How to Give careful Attention to Your Flock

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Your flock are your divine gifts given to you by God for you to prosper, make an impact in the lives of people and be a blessing. Your flock may appear inconsequential to you because you may not immediately know the true value. You may reason like the widow of the indebted prophet that it is only a jar of oil. But beloved, that jar of oil solved the problem of indebtedness that would have taken her two sons into debt bondage. In like manner, the full potential of your flock may not be apparent until you pay considerable attention to your flock. The Biblical Joseph paid considerable attention to his flock and rose to become Prime Minister in Egypt.

But the young man described in Proverbs Chapter 24 verses 24 to 30 refused to pay attention to his flock and suffered losses. Rather than work his land, he kept giving excuses – his body required more sleep, more rest when other people were working. His refusal to work at a season of working the land cost him his vineyard and he became poor. He gave excuse, procrastinated and suffered poverty. The lame man lived at Bethsaida for thirty eight years because he always had the perfect excuse – he had no one to put him in the water when the angel stirred the water. So even when Jesus asked him if he wanted to be made whole, the lame man gave excuses. Fortunately for him, Jesus had compassion on him and he was made whole.

Beloved, the consequences of not giving careful attention to your flock include losses and destruction as in the case of the young man described as void of understanding in Proverbs Chapter 24 verses 30 to 34, 18 verse 9 and Ecclesiastes Chapter 11 verse 18. Therefore always give careful attention to your flock.

God in His infinite mercy and compassion promises to bless all the labor of His children. Therefore, PAY CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION TO YOUR GOD GIVEN FLOCK. How, you may ask?

Know the exact number of your flock, how many they are, their backgrounds, the state of your flock whether they are in good shape or not. This will inform the kind and quality of care which you will need to provide.

It is also important to know your flock by name. Jesus knows His disciples by name. Please read John Chapter 10 verses 14, 27, Proverbs Chapter 27 verse 23.

Brand your flock by stating their values and benefits. Also brand their total look and appeal to give them the right positioning globally, nationally and locally.

Always Plan for Abundance 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Quite significant and instructive is the fact that the relationships you invest in play an important role in the journey to and plan for abundance. This is because some relationships are time wasting relationships which drain you spiritually, physically, mentally and economically. They do not in any way contribute to your personal development and will therefore not help you to plan for abundance.

On the other hand, there are positive and highly energizing relationships which spur you on to achieve at all times. They not only inspire you but they also encourage and teach you to excel above your peers. Therefore, invest time in quality relationships which move you up the ladder. People who have visions and a clear sense of purpose and direction are the people you need around you. You do not need people who engage in criticizing and judging other people and economic activities; yet they are bereft of any life transforming knowledge. Unfortunately, such people are often failures in their different areas of endeavor and are looking for partners to increase their club membership.

The relationships you urgently require are relationships that will inject life into you through the information they share with you. The biblical Ruth, a widow with no economic resources and leverage whatsoever in Israel; who lived off gleaning; became the wife of Boaz and co-owner of Boaz’ wealth because of the life transforming information that Naomi shared with her. You can imagine what would have happened to Ruth if she chose to spend time with fellow widows who frittered time in idle chatter and immoral activities instead of diligent work and quality relationships. She would have remained, poor, hungry, insignificant and unknown. But because she chose quality relationships, she became significant, famous and wealthy and is also listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. What greater honor could anyone desire!

The widow of the indebted prophet chose who she shared her challenges with carefully. She did not did not fritter time in idle chatter and gossip. She also did not go to the company of complainers, murmurers and grumblers and maligners. Neither did she set up a pity party. Rather, she went to see the prophet Elisha and shared her problem with him and from the depth of divine wisdom and the Holy Spirit in him, Elisha gave the widow divine instructions which brought about economic transformation in their lives.

Hone Problem Solving Skills 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Beloved, pause a moment and reflect on the designing and sewing skills of this woman which the Bible describes in verses 13, 18 to 24 of Proverbs Chapter 31. Apparently, she had honed the skills of designing and sewing beyond what she learnt as a young woman at home; beyond what was in her immediate environment to global standards and quality. That possibly explains why she supplied sashes to the merchants and she was handsomely remunerated. She had also learnt to use quality fabrics and knew how to source them. The bible records that she sought wool and flax meaning that she went in search of quality fabrics. Coupled with creative designing and excellent sewing skills, she was the designer to beat as the merchants consistently bought clothes from her. Money had taken up permanent residence in the home and life of the unnamed virtuous woman. She was standing before kings and great people in the business community of her day; people who could reward her handsomely and uplift her financial and social status in life. Please read Proverbs Chapters 18 verse 16; 22 verse 29, Genesis Chapter 41, Daniel Chapters 2; 4, 5 and 6 as well as Esther Chapters 3; 10 verse 3. The unnamed virtuous woman did not have to spend an entire life time in quest of money which always appeared to grow wings and disappear to some people. Rather, money sought her and was living with her.

This was the sudden realization that came to the widow of the indebted prophet. She always had oil but apparently had no regard for the oil which explains she referred to the oil as only a jar of oil. It meant nothing other than a little jar of oil, an insignificant item in the house which had no monetary value. But unknown to her, that insignificant jar of oil held the keys to financial freedom for the family, the financial freedom which eluded them for years.