FIVE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING PURPOSE

"The PURPOSE of life is not to be happy; it is to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate. To have it makes some difference that you have lived and lived well". - Ralph Waldo Emerson

A life without purpose isn't worth living. As per the laws of creation, every living thing has been given an assignment to undertake. One great man says "everything we need to make our world better is right here in people." Sadly, not everyone is willing to undertake the assignment they have been created for. 

Purpose is defined as the reason for which something exists. The reason is what empowers a person to live. It isn't enough that you just occupy a space called life. You have to show gratitude for the life you have by making sense of it - in manifesting the purpose God created you for.

"So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand" is what Exodus 2 verses 12 speaks of Moses when he came of age. His purpose was to redeem Israel but his methods weren't God's.  You also need to know that your rewards in life is connected to the purpose you manifest.  

These five advantages of having purpose will bring you delight and insight as you read further:-

1.Purpose helps your self-motivation for continuous success. In times of frustration and disillusion, what will keep you going is the force of our purpose. As you remind yourself of our purpose, the energy to keep going is released. 

2. Purpose guards against negative programming. The joy of knowing that you have the original blueprint of your purpose, stops you from buying into the negativity around.

3. Purpose helps you value your parameters to avoid spreading yourself all over the place. You learn to stay within your gift and calling.

4. Purpose will distinguish you and separate you from who you are from what you have achieved. Purpose is so powerful it can help you stay away from trouble and from what seems popular but not in concert with what you've been created for. 

5. Finally, purpose is what will set your spirit on high in times of low experiences. Being humans, challenges will seek to test your joy, endurance etc but purpose is the oil that keeps pumping the adrenaline you need to win. 

Think Aloud :-

What does purpose mean to you?

4 Blessings You Miss Living In Sin

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light". 1 Peter 2:9

In my previous blog what is sin, I explained to you the realities of sin and the repercussion it carries. That sin is a fundamental relationship, it  isn’t a wrong doing but a wrong being. It is a deliberate and determined independence from God. It’s a premeditated rebellion against the word of God.  I followed it through with  what sin will do to you and ended it with how to break free from sin. It is easier to live in holiness than in sin. The four fundamental blessings that follows the one who decides not to live in sin according to 1 Peter 2:9 are - being a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and finally you become a peculiar person. 

To be a chosen generation, God is simply saying there will many generations but yours will stand out. In Zechariah 3:7, God said to the prophet "if he would walk in His ways and keep His charge, then he shall judge God's house, keep His courts and will have places to walk among these that stand by".  Zechariah's generation was to be the chosen one amongst the many only if he will walk in the ways of God. The same promise of God is available to you if only you are prepared to break free from sin.  There is a place reserved for those who will leave the camp of sin. The place of being chosen generationally. 

The second blessing is that of being part of a royal priesthood.  Not the royal priesthood but a royal priesthood. It talks about the divine difference which God brings in to separate the ordinary from the extraordinary. The land of Goshen had light whilst the rest of Egypt had darkness! That is divine difference!  In modern terms, I am aware the Queen of England  has her own chaplain. This chaplain ministers only to the Queen. Not every chaplain has that privilege! The privileges you have with God determines the exemptions you enjoy in life. You have been chosen to be a royal priesthood unto God. Your prayers, worship and sacrifices are like a sweet scented smell on to God. Because of your state, God won't do anything without first discussing it with you. Will I do anything without first telling my friend Abraham asks the Lord? No, because Abraham was a royal priesthood whose sacrifices were pleasing to God. 

A peculiar person is simply someone who is different in everything. One definition says to be peculiar means to be distinctive in nature or character from others. Wonder why they don't understand you - the joy you exude even when pain is all over, the divine provision here and there, the strength to carry when others feel like giving up? Simply because you are distinctive in nature and character! In nature because you've been bought by the blood of God and in character because you have renewed your mind. Sin only does one thing- it numbs the original power, grace and virtues God freely gave to you. 

Finally, being a holy nation is the finality of our relationship with God. Be ye holy for I am Holy says the Lord. The writer didn't say a holy person but a holy nation. This means your generation will become a nation of holy people. At one point, God said "I know Abraham for he will order his generations in the way of the Lord to do righteousness and justice". (Genesis 18:19). Holiness is the key to an enduring generation that walks in God's blessings.  

Sin only robs you of God's best in your life. Sadly, you can get used to sin and at some point, think its alright to live that way. 

THINK ALOUD :-

What do you think are some of the blessings a person misses living in Sin?

GRACE THE MAKER...

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me". 1 Corinthians 15:10

Grace is the maker of men! Without grace, the value of an individual isn't that much. However, many often assume the dint of their hard work is the key to their success. Unfortunately, without the input of the grace of God, you can have all the plans in the world and not amount to anything. 

Grace isn't only seen as the schoolmaster that brought us to faith but grace is the undeserving input of the God in the weakness of a person to fulfil His plans in their lives. I dare say that what people refer to as luck could be the grace of God at work in their endeavours unbeknown to them . 

Our Christian faith eschews laziness and docility but it however elevates diligence. Sadly, many assume the presence of grace means the absence of their input. No and no! As you do your best which isn't anything "best" compared to what God does, He releases His grace which is His sufficiency to bring satisfaction. 

When God places a person strategically in life, its not based on height, size, accent or colour but by the factor of grace which is in His nature. Wherever God goes, grace goes! It freely exudes out of His nature. "Had it not been for the Lord on our side, tell me where we would have been"? When a person recognises that it took grace to bring them thus far, what they are inadvertently saying is that, more of your undeserved favour is welcome in my life Lord. Interestingly, the GRACE of God is free if only a person will subscribe to it.  For the law came through Moses but GRACE and truth came by Jesus. 

There are FOUR major changes that the GRACE of God brings about in the life of a person:

1. It increases receptivity- when you know God is on our side to help you, you will open up your spirit to receive directions and inspiration from Him.

2. It facilitates your focus on the goals of God for your life - whatever you can become is dependent on the grace of God. "I am WHAT I am because of the grace of God". The WHAT of your life causes you to look up on to God solely. 

3. It generates appreciation for God- because He is your source. Money, people, blessings can all be resources but God remains the ultimate SOURCE.

4. It helps to connect you to your source who is God - You can only maintain your connection to God when GRACE causes you to see what He has done in your life. 

THINK ALOUD :-

What does the #GRACE mean to you?

Joe Akuoko II

#22QuotesAboutTheSeed

"while the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night Shall not cease". ~ Genesis 8/22

I have always believed in the #SEED of God for everyone. Someone asked me whether if everyone was seeded by God. I reply emphatically YES! The best of God is always hidden in the #SEED of your talents, skills, abilities and opportunities available to all of us. Beneath are 22 quotes on the Seed. 

1. SEEDS are given to SOWERS! 
2. You are not poor, you've just not discovered your SEED.
3. You are not frustrated, you just don't know what your SEED is. 
4. Your frustration in life is a sign your SEED is agitated.
5. God wasn't perturbed at the sight of the darkness, formlessness and void because He understood the power of the SEED.
6. You elevation is aligned to your SEED and its productivity.
7. Your place in life is equated to the SEED you carry. 
8. Every SEED and it's inception begins in hardship. #Psalm 126
9. The power of creativity is encapsulated in the SEED. 
10. The entirety of your life is in your SEED. 
11. If you know the Man, you will know their SEED  vice versa.
12. Your SEED has your name on and when your SEED dies in the wrong soil, you inadvertently become a living dead. 
13. God doesn't give greatness per se : God gives the SEED.
14. Your SEED is the key to the fold of great men. Proverbs 18/16
15. Obedience is the Key to successful SEED sowing. #Genesis 26
16. Your ability to put your SEED to work Empowers the next generation. Isaiah 9:8
17. Your SEED gives you direction...Speed follows later.
18.  As long as the Earth remains, SEED timing" will be required 
19. You are only significant if your SEED is.
20. Your SEED : Your benefits  and God's glory. 
21. Your SEED emboldens you to face tomorrow. 
22. Your SEED your destiny. 

Listen to -#Attitude Of Progress 

THINK ALOUD :-

What does the #SEED mean to you?

Joe Akuoko II

#4FundamentalPillarsForSuccess (1.1) #GIVING - #HowToGive

"For God SO loved the world that He Gave.... #John3/16"

Am sure by now you are quite aware of the steps in giving that yields great fruition. We also understand God initiated the act of giving with by first sacrificing his son. (Tweet).  Giving is a divine lifeline for everyone who will practise it. (Tweet). If you decide to give to others the proceeds of your work, it helps breaks the power of greed and covetousness that has shackled many people. (Tweet). 

Your giving however should be seen as a seed that is being sown for a bountiful harvest. (Tweet).  Don't forget the seeds that fell in the good ground yielded a hundredfold, sixtyfold and thirtyfold blessings or fruits. God has given us several good soils to sow our seeds for fruition.  I am sure deep in your spirit there is a desire to give right and if so, i believe it is my duty to help you give right.

 

Personally, I don't believe given should be under coercion but rather, giving should be at one's free will.(Tweet). When your giving is under manipulation and falsehood, you receive nothing back. A willing sacrifice is an acceptable sacrifice! (Tweet). 

For the many years I have been in ministry, I have identified six God-commanded places you can give for divine blessings and for the work of God to continue. Your giving isn't about now, it is about the fruits of the future. (Tweet).

To understand #HowToGive, here are Six God-commanded places - : 

A. Tithe - because God commands it. Some argue whether we should give 10 per cent or not. Well am not sure why I should argue about tha which works for me. I don't do arguments, I do the word! Leviticus 27:30, Malachi 3:7-10

B. Worship Offering - because the word says you shall not appear before the Lord empty handed. Deuteronomy 16:16 

C. Kingdom Promotion Seed - because it confirms your kingdom mindset. Acts 2:44-47, Luke 8:3

D. Giving To Parents  -  Commanded by the God for #Long live.  Exodus 20:12,  Ephesians 6:2-3, 

E. Giving to the poor  because it yields for you dividends in time to come and also in eternity.  Proverbs 19:17, Job 29:11-12

E. Giving to the Servants of God. Hebrews 5:4, Exodus 30:30

I trust it will help you gauge your giving for maximum blessing as dictated by God. 

THINK ALOUD :-

Why do you think people find it difficult to #GIVE?

Joe Akuoko II

#4FundamentalPillarsForSuccess (1) #GIVING

"For God SO loved the world that He Gave.... #John3/16"

The epitome of all great endeavours has its root in the art and act of giving. (Tweetable?DoIt). God shows us his generosity by giving his only begotten son. God is so much a giver to the point of shedding the blood of his own son. Anyone who gives is emulating God in his expression of love towards man. Until you get to the point where your giving moves you, it will never move God. (Tweetable?DoIt). The spirit and the attitude of giving is important for anyone who desires more. 

More doesn't come a person's way unless more has been given out. You cannot be a giver if you aren't a lover! (Tweetable?DoIt). It takes the spirit of sacrifice for one to let go of something that is theirs to another. Sadly, until you learn how to give, you are not permitted to ask. Those who have answers with regards to A(ask) S(seek) (Knock) are people who are givers. Giving is the stairway to you living a full life.  As you learn to water others you will also be watered. Understand this, whenever giving is in motion, the law of reciprocity is also kick started. (Tweetable?DoIt).

Who has given to God and hasn't been recompensed or what is it that we have that we didn't receive? These are fundamental questions I pose to the one who thinks they got everything they have by dint of their hard work. No and no! Everything we have came out of the generosity of God.  In Acts 20:35, the only words of Jesus not recorded in the synoptic gospel is that "it's more blessed to give than to receive". Meaning, there is a higher blessing reserved for those who are constantly giving. (Tweetable?DoIt)

Your giving takes nothing from you but your giving takes everything from God. When you have a clinched fist, life will mete out to you nothing. (Tweetable?DoIt). A closed hand is inadvertently a closed destiny.  Even nothing produces something called nothing! Whatever you give out comes back as a good measure,pressed down and shaken together which is poured into your bosom by men. I believe your greatest reward is in the art and act of giving.(Tweetable?DoIt). Certain doors to great places won't open unless giving is at the fore.

 Giving is living!(Tweetable?DoIt).

THINK ALOUD :-

What does #GIVING mean to you?

Joe Akuoko II

#PuttingYourSeedToWork (3)

"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own SERVANTS, and delivered on to them his GOODS. And unto one he gave five talents and to another two and to another one; to every man according to his SEVERAL ABILITY and straightway took his journey.. #Matthew25:14-

I am sure by now there is an understanding regarding your seed (ideas, talents, abilities, etc). From reading #ThePowerOfYourSeed to #TheNatureOfYourSeed, I have prepared and made you  familiar with what a seed is. God is the one that gives seed to the sower. Until you are a sower, you are not qualified to demand a seed. (Tweetable?DoIt) The scripture above points us to certain fundamental truths- whatever you have as a gift is given by God, that we are his servants (given the gift to serve his purpose) and finally we are all given these gifts according to our several ability. No one is disenfranchised when it comes to God!

In order to profit from their seeds, these servants were meant to put it to work. Understand there isn't a king who will give his goods without first training the recipients. Servants won't necessarily know the desire of their master unless they are train and taught what to do.  If you recognise your seed came from God, then you also should understand He alone can teach you the processes by which you can profit from it. (Tweetable?DoIt) The seed was given so you will profit from it by putting it to work. How you may ask? By following the methodologies through which you were tutored by God. If you take your journey straight away without analyzing over and over the steps involved, you might crash along the way. (Tweetable?DoIt).  

As you read further on the above scripture, you will notice these servants were given their seeds according to their several ability. (Tweetable?DoIt). The one who deserved five was given five accordingly, the two likewise and the one also. The first two excelled with their seeds whilst the last one buried his.  In verses 16 through to 18, certain words are made public regarding the sort of training they received ;traded, gained and buried are mention. I am sure they were taught how to trade, gain but never to bury their talents. Have you buried your gift instead of trading with it? Don't you know gifts, abilities and talents don't work themselves and that you the possessor should do something with it? It's about time you put it to work. Your seeds ability to multiply is in you putting it to work. 

To understand how to #PutYourSeedToWork, here are four basic concepts you need to grasp : 

A. There ought to be SEPARATION (These servants were separated from the rest).

B. You will be TRAIN (thought how to trade, gain).

C. You will have to EXPOSE your gift at the right time.

D. There will be accountability.

THINK ALOUD :-

What does putting your seed to work mean to you?

Joe Akuoko II