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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Let us not become weary in doing good – April 2024 Newsletter

Text: Galatians 6:9

Scripture Text: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Introduction

“Try It Again” means there is hope, your victory is sure, you can make it. Moreover, it helps you gather momentum, leads you in a clear direction, and signifies you’re a winner. “Winners never quit…”

Life is an intricate tapestry woven with threads of adversity, each challenge serving as a litmus test for our resilience and steadfastness. Whether we find ourselves in pursuit of lofty dreams, grappling with formidable obstacles, or simply navigating the turbulent currents of everyday existence, the allure of capitulation often beckons with a seductive whisper. Yet, amid the tumult, the timeless wisdom of scripture echoes, reminding us of the paramount significance of perseverance and the divine assurance of eventual recompense for those who tenaciously press on. In this writing, we embark on a journey to explore three profound insights to contemplate when confronted with the daunting specter of surrender.

1) Resilience in Adversity:

Life inevitably presents us with challenges, but our response to adversity defines our character and trajectory. In the face of setbacks or failures, it’s natural to feel disheartened and tempted to abandon our pursuits. However, it’s precisely during these trying moments that our resilience is put to the test. Rather than succumbing to defeat, we must persevere with unwavering resolve. As the adage goes, “fall seven times, stand up eight.” Every setback serves as a chance for introspection, development, and a resurgence with greater fortitude.

2) Faith in the Process:

Having faith in the process means believing in the journey towards our goals, even when progress seems slow or obstacles arise. It involves embracing the journey’s ups and downs, understanding that growth often requires patience and resilience. Rick Warren explained in the writing that; “If you want to make it in a career, you have to respectfully show audacity. Sometimes, following God’s dream for your life requires audacity, too.” Audacity is the courage to think big, to show initiative, and to take risks for a dream while facing the possibility of failure. Like a marathon runner who trusts in their training regimen to carry them across the finish line, we must trust that our consistent efforts will lead us to success. This unwavering belief empowers us to stay focused and committed, regardless of the hurdles we encounter, knowing that each step forward brings us closer to our desired outcome.

3) Learning from Failure:

Rick Warren asserts in his daily devotional that; “Your witness to the world will come out of your weaknesses, not your strengths.” Sometimes, failure gives you the opportunity to discover the hidden treasure within you. In my elementary school days, most of the subjects that I always failed later became my best subjects and made me discover my teaching abilities. Because during the process of corrections done by my teachers, it opened me to the in-depth understanding and systematic ways of approaching my failure. When I became a classroom teacher, the areas of my failure then became my unique technique of making good students, mostly in Mathematics. Learning from failure involves recognizing that setbacks are not the end of the road but rather crucial milestones on the journey toward success. With each failure, we gain valuable insights and lessons that contribute to our personal and professional growth. Rather than being discouraged by our mistakes, we should view them as opportunities for improvement and development. As Thomas Edison famously remarked, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work,” underscoring the significance of persistence and resilience in the face of adversity. By embracing failure, learning from it, and adapting our strategies accordingly, we pave the way for future achievements and progress.

Conclusion:

In a world where instant gratification is often prized above perseverance, the message of “try it again” may seem counterintuitive. However, the scripture reminds us of the importance of persistence in the face of adversity. By cultivating resilience, faith in the process, and a willingness to learn from failure, you can overcome any obstacle that stands in your way. So, the next time you feel like giving up, remember the words of Galatians 6:9 and try it again. Your perseverance will eventually lead to a bountiful harvest of success. Finally, the only one who cannot fail is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is always ready to help you if you give him a chance. Accept Him as your Lord and Savior, and it shall be well with you. Let’s pray:

1) The Lord shall grant you the strength and courage you need to succeed.

2) You shall be divinely motivated and elevated.

3) You shall always be on the winning side in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

 

John Aderogba for ROPMI

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