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GEMS FOR ALL-ROUND SUCCESS DEUTERONOMY xxviii.13

Brief notes on key terms that form the topic of this study will be a good start for this outline. First, a

gemstone or gem, also called a precious stone is a piece of mineral, which, in cut and polished form, is used

to make jewelry or other adornments. Rarity is one characteristic that lends value to a gemstone. From timeimmemorial, the gem is mostly used to gain wealth. While all-round simply means comprehensive, all-sided

and all ramifications, success is the achievement or attainment of something planned or attempted. It could

also mean an impressive attainment of wealth, fame, power, etc. Attainment of success should therefore bringa sense of fulfillment, happiness and satisfaction to the individual adjured successful. It is a pity that not allsuccesses attained gives true sense of peace and satisfaction neither is everyone acclaimed successful is really

 successful .

On the other hand are those (i.e. Christian students) who are expected to top in every subject or course, butthey are left to grapple with the shame of failure or at best the inglorious show of mediocrity. Why? Or 

rather, why not the very best God promised in Deuteronomy 28:13: “And the LORD shall make thee the

head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath”? Three things are essential

here: G – God’s promises; E – Earnest pursuit and M – Matching performance (GEM ).

1. GOD’S PROMISES AND PROVISIONS FOR ALL ROUND SUCCESSDeuteronomy 28: 13; II Peter 1.3; II Corinthians 1.20; Hebrews 6.12

All round success, for the Christian student encompasses excellent performance in all course units taken,

 perfect health at all times, stability in mind, sufficient supply of all needed finance, profitable andedifying relationships, etc. and there are God’s promises for each of these. And remember, “there hath

not failed one word of all his good promise” (I Kings 8.56). But the problem with very many

Christian students is that they undermine the promises of God. It is important to note that God’s power to do great things is embedded in His word of promise (Ps. 33.4, 6; Lk. 4. 2). When we have a thorough

understanding of God’s promise and exercise faith in it, we will surely experience all round success. A

classic example of God’s promise for an all-round success is found in Deuteronomy 28:13;

“And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and 

thou shalt not be beneath…”

It is evidently clear from this scriptural verse that God’s original plan and intention is to make His own

children the head and then to be above only. Let us quickly note a few things about the head. One, the

head is probably the first thing that is noticed as a person shows up from a distance. This implies prominence, celebrity, importance, distinction. It should therefore follow that when we look for the best

student in every department, faculty and the entire university, your outstanding academic performance,

moral records and Christian testimony should be obvious! Two, the head houses very important “gates

of life” i.e. the mouth-gate, eye-gate, nose-gate and ear-gate. The eye-gate is crucial for vision. One of 

the worst predicaments men suffer in life is when they lack vision. To be the head means you will seeahead of others and therefore act and perform ahead. Besides, the brain is housed in the head. The

implication of all these is that God has endowed the Christian student with all the intellectual 

 prowess, ingenuity, insight, creative and innovative powers needed to be the head in their chosen

academic discipline, career or endeavour.  Nothing therefore should limit your advancement except

YOU!! Three, the head is the first part of the body that comes out when a child is born. No one has theright to come first in your class a Christian student except he/ she is also righteous child of God. Then to

 be “above only” means that the Christian student is top everywhere, every time. There is never a time he

goes down or never a course he is weak; he is all strong, all-round successful.

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2. EARNEST PURSUIT AND PURPOSEFULNESS FOR ALL ROUND SUCCESS

Romans 12:11; Judges 18:9; Hebrews 6.12; Hebrews 2.1

The Christian student needs a kind of earnestness both in his purpose for living and pursuit in life so as

to attain the all round success God has promised and for which He has made provisions. To be earnest

means to be grave and intensely serious. God is not a liar (Numbers 23.19) neither is He unstable(Hebrews 13.8). He is True and Faithful (Revelation 19.11) and therefore His promises are sure (I

Corinthians 1.20). But the problem most times is with men – no earnestness! Success in the first place

is not a product of mere wishful thinking or lackadaisical disposition. No, it is not for day-dreamers nor for lazy men who are unwilling to work up the fingers to their nails. It is for serious-minded people;

 purposeful students; visionary and smart-working students armed with a kind of “right-titude”, and with

this, they approach every course unit, assignment, project, field work research or any endeavour with allseriousness and earnestness required to attain all-round success.

The scripture sums it up in a sentence: “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord”.

There is a kind of fervency with which the Christian student should approach his academic pursuit if he

must attain all round success. This will reflect in his desires –  passion to be an all-rounder ; diligence – conscientious hard and smart work towards becoming an all-rounder ; determination – a strong will 

and resoluteness never to give up even when the prospect of becoming all-rounder looks impossible;

discipline –  self control, taming self indulgence, saying a firm ‘no’ to anything, anybody or even to yourself when demands are contrary to your vision of becoming and all-rounder ; and discipleship – 

choosing and following the right, God-fearing, outstanding mentor who has succeeded in your field in

order to draw useful lessons and motivation to move in the right direction.

3. MATCHING PERFORMANCE WITH PRE-REQUISITES FOR ALL ROUND SUCCESS

Deuteronomy 28:13; Daniel 1:18 – 21;

Attaining an all-round success places demands on a student. Just as it would be stated in a manual, the

 basic requirements for a system to be functional, so it is with all round success. There are thoseconditions called pre-requisites for all round success which an all-round success aspirant must match his

 performance (actions) with. A student should therefore not expect to attain such a feat without meetingthese pre-conditions. First, the student must be genuinely born again. It is only then that all roundsuccess becomes his entitlement (John 3.3; Mark 7.27). Secondly, he must be totally obedient to the

God’s revealed will and word (Deuteronomy 28.13b). Thirdly, he should be purposefully diligent

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before

mean men” (Prov. 22.29). The question can be asked this way: have you seen a man that is diligent in

his business and did not succeed? No. If he is purposefully diligent like Daniel, then he must, he shall,

and he will stand before kings. Those who stand before kings like Daniel are outstanding, all roundsuccessful people. Note: There was “none like Daniel…in all matters…”  (Daniel 1: 19, 20). Little

wonder that he stood before Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1.18) and continued to stand with Kings

Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus (Daniel 1. 21). So then MATCH your  actions with your  aspirations;

your vigour with your vision; your diligence with your dreams; God’s grace with your goals (Phil.4.13); your attitude with the altitude you desire; your pursuit with your profession and your faith with

your future position in the land of the successful.

There is the certainty that if a Christian student bases his earnest pursuit on God’s divine and unfailing

 promises and matches his performance with the preconditions for all round success, then he is destined

for the top always and ever. With GOD on your side, EARNESTNESS in your purpose and pursuit and

MATCHING performance in your actions, all round success is within your reach. Put it another way:

with faith, dogged determination, purposeful diligence and divine help, all round success is your portion

in Jesus name. Amen.

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