WHAT I'M LEARNING IN THE BIBLE....

Thursday, February 21, 2008 NUMBERS 33 Rameses was THE STARTING POINT for the children of Israel on their way out of Egypt to the Promised Land. 3b-4: What a contrast of fate! As the Israelites were marching out of Egypt, their land of bondage, with boldness, the Egyptians were all downcast and in great mourning burying their dead firstborns! Only God can wreak such CONTRAST OF FATE when a former downtrodden slave can saunter confidently while his hitherto haughty master looks on morosely. 38: AARON died at 123 on mount Hor on the first day of the fifth month (Jewish calendar) in the 40th year of the journey of the Israelites. 50-53: God’s charge to the people of Israel on WHAT TO DO WITH THE INHABITANTS OF THE LAND of Canaan; they were to be dispossessed and driven out of the land, and their engraved stones, moulded images and high places destroyed. 54: God instructed a DIVISION of the land BY LOT as an inheritance among the families, and then a PROPORTIONATE ALLOTMENT of the land to each family according to their sizes. 55: The consequences of NOT ELIMINATING ALL THE INHABITANTS of the land/territory one is to take over. The remnants will eventually constitute irritants in one’s eyes, thorns in the flesh and a source of harassment to the person. This is also applicable to one’s habits after being born again. Those habits/indulgences that one did not get rid of will constantly be the Achilles’ heels that the devil will use to get one to fall. Wednesday, February 20, 2008 NUMBERS 32 1-3: SELF DETERMINATION is very essential for the expression of self and fulfilment in life. The children of Reuben and Gad saw what they wanted – a good pasture for their large livestock – in the land of Jazer and Gilead, and they went to Moses to seek his permission to allow them settle there, as there was no point for them to go further with the congregation across the Jordan when they had already seen all they needed for sustenance before the Jordan. 9: DISCOURAGEMENT, either external or internal, can prevent one from making the necessary move to take possession of what God has given one. 11: NOT FOLLOWING GOD WHOLLY, that is with unflinching dedication, can also prevent one from ATTAINING THE PROMISE. It halted a whole generation of Israel from attaining what had been given to them by Divine Promise many years before they were even born. 15: TURNING AWAY FROM God can lead to Him abandoning one in the wilderness (the vicissitudes of life), and this might lead to the destruction of the person. 6-33: There is a PRICE TO PAY FOR GETTING WHAT YOU WANT. In the case of the children of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh, it was patiently enduring the castigation of Moses and resolving to go with the army of Israel across the Jordan to fight the battle that would make them the sole occupants of Canaan. 39: For there to a POSSESSION, there must first e a DISPOSSESSION. The children of Machir had to fight and dispossess the Amorites before they could possess their land. Tuesday, February 19, 2008 NUMBERS 31 1-11: MOSES’ LAST ASSIGNMENT was mobilising of the army of Israel to go to war against the Midianites, to take VENGEANCE FOR God for using feminine seduction to draw the hearts of His people away and thereby positioning them against Him. 12-18: Dealing with the outward manifestation of a SIN will not be as effective as dealing with the real cause or SOURCE OF THE SIN. Moses was angry with the army of Israel because they spared the women of Midian, who were the ones that lured them into sin against God in the first place. They had to be killed in order to forestall a re-occurrence. 19-20: SELF PURIFICATION for the army of Israel after the war, a 7-day exercise. 21-23: PURIFICATION OF OBJECTS: Only the items which can endure fire, such as gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead shall be put through fire for purification. The ones that cannot should be put through the water. 25-31-47: Another of GOD’S RECOMMENDATION FOR SHARING: He commanded that the booty gained from the war with the Midianites be divided into two and that the army who went to war took one half while the whole congregation of Israel shared the remaining half. Then to cater for the Levites who did not fall into any of these two categories, God instructed that one out of every 500 of the army’s booty be given to the High Priest as a heave offering to the LORD, while one out of every 50 of the booty accruing to the congregation be given to the Levites as their own portion. Isn’t the LORD simply wonderful and so thoughtful? 48-54: The APPRECIATIVE HEARTS of the LEADERS of the arm of Israel; without being prompted, they came on their own to offer a thanksgiving offering to God after conducting a head count and discovering that NONE of the soldiers whom they took to war died in the battle. Friday, February 15, 2008 NUMBERS 30 1-2: A MAN is bound by his VOWS. In other words, the word of a man is his bond. 3-5: A WOMAN’s VOW, on the other hand, is subject to the ratification of her father (if she is not married) or that of her husband (if she is married) for it to be valid in the eyes of God. 6: God recognises that women are more prone to spontaneous EMOTIONAL REACTION in the heat of the moment than men, and this could lead to them making rash utterances, hence His provision for a review of the vow of a woman by her father or her husband for it to be valid. Unfortunately, men do not have this privilege, and therefore must be very very cautious in making a vow before God if they do not have the will to fulfil it. (Compare Ecclesiastes 5:1-6) 9: A WIDOW or a DIVORCED WOMAN is bound by her vows because she does not have the covering of a man to ratify it. 10: However, if the WIDOW’s or a DIVORCED WOMAN’s VOW was nullified while she had a husband, then it is no longer binding on her. 14-15: By DELAYING TO NULLIFY HIS WIFE’s VOW immediately if he does not agree with it, only to do so a day after or much later, a man will end up bearing the guilt and the consequences of the woman’s failing, and she will be absolved of all blame. Tuesday, February 12, 2008 NUMBERS 28 Vs 1-2: God is particular about OFFERINGS due to Him being offered at their APPOINTED TIME, and not at the convenience of the person. Now offerings to God may not necessarily be money. Vs 16: THE PASSOVER is on the 14th day in the first month of the Jewish calendar. Vs 17: The FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD starts the following day, that is the 15th day, and it is a seven-day affair. Vs 3, 9, 11, 19, 31: God is also very particular that WHATEVER is offered to Him is WITHOUT BLEMISH. In fact, this is one phrase that is recurrent whenever a reference is made to an item to be offered as an offering to God. The story of Cain and Abel was a classical reference to lend credence to God’s disposition where offering is concerned. Monday, February 11, 2008 NUMBERS 27 Vs 1-4: The bravery of the DAUGHTERS OF ZELOPHEHAD; they did not keep to themselves, mourn their lot, nor resort to murmuring and castigating the injustice of God and men in silence. On the contrary, they took their case, on the inheritance of their father, to Moses and the whole congregation of Israel and presented their case dispassionately. Vs 1-5: A lesson in LEADERSHIP: Moses did not make out to have the answer to the question of the daughters of Zelophehad. He simply took the matter to God to know what He had to say about it. This is a show of humility, it requires humility on the part of a leader not to try and show/prove to his people that he has all the answers to their questions at his fingertips. Vs 6-11: What came out of Moses’ session with God was the LAW OF INHERITANCE, a body of regulations which state who can inherit someone’s inheritance after his death. Vs 12-14: God’s grouse against Moses, that prevented him from getting to the Promised Land, was that he allowed the strife of the congregation to get to him and so rebelled against the command of God by not hallowing Him in the eyes of the people. Vs 15-20: THE HEART OF A LEADER: Moses knowing his time had come to die asked God to give the people someone else who would lead them to the Promised Land, and not leave them without a shepherd. Note that Joshua had been Moses’ PA for some time, but that did not make him the automatic choice for the leadership position until God Himself chose him. Vs 18-23: The INAUGURATION OF JOSHUA as the successor of Moses. Vs 18: Joshua was one of the few individuals in the Old Testament who had the HOLY SPIRIT Vs 20: it was not all the AUTHORITY OF MOSES that was passed on to Joshua at the time of his inauguration. The Bible records that it was some of Moses’ authority that was transferred to him. Vs 20: AUTHORITY is needed for a leader to command the obedience of his people. Joshua was conferred with it in order for him to command the respect of the people of Israel.

CHOICES

REFERENCE SCRIPTURE Joshua 24:15: And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. CHOOSING RIGHTLY 1. CHOOSING GOD (LIFE) Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live 2. CHOOSING THE KINGDOM Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 3. CHOOSING THE NEEDFUL & THE GOOD PART Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO MADE POSITIVE CHOICES IN THE BIBLE AND THE CONSEQUENCES Noah chose to listen to God’s instruction and went on to build the ark in spite of general ridicule. CONSEQUENCE: He was able to save his life and members of his household when the flood came. (Genesis 6 & 7) Abraham chose to let go and decided to sacrifice his son Isaac to God. CONSEQUENCE: God blessed him greatly. (Genesis 22) Lot decided to host the (Angels) visitors and bear the wrath of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah by not releasing them (the visitors) to them to be defiled. CONSEQUENCE: He and his family were spared from the divine judgment that befell the cities. (Genesis 19) Joseph chose not to shortcut his destiny by giving in to the momentary pleasures of sleeping with Potiphar’s wife CONSEQUENCE: He rose to the number two person in Egypt, the most powerful country in the world then. (Genesis 39 & 41) Two spies, Joshua and Caleb, brought good reports about the Promised Land. CONSEQUENCE: They ended up getting there, while others were destroyed in the wilderness. (Numbers 13 & 14) Rahab risked her life by hiding the two spies that were sent to spy the land of Jericho CONSEQUENCE: She had her life and that of her whole family saved when the Israelites conquered the city. (Joshua 2 & 6) Ruth chose to follow Naomi and submitted to her mentoring CONSEQUENCE: She ended up marrying Boaz, a very wealthy man, and also became the grandmother of David as well as the ancestress of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ruth 1-4) David chose not be intimidated by size, but launched out to fight Goliath. CONSEQUENCE: He won the battle and earned national honour as a result. (1 Samuel 17) Solomon asked God for wisdom rather than riches and honour CONSEQUENCE: God gave him more than he asked for. (1 Kings 3) Elisha chose to ignore the ‘sons of the prophets’ and followed Elijah all through till he was taken to heaven. CONSEQUENCE: He got a double portion of the anointing of Elijah. (2 Kings 2) The Shunamite woman took it upon herself to always host Elisha whenever he was in town. CONSEQUENCE: God gave her a son after many years in marriage. (2 Kings 4:8-17) Namaan, the Syrian general, listened to the advice of his servants and went to bathe in river Jordan as Elisha had instructed. CONSEQUENCE: He came out cleansed of his leprosy. (2 kings 5:1-19) King Hezekiah chose to cry out to God, rather than mourn, when he was told he would die from his sickness. CONSEQUENCE: God healed him and added 15 years to his life. (2 Kings 20:1-11) Esther chose to risk her life for the salvation of her people by going in to the king’s chamber uninvited, after praying and fasting for three days! CONSEQUENCE: God gave her favour and the Jews were spared. (Esther 4, 5 & 8) Job chose to remain faithful to God in spite of his many great afflictions. CONSEQUENCE: God restored him and gave him twice everything he lost. (Job 1 & 42) Daniel chose not to compromise the rules of God while in the king’s palace CONSEQUENCE: He was outstanding among his peers. (Daniel 1) He also chose to defy the king’s command and pray to God CONSEQUENCE: God spared his life and eliminated all his enemies. (Daniel 6) Meshach, Shedrach, and Abednego chose not to displease God by bowing to the idols of Nebuchadnezzar CONSEQUENCE: God spared their lives in the fiery furnace. (Daniel 3) The prodigal son chose to repent and go home to his father after squandering all his wealth. CONSEQUENCE: He was warmly received and celebrated by his father. (Luke 15:11-24) Peter chose to repent after denying Jesus 3 different times. CONSEQUENCE: He was restored and later became the head of the apostles. EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO MADE NEGATIVE CHOICES IN THE BIBLE AND THE CONSEQUENCES Eve chose to listen to the reasoning of the serpent against the instruction of God Adam also listened to the lures of his wife. CONSEQUENCE: They both ended up being banished from the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3) The wife of Lot looked back in spite the angels’ instruction not to do so. CONSEQUENCE: She became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19) Isaac stayed in Gerar in obedience to God, in spite of the great famine there CONSEQUENCE: He prospered beyond all human reasoning. (Gen 26:1-14) Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of porridge. CONSEQUENCE: He lost his father’s blessings as a result. (Genesis 25:29-34) The ten spies chose to see the negative things in the Promised Land and therefore brought an evil report about the place to the Israelites. CONSEQUENCE: They never got there. (Numbers 13 & 14) King Saul chose to go against the counsel of God by sparing the life of Agag, the king of the Amalek, and bringing home the best of the land. CONSEQUENCE: God rejected him as king over Israel. (1 Samuel 15:1-28) David chose to stay home at a time when kings go out to fight wars, and got involved with Bathsheba, impregnated her, and killed her husband to save face. CONSEQUENCE: He brought curse and blood upon his own household as a result. (2 Samuel 11-12:14) Solomon married heathen women who influenced and led him astray from God CONSEQUENCE: God tore the kingdom of Israel from him and gave it to his servant. (1 Kings 11:1-11) Rehoboam chose to listen to the advice of youths on governance over the ones given him by the elders. CONSEQUENCE: The kingdom of Israel was divided into two during his days, with only two tribes left for him to rule. (1 Kings 12:1-19) This prophet of Judah disobeyed the prior instruction of God not to stay in the land. CONSEQUENCE: A lion killed him on his way. (1 Kings 13:1-24) Lesson: You alone, and no one else, are responsible for whatever instruction God gave you. Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, went to Namaan to collect some money without his master’s knowledge. CONSEQUENCE: He inherited Namaan’s leprosy as well. (2 Kings 5) Queen Vashti chose to disregard her husband’s invitation to come and show herself to the nobles CONSEQUENCE: She lost the queenship of the kingdom of Persia to Esther. (Esther 1) Hamaan chose to be bitter about Mordecai’s perceived insolence to him, and earnestly sought to take his life and wipe out his people, the Jews, as well. CONSEQUENCE: He ended up being hung on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai. (Esther 5 & 6) Judas, after betraying Jesus, chose regret over repentance. CONSEQUENCE: He went to hang himself. (Matthew 27:3-5) Ananias and Sapphira connived to lie to the church. CONSEQUENCE: They paid for it with their lives. (Acts 5)

Discovering Your Potential And Living It

WHAT IS A POTENTIAL? Capacity to develop: the capacity or ability for future development or achievement. – Microsoft® Encarta® Dictionary Natural abilities or qualities that may possibly develop and make someone or something very successful or useful. – Longman Dictionary The inherent capacity for coming into being. – WordWeb Dictionary HOW CAN YOU DISCOVER IT? - By self-examination and reflection - By self-expression in various activities as occasion demands - At formal avenues, such as trainings, workshops, conferences etc - Through Divine revelation - Through informal avenues e.g. among families, friends etc - By chance and unpremeditated happenings HOW CAN YOU LIVE IT? - By setting life and project goals - By drawing a roadmap for set goals - By holding yourself accountable for living out your potential - By adopting a steward’s posture toward your potential, knowing full well that you will have to give account to God, the Depositor (remember the parable of the talents) - By making the most of time and opportunities, and wasting none - By giving of yourself whenever occasion demands NOTABLE QUOTES ON POTENTIALS Success is…knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others. John Maxwell The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence. Eddie Robinson The potential for greatness lives within each of us. The key to achieving greatness is found when we discover and then develop our dream. John Maxwell The potential consequences of any task or activity are the key determinants of how important it really is to you and to your company. Brian Tracy A dream without a positive attitude produces a daydreamer. A positive attitude without a dream produces a pleasant person who can’t progress. A dream together with a positive attitude produces a person with unlimited possibilities and potential. John Maxwell Adventure isn't hanging on a rope off the side of a mountain. Adventure is an attitude that we must apply to the day to day obstacles of life - facing new challenges, seizing new opportunities, testing our resources against the unknown and in the process, discovering our own unique potential. John Amatt No one fulfils his purpose, develops his potential, or consistently help others without goals. Your goals determine your priorities – and your priorities determine whether you’ll reach your goals. John Maxwell Nothing is more effective when it comes to reaching potential than commitment to personal growth. John Maxwell Continuous effort -- not strength or intelligence -- is the key to unlocking our potential. Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British prime minister during WWII I’d rather reach 90 percent of my potential with plenty of mistakes than reach only 10 percent with a perfect score. John Maxwell To keep moving to a higher level and reach your potential, you… have to be willing to… trade security for significance. John Maxwell We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential. Ellen Goodman

REASONS FOR FAILURE

10 REASONS WHY PEOPLE FAIL 1. Holding on to the past 2. Fear 3. Negative Attitudes 4. Poor People Skills 5. Lack of Focus 6. Sin and Compromise 7. Excuses (Focusing on Who instead of Why) 8. Non-Adaptability to Change 9. Lack of Plan 10. Giving Up Too Soon PRINCIPLES FOR OVERCOMING FAILURE 1. Do not let fear control you 2. Check your attitudes 3. Do not make excuses 4. Never let failure get inside you 5. Change yourself 6. Learn from your mistakes 7. Let go of the past 8. Never give up

Heavenly Principles of Trading

HEAVENLY PRINCIPLES OF TRADING REFERENCE SCRIPTURE Luke 19:12-13 Therefore He said: “a nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’” THE WORD ON BUSINESS AND CAREER Purpose Proverbs 24:3-4: Through wisdom (insight about self & the market) a house (business) is built; and by understanding (exposures & experience) it is established: By knowledge (information & learning) the rooms (the different arms of the business) are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Compared this with how the first ever and oldest business institution was created: Proverbs 3:19-20 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew. Purpose answers the question “what business am I in and why am I in that business?” Purpose is like the centre forward of a football team. He sets the direction of the business. Possession of the ball begins with him. Business people must have a well-defined purpose for their business that includes not only the type of business and market but also the area of ministry that can be done through that business. Planning Proverbs 24:27: Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house. Planning answers the question of ‘where do you want to go and how are you going to get there?’ Planning is like the mid-fielder on a soccer team. Planning involves being on the offensive and developing goals so that the business can win the game. It also involves being on the defensive and anticipating problems and solving them before they happen. Without this position on the team, the game will be lost because there is no game plan. As the saying goes, business people who fail to plan, plan to fail. Timing Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 8: 5-6 (NIV) Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise in heart will know the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man’s misery weighs heavily upon him” Managing Matthew 25:20-21 So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. Managing answers the question of how you are going to operate your business and who is going to have control? Managing is like the coach of a soccer team. The coach has to make sure all the details are taken care of for the team to get to the game and be ready to play it. He oversees the play and makes sure the players are healthy and doing what they are all supposed to be doing. The coach has to be familiar with all the positions on the team and recommend what should be done to improve performance. BUDGETING & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Luke 16: 10-12 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least in unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? Budgeting answers the question of where will you get the money to operate your business and how you are going to manage that money. Budgeting is the defender on a soccer team. The defender is careful not to be caught out of position lest the opposition gain the advantage. In budgeting, business people must be careful that they have enough financial resources to enable the business to function and to grow. Budgeting involves planning and monitoring financial resources and making the necessary changes so that the team is in position to win the game. RECRUITMENT & PERSONNEL ADMIN. Exodus 31:1-6 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee. Staffing answers the question of who will be employed in your business and how will you employ them? Staffing is the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper is behind all the other players on the team. So, it is the staff of a business who are behind its success. Being in the right position is very important for the goalkeeper, so it is important that the business have people in the right positions. The goalkeeper puts the ball back into play and can control the pace of the game, slowing it down or speeding it up. The staff of a business who are properly cared for and receive a good wage will keep the business moving and productive. Employer-Employee Relationship Leviticus 19:13 You shall not defraud your neighbour, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning. Jeremiah 22:13 Woe unto him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by injustice; who uses his neighbour's service without wages, and gives him nothing for his work. Proverbs 22:16: He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, and he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty. Proverbs 22:22-23: Do not rob the poor, because he is poor: nor oppress the afflicted at the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, and plunder the soul of those who plunder them. Employee-Employer Relationship Proverbs 27:18 Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit: so he who waits on his master will be honoured. Titus 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Employee-employee relationship Proverbs 30:10: Do not malign a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be found guilty. PRICING Proverbs 15:27: He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates bribes shall live. Proverbs 10:2: Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 16:8: Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without justice. Proverbs 28:8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion gathers it for him who will pity the poor. Marketing Proverbs 11:26 He that withholds corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that sells it. Proverbs 20:17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth will be filled with gravel. Marketing answers the question of who is going to buy your product or service and how, where and when are you going to sell it to them? Marketing is like the striker on a soccer team. Marketing scores the goals or makes the sale. Just as a striker must be skilled in handling the ball and in shooting it, so must small businesspeople need to develop skills in handling customers and selling their product or service. Marketing involves knowing the opposition and the playing field and developing strategies to take advantage of team strengths and opposition weaknesses. Just as the striker must finish the play to win the game, so in marketing the businessperson must close the deal and follow through with it for the business to succeed. CLIENT SERVICE AND CUSTOMER/GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Proverbs 21:6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man accepts a behind the back to pervert the ways of justice. Proverbs 25:26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked is like a murky spring, and a polluted well. Proverbs 29:4 The king establishes the land by justice: but he who receives bribes overthrows it. WEALTH CREATION Proverbs 20:21 An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed at the end. Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gained by dishonesty shall be diminished: but he that gathers by labour shall increase. Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man will abound with blessings: but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. Proverbs 28:22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him. Your Personal/Corporate Image Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favour rather than silver and gold. Your Personal Hygiene on the Job Proverbs 23:4: Do not overwork to be rich: because of your own understanding, cease. WRONG REASONS TO GO INTO BUSINESS 1. Because you are sick and tired of being told what to do 2. Because you want more freedom 3. Because you feel unappreciated or undervalued in your present job 4. Because you want to make a lot of money 5. Because you want to improve your standard of living 6. Because your friends or loved ones are going into business 7. Because other people are doing that kind of business and making much money from there 8. Because it is the reigning business in town QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE STARTING A BUSINESS 1. What do I have the resources, ability, interest, and contacts to do? 2. Do I have the necessary commitment needed to succeed in a business undertaking? 3. Am I prepared to work extremely hard, to devote long hours of labour to my business? 4. Do I have the mental stamina and concentration to meet the demands my project will impose on me? 5. Do I accept new ideas easily? 6. Do I treat people with courtesy? Do I have good human relations skills? 7. Am I able to make decisions right away? How do I deal with problem solving: Am I prepared to spend time analyzing a problem and find a solution? Or am I the type who just closes his eyes and hope for the best? 8. Am I ready to commit to the long term, knowing that a company’s success is never an overnight miracle? 9. What back-up resources do I have? Will my family members or friends invest in my company or tide me over during a rough patch? 10. Am I good at concentrating on details? 11. Am I ready to sit down and write a careful analysis of my business prospects? 12. Am I by nature an optimist? Knowing that mistakes and setbacks are bound to occur, am I able to learn from my mistakes without being derailed or discouraged? 6 Steps to Planning a Successful Business Step 1: Start with an examination of who you are What are the skills, abilities and resources you have to start a small business? Pray and ask God to lead you in the process. Step 2: Decide what type of business YOU WANT TO DO You want to start and what types of products or services you will provide. Decide how much income you will need from that business. Seek God in prayer as to how you can fulfill His purpose for you in business. Step 3: Do your research Gather the facts about the type of business you want to start. Discover who your customers will be and approach some of them with the idea of starting your business. Find out from them what it is they will expect from your business. Discover who your competitors will be and find out how well they are doing in the type of business you want to start. Also, find out what legal obligations you need to fulfill in the business. Be careful not to make assumptions. Confirm that your assumptions are valid. Ask God to lead you to the right people who have the right information that you need. Step 4: Decide how much money will be needed To start the business and what your operating expenses will be. Decide how much you will be able to contribute and how much money you will need to borrow. Research potential friends, family and financial institutions that can finance your business. Expect the unexpected. Ask yourself; "What could go wrong?" and then plan for it. Develop a contingency so that you are prepared Pray that God will provide for your needs. Step 5: Set realistic goals For the number of sales you will make the amount of income you will receive and the overall development of the business. Be sure to take into account the risks of inflation, bad debt, competition and other risks. Your Goals must be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time Limited. Break these objectives down into specific tasks in order of their priority. Pray that God will give you a sober mind and will guard your steps. Step 6: Develop a written business plan That covers the information you have discovered after the first five steps. Present your written business plan to your family or friends for their advice and comment. Have them pray with you and commit your plan to God so that He will lead you as you start your business. Do an evaluation of your written plans after a period of time and see whether or not you have accomplished your objectives. If not, why not? "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22).

WHEN GOD SEEMS SO WICKED OR DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE

REFERENCE SCRIPTURE Job 5:6-7 For affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble spring from the ground; Yet man is born to trouble, as [surely as] the sparks fly upward. SOME LIFE SITUATIONS THAT MAKE GOD LOOKS SO WICKED/UNCARING 1. Prolonged job search 2. Delayed manifestation of a future partner 3. Having a tough time in marriage 4. Having a tough time in business or at workplace 5. Poverty and Lack 6. Being misunderstood every time 7. “Feeling” Unappreciated 8. Unfulfilled Dreams etc. etc. SOME REASONS WHY THESE ARE SO 1. A test of character – Joseph’s example in Genesis 37, 39-41 God does not use an untested vessel - Joseph was not popular among his family members - He was hated by his own brothers - He was sold as a slave by his own brothers - He was thrown into prison for an offence he did not commit - He was forgotten in the prison by someone whose dream he helped to interpret - He was eventually elevated and honoured above all his adversaries 2. The purging of the soul/punishment for sin – The example of David in 1 Samuel 11-18 - David had an illicit affair with the wife of Uriah, one of his subjects, and had him killed at war in order to save his face when she became pregnant - The first child the woman born to him died, despite his earnest prayers and fasting (1 Samuel 12) - David’s son, Amnon, raped his step-sister, Tamar (1 Samuel 13) - Absalom, Tamar’s brother, killed Amnon in vengeance for the defilement of his sister (1 Samuel 13) - Absalom later declared himself as king of Israel and caused David to flee the city for the wilderness (1 Samuel 15:10-18) - Some trusted friends and counsellors of David deserted him to pitch their tents with Absalom (1 Samuel 15:31) - David was cursed and stoned by Shimei while wandering in the wilderness in fear of his son (1 Samuel 16:5-8) - Absalom slept with his father’s concubines on top of the house, in the full glare of the public! (1 Samuel 16:20-22) - David lost another dear son, Absalom, when the rebellion was eventually quenched (1 Samuel 18:32-33) - All of these, and other misfortunes, befallen David because of the sin of adultery and murder that he committed 3. A test of faith – The example of Job in Job 1-42 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations: Revelation 2:26 - Job was subjected to multiple afflictions just to determine the limit of his faithfulness to God! - His servants (staff) were killed by raiders who stole his 500 yoke of oxen and 500 donkeys. 1:15 - Fire consumed all his 7,000 sheep as well as some of his servants. 1:16 - Another band of raiders made away with his 3,000 camels and also killed some of his servants. 1:17 - His 7 sons & 3 daughters were all killed in a collapsed building. 1:18-19 ALL OF THESE HAPPENED TO JOB IN ONE DAY! - He was afflicted with painful boils from head to foot. 2:7-8 - To make matters worse, his wife tongue-lashed him for his faithfulness to God in the midst of their woes. 2:9-10 - Even his closest friends castigated him and presumptuously blamed his misfortunes on his sins - But Job kept the faith in the midst of it all and forgave all who had unjustly criticised him. - And God restored all he had lost to him double-fold. 42:10-17 SOME ATTRIBUTES OF GOD God is Omniscient - Job 24:1, Hebrews 4:13 God is Immutable – He does not change - James 1:17 God is Just - Deuteronomy 32:4 (KJV) God is Merciful - Lamentation 3:22-23 God is Faithful - 2 Timothy 2:11-13, Lament 3:23 God is Good, and does good - Psalm 119:68 God is Caring - 1 Peter 5:7 HOW TO GET OUT OF THE “GOD DOES NOT CARE” TRAP Do a Soul-searching, then Repent from and Forsake Sinful Habits – Proverbs 28:13 Be Prayerful – Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Have a Change of Perspective – know that it could have been worse Develop a Habit of Thanksgiving – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Have a Change of Attitude – Count it ALL Joy! – James 1:2-4 THE STORY OF THE FERN AND THE BAMBOO One day I decided to quit. I wanted to quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality…I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. "God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me. "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" "Yes", I replied. "When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. “In the second year, the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In year three, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. The same was the case in year four. Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant. But, just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall! It had spent the five years growing roots beneath. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.” “I will not give any of my creatures a challenge it can not handle. Do you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.” “Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose apart from the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful. “Your time will come." God said to me, "And you will rise high" "How high would I rise?" I asked. "How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked me in return. "As high as it can?" I questioned "Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can." I left the forest, realizing that God will never give up on me. Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness; Bad days give you experiences; Both are essential to life. If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.

THINGS THAT PROVOKE GOD TO ANGER

1 COMPLAINT Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of LORD burned among them and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp. Numbers 11:1 Often times when we are embattled with challenges, or do not get what we desire, or what we have been praying for, we tend to resort to complaining in a bid to arm-twist/blackmail God to look at our side and consider our petition. We whine and gripe endlessly bemoaning our lot. But instead of achieving our objective, what we usually do by so doing is to provoke God to anger. Complaint is one thing that is highly detestable to God. It is a sure way of displeasing Him, arousing His wrath, and unwittingly attracting His consuming fire. Fire? Yes, Fire. Even if the LORD does not send a fire, the fact that He is angry is enough to provoke fire to burn! A grateful attitude is what God expects us to have in all situations. Why? Because even when it doesn’t look like it, He is actually working all things out for our good! That may be very difficult to believe. But the truth is that God genuinely loves and cares about every one of His children, both the obedient and the wayward. His love is as constant as the rising of the Sun to its setting, even more so. You can imagine how you would feel if you were planning a surprise package for your loved one only for that person to start acting up by complaining and picking faults in your conducts. How would you feel? Hurt? Disappointed? Frustrated? That is the same way God usually feels whenever we complain about our status quo, which is but a process to Him toward getting to where He is taking us. In the case of the Israelites, God was taking them to the Promised Land. But their constant cries, as they passed through the wilderness on the way to ‘the land flowing with milk and honey,’ was their undoing. They did it to a point that God did not even bother to inform Moses, as He was wont to do, before He dealt with them by pouring down a consuming fire upon them. These days, fire may not come down from heaven to consume, but the feeling of being burned will nonetheless be there, with the same intensity as if one is really under a scathing fire. In order to avoid this kind of divine retribution, let us start to praise more and cry less; thank more and gripe less; sing more and groan less. In other words, let us imbibe the spirit of the passage of the bible that says, “IN EVERYTHING, give thanks. For this is the will of the LORD for you…” God bless you.