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God bless FG under BAT.

Insecurity in leadership

Fri, 26 Jan 2024

‘They loved human praise more than the praise of God.’ John 12:43

The Bible says: ‘Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God’ (John 12:42-43 NLT). How secure are you as a leader? When someone else has a great idea, do you support it or suppress it? Do you celebrate other people’s successes, or feel threatened by them? If your answers are that you suppress and feel threatened, you have a problem with insecurity and you need to deal with it in order to fully succeed in what God has called you to do. Observe:

1) Insecure leaders create insecurity in others. The old saying goes, ‘You cannot give what you do not have.’ Likewise, without security, you cannot make others feel secure. And to be an effective leader, the kind that others want to follow, you need to make those who follow you feel good about themselves.

2) Insecure leaders take more from people than they give. They are on a constant quest for recognition, validation, and love. Because of that, their attention is on finding security and not imparting it to others. They are mostly takers, not givers, and takers don’t make good leaders.

3) Insecure leaders continually limit their best people. They hoard power. In fact, the better their followers are, the more threatened the leaders feel – and the harder they work to limit their followers’ success and recognition. If these things describe you, read this: ‘Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other’ (Romans 12:10 NLT).

Hummm...... O su mii 😥

Oloki:
Obviously your sister like the good life... Or because you attended a rich man's wedding, you thought everybody present was a millionaire... You didn't do proper finding, you just went with the flow...

The result is 12.5 down the drains...once you start hearing 'my container' you need to borrow legs joined the one you have ....

......borrow legs joined the one you have... 😁😁😁😁

mariahAngel:
Pele. 🙁

thanks so much @mariahAngel.
😥

Be disciplined

Thu, 25 Jan 2024

‘Do not neglect the gift that is in you.’ 1 Timothy 4:14

The only way to keep improving is to keep practising. If you desire to grow in a particular area, figure out what it will really take, including the price, and then determine to pay it. David didn’t suddenly discover his talent as a harpist when he arrived at King Saul’s palace. He developed it through years of practice on lonely hillsides while tending his father’s sheep. Paul instructed Timothy: ‘Till I come, give attention to reading … Do not neglect the gift that is in you … Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all’ (1 Timothy 4:13-15 NKJV). When you’re through growing – you’re through. Progress, success, and growth don’t happen by osmosis, they demand discipline. There is no easy way to become a disciplined person. The reason last year’s winner was this year’s runner-up is because one was willing to go the extra mile when it came to practice and discipline, and the other wasn’t. Anyone who does what he or she must do only when they’re in the mood or when it’s convenient will get left behind. Improvement comes through discipline. A disciplined person doesn’t make excuses or accept excuses; they eliminate excuses. As French classical writer François de La Rochefoucauld said, ‘Almost all our faults are more pardonable than the methods we think up to hide them.’ If you have several reasons why you can’t be disciplined, realise they’re just a bunch of excuses – all of which need to be challenged if you want to succeed in what God has called you to do.

...... both their wahala.

Lol....

But I've actually seen it happened sha. Both are late now.. 😭😭😭

all will be well

Hanndye:
Soon people will be considering your vain glorification before they have anything to do with you.

Yinmu

We lead, other follows...... Yoruba l'agba.
...... Proudly Nigeria.

😁😁

Listen more carefully

Wed, 24 Jan 2024

‘Hear Me, everyone, and understand.’ Mark 7:14

Jesus said, ‘Hear Me, everyone, and understand.’ He spoke life-changing words, but He understood that preoccupied minds don’t always listen too well. Are you a good listener?

1) If you’re a leader, do you listen to your followers?
The kind of leaders people want to follow do more than conduct business when they interact with you; they take the time to get a feel for who you are as a person. Philip Stanhope, the Earl of Chesterfield, believed, ‘Many a man would rather you heard his story than granted his request.’ If you’re accustomed to listening only to the facts and not the person who expresses them, change your focus – really listen.

2) If you’re in business, do you listen to your customers?
A Cherokee saying states, ‘Listen to the whispers and you won’t have to hear the screams.’ Never get so caught up in your own ideas and products that you don’t hear your customers’ concerns, complaints, and suggestions. Businesses should see unhappy customers, not as a problem, but as an opportunity to improve their service. That’s why you should make it a priority to keep in contact with the people you’re serving.

3) If you’re committed to growth, are you listening to your mentors? You will never become so advanced or experienced that you can afford to be without mentors. If you don’t have mentors, go out and find them. If you can’t find a mentor, begin by reading the right books, starting with your Bible. If you’re not following in the footsteps of someone wiser than you, there is a good chance you’re not on the right path.

Bracing your children for the turbulent years

Tue, 23 Jan 2024

‘I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful …’ Psalm 139:13-14

In order for your child to thrive and have self-worth, they must understand four things:

1) How God feels about them. The psalmist says, ‘Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever’ (Psalm 136:1 NIV). Knowing this is foundational to your child’s spiritual development and to their relationship with God.

2) How you feel about them. So, let them know that though you correct them, you will never reject them.

3) How they feel about themselves. The most painful aspect of growing up is related to the assault on self-esteem that’s almost universal in today’s teen society. Young people typically feel like fools and failures before they have even had a chance to get started in life. So, tell them they are a ‘work in progress’ with incredible potential. ‘I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful …’ (Psalm 139:13-14 NIV). Help them to discover their God-given gifts and develop them – electronics, art, music, or even raising chickens for fun and profit. Anything! It’s not so much what you teach your child; the key is that they are learning something with which to compensate when the whole world seems to be saying, ‘Who are you, and what is your significance?’ The teenager who has no answer to these questions is left unprotected at a very vulnerable time in life. So, developing and honing skills with which to compensate may be one of the most valuable contributions you as a parent can make.

4) How their peers feel about them. If they approve, that’s good. But if they don’t, and you have got the first three things right, your child will still thrive.

A relationship problem? Take action!

Mon, 22 Jan 2024

‘To whom much is given, from him much will be required.’ Luke 12:48

One author writes: ‘It took me half my life to discover the great power of choices and chances. Good relationships are God’s gift to you; what you do with them is your response to Him. Too often we drape our passivity, or lack of courage, or disregard for our relationships in the frayed tapestry of fate. We weave excuses and give alibis to our guilty hearts, which failed to alter circumstances. We then dismiss our responsibility like a cheap attempt at religious absolution, living in denial that things could have been better in our relationships had we taken action sooner. The worst part of it is that many foolishly charge God and hold Him liable for relationships they themselves could have changed. God’s grace gives us opportunities, each relationship being a gift to be unwrapped and enjoyed. We must seize each precious moment as an adventure. If we are aware of the potential of each relationship, our hearts will be penetrated by the urgency to make each encounter the very best. You had a chance not to marry her, or to make that phone call, to be the first to apologise or to embrace your heart’s desire. The choices are yours. So, you must say every day, ‘I’ll take my chances, activate my choices, go through my changes, and make my decisions.’ And when the day is done, you will say to yourself, ‘It was my life and my relationships, and I am responsible for both.’ Jesus said, ‘For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required’ (Luke 12:48 NKJV). Do you have a relationship problem? Take action!

Wahala! Wahala!! Wahala!!!

😁😁😁

What the Bible teaches about money

Sun, 21 Jan 2024

‘Though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.’ Psalm 62:10

Let’s settle it once and for all. If God can trust you with something small, He will trust you with more (see Luke 16:10, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11). But His blessings come with certain conditions, and here are four you need to honour.

1) Don’t try to claim credit. God told the Israelites, ‘You may say to yourself … “My hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD … for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth … If you ever forget … you will surely be destroyed’ (Deuteronomy 8:17-19 NIV).

2) Don’t forget others. The Bible commands ‘Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share … so that they may take hold of that which is truly life’ (1 Timothy 6:17-19 NASB20).

3) Don’t become arrogant. Jeremiah admonishes us, ‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong … of their strength or the rich … of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD’ (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV).

4) Don’t allow anything to take God’s place. ‘Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the LORD?”’ (Proverbs 30:8-9 NIV). Remember, you don’t own anything – you’re just an administrator of God’s estate and an executor of His will. It’s an awesome responsibility, so make sure you do a good job.

Useless governor......like say him is better.

BreconHills:
Richer than Bayo Ogunlesi?

Nope. Bayo Ogunlesi is richer and naa Baba he be for business too.

madridguy:
We ask you God to bless the members of our armed forces. Give them courage, hope and strength. May they ever experience your firm support, gentle love and compassionate healing. Be their power and protector, leading them from darkness to light. Amin 🙏

amen in Jesus name 🙏

Grace in marriage

Sat, 20 Jan 2024

‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ 2 Corinthians 12:9

Who in the Bible would you say had the best marriage? Adam and Eve started in Paradise, and it all went downhill from there. Abraham lied and said his wife, Sarah, was his sister, then impregnated her servant, Hagar. Isaac and Rebekah spent much of their marriage battling because he favoured Esau and she favoured Jacob. Jacob had children by two different wives and the wives’ servants. All we know of Moses’ wife is they had an argument over circumcising their son and she called Moses a ‘bridegroom of blood’ (Exodus 4:26 NIV). David was a disaster as a husband, and Solomon was worse. When Job’s life got hard, his wife told him, ‘Curse God and die!’ (Job 2:9 NIV). In fairy tales, life is a difficult adventure until you get married – then you live happily ever after. But nowhere in the Bible does a couple get married and then live happily ever after. Marriage doesn’t save anyone, only Jesus does. Yet how often in churches do couples sit in silent agony? They have an image of spiritual success to project, but they don’t enjoy intimacy. Or there is abuse going on. Or their young daughter is pregnant, and they have no idea what to do. Or one of them is a closet alcoholic. Or they’re facing bankruptcy. Frequently people who need help the most receive it the least because they would have to step down from their pedestal. But what if real people could be as truthful as the Bible about marriage? In Scripture, marriage is a place where we learn, receive God’s grace, and grow together in love.

This numbers below has been calling me for a while now. So anyone have an idea which numbers are these? 🤷

Prayer gives us a God’s-eye view

Fri, 19 Jan 2024

‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.’ Colossians 4:2

The word ‘watchful’ is a throwback to the Old Testament-era practice of sitting on a city wall and keeping watch. Watchmen were the first to see attacking armed forces or travelling merchants. They had the optimal vantage point. They saw what nobody else saw. They saw them sooner than others saw them. That is exactly what happens when we pray. We see what nobody else sees, and we see them sooner than others see them. Why? Because prayer provides us with a God’s-eye view; it enhances our awareness and gives us a sixth sense that allows us to perceive spiritual realities. In their classic book Geeks and Geezers, business gurus Warren Bennis and Robert Thomas make an interesting observation about a common denominator among successful leaders in every field. Bennis and Thomas call them first-class noticers. ‘Being a first-class noticer allows you to recognise talent, identify opportunities, and avoid pitfalls. Leaders who succeed again and again are geniuses at grasping context. This is one of those characteristics, like taste, that is difficult to break down into its component parts. But the ability to weigh a welter of factors, some as subtle as how very different groups of people will interpret a gesture, is one of the hallmarks of a true leader.’ Prayer turns us into first-class noticers. It helps us to see what God wants us to notice. The more you pray, the more you notice. The less you pray, the less you notice. It’s as simple as that. Here is a Bible formula for success in any area of life:

Sensing and seeing God

Thu, 18 Jan 2024

‘But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.’ 1 Corinthians 2:10

The Bible says, ‘“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit’ (1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NKJV). The Holy Spirit compensates for our sensory limits by enabling us to conceive things we cannot perceive with our five senses. Think of Him as a sixth sense. That sense must be cultivated, matured, and fine-tuned. And that can only happen when we spend time meditating in the Scriptures and fellowshipping with God in prayer. Until we are awakened by the Holy Spirit, we are unaware of our need for God, of the spiritual warfare that is being waged all around us, and of what God is doing all around us. One night Jacob had a dream in which God appeared to him and said, ‘I am with you and will keep you wherever you go’ (Genesis 28:15 NKJV). When he awakened the next morning, Jacob said, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it … This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!’ (Genesis 28:16-17 NKJV). Jacob went to sleep and woke up in the same place, but he woke up a different person. After his wake-up call, Jacob saw God every place he looked. Today ask God for a spiritual epiphany. Pray, ‘Lord, show me what You want me to see, teach me what You want me to know, lead me step-by-step in the path of Your perfect will.’ That’s a prayer God will answer!

Read the signals with your children

Wed, 17 Jan 2024

‘My children, listen as I teach you to respect the LORD.’ Psalm 34:11

Smithsonian magazine once featured a British master stonecutter named Simon Verity. He restored thirteenth-century cathedrals in Great Britain. As the authors watched him work, they noticed something fascinating. ‘Verity listens closely to hear the song of the stone under his careful blows. A solid strike and all is well. A higher-pitched ping could mean trouble. A chunk of rock could break off. He constantly adjusts the angle of the chisel and the force of the mallet to the pitch, pausing frequently to run his hand over the freshly carved surface.’ Verity understood the importance of his task. He knew one wrong move could be devastating, causing irreparable damage to his work of art. His success was rooted in his ability to read the signals his stones were sending. If you’re a parent or someone who works with children, you need to hone your skills at listening to them, especially during times of discipline and guidance. It takes a great deal of patience and sensitivity to interpret a child’s responses. But if you listen carefully, they will tell you what they’re thinking and feeling. And God will help you to do it: ‘The Lord God has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. …’(Isaiah 50:4 NKJV). Each changing season in a child’s development raises different questions, calling for different answers. To have the right answer, you must be tuned in to the question they’re asking at the time. Not only will you be imparting to them the wisdom they need at that time, you will be teaching them how to do it with their own children.

Stop and ask for directions

Tue, 16 Jan 2024

‘The Spirit of truth … will lead you … and … tell you what is to come.’ John 16:13

Making decisions without seeking God’s guidance is like trying to fly without radar and a compass. You can do what makes sense based on your past knowledge and experience, but what ‘looks right’ can end up destroying what’s most important to you. The Bible says even the most profound human thinking is foolish to God (see 1 Corinthians 1:18-20). He alone knows the way, and He wants to go ahead of you. It’s a mistake to assume that every opportunity that comes along is from God. Paul says, ‘Satan changes himself to look like an angel of light’ (2 Corinthians 11:14 NCV). And while his invitations are packaged to look like he has your best interests at heart, his way invariably leads to ruin (see John 8:44). The Bible says, ‘Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.’ (Psalm 119:105 ESV) to guide you in the ways of righteousness. That’s why it can be fatal to pursue a path that seems right to you without first consulting Him. Jesus said, ‘When the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you into all truth. He will not speak his own words, but … only what he hears, and he will tell you what is to come’ (John 16:13 NCV). The truth is that most of us don’t naturally seek God. It’s only as His Spirit speaks to our hearts that we start desiring His will. Take time to seek the Holy Spirit’s direction. Trust Him. He understands the ramifications of your choices. He will show you ‘the big picture’ and help you stay on the right road.

Guard against envy and jealousy

Mon, 15 Jan 2024

‘Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.’ Galatians 5:26

Paul cautioned the early church about envy, and it’s still a problem. Your co-worker gets a raise, a friend’s child wins a scholarship, and a neighbour takes a dream holiday. Do you rejoice with them, or force a tight smile? We’re human; an occasional flicker of envy is normal. But beware of harbouring a chronic sense of being short-changed. Tacitus said, ‘When men are full of envy, they disparage everything … good or bad.’ When somebody else prospers, before you ask, ‘Why not me?’ ask yourself if you would be responding the same way if some tragedy had befallen them. Jealousy is like a moth; it nibbles away at clothes until they’re ruined, except envy destroys irreplaceable things like relationships and families. One author reminds us: ‘When we’re … in the valley, it is human to envy those … on the mountaintops. It is easy to forget they didn’t fall there – they climbed there. Behind the success story is always a courageous decision and a gallant action … If we want to reach them … we have to … climb. Inspiration from someone else may get us started, but the success is in the climbing.’ Imagine a runner striding out; they’re fast, focused, and ahead of the pack. Then they start looking at the competition. Before long they stumble, lose momentum, and drop out. That’s what happens when you let jealousy distract you from completing the course God mapped out for you. Paul writes, ‘You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?’ (Galatians 5:7 NIV). Keep your eye on the prize, and don’t get distracted by what others have and don’t have. That’s none of your business.

Somebody's mother in future..... I wondered what she will tell her kids later?

trendy001:
Better

Ope nii f'Olorun 🙏

Growing through criticism

Sun, 14 Jan 2024

‘If you accept correction, you will be honoured.’ Proverbs 13:18

Solomon said, ‘If you accept correction, you will be honoured.’ American author, Charlie Shedd gives us ten ways to grow through criticism:

1) Criticism is often a compliment. The barbs in daily life strike only those who raise their heads above ground level. Jesus said, ‘Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man’ (Luke 6:22 CSB).

2) Accept that you have faults that are open to censure. Stay humble, and criticism won’t rattle you.

3) Invite criticism from friends; then when it comes from your enemies, you will be broken in. ‘The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them’ (Proverbs 12:6 NIV).

4) Let criticism make you better. When you burn with anger, you destroy the passport to your own improvement. ‘But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God’ (1 Peter 2:20 NKJV).

5) Some criticism should be ignored, especially if it stems from false motives. Never give unhappy people the key to your happiness.

6) Keep it in perspective. Don’t believe everybody has heard. Most people don’t care. One bad word doesn’t cancel out the good in you.

7) Let criticism make you kinder. Remind yourself that you have criticised others too. Is this a boomerang that started in your own heart?

Pray for your critics. It will improve them and neutralise your bitterness. Hate destroys your health and steals your happiness.

9) Check with the Master Critic. What does God say? How do things look deep in your soul?

10) When you have checked to make sure you’re right, move ahead. In quiet confidence finish what you started, because God’s promises are to those who endure (see Hebrews 6:12).

Don’t be afraid of getting old (2)

Sat, 13 Jan 2024

‘They shall still bear fruit in old age.’ Psalm 92:14

Does the thought of getting older depress you, make you anxious, or make you fatalistic in your outlook? If so, read this: ‘Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing’ (Psalm 92:13-14 NKJV). Here is how to stay fresh and flourishing as you grow older:

1) Guard your health. Studies show that good health is the number-one factor in determining the level of happiness in old age. So try to eat healthy, and exercise often if you can. Drink lots of water, take your daily vitamins, and get regular medical check-ups. These efforts will not guarantee you more time, but they will help improve the quality of your time here on earth.

2) Look your best. Dress stylishly at every age, as your budget will allow. When you look good, you feel good – and inspired. But keep your quest for attractiveness in balance. Remember God’s words to Samuel: ‘The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart’ (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT). Think twice, examine your motives, seek God’s advice, and do your homework before you submit to cosmetic procedures. Some can be costly and downright dangerous.

3) Look for someone to help. You will be amazed at the sense of strength, self-worth, and satisfaction you feel when you meet the needs of others. If you haven’t already, experience the joy of giving without expecting anything in return.

Don’t be afraid of getting old (1)

Fri, 12 Jan 2024

‘My chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands.’ Isaiah 65:22

We live in a fickle society where a few wrinkles can devastate our self-worth. But we don’t have to be victims of that value system. ‘For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands’ (Isaiah 65:22 NIV). Someone said, ‘Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter!’ So:

1) Build a strong relationship with God. Spend time talking with Him and reading His Word. ‘Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying’ (Proverbs 3:1-2 NLT).

2) Come to grips with the reality of ageing. Face it, you have been ageing from the moment you were conceived. In fact, on the day of your birth, you were already nine months old. Therefore, fretting about getting older is as fruitless as worrying about the sun going down each day. Instead of worrying about the length of your life, maximise every day of it. Each morning look in the mirror and announce, ‘This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it’ (see Psalm 118:24).

3) Always have a goal. It doesn’t have to be something big in the eyes of the world, just something to look forward to doing with your hands and your mind. Eleanor Roosevelt said, ‘I could not at any age be content to take my place in a corner by the fireside and simply look on.’ Read, grow, contribute, stay involved, live until your last breath!

What it means to love someone

Thu, 11 Jan 2024

‘God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.’ 1 John 4:16

In today’s culture, the word ‘love’ means different things to different people. You can love your husband or wife, your country, your dog, your new mobile phone, and your car. But you don’t love your husband or wife the same way you love your mobile phone or your car, right? The television and tabloid kind of love where you fall in and out of love at the drop of a hat isn’t real love, it’s selfishness and immaturity. The Bible word agape (God’s love) is an unconditional commitment to love that’s rooted in an unchanging decision. It always gives and doesn’t change whether the love is returned or not. It’s a decision of your heart to seek the other person’s highest good, no matter how they may respond. When the King James Bible translators came upon the Greek word agape, in addition to using the English word love to transliterate it, they often chose the word charity. This was meant to reinforce the idea that love is a selfless, unconditional, giving love. And as such, it directs kindness, respect, and loyalty towards the loved one. ‘By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.’ (1 John 4:17 ESV). What causes us to stand out from the world isn’t our words but our love for one another. When we can overcome our differences, when we can cross lines of denomination, race, and culture and truly love one another, the world is drawn to Christ and it pays attention to what we say (see John 13:35).

Are you dealing with relationship problems?

Wed, 10 Jan 2024

‘For a righteous person falls seven times and rises again …’ Proverbs 24:16

When it comes to handling relationships, we all have our pluses and minuses, strengths and weaknesses. So to survive and flourish in a relationship, we must learn to persevere. Even when we have done the best we can to lessen our potential for failure, we must still be ready for it. If we stay mired in self-defeat, guilt, and shame over missed chances and incorrect choices in one particular relationship, we will never encounter the freedom to sustain our other relationships. Some good advice is to allow yourself a 10 per cent ratio for failure in a relationship to work out the way you thought it would. So with that in mind, promise yourself that no matter what circumstances occur, or which relationships fail miserably, you will survive. You will arise, learn from them, draw closer to God, and, if nothing else, thank Him for the blessings that still remain in your life. And when you consider your blessings, you will notice many! When you think about the long list of gifts that remain in your life even in the middle of difficulties, losses, and frustrations, you’re better able to see the big picture and not just the current trouble in front of your eyes. Gratitude is a sure remedy for self-pity and despair. Thanksgiving lifts you back to a position of seeing your relationships and life more clearly. An important question to ask yourself is whether you really want the relationship to work. If so, commit to praying for the other person, loving them unconditionally, and investing in them. When you do that, trust God to do the rest!