TO  THE  BIBLE    Romans 15:4 GNB

“Everything written in the Scriptures was written to teach us, in order that we might have hope through the patience and encouragement which the Scriptures give us.”

LET’S  TALK

“I’m so confused right now.” “I don’t have anyone to help me.” “My future looks so bleak.” These are some of the thoughts that run riot in the minds of many young people today. Some even go ahead to voice such thoughts to anyone who cares to listen. As a child of God, you shouldn’t look for sympathy or announce your helplessness; rather proclaim your salvation, your triumphs and your successes. That pain, challenge, or trouble is only for a moment, so don’t talk about it; talk to it and declare your victory!

Learn to look in the right direction. Look to the blessed hope that’s in the Lord Jesus Christ. He’s not a stranger to you; He’s your Lord and Saviour! So, hold on to your hope, for He’s the anchor of your soul.

The Bible says the expectation of the righteous shall not be cut off (Proverbs 23:18). Your expectation is unique to God. So, always be expectant and excited for the greater glory. If you have difficulties in any area—perhaps at school, in your health, or at home—don’t give up on having a change, because there’s hope for you. Christ in you is the hope of glory. Therefore, be positive, and walk with a sanctified mind, and see all things from the vantage point of God’s Word.

Go Deeper

Proverbs 24:14; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 15:13

Pray

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the blessed hope I have in Christ. Your grace is sufficient for me in all things, and I see through your Word and function with the mind-set of the righteous. Thank you for making me the expression of your righteousness, and effulgence of your glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily  Bible  Reading

ONE YEAR

Acts 26:19-32, Psalms 19-20

TWO YEAR

Luke 9:49-62, Joshua 16-17

Act

Memorise and meditate on Psalm 31:4 and Jeremiah 17:7 today.

TO THE BIBLE: Psalm 5:12

“For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.”

LET’S TALK

There’s a special kind of favour reserved for you as the King’s kid. It opens doors of opportunity for you and causes people to do things they ordinarily may not have done for you.

This was what Daniel and his companions experienced when they insisted they wouldn’t eat the king’s recommended diet; they asked to be given vegetables and water instead. Normally, the superintendent should have refused them that request, but God caused him to favour the young men, and therefore he granted their request (Daniel 1:9). Also, the Bible shows us how Esther found favour before the king when she sought his audience at a very critical moment (Esther 4:11). That was favour at work.

Now, understand that God has also granted you supernatural favour. When God’s supernatural favour is manifested in your behalf, it opens doors and opportunities to you that can’t be humanly explained. Embrace this truth and determine to live by it. Your constant confession should be that you’re favoured of God, and His blessings are upon you. If you make these your constant proclamations, it won’t be long before you have people saying to you, “I don’t know why I’m doing this for you, but I will anyway.” That’s the realm of supernatural favour!

Go Deeper

Genesis 39:21-23; Psalm 102:13

Pray

Dear Father, your favour surrounds me like a shield. It opens doors for me, bringing me to my place of greatness. I thank you for this wonderful blessing, because I know that with favour working in me, nothing is too good for me!

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR

John 20:1-18, 1 Chronicles 20-22

TWO YEAR

Mark 15:15-24, Deuteronomy 4

Act

Say to yourself today, “I am favoured; the blessings of God are upon my life. I walk in favour today.” Be sure to speak these words into your life meaning every word, and before long, you’ll be basking in the favour of the Lord.

TO THE BIBLE: 1 Peter 2:9 AMP

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

LET’S TALK

There’re people who think there’s nothing special or unique about them as Christians. They believe they’re ordinary and are comfortable to be referred to as such. You’ll hear them say things like, “Let’s not act like we’re so special”; and they dislike it and get upset when you talk about your uniqueness.

Let’s look at Abraham, “the father of faith,” for a moment. He was from a large family with many relatives, yet God spoke to him alone, and told him, “Leave your country, your family, and your father’s home for a land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1 MSG).

I can imagine the people back then must have thought he was out of his mind, wondering, “How can he claim that God asked him to leave his father’s land and embark on a journey without a known destination?” But Abraham set out by faith in God’s Word, as outrageous as that may have seemed, and history shows us he was right.

Abraham was exceptional, and that should tell you something about your exceptionalism as well, because you’re the seed of Abraham. Being exceptional means that you’re uniquely different in some way, and you know it. You recognise that your beliefs and ideas are important and superior, and that inspires you to leadership.

Understand that, as a Christian, you’re extra special; you belong to the greatest family—the family of God—and to a special lineage of grace. This truth about who you are should inspire you to show God’s love everywhere you go. Tell others about Him, so they too can join our glorious family and become citizens of our great spiritual nation. You’re exceptional, so think and live accordingly.

Go Deeper

Psalm 139:14; Galatians 3:7; James 2:23

Pray

Thank you Lord for calling and choosing me to bless my world with your Word. I’m conscious of my uniqueness because of your glorious presence in my life. Therefore, I light up my world, as I reign in life continually, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR

John 1:19-51, 2 Samuel 18-19

TWO YEAR

Mark 7:24-37, Numbers 7

Act

Memorise and meditate on 1 Peter 2:9, till it changes the way you think about yourself.

TO THE BIBLE: Matthew 5:16 AMP

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.”

LET’S TALK

Excellence is much more than having your room spick-and-span, your clothes neatly-pressed, and your hair brushed to perfection. It’s something that describes the quality of your entire personality. As a new creation, the excellence of Christ is in your spirit. God already sent the Holy Spirit, who is Himself Excellence, to bring excellence into your life. So now, you can always release it from within and manifest it to the world.

The world is in need of excellent minds, and this is where you come in. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “…you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (NASB). This means the Lord wants to show forth His excellencies through you at every opportunity, and manifest His glory to the world. He wants you to manifest excellence in your family, church, school, grades, friendships, character…in everything! Irrespective of what you do, bring the blessing into it; function with an excellent spirit.

Excellence is in your life; it’s a quality of your recreated human spirit, so let it come forth. Display excellence in all you do, and add value to yourself and to everything you’re involved in. Always learn something new and let your heart burn with new ideas on how to make things work better and improve the world around you.

Go Deeper

Daniel 2:48; Daniel 6:3

Speak

I’ve got an excellent mind; God’s Spirit in me has given me extraordinary amplitude of comprehension; therefore I pay attention to details in every endeavor; the end of which is an excellent finish all the time! Blessed be the Lord!

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR

John 6:1-24, 1 Kings 9

TWO YEAR

Mark 9:38-50, Numbers 15

Act

Get a copy of the book, “THE POWER OF YOUR MIND.” Study it using the “Individual Excellence Study Guide” available on www.loveworldbooks.org

My Notes

TO THE BIBLE: Psalm 139:13-14 CEV

“You are the one who put me together inside my mother’s body, and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt.”

LET’S TALK

You’re His Priceless Treasure – The Bible verse above describes your distinctiveness and exceptionality as a dear and beloved child of God. You’re the Father’s pride, His creation of wonder, and a marvel to the world. God has deposited so much within your spirit that makes you a treasure of inestimable value. In Genesis 12:2 (RSV), God said to Abraham, “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” You’re the seed of Abraham now that you’re in Christ (Galatians 3:29), and by virtue of being Abraham’s seed, not only are you blessed, you’re also a blessing! You carry the blessing with you and have become a distributor of the blessing everywhere you go.

That’s  the reason 1 Peter 2:9 declares that you’re “…a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Take some time today and meditate on who you are in Christ Jesus! You’re His perfectly-crafted and priceless masterpiece, set forth to manifest His glory and display His praises to the world around you. Your responsibility now is to be the best of you for Him.

You’re the only one of you that God has. He’s never had another one like you, He doesn’t have another like you today, and He’ll never have another like you. That’s just how unique you are! Therefore, be a success for Him! Be the best of you for Him, and give Him your all.

Go Deeper

1 Peter 2:9 AMP

Pray

Thank you dear Father, for making me a peculiar treasure, separated unto you to bring you glory! I release myself to you and declare that by the power of your Spirit, your purpose for my life is fulfilled, to the glory and praise of your Name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR

John 1:19-51, 2 Samuel 18-19

TWO YEAR

Mark 7:24-37, Numbers 7

Act

Look at yourself in the mirror right now and say, “I’m a success going somewhere to happen.” Make this a daily routine.

TO THE BIBLE: Genesis 49:3-4

“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power. Unstable as water, you shall not excel….”

LET’S TALK

Add Value To Your Personality – It’s possible for someone to have so much ability or be gifted with a unique skill, yet when such a skill is required, that individual isn’t chosen because he doesn’t have the right character. If you would spend time to invest in yourself and develop an excellent attitude, sooner than later, the improvements in your personality would become evident to all. Make up your mind to develop the right mental structure and add value to yourself.

By “mental structure,” I’m referring to the attitudes you cultivate over time that control your actions and form your character. In Genesis 49, you’ll see how Reuben’s character and his ability clashed. He was the beginning of his father’s strength and the excellence of his wisdom. Jacob had invested so much in him, yet he was unstable in his ways and couldn’t excel in life!

Reuben had the opportunity to be great and very influential, but his character stopped him from excelling. Don’t be this way! Be the one who is dependable, such that when there’s something important to be done—whether at home, at school or in church—you’re always one of the first to be considered and called upon. Inside you are hidden treasures; you came into this world with a unique personality, gifts, and abilities. Therefore, discover your place and be the best of you for the benefit of your world!

Go Deeper

Psalm 119:9 CEV; Daniel 6:3; Acts 20:32

Pray

Dear Lord, I thank you for the investment and training that I receive through your Word, which helps me form an excellent character and a great personality. I take advantage of your grace in me to improve myself and attain higher heights of greatness, in Jesus’ Name.

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR

John 1:1-18, 2 Samuel 15-17

TWO YEAR

Mark 7:14-23, Numbers 6

Act

Listen to Pastor Chris’ message titled “Attitude,” and share it with your friends.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR WORLD

TO THE BIBLE: 1Timothy 4:11-12 MSG

“Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.”

LET’S TALK

When you read the account of Nehemiah and the state of Jerusalem in Nehemiah chapter one, you’d realise he wasn’t the only exiled Jew who heard about Jerusalem’s broken-down walls. But once he was told, he knew he had to make a change, even though he was a slave in a foreign land. He was obligated to take action, because he recognised he was unique and that he had something special to give.

In Matthew 5:14, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” You’re that city on a hill, and it means you can make a difference. You have a message that has given you a superior mindset and ideology, which bestows on you the responsibility of leadership. Leadership is the assumption of responsibility of guidance, control, direction, and action following the burden of higher intelligence, superior knowledge or information.

You’ve been called to show others the way, because you’re the light of the world, and light gives direction. That’s why you must make up your mind to impact your world.

You’re the one to turn on the light of God’s righteousness and see to it that His Kingdom is established in the earth through the preaching of the Gospel. Become even more passionate about ensuring that the Gospel of Christ gets to every nation of the world. Change your world; fulfil your calling, and cover the earth with the knowledge of His Word as the waters cover the sea.

Go Deeper

1 Corinthians 9:16 AMP; Romans 1:1; Acts 9:15

Pray

Dear Lord, thank you for making me a blessing to my generation, a solution provider, and the answer to the cry of many. I’m a life giver and a great light to my world. Thank you for choosing and calling me to impact my generation at such a time as this, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

ONE YEAR

Luke 24:36-53, 2 Samuel 12-14

TWO YEAR

Mark 7:1-13, Numbers 5

Act

Say this to yourself today: “The zeal of my Father’s House has consumed me, I’m a light and blessing to my world.”