RAISING DISCIPLES FOR WORLD OUTREACH

The Challenge of Faith in a Cold World  "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 AMP How can I sustain this faith in these challenging times? Those who bribe their way are getting promoted. I have been abandoned and ostracized because I insist on doing things faithfully and legally. My peers are already in university, not because they are better than I am, but because they have greased the hands of the officials who graciously facilitated their easy access to higher education. My faith is already waxing cold because I am seen as a strange and insensitive person. Even the Church of God, which should be the arbiter and defender of faith, is marginalizing those labeled as "HOLIER THAN THOU." Even the congregation I pastored was unwilling to fellowship with me because I was perceived as insisting too much on the Bible. Today, ...

 One Church. One House. One Family. "This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14) Recently, my wife and I were discussing with a fellow brother who was expressing his displeasure at the state of the church today. He was just a brother and perceived "benchwarmer," but he carried much knowledge about the current state of the church and what he termed the end of the church era. He opined that the time is near when each house and family would run a church of their own, resembling the koinonia (house churches) of the early church. Well, we will see if his suggestion comes to pass. Sincerely, there are many things going wrong in today's churches, and there seems to be nobody strong enough to address these cankerworms. Most of these problems emanate from the large and multinational churches and famous pastors. For instance, churches are fiercely competing to expand thei...

The Necessity of Language Acquisition As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, "May I say something to you?" The tribune replied, "Do you know Greek? Aren’t you the Egyptian who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?" Paul responded, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people." And when the tribune had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. When there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying... (Acts 21:37-40). Aside from the 'immeasurable' grace that Apostle Paul carried, one of the things that made him excel more than any other apostle or disciple was his ability to switch between languages. Paul was fluent in the common languages of his time. He was not just an apostle to the Gentiles; he was a speaker of Gree...

T he Defender of Faith "Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." - Hebrews 12:14 I remember the time I lost while defending God. I wish I could recall those moments and lay myself at the feet of the Master, quietly and intently waiting for every instruction. I wish I had patiently waited on God and never spoken any word or acted in any way without His counsel. But I failed. My mouth was ahead of my heart. I hardly listened but was very swift to speak. Oh, I remember the years when I would castigate anyone who took recommended medication or went to the hospital, deeming them as lacking faith. I made those who were sick understand that every illness is an affliction from the devil. I shed tears when I reviewed my stance on women wearing trousers or jewelry as being daughters of Jezebel. A brother who wore jeans was not serious about his Christian life. Nothing should stop you—not even your esteemed work—from attending every churc...

Built to Last In Damascus, there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!”   “Here I am, Lord,” he answered.  [11] “Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.  [12] In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”  [13] But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.  [14] And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.”  [15] “Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.  [16] I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.” (Acts 9:10-16) The wisdom of God was shown when He sent Ananias to minister to Saul after the latter had an encounter with Jesus o...

 Understanding the Cultural and Belief System of the Host Community For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 ESV Understanding the cultural beliefs and practices of our host community is imperative to our success as missionaries. An open attack, sanctimonious attitude, and defiant condemnation of people's age-long practices would end the ministry and inf...

The Digital Church "Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread." Matthew 15:2 "And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." Luke 13:14 A certain bishop visited a junior priest's ministerial station on a certain Sunday. Being a 'custodian' of the divine ordinance and sacrament, after the service, he called the junior priest and assessed the service, saying: "For just thirty minutes of preaching, you asked people to shout hallelujah thirty times." The priest was baffled but summoned the courage to respond to the bishop: "Sir, how did you have time to count the number of hallelujahs being shouted?" Today, we are in the midst of ADVENTURE—a mixture of fun and mystery. Toda...

The Priority of the Missionary "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." 1 Corinthians 1:17. The fact that a missionary has received and been called correctly does not mean he will deliver the message certainly and correctly. He may have conceived the vision rightly and correctly, but challenges and circumstances may cause abnormal delivery, and he could end up frustrating the plan of God over his life and the people he has been called to raise for Christ. Paul said clearly that he has been called to PREACH, not to baptize others. Is baptism not important? Isn't it a Christian sacrament and an important aspect of the salvation experience? Yes. But to Paul, the most important thing is to PREACH and REACH men for Christ. Sincerely, a missionary can get it all wrong in the field, especially when he is more concerned about his personal image, giving reports , and the desire ...

 The emergence of the new priesthood order.  After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. Judges 2:10.  More than ever before, the multiplication of new ministers, or better still those who claimed they have been called by the Lord is alarming and somehow encouraging.  It is not uncommon today, that when a brother or sister led a fellowship in the Campus or happened to serve as executives, they ended up floating a church when they concluded their program. The automatic switch is necessitated by various factors: First, there is scarcely paid employment today. And the only thing that guarantees food on our tables is pastoral work (permits my ignorance). This doesn't demand prospective members to possess certain distinction or special certificates. No rigours of going through interviews and certificate screening. The only requirement is the claim, you have a call ...

Years ago, I was on the Twitter platform to make friends and preach the gospel of salvation. A man named Mark (or something similar) who had a Twitter handle and a #hashtag took interest in me and what I do for the sake of Christ. Unknown to me, he had raised several amounts of dollars for our cause, but unfortunately he did not pass it across to me. This became known to the group and many people left his group. Later, I was contacted by a woman who had secretly followed my activities on Twitter and other platforms. She took interest, perhaps due to her prayers about me and the things we do. She asked me to join her group and lead weekly chats on Missions and Discipleship. This platform was a way for her to draw attention to our mission activities and raise a substantial amount of money for us to remain focused on our assignment. I found it difficult to believe that any white person would trust the testimonies of a Nigerian, despite the corruptible nature and dispositions of some peopl...

Gospel Technique/Gospel-Centric Approach to Winning the Lost. "Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings." - *1 Corinthians 9:19-23* The position of Apostle Paul on reaching men for Christ is somewhat contentious, especially to tho...

The Sacrifices That Produce Great Harvest "Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. Then, besides all this, I hav...

Appointing a Church Leader "Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure." (1 Timothy 5:22) The belief that we should use the available, not just the anointed, and that when a dog is not available, we make use of a sheep to hunt, is the downfall of today's church. Churches are expanding and spreading their influence in cities and villages. However, there is a shortage of qualified leaders to handle this growth. The harvest is indeed plentiful, but there are few laborers. The lack of faithful laborers has led to the appointment of individuals without considering their character and lifestyle. I have witnessed pastors who have no experience and have never served as church workers being appointed. They do not have stable homes, lack a public testimony, and their wives prefer to worship in other branches of the church because they do not see them as pastors but impostors. I know of a brother who was appointed to ...

 The Treasure of Great Price Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man who is a merchant seeking goodly pearls: and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46) The substances of life consist of two important elements: the ordinary and the extraordinary. Most men live their ordinary and common lives. Others press further to live an extraordinary and supernatural life. What sets the difference between the two is the price they are ready to pay. Listen, the merchant sold all that he had to get it. What are you ready to give to live a fulfilled, extraordinary life?

 Happy New Year, Daddy Jeff Douglas! Our relationship over the years has proved to me beyond a doubt that you are truly a remarkable man. You are strong both in your words and actions. Jeff has received praise from those who live around him, a testament to his character. Your tenacity, determination, and approach to life are remarkable. Having silently observed your love for Cheri over the years, especially during her difficult times, it is clear to me that you are an ambassador of light and a role model for couples who wish to manage their lives with quietness, discipline, and wisdom. Wishing you a joyful celebration, sir. May you be as fruitful as a palm tree in your old age, and may you enjoy the blessings of heaven. Whatever you pursue, may you prosper.

 BLESSED IS THE MAN... YEAR 2024 SAFETY PRECAUTION TO VICTORY. Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers. (Psalm 1:1) The psalmist warned against three forms of people we must avoid if we want to be blessed: the wicked, the sinners, and the mockers. The wicked are known for their counsel. Their greatest strength lies in the counsel they give. Take the example of Balaam. He couldn't curse the people of Israel or destroy them because they were blessed, but he gave Balak counsel that caused the Israelites to lose favor with God. "Behold, these people caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD" (Numbers 31:16). Balaam's evil counsel led the protected and fortified Israelites to succumb to the sin of fornication. Be cautious of the counsel you follow this...