Leader or Slave?

Dear Friend,

Would you rather be a leader or slave? The choice is yours. I hope you are blessed as you read.

Proverbs 12:24  

“Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.” (NLT)

“Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.” (NIV)

     The NLT version puts this truth in a very captivating way which reveals a whole to me as a person who especially values of hard work. For me, the phrase that took my attention is “and become”. This is like the consequence of whatever action a person chooses to take. The principle is quite simple.

HARD WORK = LEADERSHIP

LAZINESS = SLAVERY

     These are like two opposites. One leads to the top, and the other leads to the bottom. I choose to see it this way. I am simply Shanpepe. No identity of any sort. I am simply just a person. I am just a girl. However, it is in fact like a blank cheque given to me. Whatsoever I do has its own result. If I choose to work hard and be diligent, I will most definitely become a leader. However, if I choose to be lazy, I will become a slave. Therefore, my fate is sort of in my hands. Becoming a leader or a slave is actually a process; that is why the NLT version puts it as “and become”. The question is, what destination do I have in mind? Laziness will never take me to the position of a leader. Therefore, if I must leader, I must be a diligent and hardworking woman.

LEADER OR LOSER?

     The choice is really mine. Am I willing to pay the price of hard work to become a leader? I think I am. This also reminds me that a leader is more made than born… leadership is a process and the fuel of the journey to the top is HARDWORK AND DILIGENCE…

“Seest thou a man…” Proverbs 22:29

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Let us pray:

Dear Jesus,

     Help me to be diligent and hardworking in every area of my life. may I never run out of the fuel of hard work and diligence on this journey/process to becoming a leader. Thank You for grace to excel.

Amen.

#selah

In Christ,

Shanpepe

Did God Choose Some People to be Christians?

Romans 8:29-30 – “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory.” (NLT)

I grew up hearing people often ask this question: ‘Why did God choose some people to be Christians and heaven-bound and then chose the others to remain unsaved and hell-bound?’ It made God look like an unfair and unjust God who played favorites with some of His creation. It also made it look like those ‘chosen’ ones must have done something extraordinary to be chose, thereby underestimating the power of GRACE which we never deserve.

Some days ago, I came across Romans 8:29-30 and my heart could not contain the excitement about what I had found! Two verses changed my entire perspective. Guess what?????!!!

EVERYONE HAS BEEN/IS CHOSEN!!!!!

God has called everyone! Okay so lemme back up so we understand this together. The Bible says that God already knew His people in advance and He chose them so that they could become a part of God’s Family. Now vs 30 is the crux of the matter. “And having chosen them, he called them to come…” This is the call of salvation. God has chosen each and every person to be His sons/daughters but YOU must yourself accept His invitation. Once you accept His invitation and come to Him, He will give you a right standing with Himself. Before I go on, the call here is the same as His call in 1 John 1:12 saying that “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (KJV)

When I accept God’s salvation, He will show me His glory as well. God does not select those He wishes should enjoy salvation and sonship. NO. He has chosen everyone. What is left is your response to this call. God is a fair and just God, He does not desire that anyone perish and thus He chose everyone. The offer to enjoy salvation, sonship and God’s glory is open to all!

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What choice will you make? Will you answer to His call now?

Dear reader, if you know you have not answered the call to salvation and a Christ filled life, pray this prayer with me:

“Lord Jesus, thank You because you desire that everyone be saved. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I choose to answer Your call to salvation today. Come into my heart and dwell in me. I receive You as my personal Lord and Savior today. I am committed to following You forever. Thank You for accepting me into Your family. I love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD!

#selah

In Christ,

Shanpepe

Created For God's Glory

Dear Reader,

YOU have been created for God's glory. YOU have been created and equipped to bring glory to God. I hope this post blesses you.

Exodus 31:1-11 – “Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. 4 He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. 5 He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft! 6 “And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make:

7 the Tabernacle;[a]

the Ark of the Covenant;[b]

the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement;

all the furnishings of the Tabernacle;

8 the table and its utensils;

the pure gold lampstand with all its accessories;

the incense altar;

9 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils;

the washbasin with its stand;

10 the beautifully stitched garments—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests;

11 the anointing oil;

the fragrant incense for the Holy Place.

The craftsmen must make everything as I have commanded you.”

This is one of those Old Testament passages we pass up on when reading our Bibles but which really carries some mind blowing truths in it. first off, we can see that when also equips such a man for a task. He chooses Him AND also equips such a person for the job, adequately. This also reminds me of the fact that I have been made to bring glory to God. Everything I do is to bring glory to the One who made me (1 Corinthians 10:31). The skills, talents and giftings which he has blessed me with are not for mere decoration oh. They are to be used by me to fulfill His purpose. In this passage, God had a desired list of things that He wants for the TABERNACLE (v. 6-11) and so He endowed some men with the necessary skill to get those things made according to His taste. Not that He was handicapped to make them oh. No. but God still chooses us to His work through mere men. Also, when God endows you with a skill or a gift, He gives you the ability of a master of such skill (vs 3). Just like the Bible says that His blessings maketh rich and adds no sorrw to them. God’s giftings are always complete. God is the Master Craftsman and so as a child of God, my artistic expressions are simply a reflection of my Father. 

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The question now is, have I discovered my God given skill and talents? If I have, what am I doing with them? It is important for me to discover how and where He wants me to utilize them so that they will not waste. When I use my skills and talents for the honor of God’s name, that is the best way I can truly be appreciative it. I am CREATED FOR GOD’S GLORY.

Let us pray:

Dear Jesus,

Help me to use my skills and talents to honor You. Thank You for them because I know that You have equipped me with them for a divine task. Help me not to miss that task in Jesus’ name. Amen. May I always remember that I am created for God’s Glory.

#selah

In Christ,

Shanpepe