DON’T BE AFRAID OF CRITICISM – July 2024 Newsletter

Text: Nehemiah 4:1-3

INTRODUCTION

Criticism can be a powerful and debilitating force that can affect even the most committed individuals. However, the Bible provides valuable insights on dealing with criticism, as exemplified in Nehemiah 4. Nehemiah faced tremendous opposition while helping to rebuild Jerusalem. From his story, we can learn three valuable principles on how to handle criticism: staying focused on the mission that God has uniquely called us to fulfil, relying on God’s strength, and responding with wisdom and grace.

  1. Stay Focused on Your Mission

Nehemiah was mocked and ridiculed by his opponents, Sanballat and Tobiah (Nehemiah 4:1-3), for seeking to repair the wall. Despite the contempt and ridicule, Nehemiah continued with his work. He did not let negativity overpower his motive; instead, he inspired the workers and delivered results.

It is critical to remain focused on your purpose when under fire. Criticism is naturally a way to direct your focus elsewhere and attack your self-esteem. Look at the end game and block off negative voices. Do not let anything render you motionless or cause you to take a single step backwards; keep on the path of growth.

  1. Rely on God’s Strength

Nehemiah understood the importance of relying on God’s strength in the face of criticism. In response to threats and discouragement from his enemies, Nehemiah prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads” (Nehemiah 4:4). He trusted that God would handle the critics and protect their work. When criticism comes your way, lean on God’s strength and seek His guidance. Prayer is a powerful tool that can provide comfort and direction. Trust that God sees your efforts and will support you through the challenges.

  1. Respond with Wisdom and Grace

Nehemiah’s response to criticism was marked by wisdom and grace. When Sanballat and Tobiah attempted to lure Nehemiah into a trap by inviting him to a meeting, Nehemiah wisely declined, saying, “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” (Nehemiah 6:3). He recognized the ploy for what it was and refused to be distracted. Responding to criticism with wisdom and grace is essential. Evaluate the criticism carefully and consider its source. Sometimes, the best response is to ignore baseless criticism and continue with your work. Other times, a thoughtful and gracious reply is necessary. Either way, responding with wisdom ensures that you maintain your integrity and focus.

Conclusion

Criticism is an inevitable part of life, but it should not deter us from pursuing our goals and fulfilling our God-given purposes. The story of Nehemiah reminds us that we can overcome criticism by staying focused on our mission, relying on God’s strength, and responding with wisdom and grace. As Proverbs 19:11 states, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offence.” Embrace criticism as an opportunity to grow and demonstrate resilience, knowing that with God’s help, you can rise above it and achieve great things. With Jesus in the boat, you will laugh at the storm, so let Jesus Christ have His way in your life.

Let’s Pray

  1. Lord, I thank You for Your grace and substance that enable me to stand in times of criticism.
  2. Father, arise and defend me in the face of my adversaries.
  3. Lord, grant me strength and enablement to overcome challenges on my way to success.

John Aderogba for ROPMI

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DON’T LOSE HOPE – JUNE 2024

Topic: DON’T LOSE HOPE

Text: ROMANS 12:12

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Introduction

As you look forward to the light of this year, you start with the hope that everything will be alright. You then launch your plans and goals for the year, ready to execute them one after the other. But as you journey through the first half of the year, you begin to encounter various challenges and triumphs that shape your faith and resilience. All the obstacles you experience are orchestrated by the Devil to shift your attention from focusing on what God is about to do in your life. Reflecting on Romans 12:12, you will find guidance and encouragement to navigate these experiences. This verse encapsulates a powerful message of hope, patience, and faithfulness, which can profoundly impact your life. In this article, we shall explore three key points through the lens of our experiences from January to June.

  1. Joyful in Hope

The beginning of the year often brings renewed optimism and fresh resolutions. However, as months progress, unforeseen difficulties can dampen our spirits. Yet, Romans 12:12 calls us to remain joyful in hope. This joy is not superficial happiness but a deep-seated confidence in God’s promises. From January to June, we may have faced personal struggles, health concerns, or global crises. Despite these trials, maintaining joy in hope reminds us that God’s plans are greater than our immediate circumstances.

In the midst of economic uncertainties or personal losses, finding joy can seem daunting. But through faith, you can hold onto the hope that God is working all things for our good (Romans 8:28). By focusing on His promises and the eternal perspective, you can cultivate a joy that sustains us even in the darkest times.

  1. Patient in Affliction

Patience is a virtue that is often tested during times of affliction. The first half of the year might have brought various forms of suffering, be it illness, relational strife, or financial hardship. Romans 12:12 encourages us to be patient in these afflictions. Patience involves trusting God’s timing and His purposes, even when we cannot see the immediate outcome.

During these months, you might have found yourself questioning why certain trials occur. It is in these moments that patience becomes a testament to our faith. Biblical examples, such as Job and Paul, illustrate the power of enduring suffering with a steadfast heart. Their stories remind us that patience in affliction is not passive resignation but an active trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness.

  1. Faithful in Prayer

Prayer is our lifeline to God, especially during trying times. Romans 12:12 calls us to be faithful in prayer, underscoring its importance in sustaining our hope and patience. From January to June, consistent and earnest prayer can transform our perspective and bring peace amid turmoil.

Prayer is not merely a ritual but a dynamic conversation with our Creator. It allows us to pour out our hearts, seek guidance, and find solace. The first half of the year may have challenged your prayer life, but faithfulness in prayer ensures that you remain connected to the source of your strength and hope. By committing to regular prayer, you will align your hearts with God’s will and receive the grace to persevere.

Conclusion

Reflecting on Romans 12:12 in light of your experiences from January to June, you see a powerful blueprint for navigating life’s challenges. Being joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer are not just idealistic concepts but practical actions that sustain us. As we move forward, let us hold onto these principles, trusting that God is with us through every trial and triumph. By embracing this verse, we can face the rest of the year with renewed strength and unwavering hope.

Let us pray

1) Thank God for His grace and mercy over you.

2) Ask for God’s divine guidance for the second half of the year.

3) Commit your plans and visit to God and ask for divine strength to execute them.

4) The Lord will open heaven and rain down His favor upon you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

John Aderogba for ROPMI.

 

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CHANGE THE BATON – MAY 2024 NEWSLETTER

Topic: CHANGE THE BATON

Text: Ecclesiastes 3:1

INTRODUCTION

In the race of life, we often find ourselves running with a baton that represents our dreams, aspirations, and responsibilities. However, there comes a time when we must pass on this baton, embracing change and transformation along the way. This journey of passing the baton is not always easy, but it is essential for personal growth and fulfillment.

To change the baton could be: a change of strategy, location, ideology, friends and associates, a rearrangement of your focus, a change of job, a change of environment, and moving with the season.

There is time for everything. Ecclesiastes 3:1, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” This timeless verse reminds us that change is an inevitable part of life. Just as there are seasons in nature, there are seasons in our lives where we must let go of certain things and embrace new beginnings. The key is to recognize when it is time to change the baton and move forward with courage and faith.

Imagine a young professional who has dedicated years to climbing the corporate ladder. They have poured their heart and soul into their work, achieving success and recognition along the way. However, despite their accomplishments, they begin to feel a sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction. The baton they have been carrying no longer brings them the same sense of fulfillment it once did. They realize that it is time for a change, but the thought of letting go is daunting. This is the struggle of the individual. It is always difficult to let go of our way of doing things, even if it doesn’t yield good results.

In this writing, some points will be explained to encourage you on what to do at every crossroad.

1) Embracing Growth:

Within the dynamic fabric of life, change stands as the catalyst for growth and the harbinger of personal evolution. If you embrace growth in your life, it will rearrange your orientation and launch you into a new realm that will enlarge your capacity for a new move. This will expand your focus and connect you to your breakthrough.

Analogous to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly, our journey towards self-actualization necessitates a willingness to embrace transformation. Rather than remaining tethered to the safety of the known, we must summon the fortitude to venture beyond our comfort zones and seize upon the myriad possibilities that lie beyond. By courageously confronting change, we unfurl our wings to soar towards the zenith of our potential, embodying resilience, adaptability, and boundless determination along the way.

2) Letting Go:

What is letting go? Let go of old ideas and methods to embrace new ones. Also, let go of your past failures and obstacles to set your focus right. Holding onto the past can hinder your progress and prevent you from moving forward. Sometimes, letting go of the baton is necessary to make room for new experiences and blessings in your life. While it may be difficult to release what is familiar, doing so allows us to open ourselves up to the infinite possibilities that lie ahead. Many people remain in a spot because of their inability to let go of their stereotyped way of doing things. Some are also redundant because of their egoistic character that prevents them from embracing new shifts that come with the change of time and season. For you to experience breakthroughs and advances in life, you must let go of something and drive yourself to change the baton.

3) Trusting in Divine Timing:

In moments of uncertainty, it is essential to trust in God’s plan for our lives. This trust is grounded in the belief that every event in our lives occurs according to a divine schedule. The Book of Ecclesiastes eloquently reminds us, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This biblical wisdom assures us that our experiences, whether joyful or challenging, unfold in accordance with a higher purpose, and you need to key into this purpose to know when to change the baton at the appropriate time.

When we surrender control and place our faith in God’s timing, we acknowledge that our understanding is limited and that there is a greater plan at work. This act of surrender allows us to relinquish our anxieties and fears, providing a sense of peace and clarity. It is through this faith that we can navigate life’s transitions with a sense of calm, trusting that each phase of our journey is purposeful and guided by divine wisdom.

Conclusion:

Change is not always easy, but it is necessary for personal growth and fulfillment. As you journey through life, you must be willing to change the baton, letting go of the past and embracing new beginnings. By trusting in divine timing and having the courage to step into the unknown, you can unlock the full potential of your life and experience true joy and abundance.

Finally, with Jesus Christ in your life, it will be easy for you to embrace spiritual sensitivity that will encourage you to make a move to change the baton.

Prayer:

1) This season will change for your good.

2) The Lord will raise a voice of divine favor that connects you to your destiny helper.

3) Everything will turn around for your good.

4) God will grant you grace for visibility and favor shall be your new name.

John Aderogba for ROPMI

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