Six reasons why we go to Church

There is a place for personal worship and there is a place for corporate worship. We are counselled not to forsake the gathering of other Christians. That is, don't shirk corporate worship!
Here are 6 reasons why it is important to go to church (shared by Pastor Ovie of Christ Embassy Church, Lafia):
1. To fellowship with the brethren and fellowship with God through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit.
2. To receive instructions in righteousness.
3. To receive information in the Kingdom. These are informations that will take us to the next level.
4. To be strengthened in the inner man.
5. To worship God in psalms, hymns, with our substance.
6. We come to church to receive cleansing, by the utterance of the Word and the ministration during service.
I'll add: going to church should be an experience, not a task or another activity we just check-off our to-do lists.
Are you going to church today? Go with an expectation. God will not fail you!
Shalom.

20 Things Every Woman In Her 20s Must Know

1. Love and honour your mother. Learn from her mistakes. It will save you a lot of headache in your thirties (30s) and beyond.

2. You are more talented than you'll ever know. You don't need to sleep with your Boss/supervisor to get a promotion at work or better grades at school. Burn late night candles, put extra time to study and practice until you master your skill. Hard work still pays well.

3. Women can build a strong support network. Don't let few ladies with "Pull Her Down" syndrome discourage you from cultivating true relationship with your female friends.

4. When a man you meet for the first time babbles about how much he earns working for an oil company and how rich he is, that is a red flag. He is either a married smooth-talker who just wants to sleep with you or he is childish. Walk away from deceit.

5. Make your own money. Start small. Maintain a stable bank account. It will keep you out of trouble.

6. When you meet your Soulmate, don't forget to wear your most priceless ornament- submission and humility. But while waiting for him, don't cling to any man to rescue you. Some men these days are also seeking for who will rescue them.

7. Know your body. Look at yourself in front of a full-length mirror at least once a week, naked and after clothed. Know your body and how it works.

8. Life is a gift. But to revel in it, you must be ready to put a lot into nurturing your gifts/talents and skills. Start early.

9. Teenage ended at 19. Clocking 20 means doing away with childish behaviour. But it does not mean you should forget to have fun.

10. Learn the basic skills and let yourself grow- from how to keep your underwear clean, cook, socialize, and network to how to drive a car.

11. Don't do drugs. It kills. Read books, its fortifies. Dance as often as you can, it liberates your spirit, soul and body.

12. Learn to laugh at yourself. It is a good way to build a healthy self-esteem.

13. Eat healthy. Learn to cook for yourself. Don't rely on noodles alone. The cooking skill will be useful in future.

14. Don't give up when you fail. Try again. And again. Then, try another legit way. Don't give up on education/learning.

15. Fear of the future is just that- a fear. It is a state of mind you must learn to tame. Don't let fear pull the carpet from under your feet. The Holy Bible tells us that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.

16. Let go of past hurts. You cannot move forward if you keep looking back. Holding on to bitter experiences and regrets will stale your future.

17. Learn to exhale, love deeply and be kind to others, especially those of low estate, and the lowest of low.

18. You are beautiful the way you are. Don't compare yourself to others.

19. Partnership builds bridges. Don't ever forget that.

20. Prayer is the master key. Have faith in God and always have the courage to use your voice wisely. Dream bigger.

Bonus: Enjoy the highs and lows that come with being in your 20s but don't be afraid to grow older. Live life to the fullest and don't forget to smile!
___________________________

Source: OUTSPOKEN: 20 Things Every Woman In Her 20s Must Know. http://www.femmelounge.org/jennifer-ehidiamen-20-things-every-woman-in-her-20s-must-know-outspoken/

Who is an Excellent Woman?

Minister: Mrs Nepthali Gladys
Event: NCCF Sisters' conference, Nasarawa Eggon
September 14, 2013

Who is an excellent woman?

An excellent woman is a near- or perfect woman in all things. She learns through life as she grows.

Proverbs 31:29

-- Praising an excellent woman is not a right and it does not come early. Note Proverbs 31:11-12 came before Proverbs 31:29.

-- An excellent woman is a planner. Proverbs 31:15
When you plan well, you will not be busy and guilty at the same time. Your role as daughter, sister, wife, mother, business woman etc will not clash. When it does, you'll have the wisdom to handle it right.

-- Being an excellent woman is not about the money.

-- Being an excellent woman is not automaric. You must be determined. Proverbs 31:16

-- An excellent woman is humble, irrespective of her background. She does not look down on her husband. Proverbs 31:23.

-- An excellent woman is not lazy, both spiritually and physically. Proverbs 31:17; Proverbs 31:25; Ephesians 6:10, 14, Proverbs 31:10.

-- An excellent woman is beautiful inside out. Proverbs 31:22; 1Peter3:2-4; Psalm 1:3.

-- An excellent woman is gentle and quiet. She is not arguementative. Proverbs 31:26.

-- An excellent woman prays and teaches her children the same value.

-- An excellent woman is hospitable. Proverbs 31:20.

-- An excellent woman trusts in the Lord.

-- An excellent woman accepts her.wrong and makes correction.

-- An excellent woman is a role model. Titus 2:3-5.

-- An excellent woman is a preacher of God's word. She studies the word and meditates on it. Her root grows deep. Psalm 1:3

-- An excellent woman is not in a rush to hear her husband call her an excellent woman. Proverbs 31:28-29.

---- May God send us a man after His own heart.

Amen.

Sex, Sex, Sex: Can we really abstain or stick to one partner? What does the Bible say about sex before marriage?

I have been mulling over Romans 12:1 for a while now. That is because I got a very fresh perspective on the verse.
Growing up, I've always been told to abstain from pre-marital sex. As a matter of fact, I did ask those who gave the advice why many times ;-) That is a story for another day. But as I mature in the things of faith, I'm begining to understand these issues from a fresh perspective.
Abstaining from all forms of sexual immorality- pre-martial sex/fornication, adultery, philandering and it likes will save us a lot of heartaches. We won't be exposed to all manners of sexually transmitted infections and diseases. Have you seen the statistics lately? Abstinence will also give us rest of mind. We won't need to look-over our shoulders or frantically clean up traces to fake a reputation. Most importantly, abstinence from sexual immorality is our way of showing gratitude to God for His unending love and mercy towards us.
Abstinence is not false purity. Trust me, it appears harder these days because it has become almost a norm to be sexually active outside marriage. It is hard when you are sorrounded by the seeming "glory" of temptation and pleasures of sin. But what is a 3 minute of pleasure compared to an immeasurable consecrated lifestyle that honors God? When God says He will honor those who honor Him, He will! Yes, He sees the sacrifices we make. He does honor!
Here is how 'the woman's study bible' captures it: The believer is not to be modeled by the pressures of the sinful world. We are to experience a transformation, a new way of thinking made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.
When next you are face to face with a lure to bend over for a few minutes of pleasure, run! Don't stand and expect to fight it down. Ask Joseph :-) He'll tell you same thing- run, flee! (Genesis 39:6-12). Joseph honored God and he (Joseph) was elevated. Ask any historian the pivotal role Joseph played in Israel's prosperity. So you see, that act positions you for trans-generational manifestation. But don't get me wrong, this is not a way to bribe God, condemn others or try to appear holier than thou. It is a lifestyle. Your business.
Abstinence from all forms of sexual immorality is a GREAT way to worship God. It HONORS Him.
See Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; Genesis 39:6-12.
Some of us might have fallen short. But today is a great day to start afresh! Pray for forgiveness and ask God for the enabling grace to honor Him with all of you. When we repent, it means consciously retracing our steps and  following a new direction. Don't allow anyone or anything pull you back to the old habits.
It is possible to abstain from sex if you are not married. It is possible to be faithful to ONE partner if you are married. It is a conscious decision we have to make. Don't deny yourself the opportunity to express your gratitude by honoring God with your body, revel in Him!
"...Lust is lost.
But he'll return
and find no room
in my cleansed robe.
No viper in my bosom.
My crown is restored unto honor.
Lushly virtuous,
and at peace, I am royalty."
I write this to you as I write it to myself. Life is learning and growing.
Praise God!

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!!