January 2024

True Christianity encompasses not only spiritual depth but also ignites intellectual strength. Delving into the wisdom of thinkers like St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Blaise Pascal, C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, Malcolm Muggeridge, Kenneth Hagin, Andrew Wommack, and Leke Alder reveals a dual emphasis on spirituality and intellectual prowess. To truly impact and shape the world according to God’s will, one must prioritize intellectual growth. The synergy of spiritual depth and intellectual acumen equips believers to engage with the world’s complexities, offering a profound understanding that empowers effective, godly influence.

Consider the story of Solomon in the Bible. God granted him exceptional wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-14), making him renowned for his intellectual prowess. This wisdom wasn’t divorced from spirituality but was intricately linked to his deep relationship with God. As a result, Solomon’s reign witnessed unparalleled prosperity and influence. Conversely, historical accounts of societies that thrived intellectually but neglected spiritual values often faced internal decay or collapse. The balance exemplified in Solomon’s life underscores the synergy between spiritual depth and intellectual acumen for holistic progress. The Bible teaches in 2 Peter 1:5 to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge.

The lack of intellectual growth to match spiritual growth has been a major factor in the black race’s slow progress. It’s an issue that needs to be addressed. Unlocking the full potential of your innate creativity and spiritual gifts hinges on improving the state of your mind. The intersection of spirituality and intellectual prowess is the key to unleashing not only personal flourishing but also contributing meaningfully to the advancement of the community and beyond. In addition to being a call for personal development, addressing this gap is a step towards removing obstacles that stand in the way of societal advancement and fulfilment. Say no to mediocrity. Feed your mind!

You should read James 3:16, which states that where there is jealousy, strife, and the expression of selfish ambitions, there is chaos and bad things happen. In our friendships and interactions with others, we should avoid jealousy and strife because they create an ideal environment for bad things to happen. Consider this: when you and your friend fight over who gets the last piece of cake, it’s more than just a silly argument; it’s like watering the plant of bad things. Cain became enraged at his brother Abel, fueled by jealousy, and it resulted in a terrible act: murder.

You want to avoid jealousy, strife, and hostilities of any kind. This will create space for good things to grow. In Genesis 26:12-33, Isaac faced envy and conflict with the Philistines. The Lord blessed him abundantly, and the Philistines were envious of his prosperity. This envy led to strife, and Abimelech, the Philistine king, drove Isaac away. Isaac chose to move on rather than escalating the conflict. He was always prepared to walk away. Later, when Abimelech realised the Lord was with Isaac, he sought peace. They reached an agreement to avoid strife, signalling a shift from envy and conflict to understanding and cooperation.

Isaac’s willingness to walk away from strife demonstrates a powerful lesson: avoiding envy and strife can lead to peaceful resolutions and the avoidance of evil deeds. Here was someone who was more confident in God’s ability to bless him if he walked away than in his own ability to fight Abimelech and the Philistines over land and wells. Isaac simply kept moving. Do not wait for the Cains of this world to make their move; instead, walk away, trusting God to open new wells for you and lead you to your own Rehoboth (Genesis 26:22).

In the midst of a famine in Genesis 26, Isaac faced decisions about his future. Instead of relying on his own thinking and understanding of the terrain, he chose to trust the Lord wholeheartedly. A powerful lesson unfolds: trusting God, even when circumstances seem dire, leads to massive success. Isaac’s obedience to stay in Gerar, per God’s instruction, highlights the simplicity of relying on God’s wisdom over our own. This narrative echoes the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5-7, emphasizing that true understanding comes from trusting God completely. The story of Isaac teaches us the timeless principle of leaning on divine guidance amid life’s uncertainties.

Navigating life’s complexities demands wisdom. Amidst economic hardship and uncertainty, you might find yourself leaning upon your own understanding. However, Isaac’s example in Genesis 26 offers insights: rather than solely relying on human understanding, he sought divine guidance. In our current challenges, it’s tempting to rely solely on our wisdom, thinking ourselves wise. However, Proverbs 3:7 warns against being “wise in your own eyes.” This caution directs us to a profound truth—our understanding is limited, but God’s wisdom is boundless. Just as Isaac found guidance in God during famine, seeking divine instructions in uncertain times is the key to navigating wisely through life’s challenges.

In times of recession and economic hardship, all hope is not lost. Some individuals not only endure but thrive. The key lies in finding the right strategy. Consider Genesis 26:12, “Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him.” This verse reassures us that, even in challenging times, abundance is attainable. The Lord’s guidance and blessings will always pave the way for extraordinary growth in business, career, or ministry. The crucial starting point is wholehearted trust in God, even when economic uncertainties loom. If you can trust God enough, you can navigate and prosper amid challenging seasons.

The Bible says if you faithfully obey the Lord, He will set you high above all the nations of the earth (Deuteronomy 28:1). There is no way you would be set high above nations, without wielding some considerable financial and economic power. So, in some sense, financial and economic dominion is a guaranteed promise from God. It is an aspect of life you need to understand as someone that wants to function as the salt and light of your world. You’re destined to be a dominator, someone who asserts the will of God wherever you find yourself.

This isn’t limited by your location or circumstances; you can accumulate economic power. God is always willing to align righteous individuals with financial dominion. Your nationality or situation doesn’t define your economic destiny. Drawing inspiration from the Bible, we know the script: you’re meant to be a lender, not a beggar. The head, not the tail. Reflecting on Isaac’s story in Genesis 26, find your instructions and discipline in the Lord. Obedience and dependence on His guidance are the keys to dominating your world. This season, every season, commit to obeying God wholeheartedly.

In the realm of financial and economic matters, you’re not fated to be under. God’s promise is clear: you’re designed to dominate. However, you do well to remember that you need to be willing and obedient to eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1: 19). You will not grow financial and economic might if you are not willing to do so. The wrong mindset about wealth creation, productivity, and money is a major reason believers struggle financially. Seek your instructions and discipline from the Lord. Willingness, wholehearted obedience and reliance on His guidance will position you to dominate your world economically.

In some sense, running a business is like an ongoing chat between the management and the customers. Starting a business doesn’t demand a groundbreaking idea; any idea will do. It is taking action that counts, and then using real feedback from customers to improve the business. As the business kicks off and interacts with reality through feedback and market responses, it transforms. The real-world impact becomes the measure of its success. Every business, no matter how simple its inception, has the potential to grow and prosper by consistently aligning with the needs and feedback of the people it serves.

King Rehoboam’s story (1 Kings 12:1-17) is a vivid example of the consequences of neglecting feedback. Faced with a crucial decision, he rejected the advice of the elders which was grounded in feedback and on-ground reality. This refusal to consider feedback led to disastrous outcomes; he lost a significant portion of the kingdom. The lesson here is clear: shunning valuable input can lead to dire consequences. In any endeavor, whether business or ministry, seeking and embracing feedback is crucial. Insights from data and feedback are tools for excellence and success, maximizing both impact and profit.

When we consider businesses that have enjoyed lasting success, corporate giants like IBM, GE, Apple, and Microsoft. You will discover that they’ve mastered the art of incorporating data and feedback into their decision-making processes. These companies don’t merely survive; they thrive because they recognize the power of staying grounded in reality. They balance innovation with practicality, leveraging feedback to refine their strategies. While visionary ideas spark the journey, it’s the integration of real-world insights that propels them forward. As individuals, businesses, or ministries, emulating this balance ensures longevity and impact, steering us from mere aspirations to tangible accomplishments.

When you are engrossed in the world of your own ideas and creations, it’s easy to lose touch with reality. Romans 12:3 advises against thinking too highly of oneself, emphasizing the importance of sober judgment. This principle is crucial in our work; when we become high-minded, we risk losing touch with the practical implications of our actions. Are you thinking of yourself more highly than you should? Romans 12:3 warns against such elevated self-perception. High-mindedness can disconnect you from reality, especially in your work, hindering sound judgment and decision-making. The quality and relevance of your work would reduce.

Consider the story of Elizabeth Holmes. Elizabeth Holmes founded Theranos, a health technology company that aimed to revolutionize blood testing. She claimed that her company’s devices could perform a wide range of tests with just a few drops of blood, a promise that would have had revolutionary implications for the healthcare industry. However, as investigations unfolded, it became clear that Holmes had lied to investors, patients, and the public about the capabilities of Theranos technology. Her high-mindedness clouded her judgment. Ignoring advice and dismissing constructive criticism, Theranos went off-course. Holmes’ disconnect from reality led to costly mistakes, jeopardizing both her reputation and the quality of her work.

To keep a firm grasp on reality, understand that quality feedback is invaluable. Whether in business, ministry or creative endeavors, feedback serves as a reality check, revealing the genuine impact of your work. Embrace humility, inviting perspectives that ground your aspirations. In recognizing the value of constructive criticism, you invite a clearer understanding of your work’s worth and foster growth. It’s a humbling but necessary step to ensure your ideas don’t remain lofty clouds but find solid ground in the real world. Remember to always have some form of reality checks in your mission. These reality checks should guide your thinking, promoting humility for a more grounded, impactful journey.

Are you on a real mission, making a tangible impact, or just running a mission in the cloud? Your lofty ideas sound powerful, but without concrete actions, they remain ethereal. The issue is a lack of grounding in the real world. You have the power to reshape your world according to God’s will, yet this potential remains ineffective without a conscious focus on real-world results. Like a cloud mission dissipating into thin air, your purpose needs the weight of practical actions to manifest in the tangible realm. It’s time to descend from the clouds and bring your mission to life on solid ground.

In a pivotal moment (Matthew 11:2-5), John the Baptist, questioning if Jesus was the awaited one, sent his men to inquire. “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Jesus didn’t reply with lofty phrases; instead, he said, “Go and tell John what you hear and see.” His response wasn’t a clouded promise but a demonstration of real-world results. Jesus’ deeds spoke louder than mere words, emphasizing the importance of actions over empty rhetoric. This moment teaches us the impact of tangible evidence in affirming our missions, mirroring Christ’s focus on present, verifiable realities.

In your pursuits, it’s crucial to stop merely running missions in your head and start translating them into the tangible world. Don’t be content with clouded ambitions and ethereal goals. Instead, follow the example set by Jesus—deliver results that can be seen and heard. Jesus didn’t offer abstract promises; he presented the evidence of his actions. Your mission, whether in business or ministry, should echo this principle. Begin with concrete steps, measurable goals, and real-world impact. The call is clear: shift from the cloud of ideas to the reality of implementation. Let your mission be seen, heard, and felt in the world around you.

Maintaining a grip on reality is vital. While your spiritual and creative mind lets you imagine, it’s crucial not to wander too far from the truth. Prophet Elijah’s example is illuminating. When praying for rain, he didn’t just pray and sleep. Amid his prayers, he did a reality check (1 Kings 18:41-46). This shows the balance needed between spiritual experiences and grounding in reality. Your visions and dreams are valuable, but so is staying connected to what’s real. Like Elijah, combine faith with a practical touch to see your aspirations manifest in the tangible world. Keep dreaming, but keep it real.

Navigating both the spiritual and physical realms is essential. A contemporary adage wisely asserts, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” This wisdom underscores the delicate balance. In the spiritual realm, you find inner peace and harmony, where things align with your spirit. In contrast, the real world is often chaotic, marked by the consequences of humanity’s fallen nature. However, living solely in the spiritual, detached from the tangible, is a form of delusion. In your pursuits, maintain a balanced understanding of both realms to navigate reality effectively.

Our spiritual gifts and creativity empower us to reshape reality according to God’s will. Your purpose is to use these gifts to bring positive change to the tangible world. While the devil seeks to steal, destroy, and kill, you, as an agent of change, counteract these forces. It’s crucial never to lose your grip on reality. Keep your feet grounded, actively observing and engaging with the world around you. In balancing the spiritual and physical realms, you become a conduit for divine transformation in the very fabric of reality. Stay attuned to both realms to fulfill your role as the salt and light of the world.

When you reflect on your actions and decisions, you realize that you haven’t always been correct. Perhaps you were correct 15% of the time. Perhaps you were correct 35% of the time. A track record of losses as a result of your actions and choices suggests that you are not as awesome, smart, or invincible as you believe. This is compelling evidence that you should take apprenticeship and mentorship seriously. You wouldn’t need teachers, mentors, or masters if you’re super awesome and every decision you made was always the right one. Don’t play with mentorship if you realize you’re more likely to fail and make poor decisions without it.

The Bible teaches that two heads are better than one, yielding better returns on their efforts (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). If you’re right only 35% of the time and your mentor is right 85% of the time, the synergy results in more favorable outcomes. Over time, learning from your mentor enhances your decision-making abilities, a powerful transformation. As the Bible states, “one will chase a thousand, but two will chase ten thousand.” Embracing this concept is a perpetual boost to productivity. It underscores the value of collaboration, mentorship, and the collective strength that emerges when wisdom is shared.

So, dispel the notion that working alone is superior. Making every major life decision independently isn’t a measure of intelligence. While your pastor, prophet, or spiritual guide may not always be infallible, submitting to their authority holistically increases your likelihood of success. Negative outcomes attributed to blind submission highlight the need for discernment rather than faulting the system itself. Embrace the wisdom and guidance others offer; it’s a humbling acknowledgement that, as humans, we thrive when we lean on the experiences and insights of those who have walked the path before us. Go and work for someone before starting your own. Seek mentors, collaborate, and be discerning in your journey.

In a world saturated with misinformation, the call to action is clear: prioritize reading sound books over social media hot takes. You should be aware that the majority of the news stories, articles, and social media posts you encounter on a daily basis are not written to educate or even inform you. They are primarily written to generate likes, shares, comments, and other forms of engagement. The more contentious and sensational it is, the better. It is your responsibility to guard your heart with zeal by feeding your soul timeless truths. Your productivity depends upon the measure of truth in your spirit.

According to the Bible, a good person produces good works from the good treasures of their heart (Luke 6:45). If you continue to feed your soul with the garbage of social media and clickbait articles on the internet, your heart will become full of garbage. A person whose heart is full of junk cannot produce anything useful. Engage with reliable sources that provide depth and insight, cultivating a discerning mind. By choosing wisdom over sensationalism, we guard ourselves against the pitfalls of fake news, ensuring our minds are anchored in truth.

You must consciously feed your gem of a soul truth in order to develop virtue and knowledge. You must train yourself to seek the good, the true and the beautiful. Fake news is a serious issue. Its insidious nature distorts reality, resulting in a distorted view of the world. This distortion affects our minds, influencing our decisions and actions negatively. When building a business or advancing a career, falsehood breeds failure. Discipline yourself to seek out and study well-written books on topics of interest to you. It is the key to girding your loins with truth, and structuring your mind for exploits.