Thursday, 3^rd April, 2025

Bible Reading:  Romans 12:11

Memory Verse: But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. Psalm 32:8 (NKJV)

25-year-old James Alleh graduated with first-class honors from the Department of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Benin, achieving a CGPA of 4.98 out of 5; the highest CGPA ever recorded at the University of Benin. He grew up in a humble family; his dad passed away in 2011 while he was in primary school due to an illness. The entire responsibility of the home fell on his mum, a petty trader, who runs a small provisions store. That was what sustained them. Coupled with the help of the Church, she worked hard to ensure all her five children got an education.

Before his University admission, he was already working to support himself as a teacher and wanted to continue to teach and save up money. That was when he came across the Seplat scholarship, applied, wrote the exam, and got it. Instead of dropping out, the scholarship gave him a lifeline and the timely intervention of his mentors kept him focused from making bad decisions especially when he was discouraged and financially stressed. What study method worked for him? It wasn’t just one method; it was a combination of mentorship, prayers, and effective planning.

At every level of his studies, he sought out mentorship from someone ahead of him. His success was a combination of good mentorship, effective planning, and consistent prayers. He was a voracious reader. He could read 3 hours at a stretch, take a break for another 3 hours, and start again for the next 3 hours, and the cycle continues. He made it a habit to read for a minimum of eight hours daily, sometimes extending to as much as 15 hours when necessary. He was equally versatile. He was involved in student leadership.

However, once he got home, he made it a rule to turn off his phone to avoid distractions, and disciplined himself to manage his time effectively. His decision to study Petroleum Engineering was strictly divine, he initially wanted to study Medicine. One night, he had a confirmatory dream from the Lord, and his career route was settled. Let God lead you. Your career choice is equally a spiritual decision. James is grateful to God, his family, mentors, and the opportunities God brought his way.

Take home:

1. The road to great success is usually challenging.

2. If God is not at the centre of your life, the road to success could be frustrating.

3. You will always need your family and seasoned mentors along your path of success.

4. Be sensitive to career opportunities such as scholarships along your academic path. 

5. With determination, dedication, and strategic hardwork, no feat is impossible to achieve.

Quote: The same circumstances that produced a failure also made a success out of others. It’s all about God’s grace and our deepest resolution.

Prophetic Decree:  Every battle against your rising is buried, in Jesus name. 

Prayer Focus 

1. Thank you Lord for your invisible hand in the affairs of my life, in Jesus name. 

2. Holy Spirit, reinforce my resolution to make a success out of my life, in Jesus name.

3. My life, magnetise men, resources, and opportunities that will advance my destiny, in Jesus name. 

4. I receive grace for divine direction, in Jesus name. 

5. My Father, use me to rewrite my family history, in Jesus name. 

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Judges 10-12