"Roadmap to Prominence" [my notes from the message by Pastor @T_Bakare]

In the journey of life, there are many bus-stops called the unexpected. When you alight at the bus-stop of one unexpected challenge, you abort a destiny. So don't stop until you reach your destination [destiny].

For Joseph, his unexpected bus-stops were: pit, slavery, setup, betrayal, prison etc. BUT He didn't stop. He got to his "destiny" destination and his dreams came true. All things worked out for him.

Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

In the journey of life, on the way to prominence,  you have to learn to cut off from unfruitful relationships. Some will despise you. Some will encourage you. Friendship make you or break you.

In Proverbs 13:20 we are told "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."
 
How do you know it is time to cut off from some friends? 1. Do a close assessment to see whether anyone is good enough to be a close friend.
2. When you become friends with people, keep assessing them because people change. Relationship will wreck you or make you.
3.  If your values keep conflicting. Say goodbye. Rivalry and/or competition is not an ingredient of good friendship.
4. If you are forcing yourself and no longer comfortable with the relationship, it is time to say goodbye to it.
5. Where are those you called your best friend in primary school? Secondary school?  University? People change. When they walk out on you, say goodbye. If they come back, know where to place them.

In the journey of life, start small. Don't look down on small assignments. Do all small tasks with the greatness in you! BIG things start small. Zech 4:10.

No matter what happens to you on the road to prominence,  don't quit.

When others offer you no hope, still refuse to quit!

Motto of every winner in life: 2 Samuel 10:9-12.

Prayer: In the name of Jesus, we will not be found wanting among the company of prominent men. We will not abort our destiny. We will not be wrecked by our relationships. May God help us. We will not abandon the process God is leading us through. May our progress be evident to all. We shall not die, we will live to declare the good works of the Lord in the land of the living!

Happy Easter! Arise and shine! Don't quit. Never quit!

[These are my notes from today's message: "Roadmap to Prominence" part 2. Written the way I understood the message. Please get the full message in CD or DVD format from Latter Rain Assembly Church, Plot 4 Akilo road off Oba Akran Ikeja Lagos 

or LISTEN online: http://latterrainassembly.org/media-message.php ].

Photo culled from an interesting Facebook post.

"Act Out Love," Guest Post by Ogunyemi Taiwo Olawunmi

Wow! It's first day in February, second month of the year 2014. The year is going so fast. Glory glory to God for his mercy and loving kindness. 

Ya'll know this is the month of "LOVE" literally. So, I will like to encourage with a Bible passage.
Romans 12:9-10 NLT which says " 9. Don't just pretend to love  others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other."

As you go about your daily activities in this month of love, love genuinely, show love to everyone, do not segregate some set of people from others. Make your family, friends, colleagues etc know that, they being part of your life is a blessing. And don't forget to act out love, show it don't just say it. Love acted out is serving.

And as Valentine's day approaches, celebrate it with the right motives, not with sex, alcohol or whatever it is you have in mind that is a good motive. Don't pretend to love someone probably because of the gift or what you will gain on Val's day. Rather express the Love of the almighty God to the less privileges, orphans, beggars etc.

Have a Love filled month.

Guest Post by Ogunyemi Taiwo Olawunmi.

Simple Lessons From Separation

Text: Ruth 1

Adversity has a life-shelf (expiry date). Do not let adversity hasten you to take life decisions.
Ecc 3:1
Ruth 1:6

Just like adversity, relationships do have season of relevance and irrelevance.  We should know when to cling and when to let go.
Ecc 3:5
Deuteronomy 1:6
Psalm 92:13

Seperation will influence the seasons of our life.
Isaiah 30:21
Genesis 13

Don't make decisions based on canal observations.
Romans 8:14

It is important to note that what, who, and where you are separating from is as important as what, who and where you are connecting to.

Even in adversity, God will always send partners and destiny helpers to help you.
Ruth 1: 16-19
2 Sam 15:19
Ruth 1:14

When seperation takes place, sentiment emotions etc are involved.

When seperation happens, we do not dwell on the pain alone. We look on the other side and move on.
Isaiah 43:18-19

Seperation starts with a decision. Before you make that decision, ask God.

God's mercy ensures that we are preserved through adversity whether self-inflicted or not.
Deuteronomy 23
Isaiah 43
Ruth 3:14-15
Ruth 4:1

Shalom!

**Message: Pastor Uche, Latter Rain Assembly.
   

The Efficacy of Prayer (#faithworks)

Have you ever been in need and prayed for the person who can help to show up and a few minutes later he/she does?

How about praying for a sick friend. You prayed and prayed but nothing seems to change?

Why is it that sometimes some prayers are answered while others seem unanswered?

Are some prayers more efficacious than others?

A prayer is said to be efficacious when it is successful in producing a desired or intended result.

Examples of prayers in the Bible:

1. Elijah prays that it does not rain
James 5:17, 1King 17:1.
Here we note that Elijah was a man like us... but we also see Elijah knew who he was as a prophet of God. He spoke authoritatively.
Lesson: Know who you are!

2. The church prays for Peter's release
Act 12:5-16
We are told the Church never stopped praying. And the result came- an Angel appeared to Peter and led him out of prison.
Lesson: Don't stop praying until you see the desired change.

3. Hezekiah prays and his life is spared
2Kings 20, Isaiah 38.
When God said it was time for Hezekiah to die, the man pleaded with God. And yes, our gracious God had mercy on him and added more years to his life.
Lesson: Don't be afraid to ask God for big things. Even when your pastor or prophet says it is impossible.

4. Jesus prays for God to take the cop away (before His crucifixion).
Mark 14:33-40
But Jesus knew God's will must prevail.
Lesson: When we pray and God says no. Allow His will prevail. It is for our good.

As christians, it is not for us to measure our prayer. It is not about the power in our prayer but about the power of the one who answers our prayers.

We must note in the above examples, all of them had a relationship with God. We must have a RELATIONSHIP with God to be able to commune with Him.

Having faith when we pray is also important.  Mark 11:22-24, James 5:15, 17-18.

The first step is to have faith that God has the power to answer prayer and also allow His will to prevail.

God has good plans for us. We must humble ourselves and live to please Him.
Jeremiah 29:11-14

Two agree, ask, God will do it.
Matthew 18:19

Don't stop praying for yourself.  Don't stop praying for others.

Shalom!

   

What is your story...?

This is an excerpt from the message "what is your story about?" I shared, by the help of God, in September 2013 at NCCF Refuge Chapter, Nassarawa-Eggon, Nasarawa state.

The message:

A colleague once asked me, "What is your story? Tell me how you got here." Trust me, the question did sound bizarre as at the time. Because all I was out for was an evening of good company and some laughter. Not some intense hearty discourse. Well, telling one's story is pretty intense.

Each one of us have a story. None is unimportant.

Today, we are looking at the life of a man who also had a story. His was a problem he had carried around for 38 years.

This man needed a lifting, an opportunity to change his story.

Text: John 5:1-11.

Here are some things to note:
1. The man was right where he needed to be. But he was limited. Many of us are at our point of breakthrough. We are ready to launch into something new and bigger but we are limited.

2. Jesus recognised that the man by the pool needed help. That is the same way he knows each of us. Although there were many others at the pool, the expectation of the man endeared him to Christ. Do you have an expectation about changing your situation?

3. Jesus is gracious. He looked beyond the "pity-me" outlook of the man and spoke the Word that brought his healing.

4. The words Jesus Christ spoke were instructive. The man obeyed and got his healing. A problem he carried around for 38 years disappeared with just a word and his willingness to obey.

The word of the Lord is still at work today. God is speaking into our lives. But different factors hinder the manifestation:
a. We are not expectant
b. We are not obedient
c. We are enabling darkness

To change our story, we need to change our attitude. It starts with changing the state of our hearts.

Bible Texts: Ezekiel 36:26-27, Luke 11:31-36.

You might be saying, "but I have done all that." Well hear God's word in Isaiah 43:18-19.

Forget the old.

God wants to manifest Himself in you in a new way. It will make many wonder because by their timing you should still be sitting in self-pity like the man by the pool.

Bible Text: John 5:12

The timing of God's miraculous manifestation is not limited by man's timing or method. Note that the man was healed on a sabbath day.

Jesus spoke a word. He did not throw him into the pool as usual, as set by tradition.

God is willing to do same in you and through you. Are you willing to obey His word?

Let us pray: Ezekiel 36: 26-27
Lord Jesus, I thank you for your word. Today I ask for your help. Lord, put a new spirit in me to change my way of thinking. Take out my heart of stone and replace it with a tender obedient heart. Help me to carefully obey your commands. Change my story for good and fill my life with testimonies. Amen.

Please note:
(In the process of typing this message text,  some sentences were reversed for readability and easy understanding).

   

Make it big! #faithworks

A taxi driver once told me never to allow big things scare me. Nothing is too great for you to have. Folks, if you are gonna ask for anything or do anything, make it big! Be audacious! With God, you can!! Have faith. Our year 2014 is an extraordinary year for extraordinary living! Live. Love. Laugh! Happy New Year to you and yours!! Faith works.

   

Count your blessings #thankful #2014

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Refrain
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Refrain
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.