So, your past does not determine who you are. Your past mistakes prepares you for who you are capable of becoming. What ultimately defines you is how well you rise after falling. Do not ever be afraid to give yourself a chance to be everything you are capable of being. Forget the haters. Never under-value who you are and what you are capable of. For you are not called to just think about the prize and claim the prize. You are called to hold the prize. Just as the Lord said “…I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you, even to your old age” (Isaiah 46:4b NIV)
So, God has given you a gift, it is called today. What are you going to do with it? Well, there is no better time than today to change the way you view yourself and the world around you. Be mindful of how you start this day. Your first conversation, and your first thought can set the entire tone of your day. One small positive thought this morning can change your whole day. So, start your day with a smile, a good attitude and a prayer. For a simple smile and a hello could lead to a thousand different things.
Thus, a smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring and a sharing person inside. “Be careful with the way you are thinking because your thoughts run your life.” (Proverbs 4:23).
Yes, you cannot solve every problem in the world, but at least you can attempt to solve one. Do something with the gift God has deposited in you. You gain confidence and grow stronger by every experience in which you really push yourself to do something you did not think you could do. Nobody who ever gave their best regretted it. When God has selected you, it does not matter who has rejected you. Keep on being original. You will be amazed what comes to you when you stop trying to be someone else.
God did not place people on Earth to be pawns or puppets of an identity he did not give them. For He has created you in His image. The clay does not tell the Potter how to form it. It yields to the process. Stay mould in the hands of God and receive the Grace to move in your gift and endowments. “For a gift opens doors for a man and brings him before the great” (Proverbs 18:16)
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Let us pray:
Father, we acknowledge that each day of life is a gift, and we do not know when we will see our last. Help us to live with eternity always in view. As, we admit our sinful and selfish ways. We look to you for forgiveness and healing. Thank you for your mercies today.
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2
DISCIPLE, SERVE, HELP, ENCOURAGE AND CARE FOR OTHERS
Have you been in a situation where you tell a friend about something that weights you down, eating you out, and s/he says, “You are being too sensitive”. Then, when you tell another friend, s/he gives you a hug and say, “God will see you through.”
Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of God. Around you there are people who are hurting, people who need more love and people who like some encouragement, let God use you to help build up others and just see what happens.
God uses people like you and me to answer prayers of others. We should always be a tool in God’s hand. Take five minutes today and write a note of encouragement, appreciation, praise or gratitude to someone. Easy to do, means a lot. When someone asks for your counsel or feedback, ask them first if they want “counsel” or “encouragement.”
The former may not feel like the latter. If you are trying to lead someone, embody these four qualities: be warm, be like them in some way, be competent, and share your imperfections. The way to find your calling is to look at the way you were created. Your gifts have not emerged by accident. You are chosen to bring God glory, He will show Himself strong through you. You were specifically designed for this moment in history.
The wisdom of God for this age is about to be revealed through you. From now on and forever you will be a vessel unto honour in God’s hand, you will be a channel of blessings. For you are chosen people…, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Some people are violent about everything except “taking the Kingdom by force” then suddenly, they are silent. Well, it may be easier to say nothing in a situation where conflict could arise, but is it not always wiser. Somebody is following you somewhere. They will take your lead and learn from your example. Remember, behaviour is interpretation of the environment. We are either taught directly or learn by experience. So, act in such a way that others will admire and honour the way you carry yourself.
If due to lack of confidence you do not rise to the occasion when someone challenges what you say, you will teach others it is not worth speaking up when you know you are correct and accurate in sizing up a situation. Speak the truth you embody, and your example will powerfully influence and persuade others to take your lead. “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15)
Hence, life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?” I bet you remember every single person that opened a career door for you. Be a door opener and be remembered forever. Lifting someone up is one of the best ways to prevent yourself from getting down. As you push somebody else up, God will make sure that you get to where you desire to be. I believe we were created to help each other. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”(Matthew 20:28)
For your greatest contribution in life might not be something you do but someone you raise. Believe with all your heart that your life is playing out exactly as it was meant to. Do not force things to happen, just allow them to happen. All the mistakes you could possibly make in your walk have already been made, learn from those who have gone before.
Everyone you will ever meet experienced or know something you do not. Do not underestimate help advice or encouragement from somebody insignificant and poor. The impact is often so much greater than you could imagine.
People’s value is not determined by the condition of their finances; it is determined by the condition of their heart. Sometimes someone comes into your life and helps you to breathe for the first time, and see things in a different light. “So even though wisdom is better than strength, those who are wise are despised if they are poor…” (Ecclesiastes 9:16)
One of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others. Do all the good you can, to as many people as you can, as often as you can. We all need each other in order to achieve the fullness God has for us. We cannot do it by our self. You were never intended to carry the difficulties of life alone. As there are those who have gone before you (mentors) and those who are walking the same path you are walking (friends)
You need them both in order to become your best and enjoy the journey. Your prosperity will be determined by how much you care for others, not by just using people for your own personal gain. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Luke 6:31)
Do not only “care” for and “help” others because you are obligated to, but because you actually mean it to help others. “Do not say to your neighbour,” Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it by you.”
