Categories
Yielding the mind

Why should we study Proverbs?

This month of November, we are studying the book of Proverbs. If you missed the first post, you can find it at the foot of the page. I don’t know about you, but I want to be a wise woman. The Bible says that wisdom is profitable to direct , it helps us make sound decisions and live with purpose. But wisdom doesn’t come automatically; it’s something we grow into through learning and applying God’s Word. Let’s look at Proverbs 1:2–6 to understand why this book is so important. We will take one verse per time .

“Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

He says this book is written to teach people wisdom and discipline, which means wisdom and discipline can actually be taught. So when you read this book, you are yielding yourself to lessons of wisdom and discipline. You’re saying, “Lord, teach me how to think, how to live, and how to make sound decisions.” It also means that if by the time you finish reading this book you are not wiser or more disciplined, then you didn’t really read it well, because this book carries power to transform the way you live. He also says this book will teach you to understand the insights of the wise. In other words, as you grow in wisdom, the things that once sounded “too deep” or “too complex” will start to make sense. You’ll begin to understand what wise people mean when they speak, because your spirit and mind are being trained in understanding. Now, let’s go to verse 3.

“Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Loveee this one! We are being taught discipline and success! Don’t you want to succeed? Because I dooo! This is exactly why it’s so important for us to study this book especially now, as we prepare to step into a new year. By the time we finish, we’ll have gained understanding that will propel us to go forward. Proverbs helps us to do what is right, just, and fair. It teaches us how to live in a way that pleases God. I don’t know any truly saved person who enjoys doing wrong , it’s just not in our nature anymore. So, this book becomes your friend and companion in the journey of living right and walking wisely. Now, let’s go to verse 4

“These proverbs will give you great skill to teach the immature and make them wise, to give youth the understanding of their design and destiny.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭TPT‬‬

This is a skills book! It teaches the immature how to become wise and gives young people understanding about who they are, their design , and what their destiny is. That’s why it’s such a powerful read for the youth. Leave all the magazines alone for a moment and open the Book of Proverbs! It will teach discernment to the young. And if there has ever been a time when we, as young people, needed discernment, it’s now! So many don’t know who they are or what they’re called to do. But this book will point you in the right direction, helping you discover your purpose and identity in God. Now, let’s look at verse 5 I hope you’re learning something.

“For the wise, these proverbs will make you even wiser, and for those with discernment, you will be able to acquire brilliant strategies for leadership.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭TPT‬‬

“I thought only the unwise or fools should read Proverbs.” You’re wrong. This book is also for the wise! He says, listen , if you are already wise, you can become even wiser. There’s no limitation! You are your own limitation if you’re comfortable staying on the same level of wisdom you’ve been operating in. He tells us that wise people can read and gain another dimension , another level, more, better, higher!

And to those who already have discernment, don’t say, “This isn’t for me.” No , you have the opportunity to acquire strategies for leadership. Where are the leaders? Read this book and receive divine strategies. It will give you the right ideas to implement and the guidance to lead with excellence. Can you see that we’re becoming what creation has been groaning and waiting for? Let’s stop here for today. Take some time to really reflect , are you interested in becoming wise, or wiser? Or are you content with being shallow and indisciplined ? Bring a friend tomorrow. ❤️


Categories
Yielding the mind

The book of Proverbs [1]

Greetings my people!

Shock of my life yesterday, I was somehow locked out of my account and couldn’t access it to write! But glory to God, it’s fixed now. Eh, I almost cried for 72 hours straight. 😭 Somehow, though, I just knew I’d recover it, because God knows how much I would’ve nagged Him to supernaturally intervene. That’s the kind of relationship I have with Him, personal, EXRA , and sometimes dramatic! They say, “wherever and whenever you see am, bill am!” 😂

Anyway, we are back, and I want us to take a journey of Wisdom together. We’re going to have a great time studying the Book of Proverbs! You have your Bible, don’t you? Let’s go!

I’ve read the Book of Proverbs a couple of times before, but this time, I came with curiosity. I found myself asking, how does one man carry such wisdom to write a book that solves so many of life’s problems, yet the very people facing those problems haven’t taken the time to study him closely? So I told myself, I’m going to study people who have what I want, how did they get it, what principles did they follow to keep it, and how did it shape their lives and the lives of those around them?

Take Solomon, for example: he was the wisest man who ever lived, so if I desire wisdom, he’s someone I must study carefully. There were also wealthy men in the Bible who walked with God and handled riches righteously, they too are worth studying. Even in real life, who are the people who have what you desire or are doing what you dream of doing? Humble yourself and learn from them. If they’re not within reach, follow their pages, read their books, study, and listen. We rise by revelation, and revelation is simply revealed knowledge.

Proverbs starts off with an introduction , Solomon presenting not just his book, but the purpose behind it. To every writer, this alone is a powerful lesson. Writing without purpose is useless. Never write a book just to add the title “author” to your name; you will not be impactful if your writing lacks intention. That’s the first lesson we learn from the book of Proverbs purpose must precede expression.

Solomon clearly defines what his book is about, who it is for, and what it aims to produce in its readers. The contents, the audience, and the desired outcome are all made plain. So before you write, teach, or build anything, ask yourself: Who is this for? Who will benefit? Why am I doing this? Solomon gives us a detailed introduction in Proverbs 1:1–6. We are bible people, lezz read.

1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.
3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.
5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance
6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.

So in verse one, Solomon introduces himself as the author. “These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.” Let the world say what they want if you create something original, whether it’s a post, a blog, a design, or a business, tag it. Make sure your name is on it. If you check MPG posts, you’ll notice we always include our logo or our name. Imagine writing a whole book and forgetting to put the author’s name on it! Our generation sometimes confuses humility with hiding, but true humility doesn’t mean erasing your identity. My love, if it’s your original work, own it. This book is by you. That business is by you. Your name matters. Think about it , billionaires don’t just have money, they have names. Mention their names and you immediately know who they are and what they do. They built a name, a brand. So don’t shrink back because someone might laugh at you for branding your business or ministry with your name ,you’re going somewhere!

We’re learning from a wise man here. Solomon began his book by boldly saying, “This is my work.” It’s not the work of Moses, Peter, James, or even his father David. It’s Solomon’s work. That alone carries a lesson. There was a time in Zimbabwe when there was so much hunger that people sold both branded bread and no-name bread. The no-name loaf was cheaper and actually very nice, but the branded one was expensive and still sold well. To this day, I can’t tell you the name of the company that made the no-name bread because they never built a name. They even called themselves no name! That’s how some people are today. Your business or ministry exists, but there’s no logo, no identity, no mark. Yet Canva is free go design a logo! If you can’t, pay someone who can. Get a name. Build something that people can recognize and remember.

You won’t make a mark by simply existing you must be known for something. Imagine if Gucci said, “We don’t want to be known.” Then they’re not ready to sell! Today’s takeaway? Brand it. Put your name out there. Who knows you? What do they know you for? As Proverbs begins, “These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.” And on that note , this is The Yielded Center, a blog by Vanessa Ziyambi, two-time author and professional counsellor. Have a great day and see you tomorrow! 💛

Introduce yourself in the comments , tell us who you are and what you do. Let’s get to know you and your brand.

Categories
The Yielded Believer

Worship Wednesday

Today I don’t have much to say because on Wednesdays we focus on praising and worshipping the Lord.

I have a scripture for us and a book I’d love for us to read. I hope you are all okay and doing your best to be the best. And I hope it’s to the best of your ability and in the best of ways.

“Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name.”

‭‭I Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Have an amazing praise filled day!❤️

Categories
Dealing with self

Takers vs Givers II

How would the world look if people were both takers and givers? If the world found balance between giving and taking… If the takers didn’t take advantage of the givers, and the givers didn’t look down or lord over the takers? Imagine a world where both understood that life flows best in mutual exchange where generosity meets gratitude, and receiving is not greed but humility. If you haven’t read Part 1, please scroll to the bottom of the page for context and understanding. Welcome to The Yielded Blogs. We love ❤️ and laugh here😂

I’ve made an example of my mother before if you still recall. I grew up in a big family. Both my maternal and paternal families are large, full of people with different personalities, different pockets, and different lifestyles. My mother and other people were uniquely standing out, particularly because of kindness. I mentioned the size of my families intentionally because this woman was kind to many people.

I watched her closely. I observed the exchange, and I noticed a strange pattern. The takers would take and disappear. Then, after a while, they would come back, take again, and disappear once more. Sometimes it took a year before they reappeared only to take again. And then I looked at the giver she was perfectly fine with it. I thought that was very sad.

Then I grew up and realised it’s not unusual to see such situations. It happens everywhere even in the church. The servants of God will labour and labour, yet nobody thinks to send a simple thank you card. You could break a bone feeding a family, and your spouse may never cook you a single meal as a gesture of gratitude. People have normalised selfishness to the point where they feel entitled to your service, your money, and your time. Do you know that we treat God the same way?

A generation of takers only remembers one part of the Lord’s Prayer “Give us this day our daily bread.” When the prayers are about money, food, or marriage, the room is full and the voices are loud. But when it’s time to pray about the Kingdom, people suddenly have exams, meetings, and urgent errands. We take from God daily, His mercy, His breath, His provision yet we still argue about tithe, debate offerings, and refuse to give Him our time. The Giver keeps giving. The taker keeps taking. Again, l find it to be very sad.

Oh, but there’s a paradox to it. There are takers who genuinely want to give back once in a while, but the givers refuse to receive. Some people believe they are only meant to give and never to take. I can relate to that. You give and give and give until the day someone tries to return the gesture, no matter how small, and suddenly you feel uncomfortable. You reject the gift, thinking it’s humility, but it’s not. That, too, is imbalance.

Why? Because life was designed to flow both ways. Giving and receiving are both acts that keep relationships alive and healthy. When the flow stops, frustration starts, the kind that comes from always pouring out and never being poured into. God never drops blessings directly from the sky. He delivers them to your doorstep through people. Sometimes, someone just wants to love you, appreciate you, or bless you in a small way. Receive it. It’s ironic, the same generosity that blesses others can, when closed off to receiving, turn into quiet pride, exhaustion, or loneliness. True humility isn’t just in giving it’s also in being willing to receive with grace. Because when you receive, you give someone else the joy of giving. You turn a taker into a giver.

Now, in practical terms, how many people have you been a blessing to this year? In your friendships? Your family? Your church? Your community? How many people can truly say you became a blessing to them? Maybe to go a step further, what did you do. Think about it. Really think about it.

And how many people blessed you? You might be tempted to say nobody, but that’s not true. Maybe it was someone who spoke a word of encouragement when they could’ve let you cry alone. Maybe it was your parents, your friend, or even a stranger. What I want you to do is to learn the flow of relationships , giving and receiving that creates a healthy environment for love to thrive.

It’s almost Christmas, prepare a gift for someone. I always encourage those in MPG: prepare a gift for your parents, no matter how small. Send that thank you message. Tell God thank you! And if there’s a need in your church maybe there are no brooms, no flowers, or something simple that’s missing , buy it. Remember, we are learning to give and take, take and give. That’s how the cycle of blessing stays alive.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 6:38 NIV



Categories
The Yielded Believer

Takers vs givers

Gooooodmorning! I love you guys, I hope you know that. Happy new week! Buy my books. Join MPG. Study. Read the Word. Pray. Fast. Show up for your business. Brand and rebrand. Write the book. There are so many accredited free courses online, so study something. Think of new ideas. Meditate. Above all, this week requires that you show up fully for God and for yourself. Do your best, okay? Ok cool. Let’s go!

We live in a world where people give and take. Since the beginning, it has always been a cycle of giving and receiving. God gives, we take; we give, and God takes. That’s the rhythm of life. This same pattern flows into how we live with one another. God gave us His Son, and in return, we give Him glory , do you understand where I’m coming from? It’s a that exchange , that’ flow, that sustains everything. As people, we are called to follow that same pattern not necessarily by dying for each other, of course, but by living in alignment with this art of giving and receiving. It’s what keeps the world running.

Let me ask you a question , are you a giver or a taker? Or are you both? The answer should be, I am both. If you answered “giver,” understand this: nobody should always be the one giving while nothing is ever reciprocated. That kind of imbalance breeds bitterness, anger, and resentment. It drains the giver until there’s nothing left to pour. Even God, who gives abundantly, requires that we give something too. I’ve already mentioned giving Him glory, but there’s so much more. Offer your body as a living sacrifice. Give your offerings. Pay your tithes. Offer prayers. All these are forms of giving but remember, it’s not meant to be one-way.

Anything that operates only one way is bound to create frustration ANd it eventually destroys the giver. Think about it: if the ground is meant to give you fruit, you must first give it the seed and the rain. Without that, you could wait twelve months and still see no harvest. Fruits are never 100% the work of the soil, no matter how fertile it is. There’s always a human who sows the seed and a God who sends the rain.

You see, if only one gives, the cycle is incomplete. People often say, “I’m a giver,” but many of those same people are the most frustrated because they fail to understand that givers are also meant to receive, just as takers are meant to give. It’s as simple, and as complex, as that.

Someone may have said, “I am a taker.” Takers are often the selfish ones, the greedy ones. And the tricky part? They usually don’t see it. They convince themselves it’s okay, but it’s not. If that sounds like you, I want you to know, it’s not okay.

If you’re unsure which one you are, don’t worry. Tomorrow, I’ll share a list that can help you identify whether you’re more of a giver or a taker. Why is it important to have these kinds of conversations? Because we lose valuable people when we don’t understand the art of cultivating and nurturing relationships.

Relationships don’t just “work out” on their own they are made to work out. The people involved have to put in the effort. It’s not about wishing or fantasizing; it’s about doing the work. Whether it’s family, a couple, friends, or colleagues, relationships must be a two-way, reciprocal process if they are to become strong and healthy.

When we keep losing relationships, we must stop throwing tantrums and take a moment to reflect what exactly was the flow of that relationship? The flow is important. The flooring is important. It’s what keeps a relationship steady or makes it slippery. I want you to understand that you are responsible for how each relationship in your life turns out. Giving and taking. Taking and giving. That’s the rhythm that sustains connection.

Shall we meet tomorrow? This was just an introduction, lol.

Oh here’s a Scripture:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3–4 (NIV)