Author: Pastor Rufus Ajiboye

Friends, no matter how badly people or life itself has treated you, if you want to move ahead in life you have to learn how to focus on the right thing and chose the right life position. If despite all the odds of life you can still focus on using your gifts and talents; if you can still continue to serve people, then you will soon be able to change your status.
That was exactly what happened to Joseph. As he served these two officers of pharaoh instead of concentrating on the offences of others, the door to his throne opened to him easily. Pharaoh sent for Joseph and fetched him out of the prison.

One of the reasons for spiritual coldness and lukewarmness is negligence and laziness.
Marital failure, financial poverty, failure in ministry and many other forms of poverty can all be traced back to the same root of negligence or dealing with a slack hand.

“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich” (Proverbs 10:4)

We read about how God promised the children of Israel a land flowing with milk and honey, but when it came time to possess it, as a nation they were not ready. There are attitudes that keep you in bondage and wandering in the wilderness, while a promised land flowing with milk and honey awaits you. The Bible is full of the record of sins that plagued the rest of the children of Israel which we are to be aware of today in our lives.

Are you in a situation right now where you are told no man has the answer to?
Has the devil taken over your life, your family, your business, your children, your ministry?
Are you stranded right now with no hope for you to get out of the mess you are in?

The Bible tells us that God will correct us because He loves us and is delighted in our prosperity. He will not live us to wander in our unrighteous ways. He will rebuke, chastise and discipline those He love just like any father will do to his children.

“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth” (Proverbs 3:11-12).

It is God desires for every one of His children to continue to grow in their relationship with Him. The reason is obvious from the Bible: until we grow up, we won’t be able to enjoy the privileges God has provided for us as His sons and daughters.

“Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: {elements: or, rudiments}” (Galatians 4: 1-3).

Other people might be responsible for where you are in life, but nobody is responsible for your continuing to stay where you are.
Until you stop finding fault and shifting blame, you will not rise up and take responsibility for your advancement in life. Here is what God want you to do from today on:

Don’t blame the devil, resist him (James 4: 7);
Don’t blame God, obey Him (Genesis 3: 12-13);
Don’t blame your challenges and predicaments; fight your way through them by faith (Number chapter 12-14).

It is time to know that changes are initiated rather than expected. Changes do not happen by chance, they happen because someone initiated them. When it was dark and void all around, God initiated change by introducing light. He said “Let there be light”.

“In the beginning, when God created the universe, the earth was formless and desolate. The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the Spirit of God was moving over the water. Then God commanded, “Let there be light”—and light appeared” (Gen.1: 1-3)

God wants you to believe today that in Christ Jesus you have been given a NEW NAME. You have identified with your old names, your past and failures long enough.

God has given you new name in Christ, so stop wearing the old name tag given to you by people, by the enemy of your soul or by your circumstances. Believe in the wonderful possibilities available to you now in God because of your new identity in Christ.
Begin to identify yourself with your God given name! Only thus will you be able to realize your potential in God.

One of proofs of your love for God is to love those whom He loves. You know that God loves the Church of Jesus Christ, and that He also loves the lost people (who have not yet come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ).
How your love for God is reflected in your attitude towards the church and unbelievers around you?

Do you have the passion to see His church grow and to advance the values of the Kingdom of God through His Church
Do you have the passion to see His lost sheep brought back to his fold?