The Path

By Ebele P. Okonkwo

The Path highlights the danger of navigating decision process, without selfless consideration of motives behind choices made through life. The Path that one chooses in life can make or break the individual. Either the individual takes counts and responsibilities for action taken, give up or be faced with consequences of choices made. Living a righteous life will lead one to be successful while seeking wisdom from God, who gives freely without counting your fault.

Almost everyone plays a major role in making choices, regarding the path they take in life. Which eventually molds the individuals character and set the person apart identifying the persons personality, profession, principles, and ideology, etc. Some people make decisions without deliberating on the facts that surround their choices, nor the future consequences that will impact the individual due to choices made. The outcome of these impacts categorically will enhance or deteriorate the individuals zeal to pursue a better lifestyle.

Good and wise choices reward us tremendously with blessings from God. An individual who gathers information deliberates on facts, weighs and balances out, the outcome of the information, will do better making wise choices versus one who dabbles into anything that comes into his path.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 23, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512745948

Ebele P. Okonkwo

Ms. Ebele P. Okonkwo over the years walked in the path that drew her closer to God, since then, she continues to strive to expose many to experience the joy and peace she found. She founded Volunteer Christian Women Speakers. She is involved in the following Christian experiences, Evangelism, Bible Study, Sunday School, Youth Group, Women Conferences, Online Prayer, Mother’s Union and National Day of Prayers. She is the Author of the Inspirational Book “On The Eagles’ Wings”. She manages non-profit organization “Ebele O Ministry”, which enables her to bring daily devotion to many and share the undiluted word of God.

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© 2016 Ebele P. Okonkwo.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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Scripture is taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4593-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4595-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4594-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016909519

WestBow Press rev. date: 6/23/2016

Contents

Preface

Introduction Awakening

Chapter 1 Identity

Chapter 2 Factors That Impact Life

Chapter 3 Unnatural Factors

Chapter 4 Phases Of Life

Chapter 5 Titles

Chapter 6 Choices

Chapter 7 Quest For Success

Chapter 8 Achievement

Chapter 9 Memories / Pieces of Me

Chapter 10 What Next?

Chapter 11 The Path

Chapter 12 Jesus The Answer

Chapter 13 Turning Point

ABSTRACT

Decision making is an important part of our day to day living. To make right decisions that place us in the right path, we have to come to terms with the reality and motives behind every decision we make. Walking on the right path, you need to seek wisdom to enable you to make wise choices while presenting your plans prayerfully to God, to be guided in the process of decision making with wisdom.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21. These explain why it is important to seek the face of the Lord while making a decision.

Ebele P Okonkwo

THE PATH

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my sons, Munachimsoaga, and Chidubem Darlington, for their love, encouragement, understanding, support and kind words since we lost our mom and grandma Mrs. B.N.Onuigbo.

I extend the dedication of this book to my entire family for their constant support, prayers and word of encouragement.

I extend the dedication of this book to persons that God has touched by Ebele Okonkwo Onuigbo ministry started 26years ago. This ministry by the grace of God brings Peace and Joy to individuals and draw them closer to God.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This book will not be complete without My Creator, Savior and Redeemer "Almighty God, whose word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path. Thank you, Lord.

I will like to thank Mr. Kamara for his constructive critic of the content of the book, and words of wisdom.

I extend my special appreciation to my family for their constant support, prayers, and encouragement.

Finally, I want to extend my appreciation to Rafael (my young friend) and all my friends for their support and prayers.

PREFACE

Almost everyone plays a major role in making choices/ decision, regarding the path they take in life. Which eventually molds the individual’s character and set the person apart, identifying the person’s character, profession, principles, and ideology, etc.

Some people make choices /decisions without deliberating on the facts that surround their choices, nor the future consequences that eventually will impact the individual due to choices made. Choices and decisions people make on a daily basis impact their future. The outcome of these impacts categorically will enhance or deteriorate the individual’s zeal to pursue a better lifestyle.

When we make good and wise choices, we certainly are rewarded tremendously with blessings from God. An individual who gathers information deliberates on facts, weighs and balances out, the outcome of the information, will do better making wise choices and decisions versus one who just gets up and dabble into anything that comes his or her way.

Each person has a purpose to fulfill on earth according to God’s plan. Fulfilling of these plans lay squarely with each person to accept and walk in the plan of God and or to follow their separate plan which is not in line with the will of God.

Jeremiah 29:11 states For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future. Everyone desires to live a prosperous life, yet what makes the difference in the outcome of how people live their life is largely due to the decisions and choices people make.

As we intentionally invite God into our lives, he indwells in us his Holy Spirit and places his word The Bible in our hands. These way, we are equipped to listen to the Holy Spirit as he directs us. And when caught up with Hazel and bustle of life, the voice of the Holy Spirit becomes silent, unless, you make a decision to pick up the Bible, read and meditate on the word. You might be estranged from God for a time if you attempt to solve issues on your own without seeking the face of God. No one knows it all nor makes a wise decision 100% of the time, therefore you are encouraged to seek and ask for wisdom from God, and he will give to you without finding fault.

A young man who just gets out of college knows that one of the best ways, to make a living is to get a job.

And earn money, put aside saving to purchase the car of his dream versus one who feels that he can’t wait and must have the car of his dream by any means.

A blind beggar who has been sitting by the roadside heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he made an immediate decision to seek help to regain his sight. By calling Jesus out to have mercy on him, and those who led the way rebuked him to be quite, the blind man was determined, and so he screamed out the more Son of David have mercy on me And Jesus stopped and healed him. The Blind man’s’ split moment decision to get Jesus attention paid off. One who makes a split moment decision and gets it right is one who has done his or her homework. Obviously, the blind man knew that Jesus is the Messiah. He builds up his faith and courage to reach out to Jesus by all means.

The Book of Luke 15:11- 13 shows some people to be very selfish and will do anything, to grasp illegal money. A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. "And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country.

And there he squandered his estate with loose living.…".

At the time the young man was requesting for part of his father’s wealth, he must believe that he will do better off with money in his pocket. That was not the case, because when he had his share of his father’s wealth, he squandered it without giving a thought to how he was going to survive.

However, he was lucky because he had a loving father who cares for his son regardless of the son’s careless lifestyle. Regardless of the bad choices the son made, he was lucky; he got a second chance which is not always the case with every situation.

In extreme cases, where the path some individuals have taken result in negative consequences, these individuals are overwhelmed and as a result, take their lives without consulting anyone. They feel it is pointless talking to anyone about their situations. These should not be so; there is always help. No one should ever give up on their life. A great example of this is Judas Iscariot, in the Book of Matthew 26:14-15 Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you? And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him.… It is clear, how Judas intentionally planned and betrayed Jesus, at the time, he seems okay with the path he has taken, not giving due consideration to the consequences of his actions. Remember the Book of Luke 17:1 states Jesus said to his disciples: Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come." and of course we see how the actions that Judas took played out at the end when the deed was done. Judas, of course, committed suicide.

Matthew 27:3-5, states it clearly, the consequences of Judas choices to betray an innocent blood, Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned by betraying innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? See to that yourself! And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed, and he went away and hanged himself.… Judas was remorseful of his actions and repented. He shouldn’t have hanged himself, if he has stopped to talk to the right person, he would have gotten help.

The path that one takes in life will either attract the individual to the right crowd of people or wrong one, most especially because one is bound to interact and work with people in the process of navigating in the path that one has chosen. At times, it seems life is too complicated, but the reverse is the case, individuals make life complicated by taking a path that seems fruitful. Some individual will set out to do wrong and at the time, will draw satisfaction in the wrong actions. Assuming a married man or woman who is cheating on the spouse will carry on this act, believing they are smart and enjoy self until found out and exposed.

The word tells us in Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Bottom line, it is very important for one to sit down and selflessly consider the path they want to take in life. Why they want to take such path, be honest with oneself of the real motives behind the path one is taking, because if you take a path with wrong motives, eventually you will be caught in between two crossways. If you are married and decide to cheat on your partner because you want a little self-gratification, maybe you satisfy yourself at that moment without thinking of your partner, when exposed, you will cause pain to your spouse and put a strain on your marriage. You might be unprepared for the consequences of your actions when it comes to the open.

What ought we to do, before making choices and decisions that impact our life? Actions that we take today affect our future directly and or indirectly. As a result, the need to be well informed, alert and ready to make split-second decisions as the need arise. In other to be prepared/ equipped to make such decisions, that puts us on a right path; we must begin to seek the face of God right from time, making adequate decisions that will place us in a meaningful path in life.

At the University of Maryland, 2015 graduation, the 10th living recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan, retired U.S. Army Capt. Florent Flo Groberg made a speech of how he gave selfless service to his country. He gave a very moving statement of how he wanted and prepared to serve his Country. Years after he graduated and enlisted to serve his Country, after series of training. At the peak of serving his Country, at war in Afghanistan, he was faced with making a split moment decision. That changed his entire life, as he observed the suicide bombers draw closer to his colleagues who were not aware of what was going on, his first thought was to save them without thinking of the possibility of being killed in