God with Us

 

Rev'd G. S. Adeyemo

Introduction

 The name Emmanuel is not just a title; it is a revelation. It tells us what God has done, what God is doing, and what God will continue to do. Jesus came not as an angel, but as a human born in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes. This means He understands us. He knows our pains, our fears, our struggles, and our limitations. Hebrews 4:15 (KJV) reminds us that He was “touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” Jesus came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). 

His presence does not expire but  He is with us in:

Times of peace and times of trouble

Times of abundance and times of need

Times of clarity and times of confusion

 God With Us 

The basic truth we need to know in time like this is, Whatever you may be going through as an individual or whenever there is palpable fear and trembling in the nation, people of God must remember that:

1. God is Present

2. God is Personal

3. God is Powerful

Isaiah 7 occurs during a moment of national fear. King Ahaz ruled Judah while Rezin ruled Syria and Pekah ruled Israel Ephraim. Syria and Israel formed an alliance to attack Jerusalem Isaiah 7:1–2. Ahaz and the people “trembled” because the threat was real but God sent Isaiah with a message of reassurance that Judah will not be destroyed Isaiah 7:3–7. 

The people were afraid, but God intervened—a reminder that He never abandons His own. You will not be abandoned in the face of your struggles and adversaries in Jesus name. 

How do I know this?

1. God is Present: God is with His people in times of fear No situation is beyond His reach. Though the kings planned evil, God declared: “It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.” Human threats cannot overrule God’s purposes because God is present.

2. God is Personal: He comes near in love to identify with His own in their real circumstances. He came in person to earth to experience what we  experience. 

At creation the original purpose of God was and is to be in eternal relationship with man. Hence, He deposited Himself in the man created in His image. However, the relationship was breached as a result of the rebellion of the man against the will of God. The same thing continues to plague humanity and had created a chasm between man and God. Thus the Bible says, “For all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3: 23. 

All efforts of man to bridge the gap had always been futile. Prophets were sent, angels came and laws were given to bring us back to God but to no avail. 

 God with us, a fulfilment in Jesus Christ. Christianity is not man reaching God but God reaching man. This season and it’s celebration is about a person. God is just above there waiting for us to return home but going out the way to come in person as a man to identify with us in all our struggles and futility. He has come to abide with us and taking on himself consequences of our sins so that we can be redeemed eternally. Immanuel is never a title of distance but of intimacy. It is about God’s presence as answer to our fear. He came through the birth of Jesus Christ to dwell with us permanently.

The practical implications of God with us are:

1. We are not alone in suffering

2. We are not abandoned in uncertainty

3. We are not hopeless even in death. 

The final words of our Lord before ascension is, “...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world”

3. God is Powerful: God’s presence brings salvation, deliverance, prosperity and peace. God overrules the plans of the enemy. Human conspiracies cannot stop His purpose for our life.

Let us trust Him and see His deliverance in our life.

The Dangers of Costly Assumption

Rev'd G. S. Adeyemo 

Assumption is the mother of most mistakes that beclouds judgement and leads to misguided and regrettable actions. Assumption is taken for granted that we know something that we don’t. We assume because of our imaginations, past experiences, or wishful thinking. Also we do it because we don’t have all the information that we need, and our minds like to fill in the blanks. 

 Do you assume God will be so furious about your sin on the judgement day and in anger throws you beyond hell fire. This is very costly assumption as God doesn’t need to throw you before you enter hell fire. The Bible says, “Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:” (Isaiah 5: 14, 15 KJV) (emphasis mine) 

Do you assume God understands your excuses for unresolved grudges against your fellow brother or sister? Do you assume your indecent dresses doesn’t matter after all others are dressing to their church like that? Do you assume no one sees you in the private where you are planning and committing evils? God is all-knowing and ever present wherever you are. The Psalmist says, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.” (Ps 139:7-8 KJV) There is danger in assumption especially concerning your eternity in heaven. The greatest danger is that you will not have control over the judgement neither will you have a second chance to mend your ways. Delay is dangerous; To avoid the dangers of costly assumption, take the following steps: 

1. Be prayerful about every information and revelation 

2.Be precise in response to your situation and circumstances 

3.Be ready to forsake your sinful lifestyle 4.Be ready to confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour 

5.Invite the Holy Spirit of God into your life. He will seal you and guide you in all things even to the end of your life. 

 6.Join a bible believing Church where you can fellowship and grow in the spirit. As you take these steps, the Holy Spirit will register your name in the Book of life and you remain blessed in Jesus name.

 If you have any prayer request or counseling, kindly contact: Rev’d G. S. Adeyemo on Whatsapp only 08121607361, mail address: abundantgracemi@gmail.com or Blog: https://abundantgracemi.blogspot.com

Mothers As Peace Seekers

Rev'd G. S. Adeyemo   

Seekers of peace are builders of nations. They rise in time of war and do not consider their lives for the salvation of their nations.
 “Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12: 14 

Felicitation

I felicitate with our mothers of today and tomorrow on this special day. Mother’s Day is celebrated today throughout the Nigerian Baptist Convention to honour and celebrate our mothers. Not only the living mothers are celebrated today but good and responsible mothers who had passed on to glory are remembered on a day like this. Once again I celebrate you all and pray that the Lord grant you wisdom of God to remain virtuous and dedicated mothers in Jesus name.

‘Mothers as Peace Seekers’ is our theme for this year. From the text above, your entrance to the kingdom of God is predicated on your efforts to be at peace with all men and pursuit of holiness. You may want to ask, how about the salvation through grace by faith in Jesus Christ? The verse in Hebrew 12:14 does not in any way negates the doctrine of salvation through grace; however, it implies that you can’t be at peace with God without being at peace with all men. If you have reconciled to God, you must not live a life that contradict the profession of your faith.

 Famous through Faith: In chapter 11, we could see the list of heroes and heroine of faith. They demonstrated their true knowledge of God through practical life of peace with all men.  They were hated, persecuted, deprived and ridiculed yet, they did not deny their faith. They became outcasts not because they owned nothing but their possessions were confiscated. In the face of all those provocations, they never fought back. Daniel did not institute a court case against injustice meted on him and the three Hebrews. Stephen didn't curse those who were stoning him, instead he prayed that God should not count it against them.

Charity Begins at Home: Being at peace with all me must begin from our homes. An adage says, “Charity begins at home” Domestic violence is condemned in its entirety. Women should not be seen as slaves or trash that must be treated like unwanted people. Those who maltreat, beat, humiliate or torment their wives are considered as void of knowledge in the Bible. Follow peace with all women and holiness, without which no man will get to heaven. There are women too who torment their husbands. They nag, abuse, disrespect bullying and even beat their husbands. Women who are subjecting their husbands to disrepute, violence and torment will face the same judgement as men who are violent against their wives. Make all efforts to be at peace with all men including your husband and holiness without which you won't be able to enter heaven. Romans 12:18 says. "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." In other words, the onus is on you to be at peace with all men. You are to seek peace with all men as a matter of responsibility. Rom 12:18 another version of the Bible says,  "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people." (NET) Proverbs 21:19 Seekers of peace are builders of nations. They rise in time of war and do not consider their lives for the salvation of their nations.  

I wonder how can you say you are worshiping God of peace and you are not at peace with fellow brothers and sisters in the Church. You can’t continue like that thinking you will see God. 2 Tim 2:14, 23; Titus 3:9; Jas 4:1-2; Proverbs 20:3 says, “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” Euodia and Syntyche are chiefly remembered as two people who had an argument, and their names are most commonly associated with disagreement. Have you ever wondered how your name will be remembered when you’re gone? “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life” Philippians 4:2-3.

Conclusion: Do not be a nagging or bullying woman. There are women who even beat their husbands. Christian homes should be a peaceable habitation where husband will be craving to be. If your character is hurting, everything piss of your spouse. As you humbly and wisely submit yourself to your husband, may the peace of God rule your home in Jesus name