January 2023

The phrase “Every man for himself, and God for us all” reflects the idea that individuals should focus on their own personal interests and well-being. Without any consideration for others. Without any consideration for the larger society. God in heaven is concerned about everyone. But since you are not God, you should mind your own business. When applied to society as a whole, this philosophy can be problematic. It is critical to always consider the common good and collaborate. That is how a stable and prosperous society is built. You create the environment necessary for everyone to win.

In the Bible, Jesus teaches us to “love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31) and the Apostle Paul urges Christians to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). However, the emphasis on individualism has robbed us of the beauty of this biblical teaching in practice. This can be seen in the way some religious individuals prioritize their own personal problems and concerns over societal issues. You pray about your needs and problems. Your daily life revolves around how you can get ahead at any costs. There is no concern for the larger society. Your self-centered religion has made you turn a blind eye to societal issues.

This can lead to a situation where wicked individuals, who are more focused on working together for their own gain, are able to dominate society. It is easier for evil people united by greed to collaborate. Than for good people to work together to accomplish great things. You are more likely to hear about some nefarious cabal or gang ruling a community. “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” Martin Luther King, Jr. said this in 1957 – and it still rings true today. What are you doing for others? How are you showing consideration for others?

Technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming more and more integrated into our daily lives. This is a positive development. Technology provides practical benefits by assisting us in increasing our productivity. But you must learn to draw a line. Relying on tech for emotional and spiritual fulfillment could be dangerous. In today’s world, where traditional institutions seem to be losing their relevance. People are turning to technology. They want technology to solve all of their problems, including those that can only be solved through building quality relationships with others. Or matters that are best approached from a moral or religious angle.

It might be easier for you to believe in machines, than to believe in an higher power. Technology is something that seems logical and explainable. Faith in God seems to defy logic. It cannot be completely explained. People put faith in technology and AI by trusting algorithms to make important decisions and recommendations. Your trust in science and technology is fueled by a deep longing. A longing for a sense of order and control in an uncertain world. But this longing is best satisfied with faith in God. Science and technology does a good job in helping us understand our world. But it cannot replace the need for morals, ethics and religion.

Technology and AI systems can never answer the deeper questions of life. It cannot help you find meaning and purpose. It cannot stimulate or replace the need for relationships. Technologies are created by humans and are subject to human error and bias. They can malfunction and can be manipulated. In contrast, belief in God assures us that there is a higher power that is in control. We can rely on God for guidance and support. Technology does not advance in isolation from the human condition. Rather, the values of the people working on the technology continue to shape it.

Humans have a (must be) genetic compulsion to believe in something. Throughout history, humans have relied on their faith in something to accomplish great things. Today’s world may appear to have abandoned belief in God, gods, or whatever. But, the need to believe in something has not gone away. People are looking for something. You’re on the lookout for something. You want to have an experience. A story, myth, or even technology that can help you in making sense of the world. And instill meaning and purpose in your heart.

Futurism.com published an article titled: “People Thought an AI Was Brilliantly Analyzing Their Personalities, But It Was Actually Giving Out Feedback Randomly” in January 2023. The article discusses a recent study in which researchers used a fake “neurotech” system to trick participants into believing that the machine could accurately read their thoughts and attitudes. The participants were convinced that the machine knew them better than they knew themselves. Even though it was a fake system. They did not voice any suspicion about the machine’s mind-reading abilities throughout the study. The article suggests that this willingness to be categorized by a force outside of ourselves is concerning, and highlights the faith that people put in algorithms and machines.

It is concerning the extent to which people put their faith in technology and AI. And how easily they can be misled. While they continue to struggle to believe in something like the existence of God. Romans 1:25, talks about people that exchanged the truth about God for a lie. Moving on to worship and serve the creature (AI and tech) rather than the Creator. It is foolishness. You need to believe in something greater than yourself for your emotional and spiritual well-being. A belief in God provides a sense of purpose and meaning that technology and AI cannot provide.

The collective productivity of the people determines the state of the economy. A strong economy requires you to be concerned about increasing the productivity of everybody. For economic expansion and the creation of profitable businesses, cooperation and collaboration are crucial. Personal ambition should be balanced with a focus on collective efforts for the greater good of the economy. It takes the collective effort of people to build big companies that can impact the economy. Nobody single handedly does great things. You must be conscious of the fact that great things happen in the economy when we leverage each other’s productivity.

Consider the world’s largest economies if you want to see this principle in action. And the largest economic entities in such a country. You will notice how the concern is not on how a single person can make more money. They rather focus on improving the productivity of everyone. Consider the tech giant Apple. Apple’s success is a result of the collective efforts of various stakeholders and suppliers. It may surprise you to learn that Samsung is a major supplier of iPhone components. The development and success of a company are the results of the teamwork of numerous parties. And in turn, contribute to the growth of the economy.

A strong economy is built on the collective productivity of the people. We must work together and sacrifice personal ambition for the greater good. Economic growth can only be achieved when all members of society work together to increase productivity. Businesses and organizations must be able to leverage the collective efforts of multiple parties to achieve their goals. You cannot continue to work alone and expect to see significant results. There is no global business in the world that is entirely owned by a single person. We cannot build a prosperous future for everybody by working in isolation.

Every day, you should be conscious of the need to revere God and pray for his will to be done on earth. This kind of prayer will light up your spirit and help you serve as the salt and light of your world. If God’s will is done in our communities, we would see the effect. It would mould our religion, culture, economy and governance. As Christians, we have been given authority by Jesus, and it is our responsibility to use it in the way he intended. You must learn to be concerned about the state of affairs in your community.

In Matthew 16:19, Jesus tells us, “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Christianity is much more than a moral code for daily living. You have to also understand Christianity as a call. A call to self-sacrifice and service. In addition to working to improve the lives of others. Jesus has delegated certain powers to you. Use the keys at your disposal to influence your world. Pray for the betterment of your world. Grow beyond your own selfish desires and problems.

Let us walk in the footsteps of Christ and strive to make a positive impact on the world around us. This is possible through our prayers and actions. Jesus calls you to be a salt and light of your community. You must learn to work together with others to make your world a better place. Personal ambitions without regard for the community’s collective good never end well. You pray about your personal problems on a daily basis, and societal issues become an afterthought. Keep a watch over your world. Become a watchman. May the Lord find you dependable in your day.

When Jesus taught about prayer, he provided us with a model that we can use whenever we want to pray (Matt 6:9-13). You have to understand that the prayer is also in order of priority. The first prayer point, for example, is reverence and worship to the Almighty God in heaven. Which should be the starting point for any human vision, mission, thought, or action. The next point is for the earthly manifestation of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus is teaching us that it should be our top priority to pray for God’s will to be done in terms of our nations’ socio-economic conditions.

We should pray and strive for the will of God to dominate our communities, societies and nations. Matthew 6:10 says, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” This is clearly a prayer for ideas that originate from heaven to dominate the world around you. You also learn something more significant. Praying for God’s will to be done for our collective socio-economic well-being is more important than praying for “daily bread” on a personal level. “Thy will be done” is more important than “give me my daily bread”.

Go beyond your personal needs, problems, and ambition. Learn to pray for the will of God to be done in your world. Praying and being concerned about the well-being of others is a sign of maturity. This kind of prayer changes you. It makes you more selfless and a better team player. Any religion that emphasizes praying about your personal problems alone, will not do you much good. It is time to operate from a higher level of understanding. If you worship God and pray for his will to be done in your world. You will not go without your daily bread.

Creativity is the driving force behind progress and innovation. Creativity is defined as the innate ability to create work that is both original and useful. It is necessary and relevant for problem solving. Every day, you face problems, and creativity enables you to effectively solve them. Every cool scientific discovery or technological breakthrough you read about serves the purpose of resolving a problem. It is not possible to solve a problem without obtaining a better, higher perspective on the matter. As Albert Einstein said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Creativity requires that you operate from a higher state of consciousness.

Matthew 4:17 says, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The word often misleadingly translated as “repent” is metanoiete. This Greek term is based upon two words, meta (beyond) and nous (mind or spirit). So, in its most basic form, it means something like “go beyond the mind that you have.” Today, we tend to think of repentance in religious or moral terms. Like a call to stop sinning. Yes, you must stop sinning, but it is also a call to a higher level of consciousness.

You cannot solve the problems of your world by thinking at the same frequency of your world. You have to tap into something higher than your world. To tap into the full potential of our creative abilities, we must evolve our consciousness. Jesus calls upon you in Matthew 4:17. He wants you to change your way of thinking, and your frame of mind. Your perception and understanding will evolve. Only then can you uncover the hidden possibilities and unlock the true power of creativity. When you allow the life of God to take hold of your heart. Your life will emit the light of heaven (John 1:1-5).

One of the fundamental pillars of our society is the institution of marriage. It serves as the foundation for families and society as a whole. This pillar is derived from the biblical verse, Genesis 2:24, which states, “therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” The most efficient way to order our society is by having people in monogamous marriages. But despite its significance, the institution of marriage is facing increasing challenges in today’s world. The evidence and science in favour of marriage’s benefits are unmistakable. We must continue to defend this institution.

After Cristiano Ronaldo signed a two-year deal with Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, some news outlets reported an interesting matter. Cristiano Ronaldo and his girlfriend will be permitted to break Saudi Arabia law during their time in the kingdom. Laws in Saudi Arabia prohibit unmarried couples from cohabitating. However, it has been reported that the Saudi authorities will “turn a blind eye” for Ronaldo and his partner. While this isn’t out of character for Saudi Arabia. It draws attention to the trend of celebrities that fail to uphold traditional marriage values. Celebrity worship is wreaking havoc on family values.

A lot of celebrities send a message to the public that marriage is not important. To be clear, anyone is free to do whatever they want. But as a society, we must choose to celebrate people that represent values we want. You must be careful about the people you idolize in your society. It is not a problem that Ronaldo has refused to marry his partner. The problem is that you might be tempted to imitate his lifestyle outside football. When society celebrates the very people undermining its fundamental institutions. We are creating room for further decadence. You should not pattern your life after any celebrity that doesn’t share your values.

New technologies always seem like they will change everything and make our lives easier. And while this is true, you should realize that having access to new technology does not automatically make you proficient in using it. It would require knowledge, skill and training to maximize your usage of the tool. One example of this is the widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. While these technologies have greatly impacted the way we work, they have not eradicated the need for knowledge and skills. The same is true for any new technology, whether it be a piece of machinery or software.

Technology is the application of scientific knowledge towards problem-solving. People who understand the knowledge and principles underlying the technology will benefit more from it. Those who only know how to use the tools will be limited in their abilities. General-purpose AI tools such as the popular ChatGPT will not eliminate the need for you to learn the principles that govern your line of work. Even with the same tools, an expert will accomplish far more than a novice. Technology has always been about the person wielding the tool. It is not about what you have to work with, but how you work with what you have.

So, more than ever before you have to develop your mind. That is how you will get to maximize the new, exciting tools available in your generation. The era of artificial intelligence (AI) will not be different from the previous industrial revolutions. AI tools are not shortcuts or magic wands. They will increase your productivity. They do, however, require the same level of commitment, hard work, and knowledge as anything else. Industries and jobs will change. Certain jobs will become obsolete. Yet, the underlying knowledge and principles that govern a productive society will not change. Technology is not making your work easier, it is changing the nature of your work.

Your ability to create with the technologies at your disposal is the key factor in today’s world. You must be able to take a long, thoughtful look at what the latest technologies are making possible. And consider how it helps you achieve more. The depth of your knowledge is not as important as what you’re doing with it. The focus now is on how you’re using your knowledge to change things for the better. Your values and your mission will manifest through any toolset you adopt. You want to be sure that you are not stuck in the past due to a bias against new technology.

When a new technology or medium is introduced, certain people, particularly churches, spend the next five years arguing that it is the devil’s box and that no one should ever touch it. Then after they realize they are wrong, they reverse course and finally do the needful. Which is to figure out how to use it to advance their mission. This inconsistent flip-flop stifles growth. It will punish you in today’s world. The proliferation of AI tools will empower a new generation of people to do more. It might even empower them to serve as the salt and light of their world. Don’t miss out on this shift.

You need to understand the meaning of technology. Technology is the application of scientific knowledge towards problem solving and value creation. Technology is built using science. Science is a more exact and disciplined form of knowledge. And God is the source of all knowledge. So, you see that all technology comes from God. You should have a plan to use technology in your work as you watch over your world. New technologies are changing the way we live, love, work and play. You should take responsibility for how it would shape your world. If you ignore technology, you lose. Your world will be shaped by ungodly people that embrace the new technologies.