RELEASED ON 21/ SEPTEMBER/ 2019
REMAIN RELEVANT FOR GOD'S USE!
Apostle Paul wrote;
"But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work".
2 Tim 2: 20&21.
The world is changing, so are the people of the world. There is therefore huge temptation out there for many Christians to derail and compromise their faith in order to fit into the system of the world.
Unfortunately, the standard of God for us does not change at all. God expects that we do not conform to the societal norms that are against His words. Rather that we make ourselves ready and relevant in the kingdom of God.
Romans 12:1
There is a prayer known to the Yorubas that says;
(Translation);
"Another person will not take over your role".
I pray for you and for myself that, another person will not take over our roles to our spouses, children and particularly our roles before God in the name of Jesus.
Many people are out of job as a result of the increase in the use of technology. The work some people used to do have been taken over by computer, machine and robots.
Consequently, many people have been declared surplus to requirement and told their services are no longer required.
It therefore becomes very imperative for most people to seek more knowledge and improve themselves in order to remain relevant in the highly competitive labour industry.
The bible says;
"Let a wise person listen and increase learning, and let a discerning person obtain guidance".
Proverbs 1:5.
In reality no one is irreplaceable or indispensable!
It is only God that does not have a substitute, there are millions of other people that can do what you are doing.
The popular Hausa sayings says : zakin goma, zamani goma, meaning; Ten kings and Ten epoch.
In the same vein, God has many options concerning your role.if you are being used by God in one way or the other, please consider it a great privilege for out of the billions in this world He chose you.
It is therefore important that you stay focus and always thirst after God in order to remain relevant for His use.
I have often heard some Ministers of God laying so much credence on the oil that was poured on their head during ordination as the catalyst to their relevance in doing the work of God.
That is totally an erroneous belief or impression.
Someone should remind such people that the same God who instructed Samuel to pour oil on Saul's head and ordain him as king also told Samuel to anoint David's head with oil in order to make David king over Saul, while Saul was still alive.
This God does as He pleases!
In other words, for every disobedient 'Saul' out there, please note that God has prepared a 'David' after His own heart to take over from you. 1 Samuel 15:28
Likewise, there are many'Esther' out there waiting for a "Vashti" to misbehave and take over her position.
Esther 1.
Staying relevant for God's use is about being consistent with God, making personal sacrifices in the place of prayer, meditating on the word of God and living a life that pleases God.
Brethren, climbing a ladder to the top is not too much of a task, but staying longer on top of the ladder could be very tasking.
It does not matter how good you are or how many years you have used in doing what you do, you can be replaced at any time, particularly when you eer.
Without doubt, the secret of some people who gained prominence and remained relevant in what they do is not unconnected to obedience, purity and humility.
One man of God that I respected so much is the late American Evangelist; Billy Graham. He was very relevant in the spread of the Gospel of Jesus across the United States of America and he did so till he died.
I was particularly stunned when I read his biography where it was stated that:
"Billy Graham was a spiritual adviser to U.S. presidents, and he provided spiritual counsel for every president from Harry S. Truman (33rd) to Barack Obama (44th),"
Irrespective of the party that was in Government in the last four decades in the United States of America, every successive President of US was consulting Billy Graham for Spiritual guardiance, just like Daniel was being consulted by successive Kings in Babylon.
However,despite the fame and worldly connection, the late Billy Graham died upholding the undiluted Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ironically, many other people have allowed the system and pleasures of this world to take priority over the things of God in their lives.
Apostle Paul wrote about Demas and said;
"Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life.."
2 Timothy 4:10.
In spite of the wide spread perversion in the world today, God is still looking for people like Elijah that will stand out in the midst of corrupt Prophets and be useful for God's glory alone.
Brethren, no matter what,your good works will speak for you!
I want you all to ponder on the legacy of Nelson Mandela and that of Robert Mugabe that died recently.
They both fought for their respective countries ( South Africa and Zimbabwe) to attain independence, but Mandela left power honourably
after ruling for a single term of five (5) years. He gained so much recognition and relevance across
the world for his contentment.
While Robert Mugabe held on to power for thirty (30) years as a result of greed, until he was pushed out by military coup in 2017.
In conclusion, being relevant on earth is very important, but being relevant in heaven should be the major priority for everyone.
That's why Jesus said;
"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?"
Mark 8:36.
PRAYER: Father, separate me from anything I will do on earth that will affect my relevance in heaven negatively in the name of Jesus.
RELEASED ON 17 / SEPTEMBER/ 2019
MY HELPER!
The popular saying is "No man is an Island." Which means; nobody can survive without the help of others. Everybody needs the support and assistance of one person or the other.
A helper can be defined as a person who helps another person or group of persons in one way or the other.
After God created man, the bible says;
#ANDGODSAID ;
"It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
Genesis 2:18.
Consequently, God created woman (Eve) out of the ribs of the man (Adam) to be help mate for him.
Genesis 2:20-24.
If you have ever been stranded in life that you needed help desperately, you will know what it is about having someone to help.
The bible says concerning David:
"Now these are the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he could not move about freely because of Saul the son of Kish. And they were among the mighty men who helped him in war".
1 Chronicles 12:1
David needed help badly during the time Saul was after his life and he got help from those men mentioned in 1 Chronicles 12:3 and also from Jonathan.
There are some things you cannot do alone in life, you just have to get the help of others to accomplish them.
"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls, it's just too bad, because there is no one to help him.
Ecc 4:9&10.
Normally, we all tend to look up to rich people, persons in position of authority and influential persons in the society to help us.
The problem with such arrangement in most cases is that you could become like a remote control in the hands of the influential person, like what happens in the political class where some people known as godfathers rule the game. It is what they want that you must do once you climb the ladder or gets into position as a result of their assistance.
When you choose to do things your own way, you will get into trouble with them.
Your help can also come through friends, brothers, sisters or your spouse. However, in some cases there is a likelihood that at some stage they will begin to take glory for every achievement that comes your way.
In reality, all of these helpers have their limitations because they are human. That's why the bible says;
"....vain is the help of man"
Psalmist 60:11.
Although, God also uses people around us to help us, but the difference is that when God is the one orchestrating your help, it will come without you having to do so much before your helper does the needful.
God has a way of mandating people, events and situations to favour us.
The story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath is not ordinary. God prepared the woman to help Elijah.
God said unto Elijah:
"Get up, move to Zarephath in Sidon, and stay there. Look! I've commanded a widow to sustain you there."
1 King 17:9.
Consequently, the widow had no other option but to yield to all the demands of Elijah because She was constrained by the divine orders of God to help Elijah.
I covet that kind of help Lord! I pray for everyone reading this message that the help you did not seek or expect will locate you in the name of Jesus..
That kind of help is called help from above.
In most cases, God uses people you least expect. That's why in this life you should never look down on anybody.
It was a little maid that helped Naaman; the Captain of the army of Syria to be connected with Elisha who eventually told him to bath in river Jordan in order for Naaman to be cleansed of leprosy.
2 Kings 5:1-15
Hear me, that person who is under you today may end up being the one you will look up to later in life.
There is this popular saying that says; "God will not come down to help you, He will send someone to you".
That statement is a fallacy, for it undermines the power of God.
That brings us to the crux of this message. The Helper that I am writing about is not about God sending man to help, it is about God Himself coming down to help you.
How can that happen you may ask?
Sometime in April of 2018, my wife went to drop my children in a place to play with their friend. She parked just beside the road as the children alighted waiting for someone whom she had called to open the gate for them.
Brethren, after two or three minutes, she just decided to come out of the car to stand with the children by the gate.
Not up to a minute that she left the car, a reckless driver at top speed smashed the car from behind. The impart dragged the car like 15 meters from where it was parked and the car was badly damaged to the extent that it was compressed to almost half its size. The reckless driver sustained serious head injury in the process, that he was rushed to the hospital.
The question is who told my wife and children to leave the car before the accident happened?
That was not instinctive.
It was simply God the Holy Spirit at work!
My Helper is God the Holy Spirit who is the Third Person in the Trinity.
That incident made me appreciate the words of the
Psalmist in Psalm 121:1-8.
The first two verses of that Psalm says;
"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth."
Psalm 121:1&2.
God is the only reliable Helper.
Apparently, when our Lord Jesus Christ was about to ascend to heaven He told the disciples;
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you".
John 15:26.
Brethren,without the Holy Spirit we cannot do anything.
"'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.
Zachariah 4:6
I attribute everything I am doing for God now to the help of the Holy Spirit.
Few years ago, I was one of those people that put their bibles under the pillow, I seldom open it, but I would take it on a Sunday to go to church.
However, there came an encounter with the Holy Spirit which changed the narratives of my life and I can say boldly that through the Grace of God, I am a living testament of the word of God that says;
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit".
Joel 2:28&29.
Gradually, I began to wake up with bible verses on my lips. Revelations of the word of God started coming to me with ease and the bible which used to be a Sunday affair became my closest ally. Then, my life began to make clearer sense even to myself. Then Jesus told me my assignment in this world is mainly for the propagation of His word;
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
Brethren, I don't know about you, the Holy Spirit is intoxicating me and I am loving the experience.
Glory be to God the Holy Spirit!
;I have no power of my own ×2
Holy Spirit I look up to You help me, I have no power of my own.
Brothers and Sisters, being the Helper is just one of the many attributes of the Holy Spirit. He is the "Game Changer!". When He comes on you, things that seem impossible before will become possible.
King David knew the significance of having the Holy Spirit in him, that was why he said;
"Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me"
Psalm 51:11.
Without doubt, we now live in the dispensation of the Holy Spirit just as Jesus had promised.
"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
Romans 8:26
If you are yet to give your life to Jesus, I beseech you to yield now in order to experience the power of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, I pray for myself and for everyone reading, that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit will be with you all in the name of Jesus.
RELEASED ON 14/ SEPTEMBER/ 2019
THE GOOD NEWS
The Gospel as we normally say is a biblical word derived from a Greek term (euangelion) which means; “Good News.” The question is; what is this good news?
The bible makes us to understand that after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, mankind was separated from God as sin took control of man.
Therefore, it became necessary to restore the damaged relationship between God and man so that man will not die in sin.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord".
Romans 6:23.
In other words, the Good News is the rescue mission of God to save mankind from eternal damnation.
The Good News is a message of redemption. That's why the bible says;
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life". John 3:16.
Jesus Christ is the Messiah(the Good News) that redeemed man back to his original relationship with God.
Our Lord Jesus introduced his mission when He started His earthly Ministry;
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are oppressed.” Luke 4:18.
However, this Good news cost Jesus shame, pain and the anguish of the cross as He paid the ultimate price with His blood.
"But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us".
Romans 5:8.
As a young lad in the 70ties, when street evangelism was very much in vogue, some people usually come to our neighbourhood singing a song that endeared me to the work of God.
The song says;
"Igbala ofe lamu wa, ti Jesu fe eje re se. Meaning; we have brought free salvation to you which Jesus paid for with His blood. The song gave me the impression that salvation and the Gospel are free.
In fact some of us had the first contact with the bible by reason of the efforts of Gideons International known for distribution of free bibles to Schools, Prisons and Hospitals for many
decades and are still doing it till date.
The Good News of the love of God got to many of us without having to pay anything.
Apparently, when Jesus commissioned the Disciples, He gave them clear instructions;
"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay".
Unfortunately, this same Good News handed to us freely through our Lord Jesus has gradually become highly commercialized.
Somehow, along the line, the spirit of Mammon took over many of our Pulpits as money became the deciding factor for people to receive the Good News.
If you have ever been under such ministration where huge amount of Naira and dollars were being called as prerequisites to getting special prayers and being anointed by the preacher, you will understand what I am talking about.
The Good News which Jesus brought to the poor ( Luke 4:18) gradually became totally out of the reach of the poor.
Thank God for the social media outcry from "certain people" which God permitted in order to shame and rebuke most of the pastors involved in the unGodly demand.
Brethren, God gave us salvation freely through our Lord Jesus without us having to pay anything, in turn Jesus expects us to preach Salvation freely without demanding any money from people to be saved.
Tithe and offerings are God's instructions but, God is more interested in the salvation of a sinner than his/her money!
Hear the word of God; if you have been involved in the work of God because of the money you are making through the profiteering of the Gospel of Jesus, you are doomed!
The bible says;
"For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:10.
I saw some Sunday School and House fellowship Manuals of a mega Church with specific low prices on them and yet they are being sold inside the Church above the price stated on it.
This is what I call: "Corruption in the Church". It is an abomination! What kind of message does that variation in the price portrays to our children or to an unbeliever who has just come to your Church?
The publisher that puts the price on the book did so to avoid those books being sold beyond the stated prices, so they can be affordable to all and sundry.
There is no reasonable explanation for selling anything in the house of God above the stated price.
If what is obtainable in the world is what the Church of God offers, then in what way will the world be interest in giving their lives to Jesus?
We are meant to spread the Good news but some of our deeds are hurting the Gospel. How can we then be the salt of the earth.
Matthew 5:13.
The Gospel of my Lord Jesus is not for sale! No one can pay the price.
Ordinarily, the business of the Church is *Soul winning,* however; since the Church has jumped into the arena of business, please let it be done with the fear of God and with much consideration for the lowly among us as our Lord Jesus Christ instructed.
Matthew 25:35-40
I beseech everyone who has this Call on them truly not to join the bandwagon of prosperity Gospel which only enrich the Pastors involved, leaving many in abject poverty.
We are called to make the difference, just like Apostle Paul wrote;
"A lot of people try to get rich from preaching God's message. But we are God's sincere messengers, and by the power of Christ we speak our message with God as our witness".
2 Corinthians 2:17.
The Good News is about sharing Jesus and preaching the message of repentance in order that people might be saved.
Mark 1:15.
Hear me very well, if the Gospel you preach is only about mercy, without repentance; you are preaching a false Gospel.
The bible says;
"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent".
Acts 17:30.
Salvation is free, allow people to have unhindered access to worship God. Stop putting unnecessary barrier and hindrances on people through levy and monetary demands in the Church of God.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches".
Revelation 2:29.
Now, let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter.
Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven to live with Him in eternity.
"That same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven."
Acts 1:11.
Children of God, it gladens my heart to announce to you that the Good News is about the Coming of the Kingdom of God! Whether we like it or not Jesus is coming back soon, the question is ; how prepared are you?
When the seventy disciples of Jesus returned after sharing the Good News, they were rejoicing because the evil spirit obeyed the name of Jesus, but Jesus replied them;
"But don't be happy because evil spirits obey you. Be happy that your names are written in heaven!"
Luke 10:20
I pray for myself and everyone who derives pleasure and passion in spreading the good news of Jesus; that our names shall remain in the book of life and we will all make it to heaven in the name of Jesus
RELEASED ON 10/ SEPTEMBER/ 2019
THE GOD FACTOR!
The Psalmist wrote;
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me".
Psalm 23:4.
I watched a playlet lately, which was about a new employee who was very desirous of getting promoted in her place of work. Then I noticed the manager of the company reiterating the same sentence over and over;
"Its not about what you know but rather about who you know"
Subsequently, the Holy Spirit prompted the word of God to me;
"Promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.But God is the judge: He puts down one, and sets up another"
Psalm 75:6&7.
That experience inspired this message. The question is; who do you know?
In this part of the world, especially in our country of today,merit does not get the appropriate preference or priority anymore.
The labour industry ( both public and private) is more about who you know. We all have a saying in Nigeria; that says "Man knows Man", which is the practice of using the influence or the connection of another man or woman to get position, job and opportunities.
In reality this life is about who you know. However, there is a limitation on what flesh (a man or woman) can do for you.
Children of God, everyone of us needs what I call; "The God Factor" which simply means the involvement of God in what we do.
Moses and Aaron did according to the word of God while they were in Egypt to get the Israelites out and the bible says;
"Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.”
Exodus 8:19.
Invariably, the Magicians of Pharaoh knew that God was involved in the acts that manifested lice after Aaron struck the dust with his rod. This was because the Magicians could not replicate the manifestation of that particular act using their occult practices.
Apostle Paul also knew about this God factor as he said;
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".
Phillippians 4:13.
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However, David who was a little teenager surprisingly expressed his willingness to fight Goliath.
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“You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied".
1 Samuel 17:45
The popular saying is; "A man with God is a majority". That is what the God factor does.
Do you have the God factor in you or your trust is on human flesh?
Brothers and Sisters, without doubt it is the God factor that makes the difference in our lives.
The same sickness that killed some people did not have any adverse effect in your own life; your own business is booming while many people are complaining of austerity, you did promotion exams and you passed, got promoted while other people that appear more intelligent than you failed the same exam,
it is the God factor.
Esther had this God factor, hence despite being a foreigner; who did not use make up or jewelry like other ladies on parade, yet she was preferred above others.
Esther 2: 15-17
The bible also recognized the God factor in the life of Daniel;
"Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm".
Daniel 6:3.
Moses, having witnessed the power of God in Egypt appreciated the God factor. That was why he said to God;
“If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here".
Exodus 33:15.
There came a time to choose a successor to replace Moses and take the Israelites into the promise land
#AndGodSaid to Moses;
*“Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him".*
Invariably, Joshua had the God factor in him.
I don't know who this message is meant for, but I claim it for myself and my family; in the midst of a crowd, God will single us out for promotion in the name of Jesus.
This same God factor is what was behind the choice of David as the king of Isreal.
Remember, he was not even called to the gathering when Samuel requested that Jesse should assemble all his sons.
1 Samuel 17.
I pray for you and for myself, it does not matter where and who have ignored or rejected us, the God factor will single us out and we will be the preferred over others in Jesus name
Finally brethren,
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31.
Elijah; "a lone ranger" was able to shame and defeat four hundred and fifty prophets of baal as a result of the God factor.
I Kings 18
Apparently, when the King of Syria gathered host of armies, horses and chariots together and surrounded the house of Elisha, the servant of Elisha was terrified but Elisha was not perturbed as he said to the servant;
“Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
2 King 6:16.
Elisha had the God factor, hence he prayed to God to open the eyes of the servant;
"Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha".
2Kings 6:17.
Brethren, the God factor is a necessity for us.
Funny enough, even the devil knows about this God factor. How did I know? When God was boasting about Job to Satan (Job 1) the bible says Satan replied God;
"Have You not placed a hedge on every side around him and his household and all that he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands and his possessions have increased in the land".
Job 1:10.
Unfortunately, many of us still take this God factor for granted. Some people will say, my brilliance and intellect is what got me that position.
Who gives intellect and wisdom, if not God?
The bible says;
"For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding".
Proverbs 2:6
Apparently,
this God factor does not work for everyone, you can only enjoy it when you have a relationship with God.
By the grace of God whom I serve, I am enjoying this God factor; Jesus I know, who do you know?
The Psalmist said:
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 27:1.
Have you given your life to Jesus? Surrender your life to Him now and start enjoying the God factor.