Bible Reading: Acts 8
Do you know that sometimes we get so sluggish as Christians? For instance …
Instead of unleashing the seed of CEO within or fertilizing our entrepreneur guts, we get trapped licking the boots of our boss because we have been able to put food on our table and vehicle on the road.
When we should be habitual God-pleasers in our ministries, we are getting comfortable becoming men-pleasers because of their accolades and affluence.
God has placed a plan in our hearts that has a global impact, but we want to habituate to the local setting forever.
Don’t you think that at such times you really need someone / something to push you from these sluggish zones? These kinds of push are most times considered unpalatable, but they end up taking us to the place where purpose is fulfilled.
I remember the story of the early disciples. Jesus Christ gave them the mandate to “go and teach all nation” Matt. 28:19. He also affirmed to them that “ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”. Acts 1:8
Although the disciples were expected to commence teaching all nations in Jerusalem, they were to keep the goal in mind (to teach all nations) and consciously move towards the goal everyday. But what did they do? For a long time they were preaching the gospel only in Jerusalem; perhaps they still thought the gospel was a “Jerusalem thing”. But God had to rescue them. How was this achieved?
“… there arose a great persecution against the assembly which was in Jerusalem, andall were scattered into the countries of Judea and Samaria except the apostles”. Those then that had been scattered went through the countries announcing the glad tidings of the word. And Philip, going down to a city of Samaria, preached the Christ to them; Acts 8:1,4-5
My God! Why did they have to be battered with maltreatment before they scattered the gospel abroad in line with divine plan? Do we not sometimes get sluggish as Christians till we get such unpalatable push? Whenever we want to remain in our sluggish lanes, may Godpermit persecution and challenges to come our way that will make us fulfill his plan for our lives. Did you say AMEN?
Whether you said amen or not, such challenges sometimes show up in our lives even though we are living rightly as Christians. They strip us of our local champion medal and dress us with that of a global champion; they push us from the sluggish lane to the destiny lane. They come in form of people and events. They are things that work together for the good of those that love God.
tope aladenusi
I had a sojourn in a forest once
It was dark and gloomy
The tree sheds gave no room for illumination
I could not find my way through
No matter how hard I tried, I kept stumbling
It seemed the more I tried the worse it became
I had no guide
I was directionless
I knew not the way out
I screamed for help
But it was even too dark for anyone to help
All my hopes for escape were dashed
How could I keep on living…I asked
Until suddenly a deforestation happened
Light came in and I found my way out
I enjoyed a fresh breath of liberty
I could now take the right steps
I could now be guided
Now, I can see a clear distinction between darkness and light
Glory to God!!!
I am saved…Light has come – (Isaiah.9; 2, John.12; 35, 46)
emeka ofia
I tell you, wisdom is better than strength. It is one thing to make money and another to know how to keep it. A very big difference between the rich and the poor is in their money flows. A rich man watches his inflow very carefully and watches his outflow even more. Most poor people are careless about their money outflows. They are more concerned about making money and pay little attention to what happens to the money they have made. You must not pour water into a basket and you must be concerned if your water jar has a leak in it. That’s why you must watch the banks.
In the last decade of economic downturn and depression banks have kept on year after year declaring what many describe as ‘JUMBO’ and ‘MEGA’ profits. You just can’t stop them; everything seems to be working for them. The good news is that you contribute a lot to their MEGA profits. Friends, wisdom is the principal thing and I challenge you, most especially business men and women to learn how the banks operate. The banks are richer because many lack understanding of its operations. I see business people pay avoidable charges and interest every day. I see the low income earners pay a good percentage of their meager income back to banks just because they can’t take the pains to understand how an account operates and should be operated.
Banks operates within the ambits of the law and will normally only take charges permitted by law. So you must take the pains to understand why and when they charge what they charge. You must understand the difference between various kinds of accounts. A good understanding of a savings account and a current account will save you a fortune. Further understanding of different money transfer options will save you another.
Stop paying charges three ways. Why pay money into one charged account and transfer it into another charged account before making a transfer to your client. Why have a fixed deposit of 1million earning interest at 10% and simultaneously be servicing a loan of 1million at an interest rate of 22%. Why leave an overdrawn position on your account and allow interest to accumulate when you could easily have paid it off? Why feel lazy to offset that overdraft just because you can’t get to the bank. Why keep cash in your house for weeks when it could earn you something in your own account. Why take a cheque from your client for cash to be transferred immediately to another client and still pass it through your current account. Are you really sure that allowing the bank to finance that asset acquisition for 6months is really a wise choice? Is the perceived comfort of “easy repayment” not costing you a fortune? What loan options are available to you?
If you use the banks for one reason/purpose or the other, take time to understand how they operate. You will be wise if you did.
God bless you.
emmanuel aladenusi
Bible Reading: Genesis 39
Have you ever met people who seem to stop you from progressing in life?
You get due for promotion, and they get a good excuse to fire you or keep you stuck;
You thought the relationship will end up in marriage, but they fired the separation missiles;
The contract was to be signed in your favour, but the decision was overturned because of him;
They gave you their right hand of fellowship in ministry, but are backstabbing you when you thought you needed them most …
Your brethren all over the world experience similar things. It is one distinguishing factor of believers. Such experiences usually surface as God’s master plan unfolds in our lives. The experience of Jesus Christ is a classical example. Here’s the testimony –
“The experts of our day haven’t a clue about what God’s eternal plan is. If they had, they wouldn’t have killed the Master of the God-designed life on a cross”. I Corinthians 2:8 (MSG)
The Jews thought they were experts and interpreted that by killing Jesus, they were achievers. Well, they were achievers in a way they did not understand. They helped drive him to the zone where his life purpose was fulfilled; where he paid the price for our redemption. It’s the same way Potiphar’s wife in Genesis 39 did not have a clue that she was accelerating Joseph’s move to the throne by throwing him into prison. Who are those who claim to be experts over your life?
Let them struggle to close the door at you. If the door really gets close, then most probably it is a back door that is not meant for royal people like you. There may be somewhere else you need to look at. Sometimes we face the heat and say “Lord, take this cup away from me”. But he reminds us “the experts don’t have a clue of my plan”; they are just helping to drive you from your sluggish zone to your destiny zone. The circumstances are just intended to make you better and not bitter, so you will be equipped to fulfil your purpose. I call them “destiny accelerators”. I have seen them driven many believers to the place where purpose was fulfilled.
So don’t get distracted when some experts cannot understand you. Keep on basking in the grace God.
– tope aladenusi
Bible Reading: Acts 5
Do you have plans and goals for your life? If you are an upwardly mobile person, I could guess the answer straightaway. It’s a big YES. Will you achieve those goals? Hmn! I guess the “yes” may not sound big this time around. For most folks, there is usually an element of uncertainty here because we are always faced with many oppositions and challenges that could stop us from achieving our goals. But have you ever considered the possibility of having a 100% certainty that you will achieve any goal ahead of you? This may sound out of place in our modern world where we are constantly being enlightened about risk, chance and luck. But let me share a story with you with the hope that you will see from a different viewpoint.
Shortly after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, his disciples went all out to achieve one goal, which was in line with Jesus’ directive in Mat 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations …” They preached the gospel and healed the sick to the point that the Sadducees and the High Priest in Jerusalem couldn’t stand their mission. The disciples were then confined in public prison. But God miraculously delivered them and they immediately entered the city where they were initially arrested and continued preaching. This time around, the Jews decided it will be better to kill them, and silence this goal once and for all. But one of them had a different opinion, and he had to enlighten the rest of them.
His name is Gamaliel, a Pharisee and a teacher of the law. He taught them about one key attribute of God-given goals – “…I say to you, withdraw from these men and let them alone, for if this work has its origin from men, it will be destroyed; But if it is from God, ye cannot overthrow it …” Acts 5: 38-39.
I consider Gamaliel’s statement as one of the greatest formula for a Christian to achieve success. I know sometimes we come up with ideas and goals, and we try to sell it to God via prayers because we know that if He is behind us, success is inevitable. That’s not bad in itself because kids are permitted to express their desires to their father. But there is a greater level to operate – A level where God sells the idea to you and gives you the goal. In such cases, we can be dead sure we will succeed, if we pursue it diligently. Where do your goals usually originate from – Men or God? I advise you start forming the habit of running with God-given goals. II Cor. 2:14 (MSG) gives us another reason to do so – “In Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade”. I love this. It is when God is leading that the victory is unending.
Dearly beloved, who is leading in your life – The person reading this message or The Most High God? The answer will go a long way in determining whether your success will be unending or not.
– tope aladenusi
Ephesians 6:11-18
I may have underestimated his experience in the game. In fury of the damage he had done to my life in the past, I challenged him. My “loins girt about with truth”, I launched my first attack. He dodged, immediately retaliating with a well-aimed punch. My rib-cage crackled.
Grabbing the “breastplate of righteousness”, I rushed forward again. He stretched forth his right foot, setting a trap. I tripped over and fell flat on the floor.
I had hardly stood up, my “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” when the enemy struck again, this time around with an arrow. Too late, the arrow pierced the left side of my tummy. I staggered back, blood trickling down. I tried to draw it out of my flesh, but the pain was unbearable. In agony, I considered giving up.
Not yet! Quickly recovering, I made a beeline for “the shield of faith.” The enemy changed tactics. Taking advantage of my unprotected head, he smashed. My vision got blurred. All I could see were bright stars falling off the dark sky. How did I forget to put on “the helmet of salvation?”
Having recuperated, my helmet now on, I felt safe and confident, hoping to win. Eyes locked, we faced one another, waiting for who would strike first. He charged at me. I charged back, but with bare hands. I needed a sword badly. In a swift turn to pick the sword, the last thing I heard was a descending blow. My world went pitch-dark. Half unconscious, I lay on the floor moaning in excruciating pain.
I didn’t want to give up. All I needed was the strength to continue. Then, I remembered my captain – the one who brought me out of the miry clay. My cry of helplessness turned into “prayer and supplication in the spirit.” All of a sudden, a bright light enveloped me. And I saw One like unto the Son of man. Then I cried: “save me Oh Lord or I die!”
The Captain of my soul smiled at me: “I’m here to help thee.” His warm smile instantly healed my body and strengthened my spirit.
Heart burning with hatred, I slashed the enemy with the “sword of the Spirit.” He fell flat. Closing on, I aimed for the last blow that would finish the evil one, once and for all. Before I could deal this deadly blow, the enemy was gone. In a jiffy he had jumped up and ran for his life.
Oh! I wasted time! Why didn’t I strike immediately? When is he coming back? From now on, I will stick on to my Saviour, the Captain of my soul, who is ever near, to supply the winning grace that I need everyday of my life.
okenna obi-igbokwe
I share with you today the story of a woman, who can be you, your wife, your sister, a friend, please come along with me and enjoy going through this piece like I did when I was told the Story. So many lessons to learn, for everyone!
She felt hurt, wounded and disappointed by her trusted friend whom had pledged to be with her for the rest of her life before hundreds of people.
She could not imagine what her next line of action would be. Thoughts flooded her mind, questions poked her heart. How did I get here? She asked herself. How did I get into this situation? I thought I had it all figured out in the beginning. I never bargained for this.
After the argument yesterday I felt like throwing in the towel. It just seemed like this is never going to work, for the past 2 years it has just be one argument or the other. I try to explain myself but it seems I use the wrong words. I am just tired.
She was tired, tired of fighting, with this state of mind she decided to take her mind off the troubles of the world and enter into the only world she had always known nothing but security. She took her Bible and opened without necessarily looking for any passage and her eyes caught the passage ‘A wise woman builds her house and a foolish woman tears it down with her hands’
In her place of escape …
She Speaks…
My Lord what are you saying? A wise woman builds? Lord what do I have in my hands to build with? What is even there to build?
He Speaks…
And He answered; even the dry bones shall rise again! A wise woman builds because she has faith in her Lord. She believes His word that ‘He makes all things work together for the good of them that love Him and are called work according to His purpose’, ‘He restores wasted year, that the canker worm and the caterpillars have eaten’, He brings back all the glories that have been taken away.
A wise woman builds because she is a selfless one who understands that loves keeps no record of wrongs, she has communed with her Lord long enough to live out the words of her master who says, for my own sake I will not remember your sins, as far as the east is from the west I have taken your sins away from you. Love forgives, Love is not jealous, Love does not rejoice at the fall of another, Love never fails…
A wise woman does the right thing even when it seems like the most foolish thing to do; she takes in the scorn of friends, family and foes just the get to the mark (A marriage that works and continuously glorifies God).
She does not take responsibility for another person’s wrong but she tries to correct the wrong. She covers her husband’s shortcomings. She is like Abigail who acknowledged her husbands folly and acted to cover him. She is like Zipporah who knew what her husband did wrong and immediately takes action to save her family. She is that person who answers to the calling for a man to stand in the gap.
She Speaks…
Oh Lord this is a lot; can I really do all this?
He Speaks…
Yes you can, my grace is Sufficient for thee.
I know God is speaking to someone, please listen and hang in there.
God Bless
omolola ezeifeoma
Life is full of choices. We make them every second. Conscious choices and unconscious ones. Good or bad, those choices affect and reflect our lives. Every choice we make is multidimensional. That means it affects us in more than one way. The choice we make affects us and those we did not make also affects us positively or negatively. However, considering the choice we are not making is very important in establishing a right decision.
There is always an “alternative forgone” whenever a decision is made. It is called “opportunity cost”. Opportunity cost is important in making financial decisions. Onegood way of making sound financial decisions and creating long term wealth is to always consider the alternative we forgo when we spend money or borrow money. The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 is said to “…consider a field and buys it”. She weighs her options, various alternatives before she makes a decision. I like that.
Let’s take two scenarios to illustrate. First, when we spend money and Secondly, when we loan money. If you decide to spend just one minute less on phone calls every day and we assume the monetary value of that one minute is 1(currency). You forgo one minute and you gain 1(yen, dollar, naira etc). If you do that daily and invest it for 30years at an average of 10%, you will be worth over 1.5million. Wow! For each “just a minute please” you spend on the phone you forgo 1.5million in thirty years. Imagine if you decide to reduce your call expenses by 1/4 –you might be worth 10million in 10years. So considering the opportunity cost of making a call might make all the difference in your life.
Also if you decide to loan money to buy a car today, you get comfort, mobility, prestige and so on. But what do you forgo: You forgo the compounded interest on the principal, the compounded interest on the interest you pay the bank and also the compounded interest on the interest both principal and interest would have earned. So while you lose all these at the end of the loan period you have nothing but a seriously depreciated vehicle. Two zero in my opinion. Considering the opportunity cost, the alternative you forgo sure makes a difference.
Please don’t lose the message; it is not meant to stop you from making relevant calls or buying new cars. It’s just a reminder that before we make any financial decision, we should ask ourselves “WHAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY COST”.
– emmanuel aladenusi
A lesson from saying ‘I love you’ in advance Bible Reading: Phil 3:13
My wife once told me that I had not said ‘I love you’ to her for some days. So when I got to my office the following day, I picked up my phone, dialed her number and said ‘I love you’ to her for 14 times. Hmn! What’s this all about, she asked. I told her my reason – I do not want to bother saying ‘I love you’ in the next two weeks so I decided to say it in advance. You need to have heard the way she screamed.
It’s the same way you would behave if I told you to take your bath 30 times today so you will not bother doing so in the next 30 days or … to eat 90 square meals today so you would not bother eating for one month. It doesn’t make sense right? But why do we do so when it comes to spiritual matters and the things that have the greatest effect on our lives? Why do we study the word, pray hard and live rightly only in some seasons? If food is to the body what God’s word is to our mind, then you can imagine how sickly and skinny many of us are today. Do you not think it is time we took positive actions about our spiritual growth?
Beloved, in the last 6 months we have discussed on Spiritual Growth. Perhaps you read most of the messages and agreed with them. But please do not stop there. Practice these principles every day. We cannot afford to go to bed any day without having absorbed some ingredients that will facilitate our spiritual growth. Consistency is the key word. Don’t try to do it in advance or make up for it. Always make a conscious effort to grow up spiritually.
I love you and I passionately desire that you continue to grow spiritually.
– tope aladenusi
Having the target in mind Bible Reading: Galatians 4
It is commonly believed that if you do not know where you are going, you may not be able to tell when you get there. One of the most potent driving forces for achieving success is to be able to see your destination clearly. The wear and tear of this life isn’t really worth it unless you are going to somewhere very great. Not only that, you are able to tell when you get there.
The same thing applies to our desires and efforts to grow spiritually. We have to clearly see our growth target. What exactly are you aiming to achieve as far as your spiritual growth is concerned? Does it fall in line with the verses of scripture below …?
“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” Galatians 4:19 (KJV)
“… until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard”. Ephesians 4:13 (GW)
When we got born again, we received the fullness of Christ in our spirits (John 1:16); our old nature died and we now have a new nature (II Cor. 5:17); our new life is exactly like Christ (I Jn 4:17). But according to Gal 4:19, there is another labour we need to go through, until Christ be formed in us. What does this mean? The Message translation puts it clearer – “…until Christ’s life becomes visible in your lives”
Beloved, Press on … until your lifestyle fully reflects your new life; until your disposition totally reflects your position in Christ; until your city experiences what was experienced when Jesus was in Galilee, Nazareth, Jerusalem … ; until the fruit of the spirit is constantly displayed in your life; until everything you do revolves around God’s agenda; … until Christ be formed in you.
– tope aladenusi