10/03/2025
[3/9, 5:54 AM] Rev Kanu Chikwere Ogbonna: Sunday, 9th March 2025
THE POWER OF A BOOK
Today’s Quote:
Information and education lead to civilization and transformation.
Scripture Verse:
"And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure" (Isaiah 33:6).
Many people, especially in some parts of the world, doubt that reading a book can provide the solution to their problems. A particularly disturbing joke that I once heard says, “If you want to hide something from an African, put it in a book.” The idea is that people, especially in some cultures, tend to overlook books when searching for answers to life’s questions. However, the reality is that what you're searching for in life and how to obtain it can often be found in a book. The key is finding the right book.
What sets developed nations apart from developing ones is the level of education. The literacy rate in a society is a common indicator of its level of civilization and the standard of living of its people.
One quote that has consistently guided me says, “Leaders are readers.” When Joshua succeeded Moses as leader of Israel, his task was to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. This land was filled with giants and skilled warriors, while Israel’s army was inexperienced. Yet, God’s plan for Joshua’s success can be found in Joshua 1:8:
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
All of humanity's knowledge and wisdom can be found in books. The library, therefore, is one of the most powerful places on Earth. Those who walk through its halls are walking the corridors of power. If you step into the home of a great and influential person, you'll always find a personal library or study. Great individuals have a habit of reading and learning continually. Through reading, we fill our minds with knowledge, which, when processed, leads to wisdom. When applied, wisdom gives us understanding. These qualities—wisdom, knowledge, and understanding—are the cornerstones of greatness, and they are accessed through diligent study, reading, and application.
Sadly, today's generation is so distracted by numerous things that they often neglect the practice of reading books or seeking education. Education is defined as the process of acquiring knowledge, enhancing reasoning, and judgment, and preparing oneself intellectually for a mature life. Education must go beyond formal classrooms. It requires us to read and learn from sources outside our academic syllabus. Progress in life, both intellectual and material, is directly tied to education.
God will prosper you mentally before He prospers you financially. What will set you apart is the kind of books you read each day. Your next level may be hidden within the pages of a book. May God lead you to that book, and may you have the discipline to read it and apply its wisdom.
PROPHETIC INSTRUCTION
Those who doubt that reading a book can solve their problems should remember that the Bible itself is a book—and within it, we find all the answers to life’s questions and all the solutions to humanity’s problems.
CONFESSION
Whatever is hindering me from cultivating a culture of reading and studying the books that will transform my life dies today. I now desire and receive an insatiable hunger for reading books that will enrich me, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Further Study:
• Deuteronomy 17:18-20
• Esther 6:1-10
• Revelation 5:1-12
BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 26-28
MONTHLY DECLARATION: I Will Build My Capacity Stylishly - 2 Timothy 2:15
©Dr. Nick Ezeh 2025
[3/9, 10:15 PM] Rev Kanu Chikwere Ogbonna: Monday, 10th March 2025
REGAINING CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE
Today’s Quote: Whatever you cannot control will control you.
Scriptural Verse:
"…for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bo***ge" (2 Peter 2:19).
Many people tend to blame everything that isn’t working in their lives on outside circumstances. They create powerful excuses for their failures and shortcomings. They avoid useful feedback, resist learning new skills, and waste precious time on things that don't matter. They refuse to invest in their future, always argue, and never ask for advice. The truth is, when you refuse to learn from your mistakes and grow from them, you only keep repeating them.
People who live this way are stuck in their automatic, conditioned responses—responses that they’ve learned over time and now act out without thinking. These conditioned responses happen in interactions with spouses, children, colleagues, customers, and the world around them. For the most part of their day, they are like a bundle of automatic reflexes, responding without control. They live a robotic life and, sadly, they accept this as their reality.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with automatic responses. In fact, as humans, our goal is to program ourselves to respond automatically to various situations. But if that programming is faulty, if your automatic responses are wrong, then you're setting yourself up for failure. This is when you lose control of your life, and your "alter ego" (as psychologists call it) or "carnal nature" (as the Bible refers to it) takes over. This part of you tends to make decisions when you're anxious, fearful, indecisive, or evasive.
If you find yourself often regretting decisions, questioning your actions, or saying things like, “I don’t know what came over me”—it’s a clear sign that you're being driven by a wrong program. The unfortunate result of this kind of living is a life stuck in repetitive cycles. You keep facing the same problems with the same people year after year. You might find yourself going in circles, feeling like you're walking the devil’s treadmill. If nothing in your life has changed in the past year, it’s because a wrong program is running in your mind, keeping you stuck.
PROPHETIC INSTRUCTION
This week, think before you act, and be willing to let go of what isn’t serving you.
CONFESSION
I will not go around in cycles. I refuse to repeat mistakes or make excuses for who I am and where I am in life. I pay attention to my motivations and actively program myself for success.
Further Study:
• Romans 8:5-10
• Ephesians 4:22-24
• Colossians 3:9-10
Share this message with someone who needs encouragement and inspiration.
BIBLE READING PLAN: 1Corinthians 3-4
MONTHLY DECLARATION: As My Yoke Is Broken, I Go Into My Possession - Isaiah 54:1-17
©Dr. Nick Ezeh 2025
