RAISING DISCIPLES FOR WORLD OUTREACH

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...

 MISSION REPORTS Ofia is a village (though the inhabitants and locals may consider it a town) in the Ketou community of République du Bénin. We visited this place about a month ago with a group of women to evangelize. After the initial meeting, we felt compelled to return. Therefore, between December 11th and 14th, 2023, we launched a full-fledged evangelism effort in the village. We stayed among the inhabitants and shared with them the gospel of the kingdom. Preaching in this renowned town was a great success. Despite having left, we continue to feel an incessant burden in our spirits to do more among the people. Please join us as we seek God's guidance on how to disciple these individuals for Christ. The gospel of the kingdom must be preached among the nations as a testimony. God bless you all. Peter Abdul-Razaq, OLAYINKA, a missionary with Living Grace Christian Missions, Ilara. WhatsApp: (+229) 94139130 Mobile: (+234) 8066540987, (+234) 7084504532 Email: peterrazaq@yahoo.com Tw...

Guiding Our Godly Heritage Jealously. "What!" they exclaimed. "It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and you can rebuild it in three days?" - John 2:20. The Jews wouldn't tolerate anyone speaking against their Temple, which was a symbol of their pride and resilience. It took them a whopping forty-six years to build it, and according to Jewish traditions, speaking against the Temple was punishable by death. "The lying witnesses said, 'This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.'" - Acts 6:13-14. Why did they hold their Temple in such high regard? 1. It took them forty-six years of consistent labor to build. 2. They didn't allow foreigners (non-Jews or Greeks) to have a part in the building. While there are scattered instances of non-Jews who loved the Jews and contributed...

2ND INTERNATIONAL GOODNEWS CHILDREN CAMP, held at Moumou Village, République du Bénin on 10-13 November, 2023. RAHAB 2023 (TOTAL TRANSFORMATION) And Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men as spies secretly from Shittim, instructing them to go view the land and Jericho. They went and came into the house of a harlot named Rahab, and they stayed there. (Joshua 2.1) It is probable that Rahab, due to her chosen profession, would have been neglected and abandoned by her family. She must have carried a public shame as long as she remained a prostitute. No nation or family would be happy to associate with a prostitute or whore. The strategic position of her house allowed for quick access to customers once they arrived in Jericho. Meanwhile, the two spies who were sent by Joshua were unusual customers. What transpired between Rahab and the two spies demonstrates how God can bring transformation to an entire family and nation through the decision of a single person. 1. "And she said unto th...

When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the LORD blessed him.  He became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow. (Genesis 26:12-13) This form of blessing is truly unique. I have heard of multiple harvests and blessings of tenfold, but to have a harvest a hundred times greater is happily exceptional. Indeed, anyone witnessing such blessings could become envious. The responsibility the Lord required of Isaac was to clear the land and plant the crops. As the apostle Paul said, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase." Have you ever experienced a severe drought or famine? The feeling of hopelessness and our efforts spiraling downward, leading to exhaustion and surrendering to fate? I have been greatly beaten down. I know what it means to be brought low. But I can hear the sound of abundance of rain. Just like when the Lord restored the health of Naaman, where his flesh grew as that of a baby. S...

The End of the Mission. "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." - 2 Corinthians 4:16 No matter the laudability of a man's ministry on the earth, no matter the greatness and vastness of his vision, and no matter the durability of his strength and physical vigor, a man's ministry comes to an end immediately he loses faith and faints in the promises of the Lord. Once a man's heart is disconnected from his ministry, he has already lost the power to be productive and the capacity to be resilient in the assignment. A man becomes faint-hearted when he is confronted by a lot of challenging issues, for instance: 1. Tribulations and persecutions on the field. 2. Death of a spouse or children while on the field. 3. Unyielding people. 4. Lack of constant financial support. 5. Lack of moral, psychological, and emotional support. 6. Sickness and debilitating health. Many missionaries have lost their inner mora...

After Josiah had finished restoring the Temple, King Neco of Egypt led his army up from Egypt to do battle at Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and Josiah and his army marched out to fight him. But King Neco sent messengers to Josiah with this message: "What do you want with me, king of Judah? I have no quarrel with you today! I am on my way to fight another nation, and God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you." But Josiah refused to listen to Neco, to whom God had indeed spoken, and he would not turn back. Instead, he disguised himself and led his army into battle on the plain of Megiddo. But the enemy archers hit King Josiah with their arrows and wounded him. He cried out to his men, "Take me from the battle, for I am badly wounded!" So they lifted Josiah out of his chariot and placed him in another chariot. Then they brought him back to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried there in the royal cemetery. And al...

THE WICKEDNESS OF THE WICKED.  "But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king" 1 Samuel 12.25 How can we measure the damage of the wicked?  How can wickedness be quantified?  What's the gravity of the damage caused by the wicked?  Have you experienced the act of the wicked?  Let me draw you feasible attention to what I experienced as a farmer. I ploughed a four hectares of maize farm and applied a pre-emergent herbicide to control the perennial weed. I was relaxed after spending thousands in purchasing the herbicide. Unfortunately, my relaxed mind was disturbed when discovered that, the said pre-emergent herbicide was supposed to be labelled fertiliser; for it controlled nothing. However, I wasn't giving us easily as I purchased several of selective herbicide to curtail the weed from affecting the maize and its eventual produce. Yet, I was battered because the weed overthrew the maize and affected the yield.  I have been twi...

 THE CHURCH IN A CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY (10) THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION IN THE HOLY PLACE "And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days." - Daniel 12:11 I have read this passage by Daniel numerous times. I have struggled relentlessly to understand what it means. Even when I gained a little clarity, I concluded that it could only occur after the rapture of the saints. However, God recently revealed to me that it is an event that will happen in the church age. Hmmm... The 'reckless' church has tried every means to maintain its financial and structural prosperity by competing with other institutions. It is not surprising to note that today we have the richest church and richest pastors as rated by secular institutions. It is not an exaggeration to say that the church, in its pursuit to raise its financial and structural standards, has deviated from t...

 The world can't hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. - John 7:7  Not all Christians are hated by the world. Some believers love the world and pray earnestly for people to love them.  Jesus explains that the world hated him because he accused it of doing evil. The world favors Christians who remain silent in the face of evil and are comfortable with wickedness.  For example, if you have a school and allow cheating during exams, give unfair grades, and offer special treatment to students whose parents are financially influential, your school will see a rise in its reputation.  The world only celebrates those who conform to its beliefs and demands, but those who aspire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will face persecution.  Some Christian pastors, musicians, artists, etc., create content that unbelievers find appealing because it caters to their indulgent and pleasure-seeking tendencies.  It is not uncommon nowadays to se...

 Understanding Missions(12) The Spiritual & Physical Well-being of a Missionary "We have this treasure from God, but we are like clay jars that hold the treasure. This shows that the great power is from God, not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). Any spiritual individual with a vision, burden, and undeniable call and assignment over their life needs an earthly vessel/clay jar to carry and dispense that burden. No matter how great and admirable our visions and burdens may be, we also need a strong and sustainable body (earthly vessels/clay jars) to carry them. A sickly and weak body will struggle to carry a strong desire to reach the world for Christ. A missionary is not expected to live extravagantly and flamboyantly. However, they must maintain a minimal diet to sustain their bodily health so they can endure in the work. One of our problems as missionaries is that we often invest all of our income into supposed kingdom work while neglecting our personal and bodily upkeep, as ...

Missions today were held back and fast becoming painful but necessary assignment of which those involved in it were bearing with grudges and murmuring. There are so many spiritual men on the field but who lacks vocational and professional skills that will fortify their work.  Missions and spiritual influence doesn't develop overnight. It involves long and enduring labour of the missionary. This tedious but productive journey demands financial sustenance. Therefore, it is important for the missionary to have developed like Paul the Apostle a certain vocational and professional skills which will help him wither the storm of financial needs while hoping the work to develop in which he may need to exchange his professional skill for full scale missions.  Missions becomes a burden when and if the spiritual man has to live on the mercy of his followers. There and then he claimed his fatherhood of them and demands to be financially honoured. Sincerely, there is nothing that undermin...

LAnd it came to pass after a while, that THE BROOK DRIED UP, because there had been no rain in the land' 1 Kings 17. 7.  God had through Elijah gave a judgemental prophecy against Israel:  THERE SHALL NOT BE DEW NOR RAIN THESE YEARS... However, God must protect and provide for His servant through the famine. Therefore, the Lord instructed Elijah to go and hide himself at Brook Cherith. There, the Lord fed him through ravens and gave him water through the Brook.  But, after a while, the brook dry up. What?  Why would the brook dry up in the presence of Him who created the heavens and the earth?  Was it not God who gave instructions to Elijah to go to the brook for protection and provision?  Why would the brook dry up.and presumably opened up Elijah to the assailant and hunger?  Sincerely, God's provision should not end a dried up as if it were that God is helpless and can't control nature.  But the truth is this, God deliberately allowed the brook ...

THE TURNING POINT  When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her. Ruth 1:18 Sin is not the only indices God used in separating between the good and the bad, the prosperous and the beggar. Sometimes, God works through our personal decision to make the separation.  For instance, in Matthew 25, there was the instance of the fool and the wise virgins . But all were virgin and chaste.  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. Matthew 25:3. The foolish virgin doesn't desire extra burden. They felt it was enough to be chaste and virgin to meet the Lord. However, the wise took extra oil in their vessels with their lamps. Matthew 25:3-4. The wise ones saw the need to "add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 2 Peter 1:5-7.  They felt the nee...

Heavenly minded with Twisted focus. "Write this to the angel of the church in Sardis: "Here is a message from the one who has the seven spirits and the seven stars. "I know what you do. People say that you are alive, but really you are dead. Wake up! Make yourselves stronger before what little strength you have left is completely gone. I find that what you do is not good enough for my God. [3] So don't forget what you have received and heard. Obey it. Change your hearts and lives! You must wake up, or I will come to you and surprise you like a thief. You will not know when I will come. Revelation 3:1-3  The problem with today's church as was Sardis' church is the believe that she is alive. But she is really dead. She has a good structure, a gallerian edifice, a museum of giants and heavenly minded saints. But unfortunately, she is dead. The verdict of eternal is YOU ARE DEAD.  A dead is one who is insensitive to pain, plight and challenges of the living. D...

Never a Lone Ranger  "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone ? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken". Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 God has not called any man to bear his burden alone. In the beginning, God gave man a burden bearer. The making of the world does not call any man to walk and work alone. A lone ranger is an easy prey to the enemy.  There was a time the great Apostle Paul was overwhelmed by the burden and challenges of mission that he felt lonely and retreated into Tarsus. That possibly would have been the end of his fruitful ministry until Barnabas sought after him  brought him into the company of brethren to get refreshed and revived for the work "Then depa...