Wear Your Class

Excerpts From Launch Out into the Deep by Uyoyou C. Charles-Iyoha

Are you a person of class? Then wear your class. How?  Improve and enhance your looks with a haircut and style that suits you. You should also change your cut of clothes to exclusive designs. Try to wear good exclusive shoes. Wear nails that are well manicured and clean always. Try to have a baby smooth face and hands. Do not say that this is not possible. It is possible. Wear fresh breath at all times.  A youngish boyish look may be what you need if your facial features are squarish and you are well over forty. Cultivate kind eyes and a gentle tone. However, be firm. Acquire poise with consistent practice of the right moves.

Let go of the pride of life. There is a difference between looking good because God expects you to look good and dressing to show off, to prove that you are the best dresser, you own the most clothes, the most expensive clothes, and the most money. God blessed you with the clothes so you can look good for Him and be an effective testimony. It is not to show off and intimidate anyone.

Only God gives class and status. Money does not and can never buy class/status. Give yourself class by linking up with God and staying close to Him. Know the attributes of class as well as the symbols of class. Some of the attributes of class include but are not limited to:

• The fear of God

• Fairness and equity

• Refinement/polish

•Excellent communication skills - verbal and non verbal

• Dignity

• Decency

• Education

Symbols of Class

• Dress/Etiquette

• Cutlery

• Furniture/Interior décor

• Works of Art

• Quality of books in your library

• Communication skills – decent talk, politeness in diction and tone, even body language,

• Refinement

• The Company you keep

• Comportment

What you project is what gravitates to you. If you project class and progress, then there would be no more retrogression and lack of class in your life. It will be progress all the way. Pray about your needs, desires and what God wants you to do and then project your class of a royal priesthood publicly. God has broken the gates of brass and cut down the bars of iron in sunder. Isaiah Chapter 43 verse 19, Romans Chapter 12 verse 18.

What you project is a function of what you reflect on (Proverbs Chapter 23 verses 7; 4 verse 23). Thought processes are capable of building bridges, barriers or barricades as well as creating and sustaining wealth or poverty or ill health, ill will, evil or good depending on what a person thinks about. Some people project lack, poverty, ill health, self pity, incompetence, inferiority complex, stupidity, while some people project wealth, abundance, class, confidence, knowledge, divine health in spite of the circumstances they find themselves in. Queen Esther was in pain over the death sentence on her people yet she projected joy and happiness as she invited the King and Haman to a banquet she prepared. It takes a lot of happiness and mental well being to prepare a two-day banquet for a King like Ahasuerus and at the same time look the happy radiant and gorgeous queen of the King.               

                                  

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Why You Should Groom Like Royalty

Excerpts From Launch Out into the Deep by Uyoyou C. Charles-Iyoha

And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. Esther Chapter 8 verse 15 KJV.

Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and [put] a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. Daniel Chapter 25 verse 29.

Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful girls into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them…The girl pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven maids selected from the king's palace and moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem. … Before a girl's turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. Esther Chapter 2 verses 3, 9 and 12 NIV

Jesus Christ dressed decently and regally. At his death, the soldiers contested for his garment. It is instructive that no Roman soldier would contest for shabby clothes.

The Bible records that Joseph shaved and had a change of clothing before appearing before Pharaoh when Joseph was summoned to hear Pharaoh’s dreams in order to provide the interpretation. He did not appear shabby and unkempt before Pharaoh because he was a prisoner. He appeared decent. That perhaps explains why Pharaoh re-clothed him in more beautiful royal clothing and jewellery after he was appointed Prime Minister (Chapter 41 verses 14, 42 to 43).

When Esther participated in the search for a queen contest, she dressed decently and regally. She did not appear shabby and unkempt because she was Jewish. Rather, she dressed in moderation and utilized the beauty enhancements in moderation. God gave her favor before the king and she became the next queen (Esther Chapter 2 verses 3, 9 and 12).

When God gave instructions for the design of the priestly garments, He included dignity and honor.

Grooming like royalty separates you from the teeming mass of indifferent people who do not give a hoot about how they look, smell and appear before other people. They show up in public unkempt.

Additionally, grooming like royalty will make people address you like one. Therefore, invest time and resources in knowing the colors of royalty and wear them appropriately.

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Grooming

Excerpts From Launch Out into the Deep by Uyoyou C. Charles-Iyoha

This chapter covers all facets of grooming, from the bathroom to the dress you wear and how you wear it. I consider this chapter one of the most important chapters of this book because wrong or bad grooming can impact a person negatively. To introduce the discourse, I have deliberately shared some very valuable but timeless advice from the Bible as well as some respected global leaders in business.

Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and honor. 4Make tunics, sashes and headbands for Aaron's sons, to give them dignity and honor. Exodus Chapter 28 verses 2, 40 NIV

One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not try to find a home for you, where you will be well provided for? 2Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours? Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do." Ruth Chapter 3 verses 1 to 3 NIV

She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple, Proverbs Chapter 31 verse 22, NIV.

Good grooming doesn’t cost money; it just costs you a little time each day. You need to check yourself in the mirror to make sure you’re proud of what you’re seeing there. If you appear unkempt, your business will be unkempt too.

People want to do business with people who look good, and if you look like crap, you’re not going anywhere.

Clothes make the man and the woman, and if you want to be successful in life, you should start with your wardrobe. Clothing does not have to cost a fortune, but you should invest in some high-quality items that you can rotate throughout your week. It takes money to make money, and clothing is always a good investment. Donald Trump

Dress well means exactly that – dress well. There is simply no excuse for dressing badly, dressing down, dressing dumb, dressing cheaply or dressing carelessly… Dressing well is the most noticeable thing about you. Richard Templar.

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Characteristics of the Diligent

Excerpts from Maximize Relationships by Uyoyou C. Charles-Iyoha

These are people who excel and promote excellence. Biblical examples include God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Moses, Joshua, Joseph, Daniel,  Deborah (Judges Chapter 4), Isaiah, Jeremiah, Nehemiah, Haggai, Ezekiel, Nathan and many others who served God and humanity diligently as Prophets providing spiritual guidance to the people of God; the Apostle Paul and the other Apostles of Jesus Christ who were Preachers  of the gospel that God used to plant and stabilize the Church that you and I have today; King David, courageous, skilful in playing the harp and prudent in speech (1^st Samuel Chapter 16 verses 14 to 23) Bezalel, Oholiab(Exodus Chapter 31 verses 1 to 6), Huram (a man skilled in working with all kinds of bronze work and was brought from Tyre by King Solomon to work on the temple and his palace). Please see 1^st Kings Chapter 7 verse 14. Diligent people are disciplined and work smart at all times.

Joseph and Daniel were interpreters of dreams, people who would today be referred to as analysts and solution providers to personal, community, national and global development challenges; Characteristics of diligent people include but are not limited to the following:

• Diligent people are proactive.

They search out opportunities and do not wait for opportunities to happen. They create several opportunities from a single opportunity by utilizing a single opportunity to create other opportunities. The Bible describes them as people who make use of everything they find in Proverbs Chapter 12 verse 27. Diligent people search out platforms for producing, marketing and selling whatever products or services they produce. For example, though there was a ready market for the indebted prophet’s widow’s oil, she obeyed Elisha’s instruction to go sell the oil. She left her house, marketed and sold the oil to her neighbours. She did not wait for people to come in search of the oil. She took the oil to them and collected her money which was in the pockets of the people in exchange for her oil. Beloved, the money you need is in someone else’ pocket or bank account; patiently waiting for you to present the right products or services so that the money can be transferred to your pocket or bank account. Our Lord Jesus Christ though God and Creator did not sit in a spot to wait for the people to come. He took the gospel to different places. So also did the Apostles. They went from village to village, town to town and city to city preaching the gospel. Beloved, take your goods and services to the people wherever they are. Take advantage of technology, particularly the Internet and the numerous social media platforms at your disposal now that they are still very hot and relatively free.

• They are truly competent workers.

Truly competent workers always stand before kings (Proverbs Chapter 22 verse 29), become rich (Proverbs Chapters10 verse 4, 13 verse 4) and ultimately rule (Proverbs Chapter 12 verse 24).

• The diligent invest.

They invest in good planning and every good plan definitely leads to prosperity (Proverbs Chapter 21 verse 5). They patiently and thoughtfully study and analyze people, issues, documents, projects, products and services before taking a decision.  They do not jump at anything. Their decisions are then based on intelligent analysis. They patiently and thoughtfully map out strategies for success. They think ideas and issues through before reaching a conclusion.

• The diligent respect and value what they have irrespective of how small it is.

When you value and respect what God blesses you with, then God increases the value for your benefit. Joseph started interpreting dreams in his father’s household, served as a servant in Potiphar’s house, went to prison and interpreted dreams in prison before he eventually stood before Pharaoh to interpret dreams and became a global Prime Minister. Significantly, you value what you respect, and what you value, you will respect. Respect and value for what God blesses you with is also a way of showing that you appreciate God, His grace on your life, and the wisdom of His choices for you.

• Diligent people are disciplined.

They know when to work and when to play. They neither fritter time in idle pleasure nor bury their heads in work without taking a hard earned break.

Other beneficial relationships include the tactful, the discrete, knowledgeable people (Proverbs Chapter 24 verses 3 to 4), the patient, the humble (James Chapter 4 verse 10), and the pure in heart.

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The Wisdom of the Israelite Maid of Naaman’s Wife

Excerpts from Maximize Relationships by Uyoyou C. Charles-Iyoha

She was taken captive to Syria in one of the Syrian raids on Samaria and made to wait on Naaman’s wife. In spite of her seeming negative circumstances, a captive of war and servant girl of the wife of General Naaman, she still allowed the Spirit of God to have His way in her life. She had compassion on Naaman’s plight, a general who was afflicted with leprosy, an incurable disease that money, power and fame could not cure.

This young girl who feared God and believed in God invested her time in Syria propagating the gospel rather than bemoaning her plight or engaging in idle gossip that did not benefit anyone but draw a person away from the Presence and blessings of God. She testified about the power of God Almighty, the El-Shaddai to deliver and heal her mistress’ husband if only General Naaman would visit the Prophet in Samaria. This young woman was bold and courageous. A captive and a maid who dared to interfere in the personal affairs of both her mistress and master. She could have frittered time backbiting, telling on other maids or even engage in ungodly relationships with the young men of the day. But she chose to evangelize Syria; using the wisdom of God.

If General Naaman could just reach Elisha and receive his healing, the constant raids on Israel by Syria could come to an end. Secondly, the General’s testimony could impact other Syrians to turn to God. Who knows, her status could also change. So she boldly advised Naaman’s wife to speak with Naaman and because God was involved in this, to bring Naaman’s shame and distress to an end; but most importantly bring him to the worship of the true God, Naaman heeded the advice of the young woman albeit in a diplomatic way.

Naaman went to the King of Syria who was also bothered by Naaman’s leprosy. Quickly, the King organized presents for the King of Israel alongside a letter to the King requesting him to heal Naaman. The King of Israel went into mourning after reading the contents of the letter. Was this the new strategy of starting a war with him? Besides, he was only a mortal King and not God who can kill and heal. Elisha heard about the drama in the King’s court and sent word to the King to send Naaman to him. Naaman complied. Elisha then sent a messenger to Naaman, instructing Naaman to go wash in the River Jordan seven times. At this, Naaman was furious. Did he come all the way from Syria to be insulted by the Prophet? Were there no rivers in Damascus whose waters were better than the rivers in Israel for him to wash in? He turned to return to Syria but his servants prevailed on him to obey the Prophet’s instruction no matter how insignificant and insulting it appeared. Naaman complied and he was made whole physically and spiritually. In essence Naaman experienced a rebirth – he made a definite commitment to serve only the God of Israel and told Elisha so. Please see 2^nd Kings Chapter 5.

Characteristics of Naaman

Though an army general reputed for valor and conquests, he was accessible. He heeded the counsel of a young woman, a captive and maid to his wife. This implies that General Naaman had a great relationship with his wife and servants in his household. Also when the servants who accompanied him to Samaria advised him to obey Prophet Elisha, he did so. He listened to and heeded the counsel of his servants. Naaman was a humble person and that wisdom led to his spiritual and physical deliverance. The implication here is that wisdom and humility are complementary. A humble person is a wise person and a wise person is a humble person.

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Characteristics of Wise People 3

Excerpts from Maximize Relationships by Uyoyou C. Charles-Iyoha

 • Prayerful

Wise people pray to God. Their recourse is always to God no matter what the situation is: small or great, grave or light, life threatening or life giving and sustaining. Daniel prayed to God to reveal Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to him (Daniel Chapter 2 verses 18 to 19); prayed his regular daily prayer (Daniel Chapter 6 verses 10 to 11); prayed for the deliverance of Israel from Babylonian captivity (Daniel Chapters 9 and 10).

Nehemiah prayed severally, interceded for the restoration of Jerusalem and God empowered him to go and rebuild the broken down walls of Jerusalem. In the midst of the opposition he encountered, Nehemiah prayed and succeeded in the end. Please, see Nehemiah Chapters 1 verses 1 to 11; 4 verses 3 to 9 and 6 verse 14. Esther prayed for favor and deliverance from Haman’s death sentence on the Jews and it was granted her (Esther Chapter 4 verse 16). Isaac prayed for his wife Rebekah to have children and she was blessed with twins (Genesis Chapter 25 verse 21). The Apostle Paul prayed severally for himself, the Church and the enemies of the Church.

Jacob prayed when he heard that Esau was coming against him with four hundred men. Please see Genesis Chapter 32 verses 7 to 12. God honored his prayer and Jacob was reconciled to his brother Esau.

Significantly, our Lord Jesus Christ prayed severally. Beloved, if the King of glory prayed, who are you and me not to pray? Besides, the Bible instructs believers to pray without ceasing in 1^st Thessalonians Chapter 5 verse 17 and Jesus advised that people should pray always and not lose heart (Luke Chapter 18 verse 1) because the prayer of believers is effective and always produces results (James Chapter 5 verses 16 to 18).

• Forgive

They always forgive irrespective of the offenses committed against them. Jesus Christ forgave all those who accused Him falsely, mocked and ridiculed Him, spat on Him and tortured Him, passed the death sentence on Him and His eventual death on the cross. Jesus Christ forgave everyone and He is our example.

Joseph forgave his brothers who sold him into slavery in Egypt. He did not harbor grudges against them. Severally, Jesus Christ spoke about the need to always forgive people. Unforgiveness is such a terrible sin that it ropes the unforgiving person in a circle of disease and eventual separation from God. It is better to avoid a relationship with anyone who is in the habit of harboring bitterness and unforgiveness against people.

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Characteristics of Wise People 2

Excerpts from Maximize Relationships by Uyoyou C. Charles-Iyoha

• Generous

Wise people are generous. They share their resources freely. Please see Isaiah Chapter 32 verse 6, Proverbs Chapter 11 verses 24 to 25 and Luke Chapter 6 verse 38.

• Diligent

Wise people are diligent and resourceful. The Apostle Paul took advantage of every opportunity he had to preach the gospel. He was not lazy, did not procrastinate and lose opportunities.

• Honest

They are honest people of integrity that can be trusted to handle resources and allocate them equitably. Joseph, the deacons in the early church, Bezalel and his team who administered the

resources for the building of the tabernacle, Nehemiah and his team who rebuilt the broken down walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah as governor of Judah, the workmen who repaired the house of the Lord in the days of King Joash of Judah (2^nd Kings Chapter 12 verses 4 to 16, 2^nd Chronicles Chapter 24 verses 1 to 14) as well as the workmen who repaired the house of the Lord in the days of King Josiah of Judah (2^nd Chronicles Chapter 34 verses 8 to 14) and the Apostle Paul.

• Grateful

Wise people are grateful. They remember to thank God for everything. King David readily comes to mind. So also is Simeon (Luke Chapter 2 verses 25 to 35), Anna the prophetess (Luke Chapter 2 verses 36 to 38), and the Apostle Paul.

• Tact

They are people who are characterized by tact. Nehemiah assessed the broken down and burnt wall of Jerusalem alone and at night. It was after he had assessed the extent of damage that he shared his divine mission with the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials and the men who later worked on the wall. Please see Nehemiah Chapter 2 verses 12 to 16.

Esther did not reveal her identity as instructed by her uncle Mordecai until it became necessary to do so.  (Esther Chapter 2 verses 10 and 20). Even after she became Queen, she did not say a word until her Uncle told her it was time to fulfill divine purpose. Beloved, some things should never be mentioned before their right timing. Otherwise, it would give the enemy unnecessary leverage to fight divine purpose. If Haman for instance knew that Esther was a Jew, he would certainly have plotted ways to have her removed as Queen, or said or done something to make the King hate her before embarking on his ‘annihilate all Jews’ mission. Thank God for the divine wisdom for obedience to authority as well as tact, Esther pursed her lips in that area.

Tact and wisdom are complementary. The presence of wisdom in any life is an indication of the presence of tact. That is why wise people are not tattlers who reveal everything they know.

• Communicate

Wise people are skilled communicators. They can best be referred to as those described with the tongue of the learned in Isaiah Chapter 50 verses 4 and 5. They are polite; always use the right diction and tone.

• Trust God

Wise people put their trust in God and not man (Jeremiah Chapter 17 verses 5 to 8). That explains why wise people will rather disobey people, displease people to obey and please God. In spite of the travails of Job, he rejected the evil counsel of his wife to curse God and die (Job Chapter 2 verses 8 and 10). Instead Job chose to trust God and made the famous statement “Though he slay me, I will yet trust him”.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego chose to obey God rather than obey King Nebuchadnezzar and bow to his image in spite of the state punishment of being thrown into the fiery furnace (Daniel Chapter 3) God delivered them. Daniel chose to pray to his Maker, Creator and Deliverer rather than obey the King’s decree. He was thrown into the den of lions but God whom he trusted in delivered him. These few examples clearly confirm Scriptures that those who put their trust in God can never be put to shame. Please see also Psalm 40 verse 4.

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Characteristics of Wise People 1

Excerpts from Maximize Relationships by Uyoyou C. Charles-Iyoha

• Reverential

They reverence God and draw their purpose, strength and inspiration from God.

• Obedience

They are obedient people, always obeying the laws and instructions of God. Their obedience to God also dovetails into obedience to any authority God places them under.

• Faith

They are people of faith (risk takers), men and women of great faith who act on the basis of God’s Word and not necessarily the benefits that would accrue to them. However, their risks are calculated risks – they act on the basis of the Word of God and not foolhardiness, pride,

what other people are doing or what is in vogue. Abraham for instance left Haran at the instance of God’s Word and became the owner of Canaan. He set out to sacrifice Isaac on the basis of God’s Word and gained Isaac and several descendants as well as Canaan. Isaac obeyed the Word of God and sowed precious seed in the land of Gerar at a time of famine. He reaped a huge harvest and progressively became so wealthy that the people of Gerar became envious of him and sent him away from their land.

• Courageous

They are courageous people who challenge situations and actions as well as people that are defiant to God and His Word. David challenged a pompous Goliath and killed him. Esther literally took her life in her hands when she approached King Ahasuerus without being sent for. Joseph courageously and consistently rejected the satanic advances of Potiphar’s immoral wife and ran for his dear life when the woman attempted to rape him. Though Joseph served an unjust prison term, he considered it better than sinning against God and his master Potiphar through an illicit relationship between him and Potiphar’s wife. Daniel courageously requested time from King Nebuchadnezzar so he could access the King’s dream. He not only told the dream but also interpreted the dream. He also courageously interpreted Belshazzar’s dream in spite of the fact that Belshazzar would die. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image and were thrown into the fiery furnace. God spared their lives. Daniel prayed in spite of the decree not to pray for thirty days. He was thrown into the den of lions but God kept him from harm. Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac was also an act of courage.

• Investors

Wise people are investors of time, knowledge resources and skills in the kingdom of God and for the high purposes of God. The Apostle Paul readily comes to mind. He invested time, knowledge resources and skills in preaching the gospel to both Gentiles and Jews. He covered a very significant portion of Asia and Europe with the gospel, led many people to Christ and the worship of the true God. He also planted many churches, raised and mentored many disciples who took over the leadership of the churches when Paul moved on to other cities and towns. Significantly, Paul wrote several books of the New Testament of the Bible, a major blessing to the Church. Many sick people received their healings, demon possessed people were delivered and practitioners of magic destroyed their arts and turned to God all because Paul, a lawyer and persecutor of the early church turned to God and chose to honor God by investing his time and resources in preaching the gospel.

So also is Timothy, Paul’s mentee. The Israelite maid of Naaman’s wife who invested time testifying about the greatness of God and the power of God to heal in a land where she was taken captive is another example of a time investor in the kingdom of God. As a result of her evangelism, an army general turned away from idols to serve God.

Daniel invested time, God’s divine ability in him to tell and interpret dreams for the purposes of God in Babylon, a land where he was in captivity. God honored Daniel. Apart from the promotions to high positions in the land as well as other material benefits, the most significant aspect of Daniel’s investment of time, skills and knowledge resources in the lives of the leadership of Babylon is that God used Daniel to lead the King and an entire nation to the worship of the true God. Please see Daniel Chapters 2 verses 47 to 48; 4 verses 34 to 37 and 6.

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