What was preached at your church this morning?

I was scrolling through my FaceBook timeline this morning when updates from The Father's House page caught my attention.

Friends, the topic that was being preached was titled, "The Great Commission (Evangelism)." As I read through the different posts on the main page, I realized how similar it was to what was preached at Christ Embassy Lafia (where I worship) earlier this morning.

I'm like, wow!! Exact same thing being preached in two different churches in two different states on the same day?

The text we read in church was taken from Matthew 5:13-16 and Ezekiel 33:1-9.

Our mandate as Christians is to preach the gospel, salt the lives of others, shine our light and win souls for Christ! We are set as watch men.

Remember Christ's instruction? In one word, we are to GO...! Mark 16:15-20.

Nations are for the asking... Psalm 2:8.

No more slacking! Start at your own Jerusalem (sphere of influence). Don't keep the truth & goodness of God to yourself.

May God grant us the grace and boldness we need to propagate His word!

Keep shining!!

If I was a pastor... Or just as I am...

One of my brothers once asked me what I'll like to see in a church (or something related). I think my response was that I'll like to see today's church become a true place of fellowship. Not a gathering of people who are so self-absorbed about their business they forget to smile at the person sitting next to them. Not a place we hurry in and hurry out weekly. Unless we really need to.

I do not expect us to come to church service pretending to be perfect. There was a time I used to expect that. But one day it dawned on me that most people who come to church are like me: imperfect beings seeking a place to refuel and just lay it all bare before God in worship, in the company of non-judgemental brethren.

These days I walk into church expecting that I don't come out the same way. I come out refreshed.

I think church these days need to conciously remember to keep their activities God-centered and not pastor-centered. I expect worship service to hold smoothly even if the pastors are not around. The choir members should be able to lead worship in a way that the sick will receive total healing and the hard-hearted will be broken and embrace Christ fully. Worship service should not depend on pastors alone. Every worker in church should be a minister. From the usher to the choir mistress, God should move mightily through these vessels and impact lives of those who come to worship.

I once heard an elder tell a pastor not to assume that everyone who come to church is born again. Some Pastors are sometimes in a hurry to double the number of their members that they don't remember to make altar-calls or feel the pulse of their congregation. This explain the reason we have people in the choir who are not born again. Or why people leave service feeling indifferent or as empty as they came in.

The church should be an awesome place of worship not a place to showoff one's latest pair of shoe. But of course it is important to come looking good, not slotful or haggard. Remember how much King Solomon spent in building the temple? How he used only the best of the best resources? Well, if our bodies are the temple of God I expect us to dress it up in our best, to honor God not oppress others. The content that go in e.g. food we eat, books we read, movies we watch should be only the best. Our bodies should honor and glorify God.

Today I did not go to church. I was upset I woke up late and hated the idea of walking into church halfway through the service. I tell myself to learn to treat God's business seriously. If we dare not walk in late to work on weekdays why feel it is okay to be late for church service? Or worse not even showup because it rained?

Well, I hear one day the religious practice of sunday-sunday gathering might become difficult due to attacks on church buildings et al. So we must cultivate the culture of ensuring our lives shine forth the glory of God in us wherever we go. And we must not wait for sundays only to fellowship with our brethren. We must not wait for pastor's instruction before we preach the gospel and pray for others. We must not wait for only Sundays to be Christ-like. Wherever we find ourselves, whatever day of the week, others should be able to see Christ Jesus reflect in us and through us.

May God deliver us from false purity. May God help us not to be a generation of creed without substance or seed. May God's word come alive in us and through us to influence others positively. May we worship God in spirit and in truth. May God preserve our saltiness.

Arise, shine and keep shining (make positive impact)! Praise God!

Desperate for change? Encourage Yourself, Attain New Level!

David, a strong warrior one day came to his wits end. He cried with his men (soldiers). He was devasted to find his land in ruin and his people (including his wives) have been taken into captivity by the Amalekites. David's men turned against him and were thinking about stoning David to death.

Are you at your wits end? Does it look like nothing is working around you? Have friends turned their backs on you and tagged you with all manners of names? Are things falling apart? Ruined? Are you desperate for change?

Victory is certain!

Here is what we can learn from David:

First, like David, you have to learn how to encourage yourself in the Lord. Quit looking for the approval of men or friends. No one might encourage you. So draw wisdom from David's story and encourage yourself.

1Samuel 30:6
"...But David encouraged himself in the Lord"

Another translation says, "...But David found strength in the LORD his God."

"...But he felt the LORD God giving him strength."

You might be wondering, but how can I do this when I have lost it all. The first step is to speak the word of God into your life by faith! Confess it! Bring to remembrance what God has promised you in His word!

For example, you might be depressed because you are broke and in desperate need. But Psalm 23:1 says "You, LORD, are my Shepherd. I will never be in need." God's plan for you is for you never to lack. Philippians 4:19.

Speak the Word by faith and not be sight. Encourage yourself in the LORD!

God will begin to open your eyes and direct you towards restoration. He will direct you tobyour solution. David understood the power of God's divine direction. He sought God's face and God told him what to do.

The same God who strengthened David and restored all him and his men lost is still alive and at work today! He changes not.

Are you willing to let God strengthen you in this month of new begining (August) and help you recover all? Then pray and ask God to direct you to your solution. Ask God to grant you grace to obey.

Psalm 32:8 says, "You said to me, 'I will point out the road that you should follow. I will be your teacher and watch over you.'"

Isaiah 30:21 says, "Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left."

May God open our eyes of understanding and help us obey His leading. May God send us a helper! 1 Samuel 30:11-16. As unassuming as the Egyptian was, it was through him David found the camp of the Amalekites. Don't despise a solution God leads you to because it does not look like it. May God grant us a discerning spirit!

David and his men recovered all they lost and much more! God was with them!

Dear friends, as God's gracious hand begins to move mightyly upon us, may we not become selfish and despise those with whom we once struggled.

David's men almost fell into that trap. 1 Samuel 30:22-26. Do not despise others when things begin to work out- because things are going to work!

Isaiah 43:18-19. God is doing something new in us and through us! Enlarge your tent because the harvest is huge! Isaiah 54:2.

"Fear not! You will no longer live in shame." Isaiah 54:4.

Are you ready to give gifts to others around you? Be prepared to make a long list because God is restoring all that you have lost! 1 Samuel 30:27-31.

Don't be afraid for the Lord has done great things! Joel 2:18-21.

There is a God! Don't let thanksgiving cease from your lips!

Our Lord Jesus Christ has given us victory!! Praise God!!

Does anybody want to pray with me?

Last week, we studied the book of Nehemiah in our NCCF Bible-study. A very powerful testimony about a man who is an epitome of visionarian, selflessness, goal-oriented and God-fearing. More on this later.

Out of curiousity, I started reading the book of Ezra last night. I'm told the two books used to be one. As I got to chapter 2, I was about to jump to the next chapter when three verses caught my attention.

You see, this chapter of Ezra focused on giving account of the list of people who returned back from exile. So it listed names, numbers etc.

However, in verses 61-63 of Ezra Chapter 2, we are introduced to the three families of priests whose genealogical record could not be found. This led to their disqualification from the priesthood.

Ezra 2:61-63:
"The families of Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai could not prove that they were priests. The ancestor of the family of Barzillai had married the daughter of Barzillai from Gilead and had taken his wife's name. But the records of these three families could not be found, and none of them were allowed to serve as priests. In fact, the governor told them, "You cannot eat the food offered to God until we find out if you really are priests."

Friends, their story ended in that verse. The next verse that followed did not record the outcome of the investigation. Was their record found and their priesthood restored?

I slept on this and woke up early hours of this morning with an urge to pray. Would you like to pray with me? Here are the prayer points:

1. Repentance: Lord if there is any way I might have derailed from you, I repent. Forgive me, purify me and grant me your grace to live above sin.
Lord, do not let me suffer any setback because of the sins of my ancestors. I declare that I'm a new creature in Christ! (Psalm 79:8).

2. Restoration: Lord Jesus, have mercy and restore your favor upon me and my family. Restore unto us the joy of your salvation. When the accusser(s) come with a list to condemn us before you and men, let the blood of Jesus answer in our stead. I declare there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! (2 Corinthians 5:21).
3. Lord, remember us for good. In our workplace/school, let us not suffer any setback. Where there have been cases of missing records, let there be restoration. Where men are plotting to deny us what is ours, Lord God let their plotting be in vain. (Isaiah 54:17).

4. Every decree that has been uttered against me and my family, Lord let there be a reversal in Jesus name! Instead of curses, I receive blessings because God's hand is upon me! Let policies of government and those in authority work in our favor! (Numbers 23:20-23).

5. Lord, let your light shine through us like never before. Let us not be found wanting in our place of primary assignment/in our God-given vision. Give us boldness to influence others into God's Kingdom. Grant us the grace to be a living example! (1 Timothy 4:12).

Thank God for answered prayer!

Praise God for liberation! Praise God for victory!

Be connected & Stay connected!

"A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." John 10:10 (MSG).

The devil and his agents have a goal to steal, to kill and destroy. This means nothing good comes out by associating with them. This also mean no matter how good they seem to offer, nothing good will come out of it.

Jesus Christ has a goal to give us life in abundance. Everything good comes from Him. Why, which will you rather embrace? The thief who wants to steal, kill and destroy? Or the Prince of peace and redeemer who wants us to have life in abundance?

FREE DOWNLOAD - EMJOY - "DANCE ELELE" & "JAMALO SHAMALO (KEEP IT GOING)"

Here's brand new music from rising gospel artist eMJOY (artist bio below).

Dance Elele is a jam for you to literally jump and dance to. It has that European dance genre sound to it, as well African bongo drums running through to bring it home. On "Elele" eMJOY shares a testimony of being saved by Jesus, from peril in this world. And the word "elele" means "to the fullest" as eMJOY defines it, although it's a commonly used Nigerian street slang with a variety of interpretations.

Lyrics can be found at emjoy.bandcamp.com, eMJOY's music site, where listeners can get a free download alongside the second release, Jamalo Shamalo (Keep It going).

Jamalo Shamalo is more of a relaxed tone song which you can still bob your head to. Lots of African bongo drums pervade it but a constant beat on which eMJOY tries to pour his heart out, articulating his conviction of triumph through constant let downs. Here, he believes in God. That regardless of what comes his way, he chooses to "let's go (Jamalo), keep it going (Shamalo), keep following the Father (Je ka Ma Baba Lo)" as you hear in Yoruba language just before each chorus comes in. Taymie is the gracefully vocally endowed singer assisting on the chorus. 

Emjoy Channel:

Artist Bio

eMJOY is an emerging independent gospel rap artist born (July, 1988) and raised in Nigeria, yet currently residing in Toronto, Canada, schooling. His government name is Mayowa Adebajo; Mayowa meaning 'God has brought joy', from which he coined his stage name. eMJOY has been writing and rapping from a very young age (around 10 years old); performing at high school and university events occasionally, but he began his music career in 2010 recording and publishing singles like "New Nigeria Spirit" and so on. In 2011, he released his first body of work online- the YGMVTECH mixtape which included fan-favorite 'Gracias, Ose, Merci', to satisfactorily favorable response. Writer on Rapzilla.com and Imadeintruth.com, Imade, says, "Emjoy knows how to take a pop cultural reference, flip it on its head, and use it to give glory to God. Emjoy's spiritual cleverness makes him an emcee to look out for." Lalaboiy of Notjustok.com says, "...different and unique and has the replay factor." 

You can connect eMJOY online at:

facebook.com/theemjoychannel

Twitter: @emjoytruly

websites: emjoychannel.com and www.emjoy.bandcamp.com (for free music downloads, and more music)

emjoychannel@live.ca - email for bookings and inquiries

Do what you love. Love what you do. #HappyWorkersDay #May1

"A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?" Ecc 2:24-25.

http://goo.gl/eC41I

"I know the best thing we can do is to always enjoy life, because God's gift to us is the happiness we get from our food and drink and from the work we do." Ecc 3:12-13.