Empowering the youth for greater works

Youth empowerment as defined by Wikipedia is an attitudinal, structural, and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people, including youth and adults.

The ONLY way youth can do greater works in empowering themselves and the communities is by trusting in Jesus for answers.

Jesus said ‘Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.’ John 14:12-14

When we (youth) believe in Jesus, greater works are not only manifested in our spiritual lives but also in our secular lives which includes: Business, Education and Relationship.

Jesus Christ- the Messiah in his divine nature performs all the works if the youth trust and believe in Him.

Why youth empowerment?

In the Bible, we understand that God has soft spots for using the youth to do greater works for His glory. Indeed, Jesus confirmed that until we humble ourselves like little children we cannot enter the Kingdom of God. This does not call us to be Childish but Christ-like because Jesus loves Children.

God use youthful adult like David, Samuel, Timothy, Titus, Joseph, Samson, and Gideon to honor Himself.  This clearer shows that God is not a respecter of age of people.

God’s empowerment includes the following;

The ability to make decisions about personal/collective circumstances

• The ability to access information and resources for decision-making
• Ability to consider a range of options from which to choose (not just yes/no, either/or.)
• Ability to exercise assertiveness in collective decision making
• Having positive-thinking about the ability to make change
• Ability to learn and access skills for improving personal/collective circumstance.

Why God will NOT use you

God will empower youth that are only determined to live a Holy Live. God want the youth to separate themselves from the world. 2 Corinthians 6: 17 states "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."

If we don’t separate our self from the world then it will be impossible for God to use you for greater works. God ONLY empower people who are thirsty for Him. Before God can use you-He needs your Heart and Will. Remember; If God does not empower you, your effort will be in vain.

God uses the Humble-James 4:6 states that ‘Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 14:11 ‘For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

By: Samuel Mantey

Email: samuelmantey@gmail.com

Twitter: SamuelMantey

 

Why leaders kill young talents?

Babies are usually harmless, friendly and innocent but Herod wanted to kill baby Jesus, Pharaoh wanted to kill Baby Moses and Young Joseph brothers wanted to kill him because of his dreams.  

The three stories show that great and successful men have the power to identify young people (even babies) who are going to be greater and powerful than them.

The BIG question is ‘why did the leaders plotted to kill this babies?’ The Answer: ‘Don’t wait for the plant to grow into a tree, kill it now!’ Many times leaders who are threatened by the success of young people feel jealous and want them out.

Baby Jesus was born in manger but when the news spread that a greater King has been born, King Herod immediately plotted to kill him. Pharaoh did the same with Baby Moses when he ordered the killing of all male child born in Egypt.

But the plot to kill them never materialized because men cannot change the plan of God. Jesus became the Messiah (He still is), Moses the leader of Israel who brought them out of Egypt and Joseph brothers bow them to him.  

Maybe you have found yourself in similar circumstance when leaders do not appreciate your effort or also complain about you and report you; just remember the story of Baby Jesus, Moses and Joseph.

The best way to kill a talent is killing it during it in its infant stage. When that talent grows, it becomes difficult or merely impossible to kill it. That is why the Bible says we should seek the Lord in our youthful days.

Every person has one thing they do very well. To build a successful career, it's important to know where your talents add value.

There are the four talent types:

• Diamond talents - imagine new possibilities.
• Club talents - champion new ideas.
• Heart talents - encourage buy-in and commitment
• Spade talents - make sure projects are completed.

Research indicates that each individual have at least on the above talents. But I say that if God is on your side you can all the above stated talents. Having all of them makes you a threat in the eyes of leaders who do not appreciate the love of God.

But do not fear men but trust in God if your boss or any other person tries to kill that God given talent!

By: Samuel Mantey

Email: samuelmantey@gmail.com

Twitter: Samuel Mantey

Love Letter

Dear Child of Mine,

I saw you before you were born, and I destined you for a great purpose (Jeremiah 1:5). While your mom was pregnant with you, I personally designed you with incredible detail and precision (Psalm 139:13,14). From the get-go, I planned so many amazing things for you, you could never even count them if you tried (Psalm 40:5).

But I knew in advance that you would go astray and forget me, so I asked My perfect Son Jesus to take your punishment Himself (Isaiah 53:5). He was willing to be humiliated and murdered so that you could be eternally healed (Isaiah 53:5). He loved you so much that He came down to earth to show you what I'm really like (John 14:7).

When you first believed in Me, I immediately accepted you into My own family (John 1:12). I forgave all your sins through My Son Jesus (1 John 2:12). And now Jesus is in Heaven with Me, preparing a place for you (John 14:2). In fact, I am living inside of you because You believe in My Son (1 John 4:15).

I am forever committed to you; there is no circumstance under which I will leave you or take my love away from you (Hebrews 13:5; Romans 8:38). Even when you go through the hardest trials, I will be with you and carry you through them (Isaiah 43:2). In fact, I will cause EVERYTHING to work together for your good, because you have loved me back and I have a great purpose for you (Romans 8:28).

Is there anything you need right now? Ask Me. I am your Good Father and I won't give you something bad in return (Matthew 7:11). Actually, I have My own Spirit readily available to you to help you in your weakest hour (Romans 8:26). I know you get tempted to lose faith, but even when you do, I will remain faithful to you (2 Timothy 2:13). I want you to ask Me for great things, because I want to answer you (John 16:23). Take a look up at the heavens; My love for you goes even higher than that (Psalm 108:4). Don't lose heart: I want you to know that I am coming back for you (Revelation 22:12).

And just remember: I AM LOVE (1 John 4:16). I am always patient, always kind. I'm never envious, proud or boastful. I'm not rude, and I only want the best for you. I don't get easily irritated with you or hold a grudge toward you. I am sad when you are hurt or wronged, but love when the truth prevails in your life. I will never stop being patient with you, never lose hope or give up on you. I WILL NEVER QUIT ON YOU (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

My love for you is everlasting (Jeremiah 31:3).

The Power of Association

John Chow once remarked ‘I never did believe the saying that you are what you eat. However, I do believe that you are who you associate with’. The power of association is extremely powerful in the way it dictates who you are and how much money you make. If you want to change yourself or you lifestyle, then it may be time to change the people you associate with.

As Christians the people we associate with can make or break us. 1 Corinthians 15:33  says do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” This means that we have to carefully choose our friends or associate or they will choose us.

The Story of Abraham and Lot is a typical example of the power of association. The Bible stated that God bless Lot because of his relationship and association with Abraham. We know what happened to him when he decided to stay away from Abraham- the destruction of Sodom and Gomorra!

Jesus never told his disciples to ignore those in the world, in fact you cannot ignore them but cautioned them of association with them.

Be kind to everyone, but choose your close friends carefully to avoid being pulled astray. Associations or Friends who do not help you get closer to God but leads you to danger should be cut off. Such people can damage your future and your personality.

"The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray" (Proverbs 12:26).

Good Association will have a positive influence on you. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV) says that “two are better than one,” and goes on to tell how life is much better when you have a friend. Within this same verse we are told that a friendship like this can lead to one being able to pick up or support the other when he or she falls and that friends can keep each other warm. It also says that two friends can stand together against threatening events.

Bad Association will have a negative influence on you. 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) says that bad company will corrupt someone with good character. Many people make the mistake of associating with the wrong crowd, and it is one of the warnings parents try and give their children all through their developing years and even into adulthood.

Jesus Christ demonstrates the ultimate Association. Jesus the great Shepherd promises his ‘sheep’ that He is the only way to Light.  Jesus said ‘You are my friends if you do what I command.” As you can see from this verse, Jesus Christ is the perfect example of a true friend association because He sacrificed Himself for us

 By: Samuel Mantey

Email: Sammyoo3@yahoo.com

Twitter: SamuelMantey

 

 

 

Surprises in Heaven. Will you be there?

Don’t Be surprise to see anybody or no body in Heaven. Our presence on earth is a beginning of our journey to Heaven. Some Christians mistakenly condemn people that we think have NO chance in heaven.  But Heaven is no mans land therefore No man can judge who will make it there. The Bible urges us to Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” Luke 13:24. When we ask God to surprise us, we belittle Him because God is all knowing and is never surprised!

God look in the Heart of Men and NOT in the outward appearance and positions. In fact, the Bible only mentioned Abraham, Isaac, Jacob Lazarus (the beggar), the thief who died on the cross with Jesus and the other prophets as the only few people in the bosom of God. So will you be there?

The people you may have thought that wouldn’t be there will be there.

Yeah, we worship Satan here…and we’re going to hell, what do you think about that?!” Don’t condemn them or judge them for they can be saved on the last day and make to Heaven. What is even sadder is the fact that some people think they are going to heaven because they are “pretty nice people” and are obeying the word of God.  But there’ll be a lot of “nice people” in hell.  Those night club strippers, Hip-Hoppers, Prostitutes, armed robbers and their ‘brothers and sisters in crime’ all have equal opportunities if they believe and repent from their evil ways in the last days. Remember the robber who is in paradise with Jesus because he was saved on the last day on the cross.

The people you thought that would be there won’t be there.

There are a lot of Christians out there today who are pretty certain they already know everything about God and Heaven and salvation and who is in and who is out. Pastors, Gospel Singers, Evangelists are some people we might think they have access to the Keys in Heaven but some might NOT be there! Don’t be Surprise!

Just as Jesus surprised us all by allowing the rich young ruler to walk away without salvation and the thief on the cross to die with his salvation intact, God has watched (and will continue to watch) people who thought they were good enough for heaven stand on the outside and people who knew they were NOT good enough welcomed in. 

When it comes to eternity, it really isn’t about what you know…according to Jesus, it is about Who you know. And if you Know Jesus and follow his word you are bound to be with Him.

So will you be there?........................

By: Samuel Mantey

Email: Sammyoo3@yahoo.com

Twitter: SamuelMantey