Have you set goals for the New Year? Here are some important tips to help you construct your goes for next year.
Break down your goals by setting goals for every key area of your life, e.g., spiritual, financial, personal development, family life social responsibility, etc.
Set specific goals for each area. E.g. spiritual: Read through the Bible in a year. Financial: Make an annual income of ten (10) million naira. Etc.
Set a time target for each goal, e.g. Spiritual: finish going through the bible by Dec 31, 2009. Financial: Make a million naira by January 31, 2009.
Write how you will achieve each goal, e.g. Spiritual: Read three chapters of the Old Testament every morning. Financial: Sell at least 10 electronics every week or improve my skills on the job by going for an MBA, thereby getting the desired promotion.
Make sure you set goals that will motivate you for action. If they don’t motivate you, rewrite them to ensure you are motivated.
Do a periodic evaluation of your set goals to be sure you are on course or out of it.
However, do not set small goals because of your past experiences. Set MOTIVATING, BIG and ACHIEVABLE goals. God bless!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Take Responsibility
Remember, that being responsible means that you are committed to doing everything within your power to ensure that things work out. It means for you to do something about what you can do something about. My dear reader God will not do for you what you can do for yourself. He has given us the power as human beings to do so much. We are created in his image; we have the power to conquer our environment. We must take responsibility for making things to work the way they should work.
I know its easier for us to make excuses and for us to blame other people or for us to blame circumstances but when you are used to making excuses you find it difficult to know how to make anything else. We need to take responsibility for what happens whether good or bad. Remember once again, God will not do for you what you can do for yourself. He won’t brush your teeth for you, he won’t clean your room for you, he’s not going to lay your bed for you, he won’t paint your house for you, he won’t pick the dirt on the floor on our behalf, he won’t eat our food for us and as a nation we must realize that God will not do for us what he has given us the power to do.
Remember the man that was brought to Jesus in the Bible on a stretcher; he couldn’t walk and Jesus told him, ‘man take up your bed and go home.’ What he couldn’t do for himself God gave him the power to walk but that’s where the miracle stopped. As far as taking his bed was concerned; he had to carry that bed himself. Dear friend, whatever you have the power to do – to go to school, to learn, to be an apprentice under someone, to work hard, to get out of your bed and out of your house in the morning, to set goals for yourself and try to achieve those goals God will not do those things for you.
Let me describe some characteristics of responsible people. Responsible people don’t like to be unproductive. They like to add value to other people’s lives. They don’t like to take things from others for free. They do not like to be liabilities on other people. They know that the person, who gives will always be stronger, will always be richer; so, they prefer to be the one always giving.
Responsible people like to pay the price. In life we must pay. If you pay now you play later. If you play now you will pay later whichever way you pay. Responsible people like to pay their prices earlier enough. Then, responsible people have healthy self image because they believe that with God’s help they can do it; they can achieve their goal and the more they try the more they achieve the healthier their self esteem is.
People who run away from responsibility never grow; never build self confidence because ultimately inside them they see themselves as failures. Responsible people are not afraid to confront challenges. They believe that problems exist to be solved and they are willing to use the resources at their disposal to achieve their goals. Now, dear reader, it is not enough for you to do something you must do it to the best of your ability.
God will help you!
I know its easier for us to make excuses and for us to blame other people or for us to blame circumstances but when you are used to making excuses you find it difficult to know how to make anything else. We need to take responsibility for what happens whether good or bad. Remember once again, God will not do for you what you can do for yourself. He won’t brush your teeth for you, he won’t clean your room for you, he’s not going to lay your bed for you, he won’t paint your house for you, he won’t pick the dirt on the floor on our behalf, he won’t eat our food for us and as a nation we must realize that God will not do for us what he has given us the power to do.
Remember the man that was brought to Jesus in the Bible on a stretcher; he couldn’t walk and Jesus told him, ‘man take up your bed and go home.’ What he couldn’t do for himself God gave him the power to walk but that’s where the miracle stopped. As far as taking his bed was concerned; he had to carry that bed himself. Dear friend, whatever you have the power to do – to go to school, to learn, to be an apprentice under someone, to work hard, to get out of your bed and out of your house in the morning, to set goals for yourself and try to achieve those goals God will not do those things for you.
Let me describe some characteristics of responsible people. Responsible people don’t like to be unproductive. They like to add value to other people’s lives. They don’t like to take things from others for free. They do not like to be liabilities on other people. They know that the person, who gives will always be stronger, will always be richer; so, they prefer to be the one always giving.
Responsible people like to pay the price. In life we must pay. If you pay now you play later. If you play now you will pay later whichever way you pay. Responsible people like to pay their prices earlier enough. Then, responsible people have healthy self image because they believe that with God’s help they can do it; they can achieve their goal and the more they try the more they achieve the healthier their self esteem is.
People who run away from responsibility never grow; never build self confidence because ultimately inside them they see themselves as failures. Responsible people are not afraid to confront challenges. They believe that problems exist to be solved and they are willing to use the resources at their disposal to achieve their goals. Now, dear reader, it is not enough for you to do something you must do it to the best of your ability.
God will help you!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Impatience
John El Meson once said, ‘impatience is a big get a headache.’ When we are impatient we want to get ahead, we want things to happen fast; we want to run ahead of somebody else. But John El Meson said impatience is a big get a headache. When we are impatient we become frustrated, we express negative emotions ultimately it impact on our health. It has never been easy to be patient but it’s probably harder now than ever.
In our day we can send messages across the world instantly, we can cook food instantly; we can even buy on the internet instantly and now we want everything else to happen instantly but it won’t just happen like that. An acorn will not grow into an oak tree instantly. You don’t build a house instantly. We cannot break the laws of nature; growth is a process.
So, let’s begin with your definition of success. If the definition of success for you is built on material things and of course you can try to acquire material things instantly. But, if your definition of success is in your character, if it is who you are then you must know that it will take time for you to grow your character. And now when we acquire material things very quickly but we do not have the character to manage them ultimately we collapse. Things fail in our lives, we are out of equilibrium. So, please remember success is not what you have it is who you are. And it takes time for you to grow, to develop the emotional and the spiritual capacity to bear the weight of the success that is coming into your life.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, ‘adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience.’ My dear reader trees stayed on the same spot for decades; they know that their time will change, their season will change and they adjust to the times and seasons. They are not under any illusion that they will be growing fruits or leaves all year round. It all depends on season and they are willing to wait. But when the right season comes trees know that the fruits come out by themselves they don’t have to groan or struggle.
Sometimes we struggle, we groan, we are frustrated, we become broken emotionally even physically because we are trying to force things to happen out of season and out of their time. We won’t always get instant results. In fact, some of the best things in life require years of hard work and waiting. If we do not overcome our need for instant gratification we may frustrate the process for achieving our goals. When we are impatient we are likely to be almost always frustrated, angry and unhappy at our rate of growth. And we cannot afford to subject ourselves to negative emotions constantly; it breaks down our health.
So, rather than focusing on what God has not done let’s focus on what God has already done in our lives with that we can be grateful. You know it all depends on what we focus on; it’s either the glass is half empty or it is half full. Let’s focus on the fullness and whatever it is that is left God will still do at his time.
And we must always remember that being impatient has negative consequences. We are likely to get angry, flare up very easily. We are likely to sink into depression and negative dark mood. Also, we have the tendency to throw away relationships, to throw away education, jobs when things are not working for us fast enough.
Our lives are filled with abandoned projects because things are not working fast enough. But of course, to complete a building you must stay with it. Build it right from the foundation all through till you put the roof on it and even then it is not yet done you have to put the finishing touches. Close the openings, close the windows, fix the doors and so on; it just takes time. So, we are likely to throw away relationships, throw away our marriage relationships, throw away friendships, throw away education because things are not working fast enough and sometimes many of us may find it difficult getting those years or relationships back.
Also, we waste our energy worrying instead of spending the same energy in the pursuit of our goals. Because things are not working fast enough we don’t pay attention to the goals themselves we are frustrated. I encourage you my dear friend it takes time but ultimately you will fulfill your destiny. I pray that God will help you not to stay behind the time he designed for your destiny.
You will succeed!
In our day we can send messages across the world instantly, we can cook food instantly; we can even buy on the internet instantly and now we want everything else to happen instantly but it won’t just happen like that. An acorn will not grow into an oak tree instantly. You don’t build a house instantly. We cannot break the laws of nature; growth is a process.
So, let’s begin with your definition of success. If the definition of success for you is built on material things and of course you can try to acquire material things instantly. But, if your definition of success is in your character, if it is who you are then you must know that it will take time for you to grow your character. And now when we acquire material things very quickly but we do not have the character to manage them ultimately we collapse. Things fail in our lives, we are out of equilibrium. So, please remember success is not what you have it is who you are. And it takes time for you to grow, to develop the emotional and the spiritual capacity to bear the weight of the success that is coming into your life.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, ‘adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience.’ My dear reader trees stayed on the same spot for decades; they know that their time will change, their season will change and they adjust to the times and seasons. They are not under any illusion that they will be growing fruits or leaves all year round. It all depends on season and they are willing to wait. But when the right season comes trees know that the fruits come out by themselves they don’t have to groan or struggle.
Sometimes we struggle, we groan, we are frustrated, we become broken emotionally even physically because we are trying to force things to happen out of season and out of their time. We won’t always get instant results. In fact, some of the best things in life require years of hard work and waiting. If we do not overcome our need for instant gratification we may frustrate the process for achieving our goals. When we are impatient we are likely to be almost always frustrated, angry and unhappy at our rate of growth. And we cannot afford to subject ourselves to negative emotions constantly; it breaks down our health.
So, rather than focusing on what God has not done let’s focus on what God has already done in our lives with that we can be grateful. You know it all depends on what we focus on; it’s either the glass is half empty or it is half full. Let’s focus on the fullness and whatever it is that is left God will still do at his time.
And we must always remember that being impatient has negative consequences. We are likely to get angry, flare up very easily. We are likely to sink into depression and negative dark mood. Also, we have the tendency to throw away relationships, to throw away education, jobs when things are not working for us fast enough.
Our lives are filled with abandoned projects because things are not working fast enough. But of course, to complete a building you must stay with it. Build it right from the foundation all through till you put the roof on it and even then it is not yet done you have to put the finishing touches. Close the openings, close the windows, fix the doors and so on; it just takes time. So, we are likely to throw away relationships, throw away our marriage relationships, throw away friendships, throw away education because things are not working fast enough and sometimes many of us may find it difficult getting those years or relationships back.
Also, we waste our energy worrying instead of spending the same energy in the pursuit of our goals. Because things are not working fast enough we don’t pay attention to the goals themselves we are frustrated. I encourage you my dear friend it takes time but ultimately you will fulfill your destiny. I pray that God will help you not to stay behind the time he designed for your destiny.
You will succeed!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Decision 1
Soichiro Honda founder of the Honda motor company in his autobiography writes about a crucial decision he had to make. He said, ‘when I started manufacturing motorcycles, prophets of doom who were at that time my best friends came to discourage me. Why don’t you simply set up a garage? You will raked in lots of money they said; there are lots of cars to repair all over the country. I didn’t listen to their pessimistic advice Honda said, so, beside my research laboratory I started up the Honda Company on September 24 1948 it now covers the entire world.’
Dear reader so Soichiro Honda made this decision in the face of negative arguments and pessimism. That decision made him a mult time millionaire; that decision had made history. So, I ask you today, what is it that you know today that if only you would make up your mind and do it things will change for you? What is holding you back from making that decision? Is it other people’s opinions? Is it advice that you have gotten? Is it pessimism, negative comments that you have had? Friend, you got to make up your mind because your decision determines your destiny.
Ultimately, you alone are fully responsible for your success or failure. I ask that you make up your mind because there is power in a made up mind. The world seems to pave way for the man whose mind is made up. People who succeed usually make their decision fast; reasonable decision of course; but they quickly arrive at the decisions and they change their decision slowly. Your decision will determine your destiny; make up your mind now to breakthrough financially, to breakthrough on your career. Your miracle is around the corner.
You will succeed!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
THE DYNAMIC OF FAITH
Dr. Robert Schuller, international motivator, author and speaker once sat across the desk from Phillip Johnson a renowned architect. He had a dream he wanted to share with the Architect. He wanted him to design a church building that would be an all glass structure. An edifice? “That is impossible” Mr. Johnson replied without hesitation.
It is not possible. Then, Dr. Schuller handed him a small dictionary, and told him to look up the meaning of the word “impossible”. Phillip Johnson was startled. But to his shock, Mr. Johnson saw that someone had cut out the word impossible from that dictionary with a razor.
That is right said Dr. Schuller. “The word impossible does not exist in my vocabulary. It can only be found in the dictionary of fools”. It was a gag, but Mr. Johnson got the message, and Johnson went ahead to design what is now one of the world’s most beautiful cathedrals – the Crystal Cathedral in Santa Ana, in California, USA, which was dedicated in September 1980. There is a biblical dimension to what Dr. Schuller had done in Mark 9:23; Jesus said unto him, “if thou can believe all things are possible to him that believeth”. It was a gathering of great minds. Scientist and Engineers from all over the world at a conference in England.
When it was all said and done, a communiqué was issued the content? It stated emphatically that man would never be able to build a machine that would fly in the sky. Co-incidentally, while the conference was in session, the Wright brothers were building the first aircraft.
We know too well which side won. The skies are filled today with crafts that fly. Some of them so huge even the Wright brothers would marvel. All things are possible to him that believes. The word “impossible” is a dangerous word. It is like a computer virus. It jams our mental system and blinds us to the possibility of breakthroughs. We must avoid that word like a plague, because in reality, nothing is impossible with God.
A man came to Jesus, requesting that Jesus should come and heal his daughter. But on their way to his house, this man received the news that his daughter was dead. “Do not trouble the master anymore”, he was advised. But Christ looked at him and said; “Be not afraid, only believe”. And we know what happened latter. For us humans, the death of anything or anyone is a terminal situation. But Jesus taught this man, that with God, nothing should be impossible.
There is no situation God cannot turn around, if we believe. Jesus raised Jairus daughter from the dead. I asked you today, which situation have you considered impossible in your life? Is it the restoration of your marriage? Is it your desire for education attainment? Is it the possibility of rising in business again? Is it the sudden retrenchment, which seems to do the final blow assault on your career? Please remember: there is no such thing as impossibility with God. Faith is the power that will free you to succeed in spite of all odds.
I want you to really think about that. Now, how do we acquire this faith? Romans 10:17 say Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Simply put, faith is created when any particular thought enters your heart. From that moment, spiritual power is released to turn that thought into its physical equivalent. Any thought that is consistently considered by the mind will eventually enter the heart. When it enters the heart, faith is born. This is what happens when we meditate on God’s word on any subject.
After period of meditation, the word enters our heart, and creates faith. We become convinced of the reality of what we want from God and begin to confess that it is done then a miracle is in the making. I challenged today, dare to believe God and miracles will happen in your life. It is not too late for God to restore your marriage. I heard recently of a marriage that was restored after twenty-four years of separation. God will do your own. Go ahead and apply for that admission. You may not know how, but God will supply the money you need. Dare to take that step.
Apply for the job. Start that business. Claim your healing. God will make a way for you. Miracles will happen on your behalf in Jesus name. I offer myself as an example. I wanted to teach scriptural success principles on radio, but I didn’t have the money. But I made the move.
I wrote the amount on paper, and stick it on the wall in my bedroom. Everyday, I prayed with my wife over it. Then suddenly, something gave way, and the program took off. We have kept the programme on air till date because I dare to believe. Your breakthroughs are waiting for you when you dare. You will succeed!
Sam Adeyemi
It is not possible. Then, Dr. Schuller handed him a small dictionary, and told him to look up the meaning of the word “impossible”. Phillip Johnson was startled. But to his shock, Mr. Johnson saw that someone had cut out the word impossible from that dictionary with a razor.
That is right said Dr. Schuller. “The word impossible does not exist in my vocabulary. It can only be found in the dictionary of fools”. It was a gag, but Mr. Johnson got the message, and Johnson went ahead to design what is now one of the world’s most beautiful cathedrals – the Crystal Cathedral in Santa Ana, in California, USA, which was dedicated in September 1980. There is a biblical dimension to what Dr. Schuller had done in Mark 9:23; Jesus said unto him, “if thou can believe all things are possible to him that believeth”. It was a gathering of great minds. Scientist and Engineers from all over the world at a conference in England.
When it was all said and done, a communiqué was issued the content? It stated emphatically that man would never be able to build a machine that would fly in the sky. Co-incidentally, while the conference was in session, the Wright brothers were building the first aircraft.
We know too well which side won. The skies are filled today with crafts that fly. Some of them so huge even the Wright brothers would marvel. All things are possible to him that believes. The word “impossible” is a dangerous word. It is like a computer virus. It jams our mental system and blinds us to the possibility of breakthroughs. We must avoid that word like a plague, because in reality, nothing is impossible with God.
A man came to Jesus, requesting that Jesus should come and heal his daughter. But on their way to his house, this man received the news that his daughter was dead. “Do not trouble the master anymore”, he was advised. But Christ looked at him and said; “Be not afraid, only believe”. And we know what happened latter. For us humans, the death of anything or anyone is a terminal situation. But Jesus taught this man, that with God, nothing should be impossible.
There is no situation God cannot turn around, if we believe. Jesus raised Jairus daughter from the dead. I asked you today, which situation have you considered impossible in your life? Is it the restoration of your marriage? Is it your desire for education attainment? Is it the possibility of rising in business again? Is it the sudden retrenchment, which seems to do the final blow assault on your career? Please remember: there is no such thing as impossibility with God. Faith is the power that will free you to succeed in spite of all odds.
I want you to really think about that. Now, how do we acquire this faith? Romans 10:17 say Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Simply put, faith is created when any particular thought enters your heart. From that moment, spiritual power is released to turn that thought into its physical equivalent. Any thought that is consistently considered by the mind will eventually enter the heart. When it enters the heart, faith is born. This is what happens when we meditate on God’s word on any subject.
After period of meditation, the word enters our heart, and creates faith. We become convinced of the reality of what we want from God and begin to confess that it is done then a miracle is in the making. I challenged today, dare to believe God and miracles will happen in your life. It is not too late for God to restore your marriage. I heard recently of a marriage that was restored after twenty-four years of separation. God will do your own. Go ahead and apply for that admission. You may not know how, but God will supply the money you need. Dare to take that step.
Apply for the job. Start that business. Claim your healing. God will make a way for you. Miracles will happen on your behalf in Jesus name. I offer myself as an example. I wanted to teach scriptural success principles on radio, but I didn’t have the money. But I made the move.
I wrote the amount on paper, and stick it on the wall in my bedroom. Everyday, I prayed with my wife over it. Then suddenly, something gave way, and the program took off. We have kept the programme on air till date because I dare to believe. Your breakthroughs are waiting for you when you dare. You will succeed!
Sam Adeyemi
Friday, February 1, 2008
Divine Favour
Favour is what makes people love us. Favour causes people to be kind towards us. To be favoured is to be preferred.
Every one needs favour to succeed. The job seeker needs favour to be preferred above a hundred other applicants. The Businessman needs favour for people to patronize his shop. The contractor needs favour for his quotation to be preferred to fifty others. The student needs favour for admission. The employee needs favour from his employer.
Children need favour from their parents. Parents need favour from their children. Wives need favour from their husbands. As a pastor, I need favour for people to come to my church and to listen to me on the radio or tape. We all need favour. It is essential for success in all areas of our lives.
And so, Joseph had favour with his father. His father loved him so much he gave him a coat of many colours. He also found favour with one of his brothers. When the brothers plotted to kill him, Reuben argued against it, and Joseph’s life was spared because he found favour, he was saved. Joseph had favour with God too, you see even as a slave, the Bible says the Lord was with him and he was a prosperous man. I believe that this is most important.
The Bible says that Jesus had favour with God and with men.
When we have favour with God, He will give us favour with men. With God on our side, success is guaranteed.
While Joseph was a slave in Egypt, he had favour with his master Potiphar, who gave him charge over all his possessions. Only favour could give a slave that.
Favour is necessary for promotion, unfortunately in our country today; people do all kinds of things to secure favour. People give bribes, some commit fornication or adultery; some others go to the extent of visiting spiritualists.
Others use specially made creams on their bodies and some wear charms, rings and other amulets. All looking for favour, true favour is necessary for us to succeed in life but only favour from God has positive and lasting effect on our lives.
When Potiphar’s wife lied against Joseph and Joseph was thrown into prison, the Bible says that the Lord was with Joseph and the Lord showed him kindness. He also inclined the prison warden to act favourably towards him.
Guess what? The prison warden handed over the entire prison administration to Joseph so that all the other prisoners were now responsible to him. Wherever Joseph went, he was loved, recognized and celebrated. We all need this kind of favour. The day Joseph had the opportunity of standing before Pharaoh, God showed him favour.
He was promoted from the prison to the palace, in other words, from a prisoner to a prime minister. May our lives be like Joseph’s.
Another man who enjoyed divine favour in the Bible was Daniel. Daniel was a slave in a foreign land but rose to first-level leadership, because God gave him favour. Now, you may be asking, how can you receive favour with God and with men? I have some advice.
1. PRAYER We can have nothing except it is given us from heaven. It is God that gives lasting favour. Favour gotten through other means lose their effect eventually. We must desire favour from God, and pray at all times.
2. LIVE RIGHT A good man obtains favour from God. God will only bless us when we live according to His laws and according to the laws of the land.
We cannot enjoy God’s favour if we cheat, lie or steal. Fraud and corruption cannot enjoy favour. Rather they alienate us from God. The Bible says that God is angry with the sinner every day. Living right however, automatically brings God into our situations and circumstances.
3. SHOW FAVOUR TO OTHERS You know whatever a man sows that shall he also reap. If we want a harvest of favour from others, we must show love. We should use every opportunity we have to show favour to others. Sooner or later, we will reap what we sow; the easiest way to get people to smile at you is to smile at them.
4. GET WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING Intelligence and common sense wins favour. People love to be around those who have the answers. In any organization, employees who get to the root of problems and get the solutions always enjoy favour. They rise fast through ranks. Every leader loves to build a winning team. They are always on the look out for that employee with common sense.
Joseph got the opportunity to stand before Pharaoh because he was the only one who could interpret Pharaoh’s dream. The Dream showed there was going to be famine. Joseph proffered a solution immediately. He was made the Prime Minister. We should learn to pray to God for wisdom. Also become an expert in your field.
5. MARRY THE RIGHT PERSON The Bible says he who gets a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord. There is a multiplied effect of God’s grace on the person who marries in the will of God.
6. GO FOR EXCELLENCE Excellence attracts favour. Everyone appreciates good quality. Excellence will make people to patronize your products no matter your area. Excellence will make people pass by other shops and come to yours. Excellence will make people to want your services if you run a bank, insurance business or even if you are a plumber.
We can all enjoy divine favour from God, if we do the right.
You will Succeed!
Sam Adeyemi
Every one needs favour to succeed. The job seeker needs favour to be preferred above a hundred other applicants. The Businessman needs favour for people to patronize his shop. The contractor needs favour for his quotation to be preferred to fifty others. The student needs favour for admission. The employee needs favour from his employer.
Children need favour from their parents. Parents need favour from their children. Wives need favour from their husbands. As a pastor, I need favour for people to come to my church and to listen to me on the radio or tape. We all need favour. It is essential for success in all areas of our lives.
And so, Joseph had favour with his father. His father loved him so much he gave him a coat of many colours. He also found favour with one of his brothers. When the brothers plotted to kill him, Reuben argued against it, and Joseph’s life was spared because he found favour, he was saved. Joseph had favour with God too, you see even as a slave, the Bible says the Lord was with him and he was a prosperous man. I believe that this is most important.
The Bible says that Jesus had favour with God and with men.
When we have favour with God, He will give us favour with men. With God on our side, success is guaranteed.
While Joseph was a slave in Egypt, he had favour with his master Potiphar, who gave him charge over all his possessions. Only favour could give a slave that.
Favour is necessary for promotion, unfortunately in our country today; people do all kinds of things to secure favour. People give bribes, some commit fornication or adultery; some others go to the extent of visiting spiritualists.
Others use specially made creams on their bodies and some wear charms, rings and other amulets. All looking for favour, true favour is necessary for us to succeed in life but only favour from God has positive and lasting effect on our lives.
When Potiphar’s wife lied against Joseph and Joseph was thrown into prison, the Bible says that the Lord was with Joseph and the Lord showed him kindness. He also inclined the prison warden to act favourably towards him.
Guess what? The prison warden handed over the entire prison administration to Joseph so that all the other prisoners were now responsible to him. Wherever Joseph went, he was loved, recognized and celebrated. We all need this kind of favour. The day Joseph had the opportunity of standing before Pharaoh, God showed him favour.
He was promoted from the prison to the palace, in other words, from a prisoner to a prime minister. May our lives be like Joseph’s.
Another man who enjoyed divine favour in the Bible was Daniel. Daniel was a slave in a foreign land but rose to first-level leadership, because God gave him favour. Now, you may be asking, how can you receive favour with God and with men? I have some advice.
1. PRAYER We can have nothing except it is given us from heaven. It is God that gives lasting favour. Favour gotten through other means lose their effect eventually. We must desire favour from God, and pray at all times.
2. LIVE RIGHT A good man obtains favour from God. God will only bless us when we live according to His laws and according to the laws of the land.
We cannot enjoy God’s favour if we cheat, lie or steal. Fraud and corruption cannot enjoy favour. Rather they alienate us from God. The Bible says that God is angry with the sinner every day. Living right however, automatically brings God into our situations and circumstances.
3. SHOW FAVOUR TO OTHERS You know whatever a man sows that shall he also reap. If we want a harvest of favour from others, we must show love. We should use every opportunity we have to show favour to others. Sooner or later, we will reap what we sow; the easiest way to get people to smile at you is to smile at them.
4. GET WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING Intelligence and common sense wins favour. People love to be around those who have the answers. In any organization, employees who get to the root of problems and get the solutions always enjoy favour. They rise fast through ranks. Every leader loves to build a winning team. They are always on the look out for that employee with common sense.
Joseph got the opportunity to stand before Pharaoh because he was the only one who could interpret Pharaoh’s dream. The Dream showed there was going to be famine. Joseph proffered a solution immediately. He was made the Prime Minister. We should learn to pray to God for wisdom. Also become an expert in your field.
5. MARRY THE RIGHT PERSON The Bible says he who gets a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord. There is a multiplied effect of God’s grace on the person who marries in the will of God.
6. GO FOR EXCELLENCE Excellence attracts favour. Everyone appreciates good quality. Excellence will make people to patronize your products no matter your area. Excellence will make people pass by other shops and come to yours. Excellence will make people to want your services if you run a bank, insurance business or even if you are a plumber.
We can all enjoy divine favour from God, if we do the right.
You will Succeed!
Sam Adeyemi
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Planning for Success
Above all else, begin to do something about all the goals you have written down. God will bring them to pass. This will be your most fulfilling year.
Success is the achievement of specific goals. Therefore, where there is no goal, there can’t be success. Lack of goals is responsible for most of the frustration, confusion and boredom in the world today. Proverbs 29:18 says; “Where there is no vision, the people perish…..”
Dear friend, goals will deliver some benefits to you.
1. You will be happy. Happiness, fulfillment and wealth are not goals in themselves because they are vague. However, they are the benefits delivered to you when you accomplish your goals.
2. Goals release your energy. Goals motivate. All of us are loaded with potential, but we never realize how much we can accomplish until we try. Goals will release enthusiasm in your life.
3. Goals help you focus. They give you specific direction
Now, as you set your goals for this year, make use of the following tips;
a. Let your goals be specific and measurable. For example, write the specific amount of money you want. Don’t just write, ‘I want more money.’
b. Don’t make small plans. When you expect God to help you, you must make the kind of plans that really require God’s help. Make plans that cause blood to flow in your veins, plans that excite you. Ted Engstrom, an author once said; “If you aim at a star, you will hit an eagle, but if you aim at an eagle you will hit a stone.” However, don’t let your plans be so big that they overwhelm and confuse you.
c. Then, let your plans have specific deadlines.
Now, read and pray over your goals everyday. Establish a step-by-step plan for achieving them. See yourself achieving these goals in your imagination. Then, make a move. God will move on your behalf.
You will succeed!
Success is the achievement of specific goals. Therefore, where there is no goal, there can’t be success. Lack of goals is responsible for most of the frustration, confusion and boredom in the world today. Proverbs 29:18 says; “Where there is no vision, the people perish…..”
Dear friend, goals will deliver some benefits to you.
1. You will be happy. Happiness, fulfillment and wealth are not goals in themselves because they are vague. However, they are the benefits delivered to you when you accomplish your goals.
2. Goals release your energy. Goals motivate. All of us are loaded with potential, but we never realize how much we can accomplish until we try. Goals will release enthusiasm in your life.
3. Goals help you focus. They give you specific direction
Now, as you set your goals for this year, make use of the following tips;
a. Let your goals be specific and measurable. For example, write the specific amount of money you want. Don’t just write, ‘I want more money.’
b. Don’t make small plans. When you expect God to help you, you must make the kind of plans that really require God’s help. Make plans that cause blood to flow in your veins, plans that excite you. Ted Engstrom, an author once said; “If you aim at a star, you will hit an eagle, but if you aim at an eagle you will hit a stone.” However, don’t let your plans be so big that they overwhelm and confuse you.
c. Then, let your plans have specific deadlines.
Now, read and pray over your goals everyday. Establish a step-by-step plan for achieving them. See yourself achieving these goals in your imagination. Then, make a move. God will move on your behalf.
You will succeed!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Solving Life's Problems
In the first place, WE MUST REALISE THAT NO LIFE IS PROBLEM-FREE.
Everybody has problems to one degree or the other. If you think finding a solution to your present problem will leave you problem-free forever, you will soon realize that it is only an illusion.
The solution to your present problem will likely create another one. If you don’t have a car, you may think the day you get one, all of your problems with transportation will be over. True, some will be solved, but you will definitely get new problems with its maintenance.
If you have been unemployed for a long time, you may be convinced that getting a job will solve all of your problems. But do you realize that there are multiplied thousands of people who go to work on Monday with frowns on their faces. On Friday however, they are the happiest people on earth. They hate their jobs. You see, employed people have problems too.
Unmarried people may think that marriage will solve all their emotional problems. Have we not read novels where the main characters eventually get married and, so to speak, lived happily ever after? That is fantasy. Marriage certainly solves some problems but it comes with new ones.
The employee may further think that all his problems will be over the day he has his own company. God answers his prayer, he gets his own. But soon realizes that he has only signed for a higher grade of problems. Employers have their problems too – payment of salaries, sourcing of business opportunities, making decisions, resolving conflicts, and so on.
The bottom line is this: no one is free from problems. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has come your way that is not common to mankind …” Jesus said, “In the world, you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
So I say, DECIDE WHAT YOUR PROBLEM WILL DO TO YOU. Your problem has the potential to leave you a winner or a loser; to leave you happy or to leave you sad. To make you better or bitter, dancing or mourning. It can make you fly or crawl. You can choose to react positively to your problem because your attitude to your problem is more important than the problem itself. That is why Jesus said, “Be of good cheer.”
Attitudes are more important than facts. Our attitudes determine how we view a situation. A negative mental attitude will see the worst side while a positive mental attitude will see the best side.
It is better to have a positive attitude because things are not usually as bad as they seem. We should also remember that every problem has within it, the seed of a miracle. All things are possible to him that believes.
We must learn to give thanks to God in all situations. We may not understand why He allows these problems. But we know that His thoughts concerning us are for good and not for evil, to give us a future and a hope. No matter how bad it is, we should realize, that it could always be worse. Worry is a negative reaction to a problem.
I have never seen a single problem solved by worry. I have only seen problems worsened by worry. God’s word says, “Don’t worry over anything whatever; whenever you pray, tell God every detail of your needs in thankful prayer.” What will this problem do to you? You can make a choice to go over and not under. And God will take you over, in Jesus’ name.
Now, realise that YOUR PROBLEM WILL NOT BE THERE FOREVER. Your problem has a life span. It will soon be over. You won’t be a student forever. You won’t be jobless forever. Business will not be down forever. 2 Corinthians 4:17 in the Living Bible says, “These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won’t last very long.
Yet this short time of distress will result in God’s richest blessing upon us forever and ever.” The dark night will give way to a new day. The storm will give way to sunshine.
The dry season of your life will give way to the rainy season. As you keep on praying and believing, your academic, financial or marital problems will give way in Jesus name. Amen.
You will succeed!
Everybody has problems to one degree or the other. If you think finding a solution to your present problem will leave you problem-free forever, you will soon realize that it is only an illusion.
The solution to your present problem will likely create another one. If you don’t have a car, you may think the day you get one, all of your problems with transportation will be over. True, some will be solved, but you will definitely get new problems with its maintenance.
If you have been unemployed for a long time, you may be convinced that getting a job will solve all of your problems. But do you realize that there are multiplied thousands of people who go to work on Monday with frowns on their faces. On Friday however, they are the happiest people on earth. They hate their jobs. You see, employed people have problems too.
Unmarried people may think that marriage will solve all their emotional problems. Have we not read novels where the main characters eventually get married and, so to speak, lived happily ever after? That is fantasy. Marriage certainly solves some problems but it comes with new ones.
The employee may further think that all his problems will be over the day he has his own company. God answers his prayer, he gets his own. But soon realizes that he has only signed for a higher grade of problems. Employers have their problems too – payment of salaries, sourcing of business opportunities, making decisions, resolving conflicts, and so on.
The bottom line is this: no one is free from problems. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has come your way that is not common to mankind …” Jesus said, “In the world, you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
So I say, DECIDE WHAT YOUR PROBLEM WILL DO TO YOU. Your problem has the potential to leave you a winner or a loser; to leave you happy or to leave you sad. To make you better or bitter, dancing or mourning. It can make you fly or crawl. You can choose to react positively to your problem because your attitude to your problem is more important than the problem itself. That is why Jesus said, “Be of good cheer.”
Attitudes are more important than facts. Our attitudes determine how we view a situation. A negative mental attitude will see the worst side while a positive mental attitude will see the best side.
It is better to have a positive attitude because things are not usually as bad as they seem. We should also remember that every problem has within it, the seed of a miracle. All things are possible to him that believes.
We must learn to give thanks to God in all situations. We may not understand why He allows these problems. But we know that His thoughts concerning us are for good and not for evil, to give us a future and a hope. No matter how bad it is, we should realize, that it could always be worse. Worry is a negative reaction to a problem.
I have never seen a single problem solved by worry. I have only seen problems worsened by worry. God’s word says, “Don’t worry over anything whatever; whenever you pray, tell God every detail of your needs in thankful prayer.” What will this problem do to you? You can make a choice to go over and not under. And God will take you over, in Jesus’ name.
Now, realise that YOUR PROBLEM WILL NOT BE THERE FOREVER. Your problem has a life span. It will soon be over. You won’t be a student forever. You won’t be jobless forever. Business will not be down forever. 2 Corinthians 4:17 in the Living Bible says, “These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won’t last very long.
Yet this short time of distress will result in God’s richest blessing upon us forever and ever.” The dark night will give way to a new day. The storm will give way to sunshine.
The dry season of your life will give way to the rainy season. As you keep on praying and believing, your academic, financial or marital problems will give way in Jesus name. Amen.
You will succeed!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Organise your Work
ORGANIZE YOUR WORK
Now, there is this interesting parable in the Bible, I Kings 20:39-40 (Living Bible) Prophet says to King Ahab, “Sir, I was in the battle, and a man brought me a prisoner and said ‘keep this man, if he gets away, you must die or else pay me $2000. But while I was busy doing something else, the prisoner disappeared!”
The point here is, while the man was so busy doing something else, the prisoner disappeared, and the man stood the risk of losing his life. What matters is not how busy we are, it is how effective we are.
Organizations or people do not generally reward us for our efforts as much as they reward us for our results. We must therefore be result-oriented. When you apply for a job, the fact that you studied for long hours in the night will not matter if you did not pass your examination. The important thing is your result.
Your boss in the office cannot be satisfied with stories of how much effort you invested in your assignment if you don’t have tangible results. More importantly, you cannot derive much fulfillment from work yourself, if you put in so much effort only to achieve little results.
To find fulfillment in our work therefore, we must be result-oriented and for us to achieve tangible results, we must organize our work. Activity does not necessarily guarantee accomplishment but organized activity guarantees definite accomplishment.
I suggest that you take the following steps towards being organized.
1. Set your goals: At the beginning of every month, every week and every day, decide what you want to accomplish. Decision determines destiny. You must decide what you want before life will deliver it to you. Be specific about your goals, and giveyourself deadlines when they must be accomplished. Just saying, “I will see the Managing Director of NNPC” is not enough. Which day will you see him? What time? When will you book the appointment, if necessary? Set specific goals with deadlines.
2. Develop a Plan: When you have specified what you want to accomplish, plan how you will accomplish it. Usually, there are some steps between where you are, and where you intend to be. Plan how to get there. You may need to buy a form, write and submit an application, post some letters, book an appointment or see some people. Develop a plan, and stick to that plan. Avoid distractions. Concentrate on working out your plan.
3. Prioritize: When you have specified your goals, you will notice that you cannot accomplish all of them at the same time. You must therefore arrange them in their order of priority. Do the most important and the most profitable things first. Get the most out of your time. Some things look urgent but they are not very important. Don’t let them take up you time. Don’t major on minor things. Do the first things first, on a daily basis.
4. Reserve your most productive time for your most important jobs: Block out some of your time, especially when you are at your best, to tackle your most important assignments at least one day in the week. Don’t leave your important assignments till spare time.
5. Plan you leisure: Take your rest and your leisure as important as your work hours. It will help you to get more work done when you get on the job. Time taken to relax is not time lost at all. Be careful about doing too much overtime on your job. It saps your energy and leaves you unmotivated. Eventually it will affect the work you are trying so hard to do. Also spend time with your family, because a crisis at home will ultimately affect your productivity
6. Organize your desk and your office: Make yourself comfortable and provide enough space around your desk. Good ventilation is important. Inadequate oxygen will make you feel drowsy. Give your office space a business-like look. Don’t make it look like a place to socialize. Those who have nothing to do should not spend all their time at your desk. It will help if you always have a notebook or note pad around to jot down ideas as they come to you.
If you will take these steps today, and channel your energy to achieve greater results. Work cannot be boring, work will be exciting. Your life will be full of accomplishments everyday.
You will Succeed!
Now, there is this interesting parable in the Bible, I Kings 20:39-40 (Living Bible) Prophet says to King Ahab, “Sir, I was in the battle, and a man brought me a prisoner and said ‘keep this man, if he gets away, you must die or else pay me $2000. But while I was busy doing something else, the prisoner disappeared!”
The point here is, while the man was so busy doing something else, the prisoner disappeared, and the man stood the risk of losing his life. What matters is not how busy we are, it is how effective we are.
Organizations or people do not generally reward us for our efforts as much as they reward us for our results. We must therefore be result-oriented. When you apply for a job, the fact that you studied for long hours in the night will not matter if you did not pass your examination. The important thing is your result.
Your boss in the office cannot be satisfied with stories of how much effort you invested in your assignment if you don’t have tangible results. More importantly, you cannot derive much fulfillment from work yourself, if you put in so much effort only to achieve little results.
To find fulfillment in our work therefore, we must be result-oriented and for us to achieve tangible results, we must organize our work. Activity does not necessarily guarantee accomplishment but organized activity guarantees definite accomplishment.
I suggest that you take the following steps towards being organized.
1. Set your goals: At the beginning of every month, every week and every day, decide what you want to accomplish. Decision determines destiny. You must decide what you want before life will deliver it to you. Be specific about your goals, and giveyourself deadlines when they must be accomplished. Just saying, “I will see the Managing Director of NNPC” is not enough. Which day will you see him? What time? When will you book the appointment, if necessary? Set specific goals with deadlines.
2. Develop a Plan: When you have specified what you want to accomplish, plan how you will accomplish it. Usually, there are some steps between where you are, and where you intend to be. Plan how to get there. You may need to buy a form, write and submit an application, post some letters, book an appointment or see some people. Develop a plan, and stick to that plan. Avoid distractions. Concentrate on working out your plan.
3. Prioritize: When you have specified your goals, you will notice that you cannot accomplish all of them at the same time. You must therefore arrange them in their order of priority. Do the most important and the most profitable things first. Get the most out of your time. Some things look urgent but they are not very important. Don’t let them take up you time. Don’t major on minor things. Do the first things first, on a daily basis.
4. Reserve your most productive time for your most important jobs: Block out some of your time, especially when you are at your best, to tackle your most important assignments at least one day in the week. Don’t leave your important assignments till spare time.
5. Plan you leisure: Take your rest and your leisure as important as your work hours. It will help you to get more work done when you get on the job. Time taken to relax is not time lost at all. Be careful about doing too much overtime on your job. It saps your energy and leaves you unmotivated. Eventually it will affect the work you are trying so hard to do. Also spend time with your family, because a crisis at home will ultimately affect your productivity
6. Organize your desk and your office: Make yourself comfortable and provide enough space around your desk. Good ventilation is important. Inadequate oxygen will make you feel drowsy. Give your office space a business-like look. Don’t make it look like a place to socialize. Those who have nothing to do should not spend all their time at your desk. It will help if you always have a notebook or note pad around to jot down ideas as they come to you.
If you will take these steps today, and channel your energy to achieve greater results. Work cannot be boring, work will be exciting. Your life will be full of accomplishments everyday.
You will Succeed!
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