Chapter Nine- Forgiveness

Growing up, I remember my fathers family told me that the reason why my mother left me when I was 2 months old is because she never loved me. Since then my heart was surrounded with hatred and grudges. Things became worse when my father got married again, my step mother was ill-treating me, I cried day and night, with no one to help me. My father used to always say that things will get better. I used to ask myself how long I had to endure that kind of life, to the extent hat I even contemplated suicide- I overdoses on sleeping tablets. I was so angry and disappointed that I was still alive, things never changed instead I was dying inside, my heart was getting dirty.

When I was 16, doing my Matric, I asked my brother to reunite me with my biological mother; this would be the first time we meet as I grew up without her. When I met my mother, she had converted to Christianity, and she prayed that God would soften my heart and allow me to forgive her. She never gave up on that prayer until my heart softened up. After 16-17 years of not knowing her, I met her and although I still had anger and hurt. I wanted to now my mother, I wanted to feel her love.

I then lived with my mother, I would walk past her and ignore her as I could not get past the rejection. My aunt, who saw the situation, invited me to the church and told me that only God can help me deal with my anger and frustrations; after refusing to go with her for sometime- I took her up on her invitation. I remember the day so clearly, it was a Wednesday, and the pastor said in his preaching that "You can have everything this world could offer, e.g. a house, car, good marriage, etc. but if you don't have a forgiving heart everything you have is meaningless." he called those who had hard time forgiving and letting go of the past to come in front of the altar and ask God to forgive them. I believe I was the first one to stand up, and since that day- after pouring out my soul to God - I couldn't wait to go home, for the first time I hugged my mother with tears of joy in my eyes. With cheerful heart, I told my mother how much I loved her and forgave her for everything, I even forgave my step mother.

Today I can say I talk to my step mother more than my dad. After two years of having the love of my mother she passed on, but I believed her heart was at peace because all her children were united. When you decide to forgive God helps you in all aspects.

Take hold, for God always forgives us even Jesus He forgave all our sins, forgiveness opens the way. "But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared." (Psalms 130:4)

The strength of the youth comes from within!!!!!

Chapter Eight- Courage

The Lord Jesus had courage to face death... King David had courage to face the giant... Daniel had courage to kill the lion... Esther had courage to confront the King... Peter had courage to walk on the water... Shadrack, Meshack and Abednigo had courage to face the fire because of what they believed.

Many men and women of God had courage to face the imposer that was against their freedom. Being courageous takes guts, looking straight ahead to conquer what you want. Courage means standing firm to your beliefs no matter what happens or how the wind blows, or how heavy rain is- you stand steadfast. Courage doesn't have second thoughts, you don't allow doubts to overshadow your life.

You just enter in the cage where they are many lions and face the problem. You don't care whether they will eat you alive or not. Courage brings results in ones life, never doubt or allow anyone to put you down! Look ahead and face your mountains because the courage you have will make you reach the top.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)

The strenght of the youth comes from within!!!!!

Chapter Seven- Sadness

Sadness occurs when it is least expected. I remember my sister saying something that made me angry and sad that I ended up crying like a baby. After a while I looked at her and the fact that she never cared or felt sorry for what she said. Suddenly, I heard an inner voice that said take out what is making you sad for it will never benefit you with anything, it will only cause you harm internally. " So the king asked me, "why does you face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart. "I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?" (Nehemiah 2:2-3)

As I thought about that word, my heart became calm and the sadness was removed instantly.Sadness is something that is always there expected or unexpected, it will always take place whether rich or poor, strong or weak it doesn't choose, it affect everyone who lives on this earth. It is my duty not to keep sadness in my heart but to remove it, because it will overpower me. I must crush it and move on with my life as if nothing has ever happened.

The Lord Jesus knew that one day his disciple was going to betray him, he was sad for a moment, and even tried to warn Judas, but Judas never heeded the advice; instead he closed his ears when Jesus was speaking. Sadness affects everyone but let us not allow it to rule our lives because it will destroy us.

The strength of the youth comes from within!!!!!

Chapter six- The Youth

The Bible states in the book of Ecclesiastes 11.9 that " be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment".

Youth enjoy your days while you still young but remember the day of Judgment. God himself says we must enjoy our young days to the fullest and do what our hearts desire. Although He says that, He warns us of the limits to enjoying our youth which is not to exceed or over step the freedom God has given us.

The simple fact is that, when I do what is wrong I will be judged on it. As a youth of God, I should not cross the boundaries and commits acts that are not in accordance to the word of God, things that are against his command. God really want me to have this freedom and still I can not oppose him by doing what is against his will. Nowadays in our country we the youth have rights and these rights can not make us disrespect the will of God after all, He is the creator of Heaven and Earth. He created me, so how can I make myself a superior?

God always looks at what we do in fact, he looks when no one is looking; take care of the gift that the Lord has given to you before it is too late.

The strength of the youth comes from within!!!!!

Chapter five- Sacrifice

Sacrifice brings results- when the Lord Jesus died for us on the cross; he sacrificed his life for us that we may never have to suffer. Analyzing the word sacrifice one fact that is clear, everything in life requires sacrifice. Whatever you want to achieve you have to sacrifice for it! A sacrifice is a commitment you apply yourself in doing, especially when you believe that Jesus has paid the price for you. To deny one will is a form of sacrifice; to be converted is a sacrifice; for me to say Lord I leave everything to do your will that's a big sacrifice. When you strive to get something definitely a sacrifice is required. Sacrifice is the subject of all your dreams to come true.

He saw him who was invisible burning fire he saw from Sinai to Egypt, he (Moses) never gave up his victory from slavery he set his people free, dreams can be possible if we obey and the mouth has spoken let us do whatever it says, the Lord is on the mountain that we must climb the height is doesn't matter, let us get to the top, I'll fight until the end I will run to get the price a holy opportunity I chose the hard way, I will fight until I get the promises the Lord has made my eyes are on the target sacrifice is the way" (quoted from a song)

This is the only way, no escape whether you believe in God or not sacrifice is needed. You don't have to sacrifice for what you want; you can sit on a chair and fold your arms for the rest of your life and end up nowhere. "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ". (1Peter 2:5) Sacrifice is the only way to put our lives in the standard we want.

The strength of the youth comes from within!!!!!

Chapter four- Servant

A servant in this context, can be described as one who serves, does services-voluntarily or on compulsion; a person who is employed by another for menial offices, or for other labor, and is subject to his command; a person who labors or exerts himself for the benefit of another, his master or employer; a subordinated helper.

A servant depends on his master and always does what the master tells him/her to do. Thinking back on the day I converted to Jesus, the day I decided in my heart to serve God. I asked Him (God) to make me a servant, I remember saying to him "my Lord, a servant I choose to be, when I am weak Lord strengthen me; my eyes will never look behind, I cling to you for you are my master".

A servant is willing to go an extra mile to do what he was told and more than that, a servant is alert, punctual, dedicated and observant. A servant is not easily angered and considers people's interest more important that their own. He does not look down on others; he has passion/compassion for others. To be a servant comes from within, its an individual choice. A servant is fully committed to his master. Let us be servants of God.

The strength of the youth comes from within!!!!!

Chapter three- Encounter and the Mind

An encounter: The word encounter can be defined as an experience. One may ask, "Do you have an encounter with God?" This is a question that the individual has to answer. I can vouch for myself and say that I have an encounter with God because He has taken me out of the pit of misery and suffering and presented forth a brand new life that promises hope and opportunities for a brighter future. For that reason, I will never forget where He has taken me from and thus I say; I have an encounter with him (God).

There was a dark time in my life, when I thought I was unloved, I felt my being born was a mistake. My life was so worthless and with no hope of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I use to cry out for some sort of love or affection but to no avail. I had decided to end this my senseless life, but the one above (God) never let any harm to come to me. He protected me from death.

When my eyes were opened, I saw the reason why God brought me to this earth; He showed me his unconditional love from that experience I saw that I had an encounter with God. God had really changed my life, my life, my thoughts, vision and every thing other aspect to my inner being. An encounter starts in the heart, and for me to take a decision starts from with in. You ask yourself, " How?", if you decide to go and look for a job, you first contemplate it in your mind and once you have taken that decision to go out and get it, nothing can stand in your way. That happens because when you plan something in your mind and later put this plan in your heart, you will achieve what you set out to do.

The bible says in the book of Proverbs 4:23 "Guard your heart for it is the well spring of life", The heart is where everything is kept. Dear friend whatever you decide with your mind be careful that it does not corrupt your heart. Have an encounter with God and you will see the great reward in doing so.

The strength of the youth comes from within!!!!!

Chapter two- Calling

Many were called by God: " As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth." Follow me, " he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him." (Matthew 9:9) Jesus never spoke twice; Matthew heeded the first time and immediately got up and followed Jesus.

Paul was called by the will of God and he definitely believed in his calling because he taught people the ways and will of God. As a servant called by God, I have to believe in my calling. Many times I stopped believing in my calling and what God was saying to me, I was not following His will because I doubted my calling.

If Paul had not believed in his calling, his character would have remained the same as he used to be a liar, persecutor, murder etc. He believed that his calling was not by chance, God saw a man of courage; a man who believes in his convictions; a man that was prepared to die for what he believed in - The gospel of Christ, a man who was willing to go all over the world and save those were in the hands of the evil one.

If I do what Paul did- believe in my calling, believed that I was called to make a difference in the world. God said many are called but few are chosen. I have to fight to be among the chosen ones of God, so do you, "Matthew 4:18". This calling is individual and is up to you to follow it, don't look back; in you there's great potential to be a tool of God.

The strength of the youth comes from within!!!!!!