INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT NUGGETS FOR FEBRUARY

Reality often sets in after the first month of every new year. Doors of opportunity initially thought to be opened are suddenly closed, uncertainties and indifference begin to set in, and new trials emerge. Yet, the journey of the new year must continue.

In the four nuggets below, Dr. Pipim deals with some of the challenges we often face after January’s allure of a new year begins to fade. Through the pregnant paragraphs shared in February, he urges:
 
        1. Don't Be Discouraged
        2. Don't Doubt
        3. Don't Be Indifferent
        4. Don't Be Impatient 
 
Each of these inspirational quotes are one-paragraph long, and deal with a wide variety of subjects. The goal is to inspire, encourage, and challenge. They are the weekly thought-nuggets that he shared in the month of February  2013. (For information on how to access previous nuggets, see below) Feel free to share.
 
The Journey Continues 
 
1. Don't Be Discouraged 

WHEN DOORS ARE CLOSED
Despite our best intentions and efforts, doors of opportunity sometimes shut in our faces: Prospects are blocked, relationships are terminated, & scholarships, school admissions, job offers, and visa requests are denied.  It’s Divine Providence & timing that close certain doors in order to re-direct us to new & welcoming ones. Thus, Paul and his team “were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. … They tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us’...” (Acts 16:6-10). Don’t despair, but catch the vision: With every closed door, another beckons us to enter!—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim 

 
2. Don't Doubt 

HE SPEAKS OUR LANGUAGE
Nelson Mandela said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”  Indeed, God often speaks to our hearts using our own language. Paul’s Damascus road experience confirms this fact: “I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the HEBREW LANGUAGE, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? … I have appeared to you for this purpose…” (Acts 26:12-18). If we honestly desire to know God’s will, He’ll make it abundantly clear. Don’t fret about His purpose for your life, or what to do on a pressing issue. He’ll speak in your language—He’ll speak to your heart. There’ll be no doubt in your mind.—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim 

 
3. Don't Be Indifferent 

THE SILENT MAJORITY
Injustice is often celebrated because of the shout of silence. For a while, Truth is violently overthrown, exiled, or assassinated because its vanguards are too afraid to speak out. Our days are no different from the days when Ahab and Jezebel, actively aided by the silence of “the elders and nobles,” conspired to murder Naboth (1 Kings 21:1-16). Alas, reputations, prospects, and lives are often ruined because the voices of conscience are mute. NO, the silent majority are never silent! Their voices of apathy are louder than the courage of their convictions. And because they passively go along in order to get along or get ahead, the silent majority are worse than criminals.—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim 

 
4. Don't Be Impatient 

GROWING IN PATIENCE
We must possess both passive and active patience—i.e., longsuffering (bearing long with others) and endurance (calmly dealing with life’s adversities). You can tell God is growing you in patience when you run into many anguishing experiences; when the things or people you depend on suddenly fail you; when your life seems to be in detours; when prolonged illness and afflictions plague you; when your situation goes from bad to worse; and when you cry out to God for help and He doesn’t seem to care. Patience is like a beautiful diamond; it emerges after the rock of faith is subjected to trials’ intense heat and pressure (Romans 5:3, 4; James 1:2-4).—Samuel Koranteng-Pipim 

 
The above, and previous thought nuggets, are also available on his EAGLESonline website.  You're welcome to freely share the inspirational thought nuggets, provided you give full credit to the author and cite this source. For more information, contact Dr. Pipim through the "Contact Us" link.