We Remember 9/11

It's exactly 12 years today we witness that catastrophe.  RIP to the 2,976 Americans that lost their lives in that tragedy. We Remember you now and always. L

Happy Birthday to Me.

Casting Crown Concert- Illuminate 2013

Last night was the final day of illuminate 2013. The concert featured Sidewalk Prophets, Mandisa, Jamie Grace and other gospel artistes. The concert witness a massive crowd who came pouring out their hearts to God in worship and they had an amazing time in God's presence, For those who missed it, there are pictures below for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!!! 

Casting Crown 

Casting Crown 

Sidewalk Prophets

Sidewalk Prophets

Mandisa

Mandisa

Sidewalk Prophets

Jamie Grace

Royal Tailor

Casting Crown

Sidewalk Prophets- Help Me Find It (Official Lyric Video)

Y'all should listen to this song Help Me Find It by Sidewalk Prophets. It will bless your heart. The Lyrics are in the video. It is from the album Live Like That.

And if you are wondering who Sidewalk Prophets are... Here is a description

Sidewalk Prophets is a contemporary Christian Music Band. In 2010, they won the GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the year. They have four albums...

* Sidewalk Prophets

* You Love Me Anyway

* These Simple Truths

* Live Like That

For more of their songs visit http://www.sidewalkprophets.com/albums

Christian Funny Pictures

 Hey, why so serious? Take a look at these pictures and laugh that sadness away.

Oh you naughty boy.

And that was how we became extinct 

Fastest means to Heaven

Master of the Storm

Adam and Eve

What Can we give God-the Creator?

Can I have your digits?

Sermon from my Blog

No need for burnt offerings, Jesus paid the price once for all.

In your face enemy. I am  invisible and untouchable 

Noah at work

Thank you technology, we just made a discovery.

Yes men! We are special. Made it as the top 10 plagues

(Rapture) Are You Ready?

Found this video on Youtube, it's a wake up call for everyone especially Christians. It is true Science can predict a lot of things but one thing will always be uncertain, no one knows the day or time Jesus is coming. While you are busy with your daily routine, remember the rapture can come at anytime... Are you Ready? How you live your life will determine where you will spend eternity. It's not too late now. What's your take? Heaven or Hell? Enjoy this video.

WELCOME TO AUGUST.

Welcome August

I know I haven't updated this blog in ages and I sincerely apologise for that.

It is a New Month; the good news is that it is my Birth Month. August signifies fruitfulness.  Month of harvest. I pray that God will visit us this month.

HOLD ON TO GOD. HE IS OUR BEACON OF HOPE. HAVE A FRUITFUL MONTH.

                                                                                                    ♥Gracie Itegboje♥

Word for Today: Thursday, February 21, 2013

1 Samuel 7:2-177 Day of National Repentance

Memory Verse 1 Samuel 7:12(KJV)

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

Yesterday, we learnt that God is not a respecter of anybody. Yes, he is merciful but he is also just. Failure to obey God’s commandments can lead to severe punishment or even death as in the case of the men of Beth Shemesh.

We will see the difference between Eli and Samuel, while Eli was responsible for turning the hearts of the Israelites away from God, Samuel was responsible for turning their hearts back to God Verse 3. This is what a priest or any man of God should do; they should lead the sheep astray but instead guide them and lead them to God.

Israel heeded to Samuel’s call for repentance, by turning away from idol worship. Samuel in turn arranged a day of national repentance for them verses 5, 6. The Philistines mistook the repentance rally for a war rally and assembled their troops terrifying the Israelites verses 7, 8 but Samuel interceded for them and God answered verse 9. After many years of defeat the Israelites were able to subdue the Philistines verse 13.

There are dangerous consequences for sinning and turning our hearts away from God. When you sin, do not hesitate to return back to God. True repentance means forsaking those idols or things that holds first place in our lives and turning to God totally and when we return to God in true repentance we are assured of victories especially in that situation that currently seem impossible. When you get the victory, do not forget to thank God, our Helper (Ebenezer). God bless you.

Word for Today: Wednesday, February 20, 2013

1 Samuel 6:1-7:1 Joy and Sorrow

Memory Verse 1 Samuel 6:20(KJV)

 “And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? And to whom shall he go up from us?”

Yesterday, we saw how God severely punished the Philistines and destroyed their god Dagon. Initially, the Philistines thought it was a good idea to capture the ark of God but decided to return the ark after keeping it for seven months.

In desperation to return the ark of God, the Philistines consulted their Priest and diviners on how to return the ark. The priest advised them to return the ark with gifts of golden tumours and rats symbolising the plague and diseases on the Philistines Verses 4 and 5.

From verse 6, it is apparent that the Philistines heard about the Egyptians plague and how they perished in the Red sea because they refused to allow the Children of Israel go to the promised Land, one would think that this would have made the Philistines more afraid of the Israelites but instead at every slight opportunity they had they used it to wage war against the Israelites.

With the glaring signs, the priests were still not totally convinced that it was God causing their plague; they might have thought it was just pure coincidence. So they hitched the cart which would carry the ark to untrained cows that had just calved. Should these cows dessert their calves despite their motherly instincts and carry the ark directly to Israel, even though they have never pulled a cart, this would be irrefutable proof verses 8-9.

 This was exactly what happened; the ark of God arrived at Beth Shemesh, a town just inside Israel’s border. Initially, there was a great rejoicing and sacrificing to God but unfortunately tragedy struck. Seventy Beth Shemesh men died because they looked into the ark Verse 19. Some people may think God was too hard on these men, after all they were happy the ark was back, they even made sacrifices but if you read Numbers 4:20, God gave strict orders about the ark, only the Levites should handle the ark and looking at the sacred things will result to death. God is a God of justice.

Really who can stand in the presence of the Lord? Let us thank God for his son Jesus who is constantly interceding on our behalf and for his grace and mercy that has been given to us freely. God bless you.

Word for Today: Tuesday, February 19, 2013

1 Samuel 5:1-12 Vengeance of God upon the Philistines

Memory Verse 1 Samuel 5:4(KJV)

“And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him”.

Yesterday’s passage was really tragic; we saw the death of Eli, his sons, the defeat of Israel and worse of all the ark of God was captured.

When I read this passage and saw how God dealt with the Philistines, I said was “That serves them right” How can they do such a stupid thing as putting the ark of God in the same place as their Dagon? lol

Yesterday, when the Israelites took the ark into battle, God withheld his powers and they were defeated but when the Philistines placed the ark in Dagon’s temple, God displayed his powers by toppling Dagon. Why these opposite reaction?

God was trying to convey message to Israel as well as to the philistines. God wanted to punish the Israelite who failed to realise that God resides in their hearts that they have unfortunately turned to idols and on the other hand God wanted to punish the Philistines because they though the ark of God was one of their conquest, they even had the audacity to put him in the same place as their man-made god Dagon

God made sure that the Philistines would not attribute their victory to their god Dagon being more powerful than God. Dagon not only fell in homage to God but his hands and head were broken.

Dagon was not the only one to suffer; the philistines were struck with a plague. Initially they didn’t acknowledge that it was God and they started moving the ark form city to city. Eventually they were forced to admit that it was the ark that brought doom on them and decided to send it back to Israel.

God has different ways of dealing with different people, and the punishment always suits the crime. Never in our lives should we try to take God’s glory or attribute it to someone or something. God is God and will not share his glory with any man. God bless you.

Word for Today: Monday, February 18, 2013

1 Samuel 4:1b-22 The Glory has Departed

Memory Verse 1 Samuel 4:22(KJV)

“And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken”.

Yesterday, we saw the judgement pronounced by God on the house of Eli. Today, we are going to see the reality of God’s judgement. This is a sad passage about defeat and death.

God uses discipline as a last resort. God's plan for the earth is love first, discipline last. To get us to listen and repent, he will use deep conviction, the rebuke from men of God, family or friends, and every other means before disciplining us. But if we resist these warnings then his judgement will befall us.

For a while, the Israelites enjoyed peace but their sins brought war, the Philistines who were known to be enemies of Israel gathered together and waged war against the Israelites. Verse 2 tells us that Israel was smitten before the Philistines. Why? Their hearts were turned from God, they indulged in idolatry.

When the Israelites were defeated the elders asked a question “Why did the Lord bring defeat upon us today” Verse 3? Unfortunately none of them could provide the right answer. I guess there had already sunk in their evil ways to realise that they have sinned against God. This should be a warning to Christians, although not every rough situation is a judgement from God, some can be as a result of the devil persecuting you for being a Christians. But we should examine our lives daily if we are in right standing with God, and if we realise that we are being punished for our sins, we shouldn’t hesitate to turn back to God and ask for forgiveness.

The elders thought the solution to their problems was taking the ark of God to battle, unfortunately for them the next battle was even more disastrous and to make matters worse the ark of God was captured. The elders made a terrible mistake; they mistook the ark (which is the symbol of God’s presence) for his actual presence. God cannot be confined to a box or a building. God dwells in our hearts and the Israelites failed to realise these because their hearts were already turned to other gods.

We witness the death of Eli and his sons in verses 11 and 18. What a tragic way to die. Hophni and Phinehas were priests not soldiers and weren’t supposed to be in battle but they went because of the ark of God. God had already planned everything out and there was no way they could have escaped God’s judgement.

Eli and his sons lead the children of Israel into sin, Eli judged Israel for 40 years and through his family the temple worship was defiled by greed and sexual immorality and Israel experienced spiritual drought and to make matters worse the ark of God was captured because the people decided to use it as a lucky charm in battle.

What a tragic day for Israel and for the house of Eli. Lastly we see Phinehas wife going into forced labour because of the tragic news. She acknowledged that the glory of God had departed from Israel and upon her death she named her son Ichabod meaning no glory left.

It is really a sad story, now we see the consequences of deliberately sinning against God and refusal to turn from our evil ways. God will forgive our sins if we confess and forsake them 1 John 1:9 but if we continue to sin we will incur the wrath. May God give us the grace to remain steadfast to him and yield to his warnings, Amen. God bless you.

Word for Today: Sunday, February 17, 2013

1 Samuel 3:1-4:1a Rare to Regular

Memory verse 1 Samuel 3:19(KJV)

“And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground”.

Yesterday, we saw the dangers and punishment for disrespecting the Lord, those who do not fear the Lord should prepare to face his wrath and judgement but when we honour the Lord, he will honour us and cause us to find favour with him and with our fellow men.

From the first verse in today’s passage, it is apparent that the priests have failed in their duties. The priests were supposed to be in constant communication with God, taking the messages from God to the people but that was not the case as we see in verse 1 that the word of God was rare. They were experiencing a spiritual drought. What might have caused this spiritual drought? The word of God was rare because of the sins of Eli and his sons. Eli was no longer hearing from God, he turned a blind eye to the evil deeds of his sons and his sons dishonoured God greatly. Note that when we deliberately keep on sinning, we will no longer hear from God. God cannot speak to us if you keep on living in sin.

From verse 7, we were told that Samuel had not yet known the Lord, meaning God hasn’t spoken to him yet. Israel at that time was facing spiritual drought due to the sins of the priests, this spiritual drought could have affected Samuel as well. Some people like Samuel are yet to know and recognise the voice of God. God can speak to anyone and in anyway. He doesn’t have a particular way; it could be through visions, dreams, audible voice or his still small voice. It is only when we become closer to God that we can understand him and know when he speaks to us. Because of the relationship I have with my parents, I can recognise their voice even without seeing their faces that is how it is with God too. When we are in-tune with God, it becomes easy to know when he is speaking to us.

Eli’s failure to recognise God’s voice initially portrays the pathetic state of his spiritual life. I guess he hadn’t heard from God in ages hence his failure to recognise that it was God calling Samuel at first. Sin can make us draw away from God, the farther we draw away from God the farther his voice becomes.

Samuel was an obedient child; he did exactly as he was told. Laid down, waited patiently for the Lord to speak and he listened carefully to what God had to say.

When God warns us about our sins, we should repent immediately and desist from our evil deeds. Eli showed no remorse at all instead he said “it is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good”. Maybe if Eli had genuinely repented, the judgement of God wouldn’t have been so severe but he chose to make light of the matter. We should never ignore the warnings of God.

We see a dramatic change at the end of today’s chapter. In the beginning the word of God was rare but at the end the word of God became a regular occurrence due to God’s constant communication with Samuel that even Israel came to acknowledged that God was with Samuel and recognised him as a prophet. Samuel’s personal encounter with God made a huge difference and caused the spiritual drought to cease.

Examine your life today. When was the last time God spoke to you?  If you are no longer hearing from God like you used to, then you need to desist from whatever it is that is serving as a hindrance in your fellowship with God and please do not take God’s warnings lightly. Repent immediately of whatever it is he is warning you about and renew your relationship with him. God bless you.

Word for Today: Saturday, February 16, 2013

1 Samuel 2:22-36 A family under Judgement

Memory Verse 1 Samuel 2:30(KJV)

“Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed”.

Yesterday, we read about the wickedness of the sons of Eli- Hophni and Phinehas. The wicked can never go unpunished (Proverbs 11:21). They may flourish for a while but in the end they will meet a disastrous doom.

Today’s passage shows us what a weak father Eli had been, all along Eli never corrected his children, he turned a blind eye to their evil, it was only in his old age that he summoned up the courage to remonstrate with them.

 Eli was old and he couldn’t do much in old age. He heard about his sons evil deeds and spoke to them about their despicable behaviour but they ignored him. It was futile correcting these young men at this stage. He should have impacted the fear of God in them when they were younger. There is a lesson here for parents, ensure to bring up your children in the way of the lord, teach them about God in their formative years.

From the prophet’s warning, it is apparent that Eli had been honouring his sons more than God by allowing them to continue in their wicked way. The priests were supposed to lead the children of Israel to God but they drew them away from God, made a mockery of the worship at Shiloh, used the temple of God to enrich themselves and fornicated with the women who came to worship at the tabernacle. This shows lack of respect for God, these men lack the fear of God, and the fact that Eli waited until now to correct his sons goes a long way to show the type of father he was.

God was grieved and he pronounced a dreadful judgement on the house of Eli, not only will they be stripped of their priestly role, they will be subject to poverty and would all meet with untimely death.

It is indeed a fearful thing to fall into the hands of God, if you fall into the hands of men or your enemies, you can take your petitions to God, but if you fall into the hands of God, who will you take your petitions to? In our walk with God, we have to be very careful not to invoke the wrath of God upon us. Daily examine yourself if you are in right standing with God.

God is a just and merciful God, he sends several warnings before he carries out his judgement; it is when we are adamant that his judgement befalls us.

God has called us to his service; it grieves God when we choose to follow the devil. He wants to have a relationship with us and he has this wonderful plan for everyone but our actions can affect that glorious future he has planned for us. If you keep on dinning with the devil, there is no way God’s plan for you can be fulfilled.

Note that our sins can alter the plans of God for us, the sins of Eli and his sons stripped them of the priestly role that God had given to them, we must be very careful. Just as our sins can invoke God’s wrath on us, so also can our sincere repentance revoke his wrath. God can propose to destroy a family for their sins but if they sincerely repent, God will turn away from his wrath. For example, the people of Nineveh were doomed for destruction, but as soon as they heard the warnings from Prophet Jonah, they repented immediately and God had mercy on them.

Sin can also shorten ones span on earth, a curse was placed on Eli’s family. They will die an untimely death and Eli will witness the death of his sons. How dreadful it is for a parent to lose a child let alone two children. It is not the wish for any parent to see their children leave this earth before them.

Notice verse 26, this is my daily prayer to find favour with God and man. With all these evils going on, Samuel grew in the Lord; God favoured him and caused men to favour him as well. If our ways please God he will cause men to be at peace with us (Proverbs 16:7).

Let us take our key verse seriously; it is a promise and a warning. God will honour those who honour him and those who dishonour him, his wrath will befall them. God bless you.

Just a quick encouragement, are you having one of those days? Christ said to come to him all ye who are weary and heavy-laden and he will give you rest (Matt 11:28). Don’t give up on God, he will never ever give up on you. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5b). God’s faithfulness is everlasting (Psalm 119:90), even when we are faithless, he still remains faithful (2Tim2:13). So, relax and let our Sovereign God perform his wonders in your situation. God bless you.

Word for Today: Friday, February 15, 2013

1 Samuel 2:12-21 The good, the bad and the ugly

Memory Verse 1 Samuel 2:18(KJV)

“But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod”

Yesterday, we saw the songs of praise rendered to the Lord by Hannah, she returned to God with a grateful heart. We should cultivate the habit if giving thanks to God both in the good times as well as the bad times.

Today’s passage is a sad one. The job of the priest was to minister to God and also draw the people to God. It is apparent that Eli failed in his parental duties. While he was busy ministering to the children of Israel, he neglected his sons. We know that once a priest dies, the next in line which is usually his sons will take over the priestly duties.  We learnt about family harmony in Colossians some days ago, each of us have a role to play, it starts from the head down to the least. Parents should train up their children in the way of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6).

The priests were entitled to meat from each sacrifice and the custom was for them to take ‘potluck’. They plunged a fork into the boiling meat and took whatever it pierced, but Hophni and Phinehas insisted on choosing their meat while it was raw and before the fat has been burnt off. These men had no regard for God at all, otherwise they would have adhere to his instruction that fat was to be preserved for him alone (Leviticus 3:14-16)

They violated the custom and treated both the sacrifices rendered to God and the worshippers of God with contempt Verses 16-17, they even threatened violence when they were cautioned, these were priests that ought to minister before God instead they were selfish and placed their needs before God. No wonder they were referred to as sons of Belial in verse 12 meaning they were worthless, useless and huge failures who knew not the Lord.

Even in the midst of perversity, we see a good example in verses 18 and 21. No doubt Samuel must have witnessed the evil deeds of these men but he choose to minister to God, another good example is Hannah, she never stopped caring for Samuel and she ensure he had all the necessary requirements to minister before God. It was her good act that made Eli bless her and God opened her womb and gave her more children.

As believers, we have been called to the service of God; we should serve God willingly and obey his commandment. We are in a world full of evil men, but just as Samuel, we should grow in the Lord and not join in their evil deed (Read Psalm 1). Tomorrow, we will see the reward of the wicked, judgement will surely come upon those who sin against God. God bless you

Word for Today: Thursday, February 14, 2013

1 Samuel 2:1-11 Rejoice and be glad!

Memory Verse 1 Samuel 2:2(KJV)

“There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God”.

Yesterday, we saw an embittered Hannah who wanted a child badly that she made a vow to give the child back to God if he grants her request, God indeed granted her request and she in-turn gave her son back to God.

Today, we see a different Hannah, her sadness was turned to rejoicing. Hannah gave her son to God when he was just three years old, Samuel started living in the temple from that ages meaning Hannah saw very little of him, yet she wasn’t resentful nor did she regret making her vow. She rejoiced in the incomparable God who is no respecter of status quo. There is indeed none like our God, He can make the least to become the greatest, he is capable to raise the dead, make the poor rich and change that miserable situation into a victorious one.

Hannah and Mary’s song (Luke 1:46-55) have now become models of our own praise. We should ensure to come back to God with a grateful heart when our requests have been granted. Some of us are so ungrateful; it is only when our situations are tough that we remember God but as soon as we have gotten solutions to our problems we tend to forget God. Some people go to God for jobs, they never miss any church activity during those times but as soon as they get the job, they stop coming to church and when you ask them for a reason they tell you that their job is so hectic and demands all of their time, they forget who gave them the job in the first place.

Just as Hannah, we should return back to God with a grateful heart and thank him for all his gifts, I pray that as we do so God will grant our request according to his will through Christ Jesus. Amen. God bless you.

Word for Today: Wednesday, February 13, 2013

1 Samuel 1:1-28 From Bitterness to Joy

Memory Verse 1 Samuel 1:17(KJV)

“Then Eli answered and said , Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him”.

 This book starts when Israel was still ruled by judges. We will use the next 10 days to study the life and growth of a young man named Samuel and how he emerged as a great Priest.

Today passage tells us the story of a man named Elkanah, his linage was stated in verse 1. Elkanah had two wives- Peninnah and Hannah and we were told he loved Hannah more. It can be noted in verse 6 that God closed the womb of Hannah, but why did God shut the womb of Hannah? Hannah’s case is similar to that of Rachael (Genesis 30) and it may be that God saw the pain of Peninnah, she was unloved and was treated unfairly because even with her many children she always got the smaller portion (Verse 4), or it may be that God was waiting for the right time to present Israel with a great priest. But whatever the case maybe, he is the omniscient God, he is sovereign: He opens and shuts as he wills.

We can see Hannah as a desperate and embittered woman, although she was getting all the attention from her husband, the pains of childlessness and mockery from Peninnah was too great for her.

Notice a good attribute of Hannah, she was a godly woman and she knew where to pour her pain and whom to call verses 9-13, she went to the house of God to pray and present her case. When we are confronted with problems and challenges, whom do we call on first? The solution to all our problems is God; we should endeavour to take all our problems to God.

The nature of our problems can intensify our prayers, with the pains in her heart, Hannah prayed to the extent that Eli the priest thought she was drunk. I was a bit puzzled that Eli thought Hannah was drunk, I came to these conclusions that

•        maybe drunk people were in the habit of coming into the temple

•        Eli wasn’t used to seeing people pray in the temple

•        The countenance of Hannah at that time

Notice the vow Hannah made in verse 11. To some people, it is an irrational thing to do but it is apparent that Hannah made that vow out of desperation in hope that God will be moved by her vow and grant her request. Desperate situations can sometimes pressure us to make vows that we find really hard to fulfil after our requests have been granted. But Hannah fulfilled her vow; she gladly gave her son back to God.

As Christians, whenever we are faced with challenges, instead of questioning and saying “why me”, take your case to God like Hannah did and pour out your heart to him, he loves you and understands you situation. If you are compelled by your situation to make a vow, don’t be irrational in your vow; don’t say what you cannot fulfil when your request is granted (Ecc 5:4-5). Whether you make a vow or not, if you call on God sincerely, he will answer you (Jeremiah 33:3, Psalm 91:15). God bless you.

Word for Today: Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Philippians 3:7-11 The sacrificial life for Christ Part 4

Memory Verse Philippians 3:7

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ”.

Word for Today: Monday, February 11, 2013

1 Peter 2:19-21, 4:1-4, 12-18 The sacrificial life for Christ Part 3

 Memory Verse 1 Peter 2:21(KJV)

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”

Christ went through a lot to save us, he left an example for us, I am not saying you should go and die for the world, there is no need doing that, Christ has already done that but when we bear in mind what Christ went through for us to be saved, we will no doubt want to live a sacrificial life for him.

As Christians we will definitely suffer for the sake of Christ (2 Timothy 3:12), but when we are persecuted we shouldn’t lose hope but rejoice and focus our eyes on Jesus (James 1:2). It is a pleasure to suffer for the sake of Christ. Infact, if the world isn’t persecuting you yet, then you aren’t living a godly life.

Life in the world may look pleasurable but it will not last, riches of this world will fade, it is the promises of God that is sure. Do away with your old self, and put on the new man in Christ, let our focus be on heavenly things (Colossians 3:1).

What I want you to always remember this day and forever is this: Jesus lived a self-sacrificial life for us. Now, that we are in him, we should endeavour to live a sacrificial life for the sake of Christ and also for the good of others.

Word for Today: Sunday, February 10, 2013

Romans 12: 1 The sacrificial life for Christ, Part 2

Memory Verse Romans 12:1(KJV)

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”.

Living a sacrificial life for Christ means abstinence from worldly pleasures, such as sexual immorality. It is noteworthy for us to know that our bodies are the temples of God. God cannot dwell in a polluted body hence Apostle Paul plead in Romans 12:1.

Every sin is a sin outside the body but sexual immorality is a sin against our bodies (1 Cor 6:18), it is not only when we commit sexual immorality that we sin against our bodies. Some of us neglect our bodies, we abuse it, and we act like we are machines and not God’s image wonderfully created by him.

To live a sacrificial life for Christ means we have to get rid of those things that can defile our bodies. We should endeavour to take care of our bodies, even the food we eat matters. What we take into my system matters, you can expect to be free from cancer if you smoke a pack of cigarettes every day, it doesn’t work that way. If you keep eating junk food you are going to be obsessed. Junk isn’t healthy; it causes more harm than good. Constant use of substances and drugs are hazardous. Every day, we hear over the news how people die of drug and substance abuse. Getting drunk is a sin, when one is drunk, they do foolish things. Innocent people are being killed every day by drunk drivers. If you die in your drunken state, what are you going to tell God, that you wasted your life drinking? Ephesians 5:18 tells us not to be drunk with wine but instead we should be filled with the Holy Spirit.

It is God’s will for us to be healthy, his death was not only to renew our relationship with God but also to save us from oppression, sicknesses, broken heart, etc. (3 John 1:2 cc Luke 4:18). The sick aren’t strong enough to praise God; we need to be healthy to be able to praise God. God has given us life in abundance (John 10:10b), he has provided healing for us, but we need to play our part. Get rid of those things that are harmful to our health.

We have some biblical examples of young men and women who presented their bodies Holy for God.

•        Joseph will rather go to prison than sleep with his master’s wife

•        Moses will rather suffer with the children of Israel than become a king

•        Daniel will rather eat vegetables and fast than eat the king’s delicacies

There are a lot of other examples, we need to discipline our bodies and submit it to the will of God. Examine your life today, what is that thing preventing you from living a holy and pleasing life unto God. Desist from it today. God bless you.

Word for Today: Saturday, February 9, 2013

THE SACRIFICIAL LIFE FOR CHRIST

Our theme for February is taken from Mark 8:36, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” For the next 4 days, we will be looking at living a sacrificial life for Christ.it isn’t always easy but when we think about the sufferings and pains Jesus went just to redeem us, we will be motivated to live a sacrificial life for him I pray that God will empower us to live sacrificial lives for him in Jesus name. Amen

Mark 8: 34-38 The sacrificial life for Christ, Part 1

Memory Verse Mark 8:36(KJV)

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

To live a sacrificial life means to be holy, to be separated unto God, to forsake and leave behind the pleasures of the world and our old lifestyles. The Christian life is one that is called to self-denial. When we first believed, we were ready to lose our old lives in exchange for a better life in Christ but as time went by, we became carried away by the pleasures of the world. These are weights that can easily affect our Christian race, we need to get rid of them and focus on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Most of us are busy pursuing worldly things and we forget what is important. Last month, our theme was seeking God first, God created the world and everything in it, if we seek him, he will definitely bless us but we are yet to surrender our all to God.

Although the Christian life is that of sacrifices but that doesn’t mean a Christian will always be poor and haggard, there is a reward for those who diligently seek God (Hebrews 11:6). God has promised us an eternal rest (Hebrews 4, Matt 11:28); to enter into his rest, we have to forsake everything for Christ sake.

Our purpose here on earth is to find more of Jesus, and we can do that by studying his word, praying and fellowshipping with other saint. What is that thing that is taking the place of God in your life?

Life doesn’t end here, when we die, we are judged and it is how you lived your life on earth that will determine how you eternity will be spent (Hebrews 9:27). If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable (1 Corinthians 15:19).