by Praise | Apr 4, 2021 | Easter
Glory of His Resurrection by Nosa Osadolor
Our Lord Jesus was born, lived, bruised, died on the cross and resurrected on the third day for you and me in order to save us from our sins and transgressions.
The need to have an understanding of what the Glory of his Resurrection represents,
I will define separately what we understand by Glory and Resurrection.
What is Glory – It is one of those important words that is hard to really explain.
However, we can understand it better if we look at it in three dimensions.
Concrete: Is something real, something we can see, hear or touch.
Abstract: It can also be abstract in the sense of not been able to touch.
Action: It can also be used as an Action verb. “We are to Glory in God” which means that we are ex- pressing our admiration and praise for the excel- lency we see,
What is Resurrection-
It is the overcoming or surmounting of death.
It is a reawakening or rebirth.
The acceptance of oneself.
Finally, we can also say it is the acceptance of the Holy Spirits interpretation of the world’s purpose. The Glory of his Resurrection is a beautiful thing we need to go out and educate individuals. We need people to have an understanding and a form of belonging with Christ.
The first step is by teaching them about the life of Jesus and the Resurrection. And the only way we can succeed is by going out to evangelize.
I remember reading a story of a man carrying the cross in the market place of England, a lady rushed up to him and asked “what happened to that Man” and he asked which Man “Oh you Know Jesus”
then she explained there is Christmas and it’s about its birth, then there is Easter and he died on the cross and was resurrected I never heard what happened to him after that.
The man had to give her the full message of Jesus and how he ascended and will come again.
Brothers and Sisters we have learnt, heard and watched stories about the life of Jesus Christ, but have we gone further to talk about the glory of his resurrection, just as the woman in the story had asked what happened after.
I believe it is a clarion call to every individual to make it as a point of duty to go out and spread the news about the Glory of his resurrection and how we are benefiting from it which are:
The Forgiveness of our sins
Redeemed and we can now walk in a new life
Our Faith is well founded.
Also to demonstrate to us that He has Power over Death.
In Conclusion, it is safe for us to say that the Glory of his resurrection ushered in the Age of Grace and end- ed the Age of Law. His resurrection brought about the reawakening of peoples heart.
He simply demonstrates this by showing us His heart and his work has not left mankind.
His emphasis to us is that we are not alone and need not fear, we can lean on God and if we accept him as our sin offering we could no longer be bound to sin. Bible Study: 1Cor 15:1 – 58
Brethren, the story of Our Lord Jesus did not end at the cross, Jesus Arose, Jesus Lives, Jesus is Alive. Amen
By Nosa Osadolor
by Praise | Mar 30, 2021 | Holy Spirit
Acts 1:8 is a key verse.
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Ju-dea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
This bible verse reveals that the power of the church comes from the Holy Spirit and not from man (see Zech. 4.6). Man is endowed with a lot of skill, talent and capacity. But nothing of or in man can accomplish or replace the work of the Holy Spirit in God’s work.
Ordinary people were able to do extraordinary things because the Spirit of God was at work in their lives. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not a luxury; it is an absolute necessity.
God’s people in the bible, experienced repeated fillings of the Spirit as they needed His presence in their lives to face new opportunities and obstacles (Acts 2.4; 4.8, 31; 9.17; 13.9).
The word ‘Witness’ (Acts 1:vs 8)is used many times in the book of Acts. A witness is somebody who can give a firsthand account of something seen, heard, or experienced; for example, a witness to an accident. A witness tells what he has seen and heard (Acts 4:19-20).
When on a witness stand in court, the judge is not interested in one’s ideas or opinions; he only wants to hear what you have seen or know.
One is either a witness or not a witness. A witness will have a story different from others
As a Christian baptized in the Holy Spirit, we should have stories of what we have seen and experienced. Particularly in our private lives.
There should be testimonies of His guidance, presence, teaching, direction, revelation, healing, bringing things to our remembrance,
If you have ever drunk a freshly opened Coca Cola drink, you will notice that there is a marked difference between it and one opened days ago, which has gone flat. This in a sense is the difference between a Witness and a Christian who is not baptised in the Holy Spirit.
It is possible to have a vibrant ‘effervescent like relationship with the Holy Spirit. Remember He is a gift to be received. (Acts.1.4). You cannot earn Him by fasting and prayer (though it helps). You have to wait patiently (not impatiently)-The disciples waited for 50 days – almost 2 months (Acts.2.1)
One can pray and ask God for the Holy Spir-it, trusting His loving kindness and mercy to be poured on us as individuals and as a Church Family
Once He comes, there will be a difference. And He will come because the Father does not lie. (Acts.1.4, Matt.7.7-8)
Looking again at Acts 1.8, it gives, a general outline of the Book of Acts as it describes the geographical spread of the Gospel: from Jerusalem (Acts 1-7) to Judea and Samaria (Acts 8-9), and then to the Gentiles and to the ends of the earth (Acts 10-28).
This proves that once He comes, our witness will start at home first (Jerusalem), before spreading to the church and places of work (Judea & Samaria).
After all, there is a proverb that says “Charity begins at home” .
It stands to reason that the outflow of the Ho-ly Spirit will first be seen at home amongst our family members, friends and work colleagues.
Is that your testimony?
If not, why not ask for the mercy of God to honour the cry of your heart, as you wait patiently for our God, who hears and answers prayer, to fill you afresh with His Promised Holy Spirit.
Pastor Femi Popoola
by Praise | Mar 6, 2021 | Others
Luke 11:5-8
5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves;
6 for a friend of mine (TJ) has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’;
7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’?
8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
There are 3 friends in the story.
The first friend is on the journey of life and at the midnight hour of his life.
He was tired, hungry, helpless, stranded, and fearful – like we sometimes find ourselves.
We also noted the time of the day – MIDNIGHT – dark time – that comes to everyone at some time or the other – on the journey of life.
Be encouraged by the fact that whatever you are facing on your journey of life, and at the midnight hour of your life is not peculiar to you– others are facing stuff too.
1 Cor 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
God will make a way of escape for you in Jesus name.
We also noted that this needy man knew a friend’s house was nearby and came for help. May God grant us friends that we can go to and share our issues of life with.
This brings us to the second friend in the story
The Second friend also represents THE HOLY SPIRIT in our life – a Friend in between God and needy man. Our COMFORTED. HELPER. TEACHER. GUIDE
John 14:26 (AMPC) But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.
As long as you call on the Holy Spirit & acknowledge Him, He will be all stated above to you.
Another way thing to note about the middle friend is that he has a correct relationship with the Bigger Friend.
The middle friend though did not have the 3 loaves, but he has the Friend who has all things. He knows another Friend who can help – that he could turn to at midnight. The Bigger Friend could identify with him as a friend. Like Abraham Isaiah 41:8 & Gen18:17. The testimonial of Abraham before God – made him God’s friend.
You need to have a close friendship with the one that has the cattle upon a thousand hills –
Psm 50:10-11. God wants such a relationship with you. He wants to help you, bless you, share all He has with you, but are you His friend?
Do you fulfil the criteria that will grant you access to Jesus, the Bigger Friend?
Do you obey Him or do you rob Him? Mal 3:8 will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me- In tithes & Offering —-
Repent today. Invite Jesus into your life as your Bigger FRIEND; Repent of every form of disobedience, especially in tithing and giving quality offerings to God.
.
by Praise | Feb 27, 2021 | Spiritual Growth
WHERE ARE YOU? Spiritual Awakening
Genesis 3:8-9)
8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”
This personal and direct question is the first one recorded that God ever asked of man, and it is the question He puts to individual men and women today.
God knew exactly where they were and what they were doing/had done because God is both omniscient and omnipresent
- God was not searching for Adam, He already knew where he was.
- God also knew what Adam had done and knows the future result of Adam’s actions.
- God asks us the same question He asked Adam, Where are you?
This question means ‘How do you stand before God
What is your spiritual condition?’
The fact that it is God Himself who asks the question makes it vitally important that we face up to it, and answer it honestly.
The God the Creator asks, “Where are you?”
It means, are you standing and living as the old creation (Adam) or the new (Christ).
Adam is the head of the old creation, Jesus is the head of the new creation.
So “Where are you?” in the light of 2Cor5:17
“in Adam” or “in Christ”?”
God against whom they have sinned asks, “Where are you?” In terms of way of life. Sin & morality
“Where are you?”- you are either saved or lost, because there is no in-between position.
God from whom they were hiding asks, “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:7-10 tells us of the efforts that Adam and Eve made to hide from God. Of course, no-one can hide from Him.
Please read Psalm 139:1-12
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
Jeremiah 23:24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places,
So I shall not see him?” says the Lord;
“Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord
All over the world people are trying to hide from God – to hide behind excuses for not loving Him and for not serving Him;
Adam & Eve were behind some tree, but no tree, no excuse, nothing, can hide us from the all-seeing eye of God. Hebrews 4:13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
God to whom you must give account asks, “Where are you?”
Are you dressed in fig leaves or garments of skin?
Compare Genesis 3:21with Genesis 3:7.
The fig leaves which Adam and Eve sewed together speak of our own righteousness which is never acceptable before God (Isaiah 64:6).
but the garments of skin tell us that an animal had been killed, the blood had been shed,
God Himself had made provision for His children to be clothed.
So are you dressed in fig leaves, trusting in your own merit for acceptance before God, or are you dressed in garments of skin, which speak of God’’s gracious provision and righteousness provided in the gift of His Son?
“Where are you?”
God who loves and seeks you asks, “Where are you?”
Listen for the tenderness, the compassion and the concern in this question that God asks of His children. Gen 3:9
In this three-word question there is a DEEP proof of God’s love.
God is watching you every moment of every day. God is observing you every moment of every day. God is interacting in your life every moment of every day. God knows the choices we make, even before we make them. God knows the motivation of our choices, even if we try to deceive ourselves. God knows the outcome of our choices. God also knows the future impact of our choices.
So, when the doors of the church are open, Where are you?
So, when your Bible sits closed on the table, Where are you?
When seats go unfilled at prayer meeting, Where are you?
When He calls for Sunday morning prayers before services, Where are you?
WHERE YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU ARE NOT SAYS VOLUMES ABOUT YOUR SPIRITUAL CONDITION!
by Praise | Jan 27, 2021 | Spiritual Growth
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SEEKING GOD: The example of David
A characteristic feature of David’s biography is that he frequently sought the Lord’s counsel and direction. This feature is not seen in any other biography in the Old or New Testament. Whenever David faced a trial, especially with his enemies, he always asked to know God’s will. And each time he inquired, the Lord graciously gave him a clear and definite answer. Since all the Bible stories “were written for our learning” (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11), they are full of instruction. In this conclusion to our series on David, a man after God’s own heart, we’ll look at nine times when he inquired of the Lord. They teach us that we always gain by seeking His counsel and guidance.
David’s 1st Request/Inquiry – 1 Samuel 23:1-3
“Then they told David, ‘Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors.’” The Philistines had besieged Keilah, a fortified city within Judah’s borders (Josh. 15:21, 44). “Therefore David inquired of the LORD, saying, ‘Shall I go and attack these Philistines?’” As anointed king, David considered himself Israel’s protector. The apostate King Saul had neglected the public safety, but David loved his country and desired to free it from its enemies. Yet he would not act without first seeking the Lord’s counsel. Though he was busy hiding from Saul, he thought of Keilah’s welfare.
“And the LORD said to David, ‘Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.’” The Lord responded immediately to David’s inquiry, and promised that David would save Keilah. But David’s 600 men said to him, “We are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” This presented a real problem to David: If his men were unwilling to follow him, how could he save the besieged city? His men were afraid of being caught between the Philistines and Saul’s army. Unlike David their eyes were not on God, but on their difficult circumstances.
David’s 2nd Request/Inquiry – 1 Samuel 23:4-5
“Then David inquired of the LORD once again.” David was not paralyzed by the fear of his men. He knew that God, who had said fight the Philistines and save Keilah, could easily make his men willing to follow him. David did not rebuke his warriors, but he turned once more to Jehovah. “And the LORD answered and said, ‘Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.’” The Lord did not ignore David’s second inquiry. He not only responded to David’s request, but gave an answer which was even more explicit than the first. Motivated by God’s divine promise, David and his followers conquered the Philistines, saved Keilah and took their cattle for much-needed food.
David’s 3rd Request/Inquiry – 1 Samuel 23:10-11
“Then David said, ‘O LORD God of Israel, Your servant has certainly heard that Saul seeks to come to Keilah to destroy the city for my sake. Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O LORD God of Israel, I pray, tell your servant.’ And the LORD said, ‘He will come down.’” Once more David cast all his care on God. Observe his words: He is more concerned for the welfare of others than for preserving his own life.
Observe also that David addressed God twice by the title “LORD God of Israel,” which was God’s covenant title. It is a blessing to recognize our covenant relationship to God; it is always an effectual plea to make before the throne of grace. The Lord graciously answered him saying, “He (Saul) will come down.”
David’s 4th Request/Inquiry – 1 Samuel 23:12-14
“Then David said, ‘Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?’ And the LORD said, ‘They will deliver you.’” David had good reason to conclude that after delivering Keilah from the Philistines, its citizens would be on his side. But he did not put any confidence in their loyalty. So he sought further counsel from the Lord. This should speak to our hearts: We should never depend on others, but should depend only on the Lord for our guidance and protection. Once more the Lord responded immediately to David’s inquiry saying, “They will deliver you.” This must have saddened David, as ingratitude wounds deeply. God answered according to His knowledge of man’s heart.
“So David and his men … departed from Keilah and went wherever they could go. Then Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah; so he halted the expedition. And David stayed in strongholds … in the mountains in the Wilderness of Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.” This too is good to see: David was willing to endure further hardship rather than endanger the inhabitants of Keilah. They went “wherever they could go” and God continued to protect David.
David’s 5th Request/Inquiry – 1 Samuel 30:8-9
“So David inquired of the LORD, saying, ‘Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?’ And He answered him, ‘Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.’” The Amalekites had invaded Philistine country and destroyed Ziklag. They also took the women and the children captive. When David and his 600 men returned to Ziklag – the city which had become their home – expecting to be reunited to their families, they found the city burned and their loved ones missing. After being reassured by the Lord that he would overtake the enemy, David attacked them and recovered all that the Amalekites carried off, including his two wives. The Lord graciously answered David regardless of how many times he inquired. His response to David came without delay, and He even told more than David had asked – he would “recover all.” In a moment the black cloud of sorrow was replaced by joy.
Everything took place exactly as God had said. “So David went, he and the 600 men who were with him.” The force of this statement can only be appreciated by comparing it to an earlier one: “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him” (1 Sam. 30:6). What a change! The anger of his men was stilled; they were again ready to follow their leader. David sought God’s guidance and received an assuring response.
David’s 6th Request/Inquiry – 2 Samuel 2:1-2
“It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, ‘Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?’ And the LORD said to him, ‘Go up.’ David said, ‘Where shall I go up?’ And He said, ‘To Hebron’” (2 Sam. 2:1). This inquiry took place after the Philistines killed Saul and Jonathan. David would not take one step toward claiming his rights without consulting the Lord. With all his faults, he was in submission to the Lord, and in complete dependence on Him. God’s answer came at once: “Go up … to Hebron.” There he was anointed king.
As with all his previous inquiries, the Lord promptly answered and graciously guided His servant. This is recorded for our encouragement. The Lord never tires of our asking. The more we seek His counsel, the more He is honoured and pleased. His command to us is, “In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God” (Phil. 4:6). God’s ready response to David’s inquiry is a sign of His willingness to hear us.
The happy sequel to this inquiry is recorded for us: “So David went up there, and his two wives also … And David brought up the men who were with him, every man with his household. So they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king.” Those who had been David’s companions in tribulation were not forgotten now that he was king. David had been privately anointed as Saul’s successor (1 Sam. 16:12-13). Now the princes of the tribe of Judah publicly owned him as their king.
David’s 7th Request/Inquiry – 2 Samuel 5:17-21
“So David inquired of the LORD, saying, ‘Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?’ And the LORD said to David, ‘Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.’” The previous two verses read: “Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim.” The fact that David had ascended to the throne of Israel did not deter his enemies, but made them jealous to attack him.
Again this should speak to our hearts: The attack of the Philistines right after David’s coronation should warn us against finding security in prosperity. Opposition came with great force, as evidenced by the words “all the Philistines.” Little did they realise that they were rushing to their own destruction. They underestimated God’s power and were unaware that He was for David. David’s response to the Philistines was that instead of accepting their challenge and immediately engaging them in battle, he turned to the Lord.
And the Lord immediately responded, and assured David of a victory: “I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.” How encouraging for us! We too are called to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12). God has promised that He will “bruise Satan under your feet shortly” (Rom. 16:20). Such a promise ought to encourage us for the conflict.
“So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated the enemy … and he said ‘The LORD has broken through my enemies before me’” (2 Sam. 5:20). God made good on His word, kept His promise, and gave David the victory. And David gave the Lord all the glory.
David’s 8th Request/Inquiry – 2 Samuel 5:22-25
“Then the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. Therefore David inquired of the LORD, and He said, ‘You shall not go up: circle around behind them and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when you hear the sound of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the LORD will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.’” The Philistines’ return did not discourage David, but summoned him to renewed waiting upon God and seeking fresh strength from Him. Again David sought divine guidance even though he had been successful in the first battle. He realized that each victory depended upon the Lord.
The circumstances were the same. David could have attacked the enemy just as he did before. Yet God’s answer now was the opposite of the previous one. Before it was “Go up.” But this time God said, “You shall not go up.” Everything seemed identical to human eyes, but God’s will must be sought each time, or victory is not insured. This was a real test of obedience, and David did not argue. Instead he waited upon the Lord and he was the gainer: “For then the LORD will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines. And David did so, as the LORD commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer.” David’s obedience was rewarded. God kept His promise and smote the enemy. What encouragement for us!
David’s 9th Request/Inquiry – 2 Samuel 21:1
“Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years … and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, ‘It is because of Saul and his blood- thirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites’” (2 Sam. 21:1). In Genesis 12:5-10, we read that soon after Abraham arrived in Canaan, a famine arose in the land. Instead of consulting God and trusting Him to meet his needs, he turned for help to Egypt, a symbol of the world. By contrast, David conducted himself differently. He inquired of the Lord to make sure that the famine was not a divine punishment for some wrong he did. As with all other inquiries, the Lord immediately responded: “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house.”
The Lord did not turn a deaf ear to David’s inquiry. How many of us have been like David, smarting under the chastening hand of God, yet allowing a lengthy period of time, like three years, to pass before we inquire of the Lord as to its cause. God told David that Israel was suffering because of Saul. It is an unchanging principle of divine government that God deals with nations according to the conduct of their rulers. The Lord’s controversy with Israel at this time was not over some recent thing, but one which had been committed years before yet never corrected. God does not forget. Many afflictions, both of individuals and nations, are punishment for past sins.
Learning From David
David’s multiple inquiries of the Lord reveal that he was a man of prayer, who was always intent to know His will. This was the main reason why he was called a man after God’s own heart. God says, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (Acts 13: 22). And David did!
May the Lord give us grace to emulate David’s example and to cultivate the habit of always inquiring of the Lord and waiting for His answer. The more we seek direction from God in prayer and the more we desire to know His will, the more He is honoured and the more we are blessed. May we cultivate David’s spirit more and more, for it is written, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:6).
–Ayodolapo Ogunmoyero
by Praise | Jan 20, 2021 | Spiritual Growth
The Woman With an Awful Past and Suspicious Present
John.4.1-18
Have you failed before? Have you made decisions in the past you are ashamed of today? Have you done things you’d rather not be reminded about?
As you start a new year, be encouraged to know that Jesus knows where you are, where you have been, and what you have been.
In this story in John.4.1-18, we see Jesus ignoring the long-standing tensions between Jews and Samaritans that had developed over the years, and made a choice of going through Samaria on His way to Jerusalem. (John.4.4)
This choice he made led to the salvation of an ‘ignored’ Samaritan woman and her people. (The choices we make have an impact of people)
Jesus was tired, weary and thirsty from His journey. All 12 of His disciples had gone to the shops to buy food. (who sends 12 people to buy food for 13 people?) (John.4.8), but the Lord was preparing an environment conducive for meeting the needs of a certain Samaritan woman.
He needed to meet the woman alone.
She was a defeated woman, with little self-worth, isolated from her friends and neighbours by the wrong choices and decisions she had made.
She had tried to be friends with the other women, but nobody wanted to be friends with a woman who was married five times, would you? (John.4.18)
More worrying to the other women was that the man she was living with was not even her husband. (John.4.18). If only they knew who she really was, or what she was going through.
Wherever you are in your journey in life Jesus is interested in you and your future.
The women gossiped about her past and her present, but her creator and God was interested in her future
When other women went to fetch water early in the morning, she went around 12 noon when all the women would have left the river. (John.4.6-7)
She could handle 5 disastrous marriages, but could not deal with the whispers and gossips of women. They pointing of accusing fingers on account of both her past history and present marital status.
Anyone who yields to the Lord Jesus has a bright future, regardless of their past.
However, Jesus knew what she was going through. He also knew that deep down she didn’t want her life to be ‘skewered’ as it was.
He took a long journey, went through Samaria, sent away His disciples and broke protocol to speak to her.
Wherever you are today, whatever your situation, Jesus knows. He will climb the highest mountain just to be with you
The love Jesus has for you, (yes you) is a reckless love because He knows what you have been through in the past and what you are going through presently.
He was able to get the woman to open up to him. She admitted that she was a failure, and received what Jesus offered- salvation (John.4.15, 25-26)
Immediately she left her business and went about telling people about Jesus
In this year of Greater Things, are you ready yield to Jesus? Are you ready to serve the Lord? (John.4.28)
If you are going through a bad patch at the moment, I want you to know that the Lord knows everything about you and is willing to meet you at the point of your need.
Will you respond in faith? Will you turn to the Lord? Will you receive the love He is giving to you?
Are you born again?
Don’t be too busy for the one who will leave the 99, climb any mountain, cross any valley or swim any river just to get to you.
Why not turn to Him today?
Prayer
Dear Lord, I thank you that You know what I am going through. Please come into my life today. Come and give meaning to my life. Let me be a vessel unto honour. Give me the power and grace to say no to sin. Help me to believe in you and serve you faithfully. In this year of Greater Things, open doors of opportunity for me to do great things for you Lord. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus mighty name I pray
Regards,
Pastor Femi
by Praise | Jan 6, 2021 | Spiritual Growth
As imperfect human beings, we have the tendency to seek after money, fame, people, recreation,
entertainment, and materialism. All of those things only lead to emptiness; however, seeking
after God brings more value to our lives than anything else on this earth.
1) Seek God and nothing else matters
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as
well” (Matthew 6:33).
Many times we are hesitant to seek after God because we are afraid of what we might lose. Yet
whatever we may lose is no comparison to what we gain from Him. Everything we need in this life
is provided for us when we seek after God first.
2) Seek God and you will find Him
“But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart
and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29).
God isn’t hiding from us. He’s right now in our presence and desiring a close relationship.
Sometimes we miss God because we don’t have room enough for Him in our daily lives. We must
cut down on the busyness because none of it will matter right before our last breath.
3) Seek God regardless of your life situation
“But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, ‘May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets
their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean
according to the rules of the sanctuary’ And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people” (2
Chronicles 30:18-20).
Some of us wait to seek after God when we think the timing is right. The best time to seek God is
right now because we don’t know what the next minute may hold for us. There are healing and
grace for those who lay aside every excuse and seek after God regardless of their life situation.
4) Seek God because He’s looking for you
“The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any
who seek God” (Psalm 14:2).
God is actively looking for those who are seeking Him regardless of who they are, where they live,
or what they do. The smallest heart cry for the Lord results in action from Him. Our God is loving
and compassionate—not willing that any one person should perish in unbelief.
5) Seek God with all your being
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a
dry and parched land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1).
A lukewarm, passive seeking after God won’t get it. Those who seek after God due to the pressure
of other people—parents, siblings, and friends—will miss out on the joy of discovering Him. Those
who seek after Him with all their hearts will never be disappointed.
6) Seek God before He has to get your attention
“Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again” (Psalm
78:34).
Many of us know the right thing to do, but we want to do things our own way. Those who God loves,
He disciplines; therefore, sometimes God allows unfortunate events to draw our desires towards
seeking after Him. His love and desire for us to live a fulfilled life are more important than
momentary setbacks.
7) Seek God because He has arranged for you to do so
“God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he
is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your
own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” (Acts 17:27-28).
God has set the boundaries for where we live in order that we would seek after Him. His will is
that every single human being (no matter where they live) would look around their environment
and recognize their need for the Lord. The God-void within each of us compels us to want to seek
after Him.
8) Seek God even when you don’t feel like it
“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who
seeks God. (Romans 3:10-11)
We don’t have the capacity to seek after the Lord. Our sin nature, the world, and the devil are
always pulling us away from God to seek after our own pleasures. We must resist the urges to
only think of ourselves and to stretch our faith to seek God with all our hearts holding nothing
back.
9) Seek God because He rewards you for it
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe
that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
Our faith draws us to a lifetime of seeking after Him. Our God is deep and mysterious in that we
will never stop learning more about Him. Even in old age and following Christ for decades—there’s
still new revelations and deep understandings that come with seeking after God.
10) Seek God so you will know what to do
But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.” (1 Kings 22:5).
The wisdom of God is well beyond the knowledge of man. When we are in a place of needing
direction and insight for life’s problems, we can seek after God’s counsel to receive wisdom,
knowledge, and insight for our next steps. He knows the beginning and end; therefore we can’t go
wrong with His guidance.
Seek Him today!
God is waiting on us to seek after Him daily in prayer and Bible meditations. Through the Holy
Spirit we can be comforted by His presence in our lives. Seeking after God leads to a blessed life
with peace and joy no matter the situation.
By Ayodolapo Ogunmoyero
by Bulletin Editor | Jul 1, 2019 | Spiritual Growth
From our last study we see that Mr. Flesh is the personality of the natural human being. We looked at some of ‘his works’ such as adultery, anger, fornication, idolatry, hatred etc. However, it is important to note that not everything Mr Flesh does is evil so to speak. There are times when Mr Flesh’s works are not particularly evil, but still unacceptable in God’s sight. An example is a desire to be independent. That is the problem with human beings.
Remember the kindergarten story of the goose that laid the golden egg for a farmer every day. One day he killed and opened the goose up to collect all the golden eggs and sell them and become a rich farmer, only to discover that the goose was no different from other geese and had deprived himself of a daily golden egg.
The truth it was Mr Flesh manifesting as a greedy farmer and wanted to be independent of the goose. This independence is also manifested in many who don’t like being under authority. They find it difficult to submit to authority even the authority of God. (Romans .8:7). This ‘I can do it myself’ mentality is contrary to God’s plan for man (Jeremiah 10.23). Remember Eve in the Garden of Eden?
Mr Flesh a.k.a human nature also loves to be noticed, acknowledged, introduced and put in positions of leadership where he can lord it over others. Whenever he finds himself under authority, he becomes uncooperative, complains and finds fault. All this is done subtly (Numbers.16:1-3).
Self is also very defensive. Have you noticed that human beings always give excuses for anything wrong? They are never to blame even if criticism is corrective. This is Mr Flesh! (Exodus 32:21-24, 1 Samuel 15:14-15). It is always somebody else!
In secular employment there are some characteristics that are desired and lauded by materialistic leadership which have crept into the church. One of them is a desire to succeed at all costs. This may be called ambition or goal-getting aspirations etc., but devoid of God, it is simply a selfish desire to make a name for oneself (Genesis 11:3-4).
As a Christian it is important that everything we do begins, continues and finishes with God. Once a person behaves as a human being or is controlled by Mr Flesh, he becomes an enemy of God. See Romans 8: 7-8(GNB).
7) And so people become enemies of God when they are controlled by their human nature; for they do not obey God’s law, and in fact they cannot obey it.
8) Those who obey their human nature cannot please God.
Living by carnal rules or fleshy behaviour will lead to death. Romans 8.6 says that
To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace.
This carnal life can never lead to peace. If you find a man who is not at peace, somewhere along the line he has allowed Mr. Flesh to manifest in some way, along the way.
A person living by and walking in the flesh is no different from an unbeliever who fornicates or a witch. They are all going to end up in the same place. Hell. Such people cannot inherit eternal life. Jesus puts it this way in John.3.5 (NKJV)
5) Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. The only remedy is to be born again John.3.3 (NKJV).
3) Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
There is nothing that can be done to the flesh. You cannot fast and pray out the human nature in other to transform it. The only way is to be born again. Jesus confirms this in verses 6 and 7 of John chapter three (John.3:6-7)
6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7) Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
Remember how we arrived here. Even after you give your life and become born again, you must become a disciple. Jesus is not interested in simply being born again. You must then become a disciple. See how Luke.9:23 puts it
23) Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
We now know what ‘himself’ means. We must deny Mr Flesh. The next stage is take up your cross.
by Bulletin Editor | Jun 24, 2019 | Spiritual Growth
Last week we looked at ‘What is self?’
We said that self is ‘the natural human nature inherited at birth’ Various versions of the bible call it by different names including ‘sinful nature’, ‘human nature’, ‘selfish motives’ and ‘Mr Flesh’, to mention a few. We concluded that self is just being human. When you behave like a normal human does, you are not behaving as a Christian or disciple of Christ.
Before we go on, we want to give some examples of Mr Flesh that will help drive home the point.
Let us look at Galatians.5:19-21 again (GNB version)
19) What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy, and indecent actions;
20) in worship of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies and they fight; they become jealous, angry, and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups;
21) they are envious, get drunk, have orgies, and do other things like these. I warn you now as I have before: those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God.
First, it is important to know that what the human or sinful nature does is plain, clear or evident and easily recognisable. If you indulge in sexual immorality such as fornication, adultery, masturbation etc., and you go for deliverance or pray against such is like cutting off the fruits of a tree. In due season it will come up again. When the opportunity presents itself it will result in fornication. The best thing to do is root out the tree. God will forgive the sin if you confess and forsake (1 John 1:9), but better to deal with the cause, which is Mr Flesh.
Same thing too with impure thoughts or idolatry (worship of idols). Idols in the heart are more dangerous than idols in the temple, people bow to. Idols can become strongholds (2 Corinthians 1:.5). Anything that takes up your quality time and attention, and is difficult to do away with for the Lord Jesus, is an idol. Some examples of idols are money (Luke.18.18-24), mode of dressing, jewels, shoes, Netflix, Sports, MOTD, Social media (all forms), Internet, culture or tradition just to mention a few.
What Paul says in Philippians chapter three makes sense now? See what says Paul in Philippians .3:7-8
7) I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.
8) Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.
Witchcraft also is a sign of Mr Flesh. Every form of psychics, occultism or ‘juju’ is witchcraft. It is a form of intimidation in order to gain control over a person or make them submit by force. Many practice witchcraft daily when they intimidate, oppress, manipulate, threaten or take advantage of others because of position or knowledge of a secret. We see this in meetings, offices, homes and everywhere human beings are. Such people who display acts of Mr Flesh will not inherit God’s kingdom.
Do you have an enemy? (I don’t mean the devil!)
I mean some person you have vowed not to see or talk to. That’s Mr Flesh manifesting. Whether its business partners becoming enemies, ministers in church or singers in the Choir quarreling.
Anywhere we see people fighting, though they have their cogent, reasonable, legitimate and acceptable reasons, we know who is behind the fighting. It is Mr. Flesh. He is also behind jealousy and anger. The scripture teaches us also that Mr Flesh, sinful nature, human nature is also behind the constant effort to become better or get the best for yourself. This is also ungodly ambition or self-effort. May the Lord deliver us from self and selfishness!
People who separate into parties or groups or feel that their little group is better or more important than the rest is silently manifesting the flesh. It is the quiet reason churches break into factions and go their own different ways. This is the source of every split- church, family, business etc. When you feel your race is better or tribe is better, it’s also the sinful nature manifesting ‘himself’.
by Bulletin Editor | Jun 17, 2019 | Spiritual Growth
What Does It Mean to Deny Self?
Last week, we saw that there is a difference between a Disciple and a Christian or follower of Christ. Jesus made a big bold statement in Luke.9.23
23) Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Do You Desire to Follow Jesus?
Then you must recognize that it is not just responding to an altar call or simple confession of sin. Now, these things are important, but we must recognize that the person we are following has a condition. The condition from Luke 9.23 if you desire to be His disciple is to
- Deny Self
- Take up your cross
- Follow him
It stands to reason that anyone following Christ today who has not denied self or taken up his cross is NOT following the Jesus of the Bible.
What is Self?
Self is the nature you and I receive from our human parents. It is our human nature inherited from birth. Different Bible versions call them by various names.
- The NIV version of the Bible renders flesh as the sinful nature
- Good News Bible describes the flesh as the human nature
- CEV renders it selfish motives
- God’s Word calls it the corrupt nature
So we see that the flesh is a nature, a way of doing things. For example, some people tell lies by nature, some are wicked naturally, some people cover up their mistakes by giving excuses. It is a nature. The truth is that the flesh means just being human. John. 3:6. See Galatians 5:19-21
19) Now the works of the flesh (sinful nature, human nature, selfish motive and corrupt nature) are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20) idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21) envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Scriptures is saying here that those who live as normal human beings or by the inherited sinful nature will not go to Heaven. This is heavy stuff, but other scriptures back this up. (1 Corinthians 6:10, 1 Corinthians 15:50, Ephesians 5:5). If you practice the normal human nature you will not go to Heaven. Since we now have an understanding of the ‘self-nature or self-life’, let us look at the first bit which is deny.
What Does it Mean to Deny?
Looking again at various versions, to deny means
- To forget himself
- Give up rights to himself
- Put aside and ignore self
- Say no to himself and his interests
Self is not just a habit to be discarded (that will be like cutting of branches of a poisonous tree) rather it is the totality of the self-life (the whole tree). This totality can be one’s knowledge, understanding, the basis of one’s opinion about himself and others (actually the whole tree).
