Developing successful achievements from failures
One of the major tools the enemy uses to keep people in a state of failure is discouragement, once you are not discouraged, achievements are inevitable! You know what? Discouragement is a choice!! I then say that failure is also a choice. As it is true that a righteous man falls (fails) seven times and rises up again (Proverbs 24:16) so we are supposed to rise up each time there is failure.
Are you failing in your relationships, exams, ministry, health, careers? You’ve got to get on! Based on experience in life I can say to you achievements is not in never failing but in the ability to rise each time you fail. Therefore I submit that failure is one of the surest stepping stones to success.
Taking a few look at history and learning from a fascinating story about a guy called David who went on a battle, on getting back, he discovered that everything in his city has been taken away by his enemies, 1 Samuel 30:1-19. What did he do?
- Picked up himself (verse 6): It is worth noting that discouragement and failure are twins so watch out!! Don’t allow discouragement. Here we notice that David encouraged himself in the Lord, you can do the same.
- He Sought the face of God (verses 7-8): Seek for, pursue and get directions from God and trusted counsellors. Direction not intention guarantees arrival at your destination.
- He Pursued (verse 10): After David sought and got directions, he pursued. Don’t be afraid, make some strategic planning and follow them. If you fail to plan, then you have planned to fail.
- He Overtook (verse 17): Following this historical example, you need to refuel, put on a new strength, don’t be weighed down by past failures or negative events. The truth is you haven’t failed, your attempts just didn’t work.
- Recover All (verses 18-19): You have to realise that persistence with the grace of God will guarantee that you will recover all if you don’t relent.
The conclusion of the matter is that, the secret of successful achievements is in our ability to trust God and going through failed challenges without loss of courage, faith and enthusiasm.
From the desk of Deacon Stephen Amuda RCCG Everlasting Father’s Assembly (Leeds)
Game Over!!!!!
The World Cup kicked off in full swing with loyal fans booking themselves in to watch their teams play. Others showed support for teams they believe in and some flew to South Africa to watch the game live.
Jesus House for All Nations wasn’t left out, it was planned that the church would be open to the community for people to come in and watch the game, something I thought was quite amazing.Pastor Agu and the leaders have planned to help break down the impression people have about church by inviting them in from a neutral ground-football!
Teaching last week, he talked about the game and preparation going on and how people would jump for joy when their supported teams scores or wins.
Having said that, he made us reflect on the most important game played some odd 2000 years ago. Jesus’s team against the Devil’s team.The Redemption Cup (what I have called it) was a tough one to play and although no one may have supported Jesus’s team,he still played, scored and won the game all by himself. He played it on earth, went to the home team (Hell) and played, scored and took the Cup (key to life and death) back where it belongs(Heaven).
Like Pastor Agu explained, if you know what game Jesus played and how his scoring and wining the prize impacts us, our daily preparations and excitement will show more confidence in our walk with Christ and our shout of joy would be bigger than any shout this world cup would ever bring.
As the world cup continues, remember that a greater game has been played and won on our behalf, this game is bigger than the world cup or FIFA or any football game joined together. Its a game that no earthly team with all the practice or experience can ever play, a game where no one else needs to play.
So, at what ever level or position your team of choice leaves the world cup with, don’t panic, the most important game has been played and won..the Game is Over!!!
Before the Fall….
Every month, some ladies and I independently study a book from the bible and added to that, we also study an emotion or character or fruit of the spirit. The latest study we embarked on was on Pride.
There are so many facets to this topic called pride and I must say that one may not truly know if one is filled with pride or not unless one embarks on truly knowing the meaning and impact. For me, just studying its origin alone sent shivers down my spine.
A lot of us may never look inwards to check and see if we ourselves are subject to the spirit of Pride. For me, it was quite challenging to see myself anywhere near the definition of pride. I would say I am obedient, submissive, never look for trouble, helpful, caring and mind my own business, well, I was quite disappointed when I finished this study as it turned out I did have some evidence of pride in me.
Before the fall (a term I have used to characterize what goes on or happens way before pride causes us to fall to its prey) we engage in a lot of emotions, attitudes and behaviours that seems justifiable from our perspective. As we know by now, the first person accused of exhibiting this nature was Lucifer. The book of Isaiah 14 verse 12-15 explains how he (Lucifer) wished to be more than his superior. A lot of us have an attitude where we see ourselves better than the next person or where we never attribute our gifts or talents to a higher power but glorify ourselves.
Pride is one item on God’s hate list according to the book of Proverbs 6; 16-19, which says God, HATES a proud look! Pride exists in a person who finds it hard to accept corrections, easily irritated by others, criticizes or is critical of others, compare oneself and quick to judge others to name a few.
Anyone who is proud is an abomination to God; it’s the one thing that may impact to living an all round productive life in Christ. If we honestly evaluate ourselves we will see an element of pride lurking in the decisions we may have made or the situations we allow to linger on that isn’t God’s plan for us. Having feelings of being better than others or even better than ‘sinners’ is something we need to check.
As I ask myself why God used all those he used to change the world in their time and if it is because they lacked pride, I reflect on the likes of Esther, Ruth, Mary, Joseph, Daniel, Moses, Solomon, David, to name a few who experienced and were used by God in one form or the other and I noticed that if any of these people bore a proud look, I doubt if they would have been God’s chosen at their time.
Before the fall, a lot of things happen that take control of our flesh justifying our mental position to engage or behave in a manner appalling before the eyes of our creator and before we know it, we fall victims. The scary thing is that we may never know we are falling due to pride until the damage has been done.
Whatever it is, if its causing strife or sowing seeds of discord, living in unforgiveness, hardness of heart, defence mechanisms, wayward outlook, rejecting the things of God, choosing the way of the man rather the way of God, pleasing people for gains, stubbornness, rudeness, malicious gossip, lying, deception, or feeling of importance, please be aware that there is an element of pride in it all.
As I continue my walk with Christ, I have made myself aware of the many angles pride can set in and cause me to fall and have laid various escape routes from this devourer, what about YOU?