DON’T BE DISCOURAGED, MOVE ON! – JULY 2022 NEWSLETTER

Text: Isaiah 41:10-11

10. So do not fear, for I am with you; says God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

11. “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.”

INTRODUCTION
To be discouraged is to lose confidence or enthusiasm in something or someone.

You can feel discouraged when you are sure you are going to record the success of something you are anticipating, but it does not turn out as you hoped.

In addition, it can come from the faith you have in a system or someone you think will be helpful to you but who eventually fails you.

People have developed psychological and emotional disorders due to acts of discouragement. It led many people to commit suicide, to be heartbroken, to experience insanity, to mistrust, to feel vulnerable, and to feel depressed.

People have been disappointed with their leaders in politics and even spiritual leaders in some countries and throughout the world because of the situation of things.

The truth is that humans will always disappoint you and make you feel discouraged because they are limited and are unable to resolve your problems and troubles.

People are in trouble because they focus on themselves instead of focusing on God, the Almighty, and their Master.

This article’s background scripture (Isaiah 41:10-11) is God’s voice to you. It is a word of assurance from God to you as you go in the second half of this year.

This write-up shall focus on the following points:

✓ Discover where you are right now.

✓ Take the right step.

✓ Keep your focus intact.

DISCOVER WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW:

A quick way to get out of discouragement and move on in life is to discover where you are.

“Discover to recover.”

It is sad that many people, haven been discouraged, and could not point out their junction where they are in the area of their discouragement, just missed up on the situation and allows the situation to dictate for them.

Their inability to figure out where they stand in their troubles may have led them to lose their potential, calling, talent, vision, and even their lives.

By discovering, you will recognize God’s leading and voice.

I don’t know what you are going through right now, but I encourage you to discover where you are in that challenge, and move forward.

Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; says God. I will strengthen you and help you;”

You are a victor!

TAKE THE RIGHT STEP:

If you are able to identify the point at which you are experiencing trouble, then you will be able to make the right decision that will move you forward.

People found out where they were in trouble, but they left God out of their discovery, then the Devil hijacked their discovery and dictated what the next step should be, which led them to make the wrong choices.

You must acknowledge God’s presence in every circumstance of life, including moments of discouragement for you to be able to take the right step.

Because of Hannah’s childlessness, the priest misinterpreted her action as being drunk when she was praying.

Hannah saw God right in the middle of her trouble and got her testimony.

Do you find yourself at a crossroad and don’t know what to do? Let the Spirit of God lead you in the right direction.

Isaiah 41: 10: “…I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

KEEP YOUR FOCUS INTACT:

Many people lose focus as a result of discouragement.

The Devil uses discouragement as a tool to prevent you from fulfilling your vision and goal, especially if you are on God’s side.

You don’t have to offend anyone before you could be discouraged. Oftentimes, it comes from hatred and jealousy as it is the mission of some people when they see you making progress and striving to succeed.

Stay focused, don’t let anything around you discourage you or make you feel stuck. Your God is with you, and you can see Him at the center of your troubles if you keep pushing.

Isaiah 41:11: “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.”

CONCLUSION

It is human nature to discourage you, that’s why Jesus Christ came to encourage you.

Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” You need Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior if you want to escape your troubles in life.

When we’re anxious and stressed, we’re allowing the daily cares of life to pull us away from Him.

The most fruitful thing you can do is to give your undivided focus to Jesus (Victoria Osteen, 2022).

LET’S PRAY:
1. Appreciate God for always being there for you.
2. Ask God for forgiveness and mercy for neglecting Him and focusing on man.
3. Your sun shall not set, or your days be dreary in the name of Jesus Christ.
4. You shall escape all wicked traps set for you.
5. The Lord will make everything about you perfect, and your cup will run over in Jesus’ name.
6.The Lord will hear your complaint and protect you from your enemy.
7. God will hide you from the conspiracy of the wicked and from the plots of evil-doers in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

– John Aderogba.

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RENEW YOUR STRENGTH THROUGH THE POWER OF PRAISE – JUNE 2022 NEWSLETTER

Topic: RENEW YOUR STRENGTH THROUGH THE POWER OF PRAISE

Text: Exodus 15:2

“The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him”

INTRODUCTION

It is inevitable that your strength will decline during a long journey even if your mode of transportation is luxurious.

Aircraft may seem like a stress-free means of transportation, but they are not. That is why a stopover is always necessary for the driver, rider, sailor or the pilot, and their passengers.

It’s normal to refresh the engine of whatever means of transportation you want to use for traveling as you prepare for the journey ahead.

In your journey since the start of the year, you have faced several kinds of challenges. You felt as if you could not go far because the people who started the journey with you are no longer with you. Some have been wounded and have no hope of surviving.

Following the crossing of the red sea, Moses and the Israelites reached a point where they waited to praise God with a heart of thanksgiving.

Thereafter, God went ahead of them to deal with all the enemies they encountered.

Praise shifts your attention from your challenges to acknowledging God’s presence in the midst of those challenges.

You can always find strength and joy when God is on your side.

It will be discussed in this article some points that will motivate you to praise God in every situation.

• THINK AND THANK

The silliest thing some people do is to believe it is God’s duty to make things work out for them as the Creator of the universe, and are not obligated to thank Him for doing so.

Of course, God created the universe, but have you ever thought about why He did not create you as an animal or a stone?

In addition, what has been the force holding you up through all the trials and tribulations that have befallen your friends, colleagues, or those you have heard about on the news? Have you ever thought of that?

It is very important for you to ponder on God’s goodness in your life in order to gain more energy to move forward in life.

These and many more are things that should prompt you to ponder on God’s goodness.

• LET THE RIVER OF PRAISE FLOW FROM THE HEART

Your heart is the center of a healthy signal that is sent to the rest of your body and affects every part of it.

Once your heart is polluted, the effects will spread throughout your body. This is why Satan would always try every possible means to attack your heart.

“My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my heart” is one of David’s songs of assurance of victory over his enemies.

David kept his heart steadfast in praising God.

In all situations, when you choose to praise God, you ignore the suggestions of the Devil, which will keep you alert and keep you moving forward.

• VOICE OUT YOUR PRAISE LANGUAGE

Taking in fresh breath and stretching your muscles are two ways to renew strength very quickly.

Speaking out is a sign of readiness and vitality.

There is a language for praise, and the language is for you to praise God in the best way you can, so that you can appease God for all that He has done for you.

While seeing the wonderful acts of God with the Israelites, Moses expressed his praise to God in his language.

The more you express your praise language, the quicker your strength will be renewed, and the bolder you will feel to develop your faith in God in every situation.

CONCLUSION

It is possible for your situation to appear bleak at times.

You ask, “Why will God allow me to go through this?” Always remember, every situation can be used to praise God.

Nothing can separate God from His glory no matter what situation you face. Do what you can to praise God no matter what the circumstances may be.

Finally, salvation of the soul is important. To keep on journeying through life, you need Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

LET’S PRAISE.

Pick a hymn or song of praise to appreciate God for who He is to you and what He is presently doing in your life.

Your testimony is sure!

John Aderogba for ROPMI.

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WORSHIP GOD WHEN HE SEEMS SILENT – MAY 2022 NEWSLETTER

Topic: WORSHIP GOD WHEN HE SEEMS SILENT

Text: Psalms 10:1; 22:1 (NIV)

10:1 “Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide in times of trouble?

22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?”

INTRODUCTION:
The most difficult experience in the life of a man is the period of loneliness and rejection, because it demoralizes the confident man.

It is a period that incubates man’s dream/vision.

Every great man and woman once passed through this period. Before Abraham became the father of faith, he endured this silent period. Even our Lord Jesus Christ experienced the silence of the God-Head on the cross.

During this period, you may think you don’t know what you are doing. Many will see you as an unserious person. Your ideas will have no meaning to people. Your efforts will be watered down and you will be neglected by your people.

Some people call this period a ‘Closed Heaven Period.’ The time when the heavens are shut and you’re not hearing from God.

This period happened between the Old and the New Testaments when God stopped interacting with men for 400 years.

David, while going through his silent period, cried out to God.

Rick Warren stated that, “It’s easy to worship God when things are going great in your life—when he’s provided food, friends, family, health, and happy situations. But circumstances are not always pleasant.” (Rick Warren Daily Devotional, 01/15/22).

So what would be your reaction when it seems God is silent about your situation?

What you need to do when you are going through the silent period is the focus of discussion in this write-up. These are:

• Acknowledge that God is alive.

• Know that God does not mean evil for you.

• Bow your heart to worshipping God.

1. ACKNOWLEDGE THAT GOD IS ALIVE

The picture the Devil brings to people’s minds during the silent period is to let you feel your God is dead and not active to help you.

The moment you succumb to this devilish thought, you’re captured already.

Job acknowledged that his redeemer is alive, even in his trying time (Job 19:25). This was a poem of worship to reverence his God as an able God who does not sleep nor slumber.

You must come to this point in your life when it seems nothing is working for you and yet acknowledge that your God is alive as a very present help in times of trouble.

As you acknowledge Him, offer him an aroma of worship songs.

2. KNOW THAT GOD DOES NOT MEAN EVIL FOR YOU

God is sovereign in acts to His people. His love for us is so enormous that He cannot let us down. Rick Warren further says; “To mature your friendship, God will test it with periods of seeming separation—times when it seems as if He has abandoned or forgotten you.” (Rick Warren 01/15/22).

Sometimes God would want to check your level of spiritual maturity and how you can depend on Him.

You need to know that God does not mean evil for you. According to Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV), “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Let this verse of the scripture resonate in your mind always, to keep your mind positive about your God, and be hopeful that everything will be alright with you.

3. BOW YOUR HEART TO WORSHIPPING GOD

During the silent period, the target area of man’s life by the Devil is your heart. He will find every means to pollute your heart with the sting of bitterness, resentment, and unholy arrogance of character to people around you and even your God.

Many find it difficult to paise or thank God for being alive; they see it as a natural phenomenon.

Psalms 22:3-5 (NIV) reads thus:

3. “Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.

4. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.

5. To you they cried out and were saved; in you, they trusted and were not put to shame.”

David lowered his heart to worship God.

I encourage you also to ponder on what God has done for you and even what you heard or read.

Conclusion

The silent period is inevitable in man’s life, and that is why Jesus Christ also experienced it while on earth. He cried out, “Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani” by asking God why He was forsaken.

The joy of it is that He didn’t lose the battle. He won! That is why you need to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Let’s pray:

Right now, choose any songs of worship to worship your God. As you faithfully do that, you shall experience a unique miracle in your life.

John Aderogba for ROPMi.

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