Hello Mes Amis,

Happy new month to you all Readcashers and I'm using this opportunity to wish all Nigerians on the platform a happy independence month, may God restore the dignity and strength of Nigeria a thousand folds.

Last week Saturday, been the first of October, was indeed a memorable day for all the youth of THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH NIGERIA, LAWNA TERRITORY, AKURE CHAPTER, IWALEWA AREA. We had our youth convention which started on Friday, 31st of September, 2022. But the main event took place on Saturday. It was indeed a power packed service and we bless God for the success of the day. All praise and glory to God Almighty through his son Jesus Christ, Amen.

Self inadequacy

The theme for this year's youth convention is "DO NOT DESPISE THINE YOUTH". The preacher who spoke yesterday taught on 'How Timothy is a good example to today's Christian believers'. At first, I wanted to disagree with the topic because I thought within myself that why include Christian when believer as been written but then I quickly realise that the stage of Christianity as since formed a definite distinction between a believer and a Christian. But that's a topic for another day.

Timothy was a young, if not the youngest bishop (pastor) of that time. He was around 25 years old when he started heading a church and he was a potege of Paul the apostle. He was what we can refer to as the spiritual son of Paul. Now, Paul wrote a letter of admonitions to him telling to be courageous and not fear or let his youth be despised. The question here is why would Paul need to write to Timothy telling him to be courageous and not let anyone despise his youth?

Well, the answer to this is not far fetched. Timothy, young man without any experience in terms of leading or heading a church nor was he familiar with the people there, was asked to go head, not even a small assembly but a might congregation. For you to understand what I am saying, let me give you the breakdown of the church info.

The Ephesian church.

The church is situated in Asia and was Co founded by Paul and Barnabas. Paul stayed in the Ephesus for a duration of 3 years while he was on his way back from his second missionary journey.

• The Ephesian church is the only church that had two writers of bible (apostles that is) write to them. The first been Paul and the other been John the beloved.

• The Ephesian church had many great teachers and ministers. Apollo, Paul, Aquila are some of them.

• The prophetic and apostolic gifts and power was actively manifested to and by the church.

• The church had great understanding of the scriptures.

• Jesus even attested to the fact that the church of Ephesus scrutinized and test even those called apostles.

• The church of Ephesus are very strict and uncompromising when it comes to spiritual matters. Hence they are very mature.

Thus, it is normal that Timothy, not even an apostle but a young bishop, be afraid and trembling. But Paul his father told him; 'Dont be afraid of them or think lowly of yourself'.

This strikes a point in my heart. You will only be regarded the same way you regard yourself! If you think highly of yourself, people will eventually think highly of you. If you think lowly of yourself people will see you as a low person. Hence, the value you give to yourself goes a long way in what people will see you as.

Never think you are not worth respect or attention or good and luxurious things. You are worth more than those thing. Paul told his son, never be afraid. He continued by saying he should be strong in the Lord and his doctrines. He should never be swayed by what others say or do. So also, we too must never be swayed by useless thinking, genealogies, doctrines, commandments or ideologies. For us to do this, we, ourselves, must know what the truth is. You can't give what you don't have! So, grow in power, in wisdom and in the grace and love of God. I guess what I'm saying in essence is that all you need to overcome to succeed is your self inadequacy.

The preacher said something I find noteworthy. Although I have written an article on it before, yet I find it good to repeat it. He said 'it is said that knowledge is power, I disagree. Knowledge on it own is never power. But knowledge when put to action because wisdom which is power!' So, when I say grow in wisdom, I mean, acquire knowledge and put it to action. Potential knowledge as never done any good or bad thing only progressive and kinetic knowledge.

God bless his words in our heart. Once again, HAPPY NEW MONTH

Thank you for reading this article. Don't forget, you always have a choice! So choose the right one.