life: The Power of Words

Open Door Sensors

We are in the season of open doors. There are certain doors God has ordained to be opened to you in times like this. They are doors that have been locked against you for a long time and you don?t what else to do to get them opened. As such you have branded them IMPOSSIBLE. But it is important to realise that with God nothing is IMPOSSIBLE.

Acts 12 tells us the story of Peter who was arrested by Herod the King and all arrangements had been concluded to have him executed. But the night before the intended execution, the Lord sent an angel to effect his deliverance. As Peter followed the angel after being liberated from the prison chains, they got to the Iron Gate that led to the city and the Scriptures tell us that the gate opened to them of its own accord. Peter didn?t need to struggle to open the gate. In fact he couldn?t have been able to open it had he tried.

How then did the gate open? It was opened by divine sensors. A sensor according to Encarta Dictionary is a detecting instrument: a device capable of detecting and responding to physical stimuli such as movement, light, or heat. As Peter walked with the angel, he was in tune with the Lord and so the gate could pick the signal and responded to them by opening up. When you walk with God, by obeying His instructions and living according to His word, you will have His presence accompany you as you walk the most difficult paths of life. With His presence around you certain doors will open for you effortlessly.