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)


Categories
The Overcoming Believer

Holding on in difficult times [2]

I’m late 🙈 I AM SORRY but since we all love each other here, we forgive each other, don’t we? 😅 LOL! (Here on my knees l ask for forgiveness) Now, have you guys heard about WPW Johannesburg? Ehhhh! It’s happening this Saturday and you do not want to miss it. Click the link below for all the details, I really hope to see you there!

Click here

Alright, now let’s get into today’s blog.

We often say things like “hold on,” “keep pushing,” or “keep going” as if those things are easy to do. But in reality, they can be incredibly hard especially in seasons where it feels like God is silent or when everything around us seems to be falling apart. Some people genuinely don’t know what to do during those times. And while encouragement is helpful, it’s fair to ask: what are the practical ways we can actually hold on? Are there steps that truly work? Or is it just trial and error? The truth is, not everything works for everyone it’s rarely a one-size-fits-all kind of journey.

The last thing anyone wants is to spend time and energy on things that don’t lead to real peace, healing, or hope. Things that don’t work. Girls would definitely understand this betterlike when you try a new face or hair product that promised visible results in two weeks. You wait, you hope, and after two weeks… nothing. So you add a “grace period” week, thinking maybe … But still, nothing has changed! Like, how dare you waste my time and my money? I still have pimples. My hairline is still receding. Or maybe it’s like a talking stage with someone you’re investing your energy, and suddenly it hits you: why are you wasting my time? Once there’s a clear yes or no, save yourself time. Actually, go and buy A Thing Called Time .

What does holding on really look like when your grip is weak and your faith feels fragile? Is sleeping it through okay? Can you pour yourself some Johnie Walker and just drink up? Or do you climb a mountain and wait on God from there? What exactly can be done when life feels heavy and confusing? Maybe you’re thinking, should I see a counsellor? (By the way, if you need counselling, book with me today 😉). There are so many lists, different things people claim can help us stay afloat, whether they’re proven or not. Social media is overflowing with advice and “coping hacks.” Some even say, just scroll through your phone and watch reels, it’ll make you feel better. But does it really help? Is it actually effective?

The first proven method of holding on is prayer. Scripture says, “Man ought always to pray and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). Prayer isn’t just a last resort , it’s a lifeline. Look at David in the Psalms whether he was rejoicing or completely undone, he kept praying. He encouraged himself in the Lord, he worshipped, he cried out, he poured out his heart but he never disconnected from God. Even when death felt near and enemies were closing in, he stayed plugged into the One who sustains.

But today, many people disconnect from God in hard times and instead, they connect to weed, distractions, or a few friends who honestly don’t know how to help either. David is a good example because his prayers are raw, emotional, relatable, he never stopped seeking God. And then there’s Jesus. Just before facing the most brutal death imaginable, He prayed. He was in deep anguish, but He still prayed. Prayer is a proven strategy. It’s not outdated, it’s not religious performance , it’s honestly another way of survival. You stay afloat by praying. People of God, this is not optional. It’s important.

David sang. Maybe to make this a bit more relatable how many of us have had our hearts broken at some point in life? Don’t even act like you’ve never. I know you! Say it with me, all of us. Now in those moments, how many of us turned to music? I definitely did. Some were deep in those sad songs. Some of you listened to gospel, bless your soul. Even after God clearly told you, “This is not your spouse,” you kept pushing… and when it finally fell apart, your way out was music. Some of you went the Westlife route, that’s me. Others? You turned to Maskandi or Amapiano. And if you chose those heavy instruments for comfort… your heartbreak was on levels. A serious one!

So David had a strategy, he sang. The man knew how to pour out his soul in worship. Scripture tells us to “sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody in your hearts to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19). There’s power in singing. There’s healing in worship. So yes burst out in song. Find a Dunsin Oyekan track, connect your AirPods, and worship. You’ll feel lighter. You’ll feel better. And yes, you can do it daily. Don’t wait for Sunday, sing your way through the valley.

Shall I share the last one for today before we continue tomorrow? Dancing. We’re in the middle of the Hallelujah Challenge, and I can’t even imagine how many people this has lifted. People who were drowning in depression got up and danced. You’re not depressed you just haven’t danced for Jesus yet! I know it sounds like a paradox, because how can you tell someone to dance when they’re going through a difficult time? We usually think dancing is for parties or happy moments, right? Wrong. We dance always. We praise always.

You may not feel like dancing, but play some music, start moving, and watch how your joy begins to rise again. It’s not about whether you can breakdance or two-step it’s about reconnecting with joy through praise. Dancing is not just movement; it’s a declaration that God is still good, even here, even now. When l dance at HC? Eh!!! You will think maybe l will break my bones. Kai! I can dance shame l don’t care what you think 😂

I have more strategies to share with you, but for today, let’s focus on these ones. You know I love and celebrate you greatly! 💛 See you tomorrow!!