I wanted to title this article "Who is God" but I had a change of my mind because the knowledge about God and His Personality cannot be totally exhausted. Daily we thrive in knowing God the more. But for this segment, The God of All Flesh (Pt 1), we will treat a very important topic, The Misconceptions About God.

It is heartbreaking and sad that most have such an inferior and ill conception of God. And day by day I hear people say several things about God and I feel like, "What did you just say!" Below I will list some misconceptions people have about God. See if it applies to you. This is to make people grow and change their paradigms about Who God is.

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT GOD

1. God is the Universe. This is a misconception and understatement about the splendor and magnificence of God. God created this world, so He can't be limited to the size of the world. Don't limit God to the size of this world. Let’s go higher in God and get out of the habit of confining God to a box, He’s much greater and better than we can ever imagine!

2. God is too holy for you to have a relationship with Him. Of a truth, you don’t have the slightest amount of holiness within you to even put you in the presence of God. Fine, God is too holy to behold sin but one of His utmost need is our relationship with Him. The only way that you are able to get to God is through Jesus, and His perfect blood. Jesus bridges the gap between you and God. Also, the Bible makes it abundantly clear that God created man and that He created him for His glory (Isaiah 43:7). We fulfill our purpose of glorifying God also by living our lives in relationship and faithful service to Him (1 Samuel 12:24; John 17:4). God longs for a relationship with you.

3. God doesn’t like people who aren’t perfect and super religious. Wrong. that’s why Jesus died. And as long as you’re alive, you will never be perfect. Someone may say, Jesus says, we should be perfect as God in Heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48). But when you read from verse 43 you'll know, in context "you are to be perfect" means "you are to love as God loves: without partiality". Paul wasn’t perfect either (Romans 7:15-25). Nevertheless, you have to press towards the mark of doing and being better each day (Philippians 3:13). The only one who will ever be perfect is God. Concerning religion, God seeks obedience and your love. Be spiritual, but not religious. Don't be so religious that you expect God’s presence in the form of fires, and wind, and earthquakes, yet you miss His still, small voice.

4. God is not necessary in your life for you to live. Bravo. How long can you hold your breath. The air that you breathe is not yours at all; it’s God’s: God breathed His breath into you (Genesis 2:7). Also, what did you eat and drink today? That food and water that you so unknowingly placed into your mouth today came to you, not from the store, not from your government, not from the local reservoir or your well, but from the rain water God sends down from heaven. That water sustains life and enables life to flourish. Having doubts about that? Well, go to a country where there is severe drought and lack of rain and see how long you survive (without clean water, without the agriculture that depends on water, and without the animals that depend on the agriculture or the water to drink). You would die of thirst, perhaps before you died of starvation. God is necessary in your life for your very survival (Matthew 6:25-34).

5. God doesn’t want you. He really does, and He invites you to turn unto Him and He will do the same to you ( Zechariah 1:3). God has specific thoughts for you and your life (Jeremiah 29:11). If you’re still having doubts about whether God wants to help you in life, God says, ‘Call unto me and I will answer…’ (Jeremiah 33:3).

6. God is untouchable and too far out there for Him to be real in your life. God is not untouchable. You may not see Him but can ultimately feel His Presence. You can have an encounter with Him. There are men that have encountered God. Besides, Jesus died on the cross. That gave you access to God’s throne, and the ability to go before Him with your prayers and supplications (Matthew 27:51).

These are few out of several other misconceptions about God.

Everything created on earth has a creator, and the creator has a creator. But God is the only Creator without a Creator.

In conclusion, the "god" whose plans can be thwarted is no "god" at all and should not be the object of our worship. I submit to you that our God is divine and infinite in everywhere and is not human in any way.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO THRIVE OR STRIVE?

THRIVE

Thrive simply means to develop well or blossom. It means to flourish and prosper in whatever one does. When a person is said to be thriving, he is growing vigorously and blooming, doing well in his endeavours and making strides with successful results.

STRIVE

To strive means to struggle or fight vigorously. It means to make great efforts to achieve or obtain something. A person is striving when he tries hard to achieve something. Striving means to toil, labour and give one’s all to achieve one’s aim. Striving is to strain one’s self and devote serious effort to make something happen especially for a long time.

ARE YOU THRIVING OR STRIVING?

Mahatma Gandhi said, “The difference between what we do, and what we are capable of doing, would solve most of the world’s problems." There is a big difference between thriving and striving. When a man exerts himself and spares no effort or energy just to achieve something he is simply striving. Now, to the point, most people that solely rely on the government are striving and unfortunately will continue to strive. People that thrive are people that are hungry for improvement and are tired of the status quo, they believe that there's got to be more, than just sitting and relying on the government instead of changing things and making positive impacts.

One major thing I love about people that thrive is that they don't lean on the government to succeed. In fact, the government love them and wants to spend time with them. Examples of these sets of people are categorized as the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Inter-Governmental Organisations (IGOs), and especially Private Individuals, among several other impact makers that are hungry to make impact and tired of sitting to watch some so-called 'magic' that the government will perform. Lots of government across the planet make promises upon promises called manifesto and doing little or nothing.

My love for creative people. My love for people that show that they have great potentials to change their world. A great mentor of mine, Myles Munroe wrote books on the subject 'Potential', and I will love you get a copy each; Discovering your potentials, Releasing your potentials and Maximizing your potentials. I can tell you, if you realize you have a potential and an idea comes to you, please work on it. Don't let it flip away, because when it does, that idea might not come to you again. And in fact, the next time you might hear about such idea another person will have started working on it and you will wonder, 'I once had an idea but now its being executed by another individual.' God is not bias and doesn't waste His resources. God is a God of ideas and He has lots of resources to carry them out.

A thriving mindset is defined by continually challenging oneself towards progressing and developing. While a striving mindset is not necessarily progressing, but labouring, straining, toiling, struggling and fighting. This is actually a call to upgrade yourself from a 'striver' to a 'thriver'. Thriving is not being satisfied. A 'thriver' wants to be a better person; be a better spouse, parent, child, student, and friend, being more supportive or just being there more. Challenging yourself to have a better career, being more fulfilled, being more rewarded. Challenging yourself individually to constantly question who you are and whether this is in line with who you want to be.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to continually improve aspects of your life, it is just important to be aware of what is most important to you. I think everyone has the potential in them to be better. Wanting to do so is the first step, doing the little things necessary to get there is what thriving is all about.

Though, taking this steps aren't as easy as it seems, but it takes that 'extra' to become 'extraordinary'. It won't be easy to start working on that idea, sometimes you might be scared to begin but do it and don't let fear step in. 'Fear of failure' has caused lots and lots of people to be eventual failures in life. It's better to start it and fail than to be neutral, because, at least you've learnt something you did not know before and in fact what you learnt no one might be able to sit you down to teach you, but your experience as taught you, and you'll keep improving. NEVER GIVE UP! Yes start that business idea and stop day-dreaming and waiting for that government of yours.

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Cristiano Ronaldo, who is arguably the best footballer in the world faced what several children today faces. His father undervalued when he gave an insight about his future. He was trivialised and sidelined to come out as someone meaningful in life. In fact, Cristiano said he longed for vibrant relationship with his father but he was frequently drunk even to stupor, he was given to drunkenness and stupor, and the former Real Madrid star said he didn't have the chance to speak and know his father as he should. Today, he is known for his success in what he believes he can do with his life. To children, don't underestimate yourself even when your father says you can't make it. Someone may say, that's what a mother can never say. Smiles. In most cases its true mothers can't say that about the children they labour for and on.

Today's article is on both children and parents. Its amazing a father cannot believe his child can make it in life. Parents, be mindful of belief in impossibilities in the lives of your children. It is very hazardous. When your child says something about his future, believe with him. Or else, if he's not strong enough he can give up on what he can make out of his/her life.

To children reading this, be mindful of what you hear, even from your parents. Of course, they don't mean bad for you but the best. But dear, when you see them saying some things that are limiting your vision, filter them. Its your life not their life. It may not be intentional from them, but be intentional about your future and your destination.

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Vision is the bridge between the present and the future. Without it we perish as the Holy Scriptures says (Prov. 29:18). Vision gives pain a purpose. Those without vision spend their lives taking the path of least resistance as they try to avoid discomfort. Sacrifice separates the small from the great. Vision is not just what we see, but it is also the way in which we see.

I love what Joel Barker said about vision, "Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with vision is making a positive difference." You know, vision is a wide subject, oh so wide a subject. Its one of my favourite subjects, when I'm privileged to speak on vision, my heart rejoices. Jonathan Swift said, “Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” Your vision is your personal tool for your personal use. Yes of course, there are different kinds of vision, one of which is corporate vision such as organizational vision, corporate vision, family vision, state vision etc. But I believe personal vision is the most important or comes before any of them.

Vision mobilizes to action. Its a powerful and instrumental tool that gives life to our efforts. There are times when you've tried all you could, almost feeling like giving up and screwing up, but when you remember your vision, it gives life to your journey, hope comes alive once again. Your vision will give life to your efforts. When you've got to give up at the middle of that journey, think and say "Why did I begin at the first place. I have a vision and it will lead to my destination". A man without vision will always look at the present, a man with vision will seldom look at the present but the future. Are you looking at your present or acting on the vision of your future? Let there be a paradigm shift. Think about what you are thinking about.

DON'T JUST BE USABLE; BE VALUABLE. DON'T JUST BE VALUABLE; BE IRREPLACEABLE.

One of the most important questions asked during interviews is about one's value that will be added to the company or organisation, "How will you add value to our company?" This is a question asked by most companies, firms, industries, organisations, institutions, consortium among others. The greatest danger you face in the job market today, quite frankly, is that you are essentially replaceable. If you are not valuable, but just usable, you can be replaceable in the long run. The value you create determines how irreplaceable you become in your field.

I believe employees who truly care about their jobs and the companies they work for are consistently evaluating how they can add value. Creating value is what distinguishes good employees from those you simply can’t do without. Creating value is what makes you irreplaceable. The value your add, the more irreplaceable you become.

One of the most closest and clearest example to give is Cristiano Ronaldo. After his departure from Real Madrid to Turin in Italy, he is now irreplaceable at Madrid; the superstar has not been replaced and it is so difficult to replace him. In fact, football analysts says, he is very difficult to replace. No one can boldly say he can replace the Portuguese. He was so invaluable that, statistically, he scored 450 goals in 438 appearances during nine seasons spell at the Spanish capital, breaking records upon records across many competitions. The superstar now has more fans than any player in the world, in fact than most celebrities, both on social media and in the stadium (spectators). And now he is expected to make some waves in Juventus, where he'll most likely end his career as a footballer.


There are those who succeed, and there are those who become irreplaceable. We can all think of people on earth who were/are so valuable that they became irreplaceable; extremely valuable and tough to replace. If you want to dominate in this fast paced economy, you must stand out and take control of your future. If you don't, you'll quickly become out-dated or old-fashioned.

The A and B students are working for the companies the C and D students own. Businesses established by students that have been looked down on as potential wastes in the society arec now making waves far beyond imaginations because they discovered themselves, built capacity and developed themselves. Seth Godin talks about the term Linchpin which Google describes as “a person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization.” I call it “Being irreplaceable."

If you’re in your 18 to 22 age range or just coming out of university, this is a very paramount advice for you. The people who end up having long careers, successful careers that flourish over time not just 10 years but 20, 40, 60 years are people who bring out their qualities and uniqueness. People like Larry Page of Google and Steve Jobs of Apple among others are not replaceable because they’ve created a skill set that can’t be matched by anybody else. When you become irreplaceable, you stand out amidst the majority. BEING UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT SIMPLY MEANS YOU ARE IRREPLACEABLE.

https://www.motivationalvilla.com.ng/2018/08/dont-just-be-va.html?m=1#

DON'T JUST BE USABLE; BE VALUABLE. DON'T JUST BE VALUABLE; BE IRREPLACEABLE.

One of the most important questions asked during interviews is about one's value that will be added to the company or organisation, "How will you add value to our company?" This is a question asked by most companies, firms, industries, organisations, institutions, consortium among others. The greatest danger you face in the job market today, quite frankly, is that you are essentially replaceable. If you are not valuable, but just usable, you can be replaceable in the long run. The value you create determines how irreplaceable you become in your field.

I believe employees who truly care about their jobs and the companies they work for are consistently evaluating how they can add value. Creating value is what distinguishes good employees from those you simply can’t do without. Creating value is what makes you irreplaceable. The value your add, the more irreplaceable you become.

One of the most closest and clearest example to give is Cristiano Ronaldo. After his departure from Real Madrid to Turin in Italy, he is now irreplaceable at Madrid; the superstar has not been replaced and it is so difficult to replace him. In fact, football analysts says, he is very difficult to replace. No one can boldly say he can replace the Portuguese. He was so invaluable that, statistically, he scored 450 goals in 438 appearances during nine seasons spell at the Spanish capital, breaking records upon records across many competitions. The superstar now has more fans than any player in the world, in fact than most celebrities, both on social media and in the stadium (spectators). And now he is expected to make some waves in Juventus, where he'll most likely end his career as a footballer.


There are those who succeed, and there are those who become irreplaceable. We can all think of people on earth who were/are so valuable that they became irreplaceable; extremely valuable and tough to replace. If you want to dominate in this fast paced economy, you must stand out and take control of your future. If you don't, you'll quickly become out-dated or old-fashioned.

The A and B students are working for the companies the C and D students own. Businesses established by students that have been looked down on as potential wastes in the society arec now making waves far beyond imaginations because they discovered themselves, built capacity and developed themselves. Seth Godin talks about the term Linchpin which Google describes as “a person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization.” I call it “Being irreplaceable."

If you’re in your 18 to 22 age range or just coming out of university, this is a very paramount advice for you. The people who end up having long careers, successful careers that flourish over time not just 10 years but 20, 40, 60 years are people who bring out their qualities and uniqueness. People like Larry Page of Google and Steve Jobs of Apple among others are not replaceable because they’ve created a skill set that can’t be matched by anybody else. When you become irreplaceable, you stand out amidst the majority. BEING UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT SIMPLY MEANS YOU ARE IRREPLACEABLE.

https://www.motivationalvilla.com.ng/2018/08/dont-just-be-va.html?m=1#

Vision is the bridge between the present and the future. Without it we perish as the Holy Scriptures says (Prov. 29:18). Vision gives pain a purpose. Those without vision spend their lives taking the path of least resistance as they try to avoid discomfort. Sacrifice separates the small from the great. Vision is not just what we see, but it is also the way in which we see.

I love what Joel Barker said about vision, "Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with vision is making a positive difference." You know, vision is a wide subject, oh so wide a subject. Its one of my favourite subjects, when I'm privileged to speak on vision, my heart rejoices. Jonathan Swift said, “Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” Your vision is your personal tool for your personal use. Yes of course, there are different kinds of vision, one of which is corporate vision such as organizational vision, corporate vision, family vision, state vision etc. But I believe personal vision is the most important or comes before any of them.

Vision mobilizes to action. Its a powerful and instrumental tool that gives life to our efforts. There are times when you've tried all you could, almost feeling like giving up and screwing up, but when you remember your vision, it gives life to your journey, hope comes alive once again. Your vision will give life to your efforts. When you've got to give up at the middle of that journey, think and say "Why did I begin at the first place. I have a vision and it will lead to my destination". A man without vision will always look at the present, a man with vision will seldom look at the present but the future. Are you looking at your present or acting on the vision of your future? Let there be a paradigm shift. Think about what you are thinking about.

https://www.motivationalvilla.com.ng/2018/07/vision-plus-dedication-will-lead-to.html

Neymar, a footballer who is arguably the most skillful in the world with a world transfer record which makes him the most expensive player, gives his opinion and motivation. It's not a cliche that he possesses the above status. He says, the secret is to believe... I've not found a man that's making waves and has not at a point in life built faith and possibility in himself and what he can do and offer to this world. Having faith in one's self is pertinent for making one's life to count.

In life there are diverse things that"ll shake your faith, just keep believing. Above all odds keep believing. Believing is important before becoming. You cant become what you don't believe.

Also believe in your potentials. Potentials means the abilities that can be developed and lead to future success or usefulness. It is having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future. Believing in one's self makes one's potentials bud (grow) which is capable of being a wonder to the world. Step up and boost yourself.

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Lionel Messi is a player spoken about, because of extra-ordinariness in what he is good at doing. This words of motivation from him is expected and cannot be overemphasized.

He said, you have to fight to reach your dream. There are lots of things in life to fight before becoming a success. Life is a warfare not a funfair. The more you fight the more you thrive. To be successful, fighting the following is pertinent: laziness, inconsistency, self-centeredness, idleness, indolence, halfheartedness etc. Also, the company you keep determines your accomplishment, so fight (but not violently) bad company, and lots of things that are not consistent with your goal and vision in life. For more important things about this subject, read more at www.motivationalvilla.com.ng

How big God is to us is dependent on our faith in Him. If you want to enjoy God in life, increase your faith in Him. When talking about God we cannot have a small-scale, limited and narrow vision. He is a Big God and the only that limits the size of God towards us is our size of faith.

Today I am challenging us to dare to believe on all the dreams and promises our God has for each one of us! If we have the “small one-time miracle mentality and faith,” it will be done according to our faith. If we have the barely-getting-by and scarce faith, that’s what will come our way! If we think that the problems we have are too big, and that maybe one day God might resolve it, that’s what will continue to happen, and we will continue to live a defeated life! Some of us limit ourselves and God with our imaginations. We don't think Big so we don't see Big. What you can't envision, you can't encounter. If you aren't seeing yourself going high, you can't go high. Your thought is as powerful as your tongue (Ephesians. 3:20, KJV).

Many of us act as if we are inconveniencing God. God said in Malachi 3:10 "...Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of Heaven and pour out you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." The Lord clearly and plainly says we should test Him after our obedience, but many of us behave as though we're troubling, bothering, worrying or disturbing the Lord. He is not man, he will always hearken to what we have to say in faith anytime anywhere. God's number is never switched off compared to men, it is always available to us, He'll always hear us anytime of the day. Just call Him, Scriptures says, HE WILL ANSWER (Psalm 91:15, Jeremiah 33:3).

Let’s learn to believe big, overflowing, hundred-percent pressed down and shaken over; let’s believe that we are blessed far above and beyond what we can think or ask, and I am sure that the Lord’s answer will be the same: “According to your faith be it done to you” (Matthew 9:29).

There's nothing we want to ask God that will surprise or amaze Him. A.W. Tozer says, “Because God knows all things perfectly, he knows no thing better than any other thing, but all things equally well. He never discovers anything, he is never surprised, never amazed.”

Jese Rodriguez meeting the world's best footballer in training 2 hours before the official training says a lot about Cristiano's success in his field. It shows the the extras in the ordinary that made him extraordinary. It means Cristiano had been at the training ground in fact more than 2 hours. Rodriguez said he met him already training not about to train. That means Ronaldo was already sweating. Success is not necessarily connected to talents, but interest and diligence in what you do.

Reading is a great investment in your personal development, not just in leadership. A leader builds his personality before his leadership capacity. So, to become a leader, first, how is your personality. Personality refers to your pattern of thinking (cognition), feeling (mood) and set of behaviours (attitude, conduct). A leader without a good personality may produce bad followers, and this is hazardous. This is a principal and significant aspect of leadership that you must pay attention to if you want to become an effective, successful and impactful leader that will make lives count.

Reading has always been known as a habit of great leaders. Effective reading produces effective leaders. Effective reading goes beyond skimming and scanning. Yes of course, there's a place for skimming and scanning, but it goes beyond these to become a very effective leader. Effective reading requires you read deeply, understand and apply the ideas and lesson to the challenges of the day. Harry S. Truman said, "Not all readers are leaders but all leaders are readers."

LEADERS READ QUALITY MATERIALS
Leaders don't read anyhow and anything. They invest in quality books that will transform their lives and affect their followers. And one of the categories of these books among others are personal development books. As I said above; this is a very principal and crucial aspect of the matter. To get the most out of your reading time requires you read books of quality. Quality books nourish your mind and inspire your heart. Most people take care of their bodies than they take care of their mind. The mind is very important as the body. Reading is to the mind as exercise is to the body. Effective reading requires you read right and that you read quality.

LEADERS NEVER STOP READING

Reading may be one of the most under appreciated tools for continuing your leadership development. It is a mode of development that is available 24 hours a day. You can do it virtually anywhere. One of the most frequent pieces of advice I give to folks on spiritual, educational, business and several aspects of life, especially to those just starting out in something is, "build your library", and I also prescribe movies sometimes and audio tapes that are very important towards their success in their field. Bishop David Oyedepo said, "You are either building a library or you are building a mortuary without knowing." When you stop learning you start dying.

Reading great books stimulates a leader’s thinking and is a source of new ideas and insights. Leaders are always eager and most times on the lookout for great new books. Reading opens you up to new ideas, new ways of looking at the world, and new ways of operating.

According to author John Coleman, “deep, broad reading habits are often a defining characteristic of our greatest leaders and can catalyze insight, innovation, empathy, and personal effectiveness.”

LEADERS READ BROADLY

Leaders broaden their scope and the categories of books they read, and this makes them increase capacity and capability as leaders, giving them ideas and also make them have multifaceted career. Don’t limit your reading to a single genre. Develop the habit of reading broadly which include books from a broad range of genres such as business, science, politics, internet, technology and many others according to your choice and wish or what is needed at that particular time. This helps leaders broaden their worldview and become multi-dimensional thinkers. It makes leaders vast in knowledge and ideas and this can make them versatile.

LEADERS RE-READ GREAT BOOKS

There are books you can't read once and dump. There are book when you read them, every aspect of the book is inspiring and can't be skipped. There are books that you wish they don't finish, and when they eventually finish you feel like reading them again or getting other books by that same author. I call books like that Great Books. Not all books are read and dump for leaders.

There are many books that you will gain significant more insight and understanding on the second reading. This is especially true for quality books; they usually require a second reading. Then there are a number of books that you many want to consider reading every year or very frequently especially books with ideas that you need to keep top of mind.

[center]IS HAVING A DEGREE OR A CERTIFICATE
AN IMPORTANT ASSET?[/center]

Education is very important. Yes of course why not, but having a degree is not equals to being able to make impact in the world outside school. Having a degree does not automatically mean freedom from financial instability and fulfillment, intentional empowerment of one's self is very paramount.

Have you ever heard some people say that if they could go back to school and get their degree or certificate they would have been successful in life?

I have heard several people say such things as that. "Why do people believe in waiting to get a piece of paper called certificate before thinking of making something out of their lives?" is the question that comes to mind. Certificate does not equal making impact. A piece of paper should not decide your future, decide the impact of the piece of paper to your future. Of course, a degree is useful, but can't decide your destination. Having a degree is not synonymous to success.

To read this full inspirational article click the link below:
https://www.motivationalvilla.com.ng/2018/08/is-having-degree-or-certificate.html