"Yea so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" (James 2:17).

A Christian undergraduate once wrote an examination in a course handled by a Christian lecturer. He did not prepare for the examination so, he had little or no idea of what to write. He managed to write a few things and at the end, wrote some words of faith for the lecturer to read and help him. But he failed that examination because he failed to back up his faith with actions, by studying hard for his examination to avoid malpractice. His faith was not a genuine faith but laziness in disguise. 

The Bible says, "But without faith we cannot please God" (Hebrews 11:6). However, it also says that he should not eat who does not work. So, there must be a balance since it is the works of our hands that God will bless. Study hard, my child. A lively faith is one that labours. There is dignity in labour. Faith without work is dead. Your faith should motivate you to action. Let your faith be active.

Challenge: Active faith with labour.
Prayer: Bless the work of my hands, oh Lord.
Quote: Your faith will motivate you to action.

Bible Reading in one Year: James 2:18-26

Share to save a soul. 

BIBLE TEXT:
"I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee" (Daniel 3:14). 

It was Pat Rilly who said, "Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better." The German, Ludwig Van Beethoven could not hear a word of what he composed because of his deafness but he was reputed to be one of the greatest music composers of all time. He was still in his 20s when he started losing his hearing. Despite his hearing loss, he even wrote better music later. His predicaments could not silence the lion in him. While some youths work only for mediocre achievements, champions go for the best for themselves and the world around them. 

Thomas Edison was also partially deaf but he laboured to invent many things, including the incandescent light bulb. Great souls do not settle for the second best. Having surrendered your life to Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you should have the passion to do all things with the aim of setting the pace for others to follow, not only in academics and career, but also in your spiritual life.

Challenge: I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be the best I can be.
Quote: Champions go for the best


Bible Reading in one Year: Proverbs 28:1

BIBLE TEXT:"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).

Every youth needs time to be trained and prepared for life. Indeed, training time is preparation time and you must patiently go through. You cannot find a good medical doctor, Lawyer, engineer, or teacher without good training. Likewise, someone said, "God is never in a hurry but spends years with those He expects to greatly use. He never thinks the days of preparation too long or too dull." Unfortunately, there is an ugly trend of rebellion to parental and church training among youths today. God hates rebellion! (1Samuel 15:23a). The influence of peer groups is at the heart of rebellion among youths. Christian youths should avoid friends that say things to discourage them from obeying their parents. Many youths do not like being close to their parents because they hate going on errands. As for you, stay close to help them get things done; by doing so, they will pass on a lot of vital life lessons to you. Even if your parents or guardians often scold you, never forget that they love you and want the best for you.
Challenge: Preparation time is never wasted time.
Prayer: Give me patience to go through the training process, o God.
Quote: Training time is preparation time
Bible Reading in one Year: (Acts 7:20-23).