Category Archives: Leadership

November 18, 2019 · 9:17 pm

Set Your Child Up For Success in Life

It is better to prepare the child for the road, than to just prepare the road for the child – Anonymous

How do you prepare your children for the road of life? How do you teach them? What do you instill in to them.

The bible says that if you train up your child in the way they child should go, then your child will not depart from the training when he/she gets old (Prov. 22:6)

While it is right to say this means we need to train up our children to know God, it is incomplete to leave it to such a broad answer. There are details that are important for you to know; details that if you do not know and instill into your child may leave them handicapped on the road of life. Details that if you do not share will leave them unprepared for the road of life.

These details are throughout scripture. Perhaps it is most evident in the God’s public announcement of Jesus after He was baptized in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. After the baptism, God publicly and unashamedly pointed attention to Jesus as He affirmed Jesus’s identity (His Son) with affection (Beloved), and with no strings attached (in whom I am well-pleased is what God said though Jesus had not performed any miracle or fulfilled anything).

This is like parenting 101: Show your child attention, affirmation, and affection. Let them know through words and deed that your love for them is unconditional. This will instill into the security and confidence they need to face the challenges of life.

In 1 Chronicles 22, we are provided with a little more insight into the things that are critical for a child to know. This passage of scripture reveals what King David told His son, Solomon. It is interesting that of all of King’s David sons, Solomon stood out (see the picture that goes with this blog).

If you want your child to standout from the crowd and be successful, then you must share with them, the very things that David shared with Solomon

(1) Confirm Your Child’s Identity (1 Chronicles 22:9): David reminded his son, Solomon of the name given to him by God (for it was God that named him Solomon). Similarly, you have to remind your child of the name that God has given him or her. See, the world will call your child all sorts of names, and in so doing, try to alter their identity. You need to ensure that your child know the name God has given him or her so that they may be rooted in their identity. God calls His children beloved, pearls, treasures, desired, royalty, priests, blessed. You must remind your children that this is what they truly are.

(2) Affirm Your Child’s Purpose (1 Chronicles 22:10): David reminded his son that his purpose was to build the house of God, and by so doing, make his name famous among the countries (1 Chronicles 22:5). Likewise, you must remind your child of the life purpose. In Ephesians 2:10, our life purpose is termed as good works. That means our purpose (generally speaking) is to do good in this world. It is to add value to people and contribute to the good of this world. You must your child that they are force for good. Inspire them to aspire to great things to the glory of God. Be their champion. Let them know they were born to reign in life

(3) Speak Blessings Over Your Child (1 Chronicles 22:11): David blessed Solomon with his words. Likewise, you must bless your child with your words. This does not mean that you refuse to rebuke your child when they go awry. No! Even a rebuke can be a blessing. If you do not believe me, just go read Hebrews 12:11! When I say bless your child, ensure that your words are designed to have a loving and positive impact on your child. And specifically, you should speak blessings over them. And you should do this over and over again.

(4) Teach Your Child God’s Unfailing Principles (1 Chronicles 22:12-13): David reminded Solomon that the commands were there before he (David) was born, and the commands are going to be there after him. God’s commands and principles never change. Moreover, God’s commands and principles bring success when we follow them. Be sure to teach and remind your child of God’s unchanging and infallible principles.

(5) Sow into Your Child’s Future (1 Chronicles 22: 14): David gave Solomon a head start in life by preparing the material Solomon needed to fulfil his purpose. Similarly, we are to do what we can to ensure we give our children the best head start in life. What does that mean for you? Does it mean deciding to put away some money for their college fund? Does it mean investing in high quality tutoring? Does it mean letting them hang around your business so they can learn what you know? Whatever it is, start preparing for tomorrow today.

Hope this writing added value to you. If you would like to connect with us and have us help you in your relationships, please visit www.relationshipminibooks.com

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June 25, 2013 · 8:01 am

Called and Chosen to Leadership – Joseph the Husband of Mary

The relationship between Joseph and Mary was orchestrated by God to achieve His purpose. Joseph was chosen to be with Mary because he was a ‘just and devout’ man who completely surrendered himself to the voice of God. Unlike the Prophet Jonah, he was a man who carried out the instructions of God without hesitation and without retort no matter how uncomfortable it made him feel. His obedient to love (God) was instant and unquestionable

If you know the story of Joseph, then you know that he cared about what God thought above what everybody else thought. He was a man who put his confidence in God. He was a man who neither considered the unrighteous judgment of man nor paid attention to his own fleeting and changing emotions but was devoted solely to God. He simply did not talk about putting God above man, but had the seemingly rare quality of actually walking that talk.

Light-bulb moment: The most important thing in choosing a partner is choosing someone who will obey the voice of God above all else – even above our own selfish wants and needs.

See, Joseph had to believe the unbelievable. He had to take the word of God over the reality of the present situation. While common sense and reality dictated that Mary was no virgin – for she was pregnant – Joseph chose to believe Mary and angel Gabriel.  Can you imagine the ridicule Joseph faced in his community? I am sure ‘foolish’ and ‘stupid’ are some of the choice words that many people used to describe him. Can you imagine the number of people that must have pulled him aside and given him ‘wise counsel’?

Quite frankly, Joseph must have been the laughing stock of his time – if not for staying with Mary, then for believing in Mary’s story and paying attention to his own ‘imagined’ vision. Can you fathom the humiliation Joseph endured especially in those times? Thankfully, Joseph knew that the foolishness of God is greater than the wisdom of man (1 Corinthians 1:25)

In truth, what Joseph made up his mind to believe was and is still unprecedented! What about you? Would you believe it if someone who was pregnant told you they were still a virgin? I certainly know I would have my doubts even if I had a dream about it. But Joseph was a man who truly trusted God; a man of great resolve!

Light-bulb moment: History making often requires believing the unbelievable!

Imagine what would have happened if he had not promptly obeyed the voice of God to leave Bethlehem for Egypt? His family would have unlikely escaped the murderous hand of Herod and perhaps another woman would have had to be chosen for the Immaculate Conception. Thankfully Joseph obeyed and so led his family into a foreign land. In reality, his obedience to the word of God is what ultimately destined him to be immortalized in the bible.

Light-bulb moment: Our obedience to God is the key to fulfilling our destiny

How unbelievable that God decided to place the fate of the savior in the hands of Joseph; He placed the fate of the entire world on the leadership of one man. He did not place it in the hands of a rich, resourceful, and powerful man who commanded armies and could easily provide protection. Instead, He placed it into the hands of a simple carpenter with modest belongings BUT who would not be swayed by public opinion. He put it into the hands of a true leader!

Lightbulb MomentLight-bulb moment: A true leader is someone who submits himself to following the will of God. In reality, leadership is easy when all we are doing is following the instruction of God.

The story of Joseph also shows us the heart of God. He chooses to use man to accomplish his purpose. He does this not because He wants to share His glory but because He wants His glory to be reflected to other men so they may be drawn to Him. See, it may be that when other men see that God favors us and see His work through us that they are directed to Him – it is when they want to know him.

If we want to be chosen to fulfill something great, we have to prove ourselves to be completely surrendered to the will of God just like Joseph. Just like Joseph, we have to care not for our own thoughts or the thoughts of others, be people of great resolve and character, and obey God’s voice promptly!

Light-bulb moment: The key to being chosen by God is not our ability but our availability.

See, God chose Joseph to shepherd Mary because He knew the character of the man. My prayer is that we all grow to be Joseph’s; to be completely in love with God so that we are not simply called onto greatness but that we are chosen to achieve it.

Light-bulb moment: As children of God, we have been called to greatness. It is out love for God that determines whether we are chosen.

Food for Thought: You may be with the person you are with to achieve a greater purpose in life

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