THE POWER OF HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION

 TEXT: ISAIAH 53:5-7

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing].The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, and by His stripes (wounds) we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray. We have turned, each one, to his own way; But the Lord has caused the wickedness of us all [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing] to fall on Him [instead of us]. He was oppressed and He was afflicted. Yet He did not open His mouth [to complain or defend Himself];

Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before her shearers, So He did not open His mouth.”

Jesus Christ was used as the sacrificial lamb for the atonement of our sin. He that knew no sin or committed any sin was made sin for us to be free from sin. Jesus died on the cross of Calvary in place of sinners. He loved us, he wanted to reconcile us back to God; he decided to bear all our sin by paying the price of our sin with his precious blood.

Jesus Christ redeemed us and made intersession for us as sinners. Nothing could wash away our sin except for the precious blood of Jesus; he did not withhold his life but laid it down for us as a ransom for our sin. What a great love!

Jesus Christ died for us so that we can live for him. His death gave us new life in Christ; his death gave us sonship in the Lord Almighty. His death brought us spiritual healing, his death transformed us from being known as grievous sinners to sinless children of God. Through his death; our sin was pardoned and erased!

At this juncture, I want you to reflect on the price that Jesus paid for you on the cross of Calvary to give you eternal life. Think of the pain and hardship he went through to pay for the debt you owe but could not pay. Meditate on the great love that made Jesus to go on the cross for you and I for the sin he never committed!

Answer this question genuinely; are you really living your life for him that gave his all for you? Have you surrendered the totality of your life to him without holding back anything? Or do you only serve him when it’s convenient for you?

Do not forget that he did not withhold anything to die in your place on the cross. His death is what gave you the new life in Christ. HIS DEATH CERTIFICATE BROUGHT ABOUT YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND GUARANTEES YOU ETERNAL LIFE.

If your life is not worthy of the gospel of Christ, if you are living a reckless life, then you are nailing him on the cross the second time. Do not let his death on the cross go in vain. Live to please God.

Apostle Paul decided to lose everything that he counted as gain, for the sake of Christ.

“But whatever was my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”

(Philippians 3:7).

Like Paul, you too can take account of your life and see what hinders you from knowing Christ genuinely- material things or earthly treasures. Count them all as lost, do away with them all that you may gain Christ. Make Jesus the your priority of your life like Paul did. This season of his death and resurrection, you need to genuinely seek after knowing Jesus, have personal relationship with him.

Ask him to reveal to you the power of his death and resurrection. Apostle Paul counted every other things as loss so that he could have better understanding of who Jesus Christ is, what he’s capable of doing and what he (Paul) could learn from the life of Jesus Christ. He said, “That I may know him and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.(Philippians 3:10).

Don’t get lost with the world and its treasures. Don’t get distracted, have genuine relationship with Jesus Christ that died for you so that you can live for him. May the power of his resurrection make alive anything that is dead or dying in your life in the name of Jesus. Amen.

HAPPY EASTER!

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YOU CAN SING TO GOD IN THE STRANGE LAND

TEXT: PSALM 137: 1-4

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, sing us one of the songs of Zion.

 How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?

The lord created us to declare His glory in praise and exaltation. God delights in His children making a joyful noise to Him.

Regardless of what you are going through, it is mandatory for you to give God your genuine praise and exaltation.

Psalm 150:6 says “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” The Lord did not say “Let everyone that is rich praise the Lord. He did not say let everyone that has achieved everything in life praise the Lord.”

Therefore, as long as you still have the breath of life that He breathed on you, you must sing and exalt the giver of life.

The scripture says in John 10:10 that the thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy. Satan uses discouragement and hopelessness to still to kill and to destroy people’s praise life.

In our text, the children of Israel were taken into captivity in Babylon. They were so depressed and down that they could not open their mouth to sing to their maker again. They were so heavy and down casted that they hung their musical instrument. They wept when they remembered Zion the place of God that they left. Zion is a place of glory, peace, comfort and freedom. All these they were enjoying before they disobeyed God and God gave them to the Babylonians to enslave them. The Babylonians were mocking them that they should sing their Lord’s song for them, but the children of Israel were so down and confused that they asked how they can sing the Lord’s song in a strange land of hopelessness, depression and confusion.

Satan is so crafty that he would make people not to see any good things in their lives that deserve praising God for. Talking about “strange land”, what does it mean? A strange land is a place of discomfort, a place of dejection, a place of failure, affliction, stagnation, delayed progress, fruitlessness, hopelessness and so on.

I called these situations “a strange land” because that is not the plan and purpose of God for us.

The plan and purpose of God for our lives can be found in the book of Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of good and not of evil; to give you a future and a hope.”

Having given us this promise, God did not assure us a stress free life (John 16:33).

Peradventure you found yourself in a strange land, do not stop praising the Lord. You should be able to sing and dance to God in anticipation that you will arrive at the Promised Land, because it is sure you will not die in the strange land.

The Lord promised the Israelites that they will dwell in the Promised Land. They did not get to the Promised Land without going through the wilderness.

In the same vein, the Lord has promised you that you will live in the Promised Land, but at a point in your life, you will find yourself in the strange land while you are on your way to the Promised Land.

The people that were taken into captivity in Babylon asked “How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?”

Many of us are at this stage in our lives- asking “why do I need to sing to God? What is so praise worthy in my life?

The lord is encouraging you with this message today that it is okay to lose EVERYTHING, but DO NOT LOSE YOUR PRAISE! Your victory, deliverance, healing, success and breakthrough are in your praise.

I pray that the Lord will deliver us from any strange land that we may be in. he will take us to Zion a place of peace and comfort in Jesus name. Can I hear amen?

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GET THEM INVOLVED!

TEXT: EZRA 3:8-9

As I was doing my morning devotion. I was studying the book of Ezra. I was on Ezra chapter 3 ( Rebuilding the Temple).
The Lord called my attention to something from the verses. Ezra 3: 8-9
" 8 In the second month of the second year after their arrival at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak and the rest of the people (the priests and the Levites and all who had returned from the captivity to Jerusalem) began the work. THEY APPOINTED LEVITES TWENTY YEARS OLD AND OLDER TO SUPERVISE THE BUILDING OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. 9 Joshua and his sons and brothers and Kadmiel and his sons (descendants of Hodaviah[a]) and the sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers—all Levites—joined together in supervising those working on the house of God."

The words in capital letters caught my attention. We know how our children and youths find it uneasy and uninteresting to be in the church. Some of them only come to church to please mum and dad. From the look on their faces during praise and worship, and also during the sermon. One can conclude that they were just physically in the church, but their minds and souls are elsewhere!
As I was studying, when I got to the verse above ( those in capital letters). The words jumped out on me, like "this could be the solution to the "I am not part of this attitude  of our children" thinking church activities are for  adults alone!
If we get them actively involved in EVERY aspects of the church like getting them to usher, sing, cleaning and arranging chairs, teaching younger children, teaching in their classes rather than having an adult to teach them at all times. It would make them to be more interested in the "church thing" instead of leaving them on the chairs to wallow in "boredom".
As an educationist, I was taught by my lecturers and profs. That children are more active when they learn by DOING, rather than learning by ROTE (memorisation) method.
Getting them involved in the planning of their teaching methods, and giving them the opportunity to teach would get them closer to their Bibles! ( They would want to study to show themselves approved ).
The church becomes less interesting to our youths because many are idle in the church.Therefore, they did not see themselves as part of the church.
Also, we need to make the service to be interesting in some way that will not contradict the way of the lord, and yet will be interesting to our children and youths.
Educational curriculum and syllabus are being reviewed periodically, so that it will be suitable for the changing world.
Pastors, preachers, Evangelists, Sunday school teachers, Children teachers. A clarion call to you all. Review your teaching methods, let's move from the age- long methods of teaching, let's bring new innovations and ideas to our teaching methods in the church. The world is not static, it changes by the day.
Let us move with time, so that we will not lose our children to the WORLD!!!

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DON’T BE SELFISH

 TEXT: JOSHUA 1 : 14b-15

“You are to help your brothers until the Lord gives them rest, as He has done for you. And until they too have taken possession of the land that the lord your God is giving them.

After that, you may go back and occupy your own land.”  (Joshua1:14b-15).

There is a popular saying that “we should be our brother’s keeper.” This means that we should be able to render help and assistance to our fellow human beings that need our help.

Rather than being indifferent or carefree of what other people are going through, we should be available and be happy to provide help and assistance for them.

As believers, we should have the mind of Christ to live a selfless life like Jesus did. We should not be self-centered. “Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others.

Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

 (Philippians 2:3-5).

Selfishness is when you think of yourself alone without thinking of other people around you. When all you can think of is your own success while some other people are struggling in the area where you can be of help to them, and you refused to render your help and assistance; it means you are selfish!

A selfish man would not render help for other that are struggling to make it, even though they have the knowledge and skills needed for the person to be successful.

God is using the anchor text to teach and encourage us not to be selfish, or think of our own interest alone. God wants us to use the gift and knowledge He gave to us to help others that are in need. The same way the Lord has supported you to be great in life, do the same to others that are looking up to you for help and assistance.

Whatever you are is by the grace of God and not by your own power. As the lord has been your help and your guide to be successful, so also should you be a guide and help to others that are coming behind you.

You will be more fulfilled when you know that you are impacting lives.

When you help other to build their destiny, the Lord will make you to be more established in your endeavors.

Lifting others up will not make you to fall. Do not be afraid to help other to grow or become successful. As you nurture others to grow, so shall you continue to grow and wax stronger because the Lord will continue to nourish you.

Make it a lifestyle to help others to be successful. Selfishness is not of God, be an exemplary of Christ!

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GIVE THANKS

TEXT: JOHN 6: 5-13
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
Let me start the year by welcoming all my readers and followers to year 2017.

 I pray that all the goodness in the year 2017 will be our lots in Jesus name.
All our unmet needs in 2016 shall be met this year in Jesus name. The Bible tells us that in all things we should give thanks to God, and we should let our Thanksgiving to be more than our request.
In this New Year, I want to encourage each and everyone of us to put on the Crown and garment of praise and thanksgiving. Let us use the remaining 363 days of this year to give thanks to God regardless of our circumstances.
Your Breakthrough, lifting, healing and deliverance are tied to your heart of gratitude to God.
In the scripture above, Jesus was able to feed five thousand men with five loaves of bread and two small fish. How was that possible? The power of Thanksgiving!
Jesus did not lament or grumble at the insufficiency of the food made available for him. Instead, he collected the small portion of the food and gave thanks to God, and the supernatural happened.
Jesus started serving five thousand people from the small portion of five loaves of bread and two fish. The multitude ate to their satisfaction and twelve baskets of leftovers were packed!
The lord has promised to crown the year 2017 for us with bountiful harvest
(Psalm 65 :11).
Do not let your heart be troubled. With the little resources in your hand, accept it with Thanksgiving like Jesus did and watch God multiplying it for you.
The lord of increase and Abundance is on your side, therefore, you will live in abundance this year and years to come in Jesus name.
Once again I welcome you to 2017 our year of THANKSGIVING AND ABUNDANCE.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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IN HIM THERE IS NO DARKNESS

TEXT: 1 JOHN 1: 5-7

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Christmas season is a very unique season.  The way it is being celebrated is different from other festive season. The lighting all over the streets and the neighbourhood makes Christmas to be different from other celebration.
Jesus Christ is the LIGHT of the world, and in him there is no darkness AT ALL. Light is used as a metaphor in the Bible. It symbolises RIGHTEOUSNESS, BLAMELESS, HOLINESS, GOODNESS, PURITY, KINDNESS, LOVE, and all other fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Light illuminates and make everything visible. Every hidden things becomes visible at the entrance of light.
Darkness on the other hand is the absence of light. Darkness conceals and make things to be gloomy, shady and scary!
Darkness connotes WICKEDNESS, EVIL DOING, SIN, INIQUITY, IMPURITY, IMMORALITY, HATRED, STRIVE, JEALOUSY, LUST and all other works of the flesh.
Light is being used in the scripture as picture of good works. Jesus as the light of the world means that he is good, kind, holy, loving, righteous and caring. Jesus came into the world to illuminate the world with his light through his followers.
As believers, if we are truly his followers, if you truly have genuine fellowship with him, we shouldn't have any dealings with darkness again. This is so because his light supposed to have illuminated in every area of darkness in our lives.
The verse six of the text says " if we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live in truth."
Jesus called us the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, he said we should shine our lights before all men, so that they may see our good deeds and glorify God ( Matthew 5: 16).
You cannot continue in darkness as a follower of Jesus, your way of life must change if you are a genuine follower of Christ. It is the plan of God that every believer must emulate Him by shining forth His light and by becoming like him everyday.
The Christmas season is the period of lightning. Beautiful lights would be seen everywhere to celebrate the birth of our lord Jesus (the light of the world!).
Ironically. Knowingly or unknowingly, the light of the world is being celebrated with beautiful lightings all over the world! ( Even those that argues his birth and his claim as the child of God, puts up lights to celebrate the "Holiday" as they called it). Isn't that wonderful?
My piece of advice or admonition for all believers is that we should not only light the house and the Christmas trees. Rather, we should put on the light of our hearts, and let it illuminate and impart the lives of people around us.
We are the light of the world, no one lights candle and keeps it under the bed. Let your goodness be evident to everyone that comes in contact with you in this season and always.
If we do not have light, we do not know God. Those that knows God are those that walks in His light. Ephesians 5:8 says " for you were once darkness, but now you are LIGHT in the lord. Live as children of light.
Let us continue to shine the light of God by putting away every works of darkness like envy, hatred, sin, wickedness, unholy living, lust and immorality. Let us manifest the light of God by loving people, helping others, showing goodness, live a righteous life, forgive and be blameless before our Lord Jesus.
MAY THE LIGHT OF GOD NEVER DEPART FROM OUR LIVES IN JESUS NAME.AMEN.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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DO NOT SAY " I AM ONLY A CHILD"

TEXT: JEREMIAH 1: 4-8
Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,
 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.”
 But the LORD said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am only a child’;
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you.  Do not be afraid of them,for I am with you to deliver you,says the LORD.”

Age has nothing to do with it when the Lord is set to use you to the glory of His name. As it is popularly said that age is just a number. So it is with God, he can use you to do great exploits regardless of your age.
Maturity does not come with age, being old or advanced in age does not mean that one cannot be foolish. The Bible says " if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask from God who gives literarily."
(James 1:5).
The use of ANYONE in the verse explained that age does not make you automatically wise. Hence, it would have been something like " CHILDREN ASK GOD FOR WISDOM." If adults are automatically wise as they advance in age.
Many young children of God with great potentials are afraid to embark on their calling and purpose of God for their lives; because they feel they are too young or not fit to fulfil such calling.
God is not a respecter of anyone ( Acts 10:34). If God has chosen you to fulfil a vision, do not let your age be an issue. God knows what you are capable of doing, He knew you before you were born. In fact, you were created for that purpose!
Do not let the people around you look down on you, do not listen to the opinion of men that did not see you "fit" for the vision.
God knows that you are only a child when He decided to endow you with such talent or vision ( He does not make mistake). You do not need the approval of man to run your God given race. You have no business with man but with God who called you, and who will support you to fulfil the vision.

"Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." (Galatians 1:10).
In our text, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah that God has already ordained him as a prophet to the nations even before his birth.
Jeremiah almost missed the purpose of God for his life because of fear and self condemnation that he's too young for such assignment.
Romans 10:30 says " whom He predestined, these He also called, whom He called, these He also justified, and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Jeremiah was self-doubting, he did not believe that he was capable of fulfilling the vision that God called him to do.
God reassured Jeremiah not to be afraid of people because He (God) will be with him. God is also assuring you today that "Do not be afraid, do not write yourself off, do not look down on yourself, do not allow anyone to despise your youth (1 Timothy 4:12 for I will ALWAYS be with you. At a time in our lives we have doubts about our strength and abilities. Be sure that God did not call us to disgrace us. He always equips us for the tasks he has committed into our hands.
Many  young children of God were used greatly in the Bible regardless of their age. Few of them are:-
* David
* Samuel
* Joshua
* Jeremiah
Be bold and courageous today, get up and fulfil your God- given vision. If you cannot do it, God will not assign it to you. Let not your age hinder you from fulfilling your great destiny.
Let me leave you with this verse of the scripture.
" Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
(1 Timothy 4:12).
GO AND FULFIL DESTINY IN JESUS NAME. SHALOM!

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