Appreciation: A Challenge to Do More

PASTOR TOSIN OYENEYE’S APPRECIATION SERVICE
AT NEWLIFE BAPTIST CHURCH, IJOKO OTA OGUN STATE
Titled:- Appreciation: A Challenge to Do More

Text: Hebrews 13:7, 1Timothy 5:17, 18

By: Rev. G.S Adeyemo Date: 22/11/2014
Definition:

There are three (3) Components of Appreciation namely:

Recognition

Admiration

Compensation

Appreciation recognizes the good qualities in someone, admires them and consequently compensates the efforts invested in reaching such level.

How do you recognize, admire and compensate those who have performed and laboured so much in your midst as people of God?

Recognition: the Bible commands us to recognize those who are preaching and teaching the word of God in our midst. “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."   (1 Timothy 5:17,18)

Recognition is the action or process of identification of a person from previous encounter or knowledge. People of God should begin to recognize, recount, and recall the good that ministers of God does in our midst.

Biblical Accounts of People who were given such recognition.

Demetrius 3John12, Centurion, Luke 7:9, Matthew 25:12 well done passage; Luke 12:37; 1 Sam. 25:32-33; 2Sam. 10:29; Romans 13:7. Gen. 41:39-41, Ex.2:11-21 Mordecai was recognized, admired and compensated for unveiling the plot against the King. Esth. 6:1-11.

Admiration Calls for Embrace. You accept the person for who he/she is. You focus on the good, strength and profits/gains in the life of a person. Talk about good things your leaders do instead of concentrating on those things he could not do well. Nigerians are too quick to catalogue the weaknesses of their leaders. Baptist people let us not be so carnal as the people of the world do. It is time we realize that pastors are not superhuman. They have blood and waters and cater for relations too. I am not promoting recklessness and abuse of this sacred office but to challenge us to help leaders do better rather than running down your leaders.

Commend him and speak well of him before others. Help him do things he cannot do well. That is why we have workers around him. Use your office or gifts to lift him up and not to set traps for him. Those who set ambush for Servants of God cannot excel in life, because it brings curses upon himself. Remember, Dathan, Korah and Abiram in the Book of Numbers. Servants of God are representatives of God not employees of the Church. They deserve best treatment not because they are angels but for the sake of whom they represent. The Lord says, "I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting.” Numbers 18: 21.

Churches deprive themselves of open heaven when they always think we don’t have enough to appreciate servants of God. Ezekiel 44:30 Oprah Winfrey said “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never ever have enough”

Compensation. Appreciation is different from salary and wages. Those are reward for services rendered. But appreciation is going extra mile to giving gifts to the people of God. Paul talked about the Macedonian Christians how they gave not just what they have but more than that. Baptist people should stop seeing minister of God as employee. He is an overseer of souls day and night. Members can be going to see relatives anytime or celebrate Xmas with parents and friends.

No pastor goes for Christmas or Esther celebration. Even when on leave he is busy pronouncing benedictions, making consultation and contribution whenever he is sighted at any service.

Churches do look away from condition of service when it states benefits for pastors but search and apply to letter when they want to punish them.

Get copies of the Condition of Service for the Nigerian Baptist Convention workers. Read and fulfill roles and responsibilities. Give gifts to your pastor. Send text to appreciate him when he preaches good sermon. Send cards instead of flashing him to call you back.

To appreciate Servant of God is to push him to do more. You buy DSTV for pastor and you don’t recharge it for him, or buy car and not support to care for it. Otherwise you have only created a liability not appreciation. Do something that makes him comfortable so he can do more not to put burden and pressure on him.

Conclusion. Pray with and for him instead of running him down and criticize every move. Remember Miriam and Aron.

“Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. "Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?" they asked. "Hasn't he also spoken through us?" And the Lord heard this. (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.) At once the Lord said to Moses, Aaron and Miriam, "Come out to the Tent of Meeting, all three of you." So the three of them came out. Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the Tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam…The anger of the Lord burned against them, and he left them.”  Num12:1-10

Cooperate with him to encourage him and improve interpersonal relationship. Heb. 13:17. May the Lord bless you all in Jesus name.

Steps to Mission Expansion

Pass through, pass through the gates!
Prepare the way for the people.
Build up, build up the highway!
Remove the stones.
Raise a banner for the nations
                   -Isaiah 62: 10

The passage we are considering here gives us the steps for mission expansion. The focal point in the text is the need for us to make the path easier for converts and disciples who are following us no matter how difficult.

In those days, our fathers through communal efforts gathered very early in the morning with various farm implements. They would go through the wet grasses and spiral narrow road clearing, channeling and constructing local bridges with bamboos, trunks of trees and palm trees. All these efforts were geared towards making ways for the young, women and those who would be plying the route to have easy trip while bringing home the farm produce. Sometimes they did that because of an important indigene or visitor who would be returning to the village. There are people who will not want to go to the village where they were raised because of the impassable roads. Also, there are people who will never come to the Lord except believers with one accord take the steps highlighted by Prophet Isaiah.

 Pass through, pass through the gates! The first action statement is for the believers to make a transit, going across the hurdles. A gate is a point of entry or exit. A gate is an access to a space. Sometimes gates are mounted to restrict movement. Some references to gates in the Bible shows the negation to expansion and establishment of the people of God. “Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in…At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: "Cursed before the Lord is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho: "At the cost of his firstborn son will he lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest will he set up its gates."” Joshua 6: 1,26. Other references are, Psalm 24: 7a; Isaiah 45: 2; Matthew 16: 18; Gen. 24: 60; Deut 3: 5;

Every gate mounted on your way to enlargement shall break down in Jesus name. believers must defy all odds that stand as gates against the expansion of the church and march into victory, possessing their possessions and make the kingdoms of this world the kingdom of our Lord Jesus. Whatever may be the challenges, the power of God and His grace will see us through in Jesus name.

Don’t allow happenings around us to weigh us down. There wars, rumours of wars, pestilences, economic woes and recession, corruption in high places and desecration of the holy sanctuaries. All these are gates of hell. They shall not overcome us in Jesus name. be courageous and strong in the Lord. Be strong in prayers, bible study and mission works. You shall get to your promised land in Jesus name.

Covenant of Favour

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7: 9

 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.

He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.  He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: (KJV) Psalm  105: 6-10.

As we enter the last four months in the year 2014, the Lord is going to lead us through in mercy backed by covenant. His covenant and mercy are inseparable. He covenanted with the patriachs not because of any sacrifice but in mercy. The Word of God says, "Noah found grace in the sight of God..." That is why he was not destroyed in the flood.  

There is but one covenant between God and men through which God in sovereign fashion dispenses His grace to men and fulfills His promises to them, a variety of occasions is mentioned in the Old Testament, and the precise character of the grace bestowed and of the promise given differs according to the circumstances. Abraham was favoued among the family members. God called him out of his kindred blessed with an everlasting covenant. Till today Abraham remains a blessing to mankind. 

The Lord is faithful to those in covenant relationship with him. He is not like us humans. We make our promises and we cannot always stand behind them. God is not like us at all! What He says He will do, He will do, because He cannot lie. “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? ” Numbers 23:19. He remembers his covenants forever. That promise concerning your health or wealth shall come to pass in Jesus name. Did you have a good dream? God is faithful; he will bring it to pass in Jesus name. 

You are a seed of Abraham, not by birth or politics but by the mercy of God. Apostle Paul says, "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting  me into the ministry; Who was before a  blasphemer, and a persecutor, and  injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I  did it ignorantly in unbelief.   And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." 1Timothy 1: 12-14 The same favour shall fall on you and grant you deliverance from the power of Satan, sin and demons in Jesus name. 

In 2Thesalonians 3: 1-3, it is obvious that God can be trusted in terms of his promises and covenant.  “ God is faithful ,” He can be counted on the stand by His Word. Paul reminds the people in Thessalonica that God “ will stablish you and keep you from evil .”The word “ stablish ” has the idea of “ making stable, placing firmly, setting fast.” It means that God will “ strengthen them and cause them to become constant in their lives and confirmed in their mind.” everything needed to be stable in life shall be given to the people of God. It shall be given to you.

You must trust him for your miracle and do those terms of the covenant. Offer him a unique offering as Noah, Abraham, David and Jesis did. You shall be richly blessed in Jesus name. 

Many people believe ember months as we call the last four months of every year are dangerous. But i can assure you of the mercy of God to go through without any regret. The blood of Jesus Christ is a token of covenant of peace, life and prosperity. You are secured by the blood of Jesus. No evil will come near you in Jesus name.

The Cry for Miracles

The topic we are considering this day is what God is expecting from us to get out of the wood. Every one of us has to get to the point when we need to cry for miracles. You don’t need to pretend all is well when there is depression, pain, and struggle without reward. There is mixed ups, confusion and desperation under your cloth.  It is my prayer that you will experience your relief in Jesus name. 

The Word of God says, “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.  He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” Psalm 107: 28-30.  To cry means sobbing, scream, shriek, to call loudly for a remedy and action. This is what God is expecting you to do for your miracles to surface today. It is an attribute of prayers from a sincere heart. It is time for a strong desire for a change from the valley of life to the mountain of life. I decree that you are lifted from that position of despondency to the mountain of unprecedented celebration of miracles in Jesus name. 

We need to cry for miracles in our nation at this crucial moment of security challenge. The situations around us are beyond the national security apparatus. The only key to salvage our lives and property from wanton destruction is the cry of the people of God for divine intervention. Do not leave everything to the leaders and security agents. Every one of us has a role to play in order to bring peace and unity to our dear country. Let us stop the blame game and let us harness all resources to fight the various scourges that are plaguing the coexistence of our country. The Lord gives us a condition for this miracle in the Bible, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” 2Chronicles 7: 14

While Jesus was passing through Jericho, there was a man by the roadside with ears hearing of shout of joy and testimonies. Lots of news making the round about Jesus Christ but he was wallowing in abject poverty and gloominess even by the roadside. He took an unusual step that caught the attention of the crowd and Jesus. “Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Mark 10: 46-47. The man had been begging for alms before Jesus arrived his vicinity, when he heard that Jesus was passing by, he shouted and Jesus stopped at his shout to attend to his needs.

“Pass me not o gentle Saviour

Hear my humble cry,

While on others Thou art calling

Do not pass me by

Savior, Savour, hear my humble cry

While on others Thou art calling

Do not pass me by”

It is time to cry for salvation. It is time for cry for deliverance. It is time to cry for breakthrough. It is time to cry for divine intervention. No matter what you are passing through, if you will cry to Him today He is ready to listen and intervene in that situation.  “…and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour me." Psalm 50: 15. 

If you are ready to cry to God now, let us pray together and say, Lord Jesus, I have seen my inadequacy and know that you alone is able to save me. Have mercy on me and deliver me from the grip of sin satan and flesh. I confess you as my Lord and Saviour. Thank you for coming ibto my heart and life.

Praising God At All Time

We all like to feel good all the days of our lives. It is my prayer that you will always feel good in Jesus name. Wait a moment, the realities of life and the truth in the Scripture show us that difficult times are with us here. However we are charged to praise the Lord at all times. This is not because we are feeling good alone. We are commanded to praise God in all situations. 

Let us consider some reasons why we should give praise to God: 

Our Salvation by Grace: In the Gospel according to Luke,  the Bible says, “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."   He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.   I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.  However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” This is what give birth to our relationship with God. 1John 3: 1-3; Gal 4: 4-6; 2Cor. 6: 17-18

Our Protection: Considering Jesus response to the report of the disciples, He said, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." Children of God, you are protected against the works of Satan. The whole world is not safe except the Lord's grace preserving us. Apostle John says, “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” 1John 5: 19; Psalm 127: 1 It is the grace of God upon our lives. Many are they who prayed and worshipped God more than we do yet they were not given the kind of opportunities we are enjoying today. Therefore we must praise the Lord. Look at where you have gone through, yet you were not consumed.  “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.”

Our Provisions: We need to praise God for our daily provisions.  Jesus in His response further said, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” This means, all we need to be fulfilled is already deposited in every child of God. Hunger and lacks, and ailments are like the sting of scorpion. Jesus has given us authority to put under feet. The ability to overcome the works of the serpent is available to us. We are not just given wealth but power to produce wealth and fulfill our kingdom assignments. Psalm 23: 1-6; Deuteronomy 8: 18; Psalm 128: 2; Matthew 6: 33. 

All these and many are reasons for us to keep praising the Lord. In doing this, we must belong to the family of God. The blessings are meant for the children of God. If you are not one of us, you will be experiencing just crubs of what the people of God are enjoying. ‘Olorun mi ga, emi na a ga olowo ni jesu, emi na a lowo; Olorun mi ga, emi na a ga Olowo ni Jesu emi na a lowo’

Remain blessed in Jesus name.  

27/7/2014

Recovering the Lost Glory

The mission to restore lost glory was accomplished about 2000 years ago. You are not the one to do something in order to restore the lost glory since Jesus has come to seek that which was lost. It is a settled matter which you were invited to accept. He humbled himself to take up your position on the cross of Calvary, and on the cross He said "It is finished"... After resurrection, He declared "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me..." Matthew 28: 18. He reclaimed what we lost in the Garden of Eden. 

You can trust His perfect works of redemption and experience the joy of recovery. He is willing to restore to you what the enemy had stolen. "People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house." Proverbs 6: 30, 31. Jesus caught the thief, rendered him powerless and recovered from him the stolen glory. 

I declare to you this day, whatever the enemy had stolen from your life is restored in Jesus mighty name. The Bible says, "How you have fallen from heaven. O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, you who have weakened the nations.

But you said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.'" Isaiah 14: 12-14. The good news is that the King of glory conquered him through the power of resurrection. 

Take the following steps as recorded in 2Chronicles 7: 14, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray

And seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 

1) Humble Yourself. Accept you are a sinner who has lost the glory of God. Confess and be ready to forsake your sins.

2) Pray. You need to call upon the name of the Lord and acknowledge Him as your Saviour.

3) Seek Him. In your daily walk with the Lord, seek Him through personal meditation in the Bible. 

4) Turn Away from all Evils. You mus separate yourself from the wicked and start fellowshiping with godly people. 

You shall be blessed as you do so in Jesus name. 

The Power of Vison

Text:"Where there is no vision, the people perish."  Therefore my people will go into exile for lack of understanding; their men of rank will die of hunger and their masses will be parched with thirst". Proverbs 29: 18; Isaiah 13: 5.

 The reason you are sent into the world by God is for you to fulfill a vision. If you can see it, you can have it. Whatever you conceive you can receive. The cloud of wants and forces of darkness render this intent impotent. Therefore, it is time to fight back and reclaim our vision in order to get to where God destined for our life. The Word of God says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." In the first place, the word "vision" used here has to do with the Word of God. Where there is no Word of God, where there is no message of life, the people perish, is the primary interpretation of this passage.

How To Get Vision

Vision has to do with clear mindset strongly attached to the Holy Spirit and the Scripture. In order to get vision you need the following steps:

1 Consistently Seek The Face Of God. Jeremiah  29: 13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Also, Pro. 8: 17; Isaiah 55: 6, 2Chro. 14: 4. When you discover God you discover His mind for your life.

2. Clean Up Your Mind

Get rid of all negative tendencies in your heart by filling your heart with the Word of God. “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?   He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.” 

3. Commune With God in Prayer. 

God uses vision to meet needs and aspiration of them that love Him. It is a divine intervention in a situation that is beyond human solutions. So, when you sincerely pray and commune with God, He reveals His mind concerning the way forward. 

The needs include: Spiritual needs, Career direction, Marital guidance, Ministry details etc. When the people of God prays, God speaks and reveals what to do. An example is seen in the way the Apostles sent out workers.

“In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” Acts 13: 1-3

What to Do With Your Vision.

1. Pray about it

2. Write it Down

3. Plan the implementation

4. Be diligent in managing it

As do these, the Lord shall lead you to your green pastures with abunant satisfaction in Jesus name.

Rev’d G. S. Adeyemo
abundantgracemi@gmail.com
abundantgracemi.blogspot.com

The Great God

Text: Deuteronomy 10:17. For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh
reward:

Talking about the greatness of God seems to be attempting too much a task. This is because, no man is knowledgeable enough to describe His greatness to the fullness. When you talk of great, you are referring to extraordinary place, person, or thing. In Hebrew usage of this word, Great could mean abundant in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality. In Greek term it means two words, megas, Heb.4:14 and Polus Eph.2:4.

As we examine the extraordinary God, our mega God, Moses described Him to be "...a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:” we will just discuss two things about this our Great God.

1. His Position

2. His Power

1. The Position of our God: He is God of gods. The word of God says in 1 Chronicles 16:25 "For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. Also in Psalm 47:2 "For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth" No one among all that men worshipped or feared is greater than Him. He is greater than the greatest. He was before everything. He created all things and remains eternally supreme over the angels, idols, kings and all things. Colossians chapter 1 verses 16- 18 says,  "For by him were all things created, that are in  heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible,  whether they be thrones, or dominions, or  principalities, or powers: all things were created  by him, and for him: And he is before all things,  and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." Any demon, person or situation posing a threat to your life and businesses shall bow before our great God in Jesus name.

2. The Power of God: Our God is not only great in position, but in power. He is able to know all things, do all things and control all things. "For though we walk in the flesh, we  do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of  our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through  God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the  obedience of Christ;" 1 Corinthians 10: 3 -6. He is mightier than the mightiest.

Mohammed Ali the world boxing champion once identified himself in his own evaluation, “I am the greatest!” today; he is can’t stand on his own. He has all power to handle your situation. Mary spoke of the Great Things of God Luke 1:49 "For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name." The same God of power will surprise you in Jesus name. What men fail to do He will do in hiHis power in Jesus mighty name.

He did great thing in the life of the man of Gadara and he became a talking point in town and cities till date. He is alive to do greater things if you will surrender your life to him. You are to obey him and serve him with all your soul, spirit and strength. The Maniac of Gadara experienced and told of the Great Things of God Mark.5:19 20 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but

saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis

The Power of His Word

Today we shall consider an important subject which has to do with the final authority of our faith. This is a subject that gives flesh to our belief and without which no man shall prosper. Joshua 1: 8; Psalm 1: 1-4; 2Timothy 3: 16-17. Many problems faced by the church and as individual has to do with the premium we placed on the word of God. Have you asked yourself this question, “When last did I study the Word of God?”

As we are looking into the Power of His Word, I pray that the Holy Spirit will open our understanding and grant us a revelation which will take us to the next level in Jesus name. There are three basic things which the word of God does which we have to study today.

1. The Word Produces Faith:- Romans 10: 17. We believe so strongly in the words we hear from friends, public discuss, soothsayers on the street, on the Television or read from the Newspapers more than the Bible. This is a major reason why we live in fear and perplexities because, those words we listen to or read do not just encourage us. Most news we hear or read are bad news. Some genwrate suspicion and fear in us. We must transfer such curiosity and interest to the Word of God. The Bible says, “Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God” Romans 10: 17.

Through the word of God, your eyes of understading is enlightened giving rise to faith inside you. That is why you need to give much time to reading, hearing and studying the Word of God. Faith is active when the word of God gives revelations to our spirit.

2. The Word Consumes Like Fire:- Jeremiah 23: 29, 20: 9. The Word of God performs certain functions in our life that makes it look like fire. We are like gold in the presence of the Word that melts our life and mould us. It is often related to the purification of gold.  Gold cannot be purified without fire, for in that state of liquid can the impurities be removed.  God's word is like a fire that melts our heart (Hebrew term for the inward man) so the impurities (sin) can be removed (washed away with the blood of Jesus). The hammer is symbolic of our hard heart being broken into small parts so the fire has a greater chance of melting our wicked way or sin and giving us a purification that only God can provide. It is like a refiner's fire, hot but does not destroy.

3. The Word Became Flesh:- John 1: 1- 5. 1. Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh. He has all authority in heaven and on earth. Through Him our life can be transformed. The Bible is active because it is all about Jesus Christ.  As our text reminds us, Jesus is the Word made flesh. That's why we can believe God's Word through faith! Because there is power and authority in Jesus, in His name, in His blood, then there is power in God's holy Word also!

Rev’d G. S. Adeyemo
 The Senior Pastor
Christ Baptist Church Alimoso Lagos Nigeria.
2/6/2014
Preached on 8/6/2014
                             abundantgracemi@gmail.com

Far Above Rubies

Preached by Reverend G. S. Adeyemo during Mother's Day
On 11/5/2014 
At Christ Baptist Church
Alimoso, Lagos Nigeria

I felicitate with women worldwide and especially with the Women Missionary Union of the Baptist Family on the occasion of this year Mother's Day holding May 11, 2014. It is my prayer that the Lord will continue to bless you richly in Jesus name. The theme: 'Far above the Rubies' speaks volume about the priceless quality of a woman. 

There are four most precious stones namely: Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald and Ruby.  Our attention is drawn to rubies in the Bible when considering the price of a woman. “Who can find a virtuous  woman?  For her price is far above rubies.”  (Proverbs 31: 10) Diamonds may get all the attention, but rubies and sapphires are the first choice of kings and the affluent because of their extreme rarity.  

This rarity is seen in three dimensions namely; Colour, Character and Cost.

The colour reveals special qualities and peculiarity in this precious stone. The red colour is caused by an element called chromium. This is a hard metallic element highly polished resists tarnishing. As a result of this element a ruby becomes so pretty and precious.

God created women with special beauty. Jacob decided to serve Laban for seven years because of beautiful Rachel. He eventually ended up serving for fourteen years Woman, take care of your beauty because it is the glory of God demonstrated upon you .Do not allow it to be tarnished. The beauty of a ruby is seen from outside. But a godly woman's beauty is seen from inside according to the Bible. 1Peter 3: 1-4 

This will take us to the second dimension to a ruby. A ruby is formed out of the element called corundum which gives it a hard character.  It has to do with integrity and doggedness. Reading through Proverbs 31: 10 -31 shows these special qualities. A godly woman has greater value and honour than rubies. 

As a result of the previous qualities, a ruby  is highly valued. 

No matter how highly valued a ruby might be, the preciousness of a godly woman stands far taller. every precious woman strives to preserve inner beauty and maintain her integrity in the face of all mundane things that are plaguing this generation. Jesus Christ is the only catalyst that makes the life of a woman so dynamic and highly favoured by God and men. 

Allow Him to transform you and you will never remain the same. 

Happy Mother's Day!!!

When God Doesn't Make Sense

The will of God concerning His children is to live in joy and peace with Him all the days of our life. He made adequate provisions for that. He has the capacity to make the world free of pain and sorrow. . However, many do not realize that the will of God is not without the storm of life. There are philosophers who consider God incapacitated by the troubles of this world. In their terrible imagination, they think has lost control of the world He created. 

You may be walking in dark hours of your life and wondering where Jesus is. You may be facing some of the darkest days of your life right now. Let me remind you that our God is ever with you, He promised Abraham that he would be father of nations, yet the wife was going about barren. Abraham still believed God and at the end his miracle came. The Word of God says, "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." 1Peter 3: 17. 

Have you not heard people saying "But I prayed, my pastor,  peophet and children of God confirmed that my spouse was the will of God for me in marriage; therefore why all these troubles that we go through today?" Some people abandoned the so called will of God and found alternatives forgetting that the will of God is not without the storm of life.  Do you know that the bitter trials in which you found yourself is a blessing in disguise. Everything that God allows to come our way is always with a purpose. He uses even the greatest error and deepest

pain to mold us into a better person. Remember, the will of God is not without storm of life. 

 While you are in the midst of the storm of life thinking Jesus has abandoned you, remember that the will of God is not without the storm of life. Also, you must know this second truth when God doesn't make sense, the way of God to triumph is not always reasonable. Many will want to know why is the bush burning and is not consumed. This is what is called wanders and miracle. The way of God is mysterious and can not be fully comprehended. It can only be revealed. "And he made known his ways unto Moses and His ways

unto the children of Israel."' God made known his ways unto Moses and then God made known His acts unto the children of Israel. He will reveal the way to triumph over your storms and show His works in your life in Jesus name. 

You may not need to know how He will do it but trust Him and see His wonders. That was Moses desire and prayer -to know the way of God to the promised land. He says, "And Moses said unto the Lord, See,

thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt sent with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way," Exodus 33:12. If God wants you to carry out an instruction, He has prepared all it takes for you tp accomplish it. You may not be able to calculate in perfect terms how it will be done but surely you can reach the promised land as you yield to His leading. 

The Covenant Keeping God

Making a covenant entails Responsibility, Blessings and Penalty. God called Abraham and made a covenant with him. Its not just to bless him but committed Abraham to carry out certain actions in order to enjoy the blessings. The Lord said to Abraham, "This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.  For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner--those who are not your offspring.  Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant." Genesis 17: 10-14. Let us examine the three aspects of covenant as mentioned above. 

 Responsibility is the price you must pay for a desired result. It could be your action or inaction. Those who avoid responsibilities are responsible for their own peril. This is because you alone will be accountable for whatever you do or fail to do. Therefore be ready to accept responsibility for the good you expect. 

Responsibility is a form of sacrifice. In other words, responsibility requires exchange of value. You offer what you value to get what is more valuable. It is a sacrifice of personal interest for the purpose of fulfilment. Responsibility goes with accountability.  Business Dictionary defines responsibility as, "duty or obligation to satisfactorily perform or complete a task (assigned by someone, or created by one's own promise or circumstances) that one must fulfill, and which has a consequent penalty for failure ." 

You can't be aloof when you are into a covenant. There could be what to do not because you like it.  In fact it could be unpopular and against the norms and traditions of men. In the case of Abraham, he was to circumcise the male children and be circumcised. 

3 Another crucial aspect of a covenant is the attendant blessings. Every covenant made has some sort of promises that attracts interests. The blessings attached to covenants generates an overwhelming interest. It is the promises that compels one or both  party involved to be responsible.

(to be continued.) 

The Significance of Number 4 in the Bible

Our God relates to the creation especially through covenant. Special blessings call for covenant relationship. For you to enjoy God fully you need covenant relationship. As you do that, every subsisting covenant that is paralysing your destiny shall be annulled in Jesus name. 

God has a covenant with the sun moon and stars. "This is what the LORD says: 'If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night no longer come at their appointed time," Jer. 33: 20.
This is where number 4 is derived from. Read Genesis 1: 14 -19. It is a Covenant of greatness. The word of God teaches us that God created the great lights on the 4th day. This is associated with number 4 in the Bible.
Those three elements are severally referred to as peculiar among other creations. In fact, they are crucial to determining the fate of other creatures. They are to determine time and seasons. Ecclessiastes 3: 1- 8 tells us how our destinies hang around them. I declare you a glory to recorn with in your family in Jesus name. Job Job 22: 8.
There are 4great rivers in the garden of Eden. They are full of glory, riches and wealth. The universe is divided into 4 directions. The North, Sourh, East and West. Winds from these directions gave live to dry bones in Ezekiel 37. The Lord shall bless you from the four directions of the world in Jesus name.
The 4th of the Ten Commandments is to remember and keep God's holy Sabbath day (Exodus 20:9 -11). The Sabbath day is tied directly to the creation week. God himself made the period between Friday sunset and Saturday sunset extra special when he rested on it after bringing everything into existence the previous six days (Genesis 2:1 - 3, Exodus 20:11). After Jesus was nailed and hung on a cross, Roman soldiers divided up his clothes into four parts (one for each soldier - John 19:23).
Do not take God for granted nor His Word. Whatever He says will surelly come to pass in your life in

It Is Not Over Yet

"Be careful for  nothing; but in every thing by prayer and  supplication with thanksgiving let your  requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6

The word 'careful' caught my attention while meditating in the passage quoted here. It means do not allow anything to arrest your mind. An online Dictionary defined it this way, "Making sure of avoiding potential danger, mishap, or harm; cautious." Another one says "Acting or working in a thoughtful, painstaking way;..." Apostle Paul writing from proson encouraging those Christians in Philipi not to run away from persecution and afflictions that might come their way as a result of commitment to Christ.
Giving much attention to what you can not have will prevent manifestation of greater and better future. Beware of your mountains. They are not bigger than our God. He is merciful loving and caring. He has prepared better things for you. The devil or doctors may say your situation is hopless. Dont quit, God is faithful, He will turn atpund the tide and grant you peace in Jesus name. The bruises on the wrists and ankles pf Paul, the inconveniences around him in prison could not push him to be sorrowing. He was sure of greater glory ahead. He says, "For I reckon that  the sufferings of this present time are not  worthy to be compared with the glory  which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8: 18. You will shine again in Jesus name.
Seven Things to Keep You on Course
Stop paying much attention to your situations. Isaiah 43: 18-19; Hebrews 12: 2.
Sing praises from your heart
Stay around vision helpers not discouragers
Sow an uncommon seed
Study God's promises to apply to your situation.
Sanctify yourself for the use  of God.
Seek the will of God through prayer.

As you are doing these things, the Lord will perform uncommon wonders in your life in Jesus name.

Tapping into God's Resources

For every location there are allocations. If you are in the right location, your allocations will definitely locate you. No matter what is the situation around you, if you are in the right location, nothing can stop your allocations.
David was where God and his parents wanted him to be at a point in time. Right in the bush amidst the animals, God visited him and brought him to the palace. Instead of grumbling about your environment or business ordeal, why cant you approach God to find out if you are in the right location. if not, ask God to relocate you. Psalm 78: 70.
This is the second thing that helped David actualized his destiny. In 1Samuel 17: 34, he recounted before Saul;
“Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:” Also, 1Chr 17: 7.
Wherever you are all the lions threatening you shall be torn into pieces in Jesus name.
The truth about your location is that God has an assignment for you. For every assignment, there are consignments. There may be storm and temptations. Stand firm, your consignment is underway.
May the Lord endues you with the power to endure to your day of glorification in Jesus’ name three things to usher in your allocations is:
1. Patience
2. Power
3. Prayer
 Remain blessed as you tap into the power of God through prayer and patience in Jesus name.

Renew Our Days As of Old

“Because of Mount Zion which lies desolate….Restore us to Thee, O LORD, that we may be restored. Renew our days as of old” (Lamentations 5:18a, 21).

Introduction
Welcome to a new year in our life. Welcome to a new century in our national history; a new century in our denominational cooperative endeavour. It is a year of celebrations. It is year of reflection and a year of rejuvenation. I declare unto you a year of Restoration of lost glory in Jesus name. Obadiah 17 says, "But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance."
You shall recover spiritually, financially, physically and in all aspects of your life in Jesus name

Explanation
One of the greatest favour mankind has with God is the opportunity to start all over. Angels don't have that privilege. The Bible says,
" And the angels which kept not their
first estate, but left their own habitation,
he hath reserved in everlasting chains
under darkness unto the judgment of the
great day." Jude 6.
Since God is interested in our salvation rather than damnation, He gives several opportunities to retrace our ways and turn to Him for help. The only danger in this freedom is our inability to know when the door of such opportunities closes. Hence, we must seize them whenever they come.

For over hundred years our country moves from glory to stories but this year God will restore our fortunes.
What of our churches? You remember the disciplined sacrificial missionaries who defiled Dark Continent's woes because of passion for souls? Today it's fashion without passion. Civilization without revelations. Education without inspiration. Oh Lord, renew our days as of old.
May we pastors, prophets, evangelists, workers in the vineyard catch the flame of the Holy Ghost as of the days of Isaiah in his 6th chapter of his book. Lord, rescue us from the grip of worldliness, carnality and desolation in churches and renew our days in Jesus name.
Follow Up Actions:-
Humble yourself in the surgical room of God 2Cor. 13: 5; Heb. 4:12
Be ready to let go all hindrances Heb. 12: 1-4.
Cry to God in prayer for intervention Lam. 5: 21; Isa. 6: 1-6.
As you do so, the Lord will renew and restore your glory in Jesus name.