RAISING DISCIPLES FOR WORLD OUTREACH

 THE CHURCH IN A CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY Running a Christian Business "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 In Nigeria and in some nations of the world, corruption has become an institution--a stronghold that has become a cancerous and deadly sting. For a business to be established and survive in Nigeria economy there is the greater tendency that it must lean and thrive on the wings of corruption.  If a pastor wants promotion or to be posted to 'good' church by the leaders, he must be a good boy who knows how to rub and wet the hands of his leaders.  If you want your business registered and duly certified by the government you must activate it with money.  If you want to g...

“I have told you these things so that you won’t fall away. . . . Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember I warned you. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.John 16:1, 4 When a star player retires, an effective CEO is replaced, or a long-serving pastor dies, the team, the business, or the church faces a potentially critical period of adjustment. Unless the hole in leadership is filled as carefully and promptly as possible, there is always the possibility that the organization or institution will lose momentum and the members will lose heart. Jesus was well aware of this possibility when he talked to his disciples about his imminent departure. He said, “I have told you these things so that you won’t fall away” (John 16:1). But that did not mean a change in his plans, for Jesus reiterated, “Now I am going away to the one who sent me” (16:5). In short, he told them that, though he was going away, there mu...

Is this how people worship? "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears" Acts 20. 29-31 I was to connect with my brother in Abeokuta this particular Sunday. This means, I will be out of my rural worship centre. I had prayed and left early so I could worship in any denomination as much as it is the house of OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.  I got there early enough and located the place of our meeting. While waiting for his arrival from another town, I had to get a place to worship. I heard the 'noise' of one where the music was too much that I knew that this is not more than a dancing hall or performing arts studio. Just beside this one, I saw another and was about entering when I noticed some two o...

The Life of a Missionary (2) MUST BE A MAN UNDER AUTHORITY (2) "Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch" Acts 11:25-26 In our last edition, I proposed that for a missionary to effectively discharge his duties free from errors and frequent intimidations, he must submit himself to the authority of an elder to whom he is accountable and responsible. And the leader in turn ensures he properly monitored him so that he could escape the wrath and snare of the devil. Wiersbe rightly put this,   "Beware of teachers who will not put themselves under authority. They were vain talkers. What they said impressed people, but it had no content or substance". (Kindly refer to the last edition for further reading) Barely had Paul's ministry started that he is been faced with inc...

It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. Acts 12:1-5.  In the spiritual and physical realm, no one assume a higher position until he has accomplished a set of task, excel and win some battles. Even our Lord Jesus was only exalted when has fought and conquered:  "Instead he gave up everything and became a slave, when he became like one of us. Christ was humble. He obeyed God and even died on a cross. Then God gave Christ the highest place and hono...

The metamorphosis of the Motivators to the Prophetic "For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach---and that for the sake of dishonest gain. One of Crete's own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons." Titus 1:10-12 Obviously, the days of motivational speakers are dying. For we are already in a tense environment. There is absolutely nothing motivating around us.  But these men have technically evolved into prophetic movement. You no longer need motivation to work, they just command your destiny to come up, command money into your account.  The flexibility of this sacrosanct is to the extent that your phone, car and other automobile can be miraculously fixed by prophetic pronouncement.  You don't need to check up your account details, the prophets ...

The Life of a Missionary (2) MUST BE A MAN UNDER AUTHORITY.  In our last edition, while examining the life of a missionary, I reiterated the need for a missionary to have personal encounter with Jesus. He must not be a circumstantial leader who enters the field without the authority of the Master who specifically directs him after examining his heart and life for the job.  A missionary is necessarily a sinner saved by grace and whose heart is opened to reach out to those still under the oppression of sin.  Another important life a missionary must carry is that HE MUST SUBMIT TO THE AUTHORITY OF ANOTHER MAN. A mission field is not just an open field for easy and unobtrusive access but one under the influence and control of the evil ones. For a missionary to succeed well, he must have the covering of a father who oversees and direct his work and affair such that he is sure of the consistent prayers of the father.  Apostle Paul in Galatians said, "Dear brothers and sis...

Sometimes godly people suffer for no reason apparent to anyone but God. Be careful how you counsel people in their hurts (Erwin Lutzer) Who can explain the suffering and 'torturing' of Job? His friends explained his ordeal in their myopic understanding:  "Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job, with his thirst for irreverent talk? He chooses evil people as companions. He spends his time with wicked men. He has even said, 'Why waste time trying to please God?'  "Listen to me, you who have understanding. Everyone knows that God doesn't sin! The Almighty can do no wrong. He repays people according to their deeds. He treats people as they deserve" Job 34:7-11 Job on his part reacted disorderly and spoke words from his anguish until he was confronted by the Maker Himself:  "Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: "Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions fo...

 FACE YOUR ASSIGNMENT "But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him" Acts 9:22-23 "And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. And he (Saul) spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him" Acts 9:28-29 Saul (Paul) had barely become an apostle when he faced two death threats. In Damascus, where he had obtained permission to arrest Christian faithfuls but eventually became one of them. And at Jerusalem, the Apostolic headquarters of the Christian Church.  ✓ Was Paul the only called and anointed Apostle? ✓ Why was only his gospel messages leading to controversies, arguments and death threats?  The Church Synod/Conference in Acts 15 was not more than meeting called upon to examine Paul's teaching and doctrine.  It is clear from Paul'...

The Life of a Missionary (1) MUST BE BORN AGAIN What life is expected of one who is called of God to discipled others for Christ?  Is mission for everyone who desires for it and have burden for souls?  Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. " John 3:3  When Jesus confronted Nicodemus with this statement, he was already a spiritual leader, member of Jewish Council and a teacher of the Mosaic Laws--versatile in all that pertain to this life and hereafter. But to Christ, he was unqualified as far as God's standard is concern. He was merely a professional Rabbi who is unworthy to handle issues pertaining to life and godliness.  Sinon was already an Elder of the Church in Samaria; having passed through the basics of repentance and baptism. And he was on the missionary list of Philip--following him everywhere. Yet, Peter confronted him: "You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right...

 DON'T TRESPASS Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, [2] but Moses alone is to approach the Lord; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.” Exodus 24:1-2 God had invited Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and indeed seventy of the elders of Israel to come up to Him. But they were to stand at a distance. Moses alone was to come near God.  Remember, ALL were invited by the Lord God Himself. But, to come close in an intimate fellowship was only given to Moses.  God has shown to these men clearly the limit and boundary of their call. They are God's appointed and His spokesmen but only that they must know the limit and scope of their anointing.  Seriously, as children of God, we would go far and deep in the spiritual journey only if we would obey the scope of our anointing and influence. To think you have power to do everything is the beg...

 UNDERSTANDING MISSIONS (3) Hindrances to Discipleship (Part 3) Another said, "Yes, Lord, I will come, but first let me ask permission of those at home." But Jesus told him, "Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God. Luke 9:61-62 We have come to the concluding part of the hindrances to Discipleship making as depicted in the story of the three would-be disciples in Luke 9: 57-62.  The third would-be disciple was not in any way different from the first one who voluntarily offered himself to follow Jesus. But apparently, following Jesus is much more than wishful desire. It must pleased the Master to bid us to follow Him. We cannot respond to call we didn't received. "And having chosen us, he called us to come to him; and when we came, he declared us "not guilty," filled us with Christ's goodness, gave us right standing with himself, and promised us his glory." Romans 8:30 TLB Again, this...

 A SUBSTANCE FOR YOUR HEALING "Moses prayed earnestly to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood, which he threw into the water; and the water became fit to drink. There the LORD gave them laws to live by, and there he also tested them". Exodus 15:25  The Israelites had journeyed in the wilderness for three (3) days and became very thirsty. They came to Marah where there was water. But the water here was bitter for drinking.  Moses prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered by SHOWING him a piece of healing wood which when thrown in made the water fit for drinking.  The healing wood was around them. But Moses didn't discovered it until the Lord showed Him. He opened his eyes to see the healing substance around him.  Some years ago, I have a disease that could only be corrected by a surgical operation. I became really afraid of the pain and the cost implications. Then, I prayed earnestly to God. He showed me a substance in the home kitchen. That was all ...

 IS CHRIST HONOURED IN MY LIFE. The people around us are watching us, they are looking and examining us to see exactly what we are, regardless of our testimonies ... They are measuring our lives and watching us when we do not know it. It is not for our own sakes alone that God is calling us to walk softly before Him, and admonishing us that our words and actions must be Luke Jesus Christ. The most important thing is that Christ may be honoured and not dishonoured, that He may be shown forth in our lives in all His beauty and glory. The next important thing is for the sake of those about us who are repelled or drown to Christ by what they see in the lives of His followers. C.H. Macllravy. 

 In the Darkest Moment  But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Luke 23:49 It was Jesus' darkest moment. A moment of pain, shame and suffering. He was a powerful man. He is Commander of the Lord's Army. He's the Second Person of the Trinity, possessing every power and authority of the Godhead.  He raised people from their death. He comforted the grief and offered them hope of glorious future. The blind, the sick, the distressed, etc were beneficiaries of Jesus' power over natural and spiritual diseases.  He was a man of prayers and great intercessory strength. Everything were possible to Him through prayers and cordial relationship with His Father.  But, here comes the dark moment. A moment when darkness prevailed and momentarily win. A moment when Jesus queried the Father: WHY DO YOU FORSAKE ME? This is how grievous and painful this moment looked like. Such time when even th...

 UNDERSTANDING MISSIONS (3) Hindrances to Discipleship (part 2) Luke 9: 57-62 In our previous lesson, we observed that one of the greatest hindrances to Discipleship is inability to count the cost.  Today, we are examining the second hindrance.  Luke 9. 59-60. "Jesus said to another man, "Follow me!" But the man said, "Lord, let me go and bury my father first." But Jesus said to him, "Let the people who are dead bury their own dead. You must go and tell about God's kingdom." The second would-be disciple was privileged and duly called by God. This was the fellowship the first man never enjoyed. And seriously, he was more eager to respond to the call. But his decision was halfhearted. He has a different priority, '...Lord, let me FIRST go...' He acknowledged the Lordship of Christ. He avowed the greatness of Jesus. But, he was really unwilling to submit his personal priority for the Master's call. His desires, interests and hobbies were ...

 UNDERSTANDING MISSIONS (3) Hindrances to Discipleship. Luke 9: 57-62 The desires and passion of every missionary is to raise and discipled men for Christ. We want to produce fruits that will remain.  The quest to achieve this has made every missionary adopts and initiates various means at ensuring that men are made to grow in the image of Christ.  Meanwhile, looking intently at scriptures reveals the various impediments at raising men for Christ. Christ during His earthy ministry was faced with men who would want to follow him and become his disciples. But unfortunately, they wanted the process of becoming His disciples in their own terms and conveniences.  Let's examine these:  Luke 9. 57-58 They were all traveling along the road. Someone said to Jesus, "I will follow you anywhere you go." He answered, "The foxes have holes to live in. The birds have nests. But the Son of Man has no place where he can rest his head. This first would-be disciples made up a self...

 YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 Text: Genesis 35:1-5  Jacob had gone far away from the place of his encounter with God. He was in search of greener pastures. He lost a lot through this step including his daughter, Dinah into the hands of the Shechemites.  God encountered him and ordered him to go back to his original place of worship.  Jacob knew this was no longer ordinary journey but God driven journey. Thus, he ordered his family: "Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves"   If God must go with them on the journey back to the original place of encounter. Then, they must let go any foreign source of power and protection that they had accumulated in the various places they had sought for help. Indeed, even what they wear must pave way for what befit the Children of God: "..and change...

 "How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. [13] For you said to yourself, 'I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. [14] I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.' [15] Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths. [16] Everyone there will stare at you and ask, 'Can this be the one who shook the earth and made the kingdoms of the world tremble? [17] Is this the one who destroyed the world and made it into a wasteland? Is this the king who demolished the world's greatest cities and had no mercy on his prisoners?' Isaiah 14:12-17  PRAYER POINTS ✓ Father, don't let me relish in the  past glory. Continue to make me relevant and ever brilliant and shining.  ✓ May I not enter into the realm of depravation...

 FOLLOW ME, AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN. Matthew 4. 19-25 Today, there are serious and dire needs of men to serve God among men. There are unreached people everywhere. From cities to villages, there are quite some numbers of men without the 'true' gospel.  There are people who are thirsty and hunger for righteousness. But, there are lack of men to feed them.  Fields are ripe everywhere waiting for harvest. Yet, there are lack of men.  The lack of men is not due necessarily to the lack of available men. But the lack is that of MADE MEN.  Many today want to serve and be used of God. But only few are ready to WAIT on God. Seriously, many harvesters are in the field. But few men has been assigned duties. Some others are working on their own pleasures The fact is this:  1. FOLLOW ME... God doesn't bring men into His service unless He bid them first to FOLLOW HIM.  (VS 19). You must be called to think of answering or responding. No matter the lack of ...

 THE MISSION OF THE MISSIONARY The main aim of missionary is to reach out to souls. Yet, he must study and understands the means of reaching them.  Some of the means of reaching the souls of men include:  ✓ Meeting their physical needs by providing them with food, clothing and shelter  ✓ Engage in professional work among the people. For instance, a missionary can volunteer to be a school teacher, a medical practitioner and host of other services as the situation demands.  However, a missionary can be overwhelmed by these charities and volunteering works so as to forget that his main focus is to bring souls to Christ. This unconscious act has led many missionaries astray from the path of the ultimate Great Commission.  "Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica..." 2 Timothy 4. 10  Demas left the present world when he tasted of the goodness of Christ. He became a missionary to bring others to taste of t...

 BEERSHEBA...THE IMMUTABILITY OF DIVINE COUNSEL. And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:  And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die. Genesis 45:27-28 So Israel began his trip to Egypt. First he went to Beersheba. There he worshiped God, the God of his father Isaac. He offered sacrifices. Genesis 46:1-2 It was already 13 years since Joseph was claimed to have been devoured by wild animal that Jacob leant he was still alive. Joseph's spirit was revived at this news. Then, he has to go and see him according to Joseph's request and Jacob's lingering desire. But the journey to 'prosperous' Egypt was not to start until the worship and sacrifice in BEERSHEBA was done.  The opportunity to be in Egypt was a deserving one. It was very expedient and seemingly unavoidable. It was a call from ...

 How a Pastor Stole a $25,000.00 Open Bank Cheque During Dinner in Member's House A Successful Nigerian couple invited the Pastor of their Church for dinner in their home in California, United States of America. After the Pastor left, the couple realized their cheque had disappeared. The man said to his wife; “I think the Pastor has stolen the $25,000.00 open bank check that I kept here on the table of which I had the intention to give to him”. Angrily his wife exclaimed; “Hmmmm! All of them are just the same. If they are not fake, they are thieves. There is no need to invite him again, we shall from henceforth be attending another Church”. Two Months Later, the woman met the Pastor on a certain street and was courageous enough to face him and said: “Good morning Pastor, you have surely realised that we no longer attend Church, this is because we're angry with you. The day you ate in our house, there was a $25,000.00 open bank check on the table but unfortunately it disappeared...

 STOP BEING WILD "Later, when Hagar knew she was going to have a baby, she became proud and was hateful to Sarai.... But Sarai began treating Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away. Genesis 16:4, 6 How often we allowed hatred and persecution against ourselves because of projected success and breakthrough. We became so proud and uncontrollable because of conceived but immature and unripe vision.  It is really unnecessary to allow ourselves distracted and become wild because of 'beautiful' but intangible success. 

 KEY TO DIVINE FULFILMENT IT IS THESE WHO HAVE NOT DEFILED THEMSELVES WITH WOMEN, for they are chaste; it is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes; these have been redeemed from mankind as first fruits for God and the Lamb, - Revelation 14:4. Today, there are varied susceptible sins that trapped men. Sin accounted for man's fall and inability to grow in the grace of God.  However, in recent time, great men of avouched glory. rising stars, men with great goal and exceptional visions has been buried in the lap of women.  Sex has become so cheap that money is not a necessary factor to contract it.  The doors of immorality has been widely opened to us as LEADERS and rising stars. Indecent dressings ladies flocking around. The pitiable ladies who needed to be counseled. A married woman facing brutal domestic abuse. An helpless lady who needed academic support, etc. The doors to contract this disease is unimaginably widely opened.  Seriously, I conjecture that an...

 *Judas Test*  _"If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God" (Ps. 55:12-14)._ Betrayal is one of the most difficult tests that we will ever face because it involves being wounded by someone we trust. It's hard not to become bitter when a friend or family member wounds us. It takes a lot of Christ-like grace to forgive a traitor. You have probably faced the Judas Test yourself. Every day you and I work in a marketplace that is rife with betrayal, deception, duplicity, and treachery. Perhaps you have been betrayed by your boss or a coworker. Or perhaps somebody betrayed a confidence or stabbed you in the back. It may have even been someone you've gone to church with or prayed with - someone you trusted as a brother in Christ. The Judas kiss sting...

 A SCARY GLORY Also before the throne there was something that looked like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal. In front of the throne and on each side of it there were four living beings. They had eyes all over them, in front and in back. [7] The first living being was like a lion. The second was like a bull. The third had a face like a man. The fourth was like a flying eagle. [8] Each of these four living beings had six wings. They were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day and night they never stopped saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God All-Powerful. He always was, he is, and he is coming." [9] These living beings were giving glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, the one who lives forever and ever... Revelation 4:6-9 Imagine the description of these living beings:  1. look like lion 2. look like a bull 3. a face like a man (an exception to the other three) 4. look like a flying eagle More so, they all 1. Has six wings each 2. were co...

 LIVING WITHOUT STRESS They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.  We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:5-6 Recently, I was discussing with my wife on various Christian principles against the deviations to those principles that we are witnessing in the church today. We cited a church or two whose congregations haven't surge in the past 10 years or more of their establishment. Of course, these are the finest Christian congregations around with sound biblical principles. But they aren't growing in population. What is/was their sin(s) or errors? It is simply that they are adhering strictly to the Biblical principles. For instance, in those congregations, there is no seasonal adult or children harvest where thousands of money are raised and syphoned from people's purse in the name of greater blessings...

  In the matter of clothing and jewelry, there are guidelines that apply to all believers, men as well as women. A first principle is expense. How much do we spend on clothes? Is it all necessary? Could the money be spent in better ways? First Timothy 2:9 forbids expensive clothes: “not with … costly clothing.” It is not a matter of whether or not we can afford them. It is sin for a Christian to spend money on expensive clothes, because God’s word forbids it. Compassion forbids it too. The desperate plight of our neighbors in other lands, their enormous spiritual and physical needs, point up the callousness of spending money unnecessarily on clothing. This applies not only to the quality of the clothes we buy but to the quantity as well. The closets of some Christians look like branch clothing stores. Often as they travel on vacation, a rod stretched over the back seat of the car holds an array of dresses, shirts, and suits that rivals the samples of a traveling clothing salesman. ...

 YOUR APPOINTED TIME IS NOW And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: AND THE POWER OF THE LORD WAS PRESENT TO HEAL THEM. Luke 5:17 "Who touched me?" Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, "Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you." But Jesus said, "Someone deliberately touched me, FOR I FELT HEALING POWER GO OUT FROM ME." Luke 8:45-46. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. FOR AN ANGEL OF THE LORD WENT DOWN AT CERTAIN SEASON INTO THE POOL, AND TROUBLED THE WATER: WHOSOEVER THEN FIRST AFTER THE TROUBLING OF THE WATER STEPPED IN WAS MADE WHOLE OF WHATSOEVER DISEASE HE HAD. John 5:2-4 The three pas...

 MEET ME IN GALILEE... AN INDISPENSABLE ENCOUNTER TO SUSTAIN THE RESURRECTED LIFE. Jesus's resurrection from death has become an undisputable divine truth in human history. An attempt to stand antithetical is just a stubborn decision and fruitless efforts. More so, every believers in Christ must experience this form of resurrection from the dead work. Indeed, we must passed from death to life (John 5.24) Meanwhile, when Jesus rose from the dead, he instructed His disciples to meet Him at Galilee.  There wouldn't have been any need for other meeting after resurrection if such were not of utmost importance to us and our continuity in the race of life.  Matthew 28:16-20 KJV Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND EARTH. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them...

  WHEN YOU BREAK YOUR VISION Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head. Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.  Mark 14:3‭-‬5. The woman here took what was precious unto her and what was sufficient to pay a year's wages, broke and pour it on Jesus's head. It was so expensive that most of those around took offense in such audacious act. Presumably, each of them kept hidden what was precious to them somewhere.  Don't forget, it was this indignation that led Judas Iscariot (one of Jesus's disciples) to aligned with the religious leaders to betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.   Do you...

 EVEN SO... THEY WOULD NOT TAKE WARNING.  Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them." So Samuel passed on the LORD's warning to the people who were asking him for a king.  This is how a king will reign over you," Samuel said. "The king will draft your sons and assign them to his chariots and his charioteers, making them run before his chariots.  Some will be generals and captains in his army, some will be forced to plow in his fields and harvest his crops, and some will make his weapons and chariot equipment.  The king will take your daughters from you and force them to cook and bake and make perfumes for him.  He will take away the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his own officials.  He will take a tenth of your grain and your grape harvest and distribute it among his officers and attendants.  He will take your male and female slaves and demand the finest of your cattle and...

 MUST I GO AN EMPTY-HANDED?  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors  until THE TIME APPOINTED OF THE FATHER. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:  But when THE FULNESS OF THE TIME WAS COME, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. Galatians 4:1-4 Everything in life has their time and season of fruitfulness. Things are fundamentally makes beautiful in their own time. Once the appointed season and time of certain things expire, it starts experiencing decay and wastage. A pregnant woman expects her delivery on or few days before the ninth month. Any single day(s) after this appointed time is characterised by worrying, anxiety and fears.  We sometimes missed our  appointed time and season, opportunity and greatness in life because we couldn't recognise our appointed time of visitation (Luke...

  Great men lose their great success for lack of boundaries or restraint.  It is better to be careful than to be sorry. (ONE CHAPTER A MOMENT, David & Mirella, OLAYINKA) No one is fashioned or called to conquer the entire world. We all have the location and limitation of our influence (only God is infinitely limitless).  Samson was made with great strength. But God set him the limitation, even before his birth:  "Be sure not to drink any wine or beer, or eat any forbidden food; and after your son is born, you must never cut his hair, because from the day of his birth he will be dedicated to God as a nazirite. He will begin the work of rescuing Israel from the Philistines." Judges 13:4-5 However, Samson love for things outside his boundary made him lose the secret of his purpose to a prostitute Delilah and he died without divine protection.  Be careful how you move your life around. A lot of things may provoke your heart, but your opportunities lies in your p...

 THE KING IS COMING "Say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you." Isaiah 35:4 NLT We are living in a precarious time. A lot of things could ignite fears in our hearts, ranging from ✓ government rules that could adversely affect our businesses ✓ relocation that could temporarily affect our family lifestyle and income ✓ completion of projects ✓ diseases and sicknesses that surface in the family ✓ paying a rent ✓ desire to meet up with a targeted goals  ✓ fulfilling a dream or projected vision, etc The list are endless. Be assured: Your God is coming to destroy YOUR ENEMIES. Seriously, fears are enemies of our peace and joy. They are enemies of our progress and stability of heart.  Remember,  ✓ Psalm 112:6-8 KJV Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lor...

As we revel in seeing the new month and coming gradually to the end of the year. We must make every effort to check ourselves daily; knowing fully we are not getting any younger but older and the time of our life is passing away. This is a reason to live right and put things right "Another reason for right living is this: you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed.  The night is far gone, the day of his return will soon be here. So quit the evil deeds of darkness and put on the armor of right living, as we who live in the daylight should! Be decent and true in everything you do so that all can approve your behavior. Don't spend your time in wild parties and getting drunk or in adultery and lust or fighting or jealousy.  But ask the Lord Jesus Christ to help you live as you should, and don't make plans to enjoy evil". Romans 13:11-14 TLB I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who...

 "I have no doubt that the world stands because of the prayers of Christians." Aristides of Athens  But, I am doubtful that not many Christians takes the discipline of prayers very seriously. Why do we fail to pray? Because we depend so much on our strength and techniques.    In the same way the Spirit also comes to help us, weak as we are. For we do not know how we ought to pray; the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express.  And God, who sees into our hearts, knows what the thought of the Spirit is; because the Spirit pleads with God on behalf of his people and in accordance with his will. Romans 8:26-27 GNT

Confess your faults and sins to your friends, Christian brothers and sisters or your spouse, so your prayers are answered clearly. Don't hide away from your flesh!  'Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other SO THAT YOU MAY BE HEALED. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.' James 5:16 NLT You may be dying away hiding away. Come clean. (One Chapter A Moment, Mirella & David OLAYINKA). The phrase 'So that you may be HEALED' is seriously significant in our spiritual making. Confessing to God leads to FORGIVENESS. But, only by confessing to other Christians can we be HEALED. Forgiveness and HEALING is congruent. The physical and Spiritual healing are tools for our  Spiritual formation.  What peace and healing we often forfeit by not taking the stride of faith.  It is not a sign of weakness but rather of strength and confidence in Christ when we confess to one another. 

Great understanding amplifies efforts, but lack of understanding buries skills and efforts underground... God wants us talk to Him on clarifications of our purposes otherwise we will have to run on our own fuel and may struggle all lifelong (One Chapter A Moment, Mirella & David OLAYINKA) Fools are so exhausted by a little work that they can't even find their way home. Ecclesiastes 10:15  So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:15-17 

'Humans can use you and dump you once they're done with you or better opportunities show up. Always bear that in mind! A true child of God will never do so though!' (One Chapter A Moment, Mirella & David OLAYINKA) Even the most esteemed and godly institution in the world--marriage, sometimes ended up in divorce when sexual and personal gratification must have been achieved.  Exodus 1:8-10:  EVENTUALLY, A NEW KING CAME TO POWER IN EGYPT WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JOSEPH OR WHAT HE HAD DONE. He said to his people, "Look, the people of Israel now outnumber us and are stronger than we are. We must make a plan to keep them from growing even more. If we don't, and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies and fight against us. Then they will escape from the country." Joseph used all his youthful and precious life serving the Egyptian government. He served faithfully and broke record. It is unthinkable that any king would assume power in Egypt without knowing or ...