Tag: hardwork

How to Stay Focused and Accomplish Your Great Work

“I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” (Nehemiah 6:3 NLT)

In a busy world with lots of things happening, being a good leader means staying really focused on what you need to do. A long time ago, Nehemiah had a big job—fixing the walls of Jerusalem. Some people tried to distract him, but he said, ‘I’m doing important work, so I can’t come. Why stop working to meet with you?’ This shows how important it is to stay determined and focused, just like Nehemiah did. We can learn a lot from his story, and it still matters for leaders like you today.

WHO WAS NEHEMIAH?

Nehemiah is a prominent figure in the Bible, particularly known for his leadership and administrative skills. His story is found in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Nehemiah where he acted as a great worker and leader during a critical period in Israelite history.

In the 20th year of Artaxerxes’ reign, Nehemiah learns about the dire condition of Jerusalem, his homeland. The city walls were in ruins, leaving the inhabitants vulnerable to attacks and making the city susceptible to disgrace. While working as a cupbearer in the Persian kingdom, Nehemiah’s heart was moved, and he felt a deep sense of responsibility to rebuild the ruined walls of Jerusalem

Nehemiah’s leadership shows us what we need for success in anything we do, like dealing with changes at work, encouraging new ideas, or solving important problems in society.

START WITH PRAYERS

When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. (Nehemiah 1:4 NLT)

 

Nehemiah was a great leader because he believed strongly in God. Before making decisions, he prayed and asked God for help. This helped him be a good leader because he made sure his actions were in line with what God wanted. His trust in God was a big part of how he led.

Times spent in prayer will allow you to approach your tasks with favour and grace. Instructions and knowledge come in the place of prayer.

 

FEAR AS A WEAPON OF THE DEVIL

The word Fear was mentioned four times in Nehemiah 6. Private messages, open letters and false instructions were sent to intimidate Nehemiah from completing his work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

Despite facing opposition from neighbouring enemies, including Sanballat and Tobiah, Nehemiah remained steadfast and resolute. He implemented strategic defensive measures, ensuring that the people continued working on the walls while being prepared to defend themselves if necessary. His determination and courage in the face of adversity exemplify the qualities of a strong leader.

God has called you to a great work but the Devil will try to inject fear. If you don’t guard your heart in these times, fear can creep in and prevent you from completing the great work.

This is similar to how people fear thunder yet lightning does the actual destruction. Fear kills people faster than the physical damage done. Eliminating fear is important and that’s why God has given you the Spirit of power, love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)

BE CAREFUL OF WRONG ALLIANCES AND PUBLIC OPINIONS

There were attempts by Nehemiah’s adversaries, including Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, to undermine his leadership and the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. They sought to distract him from his mission by inviting him to a meeting under the guise of forming an alliance. Nehemiah, however, discerned their deceitful intentions. He recognized that entering into such alliances could compromise the integrity of his leadership and distract him from the crucial task of rebuilding the walls.

There are so many opinions and facts in the public space. And most of these opinions come from evil people and places to provide anxiety and confusion. When anxious and uncomfortable thoughts come, rebuke these thoughts immediately and pick them as a signal to quickly come back to God.

Remember there is only one Truth i.e. the Truth of God that gives you freedom. Always Seek God’s Word to know the truth.

BE OPEN TO HEARING IN THE SPIRIT

Despite facing false rumours and attempts to tarnish his reputation, Nehemiah remained steadfast. He responded firmly, stating that he was too busy with the important work at hand and would not be swayed. Nehemiah was able to discern the motives of his enemies throughout his work of rebuilding the ruined walls of Jerusalem.

Your heart must be open to perceive the voice of God. He is always speaking. When God asks you to move from one place to another, it’s not because of the fear of the enemies attacking you. It’s the confidence in what God will do for you.

When you make a decision, ask the Holy Spirit what is your underlying motive for the decision. Is it fear of the enemy or faith in God?

The devil is frightened and humiliated when you complete the work with the help of God. You must focus on the work that God gives you rather than being distracted by the antics of the devil.

WHAT IS THE GREAT WORK?

Nehemiah’s efforts were successful. The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in an astonishingly short period of time. (The walls had not been built in 70 years but Nehemiah built them in 52 days). This was a testament to his effective leadership, organizational skills, and the unity he fostered among the people

Nehemiah’s story serves as an inspiration for leaders in various fields, emphasizing the importance of faith, vision, perseverance, and a commitment to the well-being of the community. His legacy as a great worker and leader continues to resonate in both religious and leadership contexts, making him a revered figure in the biblical narrative.

Nehemiah’s great work was to rebuild the walls and establish the gates of Jerusalem. He restored the pride of Jerusalem in 52 days.

What’s your great work? – As a believer, your great work is to establish the kingdom of God on earth.

The devil uses the same tactics of fear and intimidation today. Be aware of contradictions preventing you from establishing God’s kingdom. Focus on the great work you are sent to do.

PRAYER REMAINS THE MASTER KEY

With prayer, your spirit is more attuned to listening from God. Every major event in the scriptures started in the place of prayer.  Nothing happens by mere circumstances. As a believer, you can influence your reactions by starting with prayers. Prayers also guard you with wisdom to navigate your tasks and accomplish great work.

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          Photo by Marten Bjork on Unsplash

ALWAYS DO GOD’S WORK. IT’S THE GREAT WORK

Always wear the full armour of God and live His Word daily when establishing God’s kingdom on earth. Doing this will allow you to accomplish the great work with speed.

Establish God’s kingdom everywhere you go, including your workplace. And be rest assured that when you do God’s work, he will do your work.

Originally Written by Fredrick Osheku

How to be Wise: A Guide to accessing supernatural wisdom

A person filled with supernatural wisdom is free from fear, confident and courageous. Long life, wealth and promotion are available to anyone who seeks wisdom. In this new year, you need wisdom more than ever. Not just wisdom for basic living, but wisdom to thrive and be ahead in the game of life.

The question is…. How can you access this superhuman wisdom?

The fastest way to access supernatural wisdom is through careful meditation and study of the Proverbs. Divinely inspired and originally written by the wisest man who ever lived; proverbs are keys in unlocking the treasures of true knowledge.

As a modern millennial, proverbs give you an understanding of divine design and destiny. They will also give you great skill to teach the immature. With divine wisdom, there is an opportunity for you to gain great wealth and glorious inheritance.

Here is the guide to accessing supernaturnatural wisdom:

Photo by Josh Hild on Unsplash

My child, never drift off course from these two goals for your life: to walk in wisdom and to discover discernment.

So make wisdom your quest – search for the revelation of life’s meaning. Don’t let what I say go in one ear and out the other.

Proverbs 3:21; 4:5

1. Live in complete devotion to God

The starting point for acquiring wisdom is to be consumed with awe as you worship Jehovah God. When you live a life of abandoned love, surrendered before the awe of God, here’s what you’ll experience: Abundant life. Continual protection. And complete satisfaction.

You gain true knowledge when you live in obedient devotion to God. Begin to hate every form of evil in your life. Rather, love God, and he will grant you access to his hidden storehouse of wisdom. Treasure God’s wisdom because this is the only way to acquire it.

Fill your thoughts with God’s words until they penetrate deep into your spirit. Then, as you unwrap these words, they will impart true life and radiate health into the very core of your being.

Within your heart, you can make plans for your future, but the Lord chooses the steps you take to get there. Do not rely on your opinions. Lay aside your simple thoughts and leave your paths behind. Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself. Rely on God with all your heart, and become intimate with him in whatever you do.

Train your heart to listen when He speaks. And God will lead you in every decision you make. Every plan you make will succeed. However, be careful in making a rash promise before God, you may be trapped by your vow and live to regret it.

Glorify God with all your wealth, honoring him with your very best, with every increase that comes to you. Then every dimension of your life will overflow with blessings from an uncontainable source of inner joy!

2. Give respect to your parents

Respect your father and mother, for, without them, you wouldn’t even be here. And don’t neglect them when they grow old. Your father’s wise words. Your mother’s instructions. Obey them. They are very important.

Ensure your father’s heart burst with joy and your mother’s soul be filled with gladness because of you. Because a person rejects his own parents and say “What’s wrong with that?” is as bad as a murderer.

3. Yield only to positive peer pressure

Follow those who follow wisdom and stay on the right path. If you want to keep growing in wisdom, spend time with the wise. Your plans will also succeed when you first seek out good advice from multiple counsellors. So don’t charge into battle without wisdom, for wars are won by skilful strategy.

Never yield to negative pressure. Stay away from people who can’t keep their mouths shut – these blabbermouths will reveal your secrets. If you also say goodbye to troublemakers, you’ll say goodbye to quarrels, strife, tension and arguments because a troublemaker traffics in shame.

The one who always listen to me (wisdom) will live undisturbed in a heavenly peace. Free from fear, confident and courageous, you will rest unafraid and sheltered from the storms of life.

Proverbs 1:33

4. Stand in truth and live by integrity

To find favour and understanding with both God and man, you must let your life be shaped by integrity. Let truth always be written upon your heart. Integrity leads to success and happiness, and keeps a good man from falling.

Walk in integrity, and you will be wise and experience a fearless confidence in life.

To gain the riches of wisdom is far greater than gaining the wealth of the world. Wisdom extends to you long life in one hand and wealth and promotion in the other.

PROVERBS 3:13 & 16

5. Pay your debts

If you borrow money with interest, you’ll end up serving the interests of your creditors, for the rich rule over the poor. Pay your debts if you have the money.

6. Be kind to everyone

Speak beautiful, life-giving words to others for they will release sweetness to the souls and inner healing to their spirits. Show love because love overlooks the mistakes of others. Dwelling on the failures of others simply devastates friendships.

Use patience and kindness when you want to persuade leaders and watch them change their minds right in front of you. Your gentle wisdom will quell the strongest resistance.

Don’t reveal another person’s secret just to prove a point in an argument, or you could be accused of being a gossip and gain a reputation for being one who betrays the confidence of a friend. Don’t be one who is quick to quarrel, for an argument is hard to stop, and you’ll never know how it will end. So don’t even start that road!

Do not hold grudges against your neighbour or quarrel with people who did not wrong you in any way. Quarrelling with a neighbour is senseless. Bite your tongue, be wise and keep quiet.

Apply the same strategy with your enemies. Never gloat when your enemy meets disaster and don’t be quick to rejoice if he falls. For the Lord, who sees your heart, will be displeased with you and will pity your foe.

A man of kindness attracts favor, while a cruel man attracts nothing but trouble.

7. Pay close attention to your mental health

The wellspring of life flows from your innermost being, so pay close attention to it. Guard the affections of your heart for they affect all that you are. Avoid jealousy, and cultivate a tender, tranquil heart.

A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul. Maintaining a cheerful heart also puts a smile on your face, but a broken heart leads to depression. When you feel weak and depressed, everything seems to go wrong. But when you choose to be cheerful, every day will bring you more and more joy and fullness.

Wisdom will extend your life, making every year more fruitful than the one before. So it is your advantage to be wise. But to ignore the counsel of wisdom is to invite trouble for your life.

PROVERBS 9:11-12

8. Speak only good and kind words

Guard your words, and you’ll guard your life. Because if you don’t control your tongue, it will ruin everything. When you are insulted, be quick to forgive and forget it.

Respond gently when you are confronted, and you’ll defuse the rage of another. Responding with sharp cutting words will only make it worse. Control your emotions too. Being angry can ruin the testimony of even the wisest of men. If you live without restraint and are unable to control your temper, you’re as helpless as a city with broken-down defences, open to attack.

Sharing words of wisdom is also satisfying to your inner being. It encourages you to know that you’ve changed someone else’s life. Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life. Avoid dishonest speech and pretentious words. Be free from using perverse words no matter what!

9. Look straight ahead and keep moving forward

Stick to the path of truth, and your road will be safe and smooth before you.

Look straight ahead and ignore life’s distractions. Don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked for even a moment or take the detour that leads to darkness.

10. Share your sexual energy with only one woman

Share your love with your wife alone. Drink from her well of pleasure and from no other. A good wife when found is also a treasure because she is a gift of God that brings joy and pleasure to you.

Control your sexual urges and guard your hearts from lust. Reserve the pleasure of sex for you and her alone and not with another. Your sex life will be blessed as you take joy and pleasure in the wife of your youth.

When you associate with prostitutes, you waste your wealth in exchange for disgrace. Prostitutes reduce a man to poverty, and the adulteress steals your soul – she may even cost you your life. Run away from these kinds of women as fast as you can!

Everyone admires a wise, sensible person, but the treacherous walk on the path of ruin. Everything a wise and shrewd man does comes from a source of revelation-knowledge

proverbs 13:15-16

11. Be diligent and work hard

Take care of your responsibilities and be diligent in your business, and you will have more than enough – an abundance of food, clothing and plenty for your household.

Just be who you are and work hard for a living. Be passionate and make good use of your time, wealth and energy. Work hard at your job, and you’ll have what you need. Following a get-rich-quick scheme is nothing but a fantasy. If you also spend all your time sleeping, you’ll grow poor. So grow up, sleepyhead. Don’t sleep on the job. And then there will be plenty of food on your table.

To reign in life, you have to work hard at doing what’s right. Or else, you will become the slacker who works to make someone else succeed and eventually end up with nothing. Most importantly, if you are uniquely gifted in your work, you will rise and be promoted. You won’t be held back – you’ll stand before kings!

The one who is too lazy to look for work is the same one who wastes his life away. If you keep nodding off and thinking, “I’ll do it later or say to yourself, “I will just sit back a while and take it easy,” just watch how the future unfolds! By making excuses you’ll learn what it means to go without. Poverty will pounce on you like a bandit and move in as your roommate for life. Merely talking about getting rich while living to only pursue your pleasures brings you face-to-face with poverty.

12. Be humble, open-minded and teachable

Never brag about the plans you have for tomorrow, for you don’t have a clue what tomorrow may bring to you. Let someone else honour you for your accomplishments, for self-praise is never appropriate. Humbly receiving wise correction further adorns your life with beauty and makes you a better person.

To learn the truth, you must long to be teachable. Listen, learn and accept corrections with ease. You become wiser when you easily accept instructions. Pay close attention to teachings that correct you, and open your heart to every word of instruction. Supernatural wisdom means being teachable because it is the fool who is in love with his opinion.

If you have an open mind, you will receive revelation knowledge. Accepting constructive criticism opens your heart to the path of life, making you right at home among the wise. Refusing constructive criticism shows you have no interest in improving your life, for revelation-insight only comes as you accept correction and the wisdom it brings.

When you talk too much and don’t listen, you keep stumbling into the mess you create yourself. If you remain stubborn and repeatedly refuse to accept correction, you will be broken and never recover. Poverty and disgrace come to the one who refuses to hear criticism.

13. Know your times and seasons

It is important to know the importance of the season you’re in. Don’t be wasteful and incompetent by sleeping on your day of opportunity.

Wise instruction is like a costly gem. It turns the impossible to success

Proverbs 17:8

14. Be generous and help others

Living your life seeking what is good for others brings untold favour. When you live to bless others, blessings will be heaped upon you. Generosity brings prosperity while withholding from charity brings poverty.

You will never go without if you give to the poor. But if you’re heartless, stingy and selfish, you invite curses upon yourself. Always be kind to the poor, and you will prosper and be blessed. Every time you give to the poor, you make a loan to the Lord. Don’t worry – you’ll be repaid in full for all the good you’ve done. This is a secret learned by generous men: extravagant giving never leads to poverty.

Is your enemy hungry? Buy him lunch. Win them over with your kindness. Your surprising generosity will awaken his conscience and God will reward you with favour. A kind, generous gift also goes a long way to soothe the anger of one who is livid. You can also gain entrance into the presence of a very important person with a generous gift.

15. Don’t seek to impress other people

Those who possess wisdom don’t feel the need to impress others with what they know. Meanwhile, the foolish ones make sure their ignorance is on display. Be part of the wise ones.

Pick a side when displaying wealth. One pretends to be rich but is poor. Another pretends to be poor but is quite rich.

16. Be wealthy

When a man is poor, even his family has no use for him. How much more will his friends avoid him – for though he begs for help. Being wealthy means having a lot of friends, but the poor can’t keep the ones they have. Build families, businesses, and communities. Wise people are builders.

Indulging in a life of luxury will never make you wealthy. To love pleasure for pleasure’s sake will introduce you to poverty.

17. Acquire your wealth through honest means

Don’t get rich on the backs of the poor, because all the wealth you gather will one day be given to those who are kind to the needy. What you obtain dishonestly may seem sweet at first, but sooner or later you’ll live to regret it. Life’s blessings drench the honest and faithful person, but punishment rains down upon the greedy and dishonest.

Gaining wealth through dishonesty is no gain at all. Because wealth quickly gained is quickly wasted – easy come, easy go! But if you gradually gain wealth, you will watch it grow.

The best way to live is with revelation-knowledge, for without it, you’ll grow impatient and run right into error.

proverbs 19:2

18. Listen before you speak

There are two sides to every story. The first one to speak sounds true until you hear the other side, and they set the record straight. So learn to listen before you speak; speaking before you’ve heard the facts will bring humiliation.

There’s only one kind of person who is worse than a fool: the impetuous one who speaks without speaking first. A gullible person will believe anything, but a sensible person will confirm the facts.

19. Avoid gluttony and getting intoxicated

Don’t live in the excesses of drunkenness or gluttony, or waste your life away by partying all the time, because drunkards and gluttons sleep their lives away and end up broke! When you discover something sweet, don’t overindulge and eat more than you need, for excess in anything can make you sic of even a good thing.

A drunkard is also obnoxious, loud and argumentative. Don’t be foolish by getting intoxicated with strong drink. Don’t be drunk with wine but be known as one who enjoys the company of the lovers of God.

Do yourself a favour and love wisdom. Learn all you can, then watch your life flourish and prosper!

PROVERBS 19:8

20. Avoid double standards

Never set high standards for someone else and then not live up to them yourself. Don’t demonstrate double standards – one for ‘them’ and one for ‘you’. God hates it. Nobody likes it.

Having double standards is hypocrisy at its worst. Always apply the right standards of measurement.

21. Mind your manners

When you’ve been invited to dine with a very important leader, consider your manners and keep in mind who you’re with. Be careful to curb your appetite and catch yourself before you fall into the trap of wanting all you see. Don’t crave their delicacies, for they may have another motive in having you sit at their table. Also be sensible when you dine with a stingy man and don’t eat more than you should.

Don’t boast in a presence of a king or promote yourself by taking a seat at the head table and pretend that you’re someone important. For it is better for the king to say to you, “Come, you should sit at the head table,” than for him to say in front of everyone, “Please get up and move – you’re sitting in the place of the prince.”

Don’t wear out your welcome by staying too long at the home of your friends, or they may get fed up with always having you there and wish you hadn’t come.

A warrior filled with wisdom ascends into the high place and releases regional breakthrough, bringing down the strongholds of the mighty

PROVERBS 24:22

22. Develop good friendships

Sweet friendships refresh the soul and will awaken your soul with joy, for good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence. So never give up on a friend – for in the day of your brokenness you won’t have to run to a relative for help. A friend nearby is better than a relative far away.

23. Speak truthfully and avoid flattery

Correct people with constructive criticism, in the end he will appreciate it more than flattery. It’s better to be corrected openly if it stems from hidden love. You can trust a friend who wounds with his honesty, but your enemy’s pretended flattery comes from insincerity.

Flattery is often used as a trap to hide ulterior motives and take advantage of you. Hatred is the root of slander and insecurity the root of flattery.

Yeah. That’s all. Here is a recap of the guide in accessing supernatural wisdom:

  1. Live in complete devotion to God
  2. Give respect to your parents
  3. Yield only to positive peer pressure
  4. Stand in truth and live by integrity
  5. Pay your debts
  6. Be kind to everyone
  7. Pay close attention to your mental health
  8. Speak only good and kind words
  9. Look straight ahead and keep moving forward
  10. Share your sexual energy with only one woman
  11. Be diligent and work hard
  12. Be humble, open-minded and teachable
  13. Know your times and seasons
  14. Be generous and help others
  15. Don’t seek to impress others
  16. Be wealthy
  17. Acquire your wealth through honest means
  18. Listen before you speak
  19. Avoid gluttony and getting intoxicated
  20. Avoid double standards
  21. Mind your manners
  22. Develop good friendships
  23. Speak truthfully and avoid flattery

Follow these steps and you and I are assured of supernatural wisdom and its immense benefits. Cheers!