The Tribune

By Rev Angela C Bosfield Palacious

When you speak to children about success you can use the following images to explain why you regularly remind them to do homework and pay attention in class:

1. Running a race with the coach, the fans and team members cheering you on, motivating you to run faster.

2. A band leader gets you to practice over and over until you sound your very best.

3. A Junkanoo group keeps going until every section is ready for Bay.

When it comes to school work, parents, teachers and other interested adults should want to see academic success as much as they want sporting success. Bless them with your words:

1. You have a great future ahead of you.

2. God has plans for you to succeed.

3. You are on the way to cultivating a powerful personality.

Refrain from using sarcasm or insults to bully them into obedience. Try to compliment more than criticise and hopefully they will respond to your positive approach.

We each need to have people to cheer us on. I had amazing god-parents who joined my wonderful parents in predicting success for me, and demanding accountability. Family chats offer perfect opportunities to speak words of praise and encouragement. Loyal praying friends are a true gift from God.

Encouraging yourself

We can each begin our day with the reminder that:

1. This is a new day to celebrate the gift of life.

2. I am made in God's image.

3. I am special, unique, and gifted.

4. These are the things I do well (make a list to give God thanks).

5. I am doing my best in some areas, but I need to have someone tutor me or mentor me so that I may improve.

6. God has blessed me in so many ways (list them).

God's encouragement

1. The Bible is the best book to encourage us to aspire to become more like Jesus Christ by inviting the Holy Spirit to change us on the inside. Titus 3: 3- 8 NIV states: "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."

This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

1. Prayer is the perfect process to be blessed by God's affirmation as approval and delight. Praying for ourselves combined with the intercessions of others is a powerful combination as found in Philippians 1: 3-6 and 9-11 NIV: "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus…And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God."

2. Worship in a Christian fellowship allows us to gather with persons of like mind. Colossians 3:15-17 NIV sums it up in this way: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

3. God's presence is an assuring promise as found in Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.

Similarly, in Matthew 28:19-20 NIV: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."