The Universal Light Bible College

The Value of Reading: A Catalyst for Personal Growth and Development

I have encountered individuals who experience immense anxiety when asked to read. For some, the mere sight of books evokes fear. It is essential to recognize that we are not inherently superior to those who struggle with reading. Consider, for instance, the last time we engaged with a non-academic book - perhaps one focused on motivation, wellness, relationships, business, spirituality, or personal development. I venture to say that most of us would struggle to recall the specifics. Even among those who can, few would remember the title or author.

Reading offers countless benefits, rendering an exhaustive list a daunting task. Cultivating a reading habit from a young age is crucial. Investing in quality books and encouraging children to read can have a profound impact, as evidenced by my own experience. Early exposure to reading significantly enhanced my vocabulary, both academically and personally.

Abstaining from reading deprives one of valuable insights hidden within the pages of meaningful texts. Reading enriches our knowledge base and expands our perspectives. It provides profound understanding and sheds light on diverse topics.

Reading also plays a pivotal role in speech development and effective communication. Our everyday vocabulary draws from our memory, which is informed by reading. Through reading, we are introduced to novel words and their applications, gradually incorporating them into our speech.

A book serves as a tangible manifestation of a dream; investing in quality literature has the potential to transform one's life positively.

Disconnect and unplug

When was the last time you were completely without any screen in front of your face? I don’t mean playing games on your iPad when your phone dies or watching TV while your phone is charging.
When was the last time you were completely away from every electronic device?
For most of us, that answer is...we don’t know.
Until you start spending some time away from your devices, you won’t understand just how much of your life they have taken over.
It’s very important that we become mindful of how much we use our devices, and when we use them.
Even children in their most formative years are so exposed to devices that some key parts of their psyche are not allowed to develop organically. Humans need to think, that’s what makes us human. If your devices don’t leave you with any time to be introspective and examine your own thoughts, then there is a problem.
Be intentional about how much internet and social media you expose yourself to every day. If possible, set an internet-free hour or two for yourself, and use that time to rediscover yourself.
Start today. Disconnect from all devices and unplug all electronics. Then you can hear yourself think.

Why you need to surround yourself with positivity

The things you surround yourself with go a long way in controlling your life. Imagine this, Sarah wants to be a doctor but her family and friends tell her it is impossible, she is not that smart they said, she doesn’t have the resources, there is no way she will be a doctor. And Sarah being surrounded by all these negativity learned to see her dreams through the eyes of her family and friends and she never got to chase it.
Maryam, on the other hand, wants to be a lawyer but she doesn’t think she has all it takes. However, her family and friends tell her she can do it. Even though Maryam had her doubts, their encouragement was enough to make her start and she became a successful lawyer.
Imagine if Maryam had Sarah’s friends. If you are surrounded by people who are always ready to tell you what you cannot do unless you have the strength to overcome their negativity, it is best you try to stay away from such people if you can.
Negativity will suck the life out of you, it can take away any motivation you have. And that’s the last thing you need if you are going to chase a dream.

How to overcome the stress of public speaking

A Recent study has suggested that most people undergo a near death experience when they have to stand in public to deliver a presentation! This stage phobia is something many of us are dealing with presently, getting upstage to talk about something we are so versed in suddenly becomes a herculean task and if we don't rein in our nervousness and anxiety real quick we end up blabbering nonsensical words that don't make any sense even to our hearing!

Fortunately enough, there are some tips that could help put an end to the stress of public speaking.

Focus more on your audience

The nervousness and deep fear associated with public speaking are often as a result of dwelling more on the negative thoughts brewing in your mind. To get your mind off the thoughts of screwing up, simply focus on what your audience would relate to best. This would help you prepare more in order to make a good impression on your audience, it also gives you no time to dwell on your fears.

Don't aim for perfection

Prepare adequately for your presentation without working yourself too hard to please your audience. Note that not everyone would be on the same page with you and also keep in mind that the few mistakes you make would go unnoticed if you put on a charming facade. So keep calm and don't work yourself into a tight bundle of nerves while trying to give the perfect presentation.

Memorize your first three lines

Inability to remember the introductory lines in your speech might get you totally off track, therefore in your preparations, work on your first three lines over and over again so you can launch into your speech or presentation immediately without grappling for words.

Between you intent and actions
lies your motive, choose you actions wisely because they come with implications.

while the wise is calculating the risk involved, the fool is happily experimenting with the risk, jesus said count the cost before you start building,be wise.good morning and have a fruitful week.

*Correct your perception about PASTORS.*

"The lawyer is working,
The lecturer is working,
The journalist is working,
But many think the pastor is playing and needs a real job.

You think everyone else in every other profession is really busy, but when it's a pastor, you say 'go and look for a job'.
Well done!

We applaud professions that don't offer real value to people but think less of those who do.

Footballers earn far more than doctors,
Comedians earn far more than teachers,
Most Pastors earn very little or nothing.
And you think that's fine?

How has Messi helped your life or given you a new hope for living?

How has Basketmouth saved your marriage or helped deliver you from addiction?

But pastors are involved daily, bearing the brunts of helping people live a better life and yet when we see them own few things we behave as though they don't deserve anything.

In case you don't know, being a pastor is one of the most demanding and sacrificial work I know on earth.

I am a pastor. I have been a pastor for the past 28 years now.

I have been to police stations severally because of church members.
I have visited several hospitals and spent nights there awake because of church members.
I have travelled long distances, given up my belongings, attended to marriages at the verge of divorce, and conducted funerals all because of church members.

The last was a family who were barely 4 months in church had an accident and the woman and her baby died on the spot. When I got there, their whole family was crying to me, asking me in tears 'pastor why?'

Who else is supposed to answer such a question? Its always the pastor. Yet in the midst of that, we bring courage and restore hope.

But when it comes to a pastor having money, people will frown and wag their tongue against it. And yet the economy is not different for pastors o!

Everyone else cries but when a pastor does, he has no faith.

Everyone can bring their problems to pastor but no one asks if pastor has eaten, he should tell it to God.

Everyone else can be forgiven when they make a mistake, but pastors' mistakes are unforgivable. ('And he calls himself a pastor' is always the line)

Everyone can be rich but not pastors, else the society will begin to talk.

You will read headlines, "members are poor but pastor is rich" but you won't ever hear of or read when "members are rich and their pastor is poor".

You think it doesn't happen?

I have seen a church where many members have big cars but they all drive home without anyone offering to drop pastor and his family home first, not to talk of buying him a car.

Do you know that majority of pastors are actually struggling financially, taking multiple jobs and even menial ones to survive?

But they won't tell you, especially the ones who probably deserve it more.

See let me tell you, if you see a pastor doing different jobs while in ministry, let your heart be moved favourably toward them and treat them honourably especially your pastor.

They're sacrificing a lot.

Instead of you quoting scriptures to teach that pastors should work (as if pastoring is not hard work), it should be your desire to be able to care for them to the point where they won't have to do other jobs to survive.

Don't join the bandwagons of those who dislike pastors and do all they can to defame them

*******

This post made me weak.

God bless every Pastor and every aspiring pastor in the house.

9 things you should know before you turn 20

This is not another generic post.
Age 20 is when you believe the world is at your feet because you just crossed over from your teens. Most people believe that they have a long way before they bother with the future and the shape their lives will take. Unfortunately, they don’t know that the daily choices even at that age greatly impacts on who they become.
Here are 9 things you should learn before you clock 20. I hope you did, though.
1. Writing
You don’t have to be a writer to write. However, writing down your goals and daily plans, help in ensuring you achieve them.
2. Reading
I can’t say it enough. Ancient wisdom says, ‘readers are leaders’. That in itself speaks volumes.
3. Building relationships
Someone I admire once said that relationships are currencies that can buy what money can’t buy. It is good to make good friends and support them when they need it. It’s a seed for tomorrow.
4. Give
In line with point (3), be generous and kind. Don’t wait till you have millions before you cultivate this habit.
5. Investments
You may not have the money to invest at that age but learn that it is good and all it entails so that when the money comes, you will recognize the opportunity.
6. Mentorship
This saves you the pain of making mistakes. The earlier you become accountable to someone that can impact positively on you, the better.
7. Positive thinking
This might be all that keeps you sane when life hits you hard. Also, only positive thinkers are able to show gratitude.
8. Caring for your body
It is easy that life may make you neglect your body but a habit of eating right and exercising from early on will help in future.
9. Believe in a higher power
Mehn! Some things just need faith for you to get through them. Simple.

There are many legends behind Saint Valentine. One is that in the 3rd century AD, it is said that Valentine, who was a priest, defied the order of the emperor Claudius and secretly performed Christian weddings for couples, allowing the husbands involved to escape conscription into the pagan army. This legend claims that soldiers were sparse at this time so this was a big inconvenience to the emperor. The account mentions that in order "to remind these men of their vows and God’s love, Saint Valentine is said to have cut hearts from parchment", giving them to these persecuted Christians, a possible origin of the widespread use of hearts on St. Valentine's Day.

This passage depicts how young men were forced into the army or an emperor denying them the opportunity to fall in love and marry and the priest went behind the emperor to perform marriage right for those who were willing to marry.
Today higher education and achievement is the emperor or Idol preventing our young ones from getting married early in life but wait until their 30's and 40's to decide on marriage and child birth, something that is time bound.
Child birth is time bound my sisters so don't wait until it's too late for you before you make that decision. You can always go back to school at any age but no amount of fasting and prayers or anointing oil will save you when it's too late for you to give birth. Make that decision now that you still have time, don't wait until it's too late.❤🥂

When people feel 'used' they begin to drop out, but when they feel appreciated they'll follow us anywhere. Paul, one of the finest leaders of all time, told the Corinthian believers, 'I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged...my joy knows no bounds' (2 Corinthians 7:3-4). He was their biggest cheerleader. He didn't just correct, he comforted. He didn't just sharpen, he strengthened - all hallmarks of great leadership.
Good leaders:
(1) Are consistent.
They set an example by walking the walk so everyone knows that what is heard at the bottom is practiced at the top.
(2) Voice their appreciation, realising that people need to know they are an important part of the team and the vision.
(3) Always listen to suggestions, opinions, concerns and ideas. They don't prejudge, and they are not dismissive. Author Betty Bender said: 'It's a mistake to surround yourself only with people just like you. Throw off that warm comforter and replace it with a crazy quilt of different and imaginative people. Then watch the ideas erupt!'
(4) Don't see people as statistics.
Businesswoman Mary Kay Ash said, 'P&L doesn't mean "profit and loss" - it means "people and love."'
(5) Explain why they like things done a specific way.
It lessens mistakes, and the resentment that can stem from feeling 'ordered around.' Statesman Clarence Francis said, 'You can buy a man's time and physical presence at a certain place...But you can't buy enthusiasm, initiative, loyalty and the devotion of hearts, minds and souls. You have to earn these things.' AMEN