SEVEN THINGS I LEARNT IN THE LAST 50 YEARS --
PASTOR DAVID OGBUELI'S GOLDEN JUBILEE SPEECH
1. THERE'S SOMETHING GREATER THAN SUCCESS: Success is not the ultimate thing in life. What matters most is the success of the people you've helped. The Legacy you leave behind is the Ultimate.
2. LIFE IS VERY SIMPLE; HUMAN BEINGS MAKE IT COMPLICATED: Think about this: There are only four seasons in the year, we only have ten fingers, there are only ten digits (every other number is a combination of the ten digits), there are three persons in Trinity, Ten Commandments, etc. Every other thing is a combination of the fundamentals. You do not need to master many things to be successful. Master the essentials and you can build on the rest.
FIVE THINGS EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND HAPPY
a. Everybody needs something to do [Work] or something to live for [Purpose]. Those who get the best out of life are those whose work is their passion because they are paid for doing what they love. If your own work is your purpose, you've found something better than someone who only works a job.
b. Everybody needs someone to believe in [Faith]. For me, that person is Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Everybody needs faith.
Apart from the Almighty God, we also need human beings to believe in. People need someone to inspire them to be better than themselves.
This is one of the responsibilities of people in leadership which include pastors, parents, mentors, political leaders etc.
c. Everybody needs someone to love and to cherish [Family & Friends]. Love is one of the most beautiful things to find in life. You can start this journey with your closest relationships like your spouse, your family and your friends. Like a nursing mother whose breast is full, when your heart is filled with compassion and love, and there is no one to give it to, it will start causing pain. If you miss love, you miss life.
d. Everybody needs something to look forward to [Hope]. You need to have an expectation in life. Hope is so important in living. Hopelessness is one of the leading causes of suicide and premature death.
e. Everybody needs principles to live by [Values]. That is why you need to get knowledge, education and self-development. But beyond knowledge, you need values and convictions to help govern your life. A life without values is – like a car without steering – heading for destruction.
3. ALL THE BLESSINGS OF LIFE COME THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS.
Prosperity, opportunities, success, promotion, etc. come as a result of relationships. Apart from God, human beings are our greatest assets on Earth. When God wants to bless you, He sends someone into your life. Every success is tied to people.
Human beings are also the greatest liability. When the devil wants to destroy you, he sends someone into your life.
It then follows that the subject of relationship requires discernment. Any scar you have, people gave it to you. Every joy you have, someone brought it into your life. Relationship carries the potential for the greatest blessing or curse. If you remove God, people will be your greatest assets in life. Even if you don't have any other thing in life, never be poor in relationships. Relationships like flowers need nurturing. They flourish when they are given attention and they wither when they are not. Value relationships!
4. THE KEY TO LIFE IS BALANCE. God Almighty is Holy and Righteous yet at the same time He is Merciful and Gracious. The nature of God is the balance between Grace and Truth. Like Jesus, it is a balance between being a lion and being a lamb. So, while you pursue God's highest ideals, be compassionate to people who are weak and falling. If your Christianity has virtues and values but lacks compassion, you are pursuing religious bigotry.
Jesus taught the highest standards, but He always went after the lost, to pick him up, cleaned him up and showed him the way. This is how we can change our country. Let’s all get into the business of recovery; recovering the nation’s decaying human resources, restoring and showing them the way. Try your best to model a balanced Christian life. While you have the best expectation of your fellow human beings (especially your spouse), make room for human frailty and weaknesses.
5. SUCCESS IN MINISTRY IS GROWING DISCIPLES AND RAISING LEADERS. NOT PREACHING TO MULTITUDES.
Genuine success is the evidence of transformed lives. Let's set this as our goal in ministry. Let the leaders we've raised become who God wants them to be.
6. CHRISTIANITY HAS TWO SIDES. THE LEGAL SIDE AND THE EXPERIENTIAL SIDE OF REDEMPTION. It has the Professing side and the Practicing side of Christianity. The key to transiting from Professing Christianity to Practicing Christianity is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is given to us to make us Partakers of the divine nature. The Holy Spirit within is the key to living a successful victorious Christian life while the Holy Spirit upon is the key to doing effective ministry. This is the difference between walking in the spirit and flowing in the anointing. It is the difference between being an authentic Christian and being an effective Minister.
7. NOTHING IN NATURE LIVES FOR ITSELF. Everything created is created for something else. For example vegetation was not created for itself but for humans and animals. The sun doesn't absorb its own light or heat. The river does not drink its own water. The tree does not eat its own fruit. The flower does not spread its fragrance for itself. Cows do not eat beef. In the same way, you are created, not for yourself, but for others. Living for others is the role of nature. Therein lies the secret of living. Life is not measured by how much you own. Life isn't given to us for consumption, but for contribution. This is the essence of life. I'm created not for myself, but for God, and for others.
There are only two kinds of life: an invested life and a wasted life. An invested life is a life of service and purpose. A wasted life is a life that is lived only for oneself. If the sun decides to absorb its own light and not give out, it turns into a black hole. Everything invested in you is for you to serve your generation. Only a portion is meant for you.
If God gives you more than what you need, what's it for? What's the purpose of having Money, Influence, Beauty, Power, Anointing, etc.? They are given to solve problems for others and for rendering service. If you live an invested life, at the end, The One that created you will tell you "Well done, good and faithful servant". If you live a wasted life, God has a dustbin where He will throw such people in the end. It is called Hell fire.
TEN AREAS I HAVE INVESTED MY LIFE OVER THE YEARS AND I’M STILL INVESTING.
1. In walking with God and seeking to know Him and His ways. That has paid off and that is why I am able to help people today.
2. In personal growth and development.
3. In loving my wife and raising my children well; placing premium on their education and moral upbringing.
4. In developing an army of priests and spiritual leaders.
5. In developing an army of transformational leaders in every sphere of society.
6. In the pursuit of the National Youth Development and Empowerment Project.
7. In pursuit of the Dominion Mandate and the development of Dominion City.
8. In the growth and well-being of the body of Christ in Nigeria.
9. In the pursuit of the Eastern Mandate and the transformation/development of my country Nigeria.
10. In the pursuit of World Missions especially in reaching the continent of Africa.
SEVEN THINGS I LEARNT IN THE LAST 50 YEARS --
PASTOR DAVID OGBUELI'S GOLDEN JUBILEE SPEECH
1. THERE'S SOMETHING GREATER THAN SUCCESS: Success is not the ultimate thing in life. What matters most is the success of the people you've helped. The Legacy you leave behind is the Ultimate.
2. LIFE IS VERY SIMPLE; HUMAN BEINGS MAKE IT COMPLICATED: Think about this: There are only four seasons in the year, we only have ten fingers, there are only ten digits (every other number is a combination of the ten digits), there are three persons in Trinity, Ten Commandments, etc. Every other thing is a combination of the fundamentals. You do not need to master many things to be successful. Master the essentials and you can build on the rest.
FIVE THINGS EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND HAPPY
a. Everybody needs something to do [Work] or something to live for [Purpose]. Those who get the best out of life are those whose work is their passion because they are paid for doing what they love. If your own work is your purpose, you've found something better than someone who only works a job.
b. Everybody needs someone to believe in [Faith]. For me, that person is Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Everybody needs faith.
Apart from the Almighty God, we also need human beings to believe in. People need someone to inspire them to be better than themselves.
This is one of the responsibilities of people in leadership which include pastors, parents, mentors, political leaders etc.
c. Everybody needs someone to love and to cherish [Family & Friends]. Love is one of the most beautiful things to find in life. You can start this journey with your closest relationships like your spouse, your family and your friends. Like a nursing mother whose breast is full, when your heart is filled with compassion and love, and there is no one to give it to, it will start causing pain. If you miss love, you miss life.
d. Everybody needs something to look forward to [Hope]. You need to have an expectation in life. Hope is so important in living. Hopelessness is one of the leading causes of suicide and premature death.
e. Everybody needs principles to live by [Values]. That is why you need to get knowledge, education and self-development. But beyond knowledge, you need values and convictions to help govern your life. A life without values is – like a car without steering – heading for destruction.
3. ALL THE BLESSINGS OF LIFE COME THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS.
Prosperity, opportunities, success, promotion, etc. come as a result of relationships. Apart from God, human beings are our greatest assets on Earth. When God wants to bless you, He sends someone into your life. Every success is tied to people.
Human beings are also the greatest liability. When the devil wants to destroy you, he sends someone into your life.
It then follows that the subject of relationship requires discernment. Any scar you have, people gave it to you. Every joy you have, someone brought it into your life. Relationship carries the potential for the greatest blessing or curse. If you remove God, people will be your greatest assets in life. Even if you don't have any other thing in life, never be poor in relationships. Relationships like flowers need nurturing. They flourish when they are given attention and they wither when they are not. Value relationships!
4. THE KEY TO LIFE IS BALANCE. God Almighty is Holy and Righteous yet at the same time He is Merciful and Gracious. The nature of God is the balance between Grace and Truth. Like Jesus, it is a balance between being a lion and being a lamb. So, while you pursue God's highest ideals, be compassionate to people who are weak and falling. If your Christianity has virtues and values but lacks compassion, you are pursuing religious bigotry.
Jesus taught the highest standards, but He always went after the lost, to pick him up, cleaned him up and showed him the way. This is how we can change our country. Let’s all get into the business of recovery; recovering the nation’s decaying human resources, restoring and showing them the way. Try your best to model a balanced Christian life. While you have the best expectation of your fellow human beings (especially your spouse), make room for human frailty and weaknesses.
5. SUCCESS IN MINISTRY IS GROWING DISCIPLES AND RAISING LEADERS. NOT PREACHING TO MULTITUDES.
Genuine success is the evidence of transformed lives. Let's set this as our goal in ministry. Let the leaders we've raised become who God wants them to be.
6. CHRISTIANITY HAS TWO SIDES. THE LEGAL SIDE AND THE EXPERIENTIAL SIDE OF REDEMPTION. It has the Professing side and the Practicing side of Christianity. The key to transiting from Professing Christianity to Practicing Christianity is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is given to us to make us Partakers of the divine nature. The Holy Spirit within is the key to living a successful victorious Christian life while the Holy Spirit upon is the key to doing effective ministry. This is the difference between walking in the spirit and flowing in the anointing. It is the difference between being an authentic Christian and being an effective Minister.
7. NOTHING IN NATURE LIVES FOR ITSELF. Everything created is created for something else. For example vegetation was not created for itself but for humans and animals. The sun doesn't absorb its own light or heat. The river does not drink its own water. The tree does not eat its own fruit. The flower does not spread its fragrance for itself. Cows do not eat beef. In the same way, you are created, not for yourself, but for others. Living for others is the role of nature. Therein lies the secret of living. Life is not measured by how much you own. Life isn't given to us for consumption, but for contribution. This is the essence of life. I'm created not for myself, but for God, and for others.
There are only two kinds of life: an invested life and a wasted life. An invested life is a life of service and purpose. A wasted life is a life that is lived only for oneself. If the sun decides to absorb its own light and not give out, it turns into a black hole. Everything invested in you is for you to serve your generation. Only a portion is meant for you.
If God gives you more than what you need, what's it for? What's the purpose of having Money, Influence, Beauty, Power, Anointing, etc.? They are given to solve problems for others and for rendering service. If you live an invested life, at the end, The One that created you will tell you "Well done, good and faithful servant". If you live a wasted life, God has a dustbin where He will throw such people in the end. It is called Hell fire.
TEN AREAS I HAVE INVESTED MY LIFE OVER THE YEARS AND I’M STILL INVESTING.
1. In walking with God and seeking to know Him and His ways. That has paid off and that is why I am able to help people today.
2. In personal growth and development.
3. In loving my wife and raising my children well; placing premium on their education and moral upbringing.
4. In developing an army of priests and spiritual leaders.
5. In developing an army of transformational leaders in every sphere of society.
6. In the pursuit of the National Youth Development and Empowerment Project.
7. In pursuit of the Dominion Mandate and the development of Dominion City.
8. In the growth and well-being of the body of Christ in Nigeria.
9. In the pursuit of the Eastern Mandate and the transformation/development of my country Nigeria.
10. In the pursuit of World Missions especially in reaching the continent of Africa.
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